We move forward on our CWA issues — secure jobs and fair trade, health care, retirement security and bargaining and organizing — by building a coalition of workers and allies that’s 50 million strong.
That’s the only way to break through the wall that now limits our democracy. That’s the only way to overcome the impact of corporate and secret money in politics, voter suppression, broken Senate rules and barriers to legalization for immigrants that are threatening our democracy.
The democracy chart shows the major issues for CWA and progressives.
- CWA has pushed for bargaining and organizing rights (EFCA), secure jobs, fair trade, good healthcare for all, and retirement security … but we have been blocked in the Senate by the supermajority Senate rule.
- Our progressive allies thought we could pass good climate change legislation, the Dream Act (giving immigrant children a chance at in-state tuition at public universities), and measures to decrease foreclosures … but they have also been blocked by corporate interests and other threats to our democracy.
The chart also shows what is blocking progress on our issues.
- Money and Politics (Campaign Finance Reform). Corporations and unions have long been contributing to election campaigns. Not surprisingly, corporations and their management politically outspend unions in elections. Before January 21st, 2010, there were limits on how much corporations (and unions) could spend on elections. On that day in 2010, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled [Citizens United] that corporations are people too—complete with free speech rights and other liberties—and eliminated political spending restrictions. Now we have a situation where wealthy corporations and individuals can virtually buy elections and not disclose contributions.
- Broken Senate Rules. The ability of Senators to engage in unlimited debate has become a tool that allows a minority of Senators to obstruct democracy. Because of the filibuster (requiring a supermajority of 60 votes) it has become increasingly difficult for the Senate to pass any legislation, approve nominations and pass annual appropriations bills. It has also led to the complete inability for progress on any major legislation. CWA and the rest of Labor were unable to pass the Employee Free Choice Act, despite passage in the House (241 to 185) AND majority support in the Senate. Important energy legislation that would address climate change and wean us off our dependence on foreign oil has been bottled up due to the failure to get a supermajority of 60 Senators to agree to stop the endless debate. During the greatest economic crisis since the Great Depression, popular and much needed jobs programs have failed to become law because of the Senate supermajority rule. In order for our legislative branch to once again become part of a functioning democracy, Senate rules must be updated. In fact, the Senate often conducts business based on unanimous concent, meaning even one Senator can create indefinite delays.
- Voter Suppression. Voter suppression aims to influence the outcome of an election by preventing individuals from exercising their right to vote. Tactics vary from making it inconvenient to vote, to reducing the number of polling places and hours, eliminating same-day voter registration, requiring a driver’s license as proof of identity, not allowing student i.d. cards, misinterpreting ex-felon voting rights and more. The object of these new laws is not to prevent voter fraud, but to reduce the number of elderly, minority, impoverished, or student votes. Not surprisingly these groups tend to vote more progressively.
We need a system of universal registration in the U.S., similar to what most countries already have.
- Legalization of Immigrants. Our immigration system is broken and CWA wants to be part of the solution to fix it. To do so, reform must be comprehensive, humane, and tied to economic opportunities for immigrants and their families. The undocumented population (10-11 million) is most vulnerable to abuse by unscrupulous employers. These employers can exploit immigrant workers and create a race to the bottom for all workers. If the undocumented workers were to gain legal work status, there would be greater access and opportunity to exercise the right to form a union, among other things that are beneficial to communities.
The only way we will build our movement of 50 million strong progressive voices is to partner with allies working with immigrants toward legalization.