There's no repect of organized labor anymore in America

[MrScorpio]

It's a crying shame.

Isolated and despised, it was the Reaganites' plan from DAY ONE.

So, what's next?



Using cops as union busters?

A modern day Pinkerton's?

So, wage slaves, how low can we go?

[Tansy_Gold]

1. There's no respect for labor, organized or otherwise

The only thing that gets "respect" here any more is unearned mega-wealth.

The worker is despised.




TG

[Sebastian Doyle]

2. Even worse than that

There's at least 30 people on this board who disrespect Labor.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x8522541

[MrScorpio]

3. I don't know if I should thank you for showing me that

Wow.

I don't know what to say

[madrchsod]

7. yes there are folks who do not like unions...

i usually ignore them but every once in awhile ...well i get pissed off...:rofl:

[kgnu_fan]

4. We have to educate. We have to organize. We have to wake up from

self inflicted slavery.

[Imajika]

5. Unions mostly represent government workers now...

We are reaching the end of the line on borrowing so massive cuts are coming, and the private sector majority do not appear willing to sacrifice more to preserve public sector jobs. The unions will fight on behalf of their members as they should, but in doing so people will increasingly just associate unions with government workers who want to preserve their "cushy" jobs and great benefits while the rest of us suffer.

I've been saying it for awhile. People are not prepared for what is coming. The public sector is going to get decimated soon. America's "austerity" is on the way. Lobbying against budget cuts as our chief focus will fall flat and appear out of touch. What we need to zero in on is the idea that in times of crisis the rich need to pay more - and I mean personally more. No gimmicks where we just raise taxes on some corporations who just pass it along to the consumer. The top rate on the highest income earners should be much higher. There is simply no reason someone should be earning hundreds of times more than their employees - and often paying LESS taxes. Perhaps this is a moment we can, with the right argument, get much more progressive tax codes in place.

[girl gone mad]

13. A lot of people haven't thought it through.

every inch of ground the public sector unions cede only further undermines private sector wages and benefits.

I'm not saying their isn't waste, fraud and abuse, but cuts to the public sector will hurt the broad economy.

[madrchsod]

6. we have a president that has no respect for unions

or the working class in america...course every president since reagan has`t so it`s something i just take for granted.

[ProSense]

8. Don't agree.

The tendency is always to lick one's wounds, but the unions need to regroup like any individual or group that suffers a set back.

<...>

Whether or not the union-bashing helped Lincoln, there is some potential for long-term damage here, especially if other Democratic candidates embrace it. In the long run, the Democratic Party needs a strong union movement to build a real progressive majority. Victories won with union-bashing are ultimately divisive and may well end up serving GOP candidates, even in a state with relatively low union power, like Arkansas. Alternatively, if we can only win by disparaging an institution that is the first line of defense for working people in their quest for decent living standards, who the hell are we?

For unions, a couple of lessons of Lincoln's win come into focus. 1. Be ready for union-bashing. There will likely be more of it in other races. 2. Develop stronger media resources -- a national labor movement cable channel with local programming capability is long overdue. Regarding the latter, union GOTV efforts are still an invaluable asset for Dems in many races. But the labor movement urgently needs an energetic nation-wide educational campaign, utilizing more than bumper stickers. Unions must do a better job of educating Americans about all that organized labor has done to create the middle class. They must also adapt their organizing strategy to fit the changing work force so they can grow again. With such a twin-pronged strategy, the labor movement can begin to create a climate in which no smart Democrat would dare to win votes by trashing unions.

I have to agree with WaPo columnist Chris Cillizza's assessment that, despite all of the jabber about "a strong anti-incumbent wind" blowing around the country, "Lincoln's victory provides -- yet more -- evidence that candidates and campaigns matter." I would also agree with Open Left's Chris Bowers that Lincoln's strong position on Wall St. reform helped her.

But the salient lesson of Lincoln's primary win for Democrats won't become clear until November 2nd. She has to do what she can to rebuild bridges to Arkansas progressives, especially unions, which won't be easy. Lincoln can't afford to write off any pro-Democratic constituency.

link

[ProgressiveVictory]

9. A lot of people I talk to in school say there is no need for it anymore.

[whathehell]

10. I agree completely...and it's a damned shame. n/t

[branders seine]

11. both parties hate unions.

[arendt]

12. Can a non-member donate to a union?...

I refuse to donate to the corporate Democrå†s any more. I've been wondering if unions have a PAC or something that non-members can donate to.

At this point in time, I feel that, no matter how incompetent they have been at defending labor, the unions are the only
place that an FDR Democrat can give his money with good conscience.

[nadinbrzezinski]

14. Yes

http://www.workingamerica.org/join/

Incidentally I should not only is hubby a member, but doing this darn research.

[arendt]

15. Thanks for the link. n/t