<![CDATA[Gene Lantz]]>
genelantz.substack.com]]>https://genelantz.substack.com/podcastSubstackMon, 13 Apr 2026 19:28:13 GMThttps://api.substack.com/feed/podcast/5992226.rssGene LantzMy personal SubstackepisodicGene Lantzgenelantz@substack.comNo<![CDATA[Old and New, How Protest Has Changed]]>Old-timers in today's protest movement tend to think that their days fighting the war in Vietnam was somehow superior to today's protest movement, but they are mistaken. In this 23 minute podcast, I explain how today's protest movement is much more capable of making real change. It's one of the reasons for my optimism even as the nation seems to be sinking into fascism.



Get full access to Gene’s Substack at genelantz.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://genelantz.substack.com/p/old-and-new-how-protest-has-changed-d8ab9b4bc0c-1e0b-4b63-b39a-f97aa9b63367Wed, 13 Aug 2025 13:36:35 GMTGene LantzNo1365<![CDATA[A New Kind of Labor Leader]]>I interviewed Justin Chen of AFGE. He's not your granddad's labor leader.



Get full access to Gene’s Substack at genelantz.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://genelantz.substack.com/p/a-new-kind-of-labor-leader-7f1074dfce1-114f-4f97-bb2c-fa13027b5bfeFri, 01 Aug 2025 22:57:22 GMTGene LantzNo1228<![CDATA[Roots of the Right to Retire]]>The right to retire is a fairly new concept in America. It didn't just happen nor did it come about as a gift from our loving bosses. It may be true that certain bosses came up with employer-provided pensions, but that was only after Social Security and was an attempt to divided the working class rather than a gift.

The right to retire is based on Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. All of them were dreamed up by the labor movement, created by the labor movement, and pushed through legislation by the labor movement. Celebrate July 30 and August 14 with the firm understanding that it was your own working class forebearers who caused them!



Get full access to Gene’s Substack at genelantz.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://genelantz.substack.com/p/roots-of-the-right-to-retire-561aa355aca-a539-43ae-b9e6-0d083d4a5fd7Tue, 29 Jul 2025 20:59:22 GMTGene LantzNo718<![CDATA[Jesus-John-Wayne-and-Trump]]>There's a fine book going around. It's name is "Jesus and John Wayne." It's a good philosophical history of White Christian Evangelism in America. But don't buy into the idea that it's all-powerful.



Get full access to Gene’s Substack at genelantz.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://genelantz.substack.com/p/jesus-john-wayne-and-trump-d6738059e15-3591-4615-90db-a2ff210c4b87Tue, 22 Jul 2025 22:31:21 GMTGene LantzNo439<![CDATA[Where's Our Offensive Team?]]>Our defensive team has been playing well against the coming autocracy. Our legal and legislative work has been excellent, even though we have suffered major and irrevocable losses in Congress and the Supreme Court lately. But where's our offensive team? If we had a good offensive team to go with our defense, we could be winners.



Get full access to Gene’s Substack at genelantz.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://genelantz.substack.com/p/wheres-our-offensive-team-e70f389b00f-e329-435a-9513-66e8eab2736aTue, 15 Jul 2025 23:35:28 GMTGene LantzNo394<![CDATA[Workers Party? A Debate!]]>Kenneth Williams and I debated the advisability of a Workers Party in America. He is a retiree leader and Secretary of Dallas County Democrats. He took the "con" and I took the "pro."



Get full access to Gene’s Substack at genelantz.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://genelantz.substack.com/p/workers-party-a-debate-4e2a40603e2-c292-4ff1-a2df-34a3df8b045fSun, 06 Jul 2025 23:35:15 GMTGene LantzNo1636<![CDATA[The Case for a Workers Party]]>Anybody who thinks about it will realize that a workers party would be a good thing to have. The question is, can we do it? I believe we can and the time is now.



Get full access to Gene’s Substack at genelantz.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://genelantz.substack.com/p/the-case-for-a-workers-party-c07ec20ed70-0ba8-4985-a427-ab9834ac8412Mon, 30 Jun 2025 22:38:40 GMTGene LantzNo805<![CDATA[Bad Days of the AFL-CIA]]>I can't recommend "Blue Collar Empire" by Jeff Schurke enough. There's very little honesty in any kind of history, and labor history is no exception, so this is really needed. Schurke explains how the AFL and then the AFL-CIO opposed international working class improvement from the 1940s to the 1990s. It's a grim tale, but I think we may be seeing some light in 2025.



Get full access to Gene’s Substack at genelantz.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://genelantz.substack.com/p/bad-days-of-the-afl-cia-5d152a1cb80-dbc6-4f14-b754-7eafba85abf8Wed, 25 Jun 2025 16:10:51 GMTGene LantzNo929<![CDATA[What's Up With Randi?]]>The President of the American Federation of Teachers did some things over the past couple of weeks that were way beyond the traditional conservatism of American unions:

1) She pushed for and got a nationwide meeting with union leaders from other countries on how to stop autocracy

2) She and Saunders of American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees both resigned from the Democratic National Committee

3) She did everything possible to get her union members and supporters to turn out on the streets for the June 14 "No Kings" protests.

So I asked a very active AFT member, Stu Becker, "What does it all mean? What's up with Randi?"



