McCain-faced Grim Reapers march to support Obama

Several people dressed as the Grim Reaper wearing a mask of Republican presidential candidate John McCain walked with union members Wednesday to Town Square to support Barack Obama, the Democratic nominee for president.

"Obama talks about policies where we actually build new jobs here and build things here," said Grant Williams, with Change to Win, a coalition of unions backing Obama.

Williams and others said McCain's policies match those of President Bush, which they said have failed the country and the American worker.

"Obama is more concerned about the average worker where McCain is more concerned about major international corporations," Williams said.

The group began its march at the Carpenter's Union hall just down the street from Town Square. About 18 people participated holding signs and chanting "John McCain, more of the same." Three people were dressed as Grim Reaper with the McCain mask.

The march was dubbed the "Jobs Funeral March" with McCain Job Grim Reapers ready to take away more American jobs the same way Bush has, Williams said.

Williams said Bush's policies, which McCain supports, have cost Ohio 280,000 jobs and the loss of more than 1,000 businesses in the past eight years.

"When you give these corporations a tax break to move jobs to China, what are they going to do? Move their jobs to China. We need a policy that encourages jobs right here in America," Williams said.

George Shafer, a 27-year employee of Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. in Findlay, said his company recently announced it would close a plant and Findlay was one of four on the list of possibilities. He said that is a direct result of policies from the Bush administration that McCain supports.

Paul Beard with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, said the country cannot survive any longer under policies of the current administration, which McCain strongly supports.

"The quality of life for the American worker has dropped tremendously over the last eight years. I can recall a time when the American worker lived well and a good life and could send their children to college. Those days are behind us," he said