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From the Dispatch
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Voices of “The 99%” Heard in Protests Across Nation
Oct 07, 2011
This week, a 3 week-long protest against economic injustice and inequality in the Financial District in New York City gathered momentum as approximately 20,000 people joined a march in solidarity and similar protests against the excesses of Wall Street spread to almost every other state, fueled by a rising sense of urgency on the economy. The “Occupy Wall Street” protest in New York was bolstered by a huge rally on Wednesday organized by labor unions and community groups loudly proclaiming their support for the core group of protesters who have been occupying a plaza a few blocks away from the New York Stock Exchange. As progressive leaders and many elected officials — including state legislators — begin to lend their support to the still-fledgling protest, many are repeating one core message emerging out of the diffuse and leaderless movement: underscoring the increasingly deep economic divide in this country separating the super-wealthy from the 99% of Americans who have borne nearly the entire brunt of the Great Recession and its aftermath.
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Votes on NAFTA-style Pacts with Korea, Colombia & Panama this Summer Could Undermine Economic Recovery
May 12, 2011
At the same time that unemployment remains at historic highs, creeping back up to nine percent last month as more Americans who had given up looking for work return to the job market, corporations are lobbying hard in Washington, DC for free trade deals that will make it easier for them to send more jobs overseas.
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Pre-Empting State Consumer Protection Laws, Supreme Court Rules In Favor Of Corporate Power Once Again
May 05, 2011
The conservative wing of the U.S. Supreme Court has again preempted state laws designed to protect American consumers. In yet another ruling that favors large corporations at the expense of working-class families, the Supreme Court held last week that state laws cannot override “unfair” arbitration provisions. The decision, AT&T v. Concepcion, will have devastating implications for millions of consumers because it unilaterally favors clauses imposed by corporations where consumers do not have a say. Described as the “biggest ever” ruling on class action suits, is another blow to people who want to collectively address a problem, and to states who want to find a fruitful way of addressing issues that are potentially unfair to the average consumer.
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Bipartisan State Legislator Coalition Opposes NAFTA-style deal with Korea
Mar 03, 2011
As the U.S. Congress gears up to make decisions on the Korea free trade agreement, state legislators are urging Congress to consider the repercussions of another NAFTA-style agreement for states. The Korea agreement is anticipated as the first in a bevvy of bad trade agreements to come before Conress this year, with similar Colombia and Panama FTAs to follow. A bipartisan coalition of state legislators is asking fellow lawmakers from all 50 states to join them in sending a message to Congress. More information on the Korea FTA and how it will affect your state is available from Global Trade Watch.
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