08.24.08
Take
I just watched a documentary called Take by Naomi Klein and Avi Lewis and I highly recommend it. The movie documents the efforts to rebuild Argentina’s economy, and heck, civil society, by reclaiming factories that have gone into disuse since the Argentinian economy catastrophe of 2001. Some of these factories were abandoned by owners who did not appreciate the worker’s efforts to organize for working standards. Others were locked up and are waiting for a corporate welfare rejuvenation program from the central government. The previous workers, mainly unemployed and robbed of their dignity, follow a model wherein the factories are taken over and products are produced again, only the factories are owned by the workers. This is done on shaky legal ground, and as the movie shows, the factories can be reclaimed by the previous owners by eviction through the judiciary.
There is gripping footage in the movie, particularly of the leader of the movement to reclaim an auto parts factory. You can see what a normal middle class life the family had before the economic downtown, and then the aftermath when no working opportunities remain. His wife explains how humiliating it is for her husband not to have any employment opportunities, and you can see it in his eyes. He explains that his young kids ask him when he is going back to work.
There seems to be a strong emphasis by the filmmakers, or perhaps this is just what is expressed by the 200 worker-owned factories they visit, to emphasize that the “worker-owned” aspect of their initiative, using some of the language used by the Soviet Union and other socialist nations. At the auto parts plant, they have decided that everyone gets paid the same. It seems to me that this frame is not a useful one for Western ears, but perhaps the devastation that capitalism has wrecked upon Argentina is enough that people have reconsidered the age old impressions they have of ’socialism.’ As the writers of the movie point out, this ’socialist’ movement is not a state sponsored one like in the Soviet Union, but one that is from the “bottom-up,” an organic reclamation project. Then again, it still seems that these large scale industrial factories could not exist without a capitalist framework. The capital required to build the facilities and acquire the equipment is certainly more than the 30 or 40 workers could accumulate themselves. But, clearly the owners of these factories have prospered and long recouped their capital, with a profit. Perhaps this points to a new model of industrial production, which utilizes capital in a way to build a sustainable, worker-owned production facility.
This documentary is highly recommended, and make sure to watch the bonus “Making of the Movie.” It shows that a group of committed activists is capable of making a high quality production that can reach an audience larger than the choir.
06.02.08
improve the economy and promote social justice
Since California’s Supreme Court recently affirmed Gavin Newsom’s law-breaking same sex marriages in 2004, same sex couples are lining up to get married, creating a unique situation where social justice meets economics.
Wedding planners, bakers and hotels began booking more business almost immediately after the state Supreme Court’s May 15 decision overturning a ban on gay marriage. Citing pent-up demand, one UCLA study projects that same-sex unions could provide a $370-million shot in the arm to the state economy over the next three years.
Add to this the fact that California will allow anyone, from any state, to be married, and we are looking at an uptick in the hotel and travel business as well. Some of these businesses may ignore Adam Smith’s “invisible hand,” and out of prejudice, and pass along the business to another, eager vendor. But I suspect, as the recession continues and gas prices escalate more, some of these businesses will cave in and suppress their prejudice for good, hard power of the competitive marketplace.
Here is an example where a policy that is correct on its merits can also tangibly benefit a larger society (though it would be easy to argue that very act of approving these marriages already benefits society). But perhaps this economic boost may be what prevents California voters from approving a measure to outlaw the marriages again. Whatever it takes, in my view. And if this act by the judicial branch provokes some engagement between the different sides on the issue, it will have well been worth it.
04.25.08
10AM service is a joke in LA!
***UPDATE - the original post just criticized FedEx. Turns out my package is UPS. That makes two flaky overnight delivery services.
I want to warn you about UPS’s overnight 10 AM service. Just because it costs you 15 or 20 bucks for this express service does not mean that UPS actually delivers your package by 10 or 10 30 AM. Save your money or find another overnight service (maybe DHL deserves another look?)
As I sit here, at 11:45 AM, waiting for my guaranteed-delivery 10 AM Coachella tickets, I am reminded of a situation a year ago, when I was waiting for the delivery of an urgent medical product for work via FedEx. Rather than come at 10:30 AM, it came at 1:30 PM, despite my urgent calls to the local FedEx dispatch office. I even offered to meet the driver half way to no avail.
I have a friend who is single-handedly trying to destroy FedEx. They once lost his license to practice, and were never able to find it. It took him months to acquire it in the first place, at great personal expense, so he was pissed. As for me, I have no desire to knock FedEx or UPS out of business, but perhaps utilizing other services and bringing attention to the fact that EXPRESS DELIVERY IS A JOKE AT FEDEX AND UPS will kick some competitive dynamics into play and cause them to improve or drop their service. DHL, this is your time to shine.
04.07.08
gas tax coming to LA?
The gas tax/fee is a straightforward way to place incentives on purchasing gas-efficient cars, taking public transit, and reducing overall car trips. Thomas Friedman calls the idea a Patriot Tax because it results in a net decrease of power and influence by OPEC and Middle Eastern countries.
Such a tax/fee may finally come to LA, the city with the worst gridlock and oil-consumption habit in America. A recent report showed that LA loses 9 billion dollars a year from the inefficiencies that come with the constant gridlock.
The LA proposition amounts to a user fee. If you use gas, you pay an extra 9 cents per gallon at the pump, or a one time $90 dollar fee through the DMV (either implementation results in a projected $400 million revenue per year). This money would be used for the Metropolitan Transportation Association’s budget, to pay for current transit and expand services. This second part, about expanding services, should be the key emphasis of the proposition. The article does not cite increased rail lines or bus routes to come from the proposal, but the backers of this bill should encourage the new funds to be used to expand the public transit network so that folks will have more options to use transit. As is stands, the networks in LA are uneven and are simply not practical for many people. If the new revenues are only used to shore MTA’s shaky finances, the proposal will not be able to generate widespread support. Regardless, I think the proposal is a step in the right direction and I’m pleasantly surprised to see the number of officials who are already on board, given that these proposals are inherently unpopular!
