Well, the good news is that Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) passed the House of Representatives this afternoon by a vote of 264-157. Nearly almost all Democrats voted in favor of reauthorizing this program that helps workers who lose their jobs because of flawed trade policies pushed by multinational corporations and too many in Congress who don't get it. The new TAA program that the House Democrats drafted expands the TAA program to include service sector workers who currently don't qualify for TAA benefits even as their jobs are offshored to China, India, Central America and other countries. The Democratic plan also gets rid of the ridiculous idea that workers only lose their jobs to countries who we have signed a bad trade agreement with. We don't have trade agreements with China and India yet we lose millions of jobs to them. Democrats also provide a lot of help to workers who lose their health insurance they had when they lose their job by helping out with 85% of the jobless workers' health care cost. These are huge advances for workers.
The funny part is that all the Republican members of the MI delegation voted for this bill. This is good but the funny part is that they just admitted that bad trade policies kill the Michigan economy and Michigan workers yet these same people voted for every one of these bad agreements and support the president who pushed these agreements through Congress.
The sad part of the TAA debate is when Republican leaders claimed that the TAA bill will allow illegal immigrants to get these benefits. This is a flat out lie as the bill specifically states that only people who are lawfully here can receive the benefits. Republican leaders tried this same thing with the State Childrens' Health Insurance Bill (SCHIP) and after this vote we now know that Republicans plan on trying to destroy every social program tha thelps average people by claiming illegal immigrants will get the benefit. Don't fall for it. Illegal immigration is a problem, no doubt, but remember, it's the same flawed trade policies that these guys push through that destroy the lives of working Americans and working Mexicans that caused them to jump the border to find a way to support their families in Mexico. Also remember that this issue is born out of Bush's Brain Karl Rove.
So, when Mike Rogers and the gang come back and say "hey, look what I did for workers in Michigan" remind them of their votes on CAFTA and NAFTA then say thanks for picking me up after you whacked me over the head with that 2x4.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Friday, October 26, 2007
Sarah Anthony for Lansing School Board
A friend recently informed me that they were running for Lansing school board and I want to give a little plug for her.
Sarah Anthony is a longtime resident of Lansing and a graduate of Everett High School. Sarah has a vision for the school district that she graduated from including;
Expanding accountability for teachers, students, parents and administrators.
Increasing technology in the classroom to prepare students for a 21st century job market.
School safety: Student’s number one concern is school safety, students cannot learn in an unsafe environment.
Please check out Sarah’s website.
Sarah is currently a Legislative Assistant for Michigan State Rep. Joan Bauer. I met Sarah on the 2006 campaign trail as we both worked to get Jim Marcinkowski elected in the eighth congressional district. Jim did not make it but many of the people involved have continued the fight on behalf of Michigan. I am very excited to see Sarah continuing to stay politically involved and working to make our community stronger. Sarah is very active politically and has an endorsement list to be proud of!
Please support Sarah in any way you can!
Sarah Anthony is a longtime resident of Lansing and a graduate of Everett High School. Sarah has a vision for the school district that she graduated from including;
Expanding accountability for teachers, students, parents and administrators.
Increasing technology in the classroom to prepare students for a 21st century job market.
School safety: Student’s number one concern is school safety, students cannot learn in an unsafe environment.
Please check out Sarah’s website.
Sarah is currently a Legislative Assistant for Michigan State Rep. Joan Bauer. I met Sarah on the 2006 campaign trail as we both worked to get Jim Marcinkowski elected in the eighth congressional district. Jim did not make it but many of the people involved have continued the fight on behalf of Michigan. I am very excited to see Sarah continuing to stay politically involved and working to make our community stronger. Sarah is very active politically and has an endorsement list to be proud of!
Please support Sarah in any way you can!
