The inability of the old guard IAM backers to ever make a post detailing their accomplishments and their future plans is indicative of the sorry state of politics, in the micro model of the IAM, and the macro model of our nation. I believe this is what causes disillusion, then disgust, then apathy. Why do politicians of all ilks do this? Because it works. They think we are stupid, and collectively they are proven correct.
So much time, energy, and money is spent on negative campaigning and attacks. It's all useless clutter to cloud the mind of the voter and confuse them. If candidates were somehow restricted to only espousing their own strengths and the platform that they support, then it would be much easier for voters to evaluate the performance of the incumbent and make more intelligent decisions. Did the incumbent follow through on his promises and deliver? Was he or she responsive to the constituents and perform true to his word? If clearly yes, then perhaps I'd vote for them again. If clearly not, let's give some fresh blood a chance.
Tim, I don't know you, I'm aware of your somewhat less than admired history among certain IAM factions, and I do think your independent campaign years ago to create your own union was a mistake and did have a negative result in general on your work group. One could attribute that to a degree of ego and/or self aggrandizement, or perhaps youthful inexperience. Perhaps your heart was in the right place but things didn't work out as you had imagined.
At any rate, I do think it is unfair of the establishment to club you for this 20 years later. They would be better served to stress their own accomplishments (if they have any) and ignore attacking you. But instead they use the typical IAM bully approach to debating. All I read from the IAM defenders is that Tim is all about Tim, etc.
What I do read, and observed in your videos, is that you seem to have ideas, and desire to make changes. (By the way, I am not part of your group and have no interest in this election, other than as an "experienced" observer.) For any one to believe that the IAM's antiquated, paternalistic, dictatorship has any interest in bettering the lives of the American workers, think again. You are simply a "unit of dues production" to them, lip service is to be paid to representation, while the "union" totally goes along with the globalist agenda of destroying the middle and working classes economically.
Can Tim Nelson change this? In my opinion, doubtful. Not because of lack of desire, or any unwillingness to work hard, but simply because the dice are loaded, the game is rigged. Free thinkers are not welcome in the IAM, as there are too many living large off your dues money and not inclined to change the game.
I can imagine how pissed off they would be should he actually win, and that would be priceless.
The IAM has never represented the fleet service group properly, and hasn't represented the other groups as it should have since the mid 1990's. It is long overdue for a reality check and a shake-up.
Tim, one thing I think you should change is to quit talking about RD so much and focus your time and energies on your platform and specific ideas for change. Don't get bogged down in the distractions offered by the IAM lackeys, focus on your vision for the group, your goals, and your values. Clearly define what you have to offer. Make the choice more clear for the voters, and resist the petty back and forth which wastes time, bandwidth, and accomplishes little for your cause.
I think your videos were creative, but would be more effective if you dropped the phony "I'm being interviewed and talking to the interviewer" approach. Look straight into the camera, introduce yourself, and state your case, be straight up. Everyone knows these are not out-takes from "60 minutes"! To this viewer, that comes off as a bit pretentious.
