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CLINTONCOUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY  NEWSLETTER

?Absolute freedom of the press to  discuss public questions is a

foundation stone of American  liberty."

(President Herbert Clark Hoover,  April 22, 1929)

http://www.clintoncountydemocrats.org

September 5,  2005

LABOR  DAY

On Labor Day we honor the working  men and women of our nation.  The Labor Unions have done an outstanding job  of promoting the welfare of wage earners, determining wages, hours, working  conditions and job security.  They have lobbied Congress and State  Legislatures to pass laws protecting workers and promoting collective  bargaining.  These laws have been responsible for producing a high standard  of living, shorter working days and safety requirements in the work place that  protect workers from accidents.  These benefits were achieved in the face  of stiff and sometimes violent opposition by industrial tycoons.    American Labor Unions have set a standard for the rest of the World.  By  guaranteeing widespread participation they have been the major influence in the  strong economy that our nation enjoys.

The first Labor Day parade took  place in New York City in  1882.  President Grover Cleveland, a Democrat, signed the bill in 1894  making Labor Day a national holiday.

IN  MEMORY OF LEN HENRICKSEN

We will miss greatly Len Henricksen  who passed away Wednesday, August 31.  Len and his wife Jean have been  members and loyal workers for the Clinton County Democrats for many years.   Len was a member of Local 387 Plumbing and Pipe Fitters? Union.

COMING  EVENTS

LABOR  DAY PICNIC

Sunday, September 4,  12:00 ? 4:00 P.M.

Free beverages!   Free food!  Free prizes!  Fun for the entire  family!

EaglePointPark Lodge. 

Sponsored  by the Clinton Labor  Congress

BRUCE  BRALEY CAMPAIGN ?BREAKFAST?

Friday,  September 9 - 7:30 ? 8:30 A.M.

Riverside  Restaurant

517  North 2nd Street,  Clinton

Stop on your way to  work to meet Bruce Braley, Democratic Candidate for Congress.  Enjoy  conversation with a candidate who wants to hear your ideas and will  listen.  (Democratic candidates invite everyone to their  events.)

SCHOOL  BOARD ELECTIONS ? Tuesday, September 13

SENATOR  TOM HARKIN?S STEAK FRY

with special guest  Senator John Edwards

Sunday, September 18,  2005

WarrenCounty Fair  Grounds

Indianola, Iowa

Purchase tickets  at  www.tomharkin.com

This annual event is  one of the largest gatherings of Democrats in the State of Iowa.   The counties of Dubuque, Clinton, and Scott are  organizing a charter bus to go to the steak fry.  We have to fill 45 seats  at $20 per person for the ride, but we get a discounted $15 for the steak fry  because bus loads will get a break on the ticket.  Since the bus is  originating in Dubuque, we will meet in  DeWitt to catch the bus. The Clinton goal is twelve  seats.  We may get a few more if we act fast.  Do you want to sign up?

Contact Jean  Pardee,jmpardee@mchsi.com, by Tuesday, Sept. 6.

COMING  EVENTS

THE CLINTONCOUNTY  DEMOCRATIC CENTRAL COMMITTEE WILL MEET

Tuesday, September 20 at  7:30 P.M. in the

Democratic Headquarters at  224 22nd  Place.

One of the highlights of this  month?s Central Committee meeting will be a report by State Senator Roger  Stewart.  Senator Stewart was a member of an eight day good will trip to  Taiwan  from August 26 ? September 2.  Taiwan is a major customer  for Iowa  pork.

A  PEACE BUS

has been reserved by  the Quad City Progressive Action Group

for September 23 to travel from Davenport to WashingtonD.C.

for the Anti-War Rally  on September 24.

DEMOCRATIC  CANDIDATES FOR GOVERNOR SPEAK AT LABOR FORUM

On Wednesday, August 17 potential  Democratic candidates for Governor Mike Blouin, Chet Culver, Ed Fallon and Patty  Judge answered questions in a forum at the Iowa Federation of Labor state  convention in Waterloo. Candidates mostly answered questions with  generalized statements that support union stances and foundations for the  upcoming campaign. They all support a higher minimum wage and project labor  agreements, which require the government to hire workers at the prevailing wage.  They all oppose more privatization of government services and a constitutional  limit on spending and taxing. The most open-ended question asked  candidates what one thing they would do to improve the work lives of Iowans.  Rep. Fallon cited election reform as a key to better government, and as  a result, better opportunities for Iowans. ?More than anything we need a clean  election law in this state," Fallon said. "If we get that passed we'd go a long  ways to a government more focused on the needs of working people in this state."  Secretary of Agriculture Judge cited health care reform as a  priority.  "When we get ready to talk about wages, we're talking about  health care," Judge said, noting that every collective bargaining contract these  days revolves around health insurance premiums. "It's time we get this under  control because it affects everything we do." Chet Culver believes that  creation and retention of good jobs is the top priority for Iowa workers. He said  good wages, good benefits and work environment should be a top priority for  state government.  "I think if you have one thing is you have to create a  good job with good benefits and a chance to retire with dignity," Culver said.  "I'm very concerned it's these good quality, paying jobs that are diminishing  out there." The final speaker, Blouin resigned as director of the Iowa  Department of Economic Development to explore a run at governor. He wants Iowans  to feel better about themselves and the state.  "One change I'd like to  bring about is to return confidence about Iowa among the workers.  These have not been good years for workers," he said. He said Iowans  need a government that listens better to what the citizens have to say. "We  really do look at each other as family. And this family is hurting," he  said.

(Based on an article in the Iowa  Democratic Party Newsletter and a news release in the Quad City  Times)