The Sleeping Giant

I want to start off by saying one thing to Scott Walker the Governor of Wisconsin whose recent budget has put the collective bargaining rights of Wisconsin Public Sector workers in jeopardy…Thank You. In fact I’ll go one better, I also want to thank the Governor of Ohio and all the other State Governments out there that are attacking working people!

OK, now that I have everyone scratching their heads, screaming obscenities or both, allow me to explain. I am thanking the Koch Brother’s pet and all the other shills out there because this has as many have commented in recent weeks “Woken the Sleeping Giant.”

This is the first time in my thirty one years on this earth that I have truly seen people all around our Country stand up for what is just, the first time I’ve witnessed what the will of the people actually looks like. Not this fake “Astro-turf” style movement, but something real and something that has always been there for the people, the Labor Movement.

I’m sure, like myself, many of you reading have had others argue that Unions had their place, but we don’t need them anymore. I say, “Oh really?” As far as I can tell, the Labor Movement is the only thing that has been standing between us and utter serfdom. Now I’m sure many are rolling their eyes after that comment, but look back in history to what it was like before the Labor Movement really got any momentum.

Sixteen plus hour days with few if any breaks in the mines, factories and mills, child labor, practically slave wages, no health benefits, no retirement package, deplorable working conditions, a huge mortality rate due to unsafe working conditions, I could go on and on. Some say, “Well the government made laws to protect workers” and I respond, “Who do you think pressed the government to have those laws written in the first place?” The Labor Movement.

Laws can be removed or amended; without a voice for working people we’d go back to the days of the company town where your pittance earned was only good at the company general store. Where there was no such thing as weekends and only the wealthy would prosper and leave something for their children after they were gone. Workers had no money, their children had no future and they had no other recourse but to take what they were given without question.

Workers’ rights shouldn’t just be a Progressive ideal; it should be an American ideal. I grew up in a Nation that respected work and paid an honest wage for an honest days work. Why is this such a far-fetched idea? People have to start asking themselves: Who benefits from low wage work? Who benefits from workers trying to tear other workers down? Who benefits if the Unions are busted?

I’ll tell you this; the people who do benefit don’t care about you, me or America. They only care about themselves and their bank accounts. They are driven by two main motivators, greed and power. They believe that only their interests matter and the general citizenry are there to serve them and their agendas. This is and has been Class Warfare plain and simple. People need to wake up to that and realize the only way to preserve the American way of life is to support working families and the Labor Movement. And if you say you won’t support and fight with the Labor Movement, its ok we’ll keep fighting for you anyway.

So again to all you corporate hucksters out there I say THANK YOU! You have finally tipped your hand and shown us who is behind the curtain pulling your strings and the American people see you for what you are. WE ARE ONE!!!!

The Unionist Review YouTube Channel

So I started a YouTube Channel that has various videos I've taken and some of my favorite Union videos. I'll try to update it on a weekly basis. The Unionist Review Channel

Stealing Our Future

As we move further into the 21st century, it feels like we're being shoved back into the 19th. Constant boom and bust economic cycles, stagnant or shrinking wages, disappearing pensions, workers rights and safety being thrown out the window. For what? So the wealthy can make a little bit more money. We should be moving forward, not back into the darkness. We should have maintained and expanded our own social and economic justice, not let the modern day Robber Barons destroy our and our children's future. Good hard working people swallow the gruel they're fed and ask for seconds. They blame everyone but themselves and the unethical Corporate backed scum they elect into office.

We have a crisis in this country, yet people do and say nothing. Our very way of life and path to prosperity is being swapped out and downgraded for hardship and great uncertainty. These Corporate shills were not preordained by the almighty or given anymore intelligence than you or I, they're just evil enough to slit their own neighbor's throat. Time and time again the "Right" has voted against the Middle and Working class. Be it against the extension for Unemployment which kept good people from losing their homes, the Small Business Bill which has already resulted in 2000 SBA loans in just a week, oh and don't forget the Stimulus that kept our Nation from slipping into a second Great Depression. But we Progressives are the evil, godless, lefty, pinko, fascist SOBs.

This country needs to wake up and realize who has our best interest in mind! So your Congressman says he's a "Good Christian." OK, well why did he vote against the bill that would have made it more difficult to outsource your job? Why did he vote against bank reform to keep the financial sector from gambling away your retirement? Why does he continue to wage a cultural and class war against his own people? Why does he restrict and block the rights of the citizenry to appease a bigoted, spiteful minority? Choosing greed over charity and hate over love is neither good...nor Christian.

I get really irritated when people say to me, why should I have to vote for the lesser of two evils? That's such bull, if the Republicans had their way in the past, we would have no Unions who have and continue to fight for all workers rights and wages, there would be no civil rights, no OSHA, no Medicare or any Social programs for that matter. And a slue of other reforms. When you're in that voting booth on Nov. 2nd, you have a choice. You can choose the people that voted against you and your family at every turn or you can vote for the party that has wanted nothing but to give the people of this nation a secure and happy life. Don't let them steal the future.... Vote.

This Blog was originally published on The Beer Party Website.