Get full access to Gene’s Substack at genelantz.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://genelantz.substack.com/p/whats-up-with-randi-f8352f7c78b-73c9-4f09-bac6-394832cb01abWed, 25 Jun 2025 15:31:00 GMTGene LantzNo934<![CDATA[Protests: Who? What? Where Is It Going?]]>June 14 was arguably the biggest protest day in American history. But who are those people? What are they doing? And what will happen in future? I make my suggestions here.



Get full access to Gene’s Substack at genelantz.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://genelantz.substack.com/p/protests-who-what-where-is-it-going-44822c9f6ad-7a75-49b9-924f-0ca50837797fTue, 17 Jun 2025 17:17:31 GMTGene LantzNo1091<![CDATA[Youth Working the Elections]]>Instead of staying in the background as many young people do during election, the Young Active Labor Leaders of North Texas stepped to the forefront and made a shining difference. Not to mention, we won!



Get full access to Gene’s Substack at genelantz.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://genelantz.substack.com/p/youth-working-the-elections-3daa998f797-7d38-465d-8b3b-7b7a2a8b62f0Tue, 10 Jun 2025 16:44:08 GMTGene LantzNo1172<![CDATA[Is AFL-CIO Joining the International Labor Movement?]]>If you've read "Blue Empire," and if you haven't why the heck not, then you know the sordid history of the AFL-CIA. So it's great news, maybe historically great news, that they held a webinar on June 3 with leaders of other nation's labor leaders to discuss ways to oppose authoritarianism. I think Musk/Trump have pushed American labor onto the international labor side, and let's celebrate!



Get full access to Gene’s Substack at genelantz.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://genelantz.substack.com/p/is-afl-cio-joining-the-international-9f129562615-25c2-478e-949d-8e5b35317c72Tue, 03 Jun 2025 20:37:15 GMTGene LantzNo1173<![CDATA[No and Heck No to Merit Pay]]>Former newspaper columnist Jim Schutze is forever advocating for merit pay for Texas teachers. My good friend Rose Curts took him on in a very interesting Facebook Flame War yesterday. People are still commenting back and forth today.

The reason that people get confused about merit pay is that they don't use that most valuable tool: class perspective. Here's why merit pay is no good no how!



Get full access to Gene’s Substack at genelantz.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://genelantz.substack.com/p/no-and-heck-no-to-merit-pay-c3261104f9d-6186-4a6b-bd23-8fac3f42bbcaTue, 27 May 2025 20:32:17 GMTGene LantzNo895<![CDATA[Lessons from Germany and Russia]]>Unity is the answer. If we have it, we win. If we don't have it, we lose. There are good examples from history.



Get full access to Gene’s Substack at genelantz.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://genelantz.substack.com/p/lessons-from-germany-and-russia-d16cceb2faf-be86-4e4e-b920-5b95ce8acffaMon, 19 May 2025 21:18:04 GMTGene LantzNo792<![CDATA[No Time to Argue]]>As we look into the gun barrel of fascism and World War III, we don't have time to argue. There is no excuse for separatism in our present situation. I'm arguing that we should join now and discuss afterward.



Get full access to Gene’s Substack at genelantz.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://genelantz.substack.com/p/no-time-to-argue-f10dd4452eb-2912-4eb2-bc53-f4a16259ff3aTue, 13 May 2025 20:44:19 GMTGene LantzNo412<![CDATA[Rabbits and Assignments]]>How do you decide what assignments to take in the progressive movement? Is it what you're best at? Is it what you like the most? I've learned a lot about what assignments you should take.



Get full access to Gene’s Substack at genelantz.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://genelantz.substack.com/p/rabbits-and-assignments-954de968956-29dd-46ef-948b-4418056fc2f3Mon, 05 May 2025 01:46:12 GMTGene LantzNo736<![CDATA[Stopping the next world war]]>Do you think I over-dramatize everything? Or do you think, as I do, that Musk/Trump are leading us into another world war for the same reasons we had the last two?



Get full access to Gene’s Substack at genelantz.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://genelantz.substack.com/p/stopping-the-next-world-war-489edfa56cf-77f2-40e9-8af5-682de3427598Tue, 29 Apr 2025 21:06:27 GMTGene LantzNo583<![CDATA[Why Do Musk and Trump Want Higher Birth Rates?]]>The "replacement rate" is supposed to be 2 babies for each woman, but the U.S. standard is considerably lower. Who cares? Musk and Trump do, and they care a lot. Why?



Get full access to Gene’s Substack at genelantz.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://genelantz.substack.com/p/why-do-musk-and-trump-want-higher-d8d70d3c0b9-aa6b-4ef2-9e9e-ea07314fa804Sun, 20 Apr 2025 19:27:23 GMTGene LantzNo340<![CDATA[Unions and Revolutions]]>Do you think you can fight your way into union leadership and turn them into a revolutionary organization? It's been a current of thinking in the union movement for many decades and it's being promoted actively today. Unfortunately, it just isn't so.



Get full access to Gene’s Substack at genelantz.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://genelantz.substack.com/p/unions-and-revolutions-c4843586bc0-5a48-4c9b-8900-f505951a710bTue, 15 Apr 2025 16:21:37 GMTGene LantzNo894<![CDATA[Your Best Solution]]>By now, you must be tired of hearing everything that's wrong. The big question is "What are you going to do about it?" and right after that, "How can you be effective?" Ultimately, you are going to have to join a serious political party!



