Obama defends Republic Windows and Doors workers

[kpete]

Source: Chicago Sun Times

Obama defends Republic Windows and Doors workers

December 7, 2008

BY ABDON PALLASCH Sun-Times Political Reporter

President-elect Barack Obama put himself on the side of the workers at the Republic Windows and Doors factory Sunday:

“When it comes to the situation here in Chicago with the workers who are asking for their benefits and payments they have earned, I think they are absolutely right,” Obama said Sunday at a news conference announcing his new Veterans Affairs director. “What’s happening to them is reflective of what’s happening across this economy.


“When you have a financial system that is shaky, credit contracts. Businesses large and small start cutting back on their plants and equipment and their workforces. That’s why it’s so important for us to maintain a strong financial system. But it’s also important for us to make sure that the plans and programs that we design aren’t just targeted at maintaining the solvency of banks, but they are designed to get money out the doors and to help people on Main Street. So, number one, I think that these workers, if they have earned their benefits and their pay, then these companies need to follow through on those commitments.

“Number two, I think it is important for us to make sure that, moving forward, any economic plan we put in place helps businesses to meet payroll so we are not seeing these kinds of circumstances again,’’ he said. “Have we done everything that we can to make sure credit is flowing to businesses and to families, and to students who are trying to get loans? And to homeowners who have been making payments on their homes but are still finding their property values so depressed that it becomes very difficult for them to make the mortgage payments?

Read more: http://www.suntimes.com/news/politics/obama/1318766,bar...

[aquart]

1. Now that's a change.

Someone in high American office speaking up for the workers? When was the last time?

[proud2BlibKansan]

4. I wondered the same thing

Refreshing, isn't it?

[unkachuck]

7. yes it is refreshing, I'm impressed....n/t

[aquart]

44. Yes. My God, YES.

[DBoon]

11. When was Lyndon Johnson president?

For all the good that Clinton and Carter did, neither of them (to my recollection) addressed the day-to-day struggles of American workers so boldly as this

[ekwhite]

34. If we are talking the executive branch, at least 8 years

I'll give Bill Clinton the benefit of a doubt, although I don't remember anything he did for labor off the top of my head (what he did TO labor was NAFTA). Before Clinton, it was LBJ. The Republic Windows and Doors thing could be Obama's PATCO - except supporting the union instead of destroying it.

[tom_paine]

43. Exactly. We have to remember things like this to balance out when we sometimes disagree with Obama.

OK, there was hand-wringing and wailing over the cabinet appointments. I myself have been concerned but I refuse to give Obama shit when he hasn't served a single day, PLUS he has shown time and time again that he is a terrific strategic thinker and there's more at work here than we yet see (but Obama does).

But yes, the bottom line is hearing something like that makes me want to run in the street again and like on Election Night.

After eight years of Orwellian Madness and Soviet Corruption, the skies are just beginning to part.

And yes, God Bless America!

(that's OUR saying and we're taking it back from those unpatriotic unAmerican Vile Bushies!)

[Cronopio]

2. Big points to Obama on this.

It makes up for some concerns I've been having about some of the people in his administration. He could easily play it safe and not come down on one side or the other, but he's taking a solid populist stance here.

Hope it continues.

[dhill926]

3. this really is big.....

now the right wing attacks, and hopefully more and more folks realize what dicks they are, and the fact that they DON'T represent the interests of the working class...

[juno jones]

5. Maybe it will now get some airplay on the MSM. n/t

[Zhade]

6. I have so much respect for this.

HELL YES BARACK!

[McCamy Taylor]

8. Empathy is good. Action will be even better. I do not want to see an administration that smooths

things over just enough to get people complacent...and business back to its old dirty tricks. That is what ended up happening with FDR. There are times when Big Business screws up so much that it allows a populist to take over for a while to fix things in order to placate the masses---and then, they seize hold of some phony moral issue or start a war so that they can turn the country to the right again.

It happened with Teddy Roosevelt. It happened with FDR. It can happen with Obama. In fact, they may have selected Obama to clean up for W. and they may have already selected his pro-Big Business successor.

So, do not get complacent. That includes you, Mr. President-elect.

