According to press reports, Republican Members of Congress have announced that the White House will reinstate the federal law requiring "prevailing" local wages to be paid on federally funded projects in the Hurricane Katrina disaster area. If these reports are correct, they mean that President Bush has bowed to citizen pressure mobilized by groups like the Campaign for America's Future, America's labor unions, and Democratic members of Congress -- pressure that has forced the White House to reverse a misguided and cruel executive decree issued immediately after Hurricane Katrina.

"Much of the credit for this victory must go to Congressman George Miller," said Roger Hickey, Co-Director of the Campaign for America's Future. "Miller crafted legislation to overturn the President's decree -- and then found an innovative way to force a vote on the bill in the House of Representatives. But this is also a victory for the citizen groups who mobilized, first to convince all Democratic Members of Congress to co- sponsor the legislation -- and then to embarrass enough Republican Members into deciding that they could not vote to sustain President Bush's low wage decree."

The Campaign for America's Future, which just yesterday helped to bring 17 Katrina survivors to Capitol Hill, has repeatedly encouraged their online activist network, numbering several hundreds of thousands of people to express their outrage to Members of Congress about Bush's edict depriving Gulf citizens of decent wages in federally funded reconstruction projects. (See emails below.) The group estimates that each time they sent out one of their email action alerts on Davis-Bacon, over 20 thousand CAF activists from all over the country, sent an urgent communication to their Member of Congress and Senator -- via fax or telephone or email.

"Clearly, the White House understood that Congressman Miller had found a way, under the little-used 1976 National Emergencies Act, to force a vote in Congress, and clearly the President understood that Congress would vote to overturn his misguided decree," said Hickey.

"Coming on the heels of the acknowledged defeat of Bush's Social Security privatization plan -- and on the eve of a likely failure by the Republicans in Congress to push through draconian budget cuts to pay for wasteful tax cuts for the rich -- this capitulation by the White House represents another victory for activist progressive action. It means a victory for democracy -- and a victory for the people of the Gulf states."

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Campaign for America's Future

Dear Roger,

President Bush is using the Katrina tragedy to opportunistically push a radical agenda of tax cuts for the wealthy, new big-oil give-aways, school vouchers, and an array of other right wing nostrums. But Americans are getting wise to how President Bush and his party operate. Tom DeLay was just indicted for illegally funneling corporate money to benefit GOP politicians. And, large majorities have turned against Bush on his handling of both the Katrina fiasco and the ongoing mess in Iraq.

And now, we have an opportunity to deal the extreme right-wing another blow by overturning the President's decree that cut wages for Katrina victims hired to rebuild their shattered communities.

Thanks in part to pressure from our supporters -- who responded to an urgent email last week -- every single Democrat and Independent in the House of Representatives has united behind a bill to overturn the President's callous wage-cutting decree. We now need just 14 Republicans to endorse this bill -- to show that a clear majority of House Members want a vote to restore fair wages for Gulf Coast reconstruction workers.

Please, sign the petition that we'll send to every single Republican member of Congress asking them to co-sponsor and bring to vote the "Fair Wages for Hurricane Victims Act."

http://ourfuture.org/JustKatrinaWages.cfm

This is a battle we can win! Just last week, 37 Republicans wrote to President Bush asking him to "temporarily" restore fair wages protections. Now, we need to translate these good intentions into concrete action. Please help turn up the heat on moderate Republicans and deliver the President and right wing extremists a clear message: Gulf Coast reconstruction must work - - first and foremost -- for the people of the Gulf, not just the Haliburtons and other large corporations seeking to profit from this tragedy.

President Bush's wage-cutting decree started the Gulf Coast reconstruction effort on exactly the wrong note. If we can defeat the president on this, we will send his administration the larger message that Americans want Gulf reconstruction to be devoted to helping Katrina victims get useful jobs, earn decent wages, and support their families. Please, sign the petition and challenge Republican members of Congress to co-sponsor and bring to a vote the "Fair Wages for Hurricane Victims Act!"

http://ourfuture.org/JustKatrinaWages.cfm

Thank you very much for your support!

