70 days of Interest
We will work an average of the first 70 days of this year just to earn the money needed to pay interest charges on our debts (not to repay the debts). We collectively pay £1.5 billion on interest each year.
Trotsky’s ‘Trade Unions in the Epoch of Imperialist Decay’
Marxism
is a not a moral code and is more than a set of ideas. It is a method that, if
applied correctly to the concrete situation, acts as a compass for the movement
towards the transformation of society by the working class in the interests of
humanity as a whole. Anyone can use a compass but it is still necessary to
decide whether to continue heading north or to change direction. Trotsky’s
short article, Trade Unions in the Epoch of Imperialist Decay, though unfinished, contains some vital lessons for the class conscious
workers and youth.
Neutralise your cheating – fund monogamy-boosting offset projects!
Cheatneutral is a spoof website that takes the mick out of the idea that we can save the planet by trading carbon emissions. Here’s the comparison. “At Cheatneutral, we believe that we should all try to reduce the amount we cheat on our partners, but we also realise that fidelity isn’t always possible. That’s why we help you neutralise your cheating…By paying Cheatneutral, you’re funding monogamy-boosting offset projects – we simply invest the money you give us in monogamous, faithful or just plain single people, to encourage them to stay that way.”
Audio File: Dialectical Materialism – the Philosophy of Marxism
For those unacquainted with Marxist philosophy, dialectical materialism may
seem an obscure and difficult concept. However, for those prepared to take the
time to study this new way of looking at things, they will discover a
revolutionary outlook that will allow them an insight into and understanding of
the mysteries of the world in which we live. A grasp of dialectical materialism
is an essential prerequisite in understanding the doctrine of Marxism.
Dialectical materialism is the philosophy of Marxism, which provides us with a
scientific and comprehensive world outlook. It is the philosophical bedrock –
the method – on which the whole of Marxist doctrine is founded.
Heathrow – it’s terminal
The government is pushing plans for a third runway and a sixth
terminal. The fifth terminal will open soon. The fifth terminal on its
own is the third biggest airport in Europe. When the go-ahead for a
fourth terminal was given in 1979 Glidewell, the Chair of the Inquiry,
stated, "In my view the present levels of noise around Heathrow are
unacceptable in a civilised society." Right first time. The fourth
terminal was given the nod on the grounds that that was it. No fifth
terminal. Ever. It seems all governments, not just the present one, are
terminal liars.
Polish cleaners: human beings
American insurance group Marsh has demanded that 12 contract cleaners be suspended from duty in their City of London office after they held a protest demanding better pay and conditions. As one of the (mainly Polish) cleaners said, “We just wanted to be treated like human beings.” Too much to ask?
Labour Representation Committee Discusses the Venezuelan Revolution
As part of their
bi-monthly meeting, the Greater London Labour Representation Committee (LRC)
invited the Hands Off Venezuela campaign to lead a discussion on the recent
events that have taken place in Venezuela. The LRC, originally formed in 1900
to fight for political representation for the Labour Movement, was re-formed in
2004 to secure a voice for socialists within the trade unions, the Labour Party
and Parliament. Will Roche from the HOV campaign gave a summary of events
dating from the re-election of President Chavez in 2006, in particular, the
development of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV).
UNISON: Pay restraint and cuts – bending the camel’s back
Whether you are a nurse
who’s been offered a 3 year deal starting with 2.75% or a council worker with
2.45%, you are on the receiving end of Gordon Brown’s pay restraint squeeze. As
threatened last year the government is desperate to try and stick to its 2%
target for pay costs. At the moment UNISON, the GMB and other unions are
consulting and despite the down beat mood of the UNISON Local Government
Service Group executive, there are a lot of reasons why members will vote to
reject the offers.
Accountants: save capitalism by changing the rules!
The Financial Times has reported a debate among accountants
about giving a ‘fair value’ to company assets.
What does this mean? As we know, finance capital has a slight problem at present.
Banks, hedge funds and other financial institutions have assets on their books
that they have found out are actually not worth as much as they thought when
they paid for them.
“the West End can’t get enough diamonds”
Marks and Spencer boss Stuart Rose comments, “the West End can’t get enough diamonds”. But the poor are getting poorer. The Institute of Fiscal Studies found 47,000 citizens had incomes over £350,000. They sum up by saying “income inequality is currently at its highest level since the late 1940s.” Is this what you’d expect after ten years of Labour government?
4.5 million in fuel poverty
From the Times 6th March 2008-03-17: The big six energy companies are charging the poorest customers up to £330 a year more for gas and electricity. Tariffs for prepayment are up to 45% higher than internet customers. More than 4.5 million people are in fuel poverty, i.e. spending more than 10% of income on heating their home.
Asylum Seekers
Did you know?..that for all the fuss about asylum seekers, only 2 in 100 apply to come here…that 90% of asylum seekers speak two or more languages and 65% three languages?