![Community banner](https://lemmy.world/pictrs/image/8857b3d6-f580-453d-94bd-075de9a3ddf8.png)
![leftism](https://lemmy.world/pictrs/image/7265d547-aa20-4088-837c-0de22f3d83be.png?format=webp&thumbnail=48)
Leftism
- [PSA] Minnesota workers: there have been worker-friendly updates to Earned Sick and Safe Timewww.dli.mn.gov New earned sick and safe time law changes | Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry
The earned sick and safe time (ESST) law was recently updated to clarify who qualifies for ESST, the rate at which ESST must be paid, ESST application to other paid time off and more. Below is an overview of some of those changes. Note: Most of these changes are effective as of May 25, 2024.
The new bill primarily clarifies rules that were a bit vague, but it also has new changes that will substantially improve life-work balance.
- ESST can be used in at least 15 minute increments and cannot be required to use more than four-hour increments
- Qualifying workers were expanded to people hired with an expectation of working 80 hours in a year, rather than actual hours worked. Some jobs still exempted
- ESST usage has expanded to bereavement
- ESST rules for use are expanded to all paid time off
- Employers that do not provide ESST must pay the worker for twice the amount they were supposed to get in ESST
- Inside the Right’s War on the Homelessinthesetimes.com Inside the Right’s War on the Homeless
How one Trumpist tech mogul pushed a crackdown on the unhoused all the way to the Supreme Court.
- Short video on how we produce more than we could possibly consume, so there is no ethical production under capitalism
YouTube Video
Click to view this content.
alt-text: the words “no ethical production under capitalism” with production underlined. It is next to the ancom flag, and is over a digital art wooden background.
- Here come the Democratic National Convention protestswww.semafor.com Here come the Democratic National Convention protests | Semafor
Organizers are expecting up to 40,000 people to march on the DNC on Monday.
- Our Verdict on Kamala Harris’s New Plans - Jacobinjacobin.com Our Verdict on Kamala Harris’s New Plans
Matt Bruenig reviews Kamala Harris’s new economic policy proposals — from money for first-time homebuyers to fighting grocery price gouging to an expanded child tax credit. Some of her ideas are good. Some are bad. Most are meh.
- Here's a look at protests planned during Chicago's DNC next weekchicago.suntimes.com Here's a look at protests planned during Chicago's DNC
DNC-related protests and gatherings start Sunday.
- Pushing yourself isn’t an inherent good
Pushing yourself doesn't always make you stronger, for many people it can do the opposite. Harm and challenge is not an inherent good. There is the common saying that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and that applies to rest too.
This can be seen clearly in many of the different things we do while resting, like organizing the spaces we live in. In the moment it might be much faster to look through that mess instead of cleaning it up, but eventually it will cost far more time overall. If we are living paycheck to paycheck though, we might not be able to sacrifice that time.
This is a perfect argument against things like wages in any system though. I know many people say we need “incentives to work” or to “give resources to groups that do the most work, so that they can do more”, but that is by far the wrong way to look at it. Convincing someone to work too hard now can cause them to do less in the future, no matter how many incentives and threats you add. Rewarding people for doing more in the moment just means you are systematically rewarding people who just look through that mess more, instead of those that clean it up. If you do that enough, give them the energy to expand and make more of that form of organization enough, eventually you won’t achieve anything but collapse.
Without time to rest we will achieve nothing, and punishing people for resting will only be counter-productive.
Metrics from a distant observer will never replace the workers there in the moment.
- Chicago’s mayor owes his career to activism. How will he handle demonstrators at the DNC?www.motherjones.com Chicago’s mayor owes his career to activism. How will he handle demonstrators at the DNC?
Tens of thousands of protesters are expected at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. Mayor Brandon Johnson used to be one.
- The state can just wait out protests it knows will end.
The point of protests is a threat to the state, and to wear down its reserves of resources and normality by taking up space and not allowing it to do things. If there is no threat of more actions, like even continued protesting, why would the state choose fundamental systematic change over losing a small bit of resources?
