Corruption and greed in our financial market and voting system were among the topics Dr. Frances Fox Piven discussed in a recent speech to William Paterson University students and faculty.
Dr. Piven, who is a political science professor at the Graduate Center, City University of New York and author of several books including Keeping the Black Vote Down and Why Americans Still Don't Vote, spoke to an audience of more than 100 students and faculty in the Cheng Library Auditorium Wednesday, Sept. 17. The American Democracy Project at William Paterson University sponsored the event in honor of Constitution Day.
Her speech came one day after the federal government took over American Insurance Group and allowed Lehman Brothers, a large investment firm, to collapse. It also followed the government's takeover of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, two mortgage giants.
"Everyone knows the economy is in trouble because of irresponsible practices in the mortgage market," Piven said, firmly adding that, "we are going to slide into a depression."
The author described the alarming gap between America's rich and poor. In the 1980s, the average Chief Executive Officer made 40 times what the average worker made. Now the average CEO makes 400 times what the average American worker makes, according to Piven, who said this is unacceptable in an economy in which there has been a 70 percent increase in productivity. These statistics, which come from a paper she wrote for a conference at the University of Paris, she believes violate the long-held principle that American workers should share in their country's prosperity.
"Poverty is increasing in the midst of affluence and people are being marginalized in a very profound way," she said. The poor live ten years less than those in the upper class and Americans work more hours per year than Germans, French and Swedes.
The professor of political science recognized that many believe these statistics are an inevitable result of the market and an economy where skilled labor is highly valued. She believes otherwise.
"That explanation is completely wrong. It has to do with politics and the policies which govern the economy. We have unleashed unregulated greed and plunder!" Piven said. She explained that, "wealth has corrupted our government and electoral process," adding that, "This regime has made daring interpretations of the constitution."
Mike McCabe, president of the Young Democratic Socialists, was impressed with her speech. And in an interview after the speech, he said that the large turnout was reflective of the increased political awareness on campus.
"Students are starting to wake up to things around them. There is a greater overall political awareness," he said and added that he would like to see more political discourse on campus. "Young republicans and young democrats would create more political dialogue on campus."
And like Piven, McCabe expressed concern about the country's fiscal problems. "Capitalism needs to be done wisely," the he said. He especially agreed with Piven when it came to discussing economics.
"The gap between the rich and the poor is problematic. It's bizarre the way we tax people," he said.
However, McCabe's primary concern was the elections. This is why his organization will be speaking with President Arnold Speert about cancelling classes on Election Day. This election is too important for the university not to cancel classes, according to McCabe.
Piven also emphasized the importance of the November elections. And her support for the Obama campaign was unequivocal.
"We need to remove the Bush administration and its twin McCain-Palin. We need Obama." she said. Although, she added that electing Obama will not be enough. To attain what she believes is right for this country, Democrats would have to win a majority in Congress. Moreover, Piven said, "Obama is not a saint, when he is elected he will tilt to those with influence and prestige."
The speech was part of an effort to get WPU students to vote.
"It was a great way to really kick off our voting campaign," Nick Wallwork, student assistant to the American Democracy Project at WPU said.
The ADP has already registered more than 100 students to vote. Wallwork said they will be tabling in the student center during common hour, until Oct. 23. And the ADP will be registering students to vote between now and Oct. 7. ADP is also planning a debate with surrogates from members of both the Obama and McCain campaigns, as well as other political parties, for Oct. 28.
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