February 27, 2020 - The Electoral Crossroads: An Economics for Everyone State of the UnionIn the State of the Union address on February 5th, Donald Trump depicted a society prospering under his leadership. He credited his administration with a booming economy, a safer border, and a job market with unprecedented opportunities for women and people of color. But this reality he describes is unrecognizable to many. Throughout the United States, working class people still struggle to earn a living wage and access affordable healthcare. A hideous escalation of immigrant family separation persists at the border, and climate catastrophe looms ever larger.
At this event, Economics for Everyone will critically examine the current state of the economy, healthcare, immigration policy, and environmental policy. Additionally, we will look at how each of the leading Democratic presidential hopefuls proposes to address these topics. With the Washington primaries quickly approaching on March 10, we hope to have a robust discussion about who is best equipped to punch back against the hazards of Trumpism. |
November 21, 2019 - Socialist Approaches: Climate, Health, HousingThere is growing support for socialism in the United States. There are also strong and growing social movements for universal and quality health care, often called Medicare for All; housing for all and the end to houselessness; and climate justice, increasingly expressed in calls for a Green New Deal.
Panelists will examine how a socialist society will address these major economic and social problems and also how these social movements can contribute to the building of socialism in the U.S. and globally. Following the presentations, there will be plenty of time for comments and questions from those who attend. All are welcome. |
October 24, 2019 - What is Socialism: PerspectivesThere is growing support for socialism in the United States. For example, people under 30 prefer socialism to capitalism. At the same time, Trump promises to campaign for his reelection on the failure of socialism and tie the Democratic Party and their candidate to socialism. Our panelists representing three pro-socialist groups in Olympia, Economics for Everyone, the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW), the Olympia Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) will discuss some of the following:
1. Your Perspective on Socialism and Why it is a Preferable Alternative to Capitalism 2. Will Socialism be democratic? How? Values of a Socialist Society. 3. Will everyone’s economic needs for food, daycare housing, health, education, transportation, communication, meaningful work, leisure and creativity be met? How? Will innovation be encouraged? 4. What is the relation between socialism and racism, sexism, homo and trans phobia and the environmental and climate crisis? 5. Does the Soviet Union, Venezuela prove the failure of socialism? 6.What does Bernie Sanders mean when he calls himself a democratic socialist? Is that different from your view and what you advocate for? |
July 31, 2019 - Discussion on the Democratic DebateCome watch the debate with Economics for Everyone among 10 of the Democratic Party Presidential candidates, the second day of the second round of debates from 6 to 8 P.M. on Wednesday July 31st at Traditions Café. Then, from 8 to 9 PM, we will lead a discussion with the audience on what the candidates did or didn’t say with regards to key issues of our time: health care, immigration, foreign policy and militarism, climate justice, the economy, reproductive justice, reparations and racial justice, surveillance, LGBT rights, housing, labor, corporate power and Trumpism.
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February 6, 2019 - U.S. Intervention in Venezuela: An AnalysisJoin us for a presentation and discussion about the current political and economic situation in Venezuela. The panel of speakers will discuss the history of Venezuela-U.S. relations and the implications of a U.S.-backed coup.
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November 14, 2018 - A Forum on Right-Wing Organizations and How to Defeat ThemRight-wing terror and its growing political power are on the rise. We will be hosting a forum and discussion on the alt-right, white supremacy, authoritarianism, and fascism in the United States and globally. Through discussions we hope to develop strategies and ideas that build power and turn the tide.
Our forum on Wednesday the 14th at Traditions Cafe from 7-9PM will present the following. - An overview of the alt-right and white supremacist formations in the United States - Direct actions against white supremacists in the United States. - How anti immigration politics and the caravan from Central America are used to build support for the right wing agenda, Trumpism, and the challenges this raises for the left. - The growth of right wing populist governments and movements around the world and how to challenge their growth. |
August 22, 2018 - Mexico at the CrossroadsWith the recent presidential election of Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador(AMLO), the potential for fundamental change is seen as a real possibility once again in Mexico. This event will feature a presenter from Cherán, Michoacán, who will speak about autodefensas, community self-defense groups that have risen up against violent and repressive forces. There will be artwork on display from Oaxacan street artist Line Marker. Peter Bohmer, who just returned from a 3 month stay in southern Mexico where he led a class, will address current political, economic and indigenous struggles throughout Oaxaca and Chiapas and the meaning of the recent July 1st, Mexican elections. Join us in this discussion that is free of charge and open to the public.
