can join the conversation at facebook and twitter. washington journal live at 7:00 eastern on c-span. >> annex, will bush in the 1987 a news briefing by chief of staff howard baker. -- and next, we will show you the 19 87 news briefing by chief of staff howard baker. >> book to the sector down with hillary clinton to discuss her newest book, hard choices. book tv sat down with hillary clinton to discuss her newest book, "hard choices." learn to beve to agile and ready for the unexpected. while we tried to build the

world that we wanted especially for our children and now my future grandchild, well to be at where of the fact that all of these other countries all of these billions of people, they are making hard choices every single day and we have to be ready. we have toced continue to lead to the world into the kind of future that we want. we cannot sit on the sidelines. we cannot retreat. to setbacks and disappointments. over time, our story has a book, the dominant story. it purposes of the hopes and time, our story has been, the dominant story. -- become the dominant story. with had unfortunate consequences. adbicate him our

responsibilities. the world needs us. american matters to the world. the world matters to america. and our security and our democracy. >> hillary clinton spoke about her decision-making process and perceptions of the united states thend the globe and some decisions she had to make as secretary of state. the full interview airs on july 5 at 7:00 p.m. eastern and sunday. >> howard baker died on thursday. a republican from tennessee, he's been 18 years in the senate served as minority and majority leader. he served as president's reagan chief of staff. in 2001, he was appointed in fastener to japan and served until 2005.

-- ambassador to japan and served until 2005. he announced the rich role of a robert gates nomination as a cia the richard -- and resignation of robert gates nomination as a cia director. baker took questions from the white house press corps. >> gentlemen, thank you for being here and every me the opportunity to make my first. i tend to do this often and i attend to do it as circumstances warrant. it hasfirst say that been an exciting day for howard baker. the first day of a new job is always challenging, but the first day as chief of staff of the president of the united states is extraordinary. i thought i was busy in the senate.

indeed i was. a remarkable, new experience. it is been very busy indeed. i've been with the press off and on all day in a series of meetings beginning this morning at 9:00 on a variety of subjects. with i haveo begin known ronald reagan since 1966 will stop and i have worked with him almost every day well i was majority leader from 1981 until i left in 1985. i have never seen ronald reagan more energetic, more fully engaged and more in command in difficult circumstances in question then we are dealing with throughout this today. he has never been better. and i have seen him up close on many occasions and i say that first-hand observation. thingsy a number of

would've dealt with today in the oval office and in meetings throughout the day and i will touch on two of those announced. first, i would like to announce on behalf of the president said on wednesday, march 4 at 9:00 p.m. eastern, the president will address the nation. foraddress is available live television and radio coverage. and i might also say that we hand out a copy of the letter to the president of the united states from a bob gates. , who is thetes deputy director of central intelligence and i will read that to you. president, it is apparent that there are strong to where the -- i believe a prolonged period of uncertainty

would be harmful to the cia and potentially to our national security. i respect that you withdraw my nomination to be director of central intelligence. i am deeply honored that you chosen for this high position and i pledge my. port and assistant to whomever you -- and i pledge my full support and assistance to whomever you choose. gates came up and advise me of his intention. we arrange a meeting this afternoon at 2:30 for the president to receive mr. gates which he did and the presidents turned in a statement that will be handed out after the session. the statement is as follows and of the president -- "with great regret, i have agreed to robert gates requested that his name be withdrawn as a nominate to be.

i met with bob this afternoon and he asked me to withdraw his nomination rather than the extended consideration of the senate. --ould ask bob to consider to continue serving under a new director. and i look forward to working with him under the next two years. his remarkably talented man who assert five presidents -- who has served five presidents. i have been impressed with the class here shown under the enormous pressures of recent weeks. at any other time, i am certain he would easily be confirmed without delay. it is clear that at this point confirmation would not be in the interest of the cia or nation. mr. gates has done an outstanding job and to continue to serve in that capacity until a new director is confirmed."

the president has discussed a number of the names to be submitted to the senate of the united states as director of central intelligence and in no choice has been made by the president as of this moment. i can ensure you it is an urgent item on the president's agenda and we hope to have a name to submit very soon indeed. say --back up and certain contacts are underway. i cannot say. [indiscernible]

i went over a draft with the president today. try tom not going to beat out the president. i think it is a marvelous speech. i think it's going to be a good speech and will have a profound effect on the country's perception of israel. ramallah -- you're of a long the pain of setting your views -- and you have a long career of setting your views. [indiscernible] thatam acutely aware ronald reagan was president and i am not in my role and responsibility is to serve him as a chief of staff to carry out his programs and proposals and serve him in whatever capacity i can in that role.

>> a number the president's plans have been going public [indiscernible] . [indiscernible] >> i think the advice was heard and the president knows precisely the sentiment in the congress and the party and the to his with respect management style. i would like to say i do not president oroff awol president. he is in touch with the issues before this country. as far as i am concerned, the relation today and is just one day, it has been marvelous. >> i want to follow-up. [indiscernible]

found to be out of touch. >> it is clear that during iran situation, there are many things the president did not know and under better circumstances perhaps he should have known. that is for the president to say. he has come a long way in restructuring national security counsel and replacing personnel. they have already been dealt with. >> how do you intend to restructure? what do you see yourself doing? >> no, not really. all, itnge my mind at has been about the difficulty of getting around this mechanism down here. big staff operation an enormous responsibility and great, diverse sort of challenges. what i have done is meet with the president's staff at 8:00 to

ensure them that there will be no wholesale firings and as changes are made and that will be done carefully and deliver late and with full consultation of those affected. i have put in place a two-man transition team over the weekend and they will continue to transition to observe the situation and make recommendations to me on how the staff should be structured and how the names should be filled obtained. i will carry these recommendations to the president. president's staff and not howard baker's staff. will not set a deadline but now within a week. it will be later. >> [indiscernible] for the first time, ronald

reagan has got to become a hands on president. of the wayu think this president approaches this job? paul todayalked to and i understand fully what he is saying. and i told him what i just told you all at the beginning of this meeting. it has been two years now since i don't regularly with ronald reagan a but i've never seen a better than he is today. -- since i have dealt regularly with ronald reagan, but i've never seen him better than he is today. >> are you concerned about the criticism? >> two parts. an obligation to

come to you today and the second part is i opened the remarks i'm making these observations because they are true. , this president is fully in control of his presidency? is he fully engaged? is he in contact with the problems? experience,day's today he was superb. >> and mrs. reagan -- [indiscernible] talked to mrs. reagan today. i plan on doing that later today. [laughter] intend to do that later today. let me say i've known nancy reagan a long time and i spoke to her on friday. i expect -- [laughter] >> the draft of the speed you have seen, you have described as tremendous.

