I hope I'm still welcome

As I have looked at my actions of a week ago, I must apologize and
explain. I firmly believe, with all my heart and soul, that this
administration is the most corrupt, evil, deceitful and calculatingly destructive group of people this country has ever
placed in such positions of power.

As a union official, with the livelihoods of hundreds of hard working men and women in my hands, I have seen the devastation this group has caused us. My anger at posts which claimed that "Kerry and Bush are no different" and others that actually linked Nader messages, caused me great anger and distress. Perhaps my passion clouded my judgment, for this I'm deeply sorry.

I originally was no Kerry supporter. I disagreed with his positions on NAFTA and the the WTO. Gephart's positions are closer to my own. But my man is out.

As I said, I am a Union guy that deals with layoffs, health insurance problems, reduced schedules, and anxiety over job security all day long. I have looked into the eyes of workers who has lost their jobs after 10 years. I see the pain in the faces of workers who cannot afford the payroll deduction for health care any longer, because it has doubled. I deal with a sympathetic management that shows me in detail how hard it is to compete in the marketplace with today's rules and prices. I know it is hard for a Union company to compete against non-union businesses. The Federal Government continues to put laws in place making it harder to create and sustain a Union environment, which is the only way to preserve a living wage and benefits for the average worker in America.

Like I said, Gephart was my guy. But now I don't care about the ticket, we have to join together to defeat these Bastards, no matter what it takes. No third party that siphons votes from this cause should be considered. I'm for Kerry, because he is the ONLY candidate that can defeat Bush. We may discuss who will be the V.P. choice, and have an opinion on how this can strengthen our cause, but if you can't see the difference between Kerry and Bush, you are naive or misinformed. I, for one, signed on long ago to the
position that Bush must lose. I am more convinced now than ever
before. I don't care what you think of Kerry, this is not about him,
or Nader, or me or you. This election is about America's future, and
how bleak it will be if Bush is allowed to steal another election.

:spank:

I am in no position to comment on your comments. But this I know I agree with:

"This election is about America's future, and how bleak it will be if Bush is allowed to steal another election."

Hi :hi:

we all have our moments of frustration and fear

we are a big tent forum, and you're apology will be accepted I'm sure. Your passion is appreciated.

Be sure to keep your members active in the fight, and we'll put the pressure on JK once he's in the white house.

Welcome back, and remember to use your "return" key to make nice legible paragraphs for old ladies like me who have trouble reading a long post of unrelieved lines of text :hi:

old lady

is that why i am more comfortable with spaces, plenty of spaces (i kept reading the same sentence over and over couldnt get my eyes to go to the lower sentence, lol)

cause i am an old lady,...............hm, grinnin

i remember you louis, welcome back

I'm sticking to it! :bounce:

(See Edited version)

hehehehehe you are funny man! :hi:

My wife is a steward for WFSE 443 here in Olympia and is on the union management team at her agency.

You are always welcome here.

lol lol lol

Tho Kerry wasnt my first (or second or third) choice in the primarys Im behind him 1000% in this campagin, and we really do need to get Bush out of there.

Hes worse news than I thought he would be when he was elected. Bush is really Reagan on steroids.

Welcome to DU.

Most of us knock heads now and then. You're okay. ;-)

I'm glad you don't care what any of us think about Kerry 'cause I can't stand the guy. I absolutely loathe him -- as I've said before, in precisely the same way that I loathe Bush, different only in degree. And yeah, I'll probably vote for him, but it will be the hardest thing, requiring the most willpower, of anything I can remember ever doing.

Wish his Presidency would mean good things for unions, but I think that's doubtful, as you already know I imagine. I think he'll be an absolutely dreadful President but even so, yes, better than Bush.

And am making notes of what works and doesn't work in my anti-Bush activism because I know the battle begins anew once Kerry is in the WH.

between Bush and Gore made famous by the self important ego mainac in 2000 was ridiculous then. The statement now that there is no difference between Bush and Kerry is equally riciculous...the big difference now is that we are in a WORLD OF HURT and CAN NOT TAKE four more years of this disgustinly corrupt administration. I am no fan of Kerry because he voted for the Iraq war resolution and I believe he did that for political purposes only because he knew he was running for President - he had to know in his heart of hearts that it was wrong - and for that I have lost a great deal of respect for him....BUT - he is the ONLY ONE who can beat Bush and that man has to go.

I didn't see your post last week, but believe me I feel your pain. And I would just like to say to all the Nader supporters in the crowd, I hope to God you worked your butts off for Dennis Kucinich who must be just as good on the issues for you as Nader and had the decency to work within the system - if I heard one more person say I love Dennis but he can't win I was going to puke, Nader can't win - what we should concentrate on instead of a third party is for the left wing of the Democratic party to take our party back - but before we do that we have to take our country back or there won't be a country left.....

