|
President's Page
Email Me
It's Only The Beginning
Dear Sisters and Brothers,
As
predicted, we finally have a National Health Plan, and the sky did not
fall. It's far from the health plan that we need, but at least the door is
open to real health plan reform. Reform that will guarantee decent care to
everyone, especially the most vulnerable among us. It is the beginning of
the end of insurance companies canceling policies on sick people, and
denying coverage based on pre-existing conditions. It is just the
beginning, but it goes a long way toward health care for all. Not a single
republican voted for this, only because they wanted our president to fail.
Their tactics failed, giving other pieces of legislation new life. Now,
financial/bank reform is on the way. Our president is doing the job we
asked him to do.
The bail-out
of the auto industry that was criticized by so many on the other side of
the aisle has also proved quite successful. GM has paid us back 5 years
early, with interest. They've put a quarter of a million American auto
workers back on the job, a true blessing in this economy. I'm not sure
where we stand with Chrysler, but that deal doesn't appear to be too
promising. Hopefully we will one day recoup some of that loss.
On to House
Resolution 173. This resolution is to maintain 6 day delivery by the U.S.
Postal Service. It has 100 sponsors, but so far only Barney Frank and Jim
McGovern have signed on as co-sponsors. I have corresponded with Niki
Tsongas and Richard Neal. Brother Donnie Sheehan spoke with Stephen Lynch
just this morning. We need every one of our members to contact their
Congressman and let them know how critical this resolution is to us, and
the impact 5 day delivery could have on universal service.
On a
brighter note, next week will mark the first New England States joint
Convention in Newport R.I. It will be attended by many national officers,
including National President Bill Burrus, and National Secretary Treasurer
Elizabeth "Liz" Powell. Hopefully this will be the start of a great new
tradition of solidarity and cooperation between the New England States. I
hope to see many of you there.
In Solidarity,
Art MacNeil
|
