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CEDAR
RAPIDS, Iowa—On Aug. 30, Socialist Action members participated in an
enthusiastic picket line of a Democratic Party fund-raising dinner in
Northwest Cedar Rapids—a district hard hit by the 2008 floods that
devastated the city. Over 30 protesters demanded a worker-centered
reconstruction program in opposition to the Big Business favoritism and
bureaucratic red tape that has prevailed in the “recovery” process.
Democratic
Gov. Chet Culver, in a race for re-election, spent time among the
protesters. He was accompanied by a host of Democrats running for
election for state positions. The candidates flashed their politician
smiles and assured the demonstrators that they are doing “everything
they can” to assist the people of the devastated neighborhoods. They
insisted, of course, that a Republican victory would doom their
efforts.
But
most of the protesters had no time for this political double-talk, and
were set on organizing actions independent of the ruling elite’s twin
parties. Activists interested in building an ongoing campaign for
dignified flood recovery are organizing a coalition under the banner of
CAVE People (Citizens Already Victimized Enough, People!).
Socialist
Action supporters in Cedar Rapids are active in building the
coalition and have suggested an action program that centers on the
following demands:
•
Rebuild workers’ homes and apartments! Cut down the red tape; end the
favoritism of Business District recovery!
•
For a massive public works program to carry out reconstruction and
provide meaningful employment for the city’s growing ranks of
unemployed, many of whom lost their jobs and their homes due to the
flood. Reconstruction must be under the control of democratic,
self-organized councils of the working people whose residences were
destroyed or damaged, as well as the unions representing the
reconstruction workers.
•
No support for capitalist politicians! Organize independently to force
the city and state governments to accede to our demands.
•
No cuts, no austerity; tax the rich! No more Iowan tax dollars wasted
on wars abroad—bring the money home to rebuild Cedar Rapids and
rejuvenate our social services! Increase the tax burden on the elite to
fund the reconstruction.
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