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Union Members Must Make Voices Heard in Health Care Debate
Last night, John Durso, president of the Long Island Federation of Labor, attended a health care reform town hall meeting held by Rep. Tim Bishop (D-N.Y.). Like many around the nation, it became quite contentious. Here’s the e-mail Durso sent to the members of his local union, RWDSU/UFCW Local 338, describing the meeting and the need for union members to take political action.
Last night I, along with many of our staff, attended a town hall meeting in Brookhaven hosted by Congressman Tim Bishop. There were 800 people inside and 500 people outside—quite a turnout. As most of you have seen or read, it is a hot topic and one that brings out strong feelings on both sides.
What truly troubles me is the lack of manners, the hatred and the misinformation that was spread on this subject. There was at least one shoving match, a near fight and because I did not live in the district and let that be known. I was shouted down, quite a disruption developed and Tim had to ask me to yield the floor. One guy wanted to fight, to which I asked him to step up but he chose not to join me at the microphone. It was quite a night; very interesting. Tim Bishop showed nothing but class and grace under very uncomfortable conditions.
OK, so why am I telling all of you this story? Well, I think it is interesting, but it underscores why we need to be involved in the political process, these people who were screaming and carrying on did not want to talk. They wanted to disrupt. They were told the truth and still refused to listen. They were shown the passages in the bill and it showed them that their information was wrong and still they would not listen.
If we are not engaged in the process, the crazies and the radicals win. If we do not get our people registered to vote and get our people to sign up for [political action], we concede this fight and all our fights to others who wish us harm. We are in a fight for the future of our nation and for the generations that come after us. It is our job, our mission, our destiny to fight and protect the less fortunate then ourselves. It is our duty to be involved and to speak for those who have no voice. It is our country and we must protect it, we need everyone to get involved.
We need our members registered to vote and to sign up for [political action]. I am counting on all of you. Don’t let me, our members and yourselves down.
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