HEALTH CARE DEBATE WEST PALM BEACH SEPT. 3, 2009
The Republicans on the panel were very respectful to congressman Hastings, however the Republicans in the audience were obnoxious and at times very rude, especially during Congressman’s Hastings closing remarks. He was the last speaker and during his closing remarks he read a newspaper article and went over his 3 min. limit. The moderator, Sid Dinerstein had no problem with this, most likely because Alcee was out numbered 3 to one on the issue. The audience kept shouting that his time was up and Sid Dinerstein hit the gavel, not to stop Alcee but to silence the audience to let Congressman Hastings finish. The Republicans continued to show their lack of decency and respect. If our group had acted that way, I would have been ashamed. However I feel the “Party of NO” left the debate, not feeling depressed, but feeling good about how things went; at least in their minds.
Edward Lynch and Allen West continued to spout the same tired lies and misconceptions. Ben Graber was no real help to Congressman Hastings but did have some constructive ideas as did Lynch and West. Not that I agree with them, but it was the first time I have heard republicans offer some constructive criticism. This is most likely because they are trying win over moderates as elections approach. Edward Lynch is certainly a politician, but that’s about it: no soul behind the talk.
Notably missing was Congressman Wexler and that fact came up often with republicans shouting; “He doesn’t live here.” a point that Edward Lynch reminded us of any chance he had. Where were Congressman Wexler and Klein anyway? The republicans shouted; “Cowards” when that came up.
I felt bad for Congressman Hastings. He was out numbered on the panel, in the audience and in the questions from the floor. We need to be better prepared for these events, both with numbers and good competent thought out questions prepared in advance. I had to change my work schedule plus take 3 hours off of work to attend. I wish more of us could do the same; I was lucky to be able.
I can feel all the progress made and hard work we did to get Obama and the Democrats elected slowly shifting. We cannot let this happen. The work is not done, it has just begun and believe me, the republicans have awakened and awakened in a bad mood. Where are all those new democrats now? We need to hit the streets again even harder than before. NO EXCUSES!
May 20, 2009
H.R. 658: ACCESS TO POSTAL SERVICES ACT
Here is a summary of the Bill.
Introduced on January 22, 2009 by Rep. Albio Sires [D-NJ]
Access to Postal Services Act - Modifies the procedures the U.S. Postal Service must follow in connection with the closing or consolidation of any postal facility, including:
- requiring an assessment of the need for the closure or consolidation;
- eliminating a requirement to consider the resulting Postal Service economic savings;
- requiring a posting in each affected postal facility at least 90 days before the final decision is made; and
- requiring (under current law, allowing) suspension of the determination pending an appeal to the Postal Regulatory Commission. Exempts emergency suspensions (as defined under Postal Service regulations) or lease termination or cancellation by a party other than the Postal Service. Defines "postal facility," for the provisions amended by this Act, to include an office, branch, station, or other facility operated by the Postal Service.
This makes it more difficult for the Postal Service to arbitrarily consolidate or simply close any postal facility as defined above.
This bill is in the first step in the legislative process. Introduced bills and resolutions first go to committees that deliberate, investigate, and revise them before they go to general debate. The majority of bills and resolutions never make it out of Committee. That’s why we need to work hard to get this bill passed. It could be your office that is closed and you and your family that is uprooted miles away without good solid reasoning and study.
So far this bill has 38 cosponsors. The only Florida cosponsor is Debbie Wasserman Schultz. So send her a big “Thank You” email whether she is your representative or not. If she is not your representative, then contact your representative and ask them to cosponsor the bill also.
On February 24, 2009 this bill was referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, Post Office, and the District of Columbia. Today, Wednesday, May 20, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. in room 2154 of the Rayburn House Office Building, the Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, Postal Service and the District of Columbia held a hearing entitled, “Nip and Tuck: The Impact of Current Cost Cutting Efforts on Postal Service Operations and Network.” This hearing is a part of a series of hearings the Subcommittee is conducting to examine and discuss the Postal Service’s current operational and financial challenges. Today’s hearing, in particular, examined the status and impact of the United States Postal Service’s cuts in operations and services, and recent efforts to optimize its network and improve efficiency.
