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May 24, 2013
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 One for the WorkersPosted on Jan 12, 2009By Marie Cocco The face of hope has appeared early on Capitol Hill. The vision was fleeting, and it received little attention from journalists obsessively focused on the bigger shows, which will begin this week with the media extravaganza of Sen. Hillary Clinton’s appearance for her confirmation hearing as secretary of state. Hilda Solis does not have Clinton’s star power. What President-elect Barack Obama’s nominee for labor secretary does have is a record of unstinting loyalty to those who work and want to work, and who wish to receive in exchange a decent wage and a measure of dignity. The power of Solis’ potential lies not only in the elevation of the Labor Department under a new Democratic administration. It is in her blood. The daughter of immigrants who is the first in her family to have attended college, she made it clear at her confirmation hearing last week that she has never forgotten where she came from. Her father worked as a laborer, a farmworker, a railroad hand and at a battery plant, where he became a Teamster shop steward. Her mother stayed at home with Solis and her six brothers and sisters until, pressed for money, she began working at a toy factory and became a member of the rubber workers’ union. Solis is unashamed—proud, in fact—that she earned her college degree not only by dint of her hard work but because the federal government offered a hand up. “We could not have gone to college without federal financial aid like Pell Grants,” Solis told the Senate committee overseeing her nomination. Obama is deft at rhetorically gliding above the ideological divisions that roil American public life. Solis is polite and polished, but rarely makes such pretense. She has chosen sides. Hers is with those on the side of the tracks where she grew up. Advertisement This is not a novel concept so much as a neglected one. It is a measure of how much the ground has tilted toward the best-connected and the best-off that even hearing this simple truth uttered by someone who plans to do something about it is remarkable—and welcome. Committee Republicans predictably applauded Solis for her support of veterans, but otherwise tried to turn her confirmation hearing into an early confrontation over the proposed Employee Free Choice Act, legislation that unions want in an effort to make it easier to organize workplaces. The coming ideological warfare over the measure, which Solis co-sponsored in the House, threatens to produce a political bloodbath. Solis sidestepped the showdown temporarily by saying repeatedly that she had not yet discussed the matter with Obama, who promised during the presidential campaign to support the bill. It remains to be seen whether that pledge will be cast aside, permanently or temporarily, in order to promote Obama’s goal of smoothing political waters. Such an abandonment would enrage organized labor, which helped Obama enormously and was a crucial factor in the industrial Midwest. It also would call into question the premise of the Solis nomination. For now, though, the very purpose of naming Solis is this: The Labor Department no longer will be a citadel of inaction or, worse, a tool of corporate interests. Republicans on the Senate panel are aware of this, perhaps the reason they spent so much time warning Solis not to go overboard in protecting the interests of one side—that is, workers. They were so insistent that Connecticut Democrat Chris Dodd felt compelled to note that the legislation creating the department says its purpose is “to foster, promote and develop the welfare of the wage earners of the United States.” There is no doubt that Solis, at long last, will embrace this founding principle. Marie Cocco’s e-mail address is mariecocco(at)washpost.com. © 2009, Washington Post Writers Group  TAGS:
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Marching in Chicago: Resisting Rahm Emanuel’s Neoliberal Savagery
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By KDelphi, January 16, 2009 at 5:25 pm Link to this comment
ProgCat—Thanks,,,I had actually “forgotten” some of this stuff! Maybe some associate her with Harvey Milk?? (but, then, I would be ‘assuming” that that would be a “positive” things in California—maybe not, these days!
Strange indeed…to me, anyway…
I guess I was still thihnking of her as “progressive” too
Report thisBy ProgCat, January 16, 2009 at 10:11 am Link to this comment
Yes, Cindy ran against Pelosi in this election (2008), but she contemplated running against DiFi in 2006. I don’t know why she retracted her candidacy, though. She would have won.
That’s what I love about Hilda Solis. She is a true Democrat who fights for the little guy, just like Dems are supposed to do.
