Does America Still Need Labor Unions?

The Employee Free Choice Act, or “Card Check” for short, is one of the most controversial measures Congress faces this year. The bill—first introduced in the Senate in 2007 by Ted Kennedy and co-sponsored by then-Senators Barack Obama and Joe Biden—would make it easier for workers to join unions and would tighten penalties for employers who try to stop them. Supporters such as Human Rights Watch and the NAACP say the bill provides important protections for the middle class. Opponents like the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Restaurant Association say it increases labor costs and hurts the bottom line. Both sides have spent millions on lobbyists and advertising to make their case. READ MORE HERE>>>

Governor Tim Kaine Answers Economic Recovery Questions

Governor Tim Kaine answers questions sent in by Organizing For America members ahead of February 7th house parties.

Stimulus Economic Recovery Plan Update

Senate to vote Tuesday on stimulus plan.

Senate negotiators reached agreement on a roughly $780 billion stimulus package, which aims to use tax cuts and spending to help jump-start the economy. Many Republicans say they still oppose the measure, which is set for a vote on Tuesday.
Sat, 07 Feb 2009 09:40:00 -0500

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Working Man's Anthem

You've Got To Stand For Something-Aaron Tippin

Now Daddy didn't like trouble, but if it came along
Everyone that knew him knew which side that he'd be on
He never was a hero, or this county's shinin' light
But you could always find him standing up
For what he thought was right

He'd say you've got to stand for something or you'll fall for anything
You've got to be your own man not a puppet on a string
Never compromise what's right and uphold your family name
You've got to stand for something or you'll fall for anything

Now we might have been better off or owned a bigger house
If Daddy had done more givin' in or a little more backing down
But we always had plenty just living his advice
Whatever you do today you'll have to sleep with tonight

He'd say you've got to stand for something or you'll fall for anything
You've got to be your own man not a puppet on a string
Never compromise what's right and uphold your family name
You've got to stand for something or you'll fall for anything

Now I know that things are different than they were in Daddy's days
But I still believe what makes a man really hasn't changed

You've got to stand for something or you'll fall for anything
You've got to be your own man not a puppet on a string
Never compromise what's right and uphold your family name
You've got to stand for something or you'll fall for anything

You've got to stand for something or you'll fall for anything

CNN Reports on President Bush - Where's the Love?

CNN's Rick Sanchez Reports on Bush being ignored at G20 Summit - Funny, and deserved.

America: Under New Management T-shirt from Zazzle.com

America: Under New Management T-shirt from Zazzle.com

It's a New Day by will.i.am

IT'S A NEW DAY
by will.i.am

I WENT TO SLEEP LAST NIGHT
TIRED FROM THE FIGHT
IVE BEEN FIGHTING FOR TOMORROW ALL MY LIFE
YEAH I WOKE UP THIS MORNING FEELING BRAND NEW
CAUSE THE DREAMS THAT IVE BEEN DREAMING HAS FINALLY CAME TRUE

IT'S A NEW DAY (5X)

VERSE 1

ITS BEEN A LONG TIME COMING
UP THE MOUNTAIN KEPT RUNNING
SONGS OF FREEDOM KEPT HUMMING
CHANNELING HARRIET TUBMAN
KENNEDY LINCOLN AND KING

WE GOTTA MANIFEST THAT DREAM
IT FEELS LIKE IM SWIMMING UPSTREAM
IT FEELS LIKE IM STUCK IN BETWEEN
A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE WEVE BEEN THROUGH THE HEARTACHES
AND LIVED THROUGH THE DARKEST DAYS

IF YOU AND I MADE IT THIS FAR WELL THEN HEY WE CAN MAKE IT ALL THE WAY
AND THEY SAID NO WE CANT
AND WE SAID YES WE CAN
REMEMBER ITS YOU AND ME TOGETHER

CHORUS

I WOKE UP THIS MORNING FEELING ALRIGHT
IVE BEEN FIGHTING FOR TOMORROW ALL MY LIFE
YEAH I WOKE UP THIS MORNING FEELING BRAND NEW
CAUSE THE DREAMS THAT IVE BEEN DREAMING HAS FINALLY COME TRUE

IT'S A NEW DAY (5X)

VERSE 2

ITS BEEN A LONG TIME WAITING
WAITING FOR THIS MOMENT
ITS BEEN A LONG TIME PRAYING
PRAYING FOR THIS MOMENT

AND HOPE FOR THIS MOMENT
AND NOW THAT WE OWN IT
CLOSER IMA HOLD IT
AND I WONT LET IT GO

THIS IS FOR OUR FATHERS, OUR BROTHERS, OUR FRIENDS WHO FOUGHT FOR FREEDOM, OUR SISTERS OUR MOTHERS, WHO DIED FOR US TO BE IN THIS MOMENT

