No Is Not an Option
February 11, 2009
AFSCME and Americans United for Change have joined together to run television and radio ads this week in key congressional districts and states to encourage members of Congress to support President Obama’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. “The partisan bickering has got to stop,” said AFSCME International President Gerald McEntee. “This is a time of national crisis. Congress needs to come together in support of President Obama’s recovery plan. The time for action is now.” House Republican Whip Eric Cantor told the Washington Post on Monday that Republicans are “Just Saying No” to the Obama recovery plan. A national cable spot titled “No is Not an Option” challenges the Republican congressional leadership for standing in the way of this important legislation to get our economy moving again, create jobs and help states struggling to maintain the vital public services – such as health care, unemployment insurance and family services – that families and communities rely on in these days of crisis.
AFSCME and Americans United are also running radio ads aimed at 21 representatives and senators titled “Second Chance,” to remind voters that their member of Congress voted against the Obama plan. The ad reminds listeners that in January nearly 600,000 were lost and encourages members of Congress to make good on their second chance to do the right thing by supporting the President’s plan to jumpstart the economy and create jobs. “During the last two weeks, AFSCME members have sent more than 40,000 messages – handwritten letters, emails and phone calls – to members of Congress,” said McEntee. “We will redouble our efforts in the days ahead to push for final passage of this essential legislation.” UPDATE: Rep. Eric Cantor, the Republican Whip and one of the chief obstructionists in the House, responded to these ads by sending out a link to a profanity-laced YouTube clip in an attempt to denigrate our workers and belittle the hardships being suffered by Americans. Cantor's response was covered by Greg Sargent on the Plum Line, and by Politico.com writers Ben Smith and Glenn Thrush. AFSCME President Gerald W. McEntee issued this brief statement in response:
“Eric Cantor may think the greatest economic crisis in seventy years is a joke, but we don’t. He should talk to the people in Virginia who are losing their jobs, health care and homes.”
Brad Woodhouse, President, Americans United for Change:
"Does Eric Cantor believe that peddling profanity-laced filth around the Internet is consistent with the values of the people of Virginia or the country? This is childish, inappropriate and disgusting behavior from someone who is supposed to be a leader in Congress and a role model to others. Eric Cantor’s response to one of the most serious crises facing America in our lifetimes is to spread this filth, denigrate government employees and treat the current economic crisis like a joke. This video has been floating around on YouTube for years – but Eric Cantor’s use of it in this context shows how completely and utterly out of touch he is with the current economic crisis and the lives of his constituents. Eric Cantor should be ashamed and he should apologize.”
AFL-CIO President John Sweeney:
“During these tough economic times the last thing hard working Americans need is to be ridiculed by a member of the Republican leadership. Rep. Cantor should apologize for insulting America’s workers with this profane video.”
