Dear President Elect Obama, my application for employment in your administration

[Omaha Steve]

Dear Senator Obama,

For the last several years American workers have suffered under the current administrations polices and appointees. I would like to apply for a job that is first and foremost for fairness of the American worker. I am asking to be your Secretary of Labor. I am much more qualified than Elaine Chao ever could be.

Twice in my life I have been fired illegally. Twice a union has won my rights through legal action. I know what it means to be the head of a family without a job during bad times. I know bankruptcy as a result of these actions too. I have also had two on the job accidents that resulted in two different partial impairments.

I have some unique qualifications that will provide for fairness to workers and employers on a case by case basis. Since you don't know much about me, just ask my 100,000 plus friends at the Democratic Underground for their opinion. They have been reading my labor opinions for over four years.

Regards,

Steven L Dawes
Shop Steward AFSCME Local 251.

[Omaha Steve]

1. This was not posted as a joke

I sent the letter on to several friends in D.C. It has already grabbed some attention.

OS

[dixiegrrrrl]

4. Did you actually send it to Mr. Obama?

[Omaha Steve]

9. Yep & more

The AFL-CIO, and several affiliates are thinking outside the box.

They had somebody else in mind.

[Joesunionreview]

20. I told them I wasn't available

Just kidding brother, go get 'em

this is on Labourstart

I posted about this in my article tonight

A new day and miles to go before I sleep

Now I need sleep

In Solidarity,
Joe

[ChromeFoundry]

24. Go get them, Omaha Steve!

We need more people like you.

K&R

[tekisui]

2. I wish you the best of luck, Steve!

I know you know your stuff.

I can vouch for your commitment to Labor.

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

3. A Secretary of Labor...

Who has, in fact, labored and understands the rubber meets road impact of DoL decisions, would be refreshing. Go for it bubba. You have my vote.

[demokatgurrl]

39. Absolutely, the one they have in there now is a JOKE

I heard her say, on national TV just a few months ago, that the economy was "fine".
I would think Labor secretary should have a fucking clue about the economy.

[John Q. Citizen]

5. K & R

[applegrove]

6. Good luck.

[graywarrior]

7. I'll write a letter of recommendation

[Maine-ah]

17. how about one letter, and everyone on DU signs it?

[Catshrink]

8. To the Greatest with you!

And hopefully off to DC to serve our new Commander-in-Chief!

[CrispyQ]

10. I would be happy to provide you with a letter of reference,

speaking to your passion for workers rights & your tireless efforts to educate all of us about the issues facing labor.

Good luck, Steve.

[stevedeshazer]

11. You should be Secretary of Labor

I recommend you.

[Kali]

12. how can we help?

[billyoc]

13. Steve, you have my unqualified endorsement.

Bill O'Connor
Political Director, Local Union 225 TWU AFL-CIO

[Sydnie]

14. Kicking it up for Government for and by the people

Good luck Steve!

[KamaAina]

15. Where exactly did you send it?

Supposedly the transition team will have a website at www.change.gov, but it is still password-protected.

I am much more qualified than Elaine Chao ever could be.

Then again, so is Triumph the Insult Comic Dog.

Good luck (since you're not in my field and wouldn't be competing against me )!

[Dem2theMax]

49. "but it is still password-protected."

Not anymore. Go have fun! www.change.gov

[nichomachus]

16. The goal of the Labor Dept

used to be to get employers to hire more people. Now, they've changed into an agency that helps employers make fewer people work harder for less money.

That needs to change.

Good luck, Steven.

My union saved my butt on two occasions.

OTOH -- my wingnut sister's union saved her job too. She thinks unions are liberal plots and she votes Repuke.

[CrispyQ]

41. Back when I was a youngster, I had a good paying union job

that helped put me through college. I could work part time, go to school & have enough money to pay my bills. My mother used to take great pleasure in dissing unions when I came home to visit. One time, I finally told her to keep her opinions about unions to herself. I reminded her that my good paying union job meant that I didn't have to ask her for help to put me through college or pay my bills. My step-father, who was sitting at the table behind her, was grinning & giving me the thumbsup sign.

Damn, we got paid overtime for any shift that went over 8 hours - not just over a 40 hour week! We got paid time & a half on Sunday's. We got holiday pay, & since I worked in a grocery store & we were open on most holidays, if you worked on the holiday you got paid double time. That meant that along with your holiday pay, you actually got triple time. Of course, the IRS took so much out for taxes that you didn't see as much as you hoped, but it was still worth it! These types benefits paid my tuition!