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March 14, 2018 - War and Militarism: Past, Present, and FutureThis workshop will feature presentations on the continuities of U.S. imperialism, the history of US military presence and the socioeconomic impact of American military bases in the global south, the particularities of Trump's foreign policy, especially regarding North Korea and Iran, relationships between imperialism and gender oppression and the need to oppose the imperialism and authoritarianism of non-Western and Western states alike.
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February 24, 2018 - E4E Film Night Presents: The Mine Wars"The Mine Wars" (2016) tells the story of the United Mine Workers union organizing in West Virginia's coal fields.
Film Summary: At the dawn of the 20th century, coal was the fuel that powered the nation. Yet few Americans thought much about the men who blasted the black rock from underground and hauled it to the surface. The Mine Wars tells the overlooked story of the miners in the mountains of southern West Virginia — native mountaineers, African American migrants, and European immigrants — who came together in a protracted struggle for their rights. Decades of violence, strikes, assassinations and marches accompanied their attempts to form a union, culminating in the Battle of Blair Mountain in 1921, the largest armed insurrection since the Civil War. The West Virginia mine wars raised profound questions about what freedom and democracy meant to working people in an industrial society. |
January 31, 2018 - Trump's Tax ScamThe Tax Cuts and Jobs Bill has been hailed by the Trump Administration as a victory for working people. But many of its elements will likely prove to be destructive to the environment and to anyone but the ultra-wealthy. This workshop will deconstruct the aspects of the new Tax Bill and what their possible impacts will be on the lives of everyday people. The Bill's opening of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling and its effects on the Affordable Care Act will also be examined. Bring your questions about the workings of the Tax Bill and we'll discuss them together.
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November 14, 2017 - Understanding and Fighting Gentrification: Olympia and BeyondCities and neighborhoods are rapidly changing across the U.S. and the world. Displacement is causing massive shifts in the class and racial demographics and cultural character of historically working class areas. This workshop will identify the root causes of gentrification and suggest methods for resisting displacement. Special attention will be drawn to the relationships between gentrification, racism, public space and the police as well to the specific nature of gentrification in Olympia.
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October 4, 2017 - Economics for Everyone presents Michael Albert: Beating Trump and Then What?Michael Albert is a founder and current staff member of Z Magazine. Michael’s radicalization occurred during the 1960s. His political involvements, starting then and continuing to the present, have ranged from local, regional, and national organizing projects and campaigns to co-founding South End Press, Z Magazine, the Z Media Institute and ZNet. Michael has spoken all over the world about alternatives to capitalism and strategies to end capitalism, and is the author of 22 books including the just published Practical Utopia: Strategies for a Desirable Society.
Michael will also be giving a talk earlier in the day entitled: Reflection from 20th Century Revolutions at 11am at the Evergreen State College in the Seminar 2 Building, Room D1107. |
June 7, 2017 - Health Care for All: Alternatives and Resistance to "Trump-Care"Teresa Mosqueda, longtime healthcare organizer and advocate, and candidate for Seattle City Council, and Dr. David McLanahan, Coordinator for the Western Washington Chapter of Physicians for a National Health Program will be explaining the limitations of the existing, Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) and the significantly worse proposals of the Trump Administration and the U.S. Congress. The focus of this Economics for Everyone event will be on what a universal health care program would look like and the strategy to achieve it on a local, State and national level. There will be plenty of time for discussion at this informative program. There is no charge. Health Care is a basic human right!
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April 4, 2017 - Direct Action: You Don't Have to Get ArrestedToo many direct actions cause large numbers of arrests. In an era of Trump, allowing ourselves to be captured is not an effective strategy.
This event will feature a panel and discussion addressing the following questions and topics: 1. What is the value of direct action? What does, and doesn't, constitute direct action? 2. Preparing for protest 101: what to bring, what to wear, what expect. 3. Tips on street medicine/health: how to deal with chemical agents, how to identify street medics, how to take care of yourself. 4. How to read police behavior: Do the police look like they're about to attack, conduct mass arrests, deploy less-lethal weapons, or are they simply standing sentry? 5. Knowing your legal rights if arrested. |
January 25, 2017 - We're Not Just Against Trump: What Are We For?Join Economics for Everyone for a community discussion on how we want to build power to combat the Trump Administration. We want to hear your ideas about what makes a good society or community and how to get there. We'll also hear report-backs from this weekend's numerous demonstrations and protests. Free and open to all!
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January 19, 2017 - The World in the Era of Trump: What May We Expect?The election of Trump has shocked the left, sparking both political paralysis and spontaneous bursts of outrage. While street demonstrations broadly condemning the President-elect must continue, activists must also take care to thoroughly analyze the potential nature of a Trump presidency in concrete form. In what ways, sepcifically, can we expect Trump's overtly bigoted views to translate into public policy? What other members of Trump's cabinent will heavily influence policy decisions? What potential grassroots/vigilante base will be emboldened by these policies?
