Union Members Tell McCain: Don’t Tax Our Benefits!

[Omaha Steve]

http://blog.aflcio.org/2008/04/16/union-members-tell-mccain-don%e2%80%99t-tax-our-benefits/

by Seth Michaels, Apr 16, 2008

Yesterday, John McCain made a speech intended to address the economic crisis, one that offered almost nothing for struggling working families, but quite a lot for the corporate elites who have reaped the rewards from the Bush years.

What McCain left out of his economic proposals was any real solution to the problems facing America’s working families. All the Republican presidential candidate has offered so far are billions in tax cuts for the very wealthiest, along with a health care plan that would actually tax workers’ benefits. As the Wall Street Journal noted today, McCain has not only switched positions to support Bush’s tax cuts for the wealthy, he’s gone even further.


On April 15, union members in Pittsburgh were among activists across the country pointing out that McCain would tax our health care benefits.


Before his speech in Pittsburgh yesterday, McCain held yet another high-priced fundraiser. Outside the Omni William Penn Hotel, more than 75 union members protested McCain-Bush policies that favor corporations and the extremely wealthy. The action was organized with the help of the Allegheny County Labor Council and the Southwestern Pennsylvania Area Labor Federation.

Later in the day, union members came out around the country to respond to McCain’s proposals and ask him for a better deal. They met at post offices to alert taxpayers to the real consequences of McCain’s health care proposal, which could raise taxes and decrease coverage.

In Pittsburgh, Pastor Ken Love, a 25-year member of UAW Local 544, spoke about the need for working people to fight for an economy that works for everyone.

It’s time for working people to step up and vote for change in November and to vote for politicians who care about workers and our economic well-being, not just the well-being of the corporations and wealthy.

FULL story at link.