* • • • - » . W- . ' •„ * » •« • ? V «.. . ' • P age A 2 i- '> • . ~ 4- *■. » .-. • ' J une 12, 1996 • Tin P ortland O bserver Editorial Articles Do Not Necessarily Reflect Or Represent The Views O f The JJortlaitb © bscruer s the institutional lead- ership of th is nation creeps closer and closer to finally passing a minimum wage increase for hard-working, low- paid Americans, JaxFax would like to take a look at the develop­ ment of the minimum w a g e /”liv- Ing wage" movement, which illu­ minates some important truths about our political system. First o f all, the drive for a minimum wage increase was "bottom-up, not to- do wn." Newt Gingrich had his Armey; but in this case, the people had their own arm y-over 80% o f all voters support a minimum wage increase But because our political elites take most o f their cues from the monied special interests-and here JaxFax is not talking about just the right-w ingers-the institutional lead­ ership o f the country ignored the strong public support for a living wage for years. After all, to the 1% o f Americans who own 42% o f the nation’s wealth- -and who make most o f the big cam­ paign contributions—li ving wages are not a major concern. And to the 500,000 families (1/2 o f 1% o f all II.S. families), who own 29% of America's wealth, living wages are a minor issue. Not so for the maids who change their bedsheets; the gardeners who plant the flowers at their mansions; the cooks who prepare their daily meals—to these working people, and tom illionsjust like them, living wag­ es can make the difference between holding a family together or plung­ ing deeper into poverty and despair. And that’s the second key point-this issue connects with real people. C O A L IT IO N A Living Wage I he truth is. most poor people are not on w elfare-they work every day. Most poor people are white, young, female, children At $4.25 per hour, these working poor cannot even main­ tain and income above the poverty line. The hard-working Americans are playing by the rules, but the game is stacked against them Raising the minimum wage to provide a living income for families is the least we can do to level the playing field o f opportunity in this nation. There are a variety o f local activ­ ists forcing this living wage issue onto the public policy agenda, in­ cluding New Party, ACORN. IAF, SEIU, Teamsters, CWA, and other key unions. In many cities and coun­ ties, these activists are successfully organizing to win the approval o f their city and county councils, and in Baltimore and Milwaukee have al­ ready succeeded. In other key cities and states, these activist groups are taking the case for a living wage directly to the voters using local bal­ lot initiative laws to place a series of living wage initiatives on this No­ vember’s ballot. The idea behind the living wage is simple, and just—any corporation that receives a public subsidy from a city or state should be required to pay its w orkers a living w a g e -a t least enough money per hour to bring a fam i ly o f four up to the poverty level. I he NRC stands in support o f the living wage. JaxFax encourages Rain­ bow supporters to assist the passage of these living wage legislative and ballot initiatives in the following cit­ ies and states: Chicago; Houston; Minneapolis/St. Paul; Denver; Al­ buquerque; Washington, D.C.; New Orleans: Boston; Los Angeles; New York City; Jersey City; Nassau Coun­ ty; California: Missouri; Montana; and Oregon. A third point concerning the liv­ ing wage idea, a point which goes to the heart o f the public policy agenda in this nation-our ideas are often popular! An increase in the mini­ mum wage is supported by the vast majority o f Americans, despite op­ position from the GOP leadership, elite economists, and powerful busi­ ness interests. We can push our own progressive agenda on many issues, and the vot­ ers will pass it! Our side has done this successfully in recent years with cam­ paign finance reform, bypassing a Congress gridlocked by special in­ terest money and going directly to the voters. This year we can do the same with the living wage issue. The pundits in recent weeks have given m uch cred it to Senators Kennedy and Daschle, and to Labor Secretary Reich, for their leadership on the minimum wage increase. They deserve credit. To a large extent, however, the living wage is the brain­ child o f Jackson '88 Labor Desk Coordinator, and current New Party head organizer, Dan Cantor For lit­ erally years now, Cantor has been making a consistent argument over and over, which is being put into action in these ballot initiatives, and has thus crept up the ladder from the grassroots to the Democrats in Con­ gress! Cantor's argument had several parts: • the minimum living wage issue is a popular and populist one fo r our side; • by using ¡he initiative, we can win success by bypassing legislative bod­ ies, which then increases overall po­ litical pressure on key issues, • ballot initiatives on progressive economic issues can reconnect with working class voters, increase voter turnout on our side, change cam­ paign agendas, and redefine the p o ­ litical landscape Dan Cantor is correct. And we must not forget that. Our public policy ideas are often more popular with real peo­ ple than are those of the right-wingers. Unfortunately, they usually enter the struggle with confidence; we often enter it with uncertainty. This must change. The rightward cycle is ending. Our ideas can win. Vantage Point The Ballot As A Weapon In The Black Freedom Struggle (Part II) Ron Daniels Up from the dark days o f the Post Reconstruction and Southern apart­ heid, Black America can now boast o f nearly 10,000 Black elected offi­ cials (BEO ’s) in this country. This is a remarkable testimony to the power o f the ballot in the hands o f Black folks. D esp ite this rem ark ab le achievement, however, there is con­ siderable disillusionment in Black America, particularly among Black poor and working people and young people about the value o f the bal lot in the Black Freedom Struggle. Some eight million African Americans are not even registered to vote. And, among those who are registered, dis­ enchantment and apathy have result­ ed in a pattern o f low voter turn-out especially in local and state elec­ tions. To the proponents o f Black voter participation this is an alarming de­ velopment. A typical reaction to the phenomenon o f low voter participa­ tion is to take those who do not vote to task for betraying the long and bloody struggle to secure the right to vote. It is often assumed that those who do not vote are simply unin­ formed and ignorant o f the impor­ tance o f voting within the American body politic. For many within the ranks o f Black poor and working people, however, the quality o f life has not significantly changed as re­ sult o f the thousands o f BEO’s w ho now occupy various public offices within the system. Indeed, the quali­ ty o f life for those at the bottom w ithin the Black Nation has actually deteriorated over the last two de­ cades. There is a prevalent feeling among the B lack poor that there is no direct relationship between voting and a change in the quality o f their lives. Many young African Ameri­ cans see a racist and exploitative system and question whether it is possible to change that system by participating in and becoming a part o f the system. This disillusionment with voting/ electoral politics is compounded by the perception that large numbers of BEO 's have simply become tradi­ tional “politicians,” who are discon­ nected from grassroots communities; politicians who have succumbed to the self aggrandizing vote trading, deal making and corruption which Black political empowerment was supposed to change. Finally , there is the view that neither the Democratic or the Republican party really repre­ sents the interests o f the masses of Black people, that the Democrats take Black people for granted and the Republicans are a repugnant alterna­ tive. This is the rather troubling state o f affairs as it relates to Black Voter participation. In my judgement, though it is a mistake to rely on electoral politics exclusively, the ballot is still a potent weapon which must be used in the Black Freedom Struggle. For the ballot to be the potent weapon which Black America needs to advance its interest, however. Black voter mobi­ lization-participation must be tied to a vision o f social change and social transformat ion. There must be a c lear sense that voting is about transform­ ing an oppressive system and chang­ ing the quality o f life for the masses o f Black poor and working people and other oppressed people. Voting must not be reduced to a mundane ritual o f replacing White faces with Black faces in old places. There is a need for visionary new Black political leadership to rise up from the community and community struggle; a leadership that will re­ main rooted in the community and committed to social justice and so­ cial change. Time and time again Black folks have demonstrated that they will vote for Black candidates whom they feel are genuinely dedi­ cated to changing the system and the quality o f their lives. orthe past several years, I have been investigat- t I ing the theft of Janette Kent's $ 3 5 ,0 0 0 ,0 0 0 estate. _T|f C As a fraud investigator. I have investigated many cases o f theft and fraud across our nation However, never before have I seen such over­ whelming and obvious evidence of theft and fraud as is now documented in the theft of Kent's properties. The evidence is overwhelm ing that Milton Brown stole Ms. Kent’s es­ tate through obvious forgeries and then compromised Norm Lindstedt. K ent's former attorney and the per­ sonal representative o f Kent ’s estate. The evidence is clear and convincing that Lindstedt has breached his con­ tract with Ms. Kent which states he cannot settle Ms. K ent's estate with­ out her consent However, Lindstedt entered into three secret agreements with Brown to "settle'’ Kent's estate for approx. 