Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current, November 02, 2011, Special edition coverage, Image 20

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Portland observer., November 02, 2011, Special edition coverage, Page 20, Image 20

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Newspaper Page TextPage 20 îl!< Fortiani» (Obstruer November 2, 2011 Opinion articles do not necessarily represent the views o f the Portland Observer. We welcome reader essays, photos and story ideas. Submit to news@portlandobserver.com. New Prices Effective May 1,2010 Martin Cleaning Service Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning Residential & Commercial Services © ’f °B0* Minimum Service CHG. $45.00 &— A sm all distance/travel charge m ay be applied CARPET CLEANING 2 Cleaning Areas or more $30.00 Each Area ■ W s * r 5> °- Pre-Spray Traffic Areas (Includes: I sm all H allw ay) 1 Cleaning Area (only) $40.00 Includes Pre-Spray Traffic Area (Hallway Extra) Stairs (12-16 stairs - With O ther Services): $25.00 Area/Oriental Rugs: $25.00 Minimum Area/Oriental Rugs (Waal): $40.00Minimum Heavily Soiled Area: Additional $10.00 each area (Requiring Extensive Pre-Spraying) Supporting the Occupation of Wall Street Bringing a focus on the unjust economy by UPHOLSTERY CLEANING Sofa: $69.00 Loveseat: $49.00 Sectional: $109- $139 Chair or Recliner: $25 - $49 Throw Pillows (With Other Services): $5.00 ADDITIONAL SERVICES • Area & Oriental Rug Cleaning • Auto/Boat/RV Cleaning • Deodorizing & Pet Odor Treatment • Spot & Stain Removal Service • Scotchguard Protection • Minor Water Damage Services SEE CURRENT FLYER FOR ADDITIONAL PRICES & SERVICES Call for Appointment (503) 281-3949 I an H arris October 2011 marked a time in history when the people of the United States, facing great economic peril, rose up to demand eco nomic justice. Since Sept. 17, thou sands of Americans have nonviolently occupied Wall Street. People who have been laid off and marginalized by economic hardship have been camping out and waging nonviolent protests around this country. These protestors have been speaking out against unemployment and economic injustice. The rich have recovered and prospered since the recession began three years ago. Stocks have gained back their losses, and the wealthiest one percent in this country still have tax breaks generously granted to them by the Bush administration. Corpo rate profits have reached their highest level since 1950. Most recently, the federal government bailed out banking institutions while mil lions of Americans lost their homes through foreclosures. Citigroup, a bank that re ceived bailout funds, had a record $3.8 billion in profits this quarter, up 74 percent from last year. Meanwhile the middle class has been ground down by the loss of public ser vices and public sector jobs as local mu nicipalities have had to lay off police, teachers, and social workers. College graduates can’t get secure jobs that will help them pay off their debts and allow them to develop careers that would pro vide financial stability. The foreclosure crisis halted new construction and led to more layoffs. The poor continue to be ignored, as they were earlier in the previ ous century when Michael Harrington wrote The Other America in 1962 describ ing in some detail their plight. A record 46 million Americans now live in poverty. Many students are homeless and millions of people are hungry in the land of plenty. Who is speaking for the poor these days? Only themselves. Hence we are getting spontaneous demonstrations in cit ies around the U.S. protesting economic injustice. Because tax revenues have fallen off drastically and the Republicans won’t allow tax increases, the federal govern ment is proposing cutbacks and layoffs that can only increase unemployment lines.The private sector is reluctant to invest because of economic uncertainty around the globe. President Obama has proposed a jobs bill that would invest in Green energy and rebuilding infrastruc ture. This laudable initiative will never get out of a Republican controlled House of Representatives. These protests began in the heart of the capitalist system. Wall Street, targeting a stock market that has benefitted the one percent of Americans who have profited from the economic hardship felt by the majority of Americans. The protestors call themselves the 99 percent majority to high light the extreme economic inequality that exists right now. The share of income held by the top one percent is 23 percent, the highest since 1928 and more than double the 10 percent level of the late 1970s. Those demonstrating on Wall Street and in other parts of the country have been criticized because they do not have spe cific demands. Their goal is to create an awareness of the problems faced by such an unequal economic system. Their job is not to draft legislation, but rather build public support for programs and policies that would provide jobs and meaningful career for the growing ranks of unem ployed. The demonstrators who are occupying Wall Street and protesting on many main streets across the country are crying out about this unjust economy. They are ap pealing to majority of Americans who are seeing economic security being pulled away from them. Hopefully, these demon strations signal the beginning of a majoritarian movement for economic jus tice. Ian Harris is a professor emeritus from the University o f Wisconsin-Milwaukie.