Sincerely,

Roger Hickey, Co-Director

Campaign for America's Future

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Campaign for America's Future

Dear Roger,

Last night, President Bush addressed the nation and told victims of Hurricane Katrina that "we will do what it takes, to help citizens rebuild their communities and their lives". But he didn't tell them how he has already tilted the rules for reconstruction to benefit those of wealth and privilege, while undermining the poor and middle-class families who have suffered the most. Instead of embracing good jobs for the recently displaced, President Bush's first major act in the recovery effort was to suspend a law that requires federal contractors to pay workers a decent wage. And, at the same time, his administration signed no- bid contracts that will give billions to multi-national corporations like Halliburton without any guarantee that they will hire displaced people to rebuild their own communities.

If President Bush gets away with cutting wages for those involved in rebuilding, then we might as well hand the whole job over to corporate greed. We need you to engage in the first battle of what promises to be a long fight to ensure that the recovery effort is one that puts people first -- and not one that lines the pockets of corporate elites. Please, write your member of Congress and demand that decent family wages and employing the victims of Katrina be the bedrock of the rebuilding efforts.

http://ourfuture.org/rebuilding_wages.cfm

Progressives stand resolute that we should rebuild the Gulf Coast for the victims of Katrina -- not just the privileged few. In the America we believe in, everyone that works hard should be entitled to a decent wage -- especially the people we want to help get back on their feet after this enormous disaster. We must reject the fundamental insult of the president's decree that Gulf Coast reconstruction workers should be paid low wages.

We believe that economic fairness should drive the rebuilding effort. Our government has an important role to play in guiding the economy so that we collectively build an expansive, enduring middle class. That's why the people who were hit by the storm must be treated justly and paid good wages for their hard work reconstructing their destroyed communities.

If we allow Bush's hucksterism to lull the Congress into overlooking his first outrageous action against the people of the Gulf, it will be just the beginning. The right wing is already advancing plans to use the Katrina emergency to steamroll legislation that rolls back environmental protections, suspends affirmative action and showers corporations with billions in tax breaks.

Please take action now to stop the right wing's first Katrina- related opportunism before it permeates the reconstruction effort. Tell your lawmakers to say no to corporate greed, and to ensure fair wages for Gulf Coast reconstruction workers.

http://ourfuture.org/rebuilding_wages.cfm

When the people of the Gulf first needed help, George Bush's administration failed them. This is a unique moment in history where we can, and must, end the politics of privilege that have dominated our government under President Bush. It does not get much clearer than this -- it is time to put the needs of the many over the needs of the few. If we win this battle, it can set an important precedent for all of our work ahead to rebuild the Gulf Coast and rebuild America: the right wing agenda that favors privilege over people has no place here, and will not be tolerated.

Congressman George Miller has just introduced legislation to reinstate the wage protections that were suspended by decree of President Bush. Championed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, these protections require federal contractors to pay "prevailing" wages to workers. It's amazing that in the face of tragedy, President Bush still puts the interests of his corporate federal contractor friends ahead of the workers that will rebuild the Gulf. Tell your member of Congress that rebuilding the Gulf Coast must mean more than just profits for big corporations -- it must empower those recently displaced to make a decent wage while they rebuild their shattered communities and lives.

http://ourfuture.org/rebuilding_wages.cfm

According to the Wall Street Journal, "Congressional Republicans, backed by the White House, say they are using relief measures for the hurricane-ravaged Gulf coast to achieve a broad range of conservative economic and social policies, both in the storm zone and beyond." (1)

We can't let this happen. The difference between our hope and their agenda is rooted in the fundamental idea that all people must be treated with dignity and respect. While the conservatives tell us that "You are on your own," we progressives believe that "We can solve any problem together." We have a plan to rebuild the Gulf Coast and rebuild America. And, ours are the priorities that put people first.

The battle begins with employing the recently displaced in good paying jobs. Tell your member of Congress to restore wage protections and give every displaced worker the salary they need to have a fair shot at rebuilding their lives.

http://ourfuture.org/rebuilding_wages.cfm

Thank you so much for all you do.

Sincerely,

Roger Hickey, Co-Director

Campaign for America's Future

P.S. We need you to help us get the word out. Please, forward this email to your friends and post these comments on your favorite blog or message board. Help us spread the word that now is the time to redefine America's priorities.