This panel discussion, hosted by Economics for Everyone, will feature topics ranging from Trump's expected foreign policy, a breakdown of Trump's cabinet picks and an analysis of the alt-right, which constitutes a section of Trump's support base. This discussion will be followed by another workshop on Jan. 25th, 7PM at Obsidian, focusing on organizing resistance to Trump's policies. |
October 25, 2016 - Syrian War: Analysis and Discussion of the ConflictShon Meckfessel will lead a discussion and show the documentary The White Helmets about the situation in Syria and what can be done. Shon is an author, teacher and the curator of SyriaSources.org. This event will feature a skype call-in with a member of the White Helmets, a Syrian civil defense organization.
Sponsered by Economics for Everyone, G.I. Voice, Rachel Corrie Foundation and Evergreen Students for Justice in Palestine |
September 28, 2016 - Socialism vs. Capitalism: Community Forum and DiscussionThere is a growing interest in and support for socialism in the United States. Bernie Sanders calls himself a democratic socialist. According to several polls from Pew, there is an increasing support for socialism and increasing opposition to capitalism. But what do we mean by 'socialism?'
During this Economics for Everyone event we will discuss several conceptions of socialism, including participatory socialism, and briefly discuss how it could address climate change and the environmental crisis, poverty and economic inequality, unemployment and meaningful work, racism and sexism, and freedom and democracy. |
July 22, 2016 - Community Forum: Are We Bigger Than Bernie? Actions, Ideas and Projects for 2016Follow-up forum to the June 27th event devoted to discussing:
"What does the current shape of the 2016 Presidential elections mean for economic & social justice?" This forum will seek to emphasize social movement-building and its relationship to the elections. We're hoping to generate discussion, thoughtful engagement and create a space for people to listen to one another. |
June 27, 2016 - What Does the Shape of the 2016 Presidential Elections Mean for Economic and Social Justice?Objective: provide a community forum for people to engage in discussion around the following question: "What does the current shape of the 2016 Presidential elections mean for economic & social justice?" We're hoping to generate discussion, thoughtful engagement and create a space for people to listen to one another.
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May 28, 2016 - Left Without a Focus: Many Movements, Too Many Goals?Ron Jacobs, longtime organizer for social justice and against imperialism, will discuss the state of the Left both nationally and internationally. He is the author of The Way the Wind Blew: A History of the Weather Underground and most recently Daydream Sunset: Sixties Counterculture in the Seventies. He is a frequent contributor to Counterpunch and is a graduate of The Evergreen State College. He currently lives in Vermont.
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March 9, 2016 - Puerto Rico: The Political Economy of U.S. Colonialism, Debt and CrisisPuerto Rico, a U.S. Colony since 1898, is currently facing a severe economic downturn driven by overwhelming government debt, a stagnant economy and colonial policies. Unemployment has risen and thousands have left the island for the U.S. in search of jobs.What are the causes of the crisis and the resulting human costs?
Presenters: Eunice Santiago is a mental health counselor who works primarily with the Latin@ communities in Thurston County. She will share her personal perspective on what it means to Puerto Rican raised on the island and now living in the United States, and on the crisis as experienced by family members. Tom Womeldorff is a member of the faculty at The Evergreen State College in economics and political economy. He will share his perspectives on the current crisis and how the colonial status of the island severely constrains its ability to resolve its debt crisis and boost employment. |
January 25, 2016 - ¡ALTO A LAS DEPORTACIONES! Immigrant and Refugee SolidaritySpeakers and Topics will include:
Maru Mora Villalpando: How and why immigrants from Central America and Mexico are economic and political refugees, the fight against the Northwest Detention Center, and the current state of the local immigrant rights movement. Therese Saliba: Islamophobia, Syrian refugees, and repression of Muslims locally through Homeland Security Miriam Padilla: Connecting repression of Mexican and Central American Refugee here to the situation in Europe of Syrian, Iraqi, and Afghan refugees. |
November 18, 2015 - Climate Justice and the Economics of Climate ChangeCapitalism and the fossil fuel industry are creating climate chaos, but people are fighting back. Come explore the important work of the climate justice movement and learn how fighting for economic justice may save us all.
Featured speakers include Shangrila Wynn, Evergreen State College Masters of Environmental Studies professor and Caitlyn McClure, organizer with The Other 98% & The Mosquito Fleet. Community discussion will follow. |