Stimulus package has failed to deliver

With the Operating Engineers Local 150 on strike it's time to declare the Obama's Stimulus package a failure, if not an outright fraud.

Operating engineers are the backbone of the construction industry. They are responsible for operating the cranes and the earth moving equipment that transforms our nation. They are the "shovel" in shovel ready.

Yet, 18 months after the debt creating $800 billion stimulus package, the operating engineers have decided to go on strike. The reason, their health fund has been decimated by a two year recession that has seen member contributions reduced by 40 percent.

But why strike now? Eighteen months out, the stimulus bill should be creating full employment and overtime for the union members. After two years of lean times, a work stoppage during a boom time would be unthinkable if it were happening. However, the stimulus package has failed to deliver the jobs promised.

Once again, the American public has been sold a bill of goods by the politicians who are trying to buy the public's votes with the public's money. The operating engineers who had the most to gain from a true infrastructure stimulus package are now forced to strike and put their families' security in jeopardy. Others in the construction industry, who have suffered the most in this recession, including contractors and other trade unions, may be dealt a fatal blow with this latest strike. The president's and the Congress' failed policies are responsible for this strike. Please make sure we hold them accountable in November.

Gary Voyda

Naperville