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Obama Asks Unions for Health-Reform Support

President expresses support for public option in speech to AFL-CIO

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted Sep 7, 2009 2:51 PM CDT

(Newser) – President Obama honored the achievements of organized labor today, pointing out that iniatives like the minimum wage and paid vacation “bear the union label,” the AP reports. Speaking at an AFL-CIO meeting in Cincinnati, Obama asked for union support in his push to reform the health care system, and he pledged to make progress on a bill that would make it easier for workers to join unions.

"We have never been this close" to reforming health care, Obama said. "We have never had this broad an agreement on what needs to be done." The president didn’t divulge many details of Wednesday's address to Congress on the issue, but he expressed support for a government-run plan, the Cincinnati Enquirer reports. “I continue to believe that a public option within the basket of insurance choices would help improve quality and bring down costs,'' Obama said.

President Barack Obama speaks at the AFL-CIO Labor Day picnic at Coney Island in Cincinnati, Monday, Sept. 7, 2009.
President Barack Obama speaks at the AFL-CIO Labor Day picnic at Coney Island in Cincinnati, Monday, Sept. 7, 2009.   (AP Photo/David Kohl)
President Barack Obama speaks at the AFL-CIO Labor Day picnic at Coney Island in Cincinnati, Monday, Sept. 7, 2009.
President Barack Obama speaks at the AFL-CIO Labor Day picnic at Coney Island in Cincinnati, Monday, Sept. 7, 2009.   (AP Photo/David Kohl)
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It was labor that helped build the largest middle class in history. So, even if you're not a union member, every American owes something to America's labor movement.
- Barack Obama

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 40 comments
godawgs
Sep 8, 2009 12:48 PM CDT
@walle yes because the way you are saying what you are saying in your posts is disrespectful to everyone who was or is in the military. Also I have been laid off and fired from jobs. I didn't go to the dentist until I joined the military so what is your point?
WallyEFunk
Sep 8, 2009 12:13 PM CDT
Hell no gadwags .U missed what I said in an earlier post. MUCH needed, thank god, for U and what U do.U deserve EVERY thing Ur got or getting.. THANK U again. for sacrifices U had to have made... But really. Have did U have to worry about Food shelter clothing medical care retirement,life insurance for family.Tell me about the "real life" experiances about getting laid off. cancelling dentist appointment for Ur wife or kids.hotwater heater braeking down and having to get the kids winter coats next week, pentions missing .losing sleep about getting food in the house.Real life problems PPL live every day. I'm not a socailist ,but I do know U can't let companies look after all. their for the dollar, NOT for the country , there fellow man .or the family, or god.. U need a balance. more is spent every day on a war,money they didn't spend or have before.., then for PPL in there own country. Is something wrong with that picture?
AdaptAndOvercome
Sep 8, 2009 11:07 AM CDT
Your ignorance and others like you is what creates problems and never any solutions which explains why you belong to the party of NO SOLUTIONS.

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