Hello Heisters!
We just MUST sound off on the Senate's recent rejection of the Buffett Rule, the tax plan which would apply a minimum tax of 30 percent to individuals making more than a million dollars a year.
Ask yourselves: what better example do we have of the institutionalized greed that now rules our country? According to Gallup, over 60 percent of Americans supported the Buffett Rule and CNN has the number at 72%. Regardless, our ELECTED representatives cannot even BEGIN to take the slightest step towards reducing income inequality in this country.
American style democracy has always been based on income equality. Yet a small number of ideologically (market fundamentalism) driven elites beginning in the 1970s understood well that if they could buy our government, they could then re-write the laws (lobbying) to favor big money which would pave the way to unlimited riches for themselves.
And then, lest we forget, buy the media to cover their crimes to the point where today the notion of reducing income inequality has become a radical, heretical idea. The injustices at the core of these questions and or determination to find real answers to this crisis is what drove Donald and me to make Heist.
Onward!
Frances and Donald
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Shopping for Democracy
For the last 40 years, the economic-political decision making in this country has been top down, leaving working people out of the equation. Supporting local economies is a powerful antidote to the unbridled power of corporations and the political financial elite who dominate our society.
We need to starve the corporate beast of its profits! As we point out in HEIST, it's time for us to fight back at the local level by targeting how we spend our money. Buying at the lowest prices and the outsourcing that makes them possible has come at the cost of millions of American jobs. The Heist team is allied with strong advocates for local business ownership, including Local First.
Local First Arizona founder Kimber Lanning is a powerful voice in the film. As Lanning points out, when we spend money with local businesses, 30% of that money is recirculated back into the community. Perhaps just as important Lanning says if a community does not have localized lending, such as credit unions, consumers are "effectively saying take my deposits and invest them elsewhere, we're not worthy."
We know it is not always possible to spend 100 percent of our money with local businesses but we can reduce our purchases with monopolistic corporations. Next time you are at Wal-Mart think twice about the "true cost" of that purchase you are about to make. If you live in Oakland, buy your bread at Neldam's Bakery which we profile in HEIST! Neldam's closed its doors during the economic crisis but employees worked with the owners of the building and the business was re-organized into a co-op where the profits are shared among the worker-owners.
Audience members are leaving HEIST telling us that they are going to take their money out of the big banks and put it into local credit unions. Imagine if everyone did this? So remember, WE ARE VOTING WITH OUR DOLLARS EVERY DAY!
We need to starve the corporate beast of its profits! As we point out in HEIST, it's time for us to fight back at the local level by targeting how we spend our money. Buying at the lowest prices and the outsourcing that makes them possible has come at the cost of millions of American jobs. The Heist team is allied with strong advocates for local business ownership, including Local First.
Local First Arizona founder Kimber Lanning is a powerful voice in the film. As Lanning points out, when we spend money with local businesses, 30% of that money is recirculated back into the community. Perhaps just as important Lanning says if a community does not have localized lending, such as credit unions, consumers are "effectively saying take my deposits and invest them elsewhere, we're not worthy."
We know it is not always possible to spend 100 percent of our money with local businesses but we can reduce our purchases with monopolistic corporations. Next time you are at Wal-Mart think twice about the "true cost" of that purchase you are about to make. If you live in Oakland, buy your bread at Neldam's Bakery which we profile in HEIST! Neldam's closed its doors during the economic crisis but employees worked with the owners of the building and the business was re-organized into a co-op where the profits are shared among the worker-owners.
Audience members are leaving HEIST telling us that they are going to take their money out of the big banks and put it into local credit unions. Imagine if everyone did this? So remember, WE ARE VOTING WITH OUR DOLLARS EVERY DAY!
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Highly Acclaimed Documentary “HEIST” Debuting in Oakland at the Historic Grand Lake Theater
FILM HIGHLIGHTS THE ROOTS OF THE AMERICAN ECONOMIC CRISIS, STRUGGLES OF MILLIONS OF MIDDLE CLASS AMERICANS, NATIONWIDE OCCUPY MOVEMENTS
(Oakland,CA) - Producers of the explosive new documentary “Heist” join community leaders and activists for a special screening of the highly acclaimed documentary “Heist: Who Stole the American Dream?” Heist examines the roots of the American economic crisis, and the struggle of working and middle class people in the United States.