We are in the middle of a pandemic and so many protests are happening without a significant portion of people wearing masks. This makes these protests self defeating. Continued action won't happen in the moment when everyone gets sick, and fucking over anybody willing to protest with long covid means we get even less protesting in the future. There might be a small threat of more action, but that is far overshadowed.
The state is actively benefiting from protests right now because so many of yall are ableist and eugenicist. Even working alongside these people is counter-productive. If we don't exclude reactionaries from our action they will take us down with them.
- 4 Talking Points Used to Smear DNC Protesters—And Why They’re Bogusinthesetimes.com 4 Talking Points Used to Smear DNC Protesters—And Why They’re Bogus
As the Democratic National Convention descends on Chicago, protesters are taking to the streets demanding an end to U.S. support for the genocide in Gaza. Don’t buy the arguments of those criticizing them.
- JD Vance: The Forgettin’ Man | The DailyShowography - If you thought he was weird before...
YouTube Video
Click to view this content.
- The Political “Center” Between Fascism and Democracy Is Fascismkottke.org The Political “Center” Between Fascism and Democracy Is Fascism
What “Center” Is That, Exactly? A.R. Moxon on the continuing pleas from political “centrists” for the Demo
- The Daily Show: Jordan Klepper Asks MAGA About the Shooting, Harris, and Both Parties' VP Noms
YouTube Video
Click to view this content.
- TERFs believe in biological sex - until they don't
Imane Khelif is just the latest victim of idiotic transvestigators.
- Still thinking about the time Matilda said this...
cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/18056637
> source: https://x.com/MaraWilson/status/1288387415833317382 > > Capitalism sucks.
- Why killing Trump is (probably) bad - Some thoughts on the morality and utility of political violenceragdollx.substack.com Why killing Trump is (probably) bad
Some thoughts on the morality and utility of political violence.
Although it may be justifiable from a moral perspective, a Trump assassination would likely lead to the Republican problem becoming even worse as we've seen a slight bump in the polls after the attempted assassination, and the other Republicans candidates as just as if not even more of a threat than him.
- Partial Common Ownership: A New Model for Ownership - A new alternative to capitalist private property
Partial Common Ownership: A New Model for Ownership - A new alternative to capitalist private property
https://www.radicalxchange.org/media/blog/pco-a-new-model-of-ownership/
The main disagreement I have with the article is that voting rights over management of firms should lie exclusively with workers. Besides that, the alternative described should be interesting to anti-capitalists.
The revenue from partial common ownership could be allocated using non-market mechanisms in democratic communities
- A European Citizens Initiative wants to introduce a Wealth Tax (and they need your help)www.tax-the-rich.eu Tax The Rich
Nous voulons un impôt européen sur les grandes fortunes pour financer la transition climatique et sociale et aider les pays victimes des dérèglements climatiques.
... That is if you are a citizen of the European Union. If the petition reaches 1 million signatures, the European Commission (basically the government of the EU) is legally required to at least introduce it as a proposed law.
- The Problems with Money and Without Money, and Communal Currencies and Vouchers - "Plural Money, Socially-Provided Goods, and the Principal-Agent Problem"
The Problems with Money and Without Money, and Communal Currencies and Vouchers - "Plural Money, Socially-Provided Goods, and the Principal-Agent Problem"
- Disney faces strike threat as thousands of California workers vote on walkoutwww.theguardian.com Disney faces strike threat as thousands of California workers vote on walkout
Company could endure biggest US strike of 2024 as unions accuse it of intimidation during contract negotiations
cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/17394988
> Company could endure biggest US strike of 2024 as unions accuse it of intimidation during contract negotiations > > Disney could face the largest strike in the US this year after it was announced that thousands of theme park and hotel workers in California will vote on whether to stage a walkout. > > Three trade unions representing 14,000 “cast members” at Disneyland, Disney California Adventure, Downtown Disney and the Disney hotels announced an unfair labor practice strike vote would be held next week amid negotiations over a new union contract. > > In a critical statement, union leaders accused Disney of “unlawful discipline and intimidation and surveillance” of union members. The entertainment giant did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
- The Telekommunist Manifesto
The Telekommunist Manifesto
https://www.networkcultures.org/\_uploads/%233notebook\_telekommunist.pdf
"Proposing ‘venture communism’ ... for workers’ self-organization, Kleiner spins Marx and Engels’ ... Manifesto ... into the age of the internet. ... [V]enture communism allocates capital that is ... needed to accomplish what capitalism cannot: the ongoing proliferation of free culture and free networks.
