Candidates, put working families first

As Iowans, we take great pride in the quality of life in our state, but according to recent data from Gallup, our quality of life is slipping. If you don't believe the polls, all you have to do is look around and listen and you'll hear the same thing: Iowans are getting by, but we're not getting ahead.

That's because quality of life doesn't just happen. It's built when we work hard and, in return, we get a fair shot at not just earning a decent living, but sustaining a decent life for our families.

America is out of balance these days, and we're feeling the effects in all parts of our lives. Most working families are working harder than ever today, yet still living paycheck to paycheck. We're wondering if our kids will be worse off than we were at their age, and we're worried about how we'll ever be able to retire.

That's what AFSCME members are feeling, just like everybody else. And like many other Iowans, we're also having serious conversations with candidates running for President about what actions our country can take to improve the lives of working families.

Members of our union recently with some of the candidates to discuss the issues that matter most to us. We have a very simple message for anyone running for president: Improving the lives of ordinary American families must be the top priority in this election. We need to see real solutions.

We're asking candidates about why, with roads to be paved, bridges to be fixed and children to be taught, our neighbors are still looking for jobs. We're asking why we're working as hard as ever and yet the costs of basics are eating up more and more of our paychecks every month. We're asking how can we help our children achieve a brighter future than we had if we can't afford quality child care, let alone college.

This is what the next election is about. It's not about attack ads or controversial sound bites, but Iowans' jobs, our neighbors and our children.

We cannot afford to be duped again by politicians whose only solution is to cut the services that help working families get by, and then turn around and cut taxes so the wealthy can make a lot more money.

Union members have been pushing for a better solution for years. We need to change the rules so working people have a say at work, wages reflect a fair return on our hard work and America works for everyone.

When pollsters are calling at all hours and leaflets are piling up in the mailbox, it's easy to give up on the political process. But we cannot afford to think that this election won't matter. Regardless of where you live, where you work or whether or not you belong to a union, the vision for America that we vote for next year will have a profound impact on your community, your family and your quality of life.

When we put the interests of working families first, we can make life better for all Iowans - and all Americans.

' Danny Homan is the president of AFSCME Iowa Council 61, which represents 40,000 employees in Iowa. Comments: (515) 246-1517; dhoman@afscmeiowa.org