Forum Post: Demands Made

These are the Demands:

http://www.nycga.net/groups/demands/docs/final-jobs-for-all-%E2%80%93-a-massive-public-works-and-public-service-program

Read it. These are the demands. They have been decided. Thank you for your input.

TEXT:

FINAL: Jobs for ALL – A Massive Public Works and Public Service Program

Preamble:

“Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will.” –Frederick Douglass

We retain the right to make multiple and/or continuous demands of ourselves, our society, and our government, as there are numerous and varied problems to be addressed by our peoples’ movement. We reject the insinuation of connecting these demands to an endorsement of any one political party. Demands are only one integral part of an already successful movement.

Many of us wish to effect a dramatic transformation of our society and economy, in order that the 99% can control their workplaces, local communities, job creation, and the global economy and environment. This is offered to the GA as an initial, transitional demand, in the hope that others will follow, and to help us build alliances with workers, the homeless, the unemployed and the undocumented. We expect that as the movement grows we will make new demands on our society, our government, and ourselves. Our movement is just beginning. The demands we make and will make are just one of the ways we will take collective control over our common world and common future.

Demand:

We demand a massive, democratically controlled public works and public service program, with direct government employment, to create 25 million new jobs at good union wages. This is to be paid for by new taxes on the wealth and income of the rich, financial transactions, and corporate profits, and reinstatement of the Glass-Steagall Act – as well as by ending all U.S. wars, disbanding mercenaries, ending aid to authoritarian regimes, and closing military bases. The new jobs will aim to radically expand access to education, healthcare, housing, mass transit, and clean energy – and are to be open to all, regardless of immigration status or criminal record.