As 2010 speeds towards us, many wonder what the future will hold. We are looking forward to the coming elections to bring about change in America, hoping our future brightens. This post was driven in spirit by a letter from IAM President Buffenbarger, which can be read in it's entire text here: http://www.goiam.org/publications/imail/PDFS/02_21_2008_IAM-RTB-HRC_2%20stump.pdf
In this letter Buffenbarger speaks of Barack Obama receiving $121,500 in campaign contributions from the Crown family of Chicago. This same family was in the process of shutting down the Maytag plant in Galesburg, Illinois and shipping the jobs to Mexico. 1,600 workers lost their jobs, and as Mr. Obama's website states, the best he did was wrote a letter to the Secretary of Labor. In the letter he requested rapid response assistance for the outsourced workers.
Here is the exact clip from Obama's campaign website: http://factcheck.barackobama.com/
"RHETORIC: "My opponent says he'll stand up for workers. He often talks about the plight of Maytag workers in his home state. But the union at that plant supports me because when 1,600 jobs were being lost, they say he didn't do a thing to help." (Clinton Statement)
REALITY: Obama And Durbin Demanded Immediate Assistance For Displaced Maytag Workers, Department Of Labor Met Their Demands
Obama And Durbin Wrote To Secretary Of Labor Requesting Rapid Response Program Assistance For Displaced Maytag Workers. "We are writing regarding the decision of Whirlpool, Inc. to close Maytag washer and dryer plants in Illinois and Arkansas. These plant closings will have a significant impact on thousands of our constituents, and we request the immediate assistance of the Department of Labor (DOL) in helping displaced Maytag workers get back on their feet...We understand that state officials and community leaders are attempting to stop or mitigate these plant closings. However, we want to make sure that if the closings go forward, the 1,700 individuals in Illinois and Arkansas who will lose their jobs will have immediate access to the full range of DOL programs and services. Specifically, we request that the Department immediately mobilize resources through the DOL Rapid Response program to begin working with state and local workforce development agencies and local One-Stop Career Centers to help Maytag employees transition into new jobs. These workers will require: career counseling and job search assistance; information about unemployment insurance; opportunities for education and training; and information about their health benefits and pensions options. We understand that Rapid Response specialists have a unique ability to provide this training, and we request that these specialists be mobilized immediately to help displaced Maytag workers...Finally, we expect that many of our dislocated constituents will apply for Trade Adjustment Assistance. Competition from foreign imports may have played a central role in the loss of these 1,700 jobs. We hope the Department will consider certifying these displaced workers as eligible for Trade Adjustment Assistance, which will help them return to suitable employment as quickly as possible...We appreciate your timely consideration of these requests." [Obama/Durbin Letter to Chao, 5/17/06]
Obama And Durbin Wrote To Secretary Of Labor Requesting Rapid Response Program Assistance For Displaced Maytag Workers. "We are writing regarding the decision of Whirlpool, Inc. to close Maytag washer and dryer plants in Illinois and Arkansas. These plant closings will have a significant impact on thousands of our constituents, and we request the immediate assistance of the Department of Labor (DOL) in helping displaced Maytag workers get back on their feet...We understand that state officials and community leaders are attempting to stop or mitigate these plant closings. However, we want to make sure that if the closings go forward, the 1,700 individuals in Illinois and Arkansas who will lose their jobs will have immediate access to the full range of DOL programs and services. Specifically, we request that the Department immediately mobilize resources through the DOL Rapid Response program to begin working with state and local workforce development agencies and local One-Stop Career Centers to help Maytag employees transition into new jobs. These workers will require: career counseling and job search assistance; information about unemployment insurance; opportunities for education and training; and information about their health benefits and pensions options. We understand that Rapid Response specialists have a unique ability to provide this training, and we request that these specialists be mobilized immediately to help displaced Maytag workers...Finally, we expect that many of our dislocated constituents will apply for Trade Adjustment Assistance. Competition from foreign imports may have played a central role in the loss of these 1,700 jobs. We hope the Department will consider certifying these displaced workers as eligible for Trade Adjustment Assistance, which will help them return to suitable employment as quickly as possible...We appreciate your timely consideration of these requests." [Obama/Durbin Letter to Chao, 5/17/06]
Obama Wrote That He Appreciated TAA Funding For Displaced Maytag Workers In Illinois. "We appreciate the Department's approval of TAA funding for workers displaced by the Maytag plant closing in Herrin, Illinois, among other assistance provided to former Maytag workers; we hope that our constituents in Godfrey will be given similar consideration." [Press Release, 9/5/06]
Obama Announced That DOL Would Assist Displaced Maytag Workers In Illinois. Sens. Barack Obama (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the United States Department of Labor (DOL) will provide displaced workers with job placement and training assistance if the Maytag plant in Herrin, Illinois closes. "Obviously, my hope is that the Maytag plant remains open, but I'm happy that the Department of Labor is prepared to do everything it can to help these workers land on their feet," said Obama. "The Maytag plant has long been the backbone of Herrin's economy, and if it closes we must all do our part to keep this community intact." [Press Release, 6/23/06]"
I take notice in the text I highlighted in bold : "We understand that state officials and community leaders are attempting to stop or mitigate these plant closings. "
The news release says that "state officials and community leaders" were trying to stop the closings but fails to say Obama was doing anything but calling for assistance from taxpayer funded unemployment programs. He seemed to be 100% for spending taxpayer dollars so that a large corporation could run off to Mexico and pocket millions of dollars in profits.
