At face value, I disagree with Richard Trumka, but I think his actions might have a positive effect.

[LoZoccolo]

From what I can tell, he's threatening to take his money and use it to promote the union's interests rather than giving it to candidates. I've maintained for some time now that if a particular issue is very important to you, you should try to promote it through some sort of activist group in a manner that increases it's visibility and support amongst the electorate. This way, the issue will have a solid base of support that a candidate can run with, rather than putting them in an unpopular position and having whatever progress they make reversed by a candidate who defeats them. If this is what is done with the AFL-CIO's money, I think it's something that needs to be done: creating awareness about labor issues amongst the electorate. It seems that people used to have a greater consciousness about this in times past.

There is, of course, a loss of money going to Democratic candidates, but by publicly announcing it's withdrawal, he may have angered enough people like me who could donate to make up for the shortfall.

The downside is the perpetuation of the splinterist strategy, which might spread like cancer after being given credence by him; I'm not sure what to say about that.

[Fumesucker]

1. Why would an organization to which you do not belong spending their money as they see fit anger you?

:shrug:

[LoZoccolo]

4. Do you think they'd be upset if I spent my money somewhere where they were on strike?

If I crossed a picket line?

[Fumesucker]

7. Are you on strike? n/t

[LoZoccolo]

9. No, but they usually ask for consumers to be in solidarity with them. n/t

[OHdem10]

2. Business and Wall St have a strangle hold on enough of our

Congress People, that it is in the Union's Interest
to look out for their best interests. Right now that
is strengthening the Labor Movement in this country.

[Bluenorthwest]

3. So you are not a Union member and you are angy but where

is the part where you actually disagree with what he is doing? You say you think it is something that needs to be done. That is called 'agreement'.
The loss of money to Democratic candidates will be up to those candidates, that's all. Rather than give it to the Party to hand out, they will, we will, give directly where it should go, and not give where it should not. If it worries you, encourage the Democrats you support to support labor, and get supported in return. You could start with the President. And since you agree that it needs to be done, you should do so.

[LoZoccolo]

6. I usually don't agree with not giving money to Democrats.

[Bluenorthwest]

12. But that was not said. I think you should learn up on how the

money and time was deployed and how Trumka is saying it will be deployed. The point is not handing it over to DNC to distribute to near Republican 'centrists' but rather to be that distributor, to make those decisions with our own damn money. He is saying those who help labor will be supported, those who don't will not. No longer will DNC get to declare their whole crew to be 'pro labor' and drink up the money without real support.
Of course, you should very much relate to the idea of 'Democrats I don't like' as you post against Kucinich all the time, he is a Democrat, and you do not like him. Why should labor do that which you do not do? You do not support them all if they wear a D. Why do you think they should? You, of all people?

[Bluenorthwest]

13. Read up:

The AFL-CIO has already warned Democratic politicians that it will withhold funds from those who don’t support labor-backed initiatives, such as a robust and long-term infrastructure bill, strong enforcements of trade laws and efforts to prevent more layoffs in state and local governments.

Mr. Trumka said Thursday that the AFL-CIO has decided to form a so-called Super PAC – funds that will be collected from various unions along with outside donors.
The money will be used to build what Mr. Trumka called a “better structure” to deliver votes for union-backed candidates next year.
http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2011/08/25/trumka-to-obama-bolder-is-better/

[Boojatta]

5. "enough people like me"

Is one enough? You are like you. The number of people like you can be counted on one finger.

[Bluebear]

8. Wow it talks. He really got under your skin, eh?

[LoZoccolo]

10. I can see that no one gets under your skin.

Obama, for instance.

[Bluebear]

11. Absolutely not. Corporate sellouts motivate me.