By Sean Raycraft
A few months ago, a special session of the California state legislature was called for March 31, 2016 for two very special reasons. One, to pass a historic piece of legislation, a 15 dollar minimum wage, (the first such law for a state in the entire country) and two, to honor legendary United Farm Workers organizer and civil rights icon Cesar Chavez. When that day came, legislators fell over themselves with praise for Cesar Chavez. The adulation of Chavez was bi partisan. Legislators from both parties took turns speaking eloquently to the audience and members just what an amazing man he was, and how much the farm worker movement meant to them. Then they took a vote on a resolution honoring him and the farmworker movement. There was no opposition to the resolution. Then the legislature proceeded to pass a 15$ minimum wage, on Cesar Chavez day. As important as the 15$ minimum wage victory is to working people and the labor movement, the legislature seemingly came down with a severe case of amnesia a few months later when the time came to actually stand up for the farm worker movement.
On June 2, hundreds of farm workers came to Sacramento from all over the state to hopefully witness the passage of another historic bill. Assembly bill 2757 would have extended overtime protections to farm workers. They were sorely disappointed when right in front of them, the bill died on the assembly floor with a vote of 38 in favor and 35 opposed and 7 abstaining or absent. I am writing this piece because I am incensed with the assembly members who voted no on this bill. They all voted to honor Cesar Chavez and the movement of farm workers that he led. When it came time to really protect and honor farm workers as full citizens of this state, those assembly members chose to forget their fawning praise for the farm worker movement in a spontaneous collective fit of amnesia. All sarcasm aside, our very own assembly member, Bill Dodd, voted against this law and farm workers. As did Sacramento area democrats Jim Cooper of Elk Grove and Ken Cooley of Rancho Cordova.
Truckers, office workers and grocery clerks are all covered by overtime protections under California law. As far as I know, farm workers are the only classification of workers that I am aware of that are specifically exempted from overtime protections. This exemption from overtime exemptions is a racist relic that, somehow, we as Californians have allowed to continue for far too long. There is something morally abhorrent about legislators voting to deny these basic human rights to farm workers. Legislators sit in comfortable chairs, in air conditioning, and are paid well for their time. Conversely, farm workers do back breaking, labor intensive work, outside, in the 100 degree heat, for minimum wage, ten hours a day, six days a week! That of course assumes the growers are actually complying with the existing labor laws and not stealing wages for hours worked. It’s a classic example of institutional racism, and the legislature just voted to uphold that racist status quo.
Before I get bombarded in the comments section about the definition of institutional racism, just ask yourself this question. “What kind of a person is a farm worker?” Farm workers are almost universally people of color, many are undocumented, and unfortunately many are minors. Therefore, an exemption in labor law protections that do not extend to a class of workers that are nearly universally people of color and immigrants is institutional racism. The same thing could be said about domestic workers in the new deal programs. One does not see many white faces picking crops in California today. Meanwhile, presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump and his supporters think these farmworkers are somehow destroying America by coming here and doing difficult work that no one else will do.
So what do our various candidates for the state legislature think? We obviously know what Bill Dodd thinks, as he voted against farm workers. Bill Dodd’s primary opponent, former assembly district 4 representative Mariko Yamada has recently made many public statements of support on social media for the farm workers, and has expressed disappointment that the bill did not advance. She wrote “I am on the record 5 years ago supporting AB 1313 (Allen) during the 2011-2012 legislative session for farmworker overtime. Regrettably, AB 1313 also did not pass. Farmworkers and domestic workers were excluded from overtime protections in the 1935 NLRA. (national labor relations act) Its long past time these racist injustices are eliminated!” County Supervisor and candidate for Assembly district 4 Don Saylor also came out strongly for this bill on social media writing, “Let me be clear. My vote on AB 2757 would be YES. Why should farm workers not be paid for overtime under the same rules as any other worker?” Winters mayor and assembly district 4 candidate Cecilia Aguiar-Curry provided the following position statement when asked:
“Its important that people understand the Ag sector. Farming demands unique requirements. I have concerns about redefining the current overtime provisions in the labor code on the heels of the new 15$ minimum wage requirement which phases in by 2020. I think it is prudent to take a go slow approach in order to assess the financial impacts on farmers and consumers before adding additional costs to production agriculture. I am open to changing the overtime rules in the future AFTER the effects of increased labor costs due to the new minimum wage are better understood.”
