With Republicans in control of our nation, special interests have become the focus of our government. We, the working class, greatly outnumber the wealthy. In West Virginia a wildcat strike by the state’s teachers may forecast a change in America. Working men and women are tired of being ignored, and will retake control of our nation.

Our government is corrupt and has failed to perform the jobs for which they were elected. We elect them to represent us and they have ignored their basic purpose. They are ruling over us; we are the masters, and they must serve us. By refusing to be transparent; by using actions of ‘secrecy;’ our congressmen and women are taking corruption to a new level.

West Virginia’s state government is under the control of Republicans. My state of Nevada and the state of West Virginia are ‘right to work’ states. This is a misleading name, and a guarantee to big business and the government that unions have limited power to procure fair wages and benefits for working men and women.

First of all let me report another fact that the mainstream media will ignore. West Virginia is one of our poorest states. Many of the children in West Virginia rely on meals they receive from their schools. These teachers may not be in the classroom, but they are spending their own money to provide food for the many children in their districts who struggle below the poverty line.

The men and women who are dedicated to their students have been ignored for far too long. What is happening in West Virginia may spread to Oklahoma and other states which traditionally pay their teachers sub-standard wages. More importantly, this may become the new normal in America. The American worker has been left behind. We are the United States of America. We are the true patriots. Big business is loyal to only one thing; their bloated profits.

A personal note. At one time in my life I was a victim of a strike. One segment of the company which employed me walked off from their jobs, leaving the rest of us unemployed. Their cause was just, but I remain uncertain if their goals were achieved. The money lost over three months of being unemployed would never be recovered.

That said, the teacher’s strike in West Virginia is about much more than fair wages. They are making a statement and demonstrating the power of the American people. They are fighting for equal protection and human rights. When government at any level refuses to place the people first, it’s time to change that government and take what belongs to us.

We are the 99 percent, and we have the power to vote any politician who refuses to represent us out of office.

Op-ed by James Turnage

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Photo courtesy of Noe Alfaro

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