January - February - United Mine Workers of America

Government
in action
Keeping them honest
What UMWA members expect from the new administration and Congress
Working families across America voted overwhelmingly
for change last November. In state after
state, the votes of UMWA members, our families,
our neighbors and millions more working people
just like us were the difference not just for President Barack Obama,
but also for U.S. Senate and U.S. House candidates who promised a
changed federal government—one that respected the value of the
work we do to keep America strong.
Now comes the time for
the politicians to live up to
their promises. As we know
from long experience, it’s
easy for politicians to say
they’re going to do something.
But when it comes
to actually doing what they
promised, sometimes they need
to know someone’s watching, ready
to hold them accountable.
As the Obama administration
and the new Congress begin working
to solve the tremendous challenges
facing the United States, the UMW
Journal will be taking a periodic look
at what they’re doing, and how that
squares with what they promised.
We’re watching. And so
should you.
Priority #1: Fixing the
Bush economic disaster
The United States and much of
the rest of the world are suffering
through the worst economic times
most can remember. Caused initially
10 January/February 2009 • United Mine Workers Journal