“It is not easy, in the middle of one’s life or political career, to say that the old horizons are too limited-that our education must begin again. But neither are the challenges ahead easy. The best responses will not be easily found; nor once found, will they command unanimous agreement. But the possibilities of greatness are equal to the difficulty of the challenge.” Robert Kennedy’s timeless clarion call to union members 1966.
Not surprisingly, not all union members champion the casino legislation. Quieted by the media storm regarding this issue, I met union members in Dorchester last night tired and frustrated by the dark cloud casino issue. They shared their concerns with me quietly. We all agree union or not, good jobs with benefits will improve the quality of life. That’s what we all want!
My grandfather, an Irish immigrant, a union activist sadly died shortly after retiring from working most of his adult life in the parks department in Brookline. Grandpa, Anthony Mcgeoghegan retired before the town of Brookline established retirement benefits. Grandpa was brutally discriminated against due to his Irish heritage. He never gave up fighting to end this injustice. That’s why he became a union activist. My dad, Andrew Julian, now 82, a bostonian, reaped the benefits from walking the picket line with his fellow union workers during the John Hancock Insurance Corp strike. It was hard on all of us when dad gave up his paycheck but his steadfast belief in the power of the union paid off. He has excellent health care benefits only because he joined the union and strike. Today, we are polarized. Many are angry at unions and blame unions for our economic demise. I don’t agree. We need to critically evaluate the benefits of joining a union. Sure there are problems, mistakes, in-fighting, power struggles within but I think we can learn from the timeless lessons and benefits. Organize with dignity, honor and transparency. The answer: is not to demonize unions, the answer, I believe is to learn from the mistakes and work together to improve the quality of life for every citizen in Massachusetts. Every citizen should enjoy paid vacations, spend quality time with their family, earn a living wage, earn an affordable college education, afford to own an energy efficient home in the same community where they work, have an opportunity to enjoy a retirement, affordable health care. Let’s work together towards these timely goals. To make the American dream a reality is our shared goal. Let’s discuss the facts regarding unions and non union jobs here and now. What do you propose?
Why support our campaign to fix it:
In order to fix our broken political system mired in casino short term, roll the dice archaic policy, we need more skilled legislators who will work FULL-TIME to fix our broken political system by working together with the voters in the 10th Suffolk District after the election. Don’t be tricked by elite status quo special interest groups or false advertising. Please check out the candidates on your own. Please take the time to find out where my fellow candidates stand and who they supported before they decided to jump into this race. I was the only candidate who ran against known conservative democrat Mike Rush in 2008. Who did my fellow candidates support during the special election to replace beloved champion of working class citizens Senator Kennedy?
I supported Martha Coakley. Where do they stand on
health care? This is not a city council seat. This is a state representative seat. The newly elected state representative will work with local officials but they will vote on, support and or propose state legislation that will effect every citizen in the district and beyond.
Will they continue to work at a law firm, attend law school, or work other jobs? What skills do they have to bring to the state house? I publicly support Governor Patrick’s re-election. Why are none of the other 5 candidates running for this 10th Suffolk District seat held by Mike Rush not publicly supporting Governor Patrick’s re-election? He is our democratic nominee. No other democrat is running in the primary and most important, Governor Patrick deserves our support! If some of my fellow candidates are pro choice, pro-equal marriage, professed progressives only during a special interest PAC interview, why? Ask why they choose not to publicly post their professed progressive views on their public websites? Every candidate has a website, most have facebook sites too. Please be informed before election day.
I am not afraid to discuss the issues now or after the election.
I am pro-choice, pro-equal marriage, against discrimination all the time, now and forever not only during an election. Questions? Join us! Feel free to call or contact our campaign manager, BC grad, Sarah Horn, staylorhorn@gmail.com or me, pamelasjulian@gmail.com.
Vote to put an end to political expediency and opportunism on September 14. Join the movement: pamelajulian.com. Let’s work together now and after the election to establish the 10th Suffolk District Board Coalition to meet regularly to identify and solve problems. If elected, we will open an office in the West Roxbury section of the district to help bring citizens together to achieve our vitally important shared goals at the local and state level.
Sincerely,
Pamela Julian
Principal author of pending student voter bills in Massachusetts, New York and in Washington D.C. State Representative Candidate 10th Suffolk District, West Roxbury, Brookline, Roslindale, pamelajulian.com