Our Internal Struggle

I haven’t written anything in the past few weeks, I’ve been converting our spare bedroom to a nursery for our little one due in late September. While going through this process, a lot flows through one’s mind about the future for one’s children. I look at what’s happening in our great nation and feel quite melancholy. How far have we really grown? We had a chance to do something truly great…and it was squandered. Much good has been done in the last nineteen months, but too much was compromised and great legislation was whittled down to something that paled in comparison. I still believe in the Progressive Movement and all that it encompasses, to be a Unionist is to be a Progressive. So, when I hear someone putting down progressives and social justice, I know it won’t be too long before they start trashing the Labor Movement, attempting to place a wedge between workers and the very thing that pulled those that came before us out of the dirt to stand on their own two feet with pride and dignity.

Something that bruises me to the very core is when a Union brother or sister attacks everything we stand for, usually because they’ve hit hard times. I understand their frustration; I walk in their shoes every day. But listening to the talking heads on certain news outlets and regurgitating that poison upon your brothers and sisters isn’t helping things. Not to say the state we find our economy in right now isn’t bad, but things could be much worse. The Labor Movement in this country was not of great monetary means when it started out. It all started with an idea and a hand full of people with integrity and determination to see it through. They were beaten, bloodied, bashed and even died for what they believed in…a better world for all of us and our families. They sacrificed so that we could take up the torch and continue on down the path to true Industrial Democracy.

We’re all struggling and scraping by, but think how it was for our grandparents and great grandparents…and those that came before them. Things were much harder; they didn’t have the social system that we have that has kept many of us from losing our homes. We don’t have the soup lines and tent cities and shanty towns also known as “Hoovervilles” as there was in the past. If it wasn’t for Unions, Progressive Thinkers and Social Justice we would be left in the darkness fighting over the crumbs from Industry’s Table.

As Labor Day approaches, we should all reflect on what we wouldn’t have if Organized Labor never existed. If we’re ever going to truly win this fight for equality, we must first stop battling each other. As Abraham Lincoln said, “A house divided against itself cannot stand.” Those words are just as true today as they were in 1858 when first spoken by Lincoln. I plead to those that have given up hope, don’t turn away. By spreading the lies of our opposition you’re falling right into their hands and you weaken all of us. We still have time; all is not lost my friends.

Europe Has The Right Idea

I was recently at a social function that takes place at my Union Hall twice a year, and I found myself in a discussion about the fate of Unions in America. I brought up the point that for a true Union renaissance to take place the American psyche has to change first. I also brought up how most of Western Europe is fairing much better after the near global market collapse and perhaps some of what they're doing is one way of solving that problem. My cousin who was sitting next to me was skeptical of the idea. I don't recall the exact words he uttered...we all had a couple drinks in us. Now an apprentice sitting with us at the table did have a interesting theory of why there is some animosity toward the labor movement. I don't know if these were his own observations or perhaps someone enlightened him to them. He went on to say, there are a lot of people out there that spend tens of thousands of dollars for a Bachelors degree, Masters, PhD...etc. To enter their field making 80,000 dollars a year (roughly). Now they see us (our particular local) getting paid to go to school for free and when we finish our apprenticeship after four and a half years, we make 80,000 dollars a year (roughly). And some are a little upset by that. He made a very good point and I applauded him for it, that was an excellent observation. Now...how do we fix this?

Well, this isn't exactly a fix that I have here, but rather another observation, if you want to change anything you must make an observation first, right? Let's go back to when I mentioned Western Europe and how their systems are set up. For the most part Universities in Europe are either free to the student or very inexpensive, you have to test into them though. Now what do those people who aren't exactly college material or don't particularly like a traditional type of learning environment do in Europe? Are they thrown to the streets to fend for themselves? No, they join a Union and learn a trade. This completely nullifies the issue of professionals vs the Unionized working class that was stated earlier. Can we do this here? Probably not with out a major fight.

There would be crowds of people marching in the streets waving the Star Spangled Banner and holding their signs that would have words like "Socialism", "Communism" and don't forget "Fascism"...because giving students a good education for free or at a lower cost is evil...yeah ok.

OK, I'll get back on point now... If you look at Western Europe, manufacturing in those counties is not on life support, in fact its thriving. Germany and France two of the strongest, if you combine their exports they overshadow even China. Oh yeah, and workers wages are higher than the American worker...yes even the American Union worker. Japan (who follows a similar path as western Europe) and Germany have the highest wages in the world, yet their manufacturing sectors are doing just fine...they compete with the rest of the world. So anyone that says we can't compete in the Global Market is for lack of a better term...Full of shit.

Western Europe's economy is Capitalist, many call it "Socialist" (Oh Noes!!!). Its actually "Social Democracy", but Neocons prefer "Socialist", I suppose because its easier to say..less syllables. Anyway, Social Democracy is essentially what was set up here in our country by FDR and the "New Deal". Many of the systems in Europe are modeled after it, but sadly the second the New Deal was set in place conservatives started chipping away at it. Social Democracy is responsible Capitalism, it ensures that the haves cannot exploit the have-nots. Social Justice is at the core of Social Democracy, how can anyone say its evil? I know they do...some because they want to keep the status quo, they don't care if the working class have anything, just as long as they can stuff more and more money in their wallet. But then you have the misguided souls, the ones who've been manipulated by those few that have more to gain by the working class not getting a leg up, I really feel bad for them...they don't see it and its right in front of their faces.