what else do you think the president needs to do to sway momentum in the country? >> i will tell you very frankly i will consult with the president and advisors and i will help him if he will permit me to to advise a strategy to get a cross of the perception of ronald reagan today that i saw today. >> part of his problem is the investigation -- [indiscernible] what does the president know and what did he know? >> i'm not sure how i will be involved. i will try to be in touch with every aspect of osprey rations -- of operations. but, let me say, at the the publication of the tower commission was a turning point. i think the president was damaged by some allegations and

the tower commission, but he survived. i think he is going to grow from this point and strengthen hislarity and will resume role as a very popular a very effective president of the united states. >> [indiscernible] what are you planning to do about insider trading? for our country and economy. >> and that is a good question. i have a list of things i am going to try to be briefed on and that no doubt will be one of them. >> [indiscernible] can you tell us when you can answer questions? the kind of alertness --

an original plan to be frank with you. they're the resignation -- the resignation and the president was prepared to do that. it does not quite, together that way. it was decided i would come down and do this. i would expect you will see the present very some. >> [indiscernible] he is willing today. i said a look, we will announce only half of this and not the other half are. why don't we stay and let you do the other half? >> one more. --issy requoted in the "my >> you were quoted in the "miami herald as saying -- [indiscernible] do you stand by the comments?

is this, myid experience as a majority leader, iphones of the president was as good as anybody especially -- good asident was as anybody especially the give and take. two months later, you found that short.ory was but so is mine. and so is yours i suspect. if you're up on a particular issue, that is one thing you try in a few weeks. that is what i meant. the first lady is a distinguished citizen of this nation. she is of strong convictions that that is what i meant. chris what will you talk to her about? >> whatever she wants to talk about.

chris on monday, howard -- >> on monday, howard baker will lay in repose. his funeral will be on tuesday at the huntsville presbyterian church. years old.r was 8018 the communist party convention in chicago the keynote speaker. -- howard baker was 88 years old. } >> we believe all men are created equal. yet many are denied equal treatment. believe all men have certain on alienable rights. do not enjoys those rights.

we believe that all men are entitled to the blessings of liberty. yet millions are being deprived of those blessings. not because of their own of thes but because color of their skin. reasons are deeply embedded in history and tradition and the nature of man. we can understand it without rancor or he trip how this all how this all happens. it cannot continue. foundationution, the , the principles of our freedom forbid it. morality forbids it. and in the law i will sign tonight forbids it. is the 50thend anniversary of the 1964 civil

rights act with president to the nation.ss hear from reporters who cover the debate. sunday night at 8:00 p.m. eastern on american history tv on c-span 3. >> another communist party usa convention. the chairman gives the keynote address and said the stakes of the 2014 midterm elections are high for tens of millions of americans struggling to survive in today's economy. we are from other party officials on domestic and global issues. this is 90 minutes. hello. my name is chauncey robinson. i am from oakland, california. [applause] i was born and raised in new

jersey. and, i am a member of the communist party. [applause] was do as asked to do speech honoring our elders so i am going to do that. we are gathered here this weekend for the 30th national convention of the communist party usa. it is a party that has had 95 years of history of struggle. dedication, defeat, and victory. from each of those struggles that the party has been a part of, we have been able to learn from those experiences in order to go forth and analyze the ever-changing political climate. 2014, we dealar with the nation and a world in a state of unrest where the working class continues to struggle, fight, and most of all survive. in a capitalist survive the hellbent on our explications and

demoralize asian. ation. we are coming together to share our experiences, learn from one another, analyze our current political situation, and hopefully leap year with a better outlook for tomorrow. the keyword i think of when thinking about what we are doing here this weekend is experience. i think experience greatly connects to how we go about talking about our current situation and how we go about our future. the have and things learned from our history that we stand on thinkthat enriches how we on and decide what to do going forward. have such a wealth of experience in the struggle is not the elders of our movement, of our party. [applause] asked to give a speech honoring our elders, i

was fearful of being someone who things fromp, list the past, and give a tone of the past being archaic, unmoving, and gone. i was afraid i would did up here and give the eulogy. [laughter] thing is, this is not a funeral. the elders that are with us today in this room and with us in spirit in their local place of residencies are very much alive and fighting. and wonderful resource of knowledge. it is the party we need to know in order to be that best we can be and looking forward towards the future. political activist james baldwin once said children have never been very good at listening to their elders. they have never failed to imitate them. i think this holds true for the party. sometimes life is busy. the struggles of day-to-day can get as down or we get wrapped up in our own affairs that we can get tunnel vision. -- we can think this is

the first time something is being done. a problem is arising or a battle is being fought. the battle and struggle for the end of capitalist exploitation and for society based on the quality has been a battle that the communist party has been waging for 95 years. [applause] taken onattle that has many forms. it is a culmination of issues. this is a battle that has gone on for some time and we have elders, people in this very room and around the country, weapon fighting for decades and continue to fight. we can at least hope in some ways to imitate their strength and resilience. to be able to have similar life lessons they had entity able to help contribute to the rich legacy of the party as they have as well. ok. all right.

ok. we have some of the greatest resources. to learn from and be thankful that we're come before us, i am reminded of marian ellerman. to have growncky up having interaction with adults who were making change but were far from perfect beings . the feeling of not being paralyzed by your terrible and i nervously -- inadequacy of a human being is part of the legacy i have gone from so many of the adult elders. elders may not be the best way to describe them. i am reminded by what an author wrote when thinking about the older generation. the most beautiful people we have known are those of known defeat, suffering, struggles, loss, and i found their way out of the depths. these persons have an appreciation, i sensitivity, and an understanding of life that

fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. beautiful people do not just happen. she is right. they are created and blossom in the complexity of life and struggle. that is to our elders are. people who weigh are so grateful to have still fighting by our side and be able to learn from their experience and lesson. thank you. [applause] i hope you are feeling as uplifted as i am right now. ya'll look great, let me tell you. good afternoon.

we are going to have a great convention here. [applause] task forvery specific this evening. i am going to talk to you about extending a welcome to our international guests. coming from the most powerful and fearless nation in the world, our party has a long and courageous record of solidarity. workers of the worlds and oppressed people of the world unite has been more than a great slogan for our party for 95 years. allave fought this fight through those 95 years with all that we have to translate those powerful words into powerful movements of struggle.