In developing [this] concept ..., Kleiner provides a critique of copyright."
- Indigenous activist Leonard Peltier loses his bid for parole in 1975 FBI killingswww.usatoday.com Indigenous activist Leonard Peltier loses his bid for parole in 1975 FBI killings
It was the first time Leonard Peltier had sought parole in 15 years and could be his last given his health issues, his attorneys said.
cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/17163486
- Congo Still Fights to Control Its Own Resources 64 Years After Its Independencetruthout.org Congo Still Fights to Control Its Own Resources 64 Years After Its Independence
Author and analyst Vijay Prashad discusses how poverty and resource exploitation still ravage the country to this day.
cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/17163552
- She exposed how the nation's poorest state spent federal welfare money. Now she might go to jail.www.nbcnews.com She exposed how the nation's poorest state spent federal welfare money. Now she might go to jail.
"The rabbit's got the gun now," said a lawyer for former Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant, who is trying to force reporter Anna Wolfe to reveal her sources.
cross-posted from: https://slrpnk.net/post/11084509
- 7 trans kids are in their third day of protest at NHS England's headquarters, demanding the right to healthcare, dignity and for their voices top be heard.
cross-posted from: https://lemmy.blahaj.zone/post/13847307
> Taken from a Press Release by the group: > > LONDON, 1 July 2024—Two young trans activists scaled the NHS England’s London headquarters at 133–135 Waterloo Road in London on Friday to stage a protest and have remained there ever since. The group, now made up of seven young protesters, all 18 or under, has one simple message: Trans Kids Deserve Better: we are not pawns for your politics. > > The powerful direct action has been organised by the “Trans Kids Deserve Better” network, which is calling for: access to gender affirming healthcare for trans children and young people, protection from discrimination and disrespect in their daily lives and the right to be heard in all decisions that affect them. > > Their protest comes in the wake of the government using emergency powers to ban all access to puberty blockers in the UK, a move that was supported by Labour’s Wes Streeting, likely to be the next Secretary of State for Health. It also comes in the context of a General Election campaign where trans people and trans youth have been used as ‘culture war’ talking points, but not allowed to speak for themselves. > > “We are staging this protest to remind politicians and voters that we’re real kids, not just political talking points. We may not have a vote, but it is our lives that are at stake,” said one of the activists staging the protest. “Gender-affirming healthcare is a matter of life and death for us, and we hope that our actions will bring awareness to this fact and encourage others to fight for the healthcare and dignity that we are so shamefully denied.”
- The NLRB Is Testing Out a New Tool to Stop Union Bustingjacobin.com The NLRB Is Testing Out a New Tool to Stop Union Busting
This week, the NLRB handed down its first Cemex order against Station Casinos in Las Vegas, which engaged in heavy-handed union busting before workers lost a vote to unionize. The ruling may force the casino chain to bargain with the union anyway.
Classic Jacobin, several months late on important news /s
Seriously though, while the article primarily focuses on the rule change from last year, the backdrop is necessary to cover what seems to be the first case since the rule was established. It can never be understated how important this NLRB ruling actually is. The laws still need to be updated to reflect modern union busting tactics, but this ruling is still crucial. The Cemex ruling restores part of what's known as "Joy Silk" doctrine, which was a major factor in the huge boom of unions from the 1940's through 1968. The casino is "considering it's options". I hope that means they cement the rule.