Dan Wolk and Gabe Griess did not immediately respond to my inquiries about this bill.
I am hopeful that one day as Californians, we will end this injustice. The next time you sit down for a nice meal, please consider the difficulties faced by the people who help get those fruits and vegetables to your plate. Somewhere, not too long ago, a farmworker picked that strawberry, or broccoli head in the sweltering, 100 degree heat. That farm worker is a person, deserving of all the same rights as any other worker. Overtime rules are meant to protect the dignity of life for working people. Why should the people who toil in the heat not be given the same dignity as the people who work in your office? Or your store? In your classroom or anywhere else? It’s a question of basic human rights. Like the civil rights leader Cesar Chavez said, “The fight is never about grapes or lettuce. It’s about people.” Please remember that when casting your votes on Tuesday.
Sean Raycraft is a lifelong Davis resident, and proud shop steward with UFCW 8 Golden State
Sean
Thanks for the article and most particularly for the breakdown of candidate positions. For me it is unthinkable that we would single out one group of workers to not offer the same protections as provided to others.
My first paying job in California was cutting lettuce in Salinas. My hands, knees and back start to ache, just at the memory. My wife, children and I are ever thankful to and for those who grow our food.
Solidarity.
Shawn wrote:
> This exemption from overtime exemptions is a racist relic that somehow,
> we as Californians have allowed to continue for far too long.
Tia can correct me if I am wrong but I have been told that MDs in California do not get overtime. Since it has been years since the majority of new MDs were white males is exempting MDs from overtime also “racist” (and/or “sexist”)?
> Somewhere, not too long ago, a farmworker picked that strawberry,
> or broccoli head in the sweltering, 100 degree heat.
I’ve harvested strawberries, broccoli and grapes along side farmworkers over the years.
While it is common to pick strawberries and grapes in 100 degree heat I’m pretty sure that no one has ever harvested broccoli in “100 degree heat” in the winter (or even the early days of Spring when the last broccoli is harvested for the year).
Many professions, where one is truly “salaried”, and not paid by the hour, are exempt from FLSA, and may or may not get overtime, unless the employer CHOOSES to pay overtime… Engineers, MD’s, etc., fit into such employee classes, as do many Management positions.
Exactly
South of Davis
“Tia can correct me if I am wrong but I have been told that MDs in California do not get overtime. Since it has been years since the majority of new MDs were white males is exempting MDs from overtime also “racist” (and/or “sexist”)?”
MD’s do not get overtime in any system of which I am aware in California. However, MD compensation is not in anyway comparable to farmworker compensation. MD pay is maintained at high levels by deliberately limiting the number of positions available in both medical school and residences. This is certainly not true of farmworkers. I do not understand the point of your post at all since the mechanism of manipulation of compensation is completely different.
Raycraft: On June 2, hundreds of farm workers came to Sacramento from all over the state to hopefully witness the passage of another historic bill. Assembly bill 2757 would have extended overtime protections to farm workers. They were sorely disappointed when right in front of them, the bill died on the assembly floor with a vote of 38 in favor and 35 opposed and 7 abstaining or absent.
How does a bill not pass when 38 vote in favor and 35 vote against? Is there some context missing?
41 Ayes are needed … 50% + 1 (unless there is a vacancy).
Even with abstentions and absences?
Yes
yep… only true unfilled vacancies don’t count…
A little bit of knowledge is a dangerous thing, and in my past role as Chair of a Yolo County General Plan Advisory Committee we had to actively deal with how abstentions and absences are dealt with under Robert’s Rules of Order. So, based on that I will venture forth with the following “dangerous” thoughts.
In Robert’s Rules the voting process has two steps in a “regular” vote.
First, a quorum call is made (usually informally, but sometimes formally). Quorum is 50% plus 1 of the non-vacant seats.
Once quorum is established, then the vote passes or fails based on 50% plus 1 of the number of voting members who were marked present in the quorum count. A voting member can leave the chamber, and as long as that does not put the voting body below the 50% plus 1 of the non-vacant seats quorum requirement, then the number of voting members for the purposes of the vote is reduced by one for every “temporarily” missing member.
