My son had to design a cape for school. It was supposed to capture the imagery of what his learning superpowers are. I helped him but I think we maybe veered wayyyy off course… my son loves Peely from Fortnite. I kept asking him how that’s a superpower, but I just went with it because it looked rad… eventually we put “math” next to Peely. I love being a dad, but I’m maybe not the greatest influence for “school”.
I love this photo. My mom passed years after this picture but when I look at this I immediately go back to that moment. Rest easy Ma, til we meet again, send a butterfly & help guide my way.
This late 90s style is still something I rock everyday. Maybe because I don’t really buy new clothes so I still have these hence my style is frozen in time. Or is it because you can take the kid out of the 90s but never the 90s out of the kid.
To be nobody
but yourself in a world
which is doing its best day and night to make you
like everybody else means to fight the hardest battle
which any human being can fight and never stop fighting.
E.E. Cummings
Thank you to my little bro for sending me this. I’m forever blessed for your support, understanding and strength.
With all due respect, Howard Shultz whining about his monicker of “billionaire” on national TV is a really comfy problem to have. Though, like watching Howard eat corn the long way, it was just sad. Howard, it must be difficult & wicked lonely being worth 3.8 billion dollars. Maybe try diving into your obscene wealth, that always seemed to cheer up Scrooge McDuck.
I’d like to you to close your eyes, now….. Imagine never worrying about rent, medical bills, the price of groceries, sick time, car issues, work scheduling you enough hours so you can “afford to live” (a disgusting phrase)…. Imagine your only concerns being the weather off the coast of the Iberian peninsula, to sunbathe on the deck of your yacht.
We’d like to take a brief moment to give our respects to The Orcas in the Mediterranean Sea who are Orcanizing, and have joined in the class struggle, whale recognizes whale.
Keep tearing it up, sink em all.
All power to all porpoises. Salute
Back to our billionaire meditation….
Imagine having sooooo much money, all your necessities & luxuries are met for decades, centuries even. Btw that money - you didn’t earn by your own work but off the labor of others. And then Imagine, with all the billions of money you have, being such an entitled billionaire brat that you fight against the people who help make you wealthy. You fight the people working to earn a fair wage (kept up with the current economic situation). You fight the people ensuring they struggle to afford basic necessities. While at the same time, you never ever ever have to worry about money issues because underpaying your workers ensures your obscene wealth. Howard, if you do decide to dive into your money to cheer yourself up, make sure it’s all nickels - that’s what Scrooge used.
Imagine having that kind of power and influence, and instead of empowering people, helping people, you used your power to ensure your workers struggle & suffer. Knowing that YOU have the power to help, but you CHOSE to fight the people. It sounds like a fable Aesop would have written….. The giant billionaire & his political lapdogs who fights the people for their crumbs.
It’s important that I must point out, all this comes from a lowly hundredaire. Someone who doesn’t know the security of tomorrow, only todays struggle.
One day, this small startup company called Starbucks, worth 115 billion dollars, with a CEO who was gifted a 7 million dollar sign on bonus - JUST FOR TAKING THE JOB - the guy didn’t even work a day, just signed up & got an extra 7 million… one day this “little coffee shop engine that could” will be fiscally wise enough to pay its employees so they can actually afford to buy the products they make & keep the economy alive.
If you don’t know… the elites with their millions don’t fuel our economy… the working class people do… but the people need to have purchasing power to keep the economy healthy, and they need to be paid correctly to sustain said economy…. now you know.
While some people, who haven’t worked a day at the company earn million dollar bonuses, we watch partners go into debt because they’re underpaid and can’t afford medical co-pays or deductibles, people who have to miss work because they’re underpaid & can’t afford when their car breaks down, we witness people who are unable to afford groceries & gas because they’re underpaid, so they go without eating. And we must mention the stress. Stress from being underpaid is all consuming, but it also creates a fire. A fire that ignites revolution. While watching you complain about the monicker of billionaire, we go hungry so we can make it to work the next day.
We are sons, daughters, mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, we are the communities struggling to survive. All of your parents must be ashamed of the suffering you continue to perpetuate. And have the power to alleviate.
