I apologize for the shortness of this diary, but I don't have a lot of information yet -- I'll try to flesh it out as the day goes on.
My spouse of 16+ years is a union member -- to be specific, the Amalgamated Transitworkers Union (ATU). This union represents folks out on the front lines of the public transit industry, from bus drivers (like my husband), BART train operators, mechanics, etc. We're extremely pleased with the union, especially the local leadership; on a personal note, they put in a lot of work to save my spouse's ass and get his job back early this year after he'd been fired because he couldn't get his blood pressure down fast enough to satisfy DMV regs (long story there).
A few minutes ago, I was sitting here on the couch with the laptop, watching ESPN and playing some computer games and trying to gear myself up to go pack for a short getaway this week, when the phone rang. Looking at the time, I figured it was an automated call from our pharmacy saying that a prescription is ready so I didn't bother getting up.
Instead, it was an automated call from the union -- stating that ATU is endorsing Hillary Clinton.
Now, this isn't a Hillary-backing or bashing diary. I personally am leaning towards John Edwards because I feel the most confident in his ability to get this country out of the shithole that Bush and his cronies have put it in over the last almost 7 years. Plus, I feel that it's going to be important to have strong leadership in Congress, particularly in the Senate, and would prefer that both Clinton and Obama remain there to help rebuild the Constitutional rights that have been stolen in the name of the "War on Terror".
The recording mentioned that in the coming days, a letter will be going out stating the reasons why the ATU is endorsing Clinton. Although the spouse and I are loyal union members, we do have a mind of our own -- we don't blindly follow the union line or anyone else's, but vote according to our consciences and our analysis of the individual candidate's stands on the issues. I'm going to be away from home for a few days, but I'll make sure that the spouse hangs on to the letter when it arrives...and I will look at their reasoning for supporting Clinton and decide if I think their reasons work enough for me to change my mind.
I am personally a bit troubled...but I promise to give them (and Clinton) a fair hearing...
LINK: ATU website (no info yet, but for anyone interested)