I have a confession to make. I recently appointed Bob Morton, my Vice President, to be the C.O.L.C.P.E. coordinator of NALC Branch #3540. Now you may ask, what kind of confession is that? Well, the truth is I actually like Bob and I still appointed him to this “position”, that is my confession, I appointed my friend of 20 years to the worst job … oops, “position” that our Union has ever offered.

I think Bob accepted the job because he’s the kind of guy who’s always been there when I needed him. I chose Bob because I knew he could get this important job done. This position, COLCPE coordinator, may just become the most important task we as a Union have ever collectively undertaken.

This election cycle, fall 2006, is critical for the future of our country and our livelihoods. I know we’ve heard this before, but the situation has not been this desperate since the Reagan administration. We need to elect a labor friendly Congress in November of 2006, whether they are Democrat or Republican as long as they vote in favor of our issues. Our issues are the same issues that affect every working man and woman in this country.  

Politics in America is a funny business which is primarily driven by money. Cold hard cash … money talks and bulls*#t walks. These guys need money to run their re-election campaigns, television ads are very expensive not to mention print ads and mailings (including postage). They need our help to pay those bills. “Our” candidates need to get their message out so working men and women can make an informed decision on who they are voting for and why they are voting.

Now, you try to be the COLCPE coordinator in your office and sell that idea. It not easy, it’s a tough sell for sure. And for all these reasons, let me just say right now … I’m sorry Bob, but thanks a lot.