I could go on & on about the benefits of the union. I quit my last job because I was salaried & they expected me to work 60 hours a week. I had already taken a pay cut to get that job, not knowing how many hours they expected from me. At 60 hours a week my hourly rate was less than I've made in two decades!

[wellstone dem]

18. Mr. President

I've been reading Mr. Dawes work for several years. He has an impressive understanding of issues facing middle and working class Americans. I highly recommend him for employment with your administration.

[Tindalos]

19. Best of luck.

It feels good to know that qualified people will be back in charge again. It's going to be a tough job fixing everything.
Hope you hear back soon. Good luck.

[wtmusic]

21. Good luck Steve

[OhioChick]

22. Good Letter, Steve!

You're a very dedicated worker and you stand up for U.S. worker's rights. Many people don't care about others, just as long as they have "theirs."

You're a unique person and a good friend. You have my vote.

[billyoc]

23. Anyone else from the Nebraska State Fed or the National AFL-CIO applying that you know of?

[ihavenobias]

25. K & R

[eshfemme]

26. Whoa, and the creation of the brain trust has started

The brain drain that happened with Bush's presidency might now be cured with the attraction of new talent and minds to public service. I hope that you will gain a position with the Obama presidency to help change the country for the better.

[flvegan]

27. Were I Obama, this would be a forgone conclusion.

[maddezmom]

28. Best of Luck, Steve

and rec'd.

[asdjrocky]

29. Dear President Elect Obama-

I have known Steve and have worked with Steve on behalf of the Democratic party in Iowa. I know him as a tireless worker, and poster, for American labor and I for one would be proud to have him represent your administration in any way.

If you should need to call me regarding Steven L Dawes further, and many, qualifications, please do not hesitate.

[Azlady]

30. Hey steve!

I'd be happy to give them a reference! Let us know when you get hired! Too awesome!

[billyoc]

31. You've got a lot of work ahead of you to undo the damage that Chao has done.

Bring some vitamins.

[TwilightZone]

32. You'd have my endorsement.

I've been here for years and you're the first person I think of any time a labor issue gets any attention on DU. I don't even have to check the username.

Best of luck.

PS: By the way, thanks for the TZ stuff. I've been in the midst of moving hell and only recently got a chance to look through it all. Labor isn't the only thing about which your attention is unwavering.

[grantcart]

33. Cliffordu for SOD as well

[Earth Bound Misfit]

34. Good Luck, Steve...

If you don't get the job, I hope it goes to David Bonior.

& R

[DainBramaged]

35. Dear Senator Obama

Congratulation on your great victory for the citizens of the United States. I write to you on this day of quiet reflection and ask, as you contemplate your staff for the next four years, to consider the letter of introduction posted by our friend and defender of labor ethics, Steve "Omaha" Dawes. His tireless efforts here at the Democratic Underground (you know of us, we make a lot of noise, but a lot of sense too) to enlighten the membership of the trials and tribulations of the Nation's Labor movement (which I am POSITIVE will once again become powerful under your leadership) at great personal sacrifice to himself. I personally vouch for him, and am positive he will make a fine addition to your Cabinet.

Let's give them even more Hope for Change by placing Steve on your staff.

Best Regards,

Dain Bramaged,
UAW and Teamsters of NJ


PS

Have anything available for an old computer type guy?

[Earth Bound Misfit]

36. Nice!

[Sherman A1]

37. Good Luck

I am still waiting for Elaine Chao to actually start working for labor, but I guess that would be asking to much of her.

[OhioChick]

38. Morning Kick!

[Omaha Steve]

40. Thank you FREE REPUBLIC for giving my application some legs

Any press is better than no press. Please be sure to have Rush mention my application on his show too. Controversy is coverage! The story continues.....

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/chat/2126483/posts

[DainBramaged]

42. Let's see if it achieves MSM coverage next!

[rockymountaindem]

43. Good luck. Oh, and GOOD BYE Elaine Chao

That's me waving goodbye to Chao, except I'm not really smiling at her.

[myrna minx]

44. K&R Best wishes! n/t

[Doremus]

45. K&R!

[DainBramaged]

46. K&R

[WildEyedLiberal]

47. Hey, I'll support you

[nam78_two]

48. Error: you can only recommend threads which were started in the past 24 hours

Good luck Steve-I don't think I have ever personally interacted with you but you have always been one of my favorite DUers .

[DainBramaged]

50. K&R for better days

[ClayZ]

51. K and R

[DainBramaged]

52. K&R for one of the good guys