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Delta Plant's 3rd Shift
The news of the Delta Township Plant’s elimination of a shift has made the news rounds locally in Lansing and throughout Michigan. It never ceases to amaze me how the corporate media cannot do their job. Effectively reporting on a local issue would have been to interview someone who actually works at the plant not some malcontent from another plant, as the LSJ did on Oct. 23, or a temporary employee like the LSJ did on Oct. 24 (I am still not linking to the LSJ).
What could the LSJ have done to better report on this news story? How about call a local dealership and ask if there is a waiting period for the vehicles that the Delta Plant builds. I made the call, it took about 45 seconds and I was given an “over 2 months” waiting period for the Buick Enclave. I did not call the GMC dealership or the Saturn Dealership to check on the waiting time for the GMC Acadia or the Saturn Outlook which are both also built at the Delta plant. One can only assume that with the news that Consumer Reports has added both the Acadia and the Outlook to its “newly recommended” list that sales would increase. Car and Driver gave the Enclave rave reviews, which also helped spark heavy orders for the vehicle.
With a long wait for vehicles and 3 full shifts of production trying to meet consumer demand it really makes me wonder about the logic of cutting a shift. The UAW Local 602 Shop Committee released an advisory regarding the reduction in force on 10/22/07 covering various info for Delta Plant employees. In my opinion, it is very important to read the last two paragraphs:
Not only has the Delta Plant been running three full shifts but also this Saturday will make the fourth straight of weekend production. The corporation will no doubt claim that market demand is driving this decision but we can all look at the entire picture and it should not be too difficult to see why management has made this decision. It appears that the long history of incompetent management at GM continues!
What could the LSJ have done to better report on this news story? How about call a local dealership and ask if there is a waiting period for the vehicles that the Delta Plant builds. I made the call, it took about 45 seconds and I was given an “over 2 months” waiting period for the Buick Enclave. I did not call the GMC dealership or the Saturn Dealership to check on the waiting time for the GMC Acadia or the Saturn Outlook which are both also built at the Delta plant. One can only assume that with the news that Consumer Reports has added both the Acadia and the Outlook to its “newly recommended” list that sales would increase. Car and Driver gave the Enclave rave reviews, which also helped spark heavy orders for the vehicle.
With a long wait for vehicles and 3 full shifts of production trying to meet consumer demand it really makes me wonder about the logic of cutting a shift. The UAW Local 602 Shop Committee released an advisory regarding the reduction in force on 10/22/07 covering various info for Delta Plant employees. In my opinion, it is very important to read the last two paragraphs:
It is the union’s position that this is at least in part a ploy to avoid the
hiring obligation outlined in the 2007 National Agreement.
It is
also our position that if the reduction in force is indeed volume-related, there
is no justification for overtime work in the production arena except to make up
vehicles lost to schedule due to breakdown.
Not only has the Delta Plant been running three full shifts but also this Saturday will make the fourth straight of weekend production. The corporation will no doubt claim that market demand is driving this decision but we can all look at the entire picture and it should not be too difficult to see why management has made this decision. It appears that the long history of incompetent management at GM continues!
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Michigan Representative Hits the Big Time!!
So you think you’re Michigan Republican Congressperson is crazy, take a look at Joe Knollenberg’s chief of staff losing his freakin’ mind on camera the other day. Knollenberg’s Chief of Staff, Trent Wisecup, then decided to actually list things that were UN-American in a letter to the Politico. I love the humorous way they present Wisecups letter showing how much of a freak he actually is. This confrontation started largely due to Knollenberg’s opposition to the S-CHIP expansion bill, which would insure poor children, USA Today has an article on Knollenberg and the Republicans here. The Democratic version of the bill would be funded by increasing the tax on cigarettes; Knollenberg has even tried to argue that raising the tax on cigarettes would increase smoking.
So let’s recap;
-Joe Knollenberg has a Chief of Staff that is losing a grip on reality and believes that he is the ultimate authority on what is and what is not “American”.
-Trent Wisecup thought that sending a letter to a national media outlet explaining what is “UN-American” was a good idea and he has a very influential position with a congressional representative.
