| | Even as the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, have robbed working families of their basic sense of security, working families are concerned over the backlash to their basic rights—such as the freedom to join a union which Congress and the Bush administration took away from employees in the new Homeland Security Department. The AFL-CIO recently asked the 2004 presidential candidates how they will keep America strong while protecting the basic rights of U.S. citizens. |
George W. Bush
Candidate response not received.
For more information, visit www.georgewbush.com and www.aflcio.org/issuespolitics/bushwatch/.
John Kerry
A Strong and Secure America
What will you do to keep America strong and secure while protecting the rights of all of us?
This administration has severely neglected our homeland security. 4 out of 5 mayors do not have the funds necessary for threat detection or emergency preparedness equipment. 2 out of 3 firehouses are understaffed, and many have closed down; Bush's assault on the COPS programs threatens the security of our cities and towns; and the funding necessary to inspect the physical security of our ports is simply not there. Moreover, this administration has treated our first responders terribly by denying them the equipment and training they need and the respect they deserve. Their effort to deny Homeland Security employees the right to organize was a shameful and cynical political effort to paint those who stood up for workers as anti-security. Sadly, it seems to have worked in places like Georgia and Missouri, and I intend to hold them accountable for that.
I also feel that the Bush Justice Department has overstepped its bounds in carrying out their duties. I also believe that the Bush Administration - under the leadership of John Ashcroft - has steadily but surely eroded our civil liberties and betrayed the ideals of the Constitution. The Administration should not be indefinitely detaining U.S. citizens not charged of crimes, monitoring attorney client communications or undertaking new domestic information activities like Operation TIPS. I have also been disappointed with their arrogance and foot-dragging in responding to legitimate requests for information from Congress. We have the technology and a justice system that is capable of rooting our terrorism without undermining critical, fundamental American rights.
I have outlined a comprehensive homeland security proposal that would provide the tools and equipment necessary while protecting first responders' ability to form and belong to unions. My Justice Department would follow balance civil liberties with protecting our communities. Finally, in both my campaign and Administration, I intend to stand up to the right wing demagogues who attempt to argue that patriotism and the American flag belong to one political point of view.