party liftedof our the banner of internationalism and solidarity with the first socialist nation developed in the land of linen. against the fascist yo,lin of tokyo -- or tok rome. the axis. banners protested batista and embraced cuban socialism. today it reads into the embargo and free to the cuban five. [applause] banner was lifted in solidarity with the courageous people of vietnam and their valiant struggle against u.s. imperialism. [applause] we are with the people of

vietnam today and are hopeful that a peaceful solution will be found to end the current most serious conflict with the people's republic of china that is going on. of antiracism, internationalism was raised high in solidarity with south africa's fight for freedom. [applause] when we hailed the founding of democraticiracist republic of south africa, we continue to raise the banner in solidarity with the new pro-socialist venezuela and all the new elected progressive governments in latin america. [applause] iraqood with the people of against u.s. invasion and occupation. continued struggle for lasting peace and self-determination. usa foreverf the cp

will waive against u.s. imperialism and solidarity with the oppressed and exploited in the world. [applause] it is against austerity which is being spread by the most powerful economic forces around the world. we are for labor and people fighting back all over the world. we stand with the people of iran against the threats of war coming mainly from our culture right but not only from them. also from the israeli ruling circles. we will high our banner to stand with the people of central and south america and the struggles also justice -- and their struggle for social justice. independence from corporate dominance from the u.s..

workers and oppressed people of the world unite. in the ukraine, u.s. policy is to join with those who wave the flag of not see is him -- nazism confederate flag was waved in kiev. these people who carry the confederate flag of slavery they are supposed to be our allies in the ukraine? hell no. [applause] the world has not forgotten what nazism is. does notrialism represent the interests of the american people, we know that. their goal is not peace on earth, but how big a piece of this earth they can dominate and exploit. it is the wasted treasure of our

nation squandered on war that we cannot afford. it is the blood of our working and middle class young men and women, many of whom were coerced, believed, and deceived into military service on behalf of u.s. corporate imperialist interests. that same interests that exploited our jobs in the first place. [applause] die for their progress after they took our jobs. that, comrades, that problem is the greatest danger to our nation. peace is patriotic therefore. that is why our party banner of solidarity must never be lowered until peace and justice prevails for all people. is where for peace

u.s. people's basic interests lie. it is where we as a people make our greatest contribution to the future of humanity. know itn chicago and we was the international solidarity martyrs thatarket established mayday as a worldwide workers holiday and helped win the eight hour day. angelationalism, herndon, and so many who faced the gallows. the whole fight to bring down the system of u.s. slavery gained worldwide political muscle because of international solidarity. it was a wealthy english woman of abolitionism who put up the money to purchase the freedom of frederick douglass who was a fugitive slave.

during the civil war, the great people led the fight against the english stock workers who refused to unload ships made by slave labor. antiracist solidarity is basic to working-class solidarity. [applause] longy -- it's been a time. forget whatll never communist and workers parties have done to save angela davis. [applause] long live international solidarity. workers and oppressed people of the world unite. our unity is our strength. sentdes, many parties have

in wonderful greetings to our convention. we are especially delighted to have our many international guests who have joined us. many traveling thousands of miles. wereber of other parties blocked by the state department. the cubans sent in their application. they didn't say no. nothing came out of it. i thought we were relevant -- we were irrelevant? what are they scared of? [applause] secretary of state -- come on. we have had conventions before. what is your problem, brother? i think it is part of their -- whatever. i don't know. [laughter]

anyway, the south african delegate would be here. they always come but there was a problem of the health. they send their best wishes. we say to those who are here -- welcome, comrades. we are honored by your presence. stand to ask each one to as like all your parties name -- party's name. please try to hold your applause until our wonderful international comrades are all standing. all, for the communist party of brazil -- please, stand. [applause] remain stand it because i want everybody's to stand. the communist party of britain, please stand. [applause] that's although applause you can do -- that is all the applause

you can do? i'm teasing. stand.ty of germany, we -- please stand. [applause] the two-day part oy of iran. [applause] the communist party of iraq is here. [applause] the communist party of japan is here. [applause] and, the communist party of vietnam. [applause] welcome. [applause] please, give them a rousing hand. [applause]

you will get a chance to hear much and meet them. long live international solidarity. i am sorry i got emotional. thank you. [applause] >> juan lopez, the organizer of the northern california district. [applause] >> thank you. privilege and pleasure to introduce our national chairman, sam webb. [applause]

sam has been a mentor and an inspiration to many of us, including myself. i am proud to say that sam and i at the ripe age of 69 share a common destiny. we are one year from entering the prime of our lives. [laughter] [applause] baby boomer, our generation was shaped by the movement of the 1960's civil rights and anti-vietnam war era to which the party just emerging made important contributions. at the time, first as a college student and then a worker, michelle stuart -- sam served as leader of his party in his native land.

in the 1970's at the parties are urging, sam and his family moved to detroit when the automobile industry was still came. king. under his leadership, the party in michigan was able to contribute and reenergized the labor movement resulting in today's progressive trance. in the 1980's, out of the national party in new york, sam became secretary of the parties labor commission. he went on to take national assignments becoming a very effective troubleshooter. the soviet union and the socialist camp in eastern europe pivotal, sam played a role in helping lead the party at of one of the most bringingng periods unity, stability, continuity, and renewal to the party.

it was a united party that enthusiastically elected him as national chairman in 2000. it is this continuity and renewal -- continuity and renewal that our national chairman has told us to pass to the eye of a needle resulting in sound policies and forward-looking trajectory that characterizes our party today. when thes world, contradictions have never been greater in our lifetimes between the 1% and the 99%, together sam leading with other highly capable comrades in the leadership's collective bodies, together with comrades at all levels. coalitionwith close partners, we are molding a modern 21st century communist party. [applause]

through the course of the next three days, we will have the opportunity to review our parties considerable accomplishments, both where we excel and where we fell short. with fresh minds together, this weekend we chart a course that will build on the great strides we have made since our last convention. rought outstanding qualities worth of mentioning because of the impact they have on our party and through our party carry over into the mass arena. a deep understanding of science and art we call marxism. marxism is not fixed in stone for all time. but one very much alive -- masterfully applied to the circumstances and evolving with

ever-changing reality. an appreciation for the sensibilities and aspirations of our nations working class of people and members of our own party. a style of leadership utterly collective and viewed with disarming humility at the same time reality-based bold initiatives. leadership by example as well as persuasion. being aware that sam is not one nevertheless, i feel obliged to bring these qualities out because they represent much of the best in our party's collective experience. so, it is with our minds set on continuity and renewal that we not to perform some radical makeovers, but rather

make adjustments, do some fine tuning, and discuss and agree on some exciting new initiatives. without further ado, i present to you my dear friend and comrade, sam webb. [applause] >> thank you, juan, for your overly generous introduction. the collective spirit. that is how we try to function over the past 14 years and i think we did a pretty good job at it.

