Candidates must answer to workers

Presidential contenders need solid positions on trade, pay and unions

As Thanksgiving approaches each year, I list things for which I am grateful. Spending time with family and friends tops the list, along with good health, warmth and a tasty meal. I'm far from unique -- this time of year many of us recognize things that are important.

In another part of my life, there's one more thing I'm thankful for: knowing that we have the chance to vote for a new president in 2008. We have the chance to select a president who realizes the widening economic chasm between our rich and poor citizens, and who grasps the impact of unfair trade agreements.

In short, we can vote for a president who stands up for American workers. In Michigan and across the country, we can't weather another four years of President Bush-style priorities, boosting the wealthy at the expense of workers and their families.

As presidential debates continue -- the first primaries are early next year -- we need to learn exactly how our next president will ensure workers won't be sold short again.

How will workers have the ability to earn fair pay and benefits for themselves and their families?


According to a Wall Street Journal story from last month, the amount the top earners hauled in stretched to a postwar record. "The wealthiest 1 percent of Americans earned 21.2 percent of all income in 2005. . . . sharply up from 19 percent in 2004," the Journal reported. Meanwhile, the same story notes that from 2000 to 2005, the median income actually fell 2 percent. Full Article.......