Get full access to Gene’s Substack at genelantz.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://genelantz.substack.com/p/your-best-solution-1546f7c65f8-f5b2-4d8c-a7bf-bdf1d65a29d4Wed, 09 Apr 2025 15:47:35 GMTGene LantzNo721<![CDATA[The Best Idea Out There]]>Dennis James told me the best possible next move for the American Labor movement. It's better than calling for a general strike. It's better than calling for a national march. It's a helluva lot better than what we're (not) doing now!



Get full access to Gene’s Substack at genelantz.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://genelantz.substack.com/p/the-best-idea-out-there-b619b6127d4-013e-41dc-b99c-493655d5fa2eMon, 31 Mar 2025 21:31:23 GMTGene LantzNo693<![CDATA[Union Local President Who Is the Point of Labor's Spear Today]]>As Musk/Trump try to dismantle the Department of Education, AFGE Local 252 is fighting back under the leadership of their president, Sheria Smith. Here's what she has to say



Get full access to Gene’s Substack at genelantz.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://genelantz.substack.com/p/union-local-president-who-is-the-ce456c8ca16-da14-45be-8b74-5e7c5db29966Mon, 24 Mar 2025 22:08:06 GMTGene LantzNo1342<![CDATA[How I Communicate]]>Podcasting is one of many ways to get labor's message out into the world of corporate domination. I also have a lot of social media and, explained here, some important web sites.



Get full access to Gene’s Substack at genelantz.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://genelantz.substack.com/p/how-i-communicate-7770c86f0a0-e1c0-4ccc-b2b5-f7dd6d3cf979Tue, 18 Mar 2025 17:42:05 GMTGene LantzNo852<![CDATA['Tis the Final Conflict]]>My understanding of the situation that Musk/Trump has created is so unique that even I doubt myself. It's not something that anybody alive in America has ever seen before, but I still think it's true: This is the final conflict!



Get full access to Gene’s Substack at genelantz.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://genelantz.substack.com/p/tis-the-final-conflict-ebbadea28f7-0099-4dbe-8729-bdc410a24c9bTue, 11 Mar 2025 18:03:17 GMTGene LantzNo728<![CDATA[Mass Communications Today]]>I found a knowledgeable young woman to ask how to launch a great mass communications program. IN 20 minutes, she filled me in...



Get full access to Gene’s Substack at genelantz.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://genelantz.substack.com/p/mass-communications-today-6d0af39b165-fed1-4f57-a3c4-a3835ecb451aMon, 03 Mar 2025 19:29:32 GMTGene LantzNo1229<![CDATA[Death of a Fine Union Program]]>I have been in and around my union local's retiree program nearly 40 years, and it breaks my heart to see it fading away.



Get full access to Gene’s Substack at genelantz.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://genelantz.substack.com/p/death-of-a-fine-union-program-3a4b9e6117a-224e-4577-ae14-c139f493e48cTue, 25 Feb 2025 16:03:41 GMTGene LantzNo913<![CDATA[Rallying Against Death by 1000 Cuts]]>Dallas labor and retirees held a "NO CUTS" rally downtown on February 15. There is a lot to learn from it.



Get full access to Gene’s Substack at genelantz.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://genelantz.substack.com/p/rallying-against-death-by-1000-cuts-b8824e0c5a6-56be-4e93-8985-28b6624d419dTue, 18 Feb 2025 20:51:39 GMTGene LantzNo1044<![CDATA[Fighting Muskrump]]>Muskrump is taking over all aspects of American life. The only possible hope is a broad progressive coalition with labor at its core. We're building that in Dallas and here's how.



Get full access to Gene’s Substack at genelantz.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://genelantz.substack.com/p/fighting-muskrump-10aec73c37b-506a-4089-ba6a-15fa0cf1c33dWed, 12 Feb 2025 01:01:54 GMTGene LantzNo975<![CDATA[Burning In Our Own Silos]]>I'm delighted that so many people are moving into action. Their outrage and need to protest is understandable and laudable. But we have persisted in staying in the separate silos that were created long ago. So far, sectarians, egotists, amateurs, and individualists are calling protests that aren't moving us toward the broad progressive coalition with labor at its core. I guess it's a good problem to have, but it's still a problem.



Get full access to Gene’s Substack at genelantz.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://genelantz.substack.com/p/burning-in-our-own-silos-f2cc0ff2602-bdf9-4638-8e17-6a3f9b716ffcTue, 04 Feb 2025 17:30:45 GMTGene LantzNo598<![CDATA[Chinese AI, Unemployment, and Shorter Working Hours]]>The new, improved Artificial Intelligence from China is just another improvement in a fast developing technology. Everybody is talking about it, but nobody is talking about all the jobs that will become redundant. Except me.



Get full access to Gene’s Substack at genelantz.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://genelantz.substack.com/p/chinese-ai-unemployment-and-shorter-6ca10c99fb2-6028-4e2e-81bc-8f92bfc3b8e5Wed, 29 Jan 2025 01:03:47 GMTGene LantzNo1085<![CDATA[Protesting 1 Day Before Trump]]>Just one day before the inauguration, I attended an outdoor rally in downtown Dallas...



Get full access to Gene’s Substack at genelantz.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://genelantz.substack.com/p/protesting-1-day-before-trump-b0d52071c25-d3f8-46db-bfc6-571c1f1d7f79Wed, 22 Jan 2025 00:09:32 GMTGene LantzNo733<![CDATA[What I learned from George]]>A new book on labor leader George Meyers has a lot of good stuff, but not the main things he taught me before he died.



