Glad to pay my union dues! [View all]

[RoccoRyg]

A while ago, I was trolling around Free Republic, because I like reading what the freaks are talking about. On an article about union "thuggery," one of the flock criticized the policy of making union members pay dues. He said, paraphrased, "That's 60 dollars a month. If I have to choose between forking that over to the union or using it for groceries and the electric bill, I'm going with my needs."

Being a proud member of AFSCME, I'm glad to pay my union dues and would do so even if (God forbid) Illinois became a right-to-work-for-less state. That $60 a month goes to something just as important as groceries or electricity: protection. My union protects its members from the schemes of the billionaire banksters and privatizers who want to destroy the middle class and make the 99% completely dependent on their corporations.

I've heard right-wingers criticize unions for "not producing anything," but the fact is, they produce protection. Conservatives don't seem to consider that since they can't hold it in their hands and sell it, but I value the protection I buy from AFSCME and know that without it, I'd be making a lot less for groceries and utilities.

I'm a proud union member, and I'm glad to pay my dues. Happy Labor Day!