How could a Senator, looking for votes from the common person, accept a contribution from a family that was intending on sending common American workers to the street?
Now, Obama has started flip-flopping on our jobs at Kennedy Space Center.
Scroll to the end of that PDF file (Adobe Acrobat Required) and read:
IX. A COMMITMENT TO FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY
Barack Obama’s early education and K-12 plan package costs about $18 billion per year. He will maintain fiscal responsibility and prevent any increase in the deficit by offsetting cuts and revenue sources in other parts of the government. The early education plan will be paid for by delaying the NASA Constellation Program for five years, using purchase cards and the negotiating power of the government to reduce costs of standardized procurement, auctioning surplus federal property, and reducing the erroneous payments identified by the Government Accountability Office, and closing the CEO pay deductibility loophole. The rest of the plan will be funded using a small portion of the savings associated with fighting the war in Iraq.
Barack Obama’s early education and K-12 plan package costs about $18 billion per year. He will maintain fiscal responsibility and prevent any increase in the deficit by offsetting cuts and revenue sources in other parts of the government. The early education plan will be paid for by delaying the NASA Constellation Program for five years, using purchase cards and the negotiating power of the government to reduce costs of standardized procurement, auctioning surplus federal property, and reducing the erroneous payments identified by the Government Accountability Office, and closing the CEO pay deductibility loophole. The rest of the plan will be funded using a small portion of the savings associated with fighting the war in Iraq.
Delaying the program for 5 years would devistate many familes, Union or not at Kennedy Space Center. Of course after figuring out he might like to take in some votes that all of the Space Centers around the country offer, the tune changes.
I could not find a copy of Barack Obama's Plan For American Leadership in Space, on the official Obama website. Popular Mechanics ran a story on their site : http://www.popularmechanics.com/science/research/4236740.html?page=7
On PM's site, there is a link to the PDF file Obama's campaign supplied to them:
Over the decades, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has embodied the adventurous spirit that lifted this nation to greatness and inspired people around the world. Barack Obama believes that theUnited States needs a strong space program to help maintain its superiority not only in space, but also here onearth in the realms of education, technology, and national security. Over the years, NASA technology has beenapplied to improve everything from computers and medical technology to baby formula and automobiles. Workdone at NASA, whether here on earth or in outer space, impacts the daily lives of all Americans.
Develop the Next-Generation of Space Vehicles: The retirement of the Space Shuttle in 2010 will leave the United States without manned spaceflight capability until the introduction of the Orion Crew ExplorationVehicle (CEV) carried by the Ares I Launch Vehicle. As president, Obama will support the development of this vital new platform to ensure that the United States’ reliance on foreign space capabilities is limited to the minimum possible time period. The CEV will be the backbone of future missions, and is being designed witht echnology that is already proven and available.
Complete the International Space Station: The International Space Station is an example of what we canaccomplish through international cooperation. Barack Obama is committed to the completion of the International Space Station.
I guess we could say he is not flip-flopping, since he says he supports NASA, but he never steps away from a five year delay for Constellation. We all know if Constellation is stopped for 5 years, the entire program will be finished. A delay that large would all but end Human Space Exploration, and force us to buy seats from other countries to access the ISS.......... which the US Taxpayers footed the bill to construct.
It is nice to know his plan will lead to better educated students. I am sure Fast Food and Department store chains in our area, will appreciate the well educated population..............