Get full access to Gene’s Substack at genelantz.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://genelantz.substack.com/p/what-i-learned-from-george-cbbb141b63c-e2fc-4ecb-8fda-6099a73bcae3Wed, 22 Jan 2025 00:08:04 GMTGene LantzNo631<![CDATA[American Alienation]]>Alienation is the enemy. Caring for others is the solution.



Get full access to Gene’s Substack at genelantz.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://genelantz.substack.com/p/american-alienation-993e0b58b54-4a19-4ff1-92f4-91b4f83c7d71Tue, 21 Jan 2025 18:46:28 GMTGene LantzNo903<![CDATA[Get Close to the Unions]]>Unions are our best defense against fascism. Join one if you can, support them if you can, join an organization that is close to the unions.



Get full access to Gene’s Substack at genelantz.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://genelantz.substack.com/p/get-close-to-the-unions-0f733b0ba68-3c16-45a9-82d6-a715849cbd6fTue, 03 Dec 2024 16:07:03 GMTGene LantzNo718<![CDATA[Dancers No Longer A Local Issue]]>The Fired Dallas Black Dancers are now at the top of the class struggle in America.



Get full access to Gene’s Substack at genelantz.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://genelantz.substack.com/p/dancers-no-longer-a-local-issue-6a2d0217f8a-6754-49e6-9e89-34feb509dd9cTue, 26 Nov 2024 19:13:53 GMTGene LantzNo774<![CDATA[How I got involved]]>No matter where in the progressive movement one begins, they will end up at the same place eventually -- providing they don't give up. Unfortunately, most people give up.



Get full access to Gene’s Substack at genelantz.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://genelantz.substack.com/p/how-i-got-involved-5f7fb0a4642-943b-4de6-a13c-6cc1aa33e506Mon, 18 Nov 2024 21:22:51 GMTGene LantzNo628<![CDATA[The Bolsheviki and Us]]>At a time when it seems like progressives are losing, it seems right to study someone who won and see how they did it. I recorded this on November 7, the anniversary of the Russian Revolution and I compared their success with what we need to be doing in America today.



Get full access to Gene’s Substack at genelantz.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://genelantz.substack.com/p/the-bolsheviki-and-us-366e19c42d2-2594-4904-934c-ed1798f3f093Mon, 11 Nov 2024 18:36:02 GMTGene LantzNo685<![CDATA[What Do We Do On Wednesday?]]>Nobody seems to have a plan for after this transformational election. I'll be leading a strategoc discussion on Wednesday and these are approximately my opening remarks. 13 minutes.



Get full access to Gene’s Substack at genelantz.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://genelantz.substack.com/p/what-do-we-do-on-wednesday-fddb84933b9-be80-4db9-b53a-9cc7d0d53631Sun, 03 Nov 2024 21:50:06 GMTGene LantzNo819<![CDATA[Win or Lose on November 5]]>What do we need if we win? What do we need if we lose? Turns out, the answer is pretty simple.



Get full access to Gene’s Substack at genelantz.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://genelantz.substack.com/p/win-or-lose-on-november-5-49212352480-49e5-4f68-9102-1a6ed606cb9fMon, 28 Oct 2024 21:37:32 GMTGene LantzNo466<![CDATA[Ideology of Elections]]>I conducted a class on the ideology of elections to a group of hard-core activists. Their responses weren't what I expected, and certainly not what I wanted.



Get full access to Gene’s Substack at genelantz.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://genelantz.substack.com/p/ideology-of-elections-53bcb81d168-49bd-4411-a5d5-f16562f263bfTue, 22 Oct 2024 17:16:20 GMTGene LantzNo859<![CDATA[Picketing with the Fired Black Dancers]]>Management at the Dallas Black Dance Theater fired all their dancers for organizing a union. Then they hired scabs and planned out a new season beginning October 11 at the plush Moody Performance Hall.


Dallas labor and other progressives picketed. I tried to catch the significance of the event, and some of its excitement, with selected recordings. Come join us on the picket line!



Get full access to Gene’s Substack at genelantz.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://genelantz.substack.com/p/picketing-with-the-fired-black-dancers-7de7b561772-509d-4c35-887f-b4a6d49c1e3aTue, 15 Oct 2024 15:18:20 GMTGene LantzNo1149<![CDATA[Mistakes We Make]]>Organizations I'm involved with are throwing together one activity after another. It's probably inevitable that we make a few mistakes and I pick at them in this 12 minute podcast. At least, though, we aren't making the big mistake of doing nothing!



Get full access to Gene’s Substack at genelantz.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://genelantz.substack.com/p/mistakes-we-make-e9c73e92f80-515d-44f4-be52-8b351e776b73Mon, 07 Oct 2024 22:51:29 GMTGene LantzNo734<![CDATA[Labor Leaders Make Their Plea]]>In the past week, I've heard labor leaders from every level. They're saying the same thing: The opportunities today are boundless! I recorded one of them: the President of the Texas AFL-CIO, Rick Levy.



Get full access to Gene’s Substack at genelantz.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://genelantz.substack.com/p/labor-leaders-make-their-plea-b38f82e86f5-df0d-4a3b-818d-7e6a12051834Wed, 02 Oct 2024 21:16:48 GMTGene LantzNo730<![CDATA[Are Some Struggles Inconsequential?]]>There are labor battles everywhere today. Can we pick out the major ones and let the minor ones go by?



