In My Opinion: Why Newt Gingrich Wishes You Wouldn't Vote Nov. 3

A few months ago, CWA members and other unionists throughout California waged, and won, a titanic battle against anti-labor extremists who sought to take workers out of the political process.

Having defeated Proposition 226, it would surely be ironic — and tragic — if we took ourselves out of the process by not bothering to vote.

The political columnists and TV talking heads are predicting a very low voter turnout this year, citing complacency over the economy, a lack of "exciting" issues, and perhaps disgust over the X-rated political discourse now consuming Washington (see story on page 5).

For American working families, the Nov. 3 election could hardly be more critical. Not only are major issues such as the future of Social Security and deteriorating education and health care systems awaiting action by the next Congress — a tidal wave of assaults on job standards and worker protections also could be on the agenda if the anti-worker extremists win more seats.

Remember what happened the last time voter apathy took hold in an "off year," 1994. A crop of right-wing ideologues swept into office and, along with newly crowned House Speaker Newt Gingrich, tried to impose a legislative "Contract" that appalled the majority of Americans.

Trouble was, the majority of Americans had stayed home on Election Day while corporate America and the religious right were turning out their supporters.

In the years since, CWA and other unions and allies of working people have had to fight a defensive battle against the unholy trinity of Gingrich, Armey and DeLay in the House along with their counterparts in the Senate. This is their agenda — what they have already pushed in Congress, and what we can expect in 1999 if they are strengthened at the polls next month:

A national "right-to-work" law.

Repeal of the Family and Medical Leave Act.

A bill to make it easier for corporations to raid pension funds.

Elimination of the 40-hour week and dismantling of the Fair Labor Standards Act.

Drastic cuts in funding of federal health and safety protections.

Cuts in Medicare, Medicaid and student loans.

Reclassification of millions of workers as "independent contractors" ineligible for overtime, pensions and health insurance.

Repeal of the federal ban against employer-dominated "unions."

A federal "paycheck protection" law that would eliminate union PACs while corporations and the Christian Coalition have the political field to themselves.

These measures were stopped by the collective political action of millions of American workers, through their unions. And that’s exactly why Gingrich and his GOPAC cronies along with the Chamber of Commerce and various right-wing tycoons bankrolled the Prop 226 "paycheck protection" initiative in California. They hoped that success there would start an avalanche of state measures to stifle the voice of working families in politics.
This same crowd hopes that organized labor won’t be energized for this election, and that union families won’t turn out to vote.

Let’s prove them wrong.

If you need information on how your candidates stand on key worker issues, the story on page 5 lists several Internet sites including CWA’s legislative-political site where the voting records of congressional incumbents, and CWA’s endorsements, can be found. Your CWA local union and local AFL-CIO offices also can provide information.

Our enemies tried to muzzle us. They failed. Now let’s be sure that our voices are heard loud and clear on Nov. 3.