Leaders are judged not just by what they say but to whom they listen. President Obama's speech tonight shows that he has listened to the single mom working two jobs to get by, to the out-of-work construction worker, to the retired factory worker, to the student serving coffee to help pay for college.  

By laying out a vision of an America that can create jobs and prosperity for all instead of wealth for the few, the President voiced the aspirations and concerns of those who are too often ignored. 
  

And tonight he made clear that the era of the 1% getting rich by looting the economy, rather than creating jobs, is over-what a contrast to the vision presented by presidential candidates squabbling over how much further to cut the taxes of the 1%.  

Recognizing the need for accountability the President powerfully insisted on a more humble Wall Street subject to a thorough investigation of the misconduct in the mortgage markets that wrecked our economy by the full range of federal and state civil and criminal authorities. We applaud the creation of a new mortgage crisis unit to be co-chaired by New York's Attorney General, Eric Schneiderman. 
 

President Obama spoke to the confidence of working people that if we are determined and committed, we can revitalize "Made in the USA." That commitment to American manufacturing, made possible in part by enhanced enforcement of trade laws being violated by too many of our trade partners. Trade on a fair playing field is welcome news to the too many productive, hard working Americans sitting idle unnecessarily. 

The President also gave hope to our nation's young people with his words of support for DREAM students, immigrants brought to this country by their parents and committed to the quintessentially American vision of hard work at school or in military service.

Now it's time for Congress to stop standing in the way of rebuilding our country and act.  For too long, Congress has stood in the way of economic recovery-now, we need Congress to act swiftly and on the massive scale our crisis of joblessness demands.
 

The clarity of the contrast between the record and rhetoric of President Obama and Indiana's Governor Mitch Daniels, who is giving the GOP response tonight, represents all too well the sad decline of the national Republican party. Daniels flip-flop into supporting "right to work for less" is a prime example of a party increasingly fixated with accommodating the voices of CEOs instead of every day Americans.

Contact:  Jeff Hauser (202) 637-5018

Jan. 20, 2012

Over the past year, GOP-controlled state houses have been passing Voter ID laws, making it harder for many people, including America's seniors, to vote. Alliance for Retired Americans President Barbara Easterling says this is an outrage: "Our generation, like those who came before us, fought and died for the right to vote. We must never let politicians take this away."

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Read more important news of the day on the issues working families care about.

Brothers and Sisters,

We did it!  Over one million signatures have been collected to recall Gov. Scott Walker.  Later today, these signatures will be handed in to the Government Accountability Board for validation.  Together, union members and tens of thousands of grassroots volunteers have collected enough signatures to force special recall elections for Gov. Scott Walker, Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch, Sen. Pam Galloway, Sen. Terry Moulton, Sen. Scott Fitzgerald and Sen. Van Wanggaard. 

That's right, all targeted recall campaigns reached or surpassed their signature goals!  This is a historic moment in Wisconsin history.  The people of Wisconsin are taking charge of their democracy and taking back our government from a corporate politician.   

Signature Totals

• Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch - 845,000
• Sen. Terry Moulton of Chippewa Falls - 21,000+
• Sen. Pam Galloway of Wausau -21,000+
• Sen. Van Wanggaard of Racine - 24,000
• Sen. Scott Fitzgerald - 20,600

The people have spoken loud and clear and we are ready to put an early end to Gov. Walker's reign.  Next, the Government Accountability Board will begin validating signatures.  After the validating process is complete election dates will be determined.   Today is a day for celebration; tomorrow we will continue to educate our friends and neighbors on the disastrous affects of Gov. Walker's agenda. 

In Solidarity,

Phil Neuenfeldt, President

Stephanie Bloomingdale, Secretary-Treasurer
 

As you may have heard by now, John Boehner and his caucus of Tea Party obstructionists in the House of Representatives finally accepted political reality. Yesterday, they announced they'd join with 89 out of 100 senators from both political parties who'd already voted to renew unemployment aid for two months-with no cuts and no strings attached.

This is an enormous victory. Thanks to you, 2.8 million jobless Americans will have a brighter holiday season-and a helping hand over the next two months. Not an easy time. Not a handout or a free ride. But a lifeline and a chance that you made possible.

In the fight to extend aid for the jobless, the 99% went on the offense against the 1% politicians. And we won. And if working people keep it up, we'll score more victories and build a better future. Not every time-two steps forward, one step back. But look around. People all across the country are saying our economy and our democracy are out of balance. And they're winning the public debate.

I hope you'll take some well-deserved time this holiday season to rest, reflect and recharge. Because in 2012, huge challenges will keep on coming. And we'll need you ready to start early, act often and work harder than ever.

I wish all the best for you and your family, for our unions and for our nation this holiday season and in the year ahead.

Thank you for all the work you do.

In Solidarity,

Richard L. Trumka
President, AFL-CIO

P.S. Want to get more involved in our work? "Like" the AFL-CIO on Facebook.

Brothers and Sisters,

WOW!  Union members and recall activists have gathered over 507,533 signatures to reclaim Wisconsin and recall Gov. Walker.  This is a huge accomplish, but we aren't stopping now!  Our new goal is to collect 720,277 signatures before the January deadline. 

With your help we can surpass our goal and ensure that Gov. Walker's on attacks Wisconsin workers and families are stopped. 

Click here to donate to the recall effort before the end of the year deadline.  If everyone pitches in we will have the grassroots, people power to combat Gov. Walker's big moneyed, corporate backers like the Koch Brothers.   

A new report released by the Institute for Wisconsin's Future shows that the ripple affects of Gov. Walker's policies will cost Wisconsin over 18,000 full-time, private sector jobs a year.  This report is a stark reminder of why we must recall Scott Walker.

Click here to donate $10 today.  Need a last minute holiday gift?  Donate in honor of a friend or family member.  Your donation will directly go to restoring democracy and ensuring that we have the resources necessary to recall Scott Walker.  We need jobs, not a Governor who puts corporate special interests above the 99%. 

Checks can be sent to:

        Wisconsin AFL-CIO Worker Defense Fund
        6333 W. Bluemound Road, Milwaukee, WI 53213

In Solidarity,

Phil Neuenfeldt, President

Stephanie Bloomingdale, Secretary-Treasurer

P.S.  Heading to a holiday party?  Print off recall petitions at http://grassroots.wisdems.org/page/s/petitions-afl-cio, complete and return to your local union hall or to the address listed on the petition.