Get full access to Gene’s Substack at genelantz.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://genelantz.substack.com/p/are-some-struggles-inconsequential-40435fbda48-7216-4be4-8edb-98f3a71442c5Mon, 23 Sep 2024 21:12:30 GMTGene LantzNo727<![CDATA[Don't Ignore Retirees]]>There are a lot of retirees, and we vote like crazy. Nobody, especially no union, can afford to ignore us.



Get full access to Gene’s Substack at genelantz.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://genelantz.substack.com/p/dont-ignore-retirees-4a945f0e7f7-9c9a-4ed4-aa3b-913fdaac24f5Mon, 16 Sep 2024 22:08:33 GMTGene LantzNo842<![CDATA[Observations on Capitalism in Manhattan]]>While taking a short vacation in New York City, I began to wonder about the future of America if capitalism continues.



Get full access to Gene’s Substack at genelantz.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://genelantz.substack.com/p/observations-on-capitalism-in-manhattan-44468d063dc-2d80-421d-bfa5-a2326b9613daWed, 11 Sep 2024 03:54:26 GMTGene LantzNo765<![CDATA[Labor Day Speakers from CWA and UAW]]>I recorded Brother Obasee of the Communications Workers and Brother Huddleston of the Auto Workers at the Dallas Labor Day Breakfast. Both of them were well received whether talking about labor organizing and contract fights, or about labor electoral struggles. It all goes together!



Get full access to Gene’s Substack at genelantz.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://genelantz.substack.com/p/labor-day-speakers-from-cwa-and-uaw-56736f00f2c-9474-4113-b603-2e5e3e8e93e8Mon, 02 Sep 2024 23:35:12 GMTGene LantzNo1408<![CDATA[Labor and the Democrats]]>I've been speaking for decades about the progressive changes in the American labor movement, but I hadn't noticed the big changes in the Democratic Party. That's mostly because I don't know much about them. Last night, I began to find out. Not only have both labor and the Democrats changed, but the relationship between them is also profoundly changing. It's worth noting



Get full access to Gene’s Substack at genelantz.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://genelantz.substack.com/p/labor-and-the-democrats-66c930c522d-329f-43f8-b9d1-df5549023ba3Wed, 28 Aug 2024 00:01:35 GMTGene LantzNo530<![CDATA[Fascism Is Already Here]]>I recorded this on the day before a Trump-appointed federal judge overruled a very important Federal Trade Commission decision that would have benefited some 30 million workers. In this 11 minute podcast, I argue that fascism is no longer an abstract idea, but is already thriving in America and threatens to take over completely.



Get full access to Gene’s Substack at genelantz.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://genelantz.substack.com/p/fascism-is-already-here-0c35cd1cb60-32b5-495f-accc-39fbe86e43d5Wed, 21 Aug 2024 15:22:37 GMTGene LantzNo669<![CDATA[Dallas Black Dancers Have Been Fired]]>The Dallas Black Dance Theater fired all of their dancers after they requested union affiliation with the American Guild of Musical Artists. Then management posted auditions for new dancers for August 17. Dallas activists are planning to picket.



Get full access to Gene’s Substack at genelantz.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://genelantz.substack.com/p/dallas-black-dancers-have-been-fired-2b3d44abdea-e240-4b5d-9acb-71a48672d2b8Tue, 13 Aug 2024 02:33:39 GMTGene LantzNo751<![CDATA[I'm not signing up for candidates]]>Everybody wants us, but I'm holding out



Get full access to Gene’s Substack at genelantz.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://genelantz.substack.com/p/im-not-signing-up-for-candidates-dcb4816f395-59a6-4904-a504-10dae2cc6c89Mon, 05 Aug 2024 21:20:17 GMTGene LantzNo448<![CDATA[What Unionists Are Saying]]>I recorded 20 minutes of the discussion at the Dallas Central Labor Council. Fascinating discussions are going on at every union meeting and people are changing to meet changing times.



Get full access to Gene’s Substack at genelantz.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://genelantz.substack.com/p/what-unionists-are-saying-da175c7296a-c88e-496a-ba69-addc04ee9a7eMon, 29 Jul 2024 22:13:14 GMTGene LantzNo1258<![CDATA[Health Care Talking Points]]>Health care is a mighty issue in 2024. I'm preparing a series of public events on the real issues. For 11AM on July 30 at 1408 N Washington in Dallas, we'll make short videos on health care using these talking points plus whatever else anybody wants to say. Newspersons are especially invited.



Get full access to Gene’s Substack at genelantz.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://genelantz.substack.com/p/health-care-talking-points-28fe12ea20d-5cf7-42c0-8262-b3040086cabcTue, 23 Jul 2024 21:32:53 GMTGene LantzNo890<![CDATA[America Changed Qualitatively]]>Every activist needs to review their activities in light of the qualitative change beneath us. "What is better for working families, and what is worse?" That is the question to be asked and answered



Get full access to Gene’s Substack at genelantz.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://genelantz.substack.com/p/america-changed-qualitatively-8f03491b57e-501e-45cd-b9b8-bd4221a29ce8Tue, 16 Jul 2024 16:55:44 GMTGene LantzNo944<![CDATA[Interview with a Union Man]]>Darryl Sullivan has been handling grievances, arbitrations, negotiations, and organizing campaigns for 40 years. His evaluation of today's labor movement is very credible, and it's not all good.



