This convention has been incredible. Thursday I toured a steel plant and saw molten iron throwing sparks as it was being poured from container to container. I talked with some steelworkers, wore their boots and safety gear and learned how one of America's most advanced steel plants operates. Yesterday, (Friday) I went over to PNC Park – the Pirates home stadium. I took batting practice, hit and shagged some fly balls and had a great dinner. Today I just finished enjoying a box lunch while sitting with Digby and listening to Kevin Drum and Dean Baker talk economics.
I’ve been thinking a lot about how much has been given. How much I’ve enjoyed...
And who has provided so much: the unions.
And then I took the last mental step and realized that, ultimately, it was the union members who gave us so much here... the steelworkers I met... the folks that make our cars... other hard-working, salt-of-the-earth union members who give up a portion of each paycheck to union dues.
Those folks gave, I enjoyed.
And for that, I want to say thank you. Sincerely, thank you. (more)
More than that, I want you folks to know that I appreciate you for more than making it possible for me to take batting practice at PNC Park.
I appreciate you for sounding the alarm about an economy that doesn’t produce anything anymore. I appreciate you for demonstrating so conclusively how organized labor brings stability to communities. I appreciate you for holding so many of the same values dear that I do... things like decent wages, safe work spaces, a clean environment, and basic human rights like health care for everyone.
I wasn't always this way. Not too long ago, I bought a Toyota. Before that, a Subaru.
Never again.
When I ship, I won't be using FedEx anymore.
Whole Foods can kiss my ass. I'm pretty happy with Safeway.
I don't know the name of every union shop for every product or service I use, but I'm going to make it my business to learn.
Finally, I want to sign off with this: Let’s continue working together. I love you and everything you stand for. If there is anything I can ever do to help you push your agenda, call me first. This is the kind of service I am more than happy to volunteer for.
Thank you. Thank you. And... Thank you.