By Secretary Jim Trainor
Last week’s election results were not quite tallied before the political pundits were spinning the results to represent the special interest which employs them. The results of last week’s election had less to do with the candidates or the political parties they represent but more to do with an exercise by the special interest groups in testing their ability to control the electorate. The results were a victory for the new political noisemakers which control the political debate which affects all of our lives.
Two years ago the electorate voted in overwhelming numbers to elect a progressive candidate. Since that election we have seen an unprecedented campaign on the part of a loud minority to silence the majority and punish them for their vote. This past election was more of a campaign to keep the majority from voting. Throughout the country from city, state and national campaigns for mayors, governors, congressman and senators the goal of the noisemakers was to drown out the majority, to muddy the waters and distract voters from the real issues.
We live in a technological era where changes occur instantly. The internet allows every opinion to be distorted and magnified to conform to the views of whoever controls the pipeline. The goal of the noisemakers is to create a problem then offer a solution. If we take the time to learn the facts we could learn that some problems do not exist and many of the solutions are already in place.
Sometimes the truth is hard to hear through all of the noise so it must be constantly sought. It takes more time but it is worth the effort. Before the next general election there will be many initiatives to offer the electorate enhanced opportunities to vote in the general election and for that matter in all elections. The smear campaign of fraud and inaccuracies will be made by the noisemakers and if they are loud enough they may just drown out the truth.
As trade unionist we should be at the forefront of this battle. For us in the labor movement we should lead the charge for every campaign which allows the electorate to actively participate in elections. If the citizens of this country can pay their bills, trade their stocks, get an education, watch their children grow up and their parents grow old while sitting in front of their laptops, surly we should be allowed to vote from the privacy of our homes.
Fifty years ago thirty percent of the workforce was unionized and Election Day was a holiday. We were given time off to vote so we could have a voice at the ballot box. Today only ten percent of our workforce is unionized, Election Day is no longer a holiday and only thirty percent voted last Tuesday.
Why is it that the people who yell democracy the loudest always want to dictate how we vote? Regardless of what side of the political debate you are on everyone’s voice should be heard.