by Jerry Messer, President, Quad City Federation of Labor

Every election, you hear from folks that this is the most important election in history. And every election this is true because right-wing politicians like Governor Branstad keep giving us reasons to say so.

Make no mistake about the consequences of the November 6th Election. If we lose the Senate, Governor Branstad will immediately push through a bill that would destroy public sector unions in Iowa. Without the public sector the private sector unions will be isolated and become easier targets. But much more than worker’s rights are at stake in this election:

THE FOLLOWING POINTS CANNOT BE STATED STRONG ENOUGH:

• Children’s access to universal pre-school is threatened.

•  Ensuring that all eligible Iowans have access to vote is under attack

•  Adequate staffing and compensation for public safety workers is at risk

•  Iowa’s crumbling infrastructure will be neglected

Workforce Development Offices will be watered down leaving Iowa’s unemployed with few resources to help them find work

These are not vain threats to get you to vote for our candidates. Governor Branstad and Republican Majority in the House already passed legislation that would harm working people in Iowa. Fortunately it  was blocked in the Senate—which is why we must support our majority by winning on November 6th.

Your vote is your choice, but the Quad City Federation of Labor strongly recommends that you support our endorsed candidates.

We take our endorsement process very seriously. Every candidate we endorse fills out a candidate questionnaire that reveals the positions they would take on issues concerning working people.

Our endorsed candidates from President to Auditor have all pledged to support working Americans who make up the 99%, not the 1%. They will put the interests of children, the disabled and other vulnerable Iowans above that of rich bankers and corporations—which, regardless of what the Supreme Court has said—ARE NOT PEOPLE. Our candidates value hard work over elite power.

http://quadcityfed.wordpress.com/2012/10/01/iowa-endorsed-candidates/

Please join us on Saturday, October 6, 2012, as we canvas Scott County union households to get out the vote for our endorsed candidates.

When: 10:30 meet
On doors 11 am – 2pm
Where: UFCW 431 Hall: 1401 W. 3rd Street, Davenport, Iowa
INFO: 563-324-9414

• Collect ABRs
• Make phone calls
• ID Voters
• Knock on Labor Households
• Help our endorsed candidates WIN!
• Repeat

“The issue today is the same as it has been throughout all history, whether man shall be allowed to govern himself or be ruled by a small elite.”    -Thomas Jefferson