2% o f its value Yet Ms. Kent has been denied a trial on this obvious theft for the past seven years. Why is that? Many peo­ ple conclude that this is irrefutable evidence that the Oregon judges in­ volved are corrupt and have been bribed by Milton Brown, whom the evidence proves beyond any doubt, stole Ms Kent’s estate However, Ms. Kent believes it is possible that some of the judges may have been misled by Lindstedt's lies and misrepresentations instead o f be­ ing involved in the Brown-Lindstedt conspiracy to steal Ms. Kent's estate and deny her rights to a trial. The question many people are asking is: are these judges part o f the fraud or were they defrauded by the fraud? We will know the answer to that question soon. Ms. Kent has filed a motion before the Presiding Judge of Multnomah County, Judge Donald Londer In the motion. Ms. Kent asked Judge Londer to assign her P etitio n to R em ove the “ PR", Lindstedt to a judge who will hear it. This Petition has never been heard before and must be heard as a matter o f law. A c c o rd in g to O RS 113.195(4): "When grounds for re­ moval o f a personal representative appear to exist, the court, on its own motion, or on the petition o f any interested person, shall o i J ci the personal representative to appear and show cause why the personal repre­ sentative should not be removed." Judge Londer responded by letter to Ms. Kent that he has given the mo­ tion to Judge Elizabeth Welch Judge Welch should either hear this motion herself, or assign it to a judge who will We are still wait ing to hear from Judge Welch regarding this motion If Ms Kent is denied a hearing o f her Petition to R em ove the “ PR ”. Lindstedt, it would seriously impli- cate Judge Londer and Judge Welch in the Brown-Lindstedt conspiracy. Ms. Kent has also filed a Breach o f Contract case against Lindstedt before Judge Edwin Peterson's Court. Judge Peterson hastheevidence prov­ ing beyond any doubt that Lindstedt has breached his contract with Ms Kent. Judge Peterson also has the evidence that Ms. Kent's Breach of Contract has never been heard previ­ ously. nor could it have been heard in other courts and should be heard in his court. The major evidence o f this obvi­ ous theft and fraud have been con­ densed into three books: the Summa­ ry O f The Evidence Book, the Wit­ ness’s Affidavit Book and the Fraud Evidence book Also there is a Ap­ praisal Book proving the value of M s. K e n t's e sta te exceeds $35,000.000. The judges now have these books. Ifyou would iiketosee this obvious and overwhelming evi­ dence for yourself, they are on file with the Multnomah CountyCourt in two cases. They are on file in the Probate Court, case no 8506-91295 which is the case now before Judge Welch and they are on fi le in the Kent v. Lindstedt BreachofContractca.se, a .1 better 31 'm trying to stay with the plan, man", my usu­ ally highly-organized I neighbor confided in me. “But doesn't it seem to you th a t this past year has been far beyond the ordinary in wear and tear on I the human spirit?” theatrical production while ignor­ ing critical issues which are vital to us all, have been allowed to grow | out o f control So it is more at “re­ group” than “relax”. While many congresspersons and other politicians weresimultaneous-f ly screaming their concern with | crime and the right to bear arms (almost any kind), a rising tide of radical right wing populism was pushing the development o f self- styled militias and armed camps on a nationwide ba­ sis. Belatedly, a still so m ew h atl By hesitant m edia Professor Informs us that! Mcklnley ‘yes, these peo­ Burt ple have now l reached a state o f I armed insurgency such that they not only trash their neighbors and local law enforcement, but the vaunted | FBI as well The growing strength, interstate! organization and capacity for vio­ lence on the part o f these groups, and their threat to the basic fabric o f I our society, could well have been constrained by a timely interven­ tion had the media assigned just half I the resources it devoted to the f How could I not help but agree? I Or not go along with his firmly announced intention to "lay back relax, and maybe get into some o f I that good summer reading’ you I suggested " As w ith the I case in many re­ cent c o n v e rsa ­ tions, I have mar­ veled at how m any o f us — I black, white, gray or grizzle, as my mother used to say -- have forcefully expressed this desire to slow the pace and regroup. And this is not happening at the end o f the calendar year, or at the end o f the Federal fiscal year, nor at the end ofsome great agricultural cycle (harvest time). This almost univer­ sal expression o f a great ennui or weariness o f spirit would seem to coincide