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How to Make the Difference
By Bruce Hodson, President
If we can accomplish all of this in the span of 10 days,
just think of what we can do in the next 10 weeks or months by speaking
with a united voice:
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Oct. 30-31: At our annual Convention, MSEA-SEIU
delegates celebrated our 20-year partnership with SEIU. We strengthened
our partnership even further by creating a special committee for
that purpose. MSEA-SEIU delegates also affirmed the critical importance
of political action in our work in support of working families and
retired workers. Thanks to everyone who built our union into the
political force it is today. It’s how we win, plain and simple.
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Nov. 3: Maine people overwhelmingly agreed with
us that TABOR and excise-tax-shifts remain the wrong way for Maine
to go. In leading the way to defeat these dangerous ballot measures,
we stood up in a big way for quality public services — services
that the people of Maine once again have said they count on and
are willing to pay for. If you haven’t read the column titled “On
Election Day, A Win for Government,” by Washington Post
columnist E.J. Dionne Jr., please read it right away as it’s focused
on our “Vote NO on 4 & 2” campaigns. Dionne’s column explains how
our campaign to defeat TABOR in Maine for the third time marks a
turning point in national public perceptions not just about government
services but also about those anti-government groups trying to impose
their skewed views of community, public service and public workers
onto all Americans. Thanks to each and every MSEA-SEIU member who
leafleted worksites, volunteered at phone banks, talked with friends
or neighbors, and turned out the vote to defeat Questions 4 & 2.
You made the difference.
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Nov. 3: Maine people also agreed with us that approving
a transportation bond to make critical repairs to Maine’s infrastructure
is the right way for Maine to go. Again, thanks to those who made
the difference.
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Nov. 7: As the clock ticked down to the historic
health care reform vote on November 7 in the U.S. House of Representatives,
MSEA-SEIU members and friends built the critical mass of support
that propelled Congressman Mike Michaud to support this historic
legislation. Thanks to each and every one of you who called Congressman
Michaud in the hours before he voted for the Affordable Health Care
for America Act. Your calls made the difference.
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Nov. 8: Returning to Maine after her historic vote
for national health care reform, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree was
greeted by MSEA-SEIU members and others at an airport rally organized
by our Maine Change That Works campaign. Thanks to those who personally
thanked Congresswoman Pingree for her support through phone calls,
letters or attendance at rallies. Your participation made the difference.
To be sure, we continue to face enormous challenges.
The Maine Legislature is now looking to cut up to $400 million from
the two-year state budget due to declining revenues. It’s up to all
of us to speak up in a respectful yet firm voice by calling or writing
to our legislators at the appropriate time and attending State House
hearings and votes affecting the work we do. Together, we can make the
difference. How will you make the difference in the months ahead?
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