it is great to see all of you here. a special thank you to the convention organizing committee who did work. elena,udith, joe, joell, tony. let's have a hand. [applause] good afternoon, everybody. is so good afternoon to our international guests. thank you for coming so far to be with us. everybody is ready to go so i hope i can get this -- get us off and running well. every convention has its own particular mission. what is the mission of this 30th convention? in addition to catching up with

old friends and meeting new ones, breaking bread together, and having a good time, our mission is to take afresh and sober look at today's realities and challenges. this includes making adjustments in a strategic nature to new conditions. taking better care of the future and the struggles of the present. over the next three days, we will turn our attention to those of social movements which are critical to recasting our country's politics, economics, and popular thinking. while we will look ahead, we will keep in sight the immediate challenge of the following elections. we will give our attention to building a party for a 21st-century. such a party should be modern, mature, militant, and mass.

in my world, a 4m party. collective.ize our far more effectively than it has done up until now. i am not going to turn my attention -- i am going to turn my attention to the main challenges. the leadership of the party would like to discuss and decide over the next three days. by one.resent them one real-life intermingles with the other in countless ways. people surge. it seems like somebody new is raising hell everyday. rattling the cages of the powers that be. one day it is the dreamers and the next day it is moms of walm art. then, the moral monday movement. then, there are seemingly

endless actions to increase the minimum wage. there are initiatives to stop deportations and the militarization of the border. we have to add the mobilization against suppression and ongoing campaigns to register to vote. nor can we forget the struggles a stop mass incarceration, system that is driven by racial and class bias. a great significance in protecting a woman's health and abortion clinics which are under fierce attack. there are the inspiring student campaigns against global energy and the keystone pipeline. we should not forget the flood of phone calls of the nearly overwhelm the congress. switchboards that a test that look like to imminent u.s. military action in syria. also, great significance was the

transformative convention last fall. and other impressive example of this surge was the landslide win of bill de blasio, mayor of new york, who was a self-described progressive. a few weeks ago across the mighty hudson, rob baracka, in another impressive victory was announced newark's mayor. [applause] finally, and max effect of this and that is so inspiring and brings tears to my eyes has been the passage of marriage equality legislation in state after state. [applause] these victories have become so common that it is easy to lose sight of the enormous change goesrepresents and thanks

to the current and tenacity of the lb gt movement. from this podium, i will tip our asner to the late harry hay well to the pioneering stonewall generation which includes gary donovan and eric gordon. eric is with us. stand up. [applause] the stonewall generation came out when it was very difficult to do so. they battled and lost loved ones to the aids epidemic. they never give an inch to ignorance and hate. if i could sum up the surgeon a few words, i might say that things are breaking good, not breaking bad. i will be the first to say the surge of struggle doesn't

have to resolve capitalism in consistently working class manner, but does it have transformative potential? yes. i believe it contains the seeds that can be partly cared for. it will bring an economic freedom and peace to our land. wouldvil's advocate quickly remind me of the barriers that make any kind of progress, let alone social transformation, unlikely. you know what? the obstacles are formidable. task is daunting. lose those precious gifts called hope and desire to give up on the american people. andpresent surge is real could evolve into the interests of the immense majority.

it reaches into small towns and suburbs as well as cities. into san francisco. into the south and north. into the heartland as well is the coasts. into red states as well as blue states. only ift differently, movement as one progressive analysts wrote which includes the desperately poor. the insecure middle-class has any chance of success. that is not exactly a marker formulation, but framing it like that encourages expensive -- itcs both of which brings me to challenge two. in an economy that works for working people. the 99% are not faring too well. are you? recovery is anemic and

things do not look good point forward -- going forward. economic stagnation has entered the conversation after a long absence. the nobel prize-winning economist of the new york times wrote a while back -- what if the world we have been living in for the past five years is the new normal? what if depression like conditions are on track to persist, not for one year, but two years? that is big stuff. present-day capitalism while being governed by the same bears littlews resemblance to u.s. capitalism in the years stretching from the end of world war ii to the mid-1970's. andng that era between 1945

1975, that is capitalism's golden age, the academy -- eco nomy grew steadily. but this change in the mid-1970's with a near continuous expansion over a 25 year period has largely disappeared and gave way to stagflation. high inflation, slow growth. i am happy with this turn of events and especially the kind the money bags and the corporate people did two things. they declared war on labor. in this class, it goes on unabated. they loosened a good chunk of re ofoney in the sphe material production and said to it, you are free. go wherever you want.

i will supply many times over and make me rich. it is exactly what thier profit-seeking money did. it settled everywhere, established connections everywhere. it flowed was into financial markets and channels. it flow was so massive became the main factor in shaping the interrelations and evolutions of the national and global economy. we know only too well this enormous flow overwhelmingly speculative, parasitic, nonproductive money to the financial studio while pumping life into an underperforming economy was anything but a mixed blessing. a few people on wall street were connected -- or connected got

rich. they live in luxury and accumulated enormous power. most of us got spanked and spanked hard. we lost jobs and homes. piled up debt so we could get by. it did nothing but worry about the future for our families and communities. when the financial feeding frenzy finally unraveled and the whole economy came down in 2008, damn it if we did get spanked again. to think not even one of these thieves of finance spent a day in jail. five years later, things are no better for us. with all of the income gains during this time have gone to the 1%. economy isis for the more of the same -- slow growth,

stagnation, and mounting contradictions. the force of the stagnation pressures to the vast changes that have occurred in the global economy since 1980. on the one hand at the apex of the economy, huge multinational corporation and banks. on the other hand, marxist reserve army of the unemployed, underemployed, and formerly employed has doubled in size during that time. absorption ofhis wage exportation has radically we leveraged the relative positions of capital and labor in favor of the capitalist class. and power atwealth the core of the economy constitutes a new and powerful source of downward pressure on u.s. in global economy. this turn of events and reconstitution of capitalism

