MAPLE GROVE—Ashwin Madia, a DFL candidate in the 3rd Congressional District, was endorsed today by Teamsters Local 120, just one day after participating in a debate hosted by the Minneapolis Central Labor Union Council.
“As a first-generation American, an Iraq War veteran and a professional legal advocate, Ashwin is everything a congressman should be,” said Brad A. Slawson, Jr., president of Teamsters Local 120. “He will use his experience and insight to pursue Teamster priorities — ranging from healthcare reform to pension protection; from passage of the Employee Free Choice Act to stopping cross-border trucking with Mexico.”Local 120 is the largest Teamsters local in Minnesota.
“We will deliver the support of over 13,000 members for Ashwin,” Slawson said. “We know he will deliver on the issues for us.”
Analysis to follow, the rest of the release is below.
Zack Adds: This is a very nice pickup for Madia. Garning a major union endorsement adds credibility and some boots on the ground. This is shaping up to be a real race and with Senate District convention season just around the corner (the first CD 3 Senate District convention is on March 1) I can hardly wait to see how this plays out.
Madia, who has made advocating for working families a centerpiece of his campaign, vowed that he’ll work tirelessly to justify the faith Teamsters Local 120 has placed in him.
“I’m honored by this endorsement,” he said. “Working families need more than platitudes and political doublespeak. They need and deserve a representative who will stand up for health care, fair wages, the right to organize and job creation.”
In debates with other DFL candidates, Madia has not wavered in his support of economic policies that will benefit the Middle Class.
“The big special interests don’t need another congressman,” he said. “I’m in this race on behalf of the working families who make America great. That’s who I’ll be fighting for everyday when I go to Washington.”
This is fabulous news! Madia is proving that he has what it takes to go to Congress for us - not just to get the job - but to DO the job. Excellent job, Ash!
That’s great that the unions are doing endorsement before Precinct Caucus.
American workers can expect that government will be looking out for their interests more in 2009 when we have a Bigger Majority in Congress and new people in cabinet positions like Secretary of Labor, Secretary of Health and Human Services, etc., selected by a DEMOCRATIC President.
CONGRATULATIONS ASH!!!!! No one will work harder and provide us with better representation! As the wife of a union member I am THRILLED to support Ashwin Madia for the 3rd CD!
Nice endorsement for Madia.
But my real question is for Virtually Speakinig — what does this exactly mean: “American workers can expect that government will be looking out for their interests more”?
What are examples of how government is supposed to manage the relationship and transaction between a worker and their employer?
If you are planning to attend your caucus, please show your support for the unclassified employees of the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office in their attempt to unionize. There are several posts and comments on Minnesota Lawyer blog, http://www.minnlawyer.blogspot.com, about the union-busting campaign that has been going on for months in the Office of the DEL-endorsed Attorney General. More about this shocking affront to organized labor is at the organizers’ blog, http://www.agunion.blogspot.com.
Here is a proposed resolution that appeared today in a comment on the Minnesota Lawyer blog:
WHEREAS, the DFL Party recognizes the fundamental right of workers to organize and bargain collectively; and
WHEREAS, state employees should not be forced to compromise their obligation of serving the people of the state in the interest of serving the politics of the an elected official; and
WHEREAS, the people of the state are better served by state employees who develop expertise in their field and do not fear losing their job at any time and for any reason.
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the DFL Party will honor its proud history and support the efforts of the majority of attorneys and legal assistants to organize in the Attorney General’s Office; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that anyone seeking the DFL Party’s endorsement for a state constitutional office shall be asked, immediately prior to a vote for that endorsement, whether he or she will voluntarily recognize any attempts by employees to organize in the office of the position sought.
Trade agreements can affect the relationships between workers and employers when employers decide to move jobs from one state or country to another.
Government affects the relationship between a worker and their employer through things like mine safety standards, and prohibitions against smoking in the workplace.
