WADE RATHKE is the founder of ACORN, Chief Organizer at ACORN International, and Author of "Nuts & Bolts", "Citizen Wealth", "Global Grassroots", and "The Battle for the 9th Ward".
New Orleans Not every state still enjoys the Progressive Era reform that embedded the initiative and referendum process in local and state politics in many US political jurisdictions. The preponderance of these systems exists in the West and South. The purpose of these democratic participation tools is to allow citizens to bring forward measures …
New Orleans I got kind of excited recently when I stumbled on a proposed amendment to the city charter that memorialize the rights of city workers in New Orleans to unionize and collectively bargain. There’s a backstory, of course. Our union had won an election to represent all but a couple of city departments …
New Orleans I don’t watch the debates. I don’t have high blood pressure or heart issues, but my attitude is pretty much, “why would I want to take the chance?” I have the same attitude in watching the Saints. I’d rather check the score and grab the highlights. I’ll read the after-action reports …