Election 2012 Is Coming

Yes, it’s true. Election 2012 is coming whether we like it or not. Illinois has pushed its primary back to March but Florida wants to move its primary to January so that Florida, a swing state, can have more influence in the primary selection of presidential candidates.

If you haven’t watched the Republican Presidential Debates yet, please take the time to watch at least one so that you can see the candidates in action and form you own opinion about them and not depend on the networks' opinions. This summer when I couldn’t find anything on television but reruns, I watched one of the Republican debates. I found myself talking back to the television when I disagreed with the candidates—that was most of the time. But it was interesting to watch and learn their views on the issues.

I noticed the fact that all of the debaters and, I find, a lot of speakers when asked a question always cut short the answer and get back to talking about their own agenda. Watch the debates and I think you will see this. Watch other interviews and you will see this new technique. I am sure that this is because of sound bites being picked up by news programs. However, it prevents the public from getting the real background for the candidates’ positions.

Republicans Accuse Obama of Starting Class Warfare to Take Support Away from JOBS PLAN

When President Obama went before a joint session of Congress to present his jobs plan, the biggest Republican reaction was that Obama was starting class warfare. How can they accuse him of that when even Warren Buffett, one of the country’s richest persons, has supported what is now known as the "Buffett Rule," which would require the wealthiest Americans to pay a tax rate at least as high as the middle class.

Their ploy takes away from the important purpose of the Jobs Plan which would put our country back to work, improve our infrastructure — roads and schools, to name a few-and provide more money for education. As teachers and educational workers, we must speak out and support this program. You can help get the Jobs Plan passed in Congress by letting your Senators and Representatives know that you want them to support the Jobs Plan. Click here to send a message today.

Debate and Compromise

I am sure you followed the debate over raising the federal debt limit this summer. Remember the shutdown of the FAA and related services because a consensus could not be reached. People were put out of work-furloughed- and airport construction was delayed or stopped, and ticket taxes were not collected by the government. Another FAA shutdown was barely avoided in September.

Both sides, Republicans and Democrats, must remember that there is a time for debate and there is a time for compromise. One side-the Republicans- cannot continue to hold the country hostage so they can get their way. The Tea Party members have to respect the fact that there are other views and they need to compromise. Compromises do not mean sellouts. Compromise is what unions and others do when we negotiate contracts. One side doesn’t and shouldn’t take it all.
In unity,

Kathy Setlak

October Update