Comments on: Labor Day And The Middle Class: Thanks, Unions!

By: mommapolitico

mommapolitico — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 21:07:07 +0000

Thanks for coming by, Monbid. And thanks for having an open mind, and wanting to have a respectful discussion! Unons are not perfect. I agree with you there. They have become powerful forces. But I still feel they are necessary. When I hear about the GOP trying to recall child labor laws, working to actively eliminate OSHA laws, trying to union-bust and completely eliminate collective bargaining, and laying off teachers, firefighters, nurses and police officers while making obscene corporate profits by doing so, I am convinced that unions are still necessary. And when the Supreme Court says that corporations are people, that doesn't give folks like you and me a chance in Hell over the kind of influence that the mega-millions corporations can now spend to influence the outcome of elections. Unions are one of the few liberal-leaning forces that can influence elections – our only fighting chance, you could say.It's a shame in this country that, while folks like you and I are probably more moderate than not, our political parties can't seem to put their own interests (read: greed) aside and focus on the real needs of the working people of this country – jobs, security, a way to take care of our elderly, to keep our country healthy and heal the sick without breaking the bank. I am afraid that those special interests (banks, Wall Street, the insurance industry, corporations) will be able to out-vote folks like you and me, especially with the voter suppression going on across the nation. Well, there's the Reader's Digest version of my argument, Monbid. What say you? Convinced? Either way, please feel free to come by anytime.

By: mommapolitico

mommapolitico — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 20:46:05 +0000

Thanks, Jittery! Afraid the radio show is taking up my time and have been lax in my postings and visits…good to hear from you – hope your Thanksgiving was wonderful and your holidays are bright! My show is Sundays 4P/7E, on blogtalkradiocom/awop – you can catch it live or listen in the archive there afterward…or even download us on iTunes! Hope to post soon-miss my readers and blogpals like you! Thanks for coming by!

By: Monbid

Monbid — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 16:18:27 +0000

I'm southern. Born in NC and spent a lot of time in SC. I appreciate the success and battles fought by unions in the past that you mentioned. I grew up middle class but also in a right to work state. In the early 90s my father's job was actually in jeopardy because of a Teamsters threat. I know a lot of people who support unions do so because of their fathers, mothers, grandparents, etc did.I'm a Generation Y, southern Independent who tends to side more with Dems than Reps. However, I'm not convinced unions are still needed and fear they are one of the reasons companies go overseas.But, I'm willing to be educated . . .

By: Jittery

Jittery — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 18:03:18 +0000

Hey MP,Just wanted to let you know I'm thinking about ya! Hope you're well, gotta refill my cup now!

By: LH

LH — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 11:57:20 +0000

RE: When you mess with one union, you are messing with them all. Teachers, teamsters, plumbers, police, sanitation workers, service industry folks: when they band together, the country can effectively be shut down.I do have a question and this is NOT a flame just another tomboy trying to see the other viewpoint. Why would you want to shut down this country? This would destroy my very small specialty retail store that I work at 6+ days a week? I am not wealthy, but trying as you to live the American Dream. The point I am getting from from your post is collective bargaining will help ALL union members but not anyone else. In fact it WILL hurt the small businesswoman. We can't all be union members. Some of us have invested our life's saving to own a piece of the pie. Why would you want to hurt me? I live in Florida a "Work at Will" state. In Florida there is no due process. An employer can fire anyone at any time for any reason, or no reason at all. Most Floridians work despite the lack of due process. Some of us were able to even save some cash to start a small business. During the UPS strike a few years ago my high season was ruined by striking workers. It cost me almost an entire year's profits! Yes they received some of their demands but at what cost? Thanks for letting me comment and please open the dialog with me or others like me.Tomboy in the sun,LH