-Logic is not the strong suit of Knollenberg. To argue that raising taxes on cigarettes would “encourage smoking” is just plain asinine!
-Wisecup does not know the man he works for very well; Joe Knollenberg has accepted campaign contributions from both R.J. Reynolds and Phillip Morris tobacco companies.
So let’s recap;
-Joe Knollenberg has a Chief of Staff that is losing a grip on reality and believes that he is the ultimate authority on what is and what is not “American”.
-Trent Wisecup thought that sending a letter to a national media outlet explaining what is “UN-American” was a good idea and he has a very influential position with a congressional representative.
-Logic is not the strong suit of Knollenberg. To argue that raising taxes on cigarettes would “encourage smoking” is just plain asinine!
-Wisecup does not know the man he works for very well; Joe Knollenberg has accepted campaign contributions from both R.J. Reynolds and Phillip Morris tobacco companies.
Monday, October 15, 2007
Not In My State!
Gov. Jennifer Granholm laid out a smack down on one of the Republicans pitiful presidential candidates this past weekend. Mitt Romney made another in a long series of ignorant statements on Saturday when he spoke out against the Governor backing a temporary tax increase. However, my girl Jenny was not about to let some second rate slime ball come into her state and talk smack!
Granholm said at a fundraiser at United Auto Workers Region 1-D headquarters. The Governor then took aim at Republicans in the state legislature that gave an exemption to golf and marina’s from the new service tax saying:
The Muskegon Chronicle has a story on the exchange between Granholm and Romney here.
"In Massachusetts, they have the third-highest income tax in the nation. I think
it's a full percentage point above ours,"
Granholm said at a fundraiser at United Auto Workers Region 1-D headquarters. The Governor then took aim at Republicans in the state legislature that gave an exemption to golf and marina’s from the new service tax saying:
"(Republicans) took golf off, while we would have put it on," she said. "They
took marinas off too. We said 'O.K., you've got to have a place for your
yachts.'"
The Muskegon Chronicle has a story on the exchange between Granholm and Romney here.
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
The NLRB Hates Unions
On Sept. 29th the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) once again did the bidding of the Bush administration with a ruling that reeks of radical right wing ideology. The board severely undermined ALL current and future union organizing with its recent ruling.
40 years of precedent was tossed aside with the NLRB’s decision to change the law as it currently stands and severely handcuff a process called voluntary recognition. Voluntary recognition, a process where employers agree to recognize a union once a majority of workers sign cards, is the quickest, most peaceful and non-disruptive method of organizing a workplace. The ruling, not surprisingly, was along party lines with the Republicans ruling in favor of anti-union interests against voluntary recognition.
While disgusted with the ruling and the complete lack of shame over Republican board members siding with anti-union interests, I was pleased with what two Democratic board members said in their dissenting opinion:
The outcome of this ruling only stresses the need for enactment of the Employee Free Choice Act. The Bush administration’s war on labor has a long history; the AFL-CIO has an entire site dedicated to specifics called “BushWatch”.
40 years of precedent was tossed aside with the NLRB’s decision to change the law as it currently stands and severely handcuff a process called voluntary recognition. Voluntary recognition, a process where employers agree to recognize a union once a majority of workers sign cards, is the quickest, most peaceful and non-disruptive method of organizing a workplace. The ruling, not surprisingly, was along party lines with the Republicans ruling in favor of anti-union interests against voluntary recognition.
While disgusted with the ruling and the complete lack of shame over Republican board members siding with anti-union interests, I was pleased with what two Democratic board members said in their dissenting opinion:
Sadly, today’s decision will surely enhance already serious disenchantment with
the [National Labor Relations] Act’s ability to protect the right of employees
to engage in collective bargaining.
The majority’s
decision…subjects the will of the majority to that of a 30 percent
minority.
