Candidates asked to experience the lives of working people.
McCain refused to participate.
SEIU members are saying it doesn’t matter if you’re running
for the State House or the White House…
“Before you ask for my support, Walk a Day in My Shoes.”
When’s the last time we felt a politician understood what
it’s like to work and raise a family in America?
Just ask Pauline Beck, SEIU member and home care worker in Oakland, California.
“My day with Senator Obama was one I’ll never forget – and I hope he never
forgets it as well. Now he understands how important the home care program is to
those we care for – that our work makes it possible for folks to live in their
own homes surrounded by all of their memories. He experienced firsthand the
struggles homecare workers have on the job and at home just trying to make ends
meet.”
Pauline’s hope that Senator Obama never forgets his day on
the job with her came true: “Walking
just one day in Pauline’s shoes was probably the best experience I’ve had on
this campaign so far,” he said of the experience.
On the other hand, thousands of SEIU’s Democratic and
Republican members have invited McCain to sit down and talk about the issues
that matter to working families.
We asked him to propose a real health care plan. We asked
him to join us and discuss how he’ll create a new American Dream. We asked him
to walk a day in our shoes.
But McCain ignored us every time.
McCain has refused to walk a day in our shoes.
What does that say about his willingness to work with us on
issues that are important to us?
His voting record says it all:
- Has no plan for ensuring access to affordable health care.
Instead, his plan would make coverage more difficult and less affordable for
individuals who really need it.
- Said the Bush tax plan would hurt middle class Americans—but
he supported it anyway.
- Voted to cut billions from children’s health care, Medicare,
and Medicaid. He has also voted to suspend Family and Medical Leave.
- Supported President Bush’s plan to risk our retirements by
privatizing Social Security.
- Voted against raising the minimum wage over and over again.
- Wants our troops to stay in Iraq. In fact, he’s said we could
be there for 100 years—and that it’s not too important to know when we should
leave.
- Voted against increased education funding almost every year
since 2001. He also voted to cut student financial aid.
- Opposes our freedom to have strong unions.
- Has no plan to protect families facing foreclosures or
protect them from predatory lenders.
Read more about the Walk a Day in My Shoes campaign...