MAPE's State of the Union statement

Statement by Jim Monroe, Executive Director of the Minnesota Association of Professional Employees on the State of the Union

January 24, 2012

“Tonight President Obama laid out a clear plan to keep the economy moving in the right direction and continue getting Americans back to work.  The President’s call to increase manufacturing in America, provide homegrown energy and invest in workforce training are key pillars of a solid economic plan to strength our country’s middle class.

For far too long, the middle class in this country has suffered the consequences of big corporations who outsource our jobs overseas and rig the political system to avoid paying taxes.  It’s time for the richest Americans to pay their fair share in taxes and to restore economic security for the backbone of our country – working men and women.  

After months of watching the Republican presidential candidates practice plastic populism and tear each other apart, it’s refreshing to see a true leader offer a blueprint for a strong America for generations to come.”