For example, with a 100 person body a quorum is established when 51 members are present.
If, for example, 60 members are present, a quorum is established, and a vote succeeds if it gets 31 or more Yes votes. If one member leaves the chamber prior to the vote, then the 59 members still present continues to satisfy the quorum requirement, and the number of votes needed for passage decreases from 31 to 30.
In Robert’s Rules an abstention is treated the same way as leaving the chamber is treated, so in the example above, a vote of 30 – 29 – 1 passes because 30 is 50% (29) plus 1. With that said, individual jurisdictions have established “local rules” when it comes to dealing with abstentions, with some of those local rules treating an abstention the same as a No.
Looking at the 38 – 35 vote, I cant help but wonder if it was a “cloture” vote that was for the purposes of “calling the question” to a final vote. In many jurisdictions those kind of “non-regular” votes require a “super majority.” In the US Senate the super majority threshold is 60%. In other jurisdictions it can go as high as 2/3 of the non-vacant seat count.
Matt –
You are right–a little knowledge can be a dangerous thing. In the California Legislature, passage of most bills requires a majority of the membership–21 votes in the Senate, 41 votes in the Assembly. Urgency measures and appropriations bills require a two-thirds vote–27 votes in the Senate, 54 votes in the Assembly.
Eric, thank you for providing that clarification of the “local rules” that California has adopted to adjust Robert’s Rules to match California’s needs.
Currently farmworkers are paid overtime after 10 hours per day, or 55 hours per week. The law would have phased in 8-hour overtime in half-hour increments, and 40-hour work week in 5-hour increments, by 2020.
Thanks for the clarification Don. I was looking at an older version
Isn’t it against the law for employers to employ illegal aliens as well as minors?
Minors can work with a permit. I think the minor in question has to be 15, and that rule is often broken with the migrant labor force. Yes, technically I think it is illegal to hire the undocumented workers, but I am not 100 percent on that.
So we have laws against hiring minors, and laws against hiring people without authorization to work, yet the author thinks what we need do is pass more laws? Parenthetically there are many in-status visitors/immigrants to the US who do not have legal authority to work in this country including students and tourists.
Why not enforce the current laws before adding new ones?
Exactly . This matter is similar to the protecting people of color from pollution by the newest State of California Assembly’s pseudo and meaningless Bills: AB 1288 & AB 1071. Bills were authored by Speaker Emeritus Tony Atkins and signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown. The bills are a form of socialist propaganda and agenda and are an unnecessary cost and burden for California taxpayers.
quielo
“Why not enforce the current laws before adding new ones?”
If the current laws clearly do not protect all workers equally, that in and of itself is reason for a change in the law. For me, this is not about race, it is about equal protection under the law. Or do you believe that certain types of workers should not have the same protections as others ?
Tia wrote:
> If the current laws clearly do not protect all workers equally, that in
> and of itself is reason for a change in the law.
The reason bosses don’t need to treat legal unskilled labor very well is because there is a glut of illegal workers in CA who will put up with just about anything for a job. If we started putting rich Republican farmers in jail that are caught exploiting illegal workers things would get a lot better for ALL legal workers.
P.S. The minimum wage in Mexico is less than $0.50/hour (for an 8 hour day at current exchange rates). What if the Minimum wage in Canada was $200/hour (20x higher than us like we are 20x higher than Mexico)? Do you think we would have a lot of young hard working guys American sneaking across the border (you bet we would), do you think they would care if they made less than “minimum wage” like $150 and hour or only 15x the CA minimum wage (you bet they wouldn’t)…
https://news.vice.com/article/mexicos-tiny-minimum-wage-is-about-to-increase-by-almost-nothing
Tia,
The assertion was made that minors were often working in contravention of our existing labor laws. I addition an assertion was made that many of the harvesters lacked legal standing to be employed in the US. My question was why aren’t the existing laws against these practices being enforced?
There are existing laws, what there are not are existing enforcement mechanisms to enforce the law.
Yes, perhaps the focus should be on enforcing current laws. And along those lines, I would assume that Mr. Raycraft would support expedited deportation of illegal aliens as that would tend to raise wages.
Expedited deportation would disastrous for the economy. Can you imagine the disruption of removing millions of people from the job market?
