Grassroots Action Key to Political Victory
Members of the MNPL National Planning Committee discussed plans and debated policies to give working families a greater voice in the political arena. Republicans “did a better job blocking, tackling and executing the plays than did Democrats,” said political analyst Charlie Cook. “Republicans had a message, Democrats did not.”

Despite the GOP’s successes in winning both houses of Congress, Cook said the country remains almost evenly divided between Democrats and Republicans.

Cook said Bush might be able to ram most of his legislation through a compliant House, but faces major problems on the Senate side, where the GOP holds a shaky two-vote edge. He further noted that while Bush is dropping in recent polls, such polls mean absolutely nothing at this time.

Cook said that if Bush has a big win in Iraq and the economy rebounds, “he would beat FDR or JFK or anyone else the Democrats could put up. Otherwise, it would be a very even race.”

South Dakota Members Hit the Powerball
Twenty-nine IAM members from Watertown, South Dakota, hit last week’s Powerball jackpot, splitting a $101 million dollar prize with an Indiana man.

Each member of the group can receive a one-time lump sum of $588,507, or collect 30 annual payments of $36,427. “They ought to celebrate and then talk to a tax consultant,” said South Dakota Lottery Director Clint Harris. 

The winners are members of IAM Local 2357. They work, for now, at Minnesota Rubber in Watertown, SD. Local 2357 is affiliated with IAM District 5 in Aberdeen, SD.

Bush Budget Busts Deficit Record
Here we go again! Former President Ronald Reagan promised tax cuts and increased defense spending would set the nation on the path to economic recovery, lead to increased prosperity and balance the budget.  Reagan’s “economic miracle” never happened. His plan plunged the nation into the deepest recession since the Great Depression.

President George W. Bush sent a budget to Congress built on the same shaky underpinnings, yet promises the same economic miracles. He includes a huge tax cut, primarily for the wealthiest taxpayers and corporations, as well as a Medicare “reform” plan that opens the doors to the rapacious predators of both the insurance and drug industries.

The Bush budget foresees a deficit of more than $300 billion—even without the added costs of a possible war in Iraq. The deficit would set a new record, a record previously held by his father, the first President Bush.

Last Chance for IAM Web Class
There are still unfilled spots for the April Basic Web Development school at the Winpisinger Center in Hollywood, MD. The weeklong course gives students hands-on instruction in the creation of a union website. If you are interested, please call Donna Georgallas immediately: 301-967-4520 or email her: dgeorgallas@iamaw.org.