(1) Wilke, John R. & Mullins, Brody. "After Katrina, Republicans Back a Sea of Conservative Ideas." Wall Street Journal, 15 September 2005.

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Dear Roger,

$1 to Bring Katrina Survivors to DC

If we can raise $20,000, we will bring at least five Katrina survivors to Washington, DC this month to meet face-to-face with politicians and press them for a straight answer on a vital question: Are Washington politicians rebuilding the Gulf Coast for their wealthy friends, or the people of the Gulf? Please contribute $1 today to help Katrina survivors speak truth to power -- directly in Washington -- and confront the right- wing's callous agenda in the Gulf! GO "

President Bush and his right wing allies continue to exploit the tragedy in the Gulf to line the pockets of their corporate friends -- adding to the burden of survivors still struggling to rebuild their lives. From cutting wages for reconstruction workers, to showering billions in no-bid contracts to companies like Halliburton, to suspending environmental protections, and lavishing even more hand-outs on big oil, the right wing is on a rampage -- exploiting the Gulf tragedy to enrich their wealthy friends while the people of the Gulf continue to suffer.

How does the right-wing get away with it? Because conservative politicians have tucked themselves away in Washington (except for brief photo-op visits to the Gulf) and effectively removed themselves from the harsh realities of their policy-making. They can pass policy after policy that harms the people of the Gulf because they don't have to confront the people they're burdening.

Together, we can confront the right-wing's escapism, and challenge the disastrous policies to which it's given rise. If we raise $20,000, we will bring at least five Katrina survivors to Capitol Hill to press politicians for a straight answer on a vital question: Are they rebuilding the Gulf Coast for their wealthy friends, or the people of the Gulf?

Everyone can contribute at least $1 to help Katrina survivors speak truth to power directly in Washington! Please make at least that small contribution today, and help give voice to those still struggling to rebuild their lives in the Gulf.

http://www.ourfuture.org/1_for_Gulf_Justice.cfm

Meet Gwendolyn Carriere, a 66-year resident of New Orleans who, along with her three children and eight grandchildren, lost nearly everything in Katrina. Her home, her car and her family business were all destroyed, and she lost two of her family members. Despite these tragedies, Mrs. Carriere's spirits and determination to rebuild for her family are, in her own words, "strong and thriving". With your help, we will bring Mrs. Carriere to Washington to ask President Bush and Congress directly: "Are you rebuilding the Gulf Coast for your friends, or my family?"

Gwendolyn Carriere is one of thousands of Katrina survivors whose basic needs are being -- at best -- ignored, and -- at worst -- actively trampled on by today's right-wing policy- making. Mrs. Carriere's voice and those of her fellow Katrina survivors must be heard now in Washington DC, and with your help they will be! Working alongside our partners at Voices for Working Families, AFSCME, and ACORN, we will bring Mrs. Carriere and at least four other Katrina survivors to Washington this month to confront the right-wing's disastrous agenda in the Gulf before it takes deeper root.

http://www.ourfuture.org/1_for_Gulf_Justice.cfm

No contribution is too small for this work, so please offer what you can. Your contribution will go directly to flying Mrs. Carriere and fellow Katrina survivors to Washington, hosting them here for two days, and organizing them to meet with lawmakers and the media, to press for the answers and support they deserve.

If each of us contributes even $1, we will show Washington that there's a powerful network of support behind those still struggling in the Gulf -- a base of support that stands behind people like Gwendolyn Carriere as they stand up for fellow Katrina survivors and for all Americans whose basic needs continue to be undermined by the right wing. Please contribute your dollar today!

http://www.ourfuture.org/1_for_Gulf_Justice.cfm

Thanks advance for helping to give voice in Washington to those still struggling in the Gulf. With our collective support, their voices will be heard!

Sincerely,

Roger Hickey, Co-Director

Campaign for America's Future

P.S. We need you to help us get the word out. Please, forward this email to your friends and post these comments on your favorite blog or message board. Help us spread the word about our "$1 for Gulf Justice" campaign.

http://www.usnewswire.com/

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