As for why DiFi didn’t support Russ Feingold’s censure? I don’t know, really. Here’s a piece on it: http://calitics.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=6379
It’s just surprising she didn’t consider Dobb/Feingold’s censure, but offered a censure resolution of Pres. Clinton (and was rebuffed by Orrin Hatch (R) of Utah): http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/1999/01/27/MN43960.DTL&type=printable
How many Democratic voters know about this? I’d say, very few.
Don’t worry about typos and misspellings. They’re mandatory in posts these days.
Report thisBy KDelphi, January 16, 2009 at 9:01 am Link to this comment
I thought Sheehan was running against Pelosi—I see…do you think she wouldve won? (shows what I know)
Yeah, I saw Feinstein yesterday asking some pretty “progressive” questions…must have been “strategerey”
WHY won t she Censure BUSH???!!
sorry typos and stuff—-RA acting up—-its a “high of 1 degree” today!!!!
Report thisBy ProgCat, January 16, 2009 at 6:09 am Link to this comment
By KDelphi, January 14 at 11:29 am #
ProgCat—How does Feinstein keep her seat? I am honstly just wondering. I dont hear very many people who really like her. Isnt it a fairly “progressive” area?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
There are never any Democrats running against her, so they’d rather vote for a Democrat (although she’s a DINO) than a Repub. Cindy Sheehan tried, but for some reason, withdrew her candidacy near the end.
Simply put, many don’t know much about DiFi.
DiFi is good at promoting herself as a champion of causes right at the end of any controversial issue. That’s how she got elected in the first place, putting her face out there talking about the “walk-in Killer” Ramirez even against the LAPD’s wishes and jeopardizing the investigation of this 1980’s serial killer for political gain.
She’s a lot like Gloria Allred who takes on high-profile, sensationalized cases (Scott Petersen/Amber Frey) thereby remaining “fresh” in people’s minds. DiFi is backed by powerful, monied people too.
Most people aren’t that astute about DiFi’s voting practices in Congress, however, and mistakenly think she’s a progressive Democrat and vote for her.
Report thisBy KDelphi, January 14, 2009 at 4:10 pm Link to this comment
dihey—with the Imperial presidency that we have allowed to be created in this country, I dont think that the party in power is to be held accountable for anything,,,anythign at all..sigh.
Report thisBy dihey, January 14, 2009 at 4:00 pm Link to this comment
I now learn from an expert that Mr. Gates may be “confirmed” but because we have only “one president at the time” as Mr. Obama is wont to say, Mr. Gates has not been appointed to anything by Mr. Obama. Ergo, the moment Mr. Obama is sworn in as our next President, Mr. Gates ceases to be our Secretary of Defense because until then he served “at the pleasure” of President Bush and his status will continue to be “confirmed by the Senate” but not “sworn in” until President Obama states “I want him to be our SoD” and Mr. Gates is sworn in again.
Report thisBy dihey, January 14, 2009 at 3:34 pm Link to this comment
A few minutes ago I learned that the status of Mr. Gates as Secretary of Defense is “confirmed” because he is a holdover from the Bush administration! What a clever trick of the Obama team! Now Gates does not have to answer potentially embarrassing questions on Iraq, Afghanistan and other military issues during Senate confirmation hearings!
Nevertheless, Congress can demand that Mr. Gates appear before its relevant committees to answer questions. What are they waiting for? Why doesn’t our future coward-in-chief make it still a condition for this appointment that Gates meet with congressional committees a.s.a.p.? Are we, the people, not entitled to learn more about plans and policies of DoD? This stinks to high heaven.
Report thisBy KDelphi, January 14, 2009 at 12:29 pm Link to this comment
ProgCat—How does Feinstein keep her seat? I am honstly just wondering. I dont hear very many people who really like her. Isnt it a fairly “progressive” area?
Report thisBy ProgCat, January 14, 2009 at 11:12 am Link to this comment
Skruff wrote:
“Star power isn’t everything. I saw Hill-the-business-shill on CNN last night, she looked worn and old.. I’m hoping she has a massive heart attack before she can do any damage… BUT it’s hard to have a heart attack without a heart!”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Look, I’m not a Hillary Clinton fan either, but to wish something this horrible on this incredibly intelligent, knowledgeable, hard-working woman is over the line. I saw her confirmation hearing, and she won my respect.