Howard, Scrooge would always dive into his money head first, alone with no one around.
Our fight, is a fight against obscene greed. One of the deadly sins. A sin so deadly Jesus himself warned folks that you can’t worship two masters. And people show you what they worship by their actions. Our leaders have chosen to worship the money god. Their “free market” isn’t free, and it will never correct itself - because the market ONLY seeks profits, it cares nothing for the people who create the wealth. And yes, though we work these jobs for money, we encounter more broke folks, more partners willing to share their money to help one another out then this company has even shared it’s own time with the people fighting to negotiate better work conditions in good faith. Why? Because they’re terrified of our power and their greed fears sharing even a minuscule amount of their massive profits, their yacht money, that great grandkid trust fund money, that political bribery money.
So we join the fight, for the people, to come together in solidarity to create a union… for us, by us, of us.
To the people who claim they came from the bottom and made it to the top - only to now fight against the people at the bottom, you’re what they call a class traitor. Someone who was never truly part of the community. Lower than a cockroach. The ones who confuse money with respect.
And to the CEO assistants, who must read their emails & protect the CEOs from hearing anything that may upset them, the assistants who create the “CEO safe spaces”, we are fighting for you too.
Everyone who works should be able to “afford to live”, no matter what that work consists of.
We salute all those fighting for the working class, the teamsters, ups drivers & part timers, the actors, the writers, the teachers, the nurses, the electricians, the laborers, the sanitation workers, the field workers, to all those locked up fighting for the people, the baristas & everyone striking for a better tomorrow. Notice we didn’t mention cops. And huge respect to the workers in France - we see you, thank you. Salute to all those who came before us, who made it possible for us to be here. We stand on the shoulders of giants.
Abbie Hoffman once said “democracy isn’t a place, it’s something you do”… and we the people are inspired to take action… Tupac said “they got money for wars but can’t feed the poor”…. And We the people witness Starbucks spend millions of dollars paying their Anti-Union, Anti-working class, Pro-wealth hoarding lawyers but somehow always come up empty handed when long time partners who’ve helped the company earn those record profits, ask for a raise that keeps pace with the rate of inflation - or even at the rate of the price hikes on the coffee they sell… all of a sudden, Starbucks ain’t got no time or money for that… and we the people continue to witness long time employees earnings being capped - meaning their pay stays the same while the price of everything rises around them.
How come we don’t see CEO earnings being capped? Or Shareholder earnings being capped? Why do they only punished the workers who create the wealth?
People agree that the cost of things gets more expensive with time, but then refuse to acknowledge so should the cost of labor.
Howard, Scrooge also made sure the coins he dove into were tightly compacted into an giant locked vault which he had a diving board to jump off head first.
If you believe a company is progressive and prioritizes humans over profits, but workers are unionizing across the country…. guess what? It’s not the workers who are creating a miserable economy and work conditions, it’s you.
We encourage all workers to join in the fight to unionize. We fight for the workers next to us, the workers who come in after us, for our kids and the next generation, for the older generation who should be able to enjoy life but can’t afford too, we fight for you. Don’t be a class traitor. And always keep your eyes open for class warfare propaganda.
Respect to those who are with us,
Welcome to those who will join us,
Beware to those who fight against us,
For we don’t have much so we got nothing to lose.
Like Fred Hampton said “You can kill a Revolutionary, but you can’t kill the Revolution”.
If we don’t begin to address income inequality now, it will exponentially get worse. Some may think they have just enough money for it not to affect them, but the reality is - the exploit the poorest first, then they come for you. We are in this together.
Income inequality is a complex and deeply rooted issue that requires multifaceted solutions from governments, businesses, and civil society. Here are some strategies and policies that can help address income inequality:
Progressive Taxation:
Implement progressive tax policies that tax higher incomes at higher rates. This includes higher taxes on income, capital gains, and wealth.
Minimum Wage Adjustments:
Raise the minimum wage to a level that provides a livable income, adjusted for regional cost-of-living variations. This can help ensure that low-wage workers earn a decent income.
Equal Pay for Equal Work:
Enforce and strengthen laws that promote equal pay for equal work, regardless of gender, race, or other demographic factors.