Today’s decision…undercuts the process of voluntary
recognition as a legitimate mechanism for implementing employee free choice and
promoting the practice of collective bargaining. It does so at a critical
time in the history of our act, when labor unions have increasingly turned away
from the board’s election process—frustrated with its delays and the
opportunities it provides for employer coercion—and have instead sought
alternative mechanisms for establishing the right to represent employees.
The outcome of this ruling only stresses the need for enactment of the Employee Free Choice Act. The Bush administration’s war on labor has a long history; the AFL-CIO has an entire site dedicated to specifics called “BushWatch”.
Monday, October 08, 2007
Camp Wellstone
Camp Wellstone came into Lansing this past weekend and I had the pleasure of attending the Citizen Activist Track. The sessions started Friday night and continued through Sunday afternoon. I decided to attend this track in hopes of honing some skills; sustaining momentum after the election cycle, developing leaders from a talent pool and lobbying techniques. To my great pleasure all three subjects were covered very well!
One of my favorite things about the training was the knowledgeable and energetic staff; Saturday was a very long day and the trainers used a great combination of activities and energy to keep us going strong (teaching adults can be VERY hard). Guest trainers came in for the lobbying section of training (yes, an actual lobbyist) and the community involvement section (Blue Tiger Dem’s in the house!)
There was a weak point of the training that I hadn’t even noticed until after the entire program had ended. Another participant pointed out to me the lack of internet outreach and/or blog issues being covered. This is no doubt something that needs to be fixed and as progressives have proved (Dean Campaign) the internet can be an incredibly powerful tool. I was happy to learn that Laura Packard from Michigan Liberal was brought in (to the campaign track only) to cover internet outreach. I would have loved having Laura teach a segment to the citizen activist track! I will suggest that to the Wellstone people when I am next in contact with them.
Wellstone Action has a long list of training specific to different types of organizations check out the upcoming list of events.
One of my favorite things about the training was the knowledgeable and energetic staff; Saturday was a very long day and the trainers used a great combination of activities and energy to keep us going strong (teaching adults can be VERY hard). Guest trainers came in for the lobbying section of training (yes, an actual lobbyist) and the community involvement section (Blue Tiger Dem’s in the house!)
There was a weak point of the training that I hadn’t even noticed until after the entire program had ended. Another participant pointed out to me the lack of internet outreach and/or blog issues being covered. This is no doubt something that needs to be fixed and as progressives have proved (Dean Campaign) the internet can be an incredibly powerful tool. I was happy to learn that Laura Packard from Michigan Liberal was brought in (to the campaign track only) to cover internet outreach. I would have loved having Laura teach a segment to the citizen activist track! I will suggest that to the Wellstone people when I am next in contact with them.
Wellstone Action has a long list of training specific to different types of organizations check out the upcoming list of events.
Wednesday, October 03, 2007
Bush and Most Michigan Republicans Tell Kids to Take a Hike
Embarrassing. That is the only word that can describe the feeling I have with our government. President Bush vetoed the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) that passed the House and Senate by wide bipartisan margins. Unfortunately, most MI Republicans are standing arm and arm with President Bush as poor kids with broken arms are kicked off of this successful program that MI and other states rely upon.
The Senate has enough votes to override Bush's veto. The House is just short of being able to override this despicable decision by President Bush. While all MI Democrats voted to increase funding for SCHIP, MI Republicans overwhelmingly voted against it. If you believe that kids shouldn't be punished because they're poor, then the following MI congressmen need to hear from you:
Dave Camp
Tim Walberg
Mike Rogers
T McCotter
Pete Hoekstra
Joe Knollenberg
You can call the Capitol at 202-225-3121 and simply ask for their office by name and tell them they voted against kids and they need to get their priorities straight and override the veto.
Some of them are saying that this bill would allow illegal immigrants to get these benefits. that is wrong and is more of the same "scary immigrant" stuff oozing from their mouths. Even Bush's own Health Department didn't find ANY evidence of this lie when they did a study a couple years ago. Who does he listen to anyway?