...but Im also a loyal Democrat, and will be supporting Kerry.

;-)

I think Kerry might be a hell of a president, better than Clinton. If he can get us out of this mess.

I too hold out hope for Kerry. He has some strength. However, there is so much, so much, for him to overcome, in terms of favors owed and compromise. Even if he were what we wanted, I think we will be disappointed with the result. However, I would be ecstatic, if he only tries. I hope.

My mom worked for the AFL-CIO for years. She went around North Georgia organizing. She was a little union firebrand and her name was well known throughout the area. So you can well imagine how thrilled manangement was to see her.

I went to work for the AFL-CIO in the summer of 1983. I was an intern for a lady named Sylvia Katz (may she rest in peace). I learned a lot.


I want Bush gone too. I just don't cotton to the notion that a 3rd party is bad for the country. If the needs of the people were being met by 2 parties, people wouldn't be looking for alternatives. So really, democrats/liberals, looking at a third party could be a sign that something isn't right internally within the Democratic party itself. I think it's well worth considering instead of getting angry at those who seek answers.

We are all in this together. Everything Bush Inc has done and will do hurts us all. It is about America's future, as you said.

Welcome Back!!!!!!

Solly

thanks so much, but double spacing isn't necessary, just give us a paragraph break every few lines.... But Seabeyond and I thank you

:evilgrin: :bounce:

That's what's missing. AP and I don't agree on anything. AP for President. Fine with me. It's for the greater good. Bush must go.

I've been at Camp Wellstone all weekend, and one of the messages I remember hearing from a couple different people is that your local races have more direct impact on your life than the presidential races do.

Who are your state legislative reps? Are they doing their jobs? Are there any solid progressives running in local races who need a helping hand? Who's the worst, most reactionary local Repub? If s/he's up for re-election, get involved in her/his opponent's campaign.

As Tip O'Neill said, "all politics is local". Sure, national races are more glamorous, but most government policy is decided at the state and county level-- and there's a lot of work to be done!

:hi:

I started in local politics. My Cong. is Capuano, who now holds the Cong. seat once held by John Kennedy, then Tip O'Neil and Joe Kennedy. As a Union Rep. , I spend one day a week at the State House, so I know what you mean. As local as all politics is, every generation has a Crossroad Presidential Election that changes the face of our country. I don't know how good a President Kerry will make. In fact, no one knows, one can only speculate. However, Bush needs no such speculation,. We know he sucks.

or else we'll get stuck there. Nader has limited support nationally and we're just going to have to deal with it. It's up to the pragmatists to see that * loses in November.

That when you reach an impasse (like this election), the cause demands unity. Once there is a "call to arms", like a strike, we have a word for those who try to break that unity, it's called a scab. But please don't get me started, that's how I got in trouble here before.

United Mine Workers (UMW)

My profession has a lobbying group but not exactly a union. We did go public with support for Kerry though.

I agree with another poster that Kerry voted for the IRW for political reasons and the world of hurt you see in union workers eyes, I see in the eyes of soldiers and Iraqi citizens.

The actions of Kerry, Gephardt and a lot of other democrats have changed my politics. I have no use for Nader, but I have no use for DLC/bluedog democrats either or the kinds of democrats like Kerry who will cater to their aggenda just to win a race. It is not a matter of right and left, it is a matter of right and wrong.

I am still a democrat. The party is our best hope to make change. If the people involved in third parties would work with-in the system they could be a massive force for change..... but they won't so they aren't.

So first we get rid of bush and then we get rid of Kerry and we demand more of our elected officials than simply that they win a race and have a D after their name.

Hopefully moderates in the republican party will do the same and bring some sanity back to their politics. The people they have allowed to take charge are freaking insane.

Why do people still cry about others who have different opinions?
Preaching to the choir is a total waste of energy and time.
I am surprised at the absolute lack of discussion here, because so far its just everyone screaming "I'm right and you are wrong."
When do we start talking about holding our candidate accountable and have plans to accomplish our goals?

I'm a union member. Anyone who thinks that the Bush and Kerry positions on labor are the same isn't listening. You will always be welcome here, and any labor information you post will be greatly appreciated. I am already grateful for the rights I enjoy as a result of working people who fought for them years ago. We have safe working environments, health care, forty hour work weeks, and paid vacations because of them. Some of them died in the struggle. These rights will be gone if * wins. It's as simple as that.