Get full access to Gene’s Substack at genelantz.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://genelantz.substack.com/p/interview-with-a-union-man-233dc73ab49-136d-4a28-a193-30ccc843396dWed, 10 Jul 2024 14:55:04 GMTGene LantzNo1073<![CDATA[Coming back to America from China]]>I interviewed a new friend who spent 13 years working in China, then recently came to North Texas. He contrasted life in both places and described a "totalitarian dictatorship" -- here, not there!



Get full access to Gene’s Substack at genelantz.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://genelantz.substack.com/p/coming-back-to-america-from-china-68afa8299c9-3dc8-4b86-8f25-95bf3e2b6febTue, 02 Jul 2024 19:50:33 GMTGene LantzNo768<![CDATA[My FBI Spy]]>In 1986, the FBI got behind on paying one of its stooges. He sued them and began blabbing the entire story. In spite of his motivations, it's a story worth hearing.



Get full access to Gene’s Substack at genelantz.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://genelantz.substack.com/p/my-fbi-spy-979b6c3ca38-d827-4df5-8c12-ea6ce57c209dTue, 25 Jun 2024 17:59:39 GMTGene LantzNo1180<![CDATA[Why Expose the Trial of Jane Elkins?]]>Short interview with Olinka Green, who is the title star of "The Trial of Jane Elkins," currently being played for free and put on video. Olinka explains why it is important to re-examine what happened in Dallas in May, 1853, to this slave woman.



Get full access to Gene’s Substack at genelantz.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://genelantz.substack.com/p/why-expose-the-trial-of-jane-elkins-ac023e13952-c485-4460-864e-66c68ce77088Tue, 18 Jun 2024 17:20:05 GMTGene LantzNo977<![CDATA[Unions Training to Defend Democracy]]>Dallas Central Labor Council hosted an all-day class on Defending Democracy. INstructors were associated with the Communications Workers of America in New York and Texas. We had a big booklet and great discussion. The best part was role-playing different situations. We even pretended to be reactionaries developing a plan to overthrow democracy.



Get full access to Gene’s Substack at genelantz.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://genelantz.substack.com/p/unions-training-to-defend-democracy-17aca5d15c8-4b55-4842-8da7-c11ddd963f1aThu, 06 Jun 2024 17:20:15 GMTGene LantzNo801<![CDATA[REtirees endorse Colin Allred for U.S. Senate from Texas]]>On June 1, we presented the national endorsement from Alliance for Retired Americans to Colin Allred of North Texas. It is our sincere hope that he beats Ted Cruz. I speak, then the award is given, then Allred speaks.



Get full access to Gene’s Substack at genelantz.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://genelantz.substack.com/p/retirees-endorse-colin-allred-for-76ed5cdd4cf-d484-4660-95c9-9c11670ab447Mon, 03 Jun 2024 21:59:08 GMTGene LantzNo777<![CDATA[How I Got Fired]]>40 years ago this week, I was fired for union activism. It was traumatic from the first day, and it lasted way over a year. There's a happy ending...



Get full access to Gene’s Substack at genelantz.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://genelantz.substack.com/p/how-i-got-fired-89b1a291bcb-3c50-4fe9-8083-c94b15e5489aTue, 28 May 2024 16:21:39 GMTGene LantzNo862<![CDATA[Innermost thoughts]]>For decades, I've kept a web site with my innermost thoughts. Sure, I have hundreds of blogs, videos, and podcasts floating around the internet; but this is where I put what I consider the "good stuff."



Get full access to Gene’s Substack at genelantz.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://genelantz.substack.com/p/innermost-thoughts-27de2538a33-f8d3-418e-8b06-2a96b482dac1Tue, 21 May 2024 20:04:49 GMTGene LantzNo1003<![CDATA[May First In Dallas, 2024]]>This is the first of four MayDay celebrations in Dallas in 2024. Old timers can remember when we had absolutely none. 17.5 minutes



Get full access to Gene’s Substack at genelantz.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://genelantz.substack.com/p/may-first-in-dallas-2024-25fc325afc8-3c3e-4828-847d-4280381e0fe3Tue, 30 Apr 2024 21:43:33 GMTGene LantzNo1056<![CDATA[Understanding the News]]>This is just the news from a couple of days, but how do you understand it? 12 minutes



Get full access to Gene’s Substack at genelantz.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://genelantz.substack.com/p/understanding-the-news-29ee265724d-d62a-484d-b621-82c5169cc125Wed, 24 Apr 2024 16:35:37 GMTGene LantzNo841<![CDATA[Who Benefits from These Wars?]]>A giant oil-exporting platform is being built off the coast of Freeport, Texas. It's the key to understanding current world politics.



Get full access to Gene’s Substack at genelantz.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://genelantz.substack.com/p/who-benefits-from-these-wars-b53ca3e5cea-013d-4504-a92c-b2984f988c3fTue, 16 Apr 2024 16:33:44 GMTGene LantzNo531<![CDATA[The Trial of Jane Elkins]]>To get the full effect, you really need to see this short play. But you can kind of get the idea by listening to this audio version. AT least, you can get some idea who Jane Elkins was.



