Leading The Charge To 2008

The upcoming 2008 elections are the most critical elections yet for working people in this country. We have an important opportunity to build on our historic victories in the 2006 elections, to take back the White House and elect a President who will put the interests of regular families ahead of giant corporations and billionaires.

Our country has endured two terms of George W. Bush’s right-wing, anti-worker policies. But now the labor movement, including each and every one of us, can lead the charge to make our federal government work for all of us again instead of only for the rich and powerful.

In 2006, we said “stop” loud and clear to the Republican agenda.
Working families played a crucial role in shifting the balance of power in
Congress, winning Democratic majorities in the House and Senate for the
first time in 12 years. We have seen positive results from our election successes, as the Democratic-controlled Congress has enacted a long-overdue federal minimum wage increase, and has stepped up Congressional oversight of the President and executive agencies to keep them in check. The 2008 elections are our best chance to build on the momentum of the past few years and put sensible, worker-friendly policies squarely on the agenda in Washington.

Now that we have Democratic majorities in Congress, it is essential to
put a Democrat back in the White House while preserving Congressional
control. Right now, President Bush’s veto power is preventing Congress
from enacting other much-needed legislation. Another Republican Presidency would leave Democrats in Congress hamstrung, and another Presidential term of Republican appointments to federal agencies and courts would spell disaster for workers. During the Bush II Presidency, we have suffered through a series of very harmful NLRB decisions, as well as negative changes in regulations, such as the Department of Labor’s new restrictions on overtime coverage. We have also seen deplorable decisions by Bush-appointed Justices on the Supreme Court. But in 2008, we have an opportunity not only to turn back misguided Republican policies, but to elect leaders who will act on our concerns and implement solutions.

Given the tremendous significance of the upcoming 2008 election cycle, I know that you will do your civic duty by getting out and voting on Election Day, and that you will do all you can in the months leading up to that day to insure a strong showing for the labor movement. That means making sure that you and your friends, co-workers, and family members are registered to vote. That also means volunteering to do voter registration and mobilization drives and phone calls for candidates. To find out how and where you can most usefully direct your efforts, contact your local union, and state and city labor councils, and ask them how you can help.

Our success in the 2006 elections showed what we can accomplish
through hard work and organizing. We need to continue to increase our
efforts through the 2008 elections. In 2000 and 2004, we lost the White
House by the slimmest (and most questionable) of margins. In 2008, if
we all do our part, we can win convincingly. Momentum and popular
sentiment are on our side, and the country is depending on the labor
movement to lead the way, like we did in 2006. The future of our country
hangs in the balance as we approach this turning point. If we let this opportunity slip away, then conservative Republicans will continue
to thwart equality and the common good. But if we make our voices
heard in the democratic process, then we can turn the corner toward
a new day in national politics. I am eager to work alongside all of you to
achieve a pivotal victory in 2008.