Also the economies of most first world nations are worker based, they know that if they invest in their workforce that investment will come back to them ten fold. Our neighbor to the north Canada is well on its way out of the hole (if not already out) because of these very practices. If you have a strong working class with good Union wages and benefits, those workers will pay back into the economy. There must also be Fair (not free) Trade agreements in place as well. As I've said before if you have a strong working class as the foundation of your economy, the house will not fall. Right now our nation's economy is a house of cards and even worse it has a foundation of sand. I seem to be constantly going back to the same theme in many of my blogs, but the more research I do, the more validated those themes become.

The 800lbs Gorilla in the Room.

There's an issue in the Labor Movement that we've had for some time now staring us right in the face and we haven't been able to remedy it yet. That is our Image. Everyone knows about it and its been discussed and debated to no end, but we haven't fixed it. To paraphrase Mark Breslin, people have a 1960's view of the 21st century Labor Movement. That's a problem. The AFL-CIO and pretty much every Trade Union recognizes this and have been actively addressing it. Part of the problem is the conservative PR machine that's filled to the brim with cash and just rolls right over our efforts, they want people to keep thinking that way. Using words like "Union Thugs", I hate that term! Labor wants to help the workers, raise them up to a better standard of living for them and their families. But no, the union buster says we want to come in and tell you how to live your life and run the company into the ground...that's a bunch of Bull! It doesn't benefit a Union to run a company into the ground and Unions don't tell people how to live their lives, not one bit. But they exploit people's fear of the unknown. They pit the working class against itself time and time again. By using fear, religion, racism and lies. They want us fighting each other as they steal the shirts off our backs and the food out of our children's mouths.

I feel that there's a way to combat this PR Blitzkrieg and without having to match them dollar for dollar. Our numbers. Remember we are Union, our numbers are our strength. How about every time one of us hears a friend, neighbor, relative, hell even a perfect stranger speak badly of Unions we ask, why do you feel that way? Nine times out of ten its usually because of some misinformation that they were given by employers or coworkers. I admittedly have been know to jump down people's throats sometimes when they spoke disparagingly of Unionism, this is something I'm trying to change. Some of these lies: the Unions are greedy, I'm sure you've heard that one before. All we want is to provide a good secure life for our families and retire with dignity. I see nothing greedy about that. Unions run companies into the ground. Oh do they? Many companies that I know that were organized have gone on to be more profitable than ever...there are those silly facts and numbers lying again. And my personal favorite, I don't want Unions telling me how to vote. Yes, because a Union official will be in the voting booth with you watching over how you vote. That one to me is the most asinine, Unions inform the membership on whom they're supporting and suggest that you vote for those candidates. If you want to be a moron and vote against your own economic interests, that's up to you. Debunking these lies should be on every members mind. Use whatever you can, be it the internet or a conversation to spread positive knowledge about Unionism. Remember this, the Labor Movement's greatest asset is it's membership.

Senatorial Negligence

There is one number that I can't get off my mind...1.2 million. That is the number of American people that will lose their Unemployment Benefits by the end of the month. Every single Republican in the Senate, plus one lone Democrat Ben Nelson (D-NE) voted to kill the American Workers, State, and Business Relief Act of 2010 or Measure H.R. 4213. This was not motivated by any idealogical principle, or common sense for that matter, even though they would lead you to believe that. The motivation on killing this bill is the election in November. They are either still trying to appeal to their wacked out right-wing nutjob base. Or they're trying to make the economy a complete catastrophe and then point the finger at the Democrats.

Here are some of the excuses they came up with: They feel that they have to be tough on taxes...even though this bill provided needed tax cuts to small businesses. Also they feel that if Unemployment is taken away it'll better motivate people to really get out there and find a job...even though currently there are six unemployed people to every one job opening. Oh and the ever popular, we can't take on anymore debt...it doesn't matter to them that this would be almost completely paid for anyway. They won't recognize that...they need to appear tough on people who are already down on their luck in a job market that doesn't seem to be getting any better...that'll show 'em! This is a direct attack on Working Americans!

We have created a welfare state...a welfare state??? I'm pretty sure that I and the millions of other Americans who are out of work right now paid our Unemployment Insurance for many years...yet they see it as we're taking something from them. How dare we pay for something then expect to receive it when we need it! My favorite is that this bill would be a greater drag on our economy. You want to know what'll be a real drag on our economy...1.2 Million people not having any money!!!!! Also the mass amounts of homeless this will create...but they won't see any of that in their plush Ivory Tower.

All that matters to them is getting re-elected and gaining more seats. They must have zero unemployment in their states...fat chance. So, taking the risk of sending us even further into the depths of this recession; or perhaps even into a depression is better than sustaining our economy and giving needed tax breaks to small business so that jobs could be created? That makes perfect sense! And all the people that lose their homes...well they can just go to hell as far as the Republican Senators are concerned. This is not governance, this is negligence! Plain and simple.