The president of one of America’s largest labor unions, American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) … Gerry McEntee .. has chosen to stand up to the White House .. putting America and American citizens above politics… and he deserves to be applauded by every single freedom loving American.
From labor to civil libertarians to anti-war activists, progressive organizers have had to choose between biting their tongues and losing the access and power that comes with friends in the White House. McEntee is among the most prominent leaders who has been willing to challenge the administration.
…… McEntee led workers in chanting a barnyard epithet to describe Senate Finance Committee chairman Max Baucus’s health care bill, which would levy a new tax on expensive health care plans. He published an op-ed in U.S.A. Today warning, in terms that could be used against Democrats in the midterms, that the plan could tax the middle class and cost workers their health care. And he blew off a plea from White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emmanuel and published an open letter promising to “oppose” legislation that contained the tax – published over the objections, several labor officials said, of other union presidents whose names appeared on the letter.
A person who will stand by his convictions irregardless of what the consequences might be is a person with character and courage … and McEntee has a record of having that character and courage. He stands up and works for whom he represents .. the people of his union.
The White House does not like it … not at all.
“We have had just about enough of his gratuitous slaps,” said a senior White House official Friday, calling the politically charged language “outrageous and unacceptable” from an ally — even from one that had, the official noted, devoted substantial resources to health care efforts.
With a response such as this .. from the White House… who can have any second thoughts about what the agenda of this administration is?
We need all Americans to have the character and courage to stand up for their convictions.
Our country depends on it.
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