Author Archives: David Johnson

A SMALL STEP FOR HEALTHCARE, A GIANT LEAP FOR A MOVEMENT

Posted on 10/19/2017 by David Johnson

On Wednesday, September 13, 2017, Vermont Independent Senator Bernie Sanders introduced a single-payer/expanded and improved Medicare for All health care bill (Senate Bill 1804) in the U.S. Senate. At a press conference that day, Senator Sanders stated, “The American people want … Continue reading →

Posted in health care | Comments Off on A SMALL STEP FOR HEALTHCARE, A GIANT LEAP FOR A MOVEMENT

OUT OF SIGHT, OUT OF MIND, THE HIDDEN COSTS OF WAR

Posted on 09/09/2017 by David Johnson

“War is a racket!” This was a famous quote from retired U.S. Marine Corp General Smedley Butler in 1934. Butler stated that “I spent 33 years in the Marine Corp, most of my time being a high-class muscle man for … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Environment, Foreign Policdy, Foreign Policy, labor, Middle East, military | Comments Off on OUT OF SIGHT, OUT OF MIND, THE HIDDEN COSTS OF WAR

“Labor Hour” Now on WRFU, the Radio Station of the UCIMC

Posted on 11/18/2016 by David Johnson

After 21 years at radio station WEFT, the World Labor Hour radio program has moved its weekly 2-hour program to radio station WRFU (104.5 FM/wrfu.net) in the IMC/downtown Urbana Post Office building. The World Labor Hour radio program (originally called … Continue reading →

Posted in Labor/Economics, Media | Comments Off on “Labor Hour” Now on WRFU, the Radio Station of the UCIMC

Labor Campaign For Single Payer Healthcare National Conference In Chicago

Posted on 10/08/2015 by David Johnson

From Friday, October 30th until Sunday, November 1st in Chicago, Illinois, the largest-ever national conference of single-payer/Medicare for All health care advocates will convene. The conference is jointly sponsored by the Labor Campaign for Single Payer, Healthcare Now, One Payer States … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Labor Campaign For Single Payer Healthcare National Conference In Chicago

Stop the Trans Pacific Partnership

Posted on 05/07/2015 by David Johnson

Nearly all the Republicans and the Obama administration are united on pushing through the most massive free trade agreement to date, called the TPP (Trans Pacific Partnership). The vast majority of members of Congress, in the House and Senate alike, … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Stop the Trans Pacific Partnership

Why the Republicans Were So Successful in the Mid-Term Elections

Posted on 01/30/2015 by David Johnson

It is obvious from the recent mid-term elections that the Democratic Party nation-wide is in crisis. The corporate media states that the Democratic Party must become more “centrist,” meaning that the Democratic Party needs to be more like the Republicans. … Continue reading →

Posted in National, Politics | Comments Off on Why the Republicans Were So Successful in the Mid-Term Elections

The New Civil Rights Campaign-Health Care is a Human Right!

Posted on 05/24/2013 by David Johnson

DEMOCRACY AND JUSTICE DENIED In May of 2009 the U.S. Senate Finance Committee, chaired by Democratic Montana Senator Max Baucus, pressured by President Barack Obama, held hearings about healthcare reform in the U.S. Over the course of several weeks, only … Continue reading →

Posted in Healthcare, Human Rights, Politics | Comments Off on The New Civil Rights Campaign-Health Care is a Human Right!

The “Fiscal Cliff” is Classic Shock Doctrine

Posted on 01/21/2013 by David Johnson

The “debt ceiling” and “fiscal cliff” scenarios are well choreographed dog-and-pony circus acts brought to you by the same people who crashed the economy in 2008, with the help of their bought-and-paid-for politicians from both the Democrat and Republican parties. … Continue reading →

Posted in Labor/Economics, Politics | Comments Off on The “Fiscal Cliff” is Classic Shock Doctrine

MY EXPERIENCE IN CUBA: Installment II

Posted on 10/03/2012 by David Johnson

  For anyone who lives outside the United States, a trip to Cuba is no different than a trip to any Caribbean country like Jamaica, Aruba, etc. For those living in the U.S., this has not been the case. Three years … Continue reading →

Posted in International, Politics, Uncategorized | Comments Off on MY EXPERIENCE IN CUBA: Installment II

MY EXPERIENCE IN CUBA: INSTALLMENT I

Posted on 08/15/2012 by David Johnson

  By DAVID JOHNSON This is part one of a two-part series reflecting on my travels in Cuba IMPRESSIONS ON THE STREET   In many ways it seemed like things have been frozen in time since the 1950s or the 1970s—with the … Continue reading →

Posted in International, Uncategorized | Comments Off on MY EXPERIENCE IN CUBA: INSTALLMENT I

FLEX N GATE WORKERS FIGHT FOR HEALTH, LIVING WAGES AND JUSTICE IN URBANA ILLINOIS

Posted on 04/05/2012 by David Johnson

CENTRAL ILLINOIS JOBS WITH JUSTICE FLEX N GATE WORKERS FIGHT FOR HEALTH, LIVING WAGES AND JUSTICE IN URBANA ILLINOIS WHY A BILLIONAIRE CANT AFFORD SAFETY EQUIPMENT OR LIVING WAGES ? Billionaire Shahid Kahn, owner of Flex N Gate Incorporated, manafactures bumpers for the … Continue reading →

Posted in Human Rights, Labor/Economics, Uncategorized | Comments Off on FLEX N GATE WORKERS FIGHT FOR HEALTH, LIVING WAGES AND JUSTICE IN URBANA ILLINOIS

Judi Bari, the IWW and Environmentalism

Posted on 04/05/2010 by Neil Parthun

As we celebrate Earth Day and enjoy the flush of spring, it is important to reflect on those who have made invaluable contributions to the continuing efforts at protecting our environment and our rights. Judi Bari is one such individual … Continue reading →

Posted in Environment, Labor/Economics | Leave a comment

The Legacy Of The 1999 WTO “Battle Of Seattle” On Champaign-Urbana

Posted on 11/04/2009 by David Johnson

During the late summer and early fall of 1999, I saw a multitude of e-mails and postings on the relatively new internet, from numerous citizens’ organizations and individuals, indicating their plans to go to Seattle in November to protest the … Continue reading →

Posted in IMC, Media, National, UC-IMC | Leave a comment

The Working Class Strikes Back

Posted on 02/02/2009 by David Johnson

On Friday Dec. 5th 2008, an event occured on the near-north side of Chicago that sent a chill up the spine of corporate America and inspired working people around the world. A small factory of 200 workers refused to go … Continue reading →

Posted in Labor/Economics | Leave a comment

MAY DAY 1886 AND THE EIGHT-HOURDAY MARTYRS

Posted on 05/26/2007 by David Johnson

During the summer of 1884, the Federation of Organized Trades called for May 1st 1886 to be the beginning of a nationwide movement for the eight-hour work day. Both state of Illinois and federal employees were already covered by an … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

James Connolly

Posted on 03/25/2007 by David Johnson

Born Seamas O’Conghaile on June 5th 1868, Connolly is one of the single most important persons in the history of Ireland in the last 100 years. Born and raised in Edinburgh Scotland to Irish immigrant parents, he joined the British … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment