John Nichols:

Ellsworth's social conservatism and economic elitism is a toxic combination that has the potential to depress turnout among base Democrats, progressives and populist independents.

So what will Indiana Democrats get with Brad Ellsworth: An "I'm-more-conservative-than-you-are" election debate that culminates in maximized Republican turnout and depressed Democratic turnout.

http://www.thenation.com/blogs/thebeat/532330/indiana_dems_need_populist_mellencamp_not_blue_dog_ellsworth

Funny how there's also tons of criticism about Ellsworth out there as well. He's a Blue Dog, who's voted against his party at very crucial and critical times. He's pro-life, pro-gun, anti-gay, and has a mixed record with labor at best.

He's not in favor of a progressive health care bill, certainly not the public option. He's to the right of Senator Lugar, a Republican, on many of these issues and others.

The DSCC should try finding a candidate that is more in keeping with Democratic Party values. Ellsworth is not the only candidate who can win and while there may not be as many of them in Indiana as elsewhere, can Ellsworth win the day if progressives stay home?

Sent to the Post-Tribune and the Times newspapers Feb 24.
From; WRKPAC THE WORKING MAN POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE

The Department of Labor has filed a complaint in the U S District court (cause #210CV086) of factual allegations of collusion of US Steel with members of the Union that are active in the Union Reform Team. The charge is use of USS resources to influence the election. Have ���Racketeering��� and Mob influence once again been used to deprive the Union membership of justice negotiated in a Labor Agreement? Many union activists believe US Steel has for many years used covert activities in pursuit of the destruction of the USW and the power the workers have to ensure a safe work environment, fair wages and compliance of labor contracts.
There are some that will portray this incident as insignificant in an attempt to disguise the despicable intentions and objective of this conspiracy. There are two main groups of this conspiracy. They are US Steel and the Union Reform Team.
The purpose of US Steel involvement with influencing a Union election is understandable because it is good for business. If the company can reduce its cost to operate and become more profitable by any means it will. If the Company can in any way reduce the resistance of the Union to agree to any cost saving measures it is a good business decision. If the company can violate the Labor Agreement with the knowledge the Union will not act to defend against those violations it is good for business. Corporate greed is after all only Capitalism, which our economy is based on. So, as the charge stands, to compensate the Union Reform Team in various ways for future considerations of the Company���s goal of higher profit was a good investment.
But the acceptance of compensation knowingly given by the Company to the Union Reform Team has only despicable intent. Personal gain at the cost of the people they promised to represent to the best of their ability is betrayal. Conscious acceptance of unearned wages, bribes, gifts, graft, and gratuities while being fully aware of considerations that will be requested by the Company in the future is treachery.
The union members of Local 1014 have to ask themselves many questions that arise now that this complicity has been revealed. How many members were not fully represented in matters concerning promotions, grievances, contracting out of work, discipline and overtime equalization because the Union Reform Team members were in debt to the Company? Who lost their job because the Company knew the Union would not fully represent them because of favors owed to the Company? How many Safety issues were overlooked because persons on the JUM Safety Committee were obligated to the Company? How much money did the Company and management funnel into the pockets of the Union Reform Team? How severe is the damage done to the integrity of the USW?
The members of Local 1014, the USW and every union in the country will be watching to see if Justice and the ���Rule of Law��� shall prevail or have we returned to the era of Jimmy Hoffa when Unions were bought and sold?

This is an opinion of WRKPAC, a not- for-profit entity.
Wm. Krebes, USW local 1014 member