The current regime in Washington has brought high food and gas prices, an unnecessary war in the Middle East, and rampant corruption. Funding for healthcare and education has been slashed, while tax breaks are lavished on the wealthy and corporations are invited to help themselves to public money. Laws and regulations designed to protect workers, consumers, and the environment are being weakened or discarded entirely, and corporations routinely ignore what protections we still have.
In the upcoming midterm elections, working people have two tasks. The first is to vote to replace this anti-worker Congress, and the second is to ensure that our votes are counted and the results respected. The politicians who have brought us to this point are seeking to insulate themselves from voters’ wrath by curtailing democracy and sabotaging the elections. They have been suppressing the votes of working people, making baseless claims about voter fraud, and floating the possibility of not recognizing the results.
American democracy has never been perfect, but when working-class voters don’t hold politicians accountable with their votes, government officials have given free rein to corporations to cut our wages and benefits, destroy our jobs, and plunder the public treasury. Both the federal government and many state governments have already begun criminalizing dissent. If we lose our democracy, we risk losing our rights to speak out, to protest, and to strike. In short, our fights against corporations and the rich will become much, much harder.
It is thus crucial that every working-class citizen register and vote in these elections, and vote early if possible.
But it is also important that working people be ready to take action if the results of the election are not honored. UE has been working with our allies in Labor for Democracy and May Day Strong to make sure the elections are carried out fairly, that every vote is counted, and that the winners are certified and seated. Many UE locals have been taking part in these discussions and preparations.
UE members should be on alert from election day through January 3 (when the next Congress will be seated) and ready to step up and raise your voice to demand that democracy be respected. We know that the labor movement is the most important bulwark against authoritarianism, and we intend to make sure our voices are heard and to preserve our democracy.
Scott Slawson
General President
Andrew Dinkelaker
Secretary-Treasurer
Kimberly Lawson
Director of Organization