Labor Day-- More Than Just A Day Off

I like how progressive Democrat David Gill re-did his Facebook page today in honor of Labor Day. Any Democrat who isn't running on the issues that impact the lives of working families that Gill brings up, shouldn't be running... at least not as a Democrat. David's Labor Day greeting was a quote from Martin Luther King, Jr.: “History is a great teacher. Now everyone knows that the labor movement did not diminish the strength of the nation but enlarged it. By raising the living standards of millions, labor miraculously created a market for industry and lifted the whole nation to undreamed of levels of production. Those who attack labor forget these simple truths, but history remembers them.” Yes, organized labor, along with businessmen and women and politicians who weren't obstructing progress, built our country. Now conservatives and their greed-driven selfish financiers are trying to destroy it. And they have two well-paid notorious Wall Street whores, Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan to be the smiley faces behind the steel glove. Although, I should note, that Leo Gerard, President United Steelworkers, the best of American unions, won't take any of their crap. He had a pleasant message to his members today... and some plans to get the country back on the right track.

Another Blue America candidate, West Virginia's Sue Thorn emphasizes these issues every day she's campaigning and today, before setting off for a number of union-oriented events around the district she sent out this tweet:


Her multimillionaire right-wing opponent, David McKinley tries to make a case that she doesn't support coal mining. But he only backs the mine owners-- who finance him lavishly-- and she supports the men and women who work in the coal mining industry. So who really supports coal and who doesn't? Public News Service took a look last week:

Federal records show one of Congressman David McKinley's largest campaign donors is Murray Energy, the mine company owned by Robert Murray. Mine safety experts say Murray was directly responsible for the deaths of nine miners at Crandall Canyon in Utah in 2007, and McKinley's opponent says the congressman should return Murray's money.

Sue Thorn says McKinley let Murray host a fundraiser for him this spring, despite the mining company having one of the worst safety records in the industry. She says McKinley calls himself a friend of miners, but votes to block black-lung disease protections and better safety rules.

"He is voting with the people who are giving him money, people like Don Blankenship and Robert Murray. To pretend that he is somehow caring about coal miners is very hypocritical."

Despite multiple phone calls and e-mails, including written questions submitted to his office, McKinley has refused to comment.

According to the Mine Safety and Health Administration, the roof at Murray's Crandall Canyon mine collapsed because the company was removing supporting pillars to get at the remaining coal.

The former head of the National Mine Safety and Health Academy says Robert Murray personally chose what was known to be an unsafe practice. Jack Spadaro calls Murray's actions a "principal cause" of the accident that killed six miners and three of the rescue workers who went in after them.

"You'll see Bob Murray's hand in the events that led up to the mine disaster that resulted in the deaths of nine miners."

Until the Upper Big Branch disaster in West Virginia in April 2010, Crandall Canyon had resulted in the largest-ever MSHA fines. But Spadaro says Murray has a history of using his political influence to help him cut corners. Murray did not return a call requesting comment.

McKinley has a full-size poster of a coal miner in his office and tells visitors he's in Washington to represent miners like that one. To Spadaro, it's hypocrisy.

"There's no question about that, he's a hypocrite. He may say that and have that poster in his office, but he hasn't done anything to further the interests of miners and to make their workplace safe."

Labor Day greetings from an anti-working family asshole

Due north of Sue's Appalachian district is another mountainous resource extraction area where a progressive woman is facing off against a far right multimillionaire freshman. This time, we're talking about PA-03 where Missa Eaton (D) is facing Mike Kelly (R), who's wife is an heir to the Phillips Petroleum fortune. Kelly is an anti-union fanatic. Missa, supports the legitimate aspirations of working families and, of course, unions. Like every Democrat and every thinking American, she understands exactly who built this country. This was her Labor Day message:

Today is the 118th time our country has officially celebrated Labor Day as a federal holiday. As we enjoy this day of rest and commemorate it with picnics and parades, let us also thank the men and women who have helped build this great nation into the economic leader it is.

Through hard work, sweat, and even blood, the American workforce produced our Industrial Revolution. This same amazing workforce built the planes, tanks, and ships to arm and protect our nation in numerous wars. And today, this American work ethos lives on in our workers as they continue to make our country a leader in the new, global economy.

My parents instilled a strong work ethic in me that I carry with me every day. They worked hard and they worked with their hands. Because of the values they taught me, I am ready to roll up my sleeves and get to work for the people of Pennsylvania’s Third District.

I am proud to have the support of many labor groups, including: Teamsters Joint Council 40, Teamsters Local 261, Teamsters Local 397, United Steel Workers, United Auto Workers, Utility Workers of America Union, United Mine Workers, Iron Workers Local 3, United Association of Plumbers and Steamfitters, Service Employees International Union, Communications Workers of America, Union of Electrical and Radio Workers, United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Sheet Metal Workers Local 33, AFSCME Council 85, and the National Education Association.

Enjoy your Labor Day

A jog west and we get to MI-11 in the Detroit suburbs, the open red seat Taj Syed is turning blue. Taj is a successful physician. His patients, though, to whom he's dedicated his life, are mostly working families. He's running for them. "Here in Detroit," he told his supporters today, "our shared history in the Labor Movement carries a special meaning for Labor Day as we are acutely aware of the struggles and sacrifice that workers have made to build a strong middle class and more just society."

Union leadership and workers advocated and fought for civil rights, equal pay for equal work, safe working conditions, decent wages and benefits, the promise of a secure retirement through Medicare and Social Security, and enhanced opportunities for all who put in a fair days work. This work and sacrifice has had a powerful impact in leading efforts for building a middle class across the state and nation that continues today.

Today, we also celebrate the labor movements’ ability to adapt, innovate and advance the causes of the American worker and American Auto Industry. Our workers right here in this great area demonstrate every day that given the opportunity our workers are the best in the world and possess the skills and determination necessary to lead the world in producing exceptional vehicles-- competing globally and leading the auto industry world wide.

Union members across our district and economy deserve a special thank you this labor day-– from the police and firefighters protecting our community to the teachers educating our youth, the tradesmen building a 21st century infrastructure and the nurses caring for those in need.

That’s why this Labor Day, I vow to keep up the fight for working middle class families across Greater Detroit, and the nation.Together as one, we can protect the jobs, wages and rights that made this country the strongest nation in the world.

I wish you and your family a relaxing and hopeful Labor Day

So does DWT! And we hope youl enjoy every weekend-- while you still can. Oh... and Red Smear... from Iowa: