Posted on October 30, 2006

This weekend, torrential downpours and gusting winds didn't deter union member activists in New England from knocking on doors to talk about candidates who would bring new energy and ideas to their states.

In Connecticut, they are supporting John DeStefano, Chris Murphy and Ned Lamont –  the candidate with the courage to step up and call Joe Lieberman out. In Rhode Island, anti-union Governor Carcieri vetoed legislation that would have allowed child care providers to unite to win training and improvements for the children in their care, so members from CtW and the AFL-CIO unions are working together to send Charlie Fogarty to Providence.

These races are all tight and every get-out-the-vote effort counts. The one good thing about door knocking in a rainstorm is that most union members are home allowing more time to listen about the issues on their minds.

Northeasterners are concerned about the cost of a deadly war in Iraq, and how it is diverting attention from issues here at home. I heard from Democrats, Independents, and Republicans, but all were united in their hopes and concern for their children and their country. They worry - how am I going to support my family? Pay the medical bills? Afford child care? Save for retirement?

I’m making several stops in the Midwest this week. I’ll bet I’ll hear the same economic issues in that part of the country, too, because there are no red states or blue states in working America. There is only a state of concern, of fear for the future and hope that things can be made better.

In an earlier post I mentioned Change to Win surveyed workers and found that more than 80 percent said that no matter what you hear about the economy, working families are falling behind. The same number expect their kids will be no better off than they are. And half believe the next generation will be worse off.

But here’s the good news: The majority still believe the American Dream is attainable, and they are united in their belief that they can take action—and, help make change.

That’s why Members from CtW unions devoting their time, energy, and hard-earned dollars to build a pro-worker majority at all levels of government to help restore the American Dream – a paycheck that supports a family, affordable health care, a secure retirement and most of all, a better life for our kids.

Workers are looking for new leadership who will help enact real solutions; their biggest worries, like health care, must be fixed by government -- the marketplace just can't do it on its own. And in many places their voices are being heard! When I was in Quincy this weekend, activists were excited about the double-digit lead that Deval Patrick has over Kerry Healey. Looks like Massachusetts will be served by a pro-worker governor again. And in Concord, union members are being the difference they want to see, by running for office themselves!

By utilizing their organizing power to help mobilize for Congressional candidates and down-ticket races in their communities – and everything in between – union members from CtW affiliates are working day and night to help bring change at home, in Washington, and for all of working America.

It’s time for an elected leadership that once again governs in the interest of Main Street, not just K Street and Wall Street. It’s not too late to get informed, get involved and help make CHANGE.