The Kiss

“Stick with Joe” said the balloons at the State Democratic convention, but meanwhile Joe Lieberman continues to stick it to the people of Connecticut. Joe stuck it to women when he refused to support the Democrats’ filibuster to prevent Judge Alito’s nomination to the Supreme Court, which now threatens Roe versus Wade. Joe stuck it to those without healthcare when he opposed universal healthcare in 1994 and other efforts since then. Joe stuck it to seniors when he suggested privatizing parts of social security. He even stuck it to his own Democratic Party, and 5th Congressional Candidate Chris Murphy, when he chose to walk with Nancy Johnson in the past Memorial Day parade in Waterbury. Joe stuck it to the Democratic Party again, when he declared he will petition on the ballot as an Independent if he loses the primary.

Recently Lieberman visited East Hartford’s own Pratt & Whitney. He crowed about all the contracts he has brought to the jet engine manufacturer. What he left out was the small fact that much of this work is outsourced overseas. John Taylor, President of IAM Local Lodge 1746, which represents the machinists of Pratt and Whitney, had a recent conversation with Lieberman. Taylor was asked by Lieberman how many members he represented. Taylor replied “2400 members, but it used to be close to 10,000”. End of conversation. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, from 1998 to 2005 Connecticut lost 52,000 manufacturing jobs. Lieberman has always been a big supporter of corporate-written free trade deals. He supported pacts like NAFTA, WTO, and China PNTR. These pacts were stripped of any meaningful labor, wage and human rights provisions and have gone on to undermine American jobs, wages, and benefits; jump starting American workers on this path called “Race to the Bottom”. Bravo to the Machinists union for refusing to “stick with Joe” and voting to endorse Ned Lamont. Don’t fret Joe; I’m sure the corporate fat cats of UTC will continue to stick with you.

Lieberman recently voted in favor of the US-Oman Free Trade Agreement. That agreement was opposed by 416 international organizations, worried that the autocratic Oman would turn into another sweatshop exporter. Senator Chris Dodd, along with many other Democrats, voted against this bill, mostly because of labor and human rights concerns.

Seventy per cent of the people of Connecticut disapprove of the job George Bush has done, yet Joe chastised us for not sticking with the President. But there are some who are sticking with Joe. Consider the right winger Sean Hannity from Fox News, who offered his endorsement. Also ultra-conservative Ann Coulter recently endorsed Joe, and let’s not forget Joe’s kiss and tell partner George Bush himself, who wants so much to stick with Joe he felt the need to stick a big wet kiss to Joe’s cheek at the 2005 State of the Union address. Sorry Joe, I hate to pop your balloon but I’m sticking with Ned Lamont.