The "Great Recession" is now the longest recession since the Great Depression

 

Well, it's official: The "Great Recession" is now the longest recession since the Great Depression. Not only is it the longest - it is the deepest. As capitalism continues to falter, the recessions get longer and longer. The last longest one lasted the majority of George W. Bush's presidency. As you can see by the red line that signifies the current recession, we've got a long way to go before workers can consider the economy "recovered." Of course, we also have to consider how much worse and prolonged the crisis would be without the weak efforts and stimulus and the auto bail out. And how much the Republican plans for the economy would have severely aggravated the economic crisis for working people if they had won out.

It's Not the Fault of Workers

Last week we posted and article that showed a link between education and unemployment rates. However, it is clear that even those with advanced education and experience also have trouble finding work. And an article in US News and World Report shows even business sources question attacking unemployment benefits. Rep. Rangel (D-NY) recently wrote an article on unemployment and poverty in the US, illustrating that unemployment insurance is an individual worker's insurance program, not a handout. Jobs are slowly returning, but what sort of jobs have been making a comeback? According to a data brief (PDF) from the National Employment Law Project, "employment growth has been concentrated in lower-wage occupations, with minimal growth in mid-wage occupations and net losses in higher-wage occupations." In the same vein, Bloomberg agrees that low-wage jobs (like the ones Romney pats himself on the back for creating) aren't helping to end the recession. 

On the Legislative Front

An article in the Wall Street Journal reports that more than a dozen states are considering legislation to make it illegal for companies to discriminate against the unemployed. This would mean that bosses could no longer legally put "must be currently employed" in the want ad, nor refuse work to someone who is unemployed. Unfortunately, in Colorado an unemployment discrimination bill failed to pass thanks to the Republican-controlled House there.

Workplace Victories!

Meanwhile, we're seeing good news reported in the People's World from Oklahoma and Illinois. In Tulsa, city workers win fight against privatization and in Chicago, workers at Republic Windows occupy again and win again.

Please make sure to visit the People's World online for the best in worker's news!

Other resources to check out:

WeNeedJobsNotCuts.com - UnemployedWorkers.org - Unemployed Nation - JobsNotCuts.org

Scott Marshall

Labor Chair, CPUSA

February is Black History Month - USACP

History Month and the Communist Party has been hosting local events and activities around the country to celebrate Black History and help appreciate the role of African American people, the struggles and their role in the movements for progress in the country from slavery to civil rights to today. The Communist Party has always understood that Black History is American History. .. Here is a teaser from a recent article on the current economic crisis on the Black community:African Americans and the Jobs CrisisBy Art Perlo, from PoliticalAffairs.net (Read the full article here.) .         The economic crisis has brought suffering to every part of the country and every section of the working class. As in past recessions, this crisis has fallen most heavily on communities already suffering, and particularly on people of color and immigrants. This is true of every aspect of the crisis, including foreclosures and evictions and state and local government layoffs and cuts in services. There are many attempts to divert attention by pitting sections of the working class against one another: white workers against racially and nationally oppressed, African Americans against immigrants and Latinos, young against old, men against women. Whatever the motives, these themes play into the hands of the Wall Street bankers and other corporate interests who are the primary cause of the crisis and obstacles to solutions that must come at their expense. This article, however, will focus primarily on the jobs crisis in the African American community as a critical part of the overall picture. . Even before the crisis, African Americans faced difficult, and in many ways worsening employment opportunities. This crisis has hit all workers hard, including white workers, with employment levels the lowest since the 1930s. But during the best boom years of 1988-90 and 1998-99, the percentage of African Americans employed in each age group just about reached the levels that white workers have fallen to today. Put another way, white workers today are just beginning to face conditions that African Americans faced in the best of times...   .   . Below are just a sampling of enlightening articles for Black History month: Dallas relives its Black History Communist Party and African American equality Two Great Biographies for Black History Month Lorraine Hansberry home gets landmark status Songs of the civil rights movement ring out at the White House . African American Equality: Pre-Convention Discussion with Jarvis Tyner The discussion leading up to the Communist Party's 29th National Convention has been going strong. For Black History Month we are presenting a national live broadcast of a presentation by CPUSA Executive Vice-Chair Jarvis Tyner on African American Equality. The brief presentation will be followed by answers to questions from participants.   African American Equality Convention Discussion Presentation with Jarvis Tyner Thurs, Feb 23, 2010 8pm Eastern time You can watch the video live on the CPUSA website. Make sure to test to see if your computer can play the video by reading the system requirements at Ustream.tv ahead of time. If you have trouble with the video, you can also call in to hear the presentation by telephone. To participate by phone, call (605) 475-4850. Dial 1053538# when prompted. (Long distance fees from your carrier will apply.) You can send questions ahead of time to questions@cpusa.org or submit questions live during the discussion by watching on the the Communist Party's Ustream video channel. The video will also be available for viewing following the event. If you haven't already, make sure to sign up for our other mailing lists: Communist Party Action List — where you will receive regular action alerts about pressing national issues and social justice campaigns in the mass movement. 29th Convention List — where we are publishing periodic updates on the Pre-Convention discussion period, important deadlines and information leading up to the 29th National Convention in New York City, May 21-23, 2010. People's World Headlines — And don't forget to sign up for a twice weekly pick of pressing news and insightful analysis right to your inbox from the People's World news site. .

90 Years of the Communist Party USA

Dear friend,   Ninety years ago a group of union activists, grassroots organizers and other radicals gathered together to found the Communist Party in Chicago. They were inspired by American traditions of radicalism from the Sons of Liberty, the Industrial Workers of the World to the abolitionist movement as well as the Russian Revolution. These visionaries started an organization that has made an unmatched and indelible impact on American politics and culture.   Today begins a year-long celebration of the ninety years of the Communist Party in the United States. In the next few weeks we will be launching an exciting new web page to help us enter the next ninety years on the cutting edge.   For now, check out some of the great articles celebrating 90 years of the CPUSA at Political Affairs.   The September issue of Political Affairs celebrates some important aspects of the role of the Communist Party in American history. It is also packed with discussions of new theoretical questions and analysis of contemporary struggle. Please check it out here.   Here are some of the top headlines from the September issue:   Portrait in Red: The Radical Art of Alice Neel by Political Affairs Alice Neel was someone I was aware of for some time, specifically since 2002, when there was a large exhibit of her work at the Whitney Museum in New York. I knew her name, of course, but I really didn't know her work very well. A friend of mine said you have to go and check this out, so I did, and it just knocked my socks off.     Power of the Written Word: Communist Cultural Workers, 1919-1939 by John Pietaro The art of rebellion is a tradition as old as dissent itself. Radical writers, musicians, painters, actors, dancers and other creative activists have long used their artwork as a tool in the fight for social justice. If the very nature of expressive freedom lends itself toward a revolutionary voice, then it is arguable that the arts gave birth to radicalism, or in the least offered a vision toward its path.        Fighting for Change: The Great Depression, the New Deal and the CPUSA by Norman Markowitz Communists were not the only ones calling for socialism or fighting for practical reforms to alleviate the crisis, but Communists were by far the most important and successful in their efforts. They created a new, more cohesive left, both more militant and more flexible in strategy and tactics.   Read the full issue here.   Remember to spread the word and forward this email to friends and coworkers.

Communist Party USA 235 W 23rd St | New York, NY 10011 cpusa@cpusa.org | www.cpusa.org

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