Green Parent Chicago



Search

Copyright

  • Green Parent Chicago™ is a trademark of this website and its owner
  • © Christine S. Escobar 2008-2019, All Rights Reserved



Archives

  • January 2019
  • April 2017
  • November 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • December 2015
  • September 2015
  • May 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015

More...

Bernie Sanders for President

Bernieposter-e1453755857207
Aled Lewis (aledlewis)

 

Hillary Clinton is banking on the hope that you are stupid. Bernie Sanders knows you aren’t. So ask yourself:

Who would speak for you?

Have you ever had to juggle expenses to pay down your medical bills? Did you have to walk away from your family home during the foreclosure crisis? Do you have enough money saved up to pay for your child’s college tuition? Are you still repaying student loans while trying to save for retirement, but getting nowhere?

Who would speak for you?

Do you wonder if you’ll have enough money for groceries until the next payday, even though you work full time? Do you worry that your teenage son or daughter will be a victim of police brutality or racial profiling? Are you a long time environmental activist hoping to see your country finally make a major investment in clean energy and break from outdated technologies that destroy our waterways and mountaintops?

Who would speak for you?

Are you chronically ill or self-employed and unable to manage the cost of healthcare premiums, prescription drugs, co-pays and annual deductibles that increasingly eat away at your income? Has the cost of healthcare ever kept you from seeing a doctor or specialist? Mandatory health insurance coverage is not the same as equal healthcare benefits for all.

Who would speak for you?

Are you a young college grad unable to find a decent paying job that values your education and intelligence? Are you struggling to pay down your massive student debt balance? Are you a two income family working harder and longer only to realize less and less financial stability as each year passes? Do you wonder how you will ever be able to afford to send your children to college?

Who would speak for you?

You’ve heard the claim that Clinton is a champion of women and all Americans. But how could her fighting spirit not push for a $15 minimum wage for all American workers, including the millions of hardworking American women, many of whom are not being paid what men in the same positions doing the same jobs are? As Julie Kashen, senior policy advisor of the Make it Work campaign fighting for working women's rights, recently wrote:

“...since two-thirds of the people who would benefit from an increase in the minimum wage are women, higher minimum wages would help close the gender gap in pay.”
Who would speak for you?

The cold hard reality is nowhere more plain to see than in the numbers: Sanders has a personal net worth of $330,506. Clinton’s is ‍‍‍$21.5 million. To take a page from Bill Clinton, that looks like good old “arithmetic” to me. Clinton is the candidate of the privileged class and a type of feminism that isn’t concerned with poor women.

Who would speak for you?

Clinton’s message has reinvented itself time and again to fit the seemingly most advantageous political path. Sanders has been saying the same goddamn thing for the past 30 plus years and has the voting record and career campaign finance record to prove it. With the sales and royalties of her multiple published books alone, Clinton could still currently earn a handsome salary. Instead, she chose to accept enormous sums of money from the very corporations she claims she will rail against if elected. Clinton Foundation donors include those who have specifically benefited from offshore tax havens. It takes a special kind of delusion to turn a blind eye to this duality.

What’s wrong with being rich, some ask? Everything, if it keeps you from understanding the anger of the very people whose lives are being destroyed by the greed of a few. The top richest possess a gilded future and the laws and rules of taxation governing this future look extremely different those than those that apply to the ordinary American, whose wealth lies not in trusts and shadow companies and capital gains or offshore, but instead in ordinary checking and savings accounts.

Lobbyists who have pushed for the Keystone Pipeline, and accepted money from Lehman Brothers, are, as you read this, currently heading Clinton’s 2016 campaign. Her top campaign finance bundlers have worked for the fossil fuel industry. By saying she is going after the same lobbyists who run her campaign, the moneyed elite that donate to both her campaign and her family’s Clinton Foundation, it's clear Clinton’s recent adoption of populist language on the eve of the Iowa caucuses amounts to nothing more than posturing for votes.

Last week as voters in Iowa listened to Sanders explain his proposals, Clinton was scheduled to fly to the East Coast to attend a finance industry fundraiser for her campaign. It has now been postponed until mid February. But for the few privileged enough to drop anywhere from $2,700 individually or raise $27,000 for the one dinner, my guess is that the subject matter of these two events will be drastically different. She is banking on this, and hoping you won’t notice at all.

Who would speak for you?

Pundits wonder why Clinton’s brand of politics is no longer resonating with younger voters? Here's my guess: They’re hungry for more and will no longer be satisfied with mere crumbs tossed their way. As Gen X parents screwed by the system installed in large part by Clinton’s husband now raise their own children and young adults, they have instilled much of their anti-establishment skepticism upon them.

Not content to be merely placated by brand loyalty and reality television, a massive number of younger voters are looking for the alternative to a status quo that has left them and their parents future out to dry.

It’s time to end legalized tax evasion in America. If hoarding extreme wealth could be defined as a mental disorder, isn’t it time that we wrest control of this country from the grip of the unhinged 1 percent?