could not have happened without a major assist from the government and political class. a crucial importance was the election of ronald reagan in 1980 and the ascendancy of the right wing that followed. to be fair, the democrats, especially the clinton administration, were not by standards. -- bystanders. they had the chance to change the economy to the dentist of the 1%. the question before the house is how do we get out of this mess? here are my two cents. is nothing less than the restructuring of the economy and the consistently and deeply anticorporate and eventually socialist direction. first -- [applause] first, the conversion of a on andfuel based

developing renewable energy sources. second, major infrastructure construction and renault -- ren ewal. aird, you will like this, guaranteed livable income for all and the reduction of the work week with no cut in pay. [applause] and major expansion of every aspect of the public sector to education, housing, retirement security, health care, elder care, and so forth. [applause] strengthening our workers rights and people's rights generally. sixth, turn too big to fail banks into public utilities. [applause]

seventh, measures that overcome long-standing inequality furlong hit communities. [applause] finally, control on capital stability to abandon communities and move around the world. with aforms will be met refrain, there is no money. liesps the biggest of all in the past few decades, trillions of dollars in unearned wealth has been amassed by the 1%. this should be transferred into public hands, our hands. [applause] another huge source is the reordering of government priorities away from military spending. finally, passing of the financial transaction should get our radical economic programs off and running. [applause]

let me add this. the purpose of such a reform program is not to level the playing field or to ensure that everyone who plays by the rules and works hard and gets a fair shot at the american dream. to the contrary. the purpose is to decisively change and tilt the playing field in favor of the underpaid, the underemployed, the unemployed, the discriminated against, the struggling family, the student, the underwater homeowner, the bankrupt city, the underfunded schools, every victim of capitalism. [applause] where do we begin? my answer is that we begin where we are. that is with the existing movement and struggles. there are so many.

siding with the growing movement against economic inequality, the low-wage economy and right-wing extremism. richard spoke about the growth of inequality. obamaxt day, president made a speech on the same subject. the books of thomas and elizabeth warren both on the subject of glaring and unjustified inequality. and progressive bloc in congress stand firm behind economic justice. the minimum wage movement is really picking up. the latest victory was the seattle city council that made the minimum wage $15 an hour. [applause] meanwhile, around the world, powerful movements.

in some cases, even governments are demanding economic justice. as a formerve on, altar boy, i got to bring the pope into the conversation. quote--- "whave to ile the earnings of the minority are growing exponentially, so is the gap separating the majority from the prosperity and joy is by those happy few. imbalance is the result of ideologies to defend the absolute economy of the marketplace and financial speculation. a new tyranny is thus born. a visible ritual. that readily imposes its own laws and rules. the thirst for power knows no limits. tothis system which tends

devolve everything that stands in the way of increased profits, whatever is fragile like the defenselessis which becomes the only rule." powerful stuff. [applause] james, the pope's got game. the most compelling struggles against economic inequality, may be the most compelling is the low-wage worker organizing campaign. who are these workers? they are us. they are young as well is old, black and brown as well as white, women and men, immigrants as well as nativeborn. i am sure gay and straight.

they come from red states as well is blue states. are importantr sections of the u.s. labor movement. we and many others are supporters of the struggle. at this convention, we should agree to up the ante. i say let us decide here right this 30th convention of the communist party to make the struggle a strategic focus. can we agree to that? [applause] i thought you would agree. which moves the challenge 3 -- as an overriding strategic task. the labor movement is an essential cornerstone of transport of politics -- transformative politics.

not everyone is up this mind. some do not want no part of the process of change. still others include labor and a very long list of other political actors. this obviously is in our attitude. with aganized, united democratic vision. the democrats in this sector possessed transformative power. of course, this is not the case today. lateembership is that it's -- lois membership since world war ii. it is on the defensive and fractured. ands still small in size the barriers to reconstitute our revitalized and the growing labor movement are formidable.

now, if this were the entire story you would be a bummer. you would go to vacation and head to the pub by noon. it isn't. labor is breaking out of his defensive shell, opening its arms to millions of new members, and taking new initiatives. what should we do? we should do what sections of labor are doing -- embracing and doing something about this crisis. the best ofeven circumstances, the transformation of the labor movement will not be accomplished overnight. the first steps are being taken. labor is beginning to dance with a new beat and rhythm. labor's allies to the left should join the dance. thus the question before the house, before this convention is

are you're ready to put on your dancing shoes and bogey to labo r's beat? [applause] now, i expected you would break out in applause because i know how many of you like to dance. which takes me to challenge four -- the elections and struggle for political independence. challenge are the elections this fall. the outcome probably will not shift to the political terrain in a deep going way but that doesn't take away from their importance. whichever side wins will have to win over the next two years of the obama presidency and a leg up in the 2016 presidential race.

if the republicans capture control of the senate while retaining control of the house, they will claim the american people have unambiguously rejected the president in his politics of redistributive economics, government overreach, and a supersized nanny state. ground, they will press the reactionary agenda to the max. they will block the president at every turn as well as ramp up the efforts to retry him as incompetent, a voice of freeloaders, and a weakling in the global theater. nothing new here except they will pursue this smear campaign with more vigor. this republican opposition goes beyond the normal give and take of politics and heated partisanship.

a barelyeveals is concealed and deeply felt racial animist durinfor a black presid. it symbolizes the imminent demise of the old order in their eyes that is white, male, and well-to-do. as fixated as they are on obama, toy are equally indifferent the plight of tens of millions of struggling to survive. dust, the stakes are tremendously high in this election. it goes without saying that we should lead this battle and no one should sit on the batch. ench. butill not be a cakewalk, weber said the road to freedom will be easy. whoever said it will be easy to elect the first african-american us, i bet.- none uof

life and struggle and a yes we can attitude combined to break new ground and make history. [applause] can we surprise the pundits one again and give the republicans a good thrashing in november? are you with me? [applause] wegot the right spirit, but have to combine this spirit with other things if we are to win in november. first, talking points. they will convince people that their vote counts and the right wing could be defeated this fall. voter massive registration, protect the vote campaign beginning now. [applause] if this is done, and i think it

can be, lots of talking heads are predicting a republican victory will have to eat their words. progressiveleft and movements minimize the importance of this election in part because they do not share our concern about the right danger. in part because they feel the democratic party is no great shape either. well, i am mindful of the fact the democratic party has a class anchorage. despite the broad range of people and the organizations that comprise it, not everyone has an equal seat at the table. i am also mindful that any realistic strategy that defeats the right thereby creating opportunities to move to higher ground necessarily includes the democratic party as part as a growing people's coalition.