The wheels are turning with, or without us. Which way they turn is up to us. Let’s make them turn our way. Take the little time required and contact your representatives. Ask them to cosponsor H.R. 658. Do it now!
To get started now, follow this link http://capwiz.com/apwu/home
Also remember these other links:
- www.apwu.org/legis
- www.pbal749.org
- www.twitter.com/tedparsons
- www.pbpost.com/politics
- www.pbpost.com/state
- Email me ted@unionspirit.org
April 14, 2009
If you were at the Union Meeting Saturday you saw my presentation on the Florida Redistricting Petitions. To those of you that completed the two petitions, you have my deepest gratitude. However the response could have been better and needs to be better. For those of you that did not attend the meeting, here is a brief description of the need for these petitions.
Every ten years after the census the Florida Congressional and Legislative Districts are adjusted and redrawn due to changing population. The Florida Constitution as it stands now basically gives the Majority Party in Tallahassee the upper hand in redrawing the Districts. Since 1990 the Republicans in the Majority have gerrymandered the districts to favor a Republican getting elected. Basically, this permits the politicians to choose their voters instead of the voters choosing their representatives.
The Petitions propose changing the State Constitution to make redistricting more reasonable and fair to the voters. Below is an excerpt from the petitions.
(1) No apportionment plan or individual district shall be drawn with the intent to favor or disfavor a political party or an incumbent; and districts shall not be drawn with the intent or result of denying or abridging the equal opportunity of racial or language minorities to participate in the political process or to diminish their ability to elect representatives of their choice; and districts shall consist of contiguous territory.
(2) Unless compliance with the standards in this subsection conflicts with the standards in subsection (1) or with federal law, districts shall be as nearly equal in population as is practicable; districts shall be compact; and districts shall, where feasible, utilize existing political and geographical boundaries.
(3) The order in which the standards within sub-sections (1) and (2) of this section are set forth shall not be read to establish any priority of one standard over the other within that subsection.
There are two petitions, one for Legislative Districting and one for Congressional Districting. We need EVERY MEMBER to sign both petitions and give them to your Shop Steward. If you can’t get copies of the petitions you can get them at www.fairdistrictsflorida.org
It’s time for EVERY MEMBER to shake off the dust of apathy and get active. Don’t say you don’t have the time because we both know that you do. MAKE THE TIME!!!
I can’t stress enough how important it is for us to get active on this and other issues such as the Employee Free Choice Act and HR 22: Financial Relief for the Postal Service. You will be hearing more from me on these and other issues. Visit www.apwu.org/dept/legis for more information now and get involved.
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It's been a busy first two months as your Director of Legislation. I attended two legislative functions and a Democratic Club Meeting. I knew there would be many issues important to us, but after meeting many of our Union Leaders and Legislators I have found that it will be even more challenging and exciting than I first imagined. Management isn't the only one stomping on our rights. Legislators are stomping too, only they are doing it behind closed doors in the shadows. My job is to open those doors and shed light on those shadows. Then we all need to make our voices heard. Yes, we have a President that is pro-labor, but getting the bills to his desk to be signed will not be an easy task. Our power is in unity and unity is what it is going to take to accomplish our legislative goals. We have many friends in the legislature Both Democrat and Republican, but we also have many enemies. It's time to shed the cloak of apathy. Speak out, get involved or we can kiss our jobs, as we know them, goodbye. That is the sobering reality we now face. Our first and biggest fight is to get the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) on President Obama's desk. He has said he would sign it now it's our job to get it there. EFCA is the single most important piece of Labor Legislation in decades. Let's not miss this chance to make it law. In a nutshell the Employee Free Choice Act would establish stronger penalties for violation of employee rights when workers seek to form a union and during first-contract negotiations, provide mediation and arbitration for first-contract disputes and allow employees to form unions by signing cards authorizing union representation. For more complete information please go to www.EmployeeFreeChoiceAct.org I will also be providing more information via a Legislative blog that I will email to anyone who wants it and I will also publish it on our local's website www.pbal749.org If you would like to subscribe to my Legislative Blog, just send me an email ted@unionspirit.org I am looking forward to serving the membership and our Union and I am grateful for the opportunity. In Solidarity - We are 'ALL' the Union! Ted Parsons, Director of Legislation ted@unionspirit.org