Minnesota Monthly features a story about MN miners with cancer and the MN Dept of Health. Asbestos was not determined to be a problem for the miners because the microscopes used for testing did not magnify the particles enough for them to be seen.
http://www.minnesotamonthly.com/media/Minnesota-Monthly/February-2008/Miner-Problem/
My question is for members of Congress: Reps. Bachmann, Kline, Ramstad, and Peterson: Why did you vote NO on the new mine safety standards in January?
Fair enough of the safety standard point. At face value I can’t disagree with that.
As for offshoring, there is alot more to it than a greedy business owner. Sometimes the choice isn’t between selling an American-made or Mexican-made widget. Sometimes it is between selling the Mexican-made widget or not selling any widgets because you can’t compete with the global economy’s pricing.
Free trade isn’t bad — it just means we need to focus on creative, knowledge jobs at which we have a competitive advantage.
First, my congratulations to Captain Madia and his team - excellent job. They were obviously prepared for battle, and executed.
DTM, my problem is when companies flee the good ol’ USofA to manufacture elsewhere, where they can avoid the good ol’ USofA’s safety regulations, to protect workers; environmental regulations, to protect water and air and etc.
And I have a real problem if gov’t subsidies are given to corporations that offshore jobs. Subsidies should be given to corporations that KEEP American jobs.
But, that’s just me.
Back to the subject at hand…
Say, Captain Madia?
Excellent job, and Semper Fi.
This is great news! Ashwin Madia is an excellent Third Congressional District candidate who understands the middle class’ current economic dilemma. He comes from a working middle class immigrant family. In his family, he has experienced first hand how much work it is to get to and stay in the middle class.
Why do the taxpayers who lost their jobs have to help subsidize these moves with tax breaks and corporate welfare?
China grows as a America slows.
The money made by “American” corporations does not stay here to create new jobs, it goes to China, India, and Vietnam to create them there.
Yet, we still want to cut the corporate tax rate.
How much more of our tax dollars need to go to corporations that don’t in turn use those funds to create jobs here?
Will the government continue Bush’s growth plan and soon be creating more jobs then the private sector?
America needs jobs, not so we can all have two or three, but jobs that provide a living wage in turn for the work provided.
Corporate tax breaks should only be for those that invest in America and create the jobs here.
Congratulations to Ash Madia. As I have stated from Day 1, anyone who listens to him speak will be inspired. He speaks from the experience of middle class values and striving to serve country.
I also have a problem with companies and citizens who hide their money in off shore accounts to avoid paying taxes. It is certainly UnAmerican and UnPatriotic!
And what about those companies that manufacture most of their product offshore, then bring it in for some minor finish and claim it was “American Made”?
The company that pays our paycheck has reduced it’s Minnesota workforce by 25% in the last 5 years, and is continuing to find ways to outsource jobs every day. (that translates into 10,000 jobs lost so far) The product has gone down in quality, customer service is becoming non-existent, and overall quality control, employee pride, loyalty and work ethic is in the toilet. We have lost income, health care benefits, retirement funding, sick leave and vacation time. Now the company may be finding a way to leave this state completely.
There are no jobs out there to replace this one here, so if that happens, a lot of people and other companies will be leaving with this company, and how does that help Minnesota?
Ashwin Madia understands the current plight of the middle class worker. It really is about fairness — fairness for companies, fairness for workers, and fairness for the American public that depends on jobs to grow and prosper. I think it is also about Patriotism — and these companies that outsource, hide assets and clamor for more and more subsidies and tax breaks without giving back to this country, workers, or this economy are Un-American and should be called such! Americans want to work! Ashwin Madia understands this and will represent us well in Washington.
Contratulations Ashwin Madia!
I also heard a report last night that the 4 current presidential republican candidates and Bush himself are multimillionaires who benefit greatly from the Bush taxcuts. The media pundits who harp on it are also multimillionaires who will lose a lot if those tax cuts are recinded. How disingenuous!
How many posters here are truly benefitting from these tax cuts? Or is it a knee jerk “taxes bad — Democrats bad” mentality?
Workers want to work! Ashwin Madia understands that!