In early 1972, a book called “A Populist Manifesto” The Making of A New Majority was published. Authored by Jack Newfield and Jeff Greenfield, this book outlined a progressive populist “political alignment” among the many political interests of the day (civil rights, the ecology movement, women’s rights, low and moderate income citizens being short-changed by the mutating liberal agenda of the day moving away from the social democrat ideals of Roosevelt and Johnson). The book’s preface begins with 3 facts, the first of which states:

“Wealth and power are unequally and unfairly distributed in America today.”

That was 44 years ago. Enough is enough. Our time is now. Our candidate is Bernie Sanders. Intersectionality is at the heart of the Sanders campaign and the reason his campaign messages resonate with such a wide cross section of Americans. We see through Clinton, the candidate who fiercely opposed gay marriage, supported the Iraq War, called the TPP the “gold standard”, received funds from the private prison industry, opposes the Glass-Steagall act, advocated for fracking, and profited from promoting the Keystone Pipeline.

We the people of the United States of America deserve more and we are not stupid.

Who would speak for you?
Related articles
Bernie Sanders Makes History And Sets A New Record By Surpassing 2 Million Donations
The Big Short nails the culprits of the 2008 financial crisis - and you're one of them

Posted on February 01, 2016 at 03:50 PM in Ad watch, Environmental Health, Global News, Green Building, Green Business, Green City Chicago, Green Living, Learning and Education, Local News, News, Opinion, Progressive Politics | Permalink | Comments (0)

Tags: Bernie Sanders, Bernie Sanders endorsement, campaign finance election 2016, chicago for bernie sanders, chicago for sanders, democratic primary, election 2016, election 2016, Green Parent Chicago, Hillary Rodham Clinton, iowa caucuses, presidential election 2016

World's Largest Rooftop Farm Opens in Pullman neighborhood of Chicago

Gothamgreensrooftopfarm
Brooklyn-based Gotham Greens has announced the opening of their fourth greenhouse, a new facility located on Chicago's South Side in the historic Pullman neighborhood.
 
The rooftop of the Method Products manufacturing facility is the site of the new 75,000 square foot Chicago greenhouse, powered by 100% renewable energy. The greenhouse employs over 50 workers, including many from the Pullman community.
 
Gotham Greens, is a producer of pesticide-free produce grown through urban agriculture. The company's growing method is said to yield up to 30 times more crop per acre than field production, enabling the Pullman greenhouse to produce yields equivalent to over 50 acres of conventional field production.
 
The company also recycles 100% of its irrigation water, and aims for a lighter environmental footprint by growing locally.
 
-Christine
 
 

Posted on December 03, 2015 at 11:01 PM in Buy Local Spotlight, Food and Drink, Global News, Green Building, Green Business, Green City Chicago, Local Food, Local News, News, Recycling, Urban Gardening | Permalink | Comments (0)

Tags: Gotham Greens, green businesses in Chicago, Green Parent Chicago, Method Factory, Pullman neighborhood, sustainable business Chicago, urban agriculture in Chicago, urban farming in Chicago, world's largest rooftop farm

The 606 to Open in Early June With 2 Days of Festivities

The606
One of Chicago's newest parks is set to open on the city's northside June 6 with 2 days of free events.

The schedule of events planned for June 6 and 7 at The 606 will include a procession/parade, music and dancing, a pancake breakfast, restaurant vendors and hands-on activities for all ages.

Located at the site of the abandoned Bloomingdale railway line, the elevated "urban oasis" runs along Bloomingdale Ave. (1800 N), from Ridgeway Ave. (3750 W) on the west to Ashland Ave (1600 W) on the east, through the Bucktown, Wicker Park, Humboldt Park, and Logan Square neighborhoods.

The new park will be linked to 5 existing parks at street level. It was conceived by an alliance between The Friends of The Bloomingdale Trail, the City of Chicago, Chicago Park District, The Trust for Public Land, and dozens of other community groups. Construction took 2 years to complete.

The final design of the park space is credited to Collins Engineers, Lead Artist Frances Whitehead, and landscape designers Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates.

For a complete schedule of opening day events, visit: http://the606.org/events/openingday/

-Christine

 

Posted on May 18, 2015 at 03:31 AM in Car Free Living, Green Celebrations, Green City Chicago, Green Living, Local Food, Local News, News, Play More Spend Less, Progressive Politics, Things to Do, Transportation, Urban Green Space | Permalink | Comments (0)

Tags: chicago park district, chicago parks, chicago summer events 2015, Green Parent Chicago, new parks in chicago, The 606, urban green space

Chicago Farmers Markets Open For The Season

GreenCityMarketFulton

Kick-off will take place at the Daley Plaza Farmers Market Thursday May 14 at 11:30 a.m. The Daley Plaza market is the longest running Farmers Market in Chicago.