“We made HEIST for the 99%," said the film’s co-Director Donald Goldmacher, “Our main goal was to connect the dots of the economic crisis so that our audience might better understand what has truly happened in our country, and restore democracy and an economy that works for all."
WHAT: Screening of Heist: Who Stole the American Dream?
WHEN: Thursday, April 19, 2012 - 7:00pm
WHERE: Historic Grand Lake Theater 3200 Grand Avenue, Oakland, CA 94610
Following the movie there will be a panel discussion moderated by Ella Baker Executive Director Jakada Imani and featuring: Donald Goldmacher, Heist director/producer, Christine Cordero, Occupy the Hood Oakland, and Sylvia Allegretto, UC Berkeley labor economist.
IF you would like review copy before or after the film event please contact Frances Causey fcausey@gmail.com.
“HEIST clearly explains the roots of our current economic nightmare while analyzing the growing momentum for reform in America,” said Jakada Imani, Executive Director of The Ella Baker Center for Human Rights, “ Heist builds on the growing momentum of Americans who are demanding equity and justice for our country.”
In addition to critical historical background, Heist offers real world solutions and up-to-the-minute footage from the current Occupy Wall Street movement - an essential primer for all Americans to participate in the restoration of economic fairness, security, and democracy..
More details on the Movie Event:
$15 General Admission, $10 Students and Seniors
$100 VIP - Preferred Seating and Signed Poster & DVD
BUY TICKETS AT: http://tinyurl.com/Heist-Event
There is also a film-only screening at 9:30 PM.
(Oakland,CA) - Producers of the explosive new documentary “Heist” join community leaders and activists for a special screening of the highly acclaimed documentary “Heist: Who Stole the American Dream?” Heist examines the roots of the American economic crisis, and the struggle of working and middle class people in the United States.
“We made HEIST for the 99%," said the film’s co-Director Donald Goldmacher, “Our main goal was to connect the dots of the economic crisis so that our audience might better understand what has truly happened in our country, and restore democracy and an economy that works for all."
WHAT: Screening of Heist: Who Stole the American Dream?
WHEN: Thursday, April 19, 2012 - 7:00pm
WHERE: Historic Grand Lake Theater 3200 Grand Avenue, Oakland, CA 94610
Following the movie there will be a panel discussion moderated by Ella Baker Executive Director Jakada Imani and featuring: Donald Goldmacher, Heist director/producer, Christine Cordero, Occupy the Hood Oakland, and Sylvia Allegretto, UC Berkeley labor economist.
IF you would like review copy before or after the film event please contact Frances Causey fcausey@gmail.com.
“HEIST clearly explains the roots of our current economic nightmare while analyzing the growing momentum for reform in America,” said Jakada Imani, Executive Director of The Ella Baker Center for Human Rights, “ Heist builds on the growing momentum of Americans who are demanding equity and justice for our country.”
In addition to critical historical background, Heist offers real world solutions and up-to-the-minute footage from the current Occupy Wall Street movement - an essential primer for all Americans to participate in the restoration of economic fairness, security, and democracy..
More details on the Movie Event:
$15 General Admission, $10 Students and Seniors
$100 VIP - Preferred Seating and Signed Poster & DVD
BUY TICKETS AT: http://tinyurl.com/Heist-Event
There is also a film-only screening at 9:30 PM.
Monday, April 2, 2012
Movie Night at FireDogLake
Donald and I just wrapped a fast-moving and fun online salon with www.firedoglake.com. Check it out at http://firedoglake.com/2012/04/02/fdl-movie-night-heist-who-stole-the-american-dream/. Thank you Lisa and Bev for making this happen. The lively and informed discussion reminded me how awesome it is to really "connect" with people in a long format like this. This discussion was about their reality NOT the alternate reality created by the ultra right media machine.
ONWARD!
ONWARD!
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