02.23.08
west side music scene
LAist had a provocative article several months back about the dearth of good music, and good music venues on the west side, in the context that tickets were still available to a Rilo Kiley show at the Santa Monica Civic Center.
Rilo Kiley have a new record out, their first video for it “Moneymaker” was hot as hell (see below), and pretty much every new band name checks them as a band and definitely Jenny Lewis. Plus they’re bringing two other really good bands, The Bird and the Bee, and Grand Ole Party with em. So why aren’t the kids from the westside filling the joint?
Because the westside is soft and has no taste. Just as always, just as it will always be. Bet ya Good Charlotte would sell out in minutes there. Bet Daughtry could pack the place overnight. It’s all why there are no great clubs over there, it’s why there aren’t any good bands coming from there, it’s why real bands don’t want to play there.
There is truth to this — the “east side” — Hollywood, Silverlake, and Echo Park — certainly dominate the live music scene in Los Angeles. After spending a year in Los Feliz, walking to wonderful venues like The Derby, Tangier, the Greek Theatre, etc, moving to the West Side was disappointing for seeing live music. A few bars had small corners for live music, with dry rock music or even jam bands, but nothing like the vibrant indie scene going on 8 miles east.
But lately I’ve found some venues that have been booking good bands, and with local support, have the potential to bring more shows over.
The Air Conditioned Supper Club on Lincoln Blvd., not to be confused with the Air Conditioned Wine Bar on Pico Blvd, is a popular night club in Venice. There are crowds of attractive people lining up to get on the weeknights to dance to club/hip hop music. But on Tuesday nights, their stage turns over to rock bands and the occasional pole dancer. They have a taco special and no cover, so its a good bet to check out.
The Temple Bar consistently books excellent hip hop, rock, and world music at their beautiful bar in Santa Monica on Wilshire. Parking is pretty easy at metered spaces, and the covers are usually $5 or $10, cheaper if you get there earlier. I recently saw The Elevaters, a 6 piece live hip hop/soul group that had the best live performance I’ve seen in a long time. The trio of MCs played off each other beautifully with charisma I’ve not seen in a hip hop group. Their performance features falsettos, soul, rapid fire verses, beat boxing, and congas. Check out the Temple Bar website for upcoming shows.
Good Hurt, on Venice Blvd in Mar Vista, has a nice interior with a bar, booths, a pool table, and a stage. The acoustics are mediocre, and they have a tendency to charge $10 bucks cover on a weeknight for no-name bands, but they do book live music on an almost nightly basis. I question their marketing, which heavily emphasizes the female bartenders with nurse outfits that emphasize cleavage. Not that there is anything wrong with this, but I don’t think a single bartender — no matter what her bra size — is enough to get this place going, and I’ve yet to see more than 20 folks attend a show. Then again I’ve never been on a weeknight, and looking at their website, last night they have a 20 piece Brazilian percussion band, and played “BRAZILIAN BOOTY SHAKIN’ DANCE PARTY,” which, to these ears, is totally dope. Looks like they are coming back on March 7th — cya there?
And. . . thats all I got, west of the 405. Am I missing anything? Let me know.
01.28.08
the kids strike again
Another example of a mom being swayed by her kids is Caroline Kennedy. She
…talked about how her three teenagers are big Obama fans, and Senator Kennedy spoke of President Kennedy’s commitment to youth public service as well as Mr. Obama’s dedication to the fight against global warming.
Follow that link to see the great photography of the Obama event today, as he reaches into the crowd to shake some hands.
01.27.08
the 18-24 year old crowd
I must say the most impressive thing about Obama’s victory last name is that his strategy of bringing new voters to the booths is really paying off. And by large, those voters are young people and independents. It is rare for a mainstream candidate to tape into this pool, particularly of the young voters.
In 2000, that demographic was squarely for Ralph Nader, behind a quixotic and symbolic campaign against corporate control of the legislative and executive powers. In 2004, a smaller and less zealous group of 18 to 24 year olds supported Bill Bradley in his quest to be the Democratic candidate. Finally, in 2008, those voices, now in far greater magnitude, have a mainstream candidate. Its the first time I’ve seen it in my relatively tiny election experience, and its quite heartening.
Where the kids go, so too, the parents… Two weeks ago, my home state senator, Claire McCaskill -MO endorsed Obama because of her belief in the “urgency of now.” But beyond her own belief, she was influenced by her daughter:
One other factor in her decision: a lobbying effort mounted by her oldest daughter.”At the to urging of my 18 year old daughter …. I could not sit in the bleachers any longer. I felt like I had to get down on the field,” McCaskill said in a conference call with reporters.
And then today, in an announcement following the Nevada debate, Maria Elana Durazo, head of the Los Angeles County federation, endorsed Obama with a similar appeal. This, from her 18 year old son:
When she discussed her endorsement with her son Michael, a senior at Cathedral High School in Los Angeles, he urged her to choose Obama.
“He said, ‘In the end, Mom, it’s the chance of a lifetime.’ For him to say that means a lot. It’s true.” I’d be interested to see if kids in the 60’s had the chance to influence their parents in this way — or was there too much of a divide? Also, what can we say about these women who are listening to their kids. Is this a different dynamic now that we have more female elected officers? Either way, all of this looks to be a positive movement. Listen to the kids, and we’ll be allright. . .