Education and Skills Development:
Invest in education and vocational training programs to provide individuals with the skills needed for higher-paying jobs.
Labor Rights and Unionization:
Support labor rights and encourage unionization to enable workers to negotiate for better wages and working conditions.
Income Support Programs:
Expand and improve social safety net programs, such as unemployment benefits, food assistance, and housing subsidies, to provide a financial buffer for low-income individuals and families.
Universal Basic Income (UBI):
Consider implementing a UBI system that provides all citizens with a basic income, ensuring a minimum standard of living for everyone.
Access to Healthcare:
Provide affordable healthcare access to reduce the financial burden on individuals and families, freeing up more disposable income.
Affordable Housing:
Develop policies to increase access to affordable housing, as housing costs are a significant factor in income inequality.
Inclusive Economic Growth:
Promote policies that foster inclusive economic growth, ensuring that the benefits of economic prosperity are more evenly distributed across society.
Worker Ownership and Cooperatives:
Encourage worker-owned cooperatives and businesses to give employees a stake in the success and profits of the company.
Financial Regulation:
Implement regulations and policies that address excessive risk-taking and speculative practices in the financial sector, which can exacerbate income inequality.
Education Equity:
Address disparities in educational opportunities and outcomes, particularly in underserved communities, to level the playing field for all students.
Corporate Governance Reform:
Promote corporate governance practices that prioritize the interests of all stakeholders, including employees and communities, over short-term profits.
Transparent Pay Practices:
Require companies to disclose executive compensation and pay ratios to increase transparency and accountability.
Encourage Entrepreneurship:
Support entrepreneurship and small businesses in underserved communities, providing opportunities for wealth creation.
Political Reform:
Address the influence of money in politics and implement campaign finance reform to ensure that policies are not unduly influenced by wealthy individuals and corporations.
Global Cooperation:
Collaborate on global efforts to combat tax evasion and offshore tax havens to ensure that wealth is appropriately taxed.
You see the cycle of keeping the working class stagnating while the rich get richer in the outline below.
The growing wealth of billionaires while workers' pay stagnates or grows at a slower rate is a complex issue influenced by various economic, social, and political factors. Here are some key factors that contribute to this phenomenon:
Income Inequality:
Income inequality has been on the rise in many countries, including the United States. Wealthy individuals and corporations often have more bargaining power and influence over economic policies, which can result in policies that benefit them at the expense of workers.
Tax Policies:
Tax policies, including loopholes and lower tax rates for capital gains and investment income, can favor the wealthy. Some billionaires use legal strategies to minimize their tax obligations, allowing their wealth to grow more rapidly.
Globalization:
Globalization and the outsourcing of jobs to countries with lower labor costs have put downward pressure on wages in certain industries, making it harder for workers to negotiate higher pay.
Technological Advancements:
Automation and technology have improved productivity but have also led to job displacement in certain sectors, which can contribute to wage stagnation for workers in those industries.
Decline in Unionization:
The decline in labor union membership and influence has reduced workers' ability to negotiate for better wages and benefits.
Financialization of the Economy:
The financialization of the economy, where the financial sector becomes increasingly dominant, can lead to the prioritization of financial gains over other economic factors.
Global Economic Factors:
Global economic forces, such as economic recessions or crises, can impact wages and job security for workers.
Market Concentration:
Some industries have become highly concentrated, with a few companies dominating the market. This concentration of economic power can lead to wage suppression.
Lobbying and Political Influence:
Wealthy individuals and corporations often engage in lobbying and political contributions to influence policies that favor their interests.
Investment and Capital Gains:
Wealthy individuals often generate significant income through investments, which can grow rapidly in value, leading to increased wealth. These investment gains may not be subject to the same tax rates as ordinary income.
Global Wealth Dynamics:
The dynamics of global wealth distribution mean that a small percentage of the population controls a large share of the world's wealth. This can result in a compounding effect where the wealthy have access to more capital to invest, leading to further wealth accumulation.
Cultural and Social Norms:
In some societies, there is a cultural emphasis on wealth accumulation and success, which can incentivize individuals and businesses to prioritize profit generation.
