Commentary

On the eve of Labor Day, a certain story provocatively titled “Who Wears the Pants in Today’s Economy?” caught my eye. It inspired me to try out a new Labor Day slogan: “Women and men of the world unite and fight for a more humane economy. You have nothing to lose but your pants!"

First of all, thank you, workers, organizers, students, activists, farmers and dreamers of Wisconsin. You helped pave the way for mobilizations and actions around the country, including the Occupy phenomenon. You also boldly stepped into the electoral arena. An important step, and one that we should reflect upon and learn from in the spirit of moving forward, toward bigger, better street action that is both independent of, and, at times, well coordinated with, electoral engagement. You have much to build upon in Wisconsin, going forward.

All eyes are on SCUTUS this week as they take up the case of Arizona’s draconian immigration law (SB1070). By the end of this session, the Court will have ruled on a wide range of social and economic issues, including health care, immigration and Affirmative Action. We can expect to see a pattern of radical --- dare I say 'activist' --- jurisprudence from the Roberts Court.

Reading the arguments against the health insurance mandate that are being entertained by the Supreme Court this week leaves me feeling as if we are truly a morally-bankrupt nation. The fact that healthcare for over 40 million people is at stake is being treated as an unfortunate side-effect in the contest over who has responsibility for our nation’s health care system. And one of the leading arguments seems to be that we have no collective responsibility toward each other whatsover.