The better solution would be to unionize all farm workers. That would solve all of the problems – it would raise the standard of living, it would diminish the incentive for corporations to hire undocumented workers.
That would enable them to be exempted so long as their pay is high enough.
http://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/faq_overtimeexemptions.htm
Sometimes I wonder if you are really in business for yourself.
Farming automation is exploding. With sensor and robotic technology advancing every day, every additional dollar you add to the cost of manual labor… more of that labor will be automated.
http://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2016/feb/18/automated-farming-food-security-rural-jobs-unemployment-technology
And since smaller farms will not be able to afford the labor nor the automation, increasing the cost of labor from government mandates will put more small operators out of business.
Your ideology conflicts with business facts.
I don’t have an “ideology” on this issue, and you know where to find my business. So your rhetoric is, as usual, off the mark.
I don’t think the marginal cost of labor increase by paying overtime is going to be the main determinant of whether a particular crop goes to automated harvest. Some crops lend themselves to harvest technology, others don’t. If they do, it’ll happen. Maybe it’ll happen very slightly faster because of having to pay overtime for an 8-hour day instead of for a 10-hour day.
You know what? I say raise the wages of farm workers. Have government mandate overtime pay. Have government then demand that farm workers get benefits. Make farm labor more expensive.
Then we will encourage more farmers to automate.
And it we should see a slow-down in the flow of immigrants that tend to vote Democrat for several generations.
And more big tech business that make the automation will help the GOP.
Works for me.
Mechanization of farm harvest labor will occur rapidly if there is a shortage of labor. Incremental cost of labor increase will not be anywhere near the same kind of factor. It was the loss of inexpensive labor with the end of the bracero program that spurred much of the mechanization of farm labor in the 1960’s. The crops that can be mechanized readily largely have been. There are serious hurdles to mechanizing many of the remaining crops, largely having to do with mechanical damage to the fruit, the non-selective nature of the machinery, the very high capital investment cost to the farmer, and the lack of flexibility that it creates in selecting which crops to grow.
But if something is done that seriously restricts the number of workers available, you will see mechanization move forward and you will see farmers switch crops. Compared to paying them overtime for eight-hour days instead of ten-hour days, labor availability is a much larger factor. Not to mention trade agreements.
TopCat
And perhaps you would favor enforcing the laws against employment of undocumented workers.
Don Shor: It was the loss of inexpensive labor with the end of the bracero program that spurred much of the mechanization of farm labor in the 1960’s.
That is true. In the Davis area, growers were recruiting local youth as young as 12 years old and any available adult to pick tomatoes for the 1965 harvest. Over the summer they were trained at the high school in Davis. They never could get enough workers.
Farmers were wishing to have that immigrant labor force back again.
Cab drivers and many others who, like farm workers, are paid on production do not receive overtime. Maybe the author should educate himself before pontificating.
Independent contractors who are cab drivers are different true. But farm workers typically are hourly employees. The point of the article is that they SHOULD be getting the same overtime protections we provide for other similar workers.
That would really depend on how you define “similar”. Are they more like crossing guards or more like Uber drivers?
I find it interesting you used this comparison
“That would really depend on how you define “similar”. Are they more like crossing guards or more like Uber drivers?”
Uber drivers were recently ruled to be employees of Uber in a recent California ruling. This is all part of a larger conversation, regarding the gig economy, the future of labor, work, etc that is probably too complicated for the comments thread of the Vanguard. But suffice it to say the nature of work is changing, and not always for the better.
Sean wrote:
> The point of the article is that they SHOULD be getting
> the same overtime protections we provide for other
> similar workers
The guys that I have picked grapes with in prime Napa vineyards were paid more if they harvested more grapes and less if they harvested less grapes. The best guys were able to harvest almost 10x more grapes than me (they were like Ninja masters attacking the vines). I’m wondering if Sean feels that it is not “fair” to pay the skilled guys that work hard $500/day when the unskilled guys that don’t work as hard only get $50/day?
I know that Sean thinks that everyone “SHOULD” get overtime, but I’m wondering if knows what all the people “should” do when they price themselves out of the market and are replaced by machines. In 1976 (as Cesar Chevez was working to get collective bargaining for farmworkers) the “Paris Tasting” let the world know that California was one of the best places in the world to grow wine grapes. In 1976 less than 10% of CA grapes were harvested by machine. Today close to 90% of CA wine grapes are harvested by machine.