STOP AND CHERISH THIS MOMENT
STOP AND CHERISH THIS TIME

ITS BEAUTIFUL AINT IT
WE DID IT FOR HER AND HIM AND HE AND SHE AND YOU AND ME TOGETHER

CHORUS

YEAH I WOKE UP THIS MORNING FEELING BRAND NEW
CAUSE THE DREAMS THAT IVE BEEN DREAMING FINALLY COME TRUE
YEAH I WOKE UP THIS MORNING FEELING ALRIGHT

CAUSE WE WASNT FIGHTING FOR NOTHING
AND MALCOLM WASNT FIGHTING FOR NOTHING

AND MARTIN WASNT DREAMING FOR NOTHING
AND LINCOLN WASNT TRYING FOR NOTHING
AND CHILDREN WASNT CRYING FOR NOTHING

IT'S A NEW DAY (7X)


Song Credits:

Produced by will.i.am
Written by: William Adams
Publisher: will.i.am music Inc admin. by Cherry River Music Inc. (BMI)
Drums: will.i.am
Rhodes, Piano: will.i.am
Keys: Lynette Williams
Guitar & Bass: Alain Whyte
Engineered by: will.i.am and Padriac Kerin
Mixed by: will.i.am

Recorded at Ethernet Studios, LA 2008




Video Credits:

Directed by Ben Mor
Editor: Chris Chynoweth
Assistant Editor: Matt Jameson
D.P.: David Rodgriguez
Effects: James Sutton
Video Editing: the Whitehouse Post

We Are The Ones Song by will.i.am - Obama

Yes We Can Obama Song by will.i.am

6 Steps to Building Trust in the Workplace

Pat Mayfield for YahooJobs

Trust is about reliability and doing the right thing. It's also a big factor that will determine success in your job and your career -- especially in a rough business climate where your value as an employee is closely watched.

Do your colleagues, subordinates, or superiors perceive you as trustworthy and honest? How do you perceive them? Trust is a characteristic that builds respect and loyalty as well as a supportive and safe work environment. Distrust increases tension and negative "on guard" behavior, which can erode the spirit of the team and ultimately productivity.

Below are six steps to build trust in the workplace.

1. Be Honest

The first step in building trust is to be honest.

• Tell the truth. Even small lies and twisted truths are still lies.
• Share honest information, even if it's to your disadvantage.
• Don't steal -- on expense reports, from the supply cabinet, or your colleagues.

2. Use Good Judgment

The second step is to know what information to share, when to share it, and when not to share it.

• Protect employee's personal information, company or competitors' proprietary information as if it were your own.
• Think twice before sharing a blunt, unsolicited judgment. Extreme honesty may hurt the recipient, ironically destroying trust and the safe environment.
• Don't expect apologies to erase your wrongdoings. Apologies might earn a forgive, but perhaps not a forget.
• Avoid "just between us" secret conversations unless necessary to the benefit of the company.

3. Be Consistent

The third step is to be consistent in words and behaviors. It's not enough to be trustworthy only on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

• Show up -- every day and on time -- and stay at least the required hours.
• Do the work; meet or exceed the job description and company standards.
• Do what you say you will do. Fulfill your promises.

4. Be Honest in Nonverbal Communications

Body language experts tell us that more than 50% of the communications impact is in nonverbal communications. To increase trust through body language:

• Look others in the eye with comfortable and direct eye contact.
• Exhibit open body language with: 1) open arms versus closed across the chest or hands clasped together, 2) hands kept in sight (not behind you or in your pockets) and open (not in a fist), and 3) legs uncrossed with feet flat on the floor, while seated.

5. Have a Mutually Beneficial Attitude

Blatant self-serving agendas may cast doubt on one's trustworthiness. In reality, everyone has self-serving agendas, but it is the level of harm to others that determines the level of trust in that person. To increase trust:

• Avoid me, me, me. Genuinely care about others and promote we, we, we.
• Nurture mutually beneficial relationships with open communications.
• Willingly accept information and constructive critique.

6. For the Leaders

Trusted leaders are sorely needed. Leaders should be able to:

• Ask the hard questions to build and protect the company.
• Listen and consider others' ideas with an open mind.
• Focus on issues and solutions rather than personalities.
• Set the example, by being responsible and accountable.

Pat Mayfield is the president of Pat Mayfield Consulting, LLC, based in San Francisco and Pleasanton, California. She specializes in business solutions and results, working with companies of all sizes.