LoBiondo votes against labor interests

Rep. Frank LoBiondo ("Remembering American working families this labor Day" -- DJ-9/2) portrays himself as labor friendly, but he votes overwhelmingly against the interests of working people. He has supported Bush's anti-labor, union busting actions, including changes to the Department of Labor, which in effect has become the Department of Big Business. Although LoBiondo receives a mere 46 percent approval rating from the national AFL-CIO, the state AFL-CIO endorses him, explaining, "we always go with the incumbent." Let's hope the membership is smarter. It's obvious why House Republicans recently made their failed attempt to increase the minimum wage, after years of thwarting Democratic efforts. They knew that including the elimination of estate and dividend taxes would cause the Senate to reject the bill, but enable them, including LoBiondo, to cynically crow about how hard they tried, while blaming Democrats for its defeat. Support for Mr. LoBiondo is support for Mr. Bush's highly touted economic policies. If they're so great, why do we have the highest national debt in our history, more citizens without health insurance, more living below the poverty level, more homeless and more young people unable to afford college? Why has the disparity between the "haves" and "have-nots" increased every year since Mr. Bush took office? His voting record, not his rhetoric, makes it obvious that Mr. LoBiondo has abdicated his obligation to the people of South Jersey. So it's time we abdicate any loyalty to him, quit paying his salary and replace him with someone who will go to Washington as a true representative of the people. Someone who knows what it is to work hard and actually understands the needs of all Americans, not just the wealthy. Bettie J Reina, Milmay - Published in the Daily Journal, September 7, 2006