Get full access to Gene’s Substack at genelantz.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://genelantz.substack.com/p/the-trial-of-jane-elkins-7389860795e-b6a4-49fb-9b8f-2ae5b86add3aWed, 10 Apr 2024 20:45:29 GMTGene LantzNo635<![CDATA[Was Jane Elkins Pregnant When They Hanged Her?]]>ON KNON.org and 89.3FM on April 6, I asked the question "Was Jane pregnant when they hanged her?" The answers from callers were interesting. Time ran out before I was able to explain, so I put it into this 13 minute podcast.



Get full access to Gene’s Substack at genelantz.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://genelantz.substack.com/p/was-jane-elkins-pregnant-when-they-249f2859db7-b0ea-4eb7-ba8d-47f2d63723ceSat, 06 Apr 2024 16:47:05 GMTGene LantzNo814<![CDATA[Reorganizing the AFL-CIO in Texas]]>Texas is one of the states looking at how we are organized and asking if we can do better. It's not an easy subject. Here are my thoughts.



Get full access to Gene’s Substack at genelantz.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://genelantz.substack.com/p/reorganizing-the-afl-cio-in-texas-39d9220b9f5-a80b-4dfb-b8a9-441c42156277Tue, 02 Apr 2024 20:28:48 GMTGene LantzNo906<![CDATA[UAW Volunteers at North Texas Food Bank]]>On March 21, 2024, well over 100 political leaders from the United Auto Workers volunteered for a shift on the assembly line at the North Texas Food Bank. They took all the food that had been donated or bought and re-packaged it for hungry families. My job was to pick up empty boxes off the floor and flatten them for recycling. It was great to be making a contribution, and it says a lot about the Auto Workers and the current state of organized labor in America.



Get full access to Gene’s Substack at genelantz.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://genelantz.substack.com/p/uaw-volunteers-at-north-texas-food-e6dc9122055-9762-47c6-97c4-c80a6b0d14c3Sat, 23 Mar 2024 22:59:56 GMTGene LantzNo955<![CDATA[Teamster Rally with General President's Speech]]>On St Patrick's Day, 2024, Teamsters at Molson-Coors in Fort Worth, Texas, were completing their 4th week on the picket line. Their General President came to cheer them on at this rally. The level of militancy in his speech reached new historical highs. 12 minutes.



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Get full access to Gene’s Substack at genelantz.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://genelantz.substack.com/p/celebrating-women-56db39ea548-a411-4bd4-906f-ebf467b46751Mon, 11 Mar 2024 16:46:44 GMTGene LantzNo831<![CDATA[Remember Ella Mae Wiggins]]>Ella Mae Wiggins was a poor white mill worker who played a big role in the Gastonia, NOrth Carolina, strike of 1929. She did her best to integrate the strike, but had limited success. If people had listened, the whole history of southern organizing might have been different and might be different today. She was murdered by strikebreakers.



Get full access to Gene’s Substack at genelantz.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://genelantz.substack.com/p/remember-ella-mae-wiggins-95a0c54b779-da4b-498f-bf83-34f212916d59Tue, 05 Mar 2024 22:06:41 GMTGene LantzNo393<![CDATA[The Truth Comes Out, But When?]]>A new book on Iraq reveals what anti-war protesters tried to say decades ago. Someday, we'll get the truth about what is happening now, but we don't get it now when we need it.



Get full access to Gene’s Substack at genelantz.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://genelantz.substack.com/p/the-truth-comes-out-but-when-f043ed7b948-4ca3-4764-bdcd-9eb115628345Tue, 27 Feb 2024 22:27:59 GMTGene LantzNo665<![CDATA[Early voting rally in Dallas, 022024]]>Texas is a low-turnout state, so we make an effort to get people to vote on the first day of early voting. This is in downtown Dallas



Get full access to Gene’s Substack at genelantz.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://genelantz.substack.com/p/early-voting-rally-in-dallas-022024-0dabb8ea36e-5bbe-4a35-86d6-f75fafeddde4Fri, 23 Feb 2024 15:30:40 GMTGene LantzNo590<![CDATA[Your Priorities and Strategies]]>Have you thought it through from what you want to how to get it? Here's my suggestions



Get full access to Gene’s Substack at genelantz.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://genelantz.substack.com/p/your-priorities-and-strategies-99694bc8a2e-c214-4941-bc0b-f18905516abdTue, 20 Feb 2024 00:06:59 GMTGene LantzNo894<![CDATA[A European Worker Looks at Our Labor Movement]]>Oliver works in a chemical plant in Austria and reports for Wildcat magazine in Germany. He came here to talk to workers, but I got him to talk to me. His views of the American working class and developments here were quite different....



Get full access to Gene’s Substack at genelantz.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://genelantz.substack.com/p/a-european-worker-looks-at-our-labor-12cf7e1c801-9892-49e4-b1eb-975297797072Mon, 12 Feb 2024 23:24:42 GMTGene LantzNo919<![CDATA[Issues for Seniors]]>15.24 minutes on the big problems facing America's seniors. Most of it was taken from a speech by the President of the national Alliance for Retired Americans, Robert Roach, on January 27 at the Texas convention in Austin. Video is available on my facebook page: facebook.com/genelantz.7



Get full access to Gene’s Substack at genelantz.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://genelantz.substack.com/p/issues-for-seniors-ee901c7b752-9772-4710-8da3-b6e373c09f42Tue, 06 Feb 2024 22:51:19 GMTGene LantzNo924<![CDATA[Texas AFL-CIO Calls for Cease Fire]]>January 29, Texas AFL-CIO becomes the first state to call for a cease fire in Palestine. I captured some of the discussion and the announcement of vote totals. It was a triumph for the younger union members and a sign that the labor movement is changing fast!