This is what I was told to prepare for when organizing at Starbucks.
The backstory… unfortunately in America we have a pay to play healthcare system. Though every other industrialized nation in the world has developed some kind of universal healthcare system that put people’s health as an essential right - America stands alone in its exceptionalism in profiting off peoples illnesses.
And it’s nearly impossible to find a job that will offer you healthcare in a timely fashion - ya know cause healthcare is something that can wait (is my sarcasm coming through). The more ironic thing is that if corporations stopped lobbying against universal healthcare they’d save some money, but they need a way to force us into sh*tty jobs & thus the only way to get & afford healthcare is to work.
Working at Starbucks you can get healthcare but they only pay 16/hr so once that health insurance is taken out of your paycheck and taxes are too - you’re left making about 5/hr. Do you understand how little that is?
For those who say it’s a job for teens - why would we want to pay teens more?! Have you seen the price of college - they need the money most. But it’s not just a job for teens - in fact hardly any teens work there.
If you’ve ever tried negotiating for more pay with a company by yourself, you’d understand how little leverage you have. It doesn’t matter the industry- unless you’re leaving one job for another, you have almost zero leverage. It’s one of the biggest reasons people organize. Because most companies only goal is to make profits. Starbucks can say they are in the business of human connection & human potential, but when their workers show the potential of their power by organizing all of a sudden they go to war with their own people. One of their best ways to make record profit margins, is by paying people shit. Yet, the CEOs & shareholders don’t ever take a pay cut and like to give themselves exorbitant raises. Just look up ceo pay ratios from 1960 to now.
Like at Starbucks, the new ceo got an 8 million dollar sign on bonus. Just for taking the job. Ironic because when I explained my experience managing radio shows, the reason they gave as to why my starting rate would not be more is because I lacked “coffee experience” like wtf… laxxman the new ceo didn’t have coffee experience (he came from Pepsi - what did he have caffeine experience?!) but somehow Moneybucks had zero issues giving him 8 million dollars just to take the job.
They have zero respect for the workers who create the wealth. It’s all about padding each others pockets as a bribe to continue exploiting the working class.
One of the most ironic parts of this story, is before we organized our shop, the manager would often say “we don’t get paid enough for this” - and if you’ve ever been understaffed during rush you’d agree too. Yet when we organize to fight for ourselves for better pay, this manager was THE ONE to lie to coworkers, violate our rights, bribe coworkers with promotions, and tell me that Starbucks will never ever negotiate with you & your efforts are for nothing. In fact, I said you sound like Trump - throwing a ton of lying shit at the wall to see what people will fall for. Right out of the Trump playbook.
It’s odd too - because these managers are working class people. Maybe they have been disillusioned they’re not - but if you work for a living - you’re working class… I love being the one to break it to you. To tweek what Rutger Bregman said to Tucker Carlson, “they’re mouthpieces for the billionaire class”.
Make no mistake, these Union busters are on the wrong side of history, just like before. And their efforts set all movements back (the civil rights, womens, lgbtq+, every movement). If you appreciate that children go to school & don’t work in mines anymore, thank a union. If you like your weekends, thank a Union.
None of their efforts will stop this movement. Like Fred Hampton said, “you can jail a revolutionary, but you can’t jail a revolution”.
Typically…. The worst working conditions (looking at you Jeff Bezos going to space while your employees have to poop in bottles) are the best motivator to organize.
But not many understand what happens when Jeff Bezos, Andy Jassy, Bob Iger, Howard Shultz feel scared. Because not much scares them - People Organizing is their only fear. So when these money hoarders think they might have to pay people a living wage which equates to 0.002 percent of the companies profits - they declare war (against their own people, the people that make them money everyday - because you know the CEOs & board members aren’t doing any labor. Yet this is not like the Union busting from back in the day, this time it’s with unethical lawyers (littler mendelson) and it’s done through psychological warfare.
Next in Part 2 - Tell the crows to leave me alone…
So YouTube removed this video. They stated nothing about why this was removed, but gave me a “warning”. I appealed the removal - but within an hour - they rejected my appeal.
