Retirees November meeting...
Everyone expected the November meeting of the Chicago Metro Retirees would be a celebration acknowledging members, who phone banked, went to Iowa and worked to get our candidates elected. Instead, it became a brainstorming session for people trying to determine what to do next after Hillary Clinton’s defeat in the presidential race.
Jeanne Cameron reported on old business. She stated that we need to protect and expand the veto-proof majority in the State house. Some representatives are not doing their job, she added. It takes 71 votes to override Governor Rauner’s veto. The Democrats lost four house seats downstate.
“We were able to get Tammy Duckworth, Brad Schneider and Susana Mendoza elected,” she said. “We need to continue protecting senior citizens and laborers in the state. We need to push an override on Home Care Bill 4351. We were not able to override it, and Rauner is still trying to cut services. We need to defend ACA. Ryan has made it clear that he wants to privatize Medicare. We need to talk to our representatives that we don’t want to privatize Medicare. We need to get ready for mid-term elections.”
Pat Flagg opened the floor for new business. Among the points she raised:
“We want to make our committees. Please sign up. Help facilitate these groups.”
Flagg cited Intergenerational concerns, noting that younger workers are concerned about families.
“We need to look at issues that families were having. We started outreach to students and younger workers. We will have to fund-raise and reach out.” The group discussed the recent election and how Hillary Clinton won the popular vote (by two million) but not the Electoral College. President Hogan asked us to state how we felt when we heard the news and what we did afterwards. Several people said they cried.
There were several suggestions of what people can do:
· Call representatives, here or in Washington, and thank them. Read Trump Talk and find ideas that you agree with and write him stating that we want him to follow through on those ideas.
· Wait and see if he will change his views on Affordable Health Care Act.
· Richard Davis said that, “The other side is ruthless, Fascist. We need to move very quickly remember it led to World War II.”
· Don’t listen to and trust the press. The press made us feels too secure.
· Trump is going to be a puppet for his backers like Koch.
Bea Lumpkin, a CTU member, said unity should be the answer. Many of us have gone through a factory closing. Develop a clear voice within the Democratic Party.
One man said, listen to the Trump Voter, and share our stories. We need to talk to pastors.
Earchiel Johnson was the guest speaker. Johnson is member of Young Workers in the Chicago Federation of Labor. Johnson is concerned that many workers voted for someone who will work against workers’ interests, such as voting for right to-work candidates. The Chicago Federation of Labor is focusing on workers’ rights and backing raising the minimum wage. Johnson says that now is the time to start working on mid-term elections, trips to Iowa and building relationships here.
The next monthly meeting will be December 17 at SEIU, 2229 S. Halsted, at 10:00 a.m. People are invited to come and get involved.
By: Jean Schwab
December Metro Chicago Meeting
The December Metro Chicago Retiree Meeting is December, 19, at 10:00am.
Location- SEIU at 2229 S. Halstead. We will have a short meeting and a party