Paul Begala has an incredibly powerful and persuasive op-ed in Politico today making the case for the Employee Free Choice Act. After introducing nightmare hypothetical scenarios of workers getting fired for trying to organize, Begala pulls back the curtain and reveals the stories are about real workers who were fighting for better jobs.

All of these stories are absolutely true. The stories of Trish Miechur, the CNA, and Corey Kresse, the metalworker, are replicated in boardrooms and factories across America. The story of Ken Lewis, Bank of America's CEO? Well, that's a familiar one, too. So here's the question: Why are their experiences so different? Whom do we want our economic policies to benefit?

For eight years under the GOP, economic policy gave CEOs such as Ken Lewis the gold mine, while giving hardworking, middle-class Americans such as Trish and Corey the shaft. President Barack Obama and the Democratic Congress were elected to change that, and protecting employees from corporate abuses is part of the change we need. That's what the Employee Free Choice Act will do.

Corporate lobbyists say the phrase "Employee Free Choice Act" as though it were a curse. But for Trish and Corey, it's a blessing. The point of the Employee Free Choice Act is to say that we've had enough of an economy that works for Ken Lewis -- and Bernie Madoff, for that matter. We want an economy that works for Trish Miechur and Corey Kresse.

The Employee Free Choice Act gives workers an opportunity to bargain with their employers for better job security, wages and health care at a time of astounding corporate greed. The legislation has three main parts: 1) It says that when a majority of workers want to form a union, a real path is provided for them to do so -- a path chosen by workers, not corporate special interests; 2) it penalizes employers who try to fire or harass workers for attempting to form a union; and 3) it says that once workers have voted for a union, employers have to come to agreement with workers on a contract. Simple stuff, right?

So why are corporate interests squealing like a pig stuck under a gate? Maybe because they're the only ones who prospered under the Bush-Lewis-Madoff policies.

As of now, it's unclear when the Employee Free Choice Act will be given a vote in Congress. Recent press stories, based largely around anonymous comments from Democratic aides, has suggested that it is unlikely the bill will get a vote any time soon--and especially not prior to the completion of healthcare reform.

But legislative delays don't diminish the moral and economic imperative for sweeping labor reform and as a result, we must continue to call on Congress to pass the Employee Free Choice Act with majority sign-up. As Begala notes, this popular piece of legislation will get America's economy moving again, so we have no time to lose.

This week, Politico dubbed SEIU Healthcare Chair Dennis Rivera "The Organizer" on their list of five people who could play a prime time role in affecting the course of health care reform. Using SEIU's war room operation as an example, Politico highlights how Rivera has "helped SEIU become the most aggressive and ubiquitous player in the healthcare debate;" describing him as a man "with a reputation for getting the job done."

As both a successful online and a print publication in just its third year of existence, Politico has done an impressive job of establishing itself in Washington as a key destination for political news and beyond--making Rivera's inclusion on this list as someone to watch a noteworthy accomplishment indeed. Read Politico's "The five faces to watch for in debate over care" here.

"The millions of working people reeling from the severe economic recession need a recovery package that not only addresses the crisis and relieves the pain, but also lays the groundwork for a stronger and fairer future," writes SEIU International Secretary-Treasurer Anna Burger on Politico's The Arena, commenting on what kind of stimulus plan this country needs to get our economy back on track.

Anna continues:

"It was the short-term mind-set and greed of Wall Street that got us into this hole but it will take the long-range vision of President Obama, Congress and the American people to pull us back out.

[...] "Through direct investment in state and local government, we can shore up jobs and services in states and local communities--especially health care, unemployment insurance and food stamps--that are in demand in this crisis.

"We need change that works - now and in the long-term. We can start building a stronger American economic future by investing in infrastructure and green projects to create new jobs for the 21st Century...we've also got to move quickly to reform health care and pass the Employee Free Choice Act to ensure that workers, not just CEOs, can benefit from the progress they help create."

Read Anna's entire response on Politico here.

Politico reports today that President Barack Obama plans to convene a White House working meeting to address the nation's health care system sometime in the late winter or early spring. The meeting would bring together key members of Congress and other stakeholders (we presume that means insurance industry types, various employers, health care professionals, etc).

This is just the latest signal from the Obama Administration that health care will be a top priority in 2009. In mid-December, former Senate Majority Leader and nominee for Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Tom Daschle called on Americans to host health care discussions in their homes, workplaces and communities. (Watch highlights of our SEIU staff discussion here). More than 330 SEIU online activists signed up to host their own health care discussions during the holidays.

More good news, reports Politico:

"Obama and his point person on health care, former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, have staffed up like they plan to push forward with it, lining up a roster of communications and policy strategists to assist in the effort."

I'm guessing Sen. Daschle is having no trouble at all finding qualified, hard-working people willing to head to Washington to fix our nation's health care system. Let's get to work! If you haven't already, support the Obama Administration's efforts by adding your name to keep health care on the map.

On Politico's The Arena, SEIU International Secretary-Treasurer Anna Burger helps drive the conversation by giving us her boldest political predictions for 2009:

I predict that 2009 will be the "Year of the Middle Class." Voters have spoken powerfully for change and now expect action that both revives our failing economy and builds it stronger, and fairer, for the future. By rebuilding the American Dream for millions of families and rewarding work instead of one's wealth, greed or market manipulation, we can strengthen our economy for generations to come. [...] SEIU's members will help make 2009 the "Year of the Middle Class" by involving millions of Americans in an intensive state-by-state campaign to create an economy where hard work means you can make a good living and fulfill your dreams instead of treading water or falling behind.

Read the rest of Anna's reflections on the new year on Politico here.

In today's edition of Politico's The Arena, SEIU Secretary-Treasurer Anna Burger comments on what can be done about the nation's economic policy:

If there is a power vacuum, the new Administration and Congress are working fast to fill it. Already President-elect Obama and Members of Congress have shown they're serious about fixing the economic crisis--by taking serious steps toward fixing America's health care system. We cannot fix our economy without fixing our health care system. President-elect Obama's first cabinet appointment of widely regarded "health care champion" Tom Daschle as HHS secretary is one sign. Montana Senator Max Baucus's "Call to Action" is another.

And it looks like Americans are with them. Voters cite health care reform as their number one economic issue. Businesses leaders testify that our failed health care system threatens economic competitiveness in a global economy--a world where other nations do not put the price of health care on their products.

As Senator Baucus recently said, the cost of inaction is greater than the cost of reform. If we want to fill the vacuum and fix the economy, it's time to fix health care.

More responses from 'policymakers and opinion shapers' on Politico here.