A Better Way

Dwight D. Eisenhower, a Republican President and decorated World War II general, must have rolled over in his tomb when it was reported that employees of military contractors had directed some U.S. soldiers to commit shocking acts of brutality against Iraqi prisoners.

In an eloquent farewell speech in 1961, Eisenhower warned Americans against handing over the keys to the republic to the "military-industrial complex." But one of the stories that is coming out is that so many contractors are in Iraq as part of our military operations over there, including some who have lost their lives in a most tragic and brutal fashion.

We grieve for our fellow citizens, but their deaths prompt the question. Is this the ultimate example of "outsourcing," putting private sector workers into jobs once done by trained military personnel?

This administrations outsourcing policy in Iraq mirrors its record with the domestic economy. They have praised the "outsourcing" of millions of jobs, while giving the corporations and military profiteers record tax breaks. Despite some signs of economic recovery, millions of Americans, including thousands of IBEW members, are out of work. Millions more can no longer afford adequate health care or housing. In recent polls, the majority of Americans surveyed stated that our nation is headed in the "wrong direction." We dont need a poll to know that our nations prestige in the world is at an all-time low.

Even leading Republicans are expressing the fear that Bush and Cheneys policies are more rooted in politics and ideology than facts and common sense. Former Treasury Secretary Paul ONeill said several months ago that Bush was "a blind man in a room full of deaf people." Bruce Bartlett, a conservative economist, discussed Bushs policy-making with the Washington Post. Bartlett said that the Bush/Cheney administration formulates policy in the White House based upon their ideological and political agenda; then they feed it to the bureaucrats "not for analysis, but for sale."

Robert Kagan, another conservative said: "All but the most blindly devoted Bush supporters can see that Bush administration officials have no clue about what to do in Iraq tomorrow, much less a month from now." Celebrated conservative writer George Will echoed Kagans critique in a recent column.

Any administration that is truly interested in solving our nations domestic problemsand building real national unitywould invite our unions to take our place at the table in the policy-making process. Previous Republican administrations have done this on occasion. The Bush/Cheney ideologues have pushed us away and drawn the battle lines. Their approach is an affront to all dues-paying union members, the men and women who build and maintain our nation, fight our wars and renew our communities.

Senator John Kerrys campaign has invited our unions to the table to help devise solutions to the complex problems facing our nation. That partly explains why the Bush campaign is investing millions of dollars to paint him as a candidate who does not represent mainstream American values.

Changing presidents wont solve all of our problems. It will only mark the beginning of another round of hard work to achieve our goals. But we now knowbeyond the shadow of a doubtthat there will be no progress for working families in this country unless and until George W. Bush is sent packing.

Mobilization 2004 is the IBEWs contribution to solving Americas problems. This issue of the Journal gives our members the practical steps for a successful campaign. We can only succeed if every local puts those steps in place at our worksites and communities. I am confident that our members will proudly stand up for Americas future and make Mobilization 2004 an absolute victory.

  Secretary-
Treasurers
Message

June 2004 IBEW Journal