http://disqus.com/people/c311faecc888b4e72f5d52a276ef0966/enSat, 03 May 2008 09:47:53 -0000http://nmindependent.disqus.com/widening_income_gap_partly_due_to_nm8217s_high_illiteracy_rate/#comment-2351693New Mexico Voices for Children released this report on inequality in New Mexico with the Economic Policy Institute and the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities in Washington. In discussing the report with the media, I attributed the high and increasing rate of inequality to the prevalence of low wage work in New Mexico. To say that low wage work and rising inequality are due to illiteracy or to other characteristics of low wage workers is to let low wage employers off the hook for grinding down their workers. If low wage workers in New Mexico were in unions, there would be higher wages and less inequality. Low wages are a question of power, and to blame low wage workers for their poverty and powerlessness is grossly unfair. Education is good in itself, and we should fund it adequately, but it will not solve the problem of low wage work - only organized workers will do that. It would be good to focues on unions as a solution to poverty and inequality on the run up to May Day, international workers day. - Gerard Bradley, Research Director, NM Voices for ChildrengerardbradThu, 24 Apr 2008 07:34:10 -0000http://nmindependent.disqus.com/widening_income_gap_partly_due_to_nm8217s_high_illiteracy_rate_52/#comment-2501635New Mexico Voices for Children released this report on inequality in New Mexico with the Economic Policy Institute and the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities in Washington. In discussing the report with the media, I attributed the high and increasing rate of inequality to the prevalence of low wage work in New Mexico. To say that low wage work and rising inequality are due to illiteracy or to other characteristics of low wage workers is to let low wage employers off the hook for grinding down their workers. If low wage workers in New Mexico were in unions, there would be higher wages and less inequality. Low wages are a question of power, and to blame low wage workers for their poverty and powerlessness is grossly unfair. Education is good in itself, and we should fund it adequately, but it will not solve the problem of low wage work - only organized workers will do that. It would be good to focues on unions as a solution to poverty and inequality on the run up to May Day, international workers day. - Gerard Bradley, Research Director, NM Voices for ChildrengerardbradThu, 24 Apr 2008 07:34:10 -0000http://nmindependent.disqus.com/albuquerque_opens_new_path_and_bridge_aims_to_be_more_bike_friendly/#comment-2351738I try to ride me bicycle to work twice a week. My work place is near the airport. I live near San Pedro and Montgomery so I can ride the bike path to UNM but getting down Yale for UNM to the airport area is very difficult.<br>I have been yelled at and cursed by drivers and by city busdrivers while in marked and timed crosswalks, especially at Gibson and Yale. Apparently, drivers have not heard about the new law that requires drivers to yield to pedestrians or bicycles in the crosswalks.<br><br>I have also seen spectators for soccer games put chairs, coolers, the elderly and pets in the bike lane that goes through Montgomery Park. When I complained to the Soccer League I was told that the bike path was a public thoroughfare and the spectators had every right to block the bike path.<br>Forgive me, this rant could go on. Biking in ABQ is an adventure.gerardbradSat, 03 May 2008 09:47:53 -0000http://nmindependent.disqus.com/albuquerque_opens_new_path_and_bridge_aims_to_be_more_bike_friendly_40/#comment-2501674I try to ride me bicycle to work twice a week. My work place is near the airport. I live near San Pedro and Montgomery so I can ride the bike path to UNM but getting down Yale for UNM to the airport area is very difficult.<br>I have been yelled at and cursed by drivers and by city busdrivers while in marked and timed crosswalks, especially at Gibson and Yale. Apparently, drivers have not heard about the new law that requires drivers to yield to pedestrians or bicycles in the crosswalks.<br><br>I have also seen spectators for soccer games put chairs, coolers, the elderly and pets in the bike lane that goes through Montgomery Park. When I complained to the Soccer League I was told that the bike path was a public thoroughfare and the spectators had every right to block the bike path.<br>Forgive me, this rant could go on. Biking in ABQ is an adventure.gerardbradSat, 03 May 2008 09:47:53 -0000