Presidental Election & Policitcans-There Tactics and What Labor Must Do!!

I was on the computer the other day looking at some of the Presidential candidates and there views on Labor. I was not overly surprised that both sides had very different opinions on the role Labor should play in the economy. I then went on the CWA national web site because the CWA is asking its members to give who they endorse for President and noticed that all but one of the Democrats had answered the various questions asked in as many various ways. The Republican candidates were sent the same questions and they did not answer. CWA states that they attempted numerous times to get a response however none were forth coming. Some have asked why Labor supports only Democratic candidates. That is not always accurate because there are some Republicans that support Labor. I can think of 2 that have gotten Union money in the past election cycle because they live in Labor districts. Typically however, especially in the southern states, there are few Republicans that vote for Labor issues and typically vote opposite of how Labor would like. While many members may vote Republican because of other social issues we must ask ourselves some very difficult questions. Is having a good job that has negotiated wages, health care, vacation and pensions less important? If we did not have that kind of job would we be able to afford to participate in activities tied to those other issues? I would argue we would not. But we should not be surprised that we would vote against our own self interest. It is a growing phenomena in this country. During election cycles it has almost become comical (if it was not so horribly sad) to see in parts of town that are lower in the socio-economic cycle have candidate signs who have routinely voted against those very people. They have voted against SCHIPS, tuition assistance, health care reform along with other items that might have benefited those individuals in those parts of town. Yet those same individuals have a sign of support in their yard for the very person that voted against those things because they agree with them on an issue that may not even effect them. The reason that this is happening is not because those people are not smart but because they have had their attention diverted elsewhere. This has been a well used tactic for some time because there is not enough information that gets to these people through the the rest of the noise they are hearing. I feel it is incumbent upon all of us to show them what is being done to them. Whether they are in Labor or not they do work and pay taxes and they deserve better. There must be a coordinated effort that pushes these issues through the noise. We must start bombarding mainstream media with the hardships some of us face and point a very judgmental finger at those that have helped cause it. Neither party is immune from that judgemental finger but there are individuals that continue to perpetuate the problem and they must be dethroned. Some may argue with what I am about to say but the vast majority of those individuals happen to be Republicans along with a few Democrats. We have heard that some of the Democratic candidates would walk a picket line even after they are elected. If they are sincere then those are the folks we need. Because if they are willing to walk a picket then they are already on the right page to help us avoid a picket and get the job done while we stay on the job.
I would encourage every member of the Labor movement to start now by going to the politics page of MSNBC or go to the individual candidates web pages and read up on them. If they allow questions to be asked to them ask them what plans they have to help the working people of this country. Not the CEO's, we have already seen that in the current administration, but those that work for a living and need good paying jobs, good health care, pensions and having representation to protect those things. Ask them their opinion of the ADA and FMLA. If you find an issue with their answer, if you get one, then that person is not subscribing to your self interest. We all have complained about the ways or companies treat their employees; I would suggest it is time to stop complaining and start acting. How we do that is vote and vote our own interests. We can effect an election and have. We must do so again.