With the 2008 elections just twelve short months away, it’s time for
those of us who care about creating a better America for working people
to get up, get out, and make sure our voices are heard loud and
clear. The candidates’ campaigns have been in progress for quite a
while now, and with the primaries almost upon us, things are moving
into high gear. Now, at the primary stage, is when the issues that end
up defining elections often come into focus.
It is absolutely crucial that union members make sure that candidates
at all levels know that they have to take us, our families, and our concerns
into account.
As you know, the excesses of the current administration and the corporate
interests that support it have put the economy in a dismal state.
Difficult times for many Americans are at hand. Many of our brothers and
sisters—in our industry, and in others—are facing strikes, lockouts, and
downsizing.
Something has to change, and we have to change it. With your help,
the ball got rolling in the right direction in the 2006 elections. But that
was just a start—even with a Democratic majority in Congress, the
Employee Free Choice Act failed to pass. Meanwhile the NLRB has struck
blow after blow against the labor movement—most recently by eviscerating
the voluntary recognition process.
Fortunately, the momentum in the country at large has finally begun
to shift our way. But that doesn’t mean we can sit back and hope things
turn out right. We all know that there are very powerful forces arrayed
against us, who would be very happy to see things stay the way they are.
We saw what happened in 2004. We have to do everything we can to
make sure that this time, people don’t get scared and distracted into voting
for people who only understand the needs of corporations and the
very wealthy.
With new leadership in Washington, there will once again be a
chance to start turning the tide back—to replace stagnating wages and
diminishing worker rights with prosperity for all and a fair chance for
everyone who wants to work and have their work respected.
We can make this happen, but not without a lot of effort, starting
now.
The Iowa primaries are just a few weeks away, on January 3 for the
Republicans and January 14 for the Democrats. Many more states have
their primaries on “Super Tuesday,” February 5. Make sure you and
friends and families are registered. Volunteer, go to rallies, make phone
calls. None of us can afford to let this opportunity slip away.
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