[DrPresident]

24. Can the man get sworn in first before you start making DEMANDS of him?

I mean god damn. Why can't you just be HAPPY that he said what he said? *rolls eyes*

[JHB]

30. Because no matter how Super-Obamic he is, he's still an effing-politician...

...so the time to pressure him and advocate towards certain goals is when the plans are being drawn up, not just when he's trying to push it through Congress.

We've been here before. Happy talk with no action gets you NAFTA.

[SammyWinstonJack]

32. !!

x3

[bdamomma]

35. I think Congress is going to be his greatest challenge.

I wouldn't put up with their BS either.

[aquart]

45. People like to climb on bandwagons.

Representatives hate going home to people who ask them why they don't love hard-working Americans. (Be sure you do ask that when they're bad. Often enough to make them twitch.)

[DrPresident]

41. Obama's about action, don't worry. n/t

[conscious evolution]

31. Good analysis

That is what I fear also.That BO was chosen to give the illusion of change.I hope I am wrong.

[exman]

9. Now I know for sure I voted for the right guy!! n/t

[closeupready]

10. Thank GOD!

Here's to Obama!

[senseandsensibility]

12. Thank you, PE Obama!

[antimatter98]

13. Bank of America got a bailout of 25b and shut off credit to this company

http://www.thenation.com/blogs/thebeat/388449?rel=hp_pi...


So why is Congress supporting these bailouts when they are generating
unemployment?

[SammyWinstonJack]

33. Good question!

[PassingFair]

14. I said to my kids....

"I've NEVER heard a president speak like this!"

Bravo Obama!

[ThatsMyBarack]

15. I call Obama our *ACTING* President!

[Better Believe It]

16. That's Terrific! Now I hope he goes to the sit-in with an entourage of

supporters to demonstrate solidarity with some food and other relief that is urgently needed by these workers.

[FrenchieCat]

25. He already demonstrated solidarity with the workers.....

by saying publicly that he believes that they are right on this.

Based on your posting history and your endless complaints about Obama.....of course that isn't good enough for you, because for you, nothing Obama does or says will really do.

Your thread from yesterday.....
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...

Lookit this duzy!
Then, a single message of solidarity would have sufficed. Now that he has done that, you give weak accolates, and move the goal post.

Better Believe It (1000+ posts) Sun Dec-07-08 10:32 AM
Response to Reply #39
40. You're Right .... We shouldn't count on Obama to help working class people in need.

We shouldn't even expect him to deliver even a single message of solidarity in his own backyard when such expressions could be helpful.

We have to rely on ourselves, be realistic, "get our heads out of the clouds" and not act like we now have a friend and supporter in the White House.

Now if the CEO of the Bank of America calls Obama for help, he'll hop right on over to lend assistance.

Your point is well taken.

It's all about class.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...

[Better Believe It]

37. And you neglected to link this follow up post by me in the same string!

Trying to misrepresent what posters are writing Frenchie?

Now come on. A little honesty on your part please!

51. He made a positive statement in support of these workers.
And that was terrific.

It would be even better if he actually shows at the sit-in with an entourage of supporters armed with some food and other material support urgently needed.

"Can you imagine what would happen if he did and next week another company pulls the same shit?"

If they win their fight, their sit-in could lead to a wave of sit-ins by workers who are being screwed over by the employers. Don't you think that would be just wonderful and powerful demonstration of what working people can accomplish if well organized with a competent leadership?

Perhaps not. It depends upon where you're coming from.

To me it's all about class.

[EC]

17. Well, yeah...

This is exactly what he did as a community organizer for the steel workers in his early years...

[Imperialism Inc.]

18. Cudos to Mr. Obama for standing up for workers.

[Mr Rabble]

19. This is quite the departure for a US leader.

I hope that this culminates in real action when the new administration takes over.

My guess is the economy and job market are going to get so bad as to leave Obama no choice but to implement these type policies.

[pelsar]

20. its not what he says...

its what he does.....as a candidate he told just about everybody what they wanted to hear and really didnt have to do anything about it....now we'll see what hes made of (in a few months.....)

will those workers still be unemployed next year?......