P.S. To Sean do you think that “Tally” in the link below will pay union dues to UFCW?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbwswPrDt_k
South of Davis
A UBI would take care of the entire issue and then we could all stop arguing about it. One will eventually be needed in any event if we keep automating to the point where virtually no one who doesn’t work almost exclusively with their brain doesn’t have a job.
Tia wrote:
> A UBI would take care of the entire issue
So would a flock of golden geese (or a forest of money trees), with liberal Switzerland recently voting UBI down 80/20 (they hated it more than Davis hated Wildhorse Ranch) we won’t see a UBI vote in the US any time soon.
http://techcrunch.com/2016/06/06/swiss-reject-universal-basic-income-in-public-referendum/
SoD I am not someone who irrationally fears automation. That robot is nothing more than a tool for a worker to use, like a check stand, or an order gun, or a computer for handling invoices. Automation will always happen, and Im not scared of it. Wise people should see the benefits to society of having those tools of automation to society as a whole.
This is happening because DODO is on the Assembly instead of Mariko.
Vote MARIKO and, if you already voted, I believe there is a way to get your ballot back and revote..
Not positive, but there USED to be a way..
There is not a way to revoke a vote. Dodd is on the Assembly because Mariko was termed out after 2014.
I KNOW that pugi…she did a great job for THREE terms…
and the Dodo didn’t even stay a few months when he decided to go after the same Senate job that she was after….
I am pretty sure that if you vote absentee then you could get the ballot back if not counted yet….
call the county registrar…
one can even get a new ballot if they “messed up ” and marked the wrong box…
THIS is in the USA>>>>>
Only if the ballot is surrendered before it is “voted”… before it is signed and mailed or delivered as a vote. There is a good reason for that… what would stop you from retrieving my vote by mail ballot, saying it was voted incorrectly?
Not unless you’re referring to Chicago, or a soviet bloc country… otherwise, patently untrue…
In this matter I wrote to UC Office of the President Principal Investigator Judith Rosenberg on October 2, 2013
Besides the fear, anxiety, stress, and humiliation some members of this UC Davis self-assembled terrorist group caused, my wife and I incurred financial ruin through the termination of my employment. I lost my house, my income, benefits and my position, which was guaranteed to me by the February 2009 Settlement-Agreement signed with the UC Regents.
From studying history, I know of the Rosenberg’s, and I would like to remember you as one of Rosenberg’s who did something good within the University of California for workers that have become the target of abuse, harassment, vicious malice, and retaliation and oppression because they have the courage to speak out.
As a former political prisoner under the most oppressive system in history, and as a human rights activist in communist Poland, I would like to remember you as people remember Mr. Max Rosenberg, a San Francisco businessman and philanthropist who died in 1931.
Today, the Rosenberg Foundation’s current program priorities are: justice for farm workers, immigrant rights, and integration, justice, and public safety. It also makes select grants in the areas of accountable development, civil rights, and civic participation, and participates in effective philanthropy and nonprofit advocacy.
I do not want you remember you as one of the Rosenberg’s that, on behalf of the University of California, defended Daniluc from the UC Davis HVAC shop who, besides his activities which violate UC policies, compares farm workers to cockroaches in his e-mail dated December 9, 2009:
“From: dorin daniliuc [mailto:dnchvac©msn.com]
To: jerrywaszczuk@yahoo.com
Subject: California Poll
Date: Wed, 9 Dec 2009 17:46:02 -0800
Too many [cucarachas] in California. Stay away from Mexicans.”
I would appreciate if you would schedule another meeting with more time to discuss the case from the beginning to the end .
Sincerely,
Jaroslaw Waszczuk
c.c.: Wendi Delmendo, Sheryl Vacca, Joseph Epperson, UC Regents, UC Davis Chancellor Linda Katehi, UCDMC HR, Mike Boyd, Charles Witcher.
Many of the American noble democrats are not different than hardcore communists.
are you sue hpierce…do you have time to call and check? I am late for meetings…
I’m a pollworker… have been for ~ 20+ years… every election except one in that interval (was recuperting from surgery)… if we’re not too busy tomorrow, I’ll bring it up with the roving inspector. Today and tomorrow elections staff will be “up to their eyeballs” (much more than your ‘meetings’), so I wouldn’t dream of taking their time until the election is over.
