The Work Force Stand up for democracy before it’s too late A new study from Princeton University confirms what a lot of us have long known: America really isn’t a democracy. Most Americans have almost no say in public policy decisions now being made and recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions have reinforced that money talks. Some have tried to throw unions into that mix of special interests calling the shots and letting the public be damned. That’s a joke if anyone really looked at the facts. Unions such as CSEA have a membership that reflects the population of New York in every way. It’s not in our self-interest to undermine the communities where we live — unlike many corporate giants that have no sense of responsibility or good citizenship in pursuit of more and more profit. And, if you pooled the resources of all the unions in America, it’s only a tiny fraction of what big business and the super wealthy spend to get their way. That’s why CSEA’s priority is to use whatever strength we have to seek some balance. It’s not healthy for our state, our country or our world to have growing income inequality. There are only bad times ahead if people lose faith in a government of the people, by the people and for the people. It’s not easy to change the world and we have to start where we live. In the weeks and months ahead, CSEA will continue to work to educate and agitate by bringing people together over issues of inequality, accountability and transparency. We will not give up on a responsive democracy. It’s up to all of us to make sure that elected officials and Big Business hear us loud and clear. CSEA Executive Statewide Officers President Danny Donohue in touch with Work Force ISSN 1522-1091 Official publication of CSEA Local 1000, AFSCME, AFL-CIO 143 Washington Ave. Albany, NY 12210-2303 Danny Donohue, President STEPHEN A. MADARASZ The Communications Director & Publisher LOU HMIELESKI Executive Editor JANICE GAVIN Associate Editor JANICE M. KUCSKAR Graphic Production Specialist BETH MCINTYRE Communications Assistant Vice President Mary E. Sullivan Secretary Denise Berkley Treasurer Joe McMullen CSEA Region Officers Long Island Region President Nick LaMorte 3 Garet Place Commack, N.Y. 11725 Metropolitan Region President Lester Crockett 125 Maiden Lane, 5th Floor New York, N.Y. 10038 Southern Region President Billy Riccaldo 569 State Route 52 Beacon, N.Y. 12508 Capital Region President Kathy Garrison 1 Lear Jet Lane, Suite #2 Latham, N.Y. 12110 Central Region President Colleen Wheaton 6595 Kirkville Road East Syracuse, N.Y. 13057 Western Region President Flo Tripi 120 Pineview Drive Amherst, N.Y. 14228 Communications Specialists Long Island Region: Rich Impagliazzo (631) 462-0030 Metropolitan Region: David Galarza (212) 406-2156 Southern Region: Jessica Ladlee (845) 831-1000 Capital Region: Therese Assalian (518) 785-4400 Central Region: Mark M.Kotzin (315) 433-0050 Western Region: Lynn Miller (716) 691-6555 Headquarters: Ed Molitor (518) 257-1272 Jill Asencio (518) 257-1276 UUE UnitedUnion Employees The Publications Committee Jerry Laricchiuta Janice Mason Robert Pyjas Theresa Reagan Lee Reynolds Ed Russo The Work Force (USPS 0445-010) is published monthly by The CSEA Publication Office: 143 Washington Ave., Albany, NY 12210. Periodical Mail Postage paid at Post Office, Albany, New York 12288, and additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Send address changes to: CSEA, Attn: Membership Department, 143 Washington Ave., Albany, NY 12210 Readers: Send any comments, complaints, suggestions or ideas to: Publisher, The Work Force 143 Washington Avenue Albany, NY 12210-2303 CSEA online: The CSEA website can be accessed at: www.cseany.org 4 The Work Force April 2014
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