See the complete schedule of Chicago Farmers Markets in neighborhoods all over the city with details on which markets accept the LINK card here.

photo credit: flickr, Cindy Kurman, Kurman Communications, Inc

Posted on May 11, 2015 at 10:14 PM in Buy Local Spotlight, Food and Drink, Green Business, Green City Chicago, Green Living, Local Food, Local News, News, Things to Do | Permalink | Comments (0)

Tags: Chicago Farmers Markets, daley plaza farmers market, farmers markets city of chicago, farmers markets in chicago, fresh produce chicago, Green Parent Chicago, local farmers markets chicago, local produce chicago, neighborhood farmers markets chicago, where to buy local produce chicago

Chicago Park District Wins Gold Medal, Named Top Park District in the U.S.

Chicagoparkdistrict

The Chicago Park District has won the Gold Medal for excellence in parks and recreation management.

According to a news release today from the park district's website, "Agencies were judged on their ability to address the needs of those they serve through the collective energies of citizens, staff and elected officials."

The Gold Medal Award honors communities throughout the United States that demonstrate excellence in long-range planning, resource management, and agency recognition. The Chicago Park District is the first urban park district to win the prestigious award.


-Christine

 

Posted on October 14, 2014 at 05:21 PM in Green City Chicago, Green Living, Learning and Education, Local News, News, Things to Do, Urban Gardening, Urban Green Space | Permalink | Comments (0)

Tags: Chicago Park District Gold Medal, Gold Medal for Excellence in Parks and Recreation, Green Parent Chicago, top park districts in the U.S. Chicago Park District, top urban parks

Swapadventure Makes Trading Hand-me-downs Simple

IMG_9034

Two women from Mount Prospect have started a popular new way for parents to recycle gently used children's clothing and equipment and adult clothing and accessories, while helping families find items they need for free.

Swapadventure, now celebrating its 1st anniversary, is the creation of Angelika Babich and Maggie Pawelko. Each is a mom to three children under the age of 10. The pair organize free swapping events at Chicago area businesses twice a month. The only admission to each event is one shopping bag of items no longer needed to be added to the items for swapping. There is no swapping limit and attendess may take as much as they need.

Surplus swap items are donated to local organizations

Items left over at the events are donated directly to shelters and orphanages.

Swapadventure does not resell any of the items donated and ensures that the organizations  receiving the remaining items do not resell them.

Babich and Pawelko say there is no membership fee to attend a Swapadventure event and never will be one. They created Swapadventure "simply to help others" and realized that many parents have items remaining in storage that could go to those in need.

In addition, they felt parents could benefit from swapping in a family friendly public place from trusted sources, rather than online through sources like Craigslist or Freecycle, while bringing their kids along.

Each event provides not only free items for kids and adults, but generally provides free admission for kids to the swap venue and recognition of local businesses in the community.

The only items not accepted are undergarments, clothing with stains or holes, and clothing with animal hair on it.

Attendance at each Swapadventure event ranges from 50 to 200.

IMG_9257

How can local businesses help sponsor a Swapadventure event?

Businesses interested in sponsoring an event may contact Babich or Pawelka through the Swapadventure website.

The pair said they welcome products, giveaways, advertising with Swapadventure, and goodie bags for their attendees from local businesses.

Raffles are held and 2 costumed princesses appear at each event to meet and greet children and take photos with them.

IMG_9264

Find out more information and register for the next Swapadventure event here: 

https://www.swapadventure.com/upcoming-events.html

-Christine

 

 

 

 

 

Posted on October 07, 2014 at 11:00 AM in Green Business, Green City Chicago, Green Living, Local News, News, Play More Spend Less, Recycling, Simpler Living, Things to Do | Permalink | Comments (0)

Tags: children's clothing swaps Chicago, children's clothing swaps Illinois, clothing swaps Chicago, clothing swaps Illinois, Green Parent Chicago, recycled kids clothes Chicago, recycling kids items chicago, second hand kids clothing Chicago, Swapadventure, where to donate kids items Chicago



Categories

  • Ad watch
  • Arts and Entertainment
  • Biking
  • Birth
  • Books
  • Breastfeeding
  • Buy Local Spotlight
  • Car Free Living
  • Chicago Arts and Music
  • Chicago Green Families
  • EarthTalkTM
  • Education
  • Environmental Health
  • Film
  • Food and Drink
  • Friday Green Gathering
  • Friday Reading List
  • Global News
  • Green Building
  • Green Business
  • Green Celebrations
  • Green City Chicago
  • Green Freebies
  • Green Living
  • Green Resource Pages
  • Healthy families
  • Learning and Education
  • Local Food
  • Local News
  • Manda Aufochs Gillespie
  • Media
  • Music
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Parenting
  • Play More Spend Less
  • Progressive Politics
  • Public Transit
  • Recycled Crafts
  • Recycling
  • Science
  • Shawna Coronado
  • Simpler Living
  • Sponsors
  • Television
  • The Green Mama
  • Theater
  • Things to Do
  • Transportation
  • Travel
  • Urban Gardening
  • Urban Green Space