
	OAK PARK COALITION FOR

A New New Deal: What Should It Look Like?!

Fusion of Agriculture & Industry in Illinois
by Mitchell Siporin, Decatur, Illinois, 1938

OPCTJ held a panel discussion on January 25, 2009 in order to discuss some of the top priorities of the new administration, provide progressive solutions, and move towards building broader progressive alliances by connecting issues of concern to various grassroots movements. We specifically focused on the economic crisis, green jobs, single payer national health program (featuring Dr. Quentin Young, National Coordinator of Physicians for a National Health Program), and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. [See the original Panel Announcement].

This page contains links to video segments, articles, and relevant resources related to the event. We will continue to maintain and update this page. We Encourage you to contact us at contact@opctj.org with relevant pointers or material.

Press Coverage:

"Working for a new, new deal" - Excellent article covering the event in People's Weekly World.

Panel Information and Videos

Panel Segment
Video Segments

Part I Part II

(I) Introduction: Larry Spivack, OPCTJ and President of the Illinois Labor History Society.

(II) Moderator: James Thindwa, Executive Director of Chicago Jobs with Justice

The Economy: Bill Barclay, OPCTJ Member, an economist with expertise in financial product creation and business strategic planning, and a member of the the Chicago Political Economy Group (CPEG). Barclay describes the CPEG jobs program proposal, which argues for many of the newly created jobs to be in the public sector, advocates the job creation potential of green technologies, and outlines methods of financing the program that recognizes the high levels of wealth and income inequality in the U.S. today.

Health Care: Dr. Quentin Young, National Coordinator of Physicians for a National Health Program, an organization of 15,000 physicians who support single-payer national health insurance. He explained the need for a single-payer system. Dr. Young, MD, has been a leader in public health policy and medical and social justice issues. He founded the Chicago based Health & Medicine Policy Research Group, of which he is currently Chairman.

Energy: Robin Rich, an organizer for the United Steel Workers District 7 office. She discussed the USW’s involvement in the Blue Green Alliance, a national partnership between labor unions and environmental organizations, and the commitment to the vision of green job creation.

Foreign Policy: Bamshad Mobasher, DePaul University professor and a national steering committee member of United for Peace and Justice. Mobasher spoke about the need for a dramatic shift in foreign policy and presented a blueprint for going forward in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Relevant Resources and Information

The Blue-Green Alliance - a national partnership between labor unions and environmental organizations working to expand the green economy and advance the rights of workers around the world.

Facts and Resources about Single-Payer Healthcare - compiled and maintained by Physicians for a National Health Program.

A Jobs Program for the U.S. - developed by the Chicago Political Economy Group to address the economic crisis.

The Financial Crisis of 2007-???? - a detailed analysis of causes of and solutions to the current economic crisis.