Editor’s note: The following article is written by Maureen Taylor and Marian Kramer of Michigan Welfare Rights. It was originally published by The People’s Tribune on August 12, 2026.
Let’s concentrate our efforts on those wanting to fight for the needs of the many.
MONDAYS WITH MARIAN & MAUREEN
“Ask Welfare Rights!”
The American working class is quickly approaching a moment where confusion reigns supreme. Reminds us of the story told by the late, great Richard Pryor who went to a hotel room with a woman that was NOT his wife. His wife found out about this, and went to that location where she banged on the room door demanding to be let in. Richard finally flung the door open, and uttered those immortal words… “Baby, are you going to believe what I tell you, or are you going to believe your lying eyes?”
We are at such a moment now! The billionaire class continues to paint the economy as being very good based on the rising stock market episodes and other metrics that don’t filter down to most blue-collar people. Folks that live in the neighborhoods are struggling with food prices, rising energy costs, unaffordable housing costs, used cars we can’t afford, and all the things our families need to make it through another day.
We are facing the cost of living going up, while the chances of living are going down highlighted by daily local news stories of some family member dealing with episodes of untreated emotional outbreaks because they can’t access affordable healthcare. The faces of those who are lying to us these days are predominantly republicans, but they have democratic friends that have gone along with their views demonstrated by their democratic SILENCE over the years.
Recent elections nationwide have revealed break-out voices who are raising serious questions about why these crisis situations exist in America. Conservative democrats in Michigan say be patient and be calm and wait. Progressive candidates say they feel the same way regular folks feel as they wonder out loud why these crisis situations exist. Conservative republicans say let the markets control what happens in the streets meaning that the government should stay out of these things.Other more radical republican voices say ‘collateral damage’ should be expected so low-income households not able to manage their lives must expect to suffer and die.
The effort to negatively label progressive voices is impressive since the corporate class has the financial capacity to scare working people on both liberal and conservative TV and social media outlets we watch every day. How about we rename these voices with labels that are closer to the truth?
We will call one side the YES Team, the other side the NO Team:
No more wars –End hunger – Yes!
Living wages for all – Yes!
Vision, mental health and dental care are included in healthcare – Yes!
Veterans always receive housing and other needed support – Yes!
Mothers with minor children are always eligible for special care – Yes!
The disabled and elderly are always eligible for special care – Yes!
Those who participated in the epstein coverup get outed/jailed – Yes!
Elected officials should be loyal to the people first – Yes!
There’s not enough space to list the NO TEAM concepts, because there are so many.
Let’s concentrate our efforts on those wanting to fight for the needs of the many. Some are Christian, some are Muslim, some are Jewish, some are tall, some short, etc. Listen to their message to hear if they want what we want. Don’t be afraid to do the right thing!
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