Columnists

Affluent people who've had money their whole lives lack understanding of what it is like to try living on nine hundred dollars a month. Although we have it cushy in comparison to people living in a third world country, or to living on the street with nothing, it is still a struggle to live as a low-income individual. To add insult to injury, we are insulted. Most affluent people believe that low-income people are scum. In a writer's group I briefly attended, the woman who led the group was complaining of low-income housing being built near her. I was in her writer's group and maybe she was unaware that I am of low income. Not unexpectedly, I didn't last in her group. -more-

On March 9, 2021, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bipartisan labor bill, the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act. One of the bill’s most significant provisions is a repeal of state right-to-work laws that Republican majorities have used to undermine unions, a crucial pro-Democratic constituency, across the country. That’s why enacting state right-to-work laws is a top Republican priority. -more-

A Wednesday Like No Other

Off to do some shopping at the Shattuck Avenue Berkeley Bowl last Wednesday, we pulled into the last parking spot on nearby Newberry Street. Since I've been chased away from Newberry before—by the oncoming ruckus of a city street-sweeper—I checked the local No Parking signs. Sure enough, they warned drivers that no parking was permitted from "9 AM to Noon. 3rd Wednesday Each Month."

And it happened to be the third Wednesday in March. But when I took a closer look at the sign next to my parking spot, I noticed it read: "No Parking. 9 AM to Noon. 3nd Wednesday Each Month."

I briefly wondered what my chances would be to beat a no-parking ticket because it was issued on the "3nd." (And how would you pronounce that? "Thurcond"?) -more-

The week started with the Council Agenda and Rules Committee meeting Monday afternoon, with planning for the March 30^th regular City Council meeting, and then descended (at 39:29 on the recording which is posted online)into Mayor Arreguin’s plan to fast-track the Quadplex Zoning proposal launched by Councilmember Lori Droste, which had already run into trouble.There has been an uproar from the community about its contents. -more-