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/01/AR2008020103262.html?wpisrc=newsletter&wpisrc=newsletter
Ashwin cannot win in the 3rd CD. We will be giving the seat to the Republicans if Ashwin is the endorsed candidate.DFLer’s need to get smart and endorse a candidate who can win in this district. Remember Ramstad had many DFL and independents vote for him. Ashwin is not that kind of candidate.
4 current presidential republican candidates and Bush himself are multimillionaires
Are we now penalizing people for being successful in the private sector?
DantheMan,
I agree 100%.
Only Republican candidates can be Multimillionaires.
Everybody knows any DemocRat candidates who are rich and successful, like John Edwards, are hypocrites,
Great Job!
(((SMACK!)))
Back, back, back, back….
That one’s OUTA HERE!!! Touch ‘em all, TFRWG!!!
Are we now penalizing people for being successful in the private sector?
Since when is asking people to contribute a fair share to society a penalty? Suggesting that paying taxes is a penalty goes back to the failed and, thankfully, dead philosophy of Reagan and the “me” generation. As a “business executive” you should understand the concept of investment. Maybe if you went out and got a real job. Maybe if you actually did something that really contributed something. Maybe if you did something useful, you would have a clue. Trouble is, you’re a “business executive”, and by defination, you have no useful skills. It’s telling that the wealthiest of us whine and cry about having to pay taxes while children don’t have access to health care. That’s why Reaganism is dead the GOP won’t see the inside of the White House for another 20 years.
Review of the last debate
http://gavinsullivan.blogspot.com/
“Ashwin Madia is by far the most articulate and knowledgeable of the three candidates”
Bonoffs “Business Experience” at work
“In response to a letter carrier’s question, she suggested that a problem caused by the growth of the internet is a reduction in the number of letters people mail — and that a potential step toward a resolution would be to allow voters to mail in their ballots.”
More to come on new claims by the incredible, inevitable Terri Bonoff of her “Business Experience”…
Richard, Richard, Richard…..
So let me get this straight. If I’m paying a VERY significant chunk of my income — to the tune of $65,000 a year, in taxes, and I have a four person family, and my tax bill is my family’s largest bill by three times (my mortgage is a distance second), then I’m not paying my fair share?
The Bush Tax Cut was not the Bush Tax Elimination. You all seem to forget that.
DTM,
If you’re paying $65K in taxes, what are you grossing?
Seems to me you have a nice problem to have.
BTW - They hire any illegals where you work? You know, janitors, etc….
DM - “If I’m paying a VERY significant chunk of my income”
Don’t blame Democrats. The republicans had control of congress and they racked up the biggest deficits of all time. At some point someone has to bring the deficits under control. Your side had the change and is currently leaving us this massive fiscal mess.
“DTM,
If you’re paying $65K in taxes, what are you grossing?
Seems to me you have a nice problem to have.
BTW - They hire any illegals where you work? You know, janitors, etc….”
Let me just say I’m paying a higher % of my earnings to taxes today than I was 5 years ago or 10 years ago when I was making much less. I’m not a trust fund baby — started my career with mega student loans and am now doing OK.
My point is that insinuating that I’m not paying my fair share is ignorant. The contrary, actually. I should be even more concerned that government is using my contribution wisely!!!
“They hire any illegals where you work? You know, janitors, etc….”
We hire people of all nationalities and backgrounds and follow all employment rules of the USA. If you are the best person to do the job, you get the job.
Of course DTM, that bastion of corporate conservatism and pragmatism, wont admit that the repubs are the ones who put us in this sorry fiscal shape, that we will be forced to raise takes.
The past eight years have veered away from good conservative principles, and nearly everyone on our side would tell you that.
But what irks me is the “fair share” comment. If I stop paying my taxes, hundreds go without. But instead of that point being recognized, the wealthy are vilified.
Although this endorsement is gratifying, it is not surprising considering the excellent quality of Madia’s candidacy. Furthermore, Bonoff’s dismal voting record on issues supporting working families has earned her the lowest union rating of MN democratic senators. Not surprising, the Chamber of Commerce rates her voting record the highest of all Minnesota democratic senators.