Microsoft's arrogance may be its downfall yet. Or it could be Microsoft's use of guest workers as pawns in their attempt to transform US society into the haves and the have-nots. In either case, both elements are at play in Washington state now - and may possibly effect the outcome in the August election for King County Executive.
So far, BFJ members have played a part in this unwinding story. Wanna join in? Here’s the skinny:
Rep. Ross Hunter pushed thru legislation at Microsoft’s beheast to extend in-state tuition rates to white collar professionals who are temporarily stationed at Microsoft on corporate visas –at the same time that WashingtonState lawmakers removed $1.5 billion from education, layed off 2500 teachers, slashed heathcare.
The Seattle Times reported yesterday:
"The measure passed amid a roiling budget crisis and hundreds of millions of dollars in cutbacks to higher education. It was nicknamed the "Microsoft subsidy bill" by some lawmakers who say the software giant and its workers surely could afford to pay the higher tuition rates."
This is not about Guest Workers; It’s about Wielding Privilege During Economic Collapse
While families are burning through their 401k plans and retirement savings, Washington State Representative Ross Hunter fiddled on legislation (HB 1487) offering in-state tuition rates to citizens abroad temporally stationed at Microsoft.
Microsoft and state legislators cannot blame this legislation on guest workers. The guest workers and their families did not ask for this privilege; neither did they organize or lobby. With an average salary of $92,000, these guest workers did not plead hardship.
Like all residents of the state of Washington, these guest workers will be heartbroken to discover these benefits will be shouldered by hard working residents who earn less than half - $42,000 - of what they receive.
Washington state legislators must pull together and direct the spirit of American generosity toward the families facing foreclosures, toward the seniors splitting doses of life-saving medicines, and toward the parents who gathered around the kitchen table to tell their anxious child they can't pay for in-state tuition.
BFJ Members Are Now Organizing to Support the “Good Guy” against Ross Hunter – Can you help them? (posted here on Seattle Times):
"Be the Change - Let's send Dow Constantine $14.87 as a protest to this HB 1487, the "Microsoft subsidy bill".
www.dowconstantine.com
Dow Constantine will focus on all the King County families Ross Hunter ignored. Hunter can't see the people in need; only the corporations with their hands stretched out in greed.
Let's support these BFJ members in Seattle to defeat a true Microsoft lackey. Donate $14.87. Tell your friends and family - have them donate $14.87 to insure that we have a King County Executive who will direct American generosity to those most in need.