[applause] so, how do we square the circle? i am not sure if i can do it completely but here are some brief thoughts. n independent a labor-based party able to withte on a national level the two main parties of capitalism does not exist now nor is it on the horizon. while there is disaffection within the democratic party, nearly nobody is ready to say see you later. do is to are ready to fight with a party leaders in wall street over policy and political direction. so, of the third party is not on the agenda for now, what does the left do in the meantime? hope the democratic party will do what's right? not at all. two interrelated tasks come to

mind. ne, it is to continue to build the deepest grass-roots coalition, including the dmes against the right. the other is to give new imagination and urgency to expanding and deepening the extreme of political outsideence inside and the democratic party that regresses the progressive agenda. [applause] there be tensions? of course. that is the nature of coalition. we will learn during the course how to unravel and move this thing forward. that takes me to challenge 5 -- climate change and planetary sustainability.

of carbon and other greenhouse gases in our atmosphere has reached a point that james hansen, one of the world's most foremost climate scientists, calls it a planetary emergency. what makes matters worse is that time is becoming our enemy. our window to act as closing. never before has such a challenge confronted the human species. yet, we sit on our hands. can't say the same thing about the fossil fuel industry. most of the republican party, the right wing, well-funded think tanks and the riley despised koc -- rightly despised koch brothers. can i hear a boo? [crowd booing] science ofnying the climate change and resisting the smallest mission that might cut

down on carbon emissions. is planetaryisis in scope, the worst consequences will weigh most heavily on where the working class, the racially oppressed, and the poor, especially on countries and peoples of the developing world. despite this and pending calamity -- this impending calamity, the response of the left has not been commensurate with a new danger. if our party in particular were going to be graded on our performance, my guess we would get a "d." the only reason we would receive thef" is due to outstanding coverage of the environment. we can and must do better. the clock is ticking. i am reminded of a quote from martin luther king in another context. are now facede

with the fact that tomorrow is today. we are confronted with a fierce urgency of now. conundrum ofding life and history, there is such a thing of being too late. procrastination is still the feet of time." if king's eloquent words and scientific data do not move you to be a better steward of this fragile planet, the place we call earth, and make it personal -- that is what i do. i think of my two daughters. step daughter and stepsons. i think about my little granddaughters. they will hopefully live long into this century. in climate conditions that are

friendly to humans and other life forms. rester that happens will on what we do in the next few years. here's the good news if i have made you too gloomy -- a movement is being born. it includes young people in the trade union movement, too. although, they are understanding the concern of working people and not fearing the absolutely necessary transition to a fossil fuel-free economy. we should join this movement heart and soul. we should bring our energy, including our socialist perspective to it. mass globalization is scheduled at the united nations to demand action from the world leaders and governments to mitigate

climate change. joine agree that we will as well is mobilized friends and neighbors for this action? what do you think? [applause] ago, i signed up to doked our leadership civil disobedience if necessary to stop the keystone pipeline. [applause] how many of you will make that much today -- pledge today? i think we are taking a first step. bringing me to challenge number 6 -- new racist order. >> the right-wing attack against democracy is exceedingly dangerous. is aight wing bull's-eye

range of socialist institutions, churches, community organizations, families, and kinship groups. a sustained everyday life and in power tons of millions. for sections of the ruling class they are right wing pied piper is, and the right wing media a robust quantity at war. this gang of democracy and equality busters, by temperament , outlook, practice, authoritarian, racist male supremacists and massages. they despise labor. group is could say this and at the gates, but they are. they hope to be inside and in charge of the castle. no joke. what do we do now? what did the american people do?

the obvious answer -- >> both have left a mark on the democratic and class struggle over the past 300 years. be no different. as much as racism and and the struggle against it are timeless , they express themselves differently over time as conditions change. i would argue that the best social and demographic changes going back to the 1960's have been given rise in the opening years of this century to a new

racist order and a new antiracist movement resisting that order. this dialectic makes the struggle against racism and equality more difficult and more promising. here is why. hand, notable victories led by people of color in the first place, have been registered over the past few decades. perhaps no more than the stunning election of president obama in 2000 eight and 2012. furthermore racial attitudes and sections of the white community have changed for the better. a particular significance of sections of labor and other social movements come engaged in organized anti-racist uncle and take steps to make their leadership reflective of their membership. something they didn't do years ago. can anyone who grew up in the 1960's, and there are a bunch of meanye, imagine george

stumping the country next to why workers to vote for an african-american presidential candidate? i don't think so. embraceople like to some of the old racists and stereotypes of older generations. this is one side of the dialectic around which conform even broader and deeper multi-reach unity and antiracist understandings. on the other side of the dialectic, political realities which if taken shape for the past 30 years are the given rise to a new racist order making racist exploitation, oppression, discrimination much or durable. and legitimizing this new racist order isn't ideological structure that draws together old and new racists notions, including the notion that our

nation is in a post-racial, post-civil rights colorblind era. dress that notion up as you will. it is nothing but hogwash. what do we do? it seems to me we expand in every way what we have been doing. adequate funding of schools, education, racial profiling, and the war on drugs. for or presentation, and not least for the defeat of the right in the coming elections. me have to you and make the case more persuasively and vigorously that everyone who hopes that this country will move in a democratic direction, let alone a feature which people and nature trump corporate profits cannot afford to sit off

the struggle. let's challenge this new racist order, control the country back two days long gone by, into a future we thought would never happen again. we have to argue that racism hurts. hopes, dreams, families. it tramples on dignity. it destroys lives. especially the young, sometimes in the street, sometimes in distant lands. sometimes in prison. --ism a era making to

people of color into long and powerful voices for progressive and radical change generally. [applause] i would add this. this is a crucial point. after the end of the day, white people are morally and materially scarred and diminished in one way or another. while racist ideology is incticed, people of color the first place, it corrodes real democracy for all, it makes us a society free of class, racial, and gender divisions a pipe dream. can we overcome?