Feel free to contact them yourself NEXT week, when they should have this election pretty much complete.
Why Sean Raycraft wrote this aritcle at all ? His buddies democrats who are controlling the California legislature are to blame for upholding the institutional racism and social apartheid in State of California. This article shows the real Dems face and color of their ideology.
He wrote because an issue he believes in fell short and there isn’t consensus within the Democratic party on it. Just as a Democrat killed police reform a week ago.
He should not affiliate himself with Dems . He is one of them . Why he is whining ? Total hypocrite .
[moderator] No name-calling, please.
I’m not following your rationale.
Is no names here . What you referring to? Please advise Mr. Moderator
[moderator] Please don’t call people hypocrites or state that they are whining.
Come on ! Hypocrite is not offensive name but common term used everywhere . Don’t get yourself into spin of censorship and respect the freedom of expression of others . This is ridiculous.
Jerry wrote:
> Come on ! Hypocrite is not offensive
It is only “not offensive” if used to point out the inconsistent views of someone right of center. The term is considered “offensive” by the Vanguard if used to point the inconsistent views of anyone left of center…
South of Davis
Love you , keep trying !
Every republican voted against the bill. What does that say about their values? Until very recently, I was not a Democrat. (I registered dem, so I could vote for Sanders) I wrote this article because I was angry about people who are extraordinarily privileged denying basic dignity to people who bust their butts, doing backbreaking labor for not very much money at all. The people who make these decisions work in air conditioning, sit down most of the day, wear expensive clothes and have a staff (and great healthcare). There is something infuriating about that, hence the article.
Really? The Vanguard taboo word list is getting very lengthy.
Barak Palin
This is just a Vanguard’s scrubbing for free
As Biddlin always reminds me, I am not that smart nor that well-educated. I was a B-average student in grade school. I have only a 4-year degree.
But I have been working since I was 12. At age 13-17 I worked on farms and ranches. I worked 6-weeks of my summer vacation in fruit orchards.
A few things come to my work-experienced, but meager and moderately-educated mind when reading stuff like this related to social justice crusaders advocating for their low-wage worker victims:
1. No matter how lofty their academic credentials, these social justice crusaders certainly skipped any classes on economics.
2. They most likely have never needed a job doing the work of the people they claim to represent.
3. They do more harm than good for the very people they claim to represent by filtering on harm or fairness from their highly privileged perch and not from the position of someone lacking similar privilege and needing a job.
One thing I would check… do any of these social justice crusaders have interest in farm labor automation business? Because that would certainly explain their motivation to keep pushing to raise the cost of the human labor equivalent.
I find it funny that you think I am some kind of academic elite/social justice warrior. I work at a grocery store, doing largely manual labor, at night. I have experienced poverty, and have needed that job of the people I represent (Im a shop steward). What privilege do I have Frankly? Im literally advocating for people who I work with every day. How exactly is that preaching from up high?
Those farm workers who came to the capitol are part of a union. They want these overtime protections to improve their quality of life. Are they social justice crusaders too?
Of course you understand that the people who would pay the most for increased food prices will be the poor? Poor people eat more than rich people and the food they eat has a higher percentage value of farm labor. The farmers will not make less money because people will pay what they need pay for food. So who do you think will ultimately pay for your scheme?
Sean wrote:
> I have experienced poverty
I’m wondering if you have experienced true poverty (like the kids from the double rock housing projects I used to tutor)…
If my wife was playing golf with your Mom at the Country Club I wonder if she would say that any of her kids “have experienced poverty”…
Presumptions of my life history aside SoD, my family has not always had the kind of wealth that permits membership to a country club. In my early twenties, my family did not have the kinds of resources they have now. I was on my own, making 8.50 an hour in Davis, and occasionally I had to do things like skip meals, go to work sick, walk to work because I could not afford to buy gas. Those kinds of things. Its true I had a middle class life when I was growing up in a nice town. But not everything is as it seems all of the time my friend. I was conservative then, like you. I didnt understand what struggling was until I actually had to figure out how to make things work on my own. I know what its like to face eviction, to not know where your meals are coming from, to know the indignity of having to beg the power company not to turn off your power, then having them shut it off anyway. Its damn expensive being poor. It consumes you. Its with you wherever you go. Your life is made small, into pay periods and counting pennies, and the crushing anxiety of fearing getting sick, or having a sudden expense like a car repair. It leaves little to allow for the things that make life meaningful, like the advocacy that I do now. Its certainly true that I do not live in poverty now, but some of my co workers do. Many of the customers I serve late at night live in poverty.
