Mark Leibovich on Glitz and Greed in Washington | Moyers & Company | BillMoyers.com

Mark Leibovich on Glitz and Greed in Washington | Moyers & Company | BillMoyers.com

CARING ACROSS GENERATIONS

This week in the "Nation" Laura Flanders  wrote a story about, Caring Across Generations. This coalition works with home care workers and those they serve to meet the needs of the burgeoning elderly population in the US.

"The economic impact of the baby boomers cannot be ignored. In the United States alone, over 50% of the discretionary spending power rests with the baby boomers and they are responsible for over half of all consumer spending. In the area of health care, baby boomers buy 61% of over the counter medications and an astonishing 77% of all prescription drugs."

Source: BoomersWeb.net

"In a few respects, boomers turning 65 have age-related concerns similar to their parents when they were 65. Like their parents, they want to age in place, and have found that aging often presents chronic health conditions and financial responsibilities that influence how they will live the last third of life. But in one very important respect, boomers turning 65 are different from their parents — the baby boom generation has redefined what retirement means. When their parents entered retirement, it was considered a time that might feature travel, relaxation and enjoyment but little work outside of an avocation. Boomers overall and many of those turning 65 consider work to be part of retirement, and a significant percentage say that they never will consider themselves retired"

Source: AARP

THE LABOR MOVEMENT THE FOLKS THAT BROUGHT YOU...

Using a classic style the poster above, is a reminder of all of the benefits that the labor movement has brought us. Through our sacrifices and struggles working folks have created a better world for everyone. It is easy to forget the child miners at the turn of the last century. It is so simple to forget a time when grown men and women risked life and limb every time they entered their factory, sweatshop, or mine. It is sad to remember that many of these things continue to this day -- with a billion dollar industry designed to take back what we have won.

Sometimes it is only through art that we can convey the essence of powerful ideas. Art can cut through the fast talk and.. slick mental gymnastics. Art can cut through the details that often hide the facts. Though they have their place -- all of the speeches, white papers and emails sometimes pale in comparison to the directness of the artist. Through art we can rip through the meaningless clutter that surrounds us in talk radio and talking head media. We are caught in an invisible web, tracked and then catered to. Our desires form patterns, they scream from the world wide shopping mall. 

But the artist who can create a catchy song, a powerful photograph, a well designed poster these works can grip and inspire us all to do things thought impossible. Art can focus our thinking like no other human activity. It can help us cut through to the core of our beliefs. Will the Circle be Unbroken, Which Side Are You On,  Keep  Your Eyes On Prize? Unlike the web that traps you in isolation, these works pull you in and ask you to come and be with your brothers and sisters making this a more just world.

An inspired artist has handed us a memory tool of where we have been and where we have to go. The quote by Frederick Douglass the famous abolitionist, ties it all together, "Power Conceedes Nothing Without a Demand." This beautiful poster belongs in your break room on the job, or in a well trafficked place in your home.

It is distributed by RLM ARTS As they say:

"The social gains of humanity did not invent themselves and will not defend themselves. Only organized people can do that."

Full range of bright colors. Laser print.
Item Number: 513
Artist: Ricardo Levins Morales
Size: 17 X 22
Price:$ 18.95