Now, Diane Feinstein of California, that’s another story.
She’s eyeing a run to be our Governor. This woman is a TRUE DINO, and one of pResident Bush’s strongest allies in the Democratic caucus. She supported impeachment of Pres. Clinton, and when the Senate failed to remove him, she drafted a ‘Censure’ against him. Alternatively, when Russ Feingold (D-Wisconsin) drafted a censure for Bush, she fought it tooth-and-nail. Shows you where DiFi’s loyalty lies.
NO to DiFi ever again. Ever ask yourself why she’s never threatened with a Repub challenge for her seat?
However, Sen. Barbara Boxer will see a Repub challenge her re-election. That’s a good barometer to decide which Democrats are DINOs or Democrats.
Report thisBy Skruff, January 14, 2009 at 7:07 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
Star power isn’t everything. I saw Hill-the-business-shill on CNN last night, she looked worn and old.. I’m hoping she has a massive heart attack before she can do any damage… BUT it’s hard to have a heart attack without a heart!
Report thisBy KDelphi, January 13, 2009 at 2:35 pm Link to this comment
There are many things inherently GOOD about Unions. They have created the world’s largest middle class in more advanced social democracies.
We need to put workers in charge of Unions, and empwower them, like they do in more free countries.
Report thisBy nikton, January 13, 2009 at 10:56 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
personally, I find the pro-business bias of CEOs and
The Chamber of Commerce disgusting.
CEOs and the Chamber Of Commerce should BOTH
be run solely by
pro-union people.
Sheesh!
To hear the GOP lamenting the pro-labor bias of a Secretary-Of-Labor is simply outrageous.
Report thisI say, we push back against the pro-big-Bizness bias of ALL CEOs, the C of C, and the entire GOP.
By Hulk2008, January 13, 2009 at 9:51 am Link to this comment
Let’s hope Ms. Solis can bring parity in wages for women - not by cutting men’s pay but by elevating that of the fair sex. It’s good for all of us.
Report thisThe GOP and other conservatives always play that game of climbing up the financial ladder and then greasing or cutting the rungs off behind them. There is nothing inherently evil about unions or US workers - no more than so-called “companies”. If businesses can collectively organize and collaborate, their workers should have similar rights and abilities. The US was at its prime when unionization was at its zenith. One could effectively argue that any organization (especially a union) can grow too large - too top-heavy, too burdened by unnecessary upper levels - businesses and unions should constantly self-examine their structures and size. Highly-compensated CEOs have a lot in common with union leadership that has ascended beyond their own effectiveness. But, of course, those charged with evaluation are too often focused on subjectively proving their own worth and station rather than seeing the truth and moving on voluntarily. In fact, a survey of CEOs reveals that the most of the extremely wealthy sit on the boards of each other’s companies - thus being over-compensated and under-achieving in multiple slots. By contrast is there is evidence of anyone leading multiple unions? When the GOP and neo-cons tell everyone to pull themselves up by the bootstraps, they forget that many workers have no boots, and that they themselves were given their own golden bootstraps at birth.
By ProgCat, January 13, 2009 at 12:43 am Link to this comment
She truly is a champion for worker’s rights. Whenever there is a strike, she’s right there with us. She stands strong in her principle that people should be paid a living wage, should have health insurance, should have powerful representation through unions. It can be done.
I am proud to read and see P.E. Obama has chosen her to serve in his cabinet and to head the Labor Department where she can work to improve worker’s rights, as she seems born to do.
Congrats Hilda! You earned it.
Report thisBy KDelphi, January 12, 2009 at 11:05 pm Link to this comment
Solis was hammered by the GOP (and some Blue Dogs), but, despite her saying that “she hadnt spopken with Obama ” about the Employee Free Choice Act, her record indicates that she could be VERY good for labor.
I suspect that she has talked to the Team about it, but, with the GOP hammering she got , she is merely trying to get confirmed…I hope that I am correct. The conservatives seemed to “get” that out of it. They didnt seem too happy.
The Dems have gotten SO much money from labor this time, they had better pass it.
I like her, especially compared to some other appointees…
Report this