Some come in late at night because they are scared there isnt enough money in their accounts to buy food, and do not want to have to go through the indignity of holding up the line at the check stand while they desperately try to make their debit card work, while people in line stare and judge them. Or they get off work from their fast food job, and they do their budget right in the check stand, and ask for items to be taken off because the end of the month is near, and they just cant afford that toothpaste.
I cant say that I experienced the kind of poverty that you have seen, because I havent. But I know what it is like to live anxiously. The difference between you and I SoD is that I am trying to do something about it because I believe that all people deserve dignity, and I wonder if you do. The people who cook your food, watch your children, mow your lawn, and yes pick crops should not be seen as lesser people just because they are poor. They are not invisible people, even though our society often treats them as such. The farm workers overtime problem is a great example of invisible people. You never see them, so its ok to deny them full citizenship. Make sense?
Sean wrote:
> Presumptions of my life history aside SoD
> But not everything is as it seems all of the
> time my friend. I was conservative then, like you.
You may “presume” I’m “conservative”, but ask a few people at the next union meeting if they would describe a guy who voted for Obama (and been on the campaign staff of CA politicians to the left of Obama), that is pro-choice (on everything), wants to reduce military spending/wars (and close Gitmo), and wants to legalize drugs (except meth) if they think I’m “conservative”…
> I was on my own, making 8.50 an hour in Davis,
> and occasionally I had to do things like skip meals,
> go to work sick, walk to work because I could not
> afford to buy gas.
I was on my own making $3.35/hr and would skip lunch (when I was rushing out and forgot to bring a $0.59/Cup-o-noodles to work with me). But I did not “have” to skip meals (and did not consider myself living in “poverty”) since I skipped meals out of pride knowing that with my collection of friends, co-workers and people I volunteered with I had a lot of people who would give me food if I really needed it and asked for it.
> Your life is made small, into pay periods and counting
> pennies, and the crushing anxiety of fearing getting
> sick, or having a sudden expense like a car repair.
The simple solution is to put your head down and figure out 1. How to reduce expenses and 2. How to increase income. (I wish there was an easy way and I did not have to live in so many crappy places while working so many long hours and weekends over the years)…
> They are not invisible people, even though our
> society often treats them as such. The farm workers
>overtime problem
If you really want to help people you would make it easier for people to to get jobs. It is sad that today I can’t just hire a young kid to paint my house since you need to have a “contractors license” to do any job over $500 in California. My brother in-laws family started farming in the Salinas Valley in the late 1800’s and treated everyone that worked for them very well, but due to the increasing laws/regulations/etc. over 100 years it is just too hard for anyone but the big corporate farms to follow all of them and make a profit so they now lease their land (to corporate farmers that treat the employees like crap). The little grocery store I worked for treated everyone like family (The owner of the store bought everyone that wanted to come in early on Saturday a nice breakfast as the diner on the corner before we started work). In the late 70’s and early 80’s people looked the other way if you were paying a bag boy $3/hr cash, but today we are going to a horrible corporate model where the Super Wal Mart who does not give a crap about workers is where most people will get food (the rich will go to Whole Foods). In the 80’s Davis had a lot of Mom & Pop stores that treated employees well and taught them about business and every day that number is shrinking and more and more corporate chains designed for minimum wage people who don’t have to think much come in.
> You never see them, so its ok to deny them
> full citizenship.
All my grandparents (legally) immigrated to the US and became citizens so I am not anti-immigration (my grandmother helped teach immigrants English through her church in to her 70’s). I just want to have laws that make the process fair (the current process where so many US Citizens are out of work because the GOP lawmakers look the other way at the exploitation of immigrants because the business owners give them money and the Dem lawmakers look the other way at the exploitation of immigrants because the immigrants give them votes is not working well)…