I have no other recourse. And YouTube did not specify what or why my video was removed. Odd, I guess they give a rip to help creators learn.
It’s also odd because my video satires the news. So I’m not sure why it’s against the invisible rules to talk about the news satirically.
And I have a feeling they’ve done something to my channel. Because my “impressions” before this happened were in the thousands. But my last two videos made 8 impressions. So it feels like they muted my content.
It’s so odd, how they have infinite power and no way possible for redress of grievances or to at least get a guideline on what they sited you for.
Outside of class affiliation or political associations, watch this and see if you can share insights on what guidelines were violated… besides not being funny.
HI, so squarespace changed some things which has made it tougher for me to post on this “not” a “virtual diary”…. but ive really wanted to… in fact if you go back through my posts you can see that I stayed pretty consistent for the first half of 2022… but here we are in 2023 and the tech has changed yet again, leaving some of us “poorer” people in the dust… friggin dusty poor people - Merica hates nothing more than dusty poor folks. Anyways, here’s some stuff I’ve been working wicked hard on and it’d mean a lot if you ventured to my youtube channel and subscribed for weekly content like this…. enjoy a laugh, at or with me, I do not care. Just laugh.
Read this, this morning…
If your protest does not make people in power uncomfortable, you are a parade.
There is a question on the ballot this year to tax the ultra wealthy (4% on over a million income).. this money will be reinvested in the people - schools roads etc… instead of staying in the hands of a select few. Plus it’s odd that the ultra wealthy pay less tax than teachers.
https://www.fairsharema.com
It’s always struck me oddly when the wealthy like Sandra Edgerley fight against a small tax on their luxury lifestyle. The wealthy aren’t making ends meet, but teachers and the like are. That small amount of tax won’t shut the wealthy’s heat off or subject them to evictions. But it will make a difference for the people.
And here are the folks fighting against the millionaires tax. Is it surprising that one (Sandra Edgerley) is a “luxury real estate” Harvard grad here in Boston? She could prob fund the campaign herself and still live lavishly. I guess it be more surprising if poor people were funding the campaign against the millionaires tax..
“Ego driven people have an absolute inability to observe or hear anything new, they are only capable of observing or listening to see how they are right.”
Reflecting Daily.
Surrender.
It has taken me calling the crows everyday for two weeks to get to this moment with them. And I think my local murder is beginning to recognize me.
This video is incredible. It’s odd that I just happened to be binging It’s Always Sunny when this happened into my YouTube feed. (Trying to binge all the seasons I missed of Sunny during the Hulu free trial).
Dream jobs are rare.. and when the opportunity arises, you must go for it with all you got. An opportunity has arisen, you can help me by sharing this video. Thank you.
Hi, so if you are one of the 10 million people who watched HBOs prequel to Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon…. Like myself… and wanted some more insights to the first episode. Maybe, we’re a bit rusty on George RR Martin lore since it’s been a few years since GoT. Here is a superb YouTube channel that breaks down all things pop culture with the insights only the devoted would know… I present for you - Emergency Awesome…
I like Tony Robbins a lot. He’s definitely got that spark. His energy is tenacious and sprinkled with magic. BUT, in my first event with Tony, I was shocked to learn about the “partner” Tony co-signed to up sell his audience for 5 days straight. A guy named Dean Graziosi, who I still can’t for the life of me figure out what Dean does, what Deans talent is, or how Tony believed Dean is authentic.
I will not give my time to a Tony Robbins event if Dean “time share salesman” Graziosi is speaking (hocking his disingenuousness).
Trey Parker and Matt Stone who are celebrating 25 years of South Park… whoa has it been that long? Dang I remember when the show first aired and it went viral among friends before the internet was a daily standard.
In an interview, Matt and Trey talked about the deep fake movie they never made using a deepfake of the former president trump. But they didn’t mention in the interview that they did make a bunch of shorts of the show and put them on YouTube. Their creation is called Sassy Justice and it’s friggin hilarious. It follows a investigative reporter for a local news station in Cheyenne. And ya know what, I’m doing this show no Justice. Here - watch this ⤵️