On Dec. 8, the U.S. House of Representatives—in a stunning display of grossly misplaced priorities—voted to give $56 billion in tax cuts mostly to wealthy investors. Two-thirds of that money will go to people who earn more than $100,000 a year; 40 percent of it will go to millionaires. What makes this vote especially stomach-turning is that it follows the House vote to cut $50 billion from critical programs for working families and the poor—Medicaid health care, food stamps and student loans.
So it should surprise no one that America thinks its leaders are heading boldly in the wrong direction.
A new poll we commissioned by Peter D. Hart Research Associates finds that fewer than one-quarter of voters think Congress is in step with their own priorities today—and that’s true for people in red states, blue states and in swing states. The public also believes President George W. Bush—the architect of so many pro-corporate, pro-wealthy, anti-worker votes—is out of step with their priorities. 
The result? By a 2-1 margin, voters say the nation is off on the wrong track today, with only 29 percent saying America is headed in the right direction.
So who voted to take health care from the sick, food from the hungry and a shot at a college education from low-income and middle-class students so they could make rich investors even richer? Who voted to weaken pay and overtime protections and cut health care and pensions for millions of workers? And who voted instead for working families?
As we get closer to 2006, a year in which control of the U.S. House and Senate and many governorships will be decided, it’s time to start finding out where our elected leaders stand.
As the largest organization fighting for America’s working families, the AFL-CIO has a responsibility to be a watchdog that keeps an eye on Congress and lets working families know which elected leaders are on their side—and which are not. We are examining the voting records of members of the U.S. House and Senate on the most important issues for working families and we urge every person who cares about justice and the future of our country to examine this information and share it with other voters.
Today, take a look at how the leaders elected to represent you in Washington, D.C., voted on critical working family issues by visiting www.aflcio.org/reportcards. Start keeping track of who’s on your side and share the facts with your friends, co-workers and family. And let your members of Congress know what you think about their votes—call, write or e-mail their offices thanking those who are on your side and demanding those who aren’t working for you start doing better right now.