The Truesdell Update
Judy Holds Pre-Labor Day Press Conference
Thank you so much for coming out on this beautiful afternoon and joining me to honor millions of American workers, organized and not including – my late Grandfather Scully, a United Mine worker who labored in the mines of southern Indiana. These are the people who go to work every day, play by the rules and deserve a Labor Day that is focused on the social and economic achievements of American workers, not the social and economic despairs of a declining middle class.
That is why today, I am proud to affirm that I stand in solidarity with the working men and women of the 78th Legislative District, Southwest Michigan and our great state. I join in wishing all of them a Labor Day that sees them soon benefiting from a better America – an America where every worker can count on a good job, where every family has health care and where every senior and retiring baby boomer enjoys a decent and respected retirement. And today, I am pleased to announce the endorsements of my candidacy for state representative by over a dozen labor organizations whose members fought to reform our workplace and put meaning into the term "a fair day's work for a fair day's pay."
On this Labor Day weekend, let either those of us who enjoy the benefits of union affiliation or those of us who are on our own, forget that we all have benefited from battles fought and won by organized labor – the 8 hour day, a 40 hour work week, paid overtime, worker safety laws, child labor laws, health care, pension opportunities and countless other benefits. Unionized or not, these work standards influenced by Labor Unions are enjoyed by tens of millions of Americans in today's workforce.
Unfortunately, candidates like my opponent run on tickets of fear and division, dictated by powerful corporate interests that aim to weaken our unions. But, we must not – CAN NOT - put up with these divisive tactics and those political leaders who would sell out the American dream of prosperity to those with deep pockets. Only by uniting together can we create the kind of climate that benefits everyone and raises all people like the rising tide that lifts all boats.
That is why I support the federal Employee Freedom of Choice Act now pending in the Congress and why today, I announce that I am unalterably opposed to the Michigan 'Right to Work' proposed law now in the House Committee on Labor. My Republican opponent is in favor of stopping progress of workers' rights and the freedom of collective bargaining. But I am here to tell you that 'Right to Work' is wrong for Michigan. It will not stop jobs from being sent overseas, nor will it revitalize our economy or restore prosperity to our communities.
Much has happened since 1914, when President Theodore Roosevelt made his Labor Day proclamation honoring American working men and women. Sadly, one in four of us can no longer
participate in the middle class way of life that evolved from those early days. That's why today, I speak for the retired steelworker, electrician or carpenter who has seen his pension cut and his health benefits wiped out. Today, I speak for our young parents, struggling to make ends meet while trying to instill in their children the middle class values that made America so strong. And today, I speak for those factory workers let go for attempting to form a union and collectively bargain. Years of quality service and productivity are commodities that don’t appear to count anymore. These are the people who are good and strong. These are the people who, who like you and me, believe in their country, their faith and their future. These are the people who deserve a representative that will fight for their interests, not promote their own self interests.
My grandfather knew that if he worked hard and saved his pennies, his children would have a better life than Grandpa and Grandma. And they did. But that contract with society has now been broken. Today, one in five of us right here at home are considered eligible for Medicaid and many more are dependent on additional assistance to heat their home, buy food, pay utility bills and clothe their children. To reverse that trend in our American life, we need people in public life that best represent each of us and who seek to do good for each by doing good for all; in other words, a representative whose sole purpose and work is not to represent any special class, but to represent all hard working peoples, those people who have made America what it is, the envy of the world.
I am convinced more than ever that our district’s citizens want and need a representative in Lansing that not only understands and feels the struggles they are experiencing, but one they can TRUST to stand with them and for them.
This community has a heart as big as the hearts of its people. I know that together, with a collective vision that leads us toward a better future, we can lift our families out of despair and back into the light of prosperity. That’s why I will go to Lansing on your behalf to serve you all, every day in every way; that’s why I will go to Lansing to work to bring home our full share of support so that this Southwest gateway to our Great Lakes can once again flourish. And that’s why I stand here today in honor of the millions of American workers organized, and not yet organized, and say that I will work to see that happen. And that is not a promise...it is a commitment.
Thank you.
