An Open Letter On Your Endorsement of Joe Lieberman

by Staff | August 23, 2006 11:23 PM | | Comments (2)

The following letter was sent from a local activist to Bob Proto, head of both the Greater New Haven Central Labor Council and Yale’s blue-collar union, after he endorsed U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman’s reelection campaign.

Dear Bob:

I heard on NPR today and saw on Channel 8 that you and other “union leaders” endorsed Republican — sorry, Connecticut for Lieberman—candidate Joe Lieberman. This is a perfect example of why unions in the U.S. are going down the tubes.

Let’s see. Joe sided with conservative Republicans to cast a key vote to block Democrats’ attempts to defeat the anti-middle class bankruptcy bill. Bob, isn’t that just great for working people? Yup, it’s dandy. I doubt that the millions in campaign contributions he has raked in from banking, credit card and other big financial interests played a role in that.

He has voted for NAFTA and CAFTA and has never indicated any resultant agita over how these and similar corporate globalization measures are spurring a race to the bottom. Bob, isn’t that just great for working people?

He behaved like a prime weasel in voting to end the Democratic filibuster of Alito—the only real chance to stop Alito’s confirmation—and then voting against the nomination. Much, and justifiably so, has been made of the damage extremist Justices like Alito and John Roberts will do by curbing women’s reproductive rights and granting Bush unfettered Presidential power. But, in their fealty to corporate interests, they are also likely to stymie efforts to
advance labor’s agenda. Bob, isn’t that just great for working people?

Despite what you said in the soundbite I heard on NPR, Lieberman is no staunch defender of Social Security. He can’t be counted on. He voted for moves toward Social Security privatization in the 1990s and indicated some openness to the idea in early 2005 before finally falling in with the caucus (probably when—with finger perpetually to the wind—he realized it was going nowhere).

He voted to support school vouchers. So much for a commitment to the public education system.

He has not supported publicly funded campaigns. In his primary run and now as the Connecticut for Lieberman candidate, he is being inundated in special interest money from the same sectors that finance the Republicans.

In fact, if his campaign is to be successful, he must have a big GOP turnout at the polls. That can only hurt Diane Farrell, Chris Murphy and Joe Courtney in their efforts to unseat Republican incumbents. Bob, isn’t that just great for working people?

To be blunt: Are you friggin’ insane? Do you have any political sense whatsoever? On every single one of these issues—issues important to working people—Ned Lamont has explicitly stated a position that would advance the interests of your members and the general middle class. Beyond that, the Lamont campaign has spurred a flowering of grassroots activism in the Democratic Party (something that labor bureaucrats like you have been notably unsuccessful at). Hell, if “union leaders” like yourself could be half as effective at generating enthusiasm for participation maybe labor’s rank and file would be growing, not shrinking.

One last comment: In the NPR soundbite, you said something to the effect that working people don’t want to be represented by a multi-millionaire (meaning Ned Lamont). I guess if you are going to be a fool who is selling out your members, it’s good to cover your sorry ass with phony populism.

In solidarity,
Hank Hoffman
Wallingford, CT







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Comments

Posted by: Ozy | August 24, 2006 3:56 AM

Hank says it ALL.
I might add Joe is done! There is no argument desired or requested. I see Lamont signs in the front yards of folks in other states. That tells us the people whom Joe was supposed to represent have decided his Bush kissing, Fox shilling, Hannity hugging mug is no longer welcome “Among� the real Democratic Party. He has betrayed the people and the Democratic Party by selling out his principles for political expediency. Selling them to the likes of the faux propaganda group and the G.utless O.ld P.ricks makes me want to vomit! Telling the democratic voter he will run as an independent, if he loses the democratic primary race, is like pissing on my shoe!

This has sent a message to Clinton, Schumer and anyone in the DLC. They had better back off! “We the people� in all parties are getting damn sick of the party bosses in Washington picking our candidates, especially in the primary races. If they don’t stop this attack on democracy they will be the next ones to get the boot!!

Shame on all of you damn “Insider’s Club� Dems who came and prostituted yourselves for the likes of this sell out! We need some spine and not this, I will kiss your butt if you kiss mine.

Attention all congressional Dems you had damn well better start representing your base and tell these treacherous lobbyists that the people will one day get off their asses and vote any sellout of any party to the curb. Shame on the DLC & Co for these gutless patronizations for such an undeserving turncoat!

Kick all lobbyists out of Washington. Straight public financing of elections!
Clean the corruption out of congress and put america back on track!

Posted by: Skydogct | August 24, 2006 6:10 AM

The news about the Oman Free Trade Agreement endangering our ports just makes the whole affair this week with Lieberman and the 20 labor unions look ridiculous. Over 400 organizations were against OFTA from the start. Included in the 400 were UFCW, CWA, UNITE HERE, Laborers, and Teamsters, all on the International level. Individual locals included 9 CWA, 9 Teamster, 6 UNITE HERE,
and 5 UFCW locals. Representatives of these locals were all on the podium with Joe Monday. What the hell were they thinking?

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, from 1998 to 2005 Connecticut lost 52,000 manufacturing jobs. But Joe continues to vote for every free trade bill that comes along. NAFTA, WTO, or China PNTR, it was all the same to him. These free trade bills he supported did not include tough labor standards or strong human rights provisions but it didn’t stop Joe. He didn't think twice about supporting George Bush and screwing those 400 organizations when he voted for this OFTA only a few months ago. Senior Senator Chris Dodd, Representatives Rosa DeLauro and John Larson, and even Republican Rob Simmons voted against this anti-labor bill. Not Joe, he's the gift that keeps on giving, to multi-national corporations. I think these unions made a big mistake endorsing Joe regardless of past favors due. At least with Ned Lamont they would have supported a candidate who wants to level the playing field with free trade. A Senator who will insist on strong labor standards that won't sell us out, as GI Joe did. I happy to say our Teamster local endorsed Ned and I hope others do the right thing and follow suit.

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