Get full access to Gene’s Substack at genelantz.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://genelantz.substack.com/p/texas-afl-cio-calls-for-cease-fire-72764a6b6fc-1209-4352-b002-d4edb72c880dWed, 31 Jan 2024 23:01:56 GMTGene LantzNo926<![CDATA[Retirees: Essential Part of the Progressive Movement]]>Older Americans are much more than just the best voting demographic. We're getting organized and more influential.



Get full access to Gene’s Substack at genelantz.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://genelantz.substack.com/p/retirees-essential-part-of-the-progressive-5f671398cf1-b7ae-4752-9cff-05777805d7d0Tue, 23 Jan 2024 17:35:48 GMTGene LantzNo711<![CDATA[MLK and Labor]]>We're preparing for our annual march and parade in Dallas. I talked with some young guys who were preparing signs to carry.



Get full access to Gene’s Substack at genelantz.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://genelantz.substack.com/p/mlk-and-labor-7f9eb7ce9f9-acb6-46a2-8a42-25986ec2adf3Mon, 15 Jan 2024 22:52:16 GMTGene LantzNo802<![CDATA[Democracy Here and in Brazil]]>Luis Ignacio Da Silva, also known as Lula or the President of Brazil, got a long op-ed in the Washington Post. He compares the threat to Democracy in the U.S. to Brazil and to the rest of the world. He knows why these threats exist. This is 10 minutes of my interpretation.



Get full access to Gene’s Substack at genelantz.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://genelantz.substack.com/p/democracy-here-and-in-brazil-7b836c0eda5-c28e-4111-9d0f-4276a1b9a136Wed, 10 Jan 2024 17:14:53 GMTGene LantzNo596<![CDATA[Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson and Me]]>The nation grieves the loss of the great Congresswman and civil rights activist. I had several interactions with her since her early years in politics. I was impressed and I hope you will be, too.



Get full access to Gene’s Substack at genelantz.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://genelantz.substack.com/p/congresswoman-eddie-bernice-johnson-baabd49ba6d-65c8-4ebe-a916-71d0068eb9f1Tue, 02 Jan 2024 23:10:25 GMTGene LantzNo828<![CDATA[Vote by Mail in Texas]]>On January 2, 2024, my group, the Texas Alliance for Retired Americans, held a webinar to inform eligible voters and encourage them to vote by mail. Two panelists and two U.S. Congresspersons helped us explain and motivate for it.



Get full access to Gene’s Substack at genelantz.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://genelantz.substack.com/p/vote-by-mail-in-texas-0c08ab0d43e-f391-4ba2-9949-3ba80d85edc1Tue, 02 Jan 2024 23:04:26 GMTGene LantzNo1055<![CDATA[Predictions for 2024]]>Some are easy ones like "China will continue to take a larger share of the world economy," but some border on outlandish. Can you imagine George Bush endorsing a Democrat?



Get full access to Gene’s Substack at genelantz.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://genelantz.substack.com/p/predictions-for-2024-af11bb7ac54-b9d1-4316-b2a4-bb302b5bbb7eTue, 26 Dec 2023 22:58:27 GMTGene LantzNo874<![CDATA[We Need a Labor Party]]>Polls show that voters are way way less than enthusiastic about voting for Biden or Trump in 2024. As always, there is talk of a Third Party. But don't forget that the system is rigged by the Democrats and Republicans to keep any other party out.


But a Labor Party, sponsored and run by unions, could make a difference!



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Get full access to Gene’s Substack at genelantz.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://genelantz.substack.com/p/working-hours-must-be-shortened-061e496bcce-7228-45a2-b858-4465cac3258dSun, 24 Dec 2023 22:46:38 GMTGene LantzNo823<![CDATA[Free Speech Matters to Labor]]>The greatest free speech fights weren't in Berkely in the 1960s, they were in Spokane, Fresno, and other cities in the 19-teens. The IWW fought for and won free speech with great sacrifice. But the battle continues. Right now, The "Tampa 5" are touring the country to win another free speech fight. Here's an interview. Contact genelantz.org



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Get full access to Gene’s Substack at genelantz.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://genelantz.substack.com/p/should-unions-take-stands-on-palestine-4dbad118b00-5d74-4825-9743-f42d946162e1Thu, 21 Dec 2023 01:22:12 GMTGene LantzNo537<![CDATA[Outlook for Fascism]]>Some people say that America is already fascist. Others say it never will be. More and more people would say that it's a growing threat.



Get full access to Gene’s Substack at genelantz.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://genelantz.substack.com/p/outlook-for-fascism-b1a45a83d6f-ea8c-4001-88d7-6861206d3c77Tue, 19 Dec 2023 23:54:15 GMTGene LantzNo864<![CDATA[It's Not Biden, It's the System]]>Biden's approval rating drops to 33%, but other Western leaders have even lower approval ratings. If we understand why, a lot of other things fall into place! Contact genelantz.org



Get full access to Gene’s Substack at genelantz.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://genelantz.substack.com/p/its-not-biden-its-the-system-240c8eee30c-23cf-4731-ab83-76c6f105c421Tue, 19 Dec 2023 23:39:51 GMTGene LantzNo524<![CDATA[Outlook For A General Strike]]>If you want to change the world, there's one way to do it. STRIKE!


Contact:




https://genelantz.org/





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