And now, a few words from Chris Regan

From time to time, we want others to share their voices here at Blue with a View. And having a firsthand account of yesterday's rally at the Capitol from Democratic Party Vice-Chair Christopher Regan is one of those times:

#StandWithWV Lets Republicans Know
Working Families Reject their Agenda

Braving a major snowstorm to make their voices heard, two thousand working West Virginians came to the Capitol Monday to rally against the anti-worker, anti-wage agenda being advanced by the Republican majority. At a time when politics leaves so many Americans disaffected and apathetic, the radical proposals in Charleston activated traditional Democrats, independents and even Republicans who have come to learn that the promises this new majority campaigned on are going unfulfilled.

Courtesy Elizabeth Opyoke

Senate Minority Leader Jeff Kessler called the rally, but it became a joint project of the House and Senate Democrats, labor leaders, water conservationists, and consumer advocates as well. The packed Capitol steps provided a powerful scene as thousands of workers in Carhartt bibs or hunting gear listened to an array of pro-working family messages from West Virginia's leaders. Senator Kessler, Secretary of State Natalie Tennant, AFL-CIO President Kenny Perdue, Delegate Mike Caputo, Senator Bob Beach, Delegate Shawn Fluharty and Senator Doug Facemire all spoke to loud and sometimes raucous cheering.

Courtesy Jeff Kessler

The rally revealed that ordinary West Virginians see through the big-money campaign to buy the state off for corporate interests. Signs carried around pointed out how so-called right to work laws hurt good wage-paying union jobs, how prevailing wage laws protect our construction workers and businesses and how laws to weaken drinking water protections are radical and wrong. Perdue reminded everyone present that promises of jobs bills and economic improvement were going unfulfilled, while Republicans paid off their friends in industry. Tennant, as one would expect, made sure to discuss the importance of registering more voters so the next election more accurately reflects the will of the people.

Courtesy Lynette Maselli

As predictions of bad weather came out on Sunday night, Republicans had taken to social media to mock the workers rally and suggest that no one would show up. As it happened, turnout would have been considered substantial on a nice summer day – under the circumstances, it was simply an amazing showing by the folks who are being directly hurt by the Republicans' policies. The thousands who were in Charleston will take back to their counties key information and motivation to make sure that the next time we vote, we get it right.