Washington, D.C.
Unprecedented crowds jammed Washington, D.C. to welcome new President Barack Obama on Inauguration Day. Millions more working people celebrated on the home front as our first African-American President has taken the reins of power from the outgoing Bush Administration. And for working people, the change of leadership could not have taken place soon enough. President Obama inherits an enormous mess left over from 8 years of Bush policies, and he faces a massive job before him. The U.S. and world economies are in the midst of a free-fall, as a direct result of runaway financial speculation and a corporate crime wave of historic proportions. Unemployment is skyrocketing as companies lay off workers at the fastest rate since the Great Depression. Worker pensions and retirement savings have evaporated in the stock market crash or been stolen outright. Federal, state, and local government budgets are now drowned in red ink as the economic chaos impacts every community in our nation. U.S. troops remain mired in the endless conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, and hundreds more U.S. military outposts still dot the planet incurring an unsustainable economic and political cost to our nation.
Commenting on the Inauguration of President Obama, UE General Secretary-Treasurer Bruce Klipple said, "This is a moment we should all be proud of. Our nation has triumphed over those corporate and political forces that wanted the Bush wrecking and looting job to continue. Voters last November signaled that they wanted to put a stop to the corporate crime wave. Inauguration Day marks the start of this clean-up and clean-out process. And, while all UE members need to be mindful of the steep challenges facing the new President, we have every right to expect some early reports of progress. People agree with President Obama that the making of this mess took years, and solving it will take time also. But, there are areas where progress can be made right now; solving the health care crisis and restoring the right to organize are two top priorities where progress can be made rapidly. We expect President Obama and the Democrats in Congress to take swift action on these and other issues. Working people are ready to support our new President and confront those Republicans or Democrats in Congress who drag their feet or try to play political games at our expense. Every working family is feeling the stress and pain of the current crisis. The time for action is now. There is no more time to waste. None."
New issues briefing papers on the solutions to our health care and organizing crises have just been posted on the UE website and may be found by returning to the home page and clicking-on the left column "Political Action" section. All UE members are urged to review these articles and undertake the suggested actions to contact lawmakers.