which leads to my challenge. an end to violence in a war world of peace. we can barely turn in any direction without encountering violence of one kind or another. violence is a pervasive presence in the world. it kills innocent people and tears up the social fabric of our communities and societies. tonumbs our sense of outrage the point where we become excepting of this presence. is natural and internal. hate is an humankind's dna. war is a social construct. there are alternatives. dr. king was right when he appealed for a trans-evaluation of values. him, neither were passive appeals to goodwill, the categories of struggle. they rested on contesting the

structures of exploitation and oppression. the material grounds for violence. he appealed to anyone who would often that the elimination poverty, racism, and militarism was a gateway to a beloved community and of nonviolent world. were he alive today, i can't help but think that he would despair, but only for a moment. then my guess is he would tell us our mission can be nothing less than to join with millions of others here across our planet to insist on peace and in violence. but to be concrete, let me suggest what i think should be beyond our peace agenda. we should exist our government a u-turn in foreign policy. --ond, [applause]

second, we should insist on the dismantlement of alliance and multi-instant nationals the project violence. on a, we should insist not pivot to asia in the pacific but towards a common effort to resolve the resting issues of nuclear proliferation, poverty, inequality, and climate change. we should insist on a just settlement of the palestinian and israeli consulates that includes an independent, able alice on existing in peace with israel. on hands offist venezuela. a normalization of relations with cuba and freedom for the cuban five, and an end

--[applause] an end to the whole generalized sanctions regime. we should insist that big powers , existing and rising, respect the rights of small states. [applause] we should insist on into the war on terror and the surveillance state. terrorist actions against innocent people cannot be justified and should be stopped. but the war on terror isn't the way to do it. it becomes easily the rationale andoil, aggression abroad, cutting down on democratic rights and neglect of human needs at home. the scourge of terrorist actions can only be counted by the collective effort of the world community. we should insist on a piece of budget. not a war budget.

and a peace economy, not a militarized one. the judicial system should be overhauled, and justice should be not punitive but redemptive and restorative. we should insist on an end to capital punishment imposition of stricter gun control laws and the formation of empowered civilian or blue -- review boards in every city. we should insist on expansion of health care clinics and schools to provide humane and urgent trip it -- urgent treatment to young and old with mental and we should insist on the reconstruction plan of massive scale on a massive scale for the purpose of restoring and sustaining communities and cities, rural communities, and reservations of native peoples.

insist on ashould just and humane immigration system. [applause] , wee want to fight a war should once again declare a war on poverty. joblessness, underfunded schools, now nutrition, and the social ills that make life difficult for millions. nor should we show any tolerance toward racism, male supremacy, or homophobia. all which could turn into acts of violence. we know that too well. wrote, the cessation of violence, the cessation of pillaging and violence, such as our ideal. [applause] i would modify that. is our of violence ideal. it must become our passion.

we should not be a goal, but encoded into our emotional and political dna, into everything that we say and do, into the images and slogans that we create. if peace is to have a chance, we have to embrace and indoors same. to do the finally, building the communist party. i'm sure everyone would agree that taking care of the future troubles of the present include the building of the party in size, capacity, and influence. building a transformative party. what is to be done? what will it take? i am going to abbreviate my ,emarks in the interest of time and not exhausting your patience. what stands out in my mind. if our party is going to build a

transformative party, including a couple of things that generated some lively discussion in our preconvention. confidencel, take that the audience for our ideas and our party is growing under the impact of changing objectives and subjective conditions. that is reason to think this is the case. size, capacity, and influence, we are in a better place now than we were four years ago when we gathered. we are growing not by huge leaps and bounds but incrementally. incremental can add up. also, to build a transformative party we may take systematic attention to building the party, it can be the work of one or two comrades. m has to be the work of the

entire collective. build the transformative party, we have to deepen ways to further and extend a pool of younger comrades. we are too thin in terms of political depth at that level. we have to change that. you will take more active and for -- clubs, they ran the ground floor of a transformative party. just as union power depends on local unions, party power is grounded in a dense network of clubs across the country. it should go without saying that the clubs will come in many different sizes and shapes and read some will be statewide. others citywide. hope, will be located

in a naval fort or workplace. building a transformative party will also take a more robust utilization of social media, especially the people's world. we have made headway in this area, but not enough. we have a long ways to go. you will also take a special approach to building the party among trade unionists, people of color, and immigrants. we have taken a range of forms, including young communist league , to attract youth to our circles. we have to do more systematic fieldwork in places where the party is in its infancy. in addition, we will take a more full-blooded and modern educational program that is equipped to reach new members and old members alike. this is a major response task. deeper requirement is a organizing culture. in the't steeped enough

notion and practice of organizing and launching the thinking and actions of others. we are part of a makes, we take part in mass organizations. fight the good fight. but in too many cases we are only just depends. not movers and shakers. not organizers and change agents. we are not the people who make things happen is to change the way people think. building a transformative party will take more compelling vision of socialism. a view of socialism that is modern, and shaped by a national experiences, realities, traditions, sensibilities, and challenges. a rearview mirror to construct

socialism usa will not fill the bill. it will not meet the challenges of the new century, including the massive ecological challenge and the urine from the real and the yearning for real democracy. that will not do it. oress possessing vision, telling a story, that expands the boundaries of human freedom and equality, situates ordinary people in the sense of the transforming practice of creating a new society, accents of development of the individual come and paints new arrangements ving orective lim were, nor should socialism be reduced to working class power.

power in the application of power should be subordinated to vision and values. it has to be combined with justice and embedded in the countable, and checked by a democratic policy culture and institution. the property't be of any one party. fuse party.ould i not centralize it. the 20th century taught us anything, it should have taught us that. our vision of socialism should give the new figure, if not recover, the democratic emancipatory humanistic peoples as sense of marxist socialism. building the transformative y, requires we understand

that our leadership roles from self declarations on all will we did yesterday, rather given to the final announcement on how well we distinguish ourselves at the level of ideas, and practice in today and tomorrow struggles. better served if we situate ourselves as an equal and dynamic part of a larger progressive movement. on that ground, make a vital and contributionctical to a media and longer-range struggles. building a transformative party will take the party that is guided by marxism. while we give great pride and place two marks, and lenin, we bodyce all the whole

of marxist thinking. we need to take more seriously linens observation. enin's observation. on the contrary, we are convinced that it has only laid thefoundation stone of science with social medicine must develop if they wish to keep pace with life. [applause] i understand that to mean that we have to accept the creative development of marxism. it is not a closed and completed system and, but one that needs constant attention and

elaboration. our task is and to reduce politics to cut and dry schemes, too simplistic answers, formulas of just the opposite. our task is to breathe movement in complexity and even contingency into our politics. i sometimes think that when it comes to politics our job is to complicate our own and other people's understanding of class, class struggles, the rule democracy, the process of social change, racism, anti-racism, imperialism, and so one. our theoretical work strongly argues is not what it should be. in fall short of what is necessary if we hope to evolve into a major political player of politics of our country. is anin the fight

