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Richardson: Union Membership is Good for America’s Workers |
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Angie Crouse, a member of the National Writer’s Union/UAW based in Tempe, Ariz., describes the latest in the AFL-CIO “Working Families Vote 2008″ town hall series, in which New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson (D) met with union members.
Gov. Bill Richardson was greeted by an enthusiastic crowd of hundreds of union members and supporters at the Electrical Workers (IBEW) hall in Phoenix this morning. He started the day by telling the crowd:
“This election is about helping the middle class, ordinary men and women who work hard every day, play by the rules and need to be supported. I believe having union membership is good for the American worker, good for higher wages and good for heath care. Unions are so important, that as president I would name a union member as secretary of labor, and I would replace the entire National Labor Relations Board.”
Richardson outlined his plans for universal health care, responsible immigration reform, trade policy, ending the war in Iraq, changing the current No Child Left Behind Act so it works, ensuring the safety net of Social Security is there for future generations and expanding the Employee Free Choice Act nationally.
He also pointed out that many cities are growing rapidly, especially many in the West. These cities have unique needs that need attention, which is why he chose to come to Phoenix for his AFL-CIO town hall forum.
There are several key issues in the West that are important in this presidential race: water, agriculture, growth, and as I noticed when driving from the airport, traffic congestion is a major problem here.
Several workers had the opportunity to tell the governor their day-to-day frustrations with working at job where talk of organizing meant disciplinary action. One said that working for the state of Arizona meant no collective bargaining. That in turn leads to high turnover, low moral, and low wages. A house painter who spoke in Spanish told Richardson through an interpreter that her employer pays her below the minimum wage, offers health care coverage that is so costly that neither she nor her 4-year-old son has insurance and does not provide water or other relief when she is painting houses in 110-degree heat.
Richardson replied to her first in Spanish and then to the crowd in English:
The most important thing is to make healthcare insurance available and affordable for every American. Second, we need an expansion of childcare tax credits. Third, we need to look at a way to get low-wage workers training for a better job. Education is key—learn a trade, and learn English so you can compete.
Several union members said they support Richardson because he speaks to the issues that matter the most to them, and added that he has a proven track record and the experience needed to be the president of the United States. T.J. Mackay, Sun City Fire Fighters (IAFF Local 3573), agreed.
He’s been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize four times. He worked with U.N. and treated everyone there with respect—from the ambassadors right down to the workers. He was instrumental in the past negotiations with North Korea, and having an established relationship with them is significant. We want to do everything we can to prevent another 9/11, and as a firefighter, that is of utmost importance.
The crowd included letter carriers, pipe fitters, electrical workers, firefighters, service industry workers—all who clearly appreciated Richardson’s sense of humor, ease with the audience and frankness when asked pointed questions. In turn, Richardson thanked the crowd for giving up their personal time to listen to his ideas of how to better our country.
Previous town hall forums have included Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (N.Y.), Sen. Joe Biden (Del.), Sen. Chris Dodd (Conn.), former Sen. John Edwards (N.C.) and Sen. Barack Obama (Ill.). There is an upcoming town hall July 21 in Columbus, Ohio, with Rep. Dennis Kucinich (Ohio).
Find out more about all the candidates, and get easy access to video clips, polling, the latest political news from blogs around the country and more at the new AFL-CIO Working Families Vote 2008 website.
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ONE NEW MEXICAN ASKS AFL-CIO MEMBERS TO CLOSELY EXAMINE BILL RICHARDSON’S EXCELLENT FOREIGN POLICIES
I am so glad to see many websites are strongly warming to Richardson’s campaign. He is my governor, and I have known him personally for 30 years. What Richardson has achieved vis-a-vis the New Mexico Legislature is remarkable, but I won’t recite the accomplishments. I do want to see him President, but I am in no way connected officially to his campaign.
The so called “top-tier” candidates together, all 3 of them, have a
collective resume still lesser in quality to Bill Richardson’s! I am certain that Richardson’s real genius and his strongest suit is in international affairs, and that will be vital (and I don’t mean as just a future US Secretary of State!), if we are going to even attempt to rebuild the shattered US image internationally, after six years of Halliburton-driven corporate kleptocracy. His debate skills have not been as honed and polished as the 3 lawyers in so-called “top tier,” but that is fixable. His biography is great (Between Worlds: the Making of an American Life), and the new book on Energy Policy will be just as good.
Here is what I consider the bottom line: you don’t have to be a Marxian or Hegelian or a Ph.D Economist to comprehend that our domestic economy is suffering and going to get worse resulting from the on-going international implications of the screwed up foreign policy of this administration, so thoroughly based on corporate needs and demands; as long as we continue to
see appointments like Bush’s trade negotiator Zoelick made over into President of the World Bank to replace “Wolfiewits,” don’t expect ANY major improvements in the last two years of Bush’s tenure, especially in the trickle down economic realms which would improve the lives of individual American consumers.
Richardson has repeatedly made it clear that Congress could deauthorize the Iraq War, and that he personally would end it the first day of his Presidency.
My prediction: Richardson is going to win in Nevada, and he is going to do very very well in Iowa, New Hampshire, and California, I think winning in at least one more of those states. May I suggest that you and your readers directly communicate to David Contarino and Amanda Cooper, his Campaign Manager, and Deputy CM, or to Richardson directly through the email function on his NM governor website? These people are very open to new ideas, questions, strategies, insights, etc., and I encourage anyone reading to take the time to contact them by phone or by email, even if you have just one question on a policy matter, or want to tell Bill Richardson what YOU think.
If my comments ring true, please take the time to google my latest major article, RESOLVING THE WORSENING CRISIS AT THE FDA.
Truly,
Stephen Fox
New Millennium Fine Art, Santa Fe, New Mexico