Raise the Hammer

Ben: Yes, Poverty issues barely make the news and more of the middle class are finding themselves struggling, they are losing ground.

There are many that do speak out, it is just that MSM tends not to report on these issues, as they should.

There is a group in Toronto, the Workers Action Center, which does a very good job of helping workers, expecially those who are immigrants. So this is one way that people can be empowered, to get involved and stand together for a very good cause. This group encourages individuals to be part of the process. Being a lone voice does nothing, yet when when many voices join together it is much harder to ignore.

The rise of precarious employment has also played a role, where workers do not have secure work and find themselves bouncing around, with no real protection, given all the labour laws we have.

Here in Hamilton, we have the Hydro company calling for the rates to rise because the steel company has been shut down, somehow, I can see many more people struggling, having to make more choices about whether to pay shelter costs, utility bills and food. On this thought, I worry about those who are on a fixed income, such as seniors. Are they to lose house and home because they can no longer afford things?

The system creates division within groups of people but the people need to be aware of this tactic and do everything they can to defeat these type of thinking.

I was watching CPAC last week and well it was interesting that there was discussion around NAFTA and chapter 11 and the consquences around this particular piece of legislation.

One thing that was discussed was pesticides and well Hamilton was adopted the policy of no pesticides, which to me is a good thing. But there is currently a court case going through the motions, as Quebec is being hauled into court for adopting the same policy that our community has addopted. If Quebec loses, then our own community could find themsleves in court over the same issue.

So the question to ask is whose rights should be upheld, the corporation, whose product is detrimental to our health or the people, the public good?