- Iraq War Veterans, 20 Years Later: ‘I Don’t Know How to Explain the War to Myself’ | NYT documentary
YouTube Video
Click to view this content.
- The Secret IRS Files: Trove of Never-Before-Seen Records Reveal How the Wealthiest Avoid Income Taxwww.propublica.org The Secret IRS Files: Trove of Never-Before-Seen Records Reveal How the Wealthiest Avoid Income Tax
ProPublica has obtained a vast cache of IRS information showing how billionaires like Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk and Warren Buffett pay little in income tax compared to their massive wealth — sometimes, even nothing.
- The fast-food industry claims the California minimum wage law is costing jobs. Its numbers are fakewww.yahoo.com The fast-food industry claims the California minimum wage law is costing jobs. Its numbers are fake
Fast-food lobbyists say the higher California minimum wage law led to a loss of nearly 10,000 jobs. The claim is baseless.
I don't think this is actually about needing to pay wages, I believe that the real target is the fast food worker council that was created to make these changes. I think they're going for a tried and true method to gain conservative sympathy, but Republicans are self-segregating away from California and their political influence is waning in the state.
- Linguist and activist Noam Chomsky hospitalized in his wife's native country of Brazil after strokeapnews.com Linguist and activist Noam Chomsky hospitalized in his wife's native country of Brazil after stroke
Linguist and activist Noam Chomsky is hospitalized in his wife’s native country of Brazil after suffering a massive stroke a year ago.
- Fetterman has to be one of the biggest disappointments for the left in recent memory
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/opinion/john-fetterman-tells-maher-that-near-death-experience-freed-him-to-speak-out-says-progressivism-left-me/ar-BB1nS49V
From the article:
> The liberal comedian then asked Fetterman whether his shift in various policies had anything to do with his recovery from his 2022 stroke, asking if his near-death experience had given him a "freedom."
> "Absolutely," Fetterman responded. "There's a line from the first 'Batman,' Joker's like ‘I’ve been dead once already. It's very liberating.'"
> "It's freeing in a way. And I just think after beating all of that, I just really [want to] be able to say the things that I have to really believe in and not be afraid of if there's any kind of blowback."
So basically yes, the stroke made him a Republican. Pathetic and disappointing, but all too predictable.
- ‘Tradwife’ Trend Is Worse Than You Realize - Interview with Dr. Eviane Leidig on The Majority Report
YouTube Video
Click to view this content.
> On mainstream social media platforms, far-right women make extremism relatable by sharing content about organic foods, anti-vaccination rallies, and promoting a feminine lifestyle. They use discussions on dating, marriage, and family to advocate for housewifery against feminism and endorse the Great Replacement conspiracy theory. Eviane Leidig's book delves into the digital world of these far-right women influencers, revealing their roles as propagandists and recruiters for white nationalism. Leidig argues that these women market themselves as authentic to attract followers and spread hateful ideologies, leveraging social media's structure to reach mainstream audiences. Her book provides insights into gender dynamics within the far-right and strategies to counter extremism both online and offline.
- Inverted Totalitarianism (Documentary) by 1Dime
YouTube Video
Click to view this content.
From the description:
>This 1Dime video is a documentary about the history and evolution of US Democracy, based on the political theory of Sheldon Wolin and his book “Democracy Incorporated: Managed Democracy and the Specter of Inverted Totalitarianism” and the Expanded Edition of his book “Politics and Vision: Continuity and Innovation in Western Political Thought.” Wolin’s theories, popularized by the likes of Chris Hedges and Noam Chomsky, are very important for understanding the nature of the American system and what makes it different from other capitalist liberal democracies. My own work (seen in the 1Dime videos and my upcoming book) builds on Wolin’s theories of Managed Democracy and adds a lot to them while also going beyond them, covering certain things Wolin missed.
- Why Biden's New Bill Is So Terrifying - Second Thought
YouTube Video
Click to view this content.