exactly with the advent o f the summer break in the education cycle. Simpson trial. And there are many No, "it is not in the stars, dear o f us who wonder what other ugly Brutus’, but it does appear that we surprises await us, events and issues have joined our children and youth that have not received that glaring) | in gaining a temporary refuge or light that media have always prom­ hiatus from offending pressures or ised as “guardians o f our liberty.” regim ens. “ I feel y o u r pain As the toll o f black churches) "(smiles)."I feel as though I've had burned to the ground rises each week in a painful reminder o f the old | an undeserved whipping" comment­ ed one beleaguered reader. “ 1 was “adage, “the South shall rise again,” [ beat over the head all year by that bitter black ministers who deplore big time establishment media which the relative disinterest o f both the sought to make a new holy grail out media and federal authorities One oftheO .J. Simpson trial. And then, despairing deacon was driven to a when their grandiose, billion-dol­ most unchristian" thought, "when I lar theatrical production fizzled out, will they act, when they start burn­ no conviction, no lynching, ‘they’ ing synagogues?" (Remember the) belligerently went after the jury, Deacons For Defense?). and then an entire race-rather than On a recent talk show, I heard a | the system which, encourages such quote that sounded very familiar, farces.” though it was not attributed. I looked | “Extremely well-stated”, I told it up. this person who is very active in "F ind out ju st what any people | I community affairs, but I still had to wilt quietly submit to and you have | get in my usual reminder that it is all fo u n d out the exact measure of in- very well to relax somewhat but ju stice and wrong which will be[ also to remember that “eternal vig­ im posed upon them, and these will I ilance is the price o f liberty." And I conlinue until they are resistedwith f point out that a wilful, if not recre­ either words are blows, or vv/z/rI ant establishment media put most both "—Frederick Doulass. o f its personnel, resources and re­ “Best Indian Emancipation 4 1 search into that year-long Simpson August, 1857. ” f (Elje ^ o rtla n b (©bseruer (USPS 959-680) Established in 1970 Charles Washington—Publisher The PORTLAND OBSERVER is located at 4747 NF. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. Portland, Oregon 97211 503-288-0033 * Fax 503-288-0015 Will Judge Don Londer And Ed Peterson Follow The Laws? J ohn S alter , F raud I nvestigator Relax, Regroup, Even Repeat If Necessary - But Don’t Retreat OREGON'S OLDEST AFRICAN AMERICAN PUBLICATION Update Of The Kent Case bv \p e r s p e c t / r e s case no. 9407-05244 This evidence has also been dis­ played in various television shows and has been discussed on various radio shows and newspapers. I ndeed, and the evidence o f theft and fraud is so obvious, millions o f people, in­ cluding various agencies, are follow­ ing Ms. Kent’s cases as a test case to test the integrity o f our judiciary. Clearly, the judges should follow their own statues, the laws, the con­ stitution and rule in accordance with the evidence. If they don't, the only possible conclusion is that they are co-conspirators in possibly the larg­ est. most obvious theft in our h¡story. This is a matter o f grave concern for all Oregonians and all Ameri­ cans. IfMs. K entcan’tg e ta tra il with this kind o f evidence. Who can? If these judges do not follow the laws, they should be indicted by a Grand Jury and removed from office. We will follow with an update regarding any further developments in this case. If you would like to help and/or de­ sire further information, please call (503) 727-2484. Deadline f o r a ll submitted materials: A rticles:Friday. 5:00 pm Ads: M onday Noon POSTMASTER: Send Address Changes to: Portland Observer, P.O. Box 3137, Portland, OR 97208. Second Class postage p a id at Portland, Oregon The Portland Observer welcomes freelance submissions. Manuscripts and photographs should be clearly labeled and will be returned. If accompanied by a self addressed envelope. All created design display ads become the sole property o f the newspaper and can not be used in other publications or personal usage, without the written consent o f the general manager, unless the client has purchased the composition o f such ad. © 1996 THE PORTLAND OBSERVER ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, REPRODUCTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART W ITH­ OUT PERMISSION IS PROHIBITED. Subscriptions: $30 00 per year The Portland O bserver-O regon's Oldest African-American Publica- tio n -is a member o f the National Newspaper A ssociation-Founded in 1885, and The National Advertising Representative Amalgamated Publishers. Inc, New York, NY, and The West Coast Black Publishers Association • Serving Portland and Vancouver. S ubscribe to