Editorial

One thing I have admired about working in a union shop through my lifetime is the fact that the union represents all people. When privileged enough to become President of this Local, I highlighted those feelings in my first Presidents report stating: that "no matter how long I'm elected it will always be my mission to offer a true union program that offers unconditional acceptance to all." In other words it doesn't matter to me what your heritage, color, sex or creed is...nor does it matter if your Democrat or Republican, pro-gun or anti-gun and the list goes on. What does matter is that I as your rep represent you.
What strikes me odd is that Politicians at all levels are in a similar business as I that being representing people...but yet for some attacking certain groups does not seem to phase them...Last month Congressman McCotter refused to meet Whit UAW delegates in Washington after an appointment was made and while he was in his office but was allegedly too busy.
Of course as you may have guessed Governor Snyder's Budget that was released today is the source of my disdain and confusion tonight...After thinking about this all day...we have a Governor who has in one day waged war on Senior Citizens and Retirees, public workers, Teachers, Police officers, fire fighters, Union workers and many others all in the name of saving our state...Obviously I don't agree with the current budget proposal and ask why it is OK for these politiciansto offer a solution to the whole states problems by only selecting certain groups to endure the pain of his solutions.
Now I am realistic that business needs a break...but at the expense of every worker in the state? Does it come into play that a millionaire running the state who has no worry where his next meal or money for his next tuition payment will come from is making all these decisions??
In the past years children and grandchildren have left the state in mass exodus...with this budget seniors and retirees will be next...the very people that spend money in our state...so who does that leave to flip the bill for these solutions??? People that still have a job in this beleaguered state...but these are those who for many have not received any wage increases and are being asked to pay more healthcare, more at the gas station and more at the grocery store...and now more to our state...
Where does it stop? When do the politicians offer an across the board plan that has the wealthy to the poor and labor to business owners and everyone in between sharing the sacrifice? Logic would tell you that as the unionized workforce and the de-industrialization of this country continue to occur our problems get worse...when will the politicians understand that we have to have vibrant manufacturing to have a strong economy...when that happens people work...then they send their kids to school...they shop...they eat...they go on vacation...Jobs will fix problems...not politicians who want to wage war on certain classes of people.