Some of them say well this is a tax increase. Kind of, but only on cigarettes. As a former smoker, yes, this sucks, but as a parent and a person who walks on two legs- this is a no-brainer. Poor kids having health insurance and not running up enormous bills in emergency rooms for treatment (costing us more money than SCHIP) vs cheaper cigarettes.
When Republicans ran Congress they called Democrats obstructionists for using their right to challenge them. Today, we see these same Republicans one-upping them in petty partisan politics that definitely doesn't fit into one of their other slogans- What ever happened to compassionate conservatism? It sure isn't being practiced by this list of Congressmen.
The Senate has enough votes to override Bush's veto. The House is just short of being able to override this despicable decision by President Bush. While all MI Democrats voted to increase funding for SCHIP, MI Republicans overwhelmingly voted against it. If you believe that kids shouldn't be punished because they're poor, then the following MI congressmen need to hear from you:
Dave Camp
Tim Walberg
Mike Rogers
T McCotter
Pete Hoekstra
Joe Knollenberg
You can call the Capitol at 202-225-3121 and simply ask for their office by name and tell them they voted against kids and they need to get their priorities straight and override the veto.
Some of them are saying that this bill would allow illegal immigrants to get these benefits. that is wrong and is more of the same "scary immigrant" stuff oozing from their mouths. Even Bush's own Health Department didn't find ANY evidence of this lie when they did a study a couple years ago. Who does he listen to anyway?
Some of them say well this is a tax increase. Kind of, but only on cigarettes. As a former smoker, yes, this sucks, but as a parent and a person who walks on two legs- this is a no-brainer. Poor kids having health insurance and not running up enormous bills in emergency rooms for treatment (costing us more money than SCHIP) vs cheaper cigarettes.
When Republicans ran Congress they called Democrats obstructionists for using their right to challenge them. Today, we see these same Republicans one-upping them in petty partisan politics that definitely doesn't fit into one of their other slogans- What ever happened to compassionate conservatism? It sure isn't being practiced by this list of Congressmen.
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
Friends of Labor
During the recent UAW strike some local businesses showed their support by donating time, food and drink, and various other items or services to the local and the picket line. Local 602 has put together a list of these businesses and are urging those who support labor to support them!
Big Tony’s Pizza
Aldaco’s
Domino’s Pizza
Fazoli’s
Robert Post Coffee
Best Western-Saginaw
Famous Taco
Beaner’s Coffee
Kaechele & Wilensky
Quality Dairy (W. Saginaw & Lansing Rd.)
Mancino’s (Gr. Ledge and W. Saginaw)
Auto Body Credit Union
Tony M’s
Cottage Inn
Logan’s Roadhouse
Davis Breen & Doug PC
The Coffee Bean
City Pulse
Senator Mark Schauer (Also a candidate for the 7th congressional district ’08)
Chubby’s Chopper’s
J.C. Supreme Coiffures, Walt & James
Many of these local businesses either came out and dropped off goods unsolicited or were happy to help when asked. If you are at any of these businesses be sure to thank them for supporting their local workers and be sure to pass the word along that these folks are friends of labor!
Big Tony’s Pizza
Aldaco’s
Domino’s Pizza
Fazoli’s
Robert Post Coffee
Best Western-Saginaw
Famous Taco
Beaner’s Coffee
Kaechele & Wilensky
Quality Dairy (W. Saginaw & Lansing Rd.)
Mancino’s (Gr. Ledge and W. Saginaw)
Auto Body Credit Union
Tony M’s
Cottage Inn
Logan’s Roadhouse
Davis Breen & Doug PC
The Coffee Bean
City Pulse
Senator Mark Schauer (Also a candidate for the 7th congressional district ’08)
Chubby’s Chopper’s
J.C. Supreme Coiffures, Walt & James
Many of these local businesses either came out and dropped off goods unsolicited or were happy to help when asked. If you are at any of these businesses be sure to thank them for supporting their local workers and be sure to pass the word along that these folks are friends of labor!
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