A technical problem prevents me from posting my comment about the Electricians Local 98 "progressiveness", so I decided to do it in a separate entry. I also lost one entry because of "access denied". Daniel, can anything be done about it?
Returning to the charter school issue, Jeff Marshall cited Philadelphia Electrical and Technology Charter High School founding by Doc as a proof that he is a progressive. I would argue that Charter schools are not progressive, and are generally bad for public education system in Philadelphia, because they drain money and good students from public schools. The admission process, claimed to be equal and lottery based, is not transparent. Even if it was, only students from "good" families, whose parents care enough about their kid's education to fill in an application, would get there. In the end public schools are left with less money spread thin, and most difficult students (and families)to work with. I would argue that we wold not have this 73 mln deficit, if not for charter schools.

Working America, a supposedly left wing affiliate of AFL-CIO sent everybody in my district a flyer with the names of endorsed candidates. The only Republican name on it is John Perzel's. John Perzel has one of the worst anti-labor, pro-corporate record in the PA House. Instead of endorsing Perzel, they should have endorsed Tim Kearney.
Democrat Tim Kearney, who is fighing a steep uphill battle against Perzel has impeccable progressive credentials. He worked for Action Alliance of Senior Citizens of Philadelphia and as aid for late Counsilman David Cohen. For more info about Tim, please, go to kearney2006.com
This endorsement, as well as endorsement of Santorum by some Unions shows how corrupt and reactionary Union leaders have become, how little they care about working people outside their unions.