Debate Part 3: Union member Questions

1. Deborah Hamner: Widow of miner killed in WV last year. She says Bush administration has failed workers like her husband by rolling back work place protections. As President, what would you do?

Biden: Understands what it's like to lose a spouse. Implement UMW recommendations. Goes back to Pakistan question, says the law says we'd go in.

2. Shirley Brown, Chicago Hospital Housekeeper: Stymied in trying to form a union, what would you do to restore those rights?

Kucinich: Member of a union, right to organize is a basic right in a Democratic society, right to organize, strike, safe workplace, political process, good retirement, would be hallmark of Kucinich presidency.

3. Jim McGovern, Iraq veteran came home to see factory job at Maytag moved to Mexico, how would you keep jobs from going overseas

Richardson: Keep pension, benefits, job protection. VA would be fully funded for mental benefits, etc. Guarantee funding for VA hospitals as well as hero's health card where all veterans could get healthcare anywhere they want.

4. Patriot in Ohio via Internet: 21 year old daughter joined reserves at 19, now in 10th month of Iraq, why is she there for 10 months and why does she have to buy her own armor?

Dodd: Has offered bills to fund body armor on Senate floor, rebuffed by Republicans, baloney about how Republican support troops

5. Steve Skvara, retired steel worker due to injury: OTB filed bankruptcy, lost 1/3 of pension and healthcare, can't afford to pay for healthcare, whats wrong with America and how will you change it?

Bless you, perfect example of what is wrong with pension protection and healthcare. Ought to treat pension and retirement of CEOs of companies exactly as every other worker in the company. Universal healthcare, we need it in the worst kidn of way so you don't bargain about healthcare cost. Walk onto white house lawn and explain to America the importance of Union. it is fine to come up on stage to give talk, but who has been there? 200 picket lines and organizing drives. Tells Keith he's finishing, says he's been there during crunch time with labor.

6. Reassure Pension without descending into poverty:

Clinton: Pension system is broken, have to stop companies going into bankruptcy to get rid of them, defined benefit plans again, back to mines, proposed laws but president doesn't want to help them, will rebuild manufacturing sector, EFCA

7. Jorge Mulasano: Hotel Worker who just became citizen from Argentina, concerned about undocumented workers who have roots here, will there be a path to citizenship?

Obama: Congratulations, proud that he is a part of the American family, wants the first vote cast. We can be a nation of laws and nation of immigrants. Worked hard in Senate and as President for comprehensive immigration reform, hold employers accountable who take advantage of undocumented workers. Pathway to citizenship that people have to earn it, pay fine, learn English, go to back of the line, will bring together country. Talks about being a community organizer in Chicago

8. Barbara Janusiak nurse, deal with broken healthcare system

Biden: Has spent much time in the hospital, angels in heaven are nurses, we need 100,000 new nurses we fun, insure every child, catastrophic insurance exists, while we move towards universal healthcare. Goes after Edwards and Obama for not being long time supporters like he has been because he has been around for so long, walked lines when it was a risk being from Del.

9. Universal healthcare

Kucinich: HR 676, Universal Single Payer not for profit healthcare, cover everyone, 46 million healthcare, no more premiums, no co-pay, no deductibles, take healthcare off the bargaining table and into the kitchen (??)

10. Edwards replies to Biden

Every pres of union and membership knows where hes been. 200 times on picket lines. picket line on saturday, snday, believe in America where anyone who works hard is able to earn a decent wage, where somebody who works hard doesnt have to worry whether their child has healthcare, anyone who has been with a company 20 years shouldnt lose pension, if you picket, no scabs. (When Olbermann asks about right to work state) He is, but he's still been a leader in it. The reason it's so important to have a prez who understands the importance of organized labor, not jsut for politics or support, understands the real reason why unions are important

11. Robert Flynn, union insulator, companies arent energy efficient even though it would save money, how do you work to force them to be efficient to make us less dependent.

Dodd: Everyone in Congress has great healthcare, everyone else should too. Implement 50 MPH by 2017 CAFE standards, tax those who pollute, use that money to invest in wind, solar, ethanol and other fuels. No other gift better than independent energy policy.

12. NCLB changes

Clinton: Answers previous question, talks about green collar jobs bill she sponsored. With NCLB, it has been a terrible imposition on teachers, school districts, teachers, students, part because it was not funded, also because it was not interpreted in the right way. Total change, students aren't walking tests (did a good job ignoring heckler, I must say)