DemDaily: Trump vs. The American Worker

October 5, 2016

America's labor force is a key constituency in electoral politics, and a targeted voting block by both political parties.

While Hillary Clinton has received the endorsement of a majority of unionized labor, Trump's pledge to renegotiate trade deals and reinvigorate the country's manufacturing industries still resonates with many rank and file union and non-union workers.

His long history to the contrary, and most recent "stiffing" of American steel, speaks for itself. These are the facts:

A recent Newsweek investigation revealed that Trump opted to purchase his steel and aluminum from Chinese manufacturers over American producers, choosing to move millions of dollars of business (and jobs) from key electoral swing states like Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan and Wisconsin.

The corporate records of Ossen, a Chinese steel company, show that Chinese banks provided all of its short-term financing. Most Chinese banks are tightly controlled by the Chinese Communist Party, and provide financing to companies that are direct competitors to American manufacturers in other industries.

The GOP nominee's penchant for cheating the American worker is not limited to manufacturing.

Trump has been involved in more than 3,500 lawsuits over the past three decades. A majority involve ordinary Americans, contractors and small businesses, many of which were forced into bankruptcy.

"I have met a lot of the people who were stiffed by you and your businesses, Donald. I've met dishwashers, painters, architects, glass installers, marble installers, drapery installers, who you refused to pay when they finished the work that you asked them to do." - Hillary Clinton, First Presidential Debate

According to US Department of Labor data, Trump's companies have been cited for 24 violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act since 2005 for failing to pay overtime or minimum wage. More cases have been filed since he launched his presidential bid.

In addition, a majority of Trump-brand products for sale online are manufactured overseas. Of the 838 products on Ivanka Trump's merchandise line, which was also marketed on the Trump Organization site until recently, 628 of them are imported. Of those, 354 are from China, a country that Donald Trump says takes advantage of the large US trade deficit.

The list goes on. Pass these facts along to friends and colleagues who continue to buy into the Donald's "Put America First" rhetoric! Because America, and its workers, are last on his list.

As always, DemList will keep you informed.

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Kimberly Scott
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