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November Elections Critical to Working FamiliesBy Ronald Honse
Labor Day has always been thought of as the end of summer. But it is also the unofficial beginning of the political campaign season. This year presents an opportunity for working families to realign the balance of power in Washington. The Senate presently has a one vote Democratic majority, while the House of Representatives remains in control of the Republican Party. This November, I ask you to think about the issues that are most important to you and your family, and that you vote accordingly. Under President George W. Bush, our economy has gone from booming to disastrous, and this has had less to do with terrorist attacks on our country than it does with fiscal irresponsibility. The national debt, which was on track to be paid off in ten years, is spiraling dangerously out of control. Our Social Security surplus has been raped, breaking campaign promises made by George W. Bush. (Has anyone kept track of the promises he’s already broken?) And yet, with increased spending for homeland security and a teetering economy, the president still holds on to the tax cuts for millionaires that he narrowly got through Congress last year. With all that has taken place over the past year, and against advice from his own party, George W. refuses to even consider rescinding this millionaires’ windfall. This is a MULTI-TRILLION DOLLAR tax cut that benefits only the wealthiest individuals in this nation, and leaves the tax burden where it has always been – on you and me, America’s working class. And if we question what is going on with domestic issues, how much more is there to look into regarding foreign affairs? As I write this column, there is a growing debate on the president’s plan to preemptively attack Iraq for the purpose of overthrowing Saddam Hussein. The international response to this has been loud and clear – if we attack Iraq, we shall be doing so alone. There will be no international coalition. Or, perhaps I should say, what coalition there is will be that which opposes us. Since George W. Bush has taken office, the United States has alienated just about all of the rest of the world’s nations, from rejecting the Kyoto Protocol, walking out on the international conference on racism that was held in South Africa last year, to more recently rejecting the new international court, not accepting it even after numerous concessions were made to appease the current administration and thus watering down the court’s authority with regards to the US, and the list goes on. A recent article in USA Today pointed out that Americans are rapidly becoming the most despised society around. People in Europe now feel that our position on world affairs, and our insistence on forcing our values on other countries, is more of a threat to their countries and cultures than Iraq and Saddam Hussein. The heart-felt compassion and support that was ours immediately following the attacks on September 11th has been squandered by this administration. That, folks, is very scary. It’s not speculation; it’s fact. But no matter your opinion on Bush’s foreign policy, it is his policy towards the working men and women of America that is unmistakable. He is no friend to this country’s working class, and his past actions have proven this time and time again. This November, we must make use of this opportunity to reshape the balance in Washington. We must ensure that the Senate remains in control of the Democratic Party, and help the Democrats regain control of the House of Representatives. Though there are individual Republicans who support workers’ issues, that party’s overall philosophy is one that favors the interests of “Big Business” and the wealthy. It the Democratic Party, as a whole, that looks out for the interests of working Americans. This November, I ask that you study the issues and vote for your family. I am sure that if you do this, you will pull the correct lever in the voting booth. But regardless of which party you ultimately support, be sure that you exercise your most basic civil right and responsibility, and VOTE! Displaying one’s patriotism is very popular these days. What better way is there to be a true patriot than to get out and vote?
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I am writing this article on the Tuesday after Labor Day. Yesterday I was joined by many members, fellow officers and retirees of Local 4319 as we marched in Toledo’s annual Labor Day Parade. After the parade, the Local hosted our annual picnic at Olander Park. Over two hundred members and their families joined us for what has become a Labor Day tradition. There was something for everyone; games for the kids, prizes for the adults, food for everyone (and beer for the thirsty!) I must say, the food was excellent, and I’m not the only one who felt that way as the cooks had to fire up the grills a second time to meet the demand. I would like to thank Joel Sanchez, Jr., chair of the Recreation Committee, for a great job of planning and conducting this year’s picnic. I would also like to thank those members who helped cook, run the games for the kids, and clean up. I know I would forget someone if I were to try to name everyone who helped, so I will extend a grateful THANK YOU!! from myself and all the members of Local 4319 to all of you.
