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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsI shook the President's hand today
I was at the Massachusetts AFL-CIO, Greater Boston Labor Council Annual Labor Day Breakfast today.
I was seated at table 12 in the third row. There were nearly 100 rows, so I had a great seat. At the end, I was at the rope line as the President was leaving and I shook his hand and thanked him for coming to Boston.
Boston Mayor Marty Walsh and U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren spoke before the President arrived at the Park Plaza.
Senator Warren was by far the best speaker of the day.
Did you know that the top 25 hedge fund earners made more money last year than every kindergarten teacher in the United States, combined?
Did you know that from 1935 until 1980, the bottom 90% of wage earners gained 70% of all new income, but from 1980 until 2012 that same 90% received 0%? That's right, Senator Warren said. While for 45 years the top 10% got 30% of new income, in the next 32 years they got it all. 100%.
Amazing.
The President said that Brady should be happy he was in a union and also said that if he were starting out and wanted to get a job to raise his family, he would certainly join a union. That brought everyone to their feet.
Security wasn't too bad. I got there early (7:00 AM) and just got home (1:00 PM).
But, all in all, it was a Labor Day I will never forget.
Thank you for coming to Boston today, Mr. President.
spanone
(135,846 posts)An amazing President who has accomplished so much!
I'm envious!!
Starry Messenger
(32,342 posts)PeaceNikki
(27,985 posts)Cha
(297,323 posts)ohheckyeah
(9,314 posts)to do something like shaking the president's hand - something you will remember forever. We don't often get that kind of opportunity.
katmondoo
(6,457 posts)He was so handsome and Jackie so beautiful pregnant with John. At the time I think it was John. She had a miscarriage but I can't remember when Little John was born. Was it before or after he became President, I can't place the timing
ohheckyeah
(9,314 posts)of the timing either. I was kind of young when JFK was president. I hate to admit that Bobby Kennedy's death was more upsetting to me but it was an age thing I think.
It's great you got to shake his hand.
CTyankee
(63,912 posts). I think John, Jr. was about 2 yrs. old.
hedda_foil
(16,375 posts)Dems to Win
(2,161 posts)If there was a 'green with envy' smilie, I'd post it here.
Hortensis
(58,785 posts)tblue37
(65,409 posts)graywarrior
(59,440 posts)Congratulations, what an awesome experience!
merrily
(45,251 posts)I did know what Senator Warren said about 0% of new income going to the 90% in recent years because Senator Sanders has been saying it for a long time.
Generic Other
(28,979 posts)Glad your labor on our behalf was recognized this day!
Solidarity!
erronis
(15,303 posts)And worried about the next treacherous law that they will pass to limit our freedoms.
catbyte
(34,406 posts)again, everything bad that's happening in the country started with Ronald Reagan. I am old enough to have seen this country go to hell with my own eyes. It's no coincidence that Darth Cheney was a player in both of the worst presidential administrations in modern history.
H2O Man
(73,559 posts)Recommended!
Helen Borg
(3,963 posts)just held my cat's paw.
awoke_in_2003
(34,582 posts)On edit: that isn't a dig at the president, but an acknowledgment to the greatness of cats.
Helen Borg
(3,963 posts)What a great experience. You are so fortunate!
DFW
(54,410 posts)I've met him several times, and I'm always amazed that a lefthander has such a firm grip (though Bill Clinton does, too):
http://www.democraticunderground.com/125170848
It is always reassuring to know we have such a strong intellect sitting in the Oval Office.
McCain deserves exile for even risking Sarah Palin sitting there.
maddiemom
(5,106 posts)DFW
(54,410 posts)Of course, I haven't been a sitting president, either, so I have less practice trying
maddiemom
(5,106 posts)for courtesies' sake. Got you now.
DFW
(54,410 posts)And that's not speculation on my part!
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DrBulldog
(841 posts)The American voters idiotically elected a senile homophobic corrupt federal-crimes-committing former actor to the White House while stupidly blaming all the world's problems on Jimmy Carter, who has probably been one of the greatest Americans of whom we could ever be most proud.
maddiemom
(5,106 posts)madokie
(51,076 posts)and thank you President Obama for being our President today. You are one hell of a good man
malaise
(269,063 posts)earlier in the year - hahahahha - you are so lucky!!
fadedrose
(10,044 posts)What did Warren have to say?
I take her appearance with the President at a labor function, and Biden's appearance at another labor function, as more than coincidence. Maybe these people are friends as well as colleagues and are working together....
I love the idea. But I love Bernie too. These people are making my head hurt with too much good but conflicting news...
Did she hint of anything?
louis c
(8,652 posts)Obama was not in the room.
Mayor Walsh had spoken and left for the airport to greet the President.
Warren made the comments that I posted in the OP, but she really criticized the trade deal without calling out the President by name.
She did say that "this fight (the trade deal) is not over".
She is the darling of the Boston Union movement, as we came to her support even before the Primary in the Brown race.
We love her.
fadedrose
(10,044 posts)before there could be any endorsements... Bernie is already in agreement with her...
Thanks..
smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)She really is on our side. I wish I had been at the breakfast this morning. I was just watching coverage of it on the local Boston news and he sounded great! And seemed very charming. I guess he popped by The Union Oyster House on his way back to get some takeout clam chowder.
bvf
(6,604 posts)I'm really envious.
What happened in 1980?
Oh, yeah...
sheshe2
(83,793 posts)I am so jealous!
trof
(54,256 posts)What a great day.
Congrats!
brer cat
(24,578 posts)I'm sure you will always remember this Labor Day.
L. Coyote
(51,129 posts)I kept my hands on my camera and took this shot as Obama was shaking my partner's hand.
I think I made the right decision!
Amimnoch
(4,558 posts)I whole heartedly do believe that history will remember him as one of the greatest presidents in our history. His record isn't perfect, but when he does leave office, he's leaving this country in a MUCH better place than the condition he took it in.
Cha
(297,323 posts)perfect? He and his team have accomplished so much.. I don't care what BS has to say about it.
mountain grammy
(26,626 posts)Happy Labor Day!
Omaha Steve
(99,662 posts)K&R!
betsuni
(25,544 posts)What was on the menu? I'm a little embarrassed asking because nobody else has, but I want to know!
CentralMass
(15,265 posts)awoke_in_2003
(34,582 posts)But to have 2 minutes to speak with him- well, I would love that.
rsexaminer
(321 posts)That's awesome. When Obama was campaigning in Florida in 2012, he came into my job to eat....an hour after I left.
TumbleAndJumble
(24 posts)Last edited Wed Sep 9, 2015, 02:31 PM - Edit history (1)
and not only what the for pay and profit organizations provide
edit: heary/hear.