absolutely necessary condition if we are going to qualitatively change our wall -- change our role. but it is not enough. it never will be. , mature, 21stant totury communist party has establish itself the level of ideas and practice. both are crucial. for that matter, quality depends on the quality of the other. ending, finally -- [laughter] in norman's challenges are all around us. -- enormous challenges are all around us. some could wallow in despair. you will not do that. communists here and around the

world don't give up in the face of momentous challenges. it is not our style. it is not our heritage. it is not our dna. it is not in the style or the dna of the american people. that i willitions back up for a moment, but we never back down. it isn't our default position. fighting harder and smarter is. i don't doubt for a moment that we will do both in the years ahead. as this journey that began 95 years ago takes another step, down freedom road, let us resolve in this hope. city,s day, in this great to step up the pace of our march. our legs may be tired, but our

spirit is strong. our determination is unsinkable. our mission is just. a free people living in harmony with each other and nature is ever more urgent. say whencan't exactly socialism will arrive on this journey, we remain as we march deeper into this new century, confident that one day, it will. on that day, the bells will ring. the people will rejoice. a new burst of freedom will break, transforming our nation into a more perfect union. [applause] on that day, we will remember paul, pete, and odetta.

we will hear the echoes of dr. king's word on the washington mall in 1963. the memory of farmworkers marching from sacramento. we will shed a tear for the trail of tears, slavery, exploitation, and the other crimes of a now vanquished capitalism. kinship, al a new renewed kinship with all of the freedom fighters who have walked and rambled down freedom highway , whose footsteps we may forever match in the sands of time. sing theate, we will prophetic words of my angelou. angelou. you may write me down in history

with your bitter, twisted lies. you may trod me in the very dirt, but still, like dust, i'll rise. who will win? ?ho will overcome thank you. [applause]

>> also at the convention, a workers to thed efforts to get a living wage. this is over 45 minutes. >[applause] >> tonight, we will interview our panelists. they will -- there'll be no speeches. we will get their impressions as labor journalist, activist, and organizers of the movement for

raising the minimum wage. what impact will the struggle have for dignity, and living wage on the future of the labor movement, and local sustainable economic development in our community? it will be a little bit jimmy fallon, a little bit when latifah.- queen it won't be like stephen colbert. question, will this be a great panel or the greatest panel? >> greatest. >> all right. i want introduce our panel. they are going to join michael and rush in -- rasheen.

howard clean, the secretary of the international labor communications association. and, the editor of minnesota working. [applause] elsie redman, of the south austin coalition, and a national board member of jobs with justice. [applause] so, this story is as old as dirt. corporations making mega-profits and paying the workers barely a living wage. hasleft and labor press always covered the struggle for better life for working people. that you havetory

written about concerning low-wage workers, the struggle of fast food workers, and what those stories show about the uniqueness of these struggles today. >> ok. of at the university minnesota education services. it was my idea or whenever. but anyway. ofhave been covering a lot -- working minnesota is the first online newspaper in the united states. it was founded in 2001. we been covering labor news in minnesota. theave been covering organizing of the low-wage

workers and minimum wage fight in minnesota as it has been going on for a number of years. i will tell you one story that just happened. privilege, i the do video and contribute half the videos to our site. we do a bunch of them every week. monday to govilege to a trailer park in a suburb of minneapolis and interview alicia florez, a building cleaner for the target corporation. she works for a firm that subcontracts with target. in her kitchen, and had her tell me about the recent victory that they just had. she is a member of --

spanish] language challenge. anyways. workers center based in the twin cities of minnesota. has been operating for three years, organizing. they have been organizing building cleaners who work for various companies that are subcontractors with target, and club foods, and sears, and home depot. stuff like that. their biggest fight has been with target corporation. announced that they had reached an agreement with target corporation. the three pieces of the agreement, this is unprecedented for a workers center, it includes and protects and

ensures workers rights to collectively bargain with their employers with noninterference. [applause] it ensures that workers have the right to form safety committees in the workplace made of at least 50% of workers designated, elected, by their coworkers. [applause] and this is the one she talked with the most. it ensures workers are not forced to work seven days a week. [applause] so, elce talked about how this felt. the time away from her family, and the people, and all the doubts that she had had. finally, her kids, she had some thing to tell her kids about why she had been gone in the evenings after a long day. the thing that struck me as she said, before this happened we

were going back and forth, and my heart was so tight and closed. now it has opened up and boston. -- and blossomed. wow. little tears. the power. they won something. she felt is just an enormous. worth it,aying i do when someone can tummy that stop. -- when someone can tell me that stuff. they work very closely with service employers international union. i could tell you more. >> thank you. [applause]

first of all, i want to say #awesome. i say that because my story is about the global strike. there was a protest here in front of mcdonald's, a lot of mcdonald's workers were there. including someone from rockford who came in and told her story about how she started working at mcdonald's when she was 16 years old. she made three dollars an hour. she is still working for mcdonald's as a crew chief, $8.25, minimum wage. she still can't stay alive on a dollars $.25. -- eight dollars 25 cents. this woman had devoted her life to this mega-billion-dollar

corporation. she has put her heart and soul into -- she talked about training people. mcdonald'sndards wants, and all of that. she was unbelievably thrilled like the other mcdonald's workers there. the other workers, like walmart workers, and some carwash struggling, are were thrilled about that. there was 150 cities. people tweeting their pictures from around the world. brazil, and japan, etc.. people aren't alone.

that was the may chin -- that was the message. anotherent to interview mcdonald's worker, i said what do you think about this? she said, we will win if we all stick together. that is what a union does. [applause] it, 30u think about years ago, when i was younger, we talked about empowering these young people working at fast food. we should be working -- we should be organizing. they said that would be impossible to do that. now, look at what has happened. , walmart workers workers, organizing, doing this. earlier today we stood up when roberta asked who was in the union, and a lot of people stood up.

i was impressed with the union members. then i realize, why didn't everybody stand up? the labor movement has opened its doors wide. join working america, joined fast food forward, the fight 15, join our walmart. everybody can be part of the labor movement, part of the union. have a't just have to card that says whatever, communication workers of america. you can be part of the labor movement. that is it. [applause] elce? solutions of the crisis of joblessness and rising economic inequality are very complica