The Positive Voices

  Welcome to the Employees Positive Voices, a monthly paper dedicated to promoting social justice, civility, debate and honest dialogue. We are adding Employees to our name because in one way or another that is what all of us are or have been. It speaks to our common ground. We will also be talking about the positive roles government and organized labor can play in our society. Believing that a mutual respect between labor and management is the only way to effectively advance economic prosperity and justice, we will honor the positive contributions made by union and non-union workers, big and small businesses and all individuals dedicated to building a better community, state, and nation. With June summer is officially here! Employees Positive Voices is part of WPRR Public Reality Radio and shares WPRR’s mission to bring to you intelligent and challenging features, articles and commentary from many diverse points of view on subjects ranging from philosophy and science to politics and religion. That is the vision of our owner Bob Goodrich and something we will attempt to achieve every month. We are not the only ones looking at name changes. Minuteman Media is now changed to OtherWords, but their bullpen of national columnists still deliver high quality and compelling writing. US Representative Raul M. Grijalva takes on the law passed by his own state as does local West Michigan advocate and immigration attorney Richard Kessler. Donald Kaul goes after hedge fund managers. Daphne Wysham explains how British Petroleum beats the system. Jim Hightower takes some pokes at Senator Mitch McConnell. Isn’t Rand Paul punishment enough? Nah! Meanwhile Michael Brune wants Congress and the EPA to clean up our water. Of course what would an edition of this paper be without a provocative article stirring the pot by Peter Carlberg! From WPRR your humble host of Tuesdays with Tormala wants to switch off the Grand Rapids City Manger’s proposed Street Light Tax while giving our leaders other options to consider. Jose Alejandro Amorós of Foreign Policy and You gives us another one of his insightful columns. We are also a forum and megaphone for non-profits, spotlighting this month the great work of Local First in creating jobs and promoting neighborhood businesses. Anna Gretz of Dégagé Ministries tells a tale of help, hope and inspiration. In a new series, Catherine’s Health Center provides our readers with helpful educational tips for staying healthy. The Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan stresses the need for caregivers to also take care of themselves. Mike Burri of our Vets Corner thanks the community for remembering our Vets! In our Art From The Heart segment we feature artist and poet Anthony Welsh. Witness for Peace International Team Member Dunya Cope challenges the US drug policy and its impact on Mexico. As always input letters, op-eds, and articles are welcome for submission. Employees Positive Voices wants to hear your voices. This is your paper and we want you to tell us what you want to hear about, especially since we are relying on you to tell us how to cover the Primary Election in our July issue. What races do you want covered and which candidates do you want to hear more about? Contact us at 616-656-2619, or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Be the first to comment on stories or blog. I’m looking forward to hearing from you. Also check out my radio show, Tuesdays with Tormala. We are always looking for ways for you to interact with us. Please join us. Until July, Rick Tormala, Publisher