[FrenchieCat]

26. When one is President, is it also what you say.......

which can change the mindset of others.

So, it is what he says....as well as what he does.

And no, he didn't just say things because that is what folks wanted to hear; far from it.

[pelsar]

28. granted speaking has some value...

and i admit i dont listen to speeches especially those from politicians...one never knows if they're saying what they really mean or just talking..and obama is no exception.

And no, he didn't just say things because that is what folks wanted to hear; far from it.

on that note only his actions as president will tell us the truth.....of course like an politician hes got quite a record of "changing his mind"...which in itself isnt a bad thing (i would hope as he learns he'll be able to differentiate between his rhetoric and getting down to business)..still time will tell.....will he be different or just a smoother talking "nixon type figure".......(yea its showing, i dont like having an inexperienced person in one of the most important jobs in the country/world)....but i do have an open mind, according to his actions and not his words.

[greengestalt]

21. Cut out Exporter benefits

This, IMHO, is by far Obama's most important campaign promise. It is also when the attacks and smears against him went from a dull hum to a fever pitch of vile puke, proving how scared many elite are of him;

He promised to end tax breaks and subsidies to companies that send jobs overseas.


That, btw, is the real scandal of the "Global Market". Despite "Socialist" concepts like melamine in food is bad, lead paint shoudn't be on boxes of kids toys that also contain "Date Rape" drugs... Despite "Communist" concepts like rewarding workers for their labors...


It's actually CHEAPER to make things in the good old USA...

Yep, when companies send labor overseas they deal with bribery, anarchy, poor standards, piracy both on the seas and in the same factory. On top of that, the cost of fuel alone makes many things more expensive by transporting them.


So, how do they make money? Tax breaks and subsidies. "New Deal" era measures meant to keep jobs in the states. Yet over the decades they've been re-worked to finance overseas moves. Even by Clinton, btw.


If we end "Tax Breaks" and "Subsidies" to companies that export jobs. If we close "Caimain Island" loopholes. We'll get our economy back. Matter of fact, a lot of very entrenched "Rich Elite" will really, REALLY hurt bad and many might actually lose their fortunes. The "Jobs Lost" will be replaced by a new "Free" market, not a crooked one rigged to favor the rich elite.

[nam78_two]

22. K&R

A president who stands with the workers??!!!! Who knew such things were possible after 8 years of Presiden Moron.

[Odin2005]

23. This is exactly why I voted for this community organizer for president

I was sold on Obama the moment I read he read Alinsky.

[Jim Sagle]

27. I haven't been Obama's biggest fan, but I'm liking this. It's even cause for hope.

Trust, but verify. But don't write him off entirely.

At least not until he takes office.

[bread_and_roses]

29. This is encouraging (n/t)

[balantz]

36. Cut the corporate-elites' balls and bring the jobs home Mr. Obama! n/t

[aquart]

46. Trade them their balls for their bonuses.

Or would these doozies prefer to be castrated and rich?

[balantz]

49. No they intend to try and keep their balls and their bonuses, and have our balls too! n/t

[valerief]

38. Did the (throwing up in mouth) Selected-President say anything, as opposed to the President-Elect?nt

[AlbertCat]

39. Be AFRAID!

The nuts are out on the AOL boards! You should see the crap they're posting.

"Burn the plant down with the workers in it!"

"I hate workers!"

"Here comes Marxism!"

That last one's pretty funny! and "I hate workers"?????

Who ARE these people?

Y'know, why do CEOs get such a hefty paycheck? Because they are doing the work? NO. Because the "run" the company and therefore take the risk, supposedly. They are the ones who should be taking HUGE pay cuts to put back into "their" companies.

I know, I know.... I am deep in fantasy-land now....

Well, at least I'm not as cruel and stupid as the AOL posters.

[sarcasmo]

42. Those boards are often more scary than free republic.

[aquart]

48. No one with a golden parachute is taking any sort of risk.

[Alexander]

40. K&R

[KillCapitalism]

47. It's about time a president stood up for workers!

Props to Obama, but we've got a lot more work to do ever since some jackass of a president set the tone for employers to shit on workers 27 years ago.