An October Surprise, Brought to You by Working Families

[Omaha Steve]

http://blog.aflcio.org/2006/10/12/an-october-surprise-brought-to-you-by-working-families/

An October Surprise, Brought to You by Working Families

Todd Iverson, president and co-founder of America In Solidarity, describes how the grassroots organization has launched a nationwide search for candidates and volunteers who support working families.

With a cynical anticipation, many of us expect an “October Surprise” to sway voters into selecting the right-wing, corporate-backed candidates who will continue to push for legislation that harms working families. America In Solidarity has their own surprise.

After three years of being a voice for working families in Washington State, America In Solidarity (endorsed by the Washington State Labor Council) is spreading across the country. Rather than endorse candidates or play the corporate game of raising money for candidates, America In Solidarity merely asks candidates who support working family values to sign their pledge and then helps organize volunteers to help their campaigns by participating in phone banks, canvas walks and little things like waving yard signs and stuffing envelopes. Through their growing database of volunteers, America In Solidarity has been effective in mobilization efforts, education and lobbying while also staging community events, forums and providing nearly $7,000 in college scholarships.

To show that working families still matter, that providing affordable health care for all Americans is a vital issue, that fair and honest wages are needed and that there are honorable politicians who care more about workers than corporate profits, America In Solidarity is launching “Our October Surprise.”

Our goal this October is to announce at least 31 new signees of the America In Solidarity pledge, add at least 31 new volunteers from each state to our database and raise $31,000 to support all the great things America In Solidarity does for working families.\\

FULL story at link above.