International Operating Engineer - Summer 2016

Election 2016: Special Series
“In America, we put
common interest before
self-interest. We stand
together because we know
we’re stronger together.”
Clinton has Real Plans to Create Real Jobs
Infrastructure to be focus of first 100 days in office
SPEAKING BEFORE A largely bluecollar
crowd in a Los Angeles suburb,
Hillary Clinton committed to sending
“a comprehensive infrastructure
proposal to Congress in her first 100
days in office” if she is elected president
this fall.
“We will start working immediately,”
Clinton told those who gathered in
Buena Park, California in May, calling
her infrastructure plan, “the most
significant increase in infrastructure
investment since Dwight Eisenhower’s
Interstate Highway System,” a 1956
act that built 47,856 miles of highway
across America.
“The state of our infrastructure
is a national emergency,” she said.
Clinton added that roads, airports
and public water needs to upgraded.
“We have bridges that are right now
too dangerous to drive on—although
people take a deep breath and drive
right across them,” she said. “We have
airports stuck in the mid-20th century
instead of the 21st century.”
Clinton’s infrastructure proposal --
which was first rolled out at a November
event in Boston -- will cost $275 billion.
The plan looks to increase infrastructure
spending over the next five years in
order to “bankroll upgrades to roads,
bridges, airports and public transit.”
The plan also includes establishing a
$25 billion national infrastructure bank,
which would put up federal dollars to
attract private investment.
“To build a strong economy for
our future, we must start by building
strong infrastructure today,” Clinton
said in Boston. “I want our cities to be
in the forefront of cities anywhere in
the world. I want our workers to be the
most competitive and productive in the
world. I want us, once again, to think
big and look up, beyond the horizon of
what is possible in America.”
Increased investments in
infrastructure will keep thousands of
Operating Engineers working and create
thousands of new job opportunities
over the next five years. Sixty-eight
percent of jobs related to infrastructure
investments are in the construction
sector, generating good jobs for IUOE
members and other construction crafts.
“Think of all the people we could put
to work,” with her plan, Clinton said.
[top] Hillary Clinton joined striking Trump
Taj Mahal workers in Atlantic City, NJ. The
union is fighting for fair wages, decent
healthcare, and secure retirement benefits.
The Truth on Trump: No Friend to Veterans
REPUBLICAN NOMINEE Donald
Trump has been vocal about the need
to take care of our military veterans.
His campaign materials promise that if
elected, he’ll “put our service men and
women on a path to success as they
leave active duty.”
However, Trump’s words ring
hollow in light of recent controversies.
The recipient of a draft deferral
during the Vietnam War— he got four
student deferments and a medical
disqualification for bone spurs in his
foot, despite being a student athlete—
Trump’s actions on behalf of veterans
fall well short of his campaign rhetoric.
In May, Trump was asked to account
for almost $6 million dollars he claimed
he had raised— including $1 million of
his own money— and had distributed
to various veteran organizations.
By having his public statements
“There’s nobody bigger
or better at the military
[Donald Trump on the
than I am.” O’Reilly Factor, 6/16/15]
scrutinized, he had to admit that only
a portion of the money was raised. It
wasn’t until Trump was called out that
his own pledged dollars were finally
sent to support veterans. Instead of
admitting his failure, he attacked the
media for pointing out his shortcomings
on the issue.
Even more disturbing than his
dishonesty towards charitable support
are the documented accounts of
veterans who have been mistreated by
Trump businesses. A number of the
controversies revolve around the now
infamous, for-profit “Trump University”
and associated companies.
Veterans Who Attended “Trump
University” Claim They Were Defrauded
The so-called “Trump University”
was never an accredited institution of
higher learning. “Trump University”
was actually a for-profit limited liability
corporation and despite its use of terms
like professors, adjunct professors and
tuition, it was never an actual university.
“Trump University” collected an
estimated $40 million from up to 10,000
students between 2005 and 2010.
During this time frame the New York
Department of Education said it was no
longer allowed to call itself a university.
The company changed its name to the
Trump Entrepreneur Initiative and
then promptly shut down in 2011. By
the time it ceased operations, “Trump
University” faced several lawsuits
and multiple state attorneys general
investigations.
Many of the alleged victims of
“Trump University” have told stories
TRUMP CONTINUED ON PAGE 22
The IUOE has taken the time to research the records of the candidates on key pocketbook issues important to Operating Engineers. We
understand that your vote is a personal decision. We hope that you find this information helpful when you make that decision in the privacy of
the voting booth. Please see www.engineersaction.org for more information.
16 INTERNATIONAL OPERATING ENGINEER
SUMMER 2016 17