Labor chief Trumka: “We won’t be taken for granted” (Repubs Get On Board Or On Path To Oblivion)
Source: Salon
Labor chief Richard Trumka: “We won’t be taken for granted”
The AFL-CIO president talks Obama's win, the struggles ahead, and the movement's evolving political role
BY JOSH EIDELSON
As Tuesday’s results rolled in, labor leaders were quick to claim a mandate for progressive governance, including greater stimulus, taxes on the rich rather than “entitlement” cuts, and immigration reform. On the latter, said Trumka, Republicans “either get on board or they are on the path to oblivion.”
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"A pretty clear message came out of that election yesterday," said Trumka: Voters "rejected Romney-Ryan economics," showed "that we should start making the wealthy start pay their fair share," and "rejected the notion that we should bring down the deficit at all costs." In exit polling released by the AFL-CIO Wednesday, "reduce spending on Medicare and Social Security to bring down the budget deficit" drew support from just 18 percent of voters nationwide.
"If any bipartisan deal includes cuts to Social Security, Medicare or Medicaid, or extends the Bush tax cuts for the top 2 percent," Trumka pledged, "we will oppose it." Asked about "chained CPI"—a way to slow Social Security’s growth that Sen. Bernie Sanders has warned could be part of a bipartisan deal—Trumka said, "That is definitely a cut to Social Security benefits."
Read more: As Tuesday’s results rolled in, labor leaders were quick to claim a mandate for progressive governance, including greater stimulus, taxes on the rich rather than “entitlement” cuts, and immigration reform. On the latter, said Trumka, Republicans “either get on board or they are on the path to oblivion.”
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Way to go Josh Eidelson!!!
