(This is the seventh diary in a 24-hour fundraiser for Gilda Reed, Democratic Candidate for Katrina-Burdened LA-01.)
It's a tough primary season out there isn't it.
Much has changed since December, when my fellow Edwards supporters and I held strong hope for a progressive president with an ear for the poor and disenfranchised. Like me, many of them probably don't know what to say in vicious Obama v. Clinton diaries, and are tired of such arguments filling DailyKos to the brim. Until recently I wasn't sure what to contribute to this conversation. Every few minutes another battleground diary is posted, and the partisans go to wage their flame wars. That's when I saw a link to the website of Gilda Reed in the comments section of one of my diaries.
After a few minutes on her web site I knew I had found a true John Edwards Democrat and that there was something valuable for Edwards supporters to do here after all:
Fight for a progressive Congress
My first experience of the Labor movement as a child came when our local UAW organized a strike. I still remember the picket lines and the sign waving strikers outside the automotive supply plant that granted our community its prosperity. Growing up in Saline, a small suburban town in Southeastern Michigan, the UAW was a foundation of our community. While the corporate logo on our automotive plant changed several times over the years, the workers were still there just the same, and so was the union. No other organization represented more families in Saline than Local UAW 892.
It was in the sprawling pavement of the industrial Midwest, and amongst the factories in suburbs of Detroit that I learned my appreciation for the American worker. When our union would strike you could feel the tension throughout the community. The workers were putting their jobs on the line. They weren't going to work until they were sure they would be fairly treated, and there was always talk of a standoff between the corporation and the workers. Yet always, somehow, the issues would be hammered out and the strike would end with the workers satisfied. The quality of life in Saline remained very high, and all of our neighbors could afford nice homes, two cars, and some concept of the American Dream.
If any one thing can empower the working class it is this: The Right to Organize.
What gave these workers the power to demand fair wages and decent benefits? It was their organization, the union that represented them and fought for them every day. This is why the one issue that is most important to me in my political life is the treatment of unions. John Edwards captured my support by speaking out strongly for the working class, and vowing to stand with them against the power of big money. He told us we need a government and a congress that works for all Americans, not just the wealthy and powerful. He stood with striking writers while Republicans crossed their picket lines for political opportunity.
When John launched his campaign from the 9th ward of New Orleans he told us that the forgotten struggles of the Gulf Coast hurricane victims were a tragic failure of our government to address poverty in America. Now we have an opportunity to bring a progressive, pro-labor candidate to the people of southern Louisiana. I first knew I liked Gilda Reed when I read on her website that of the seven issues she highlights in her campaign, both union support and congressional ethics make the list. Like John, she is committed to the American working class and to fighting big money corruption in Washington. In her own words:
"I support the work of unions. Labor unions are our first line of defense for worker’s rights. Unions strengthen America’s middle class and are vital to America. My husband was a union man for many years and served as a union officer. Neither of us would ever consider crossing a picket line.
Unions are the protective forces which have gained salary increases and health benefits for countless workers. They have fought to raise the minimum wage and to have equal pay for equal work. They have fought for safe working conditions and for protection of pensions and retirement security. They have fought for the right to organize and expand health care benefits. Unions help more than just the employee members because other employers are forced to match the wages won by union negotiations."
Building a future for American workers in Louisiana goes hand in hand with another important goal: bringing more populist voices to Washington. Gilda Reed has come out in strong support of the Employee Free Choice act which will empower workers around the country to exercise their right to organize. Unfortunately this bill faces strong opposition from anti-Labor forces in Congress. With more voices like hers, standing up for the working class, Congress will be able to pass this important legislation that benefits many Americans.
We need more John Edwards Democrats to fight for us in Congress, and in the First Congressional District of Louisiana:
Please help Gilda turn this district blue! Donate
Or for those who would rather mail in their donation:
Gilda Reed for Congress
P.O. Box 73186
Metairie, LA 70033-3186
Rebuilding Louisiana: Gilda Reed 24-Hour Online Fundraiser
Help us support Kossack Candidate Gilda Reed for Congress in Louisiana's 1st District! She's running in a special election to fill the seat vacated by Bobby Jindal. We'll be posting diaries about Gilda for the next 24 hours to raise support and bring attention to her candidacy. Please join us and learn more about this great Democratic candidate!
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