Support the Employee Free Choice Act & PRIDE

Dear Friends,

When asked about her vote against entering WWII, Jeannette Rankin talked about working to prevent situations of injustice from becoming conflict. She said we had done great injustice when we turned a blind eye to what was happening in Germany before the question of war ever came up.  She worked for the rights of women, workers and children with the same passion that she worked for world peace.

Happy, healthy people whose needs are met are more able to engage in working for a better world for others, a lesson we should remember as we face some critical issues of justice — brave struggles for workers rights, health care for all and marriage equality.  While wars may not be fought over these issues, make no mistake about the importance they play in whether or not our country lives up to its founding vision, and whether or not we learn to live in peace.  Audre Lord said, “there is no such thing as a single-issue struggle, because we do not live single-issue lives.”

Affordable, accessible health care for all of us is related to making sure that workers are free to form unions and protect their rights and interests. And both are impacted by the arbitrary walls that deny the rights of marriage to some and dictate who and how to love.  These issues are your issues – whether directly or indirectly. They call you to not be a bystander.

Get involved in these debates. Show up today to support the Employee Free Choice Act, and make plans to be an LGBTI ally in Kalispell at the PRIDE celebration June 19 and 20. Let’s make Jeannette proud and make this country stronger.

Betsy