General Discussion

WinniSkipper

(363 posts)

87. Can you be a democrat and support SOME UNIONS?

Reply to UnrepentantLiberal (Original post)

Sat Apr 14, 2012, 02:37 PM

Apr 2012

Last edited Mon Apr 16, 2012, 03:14 PM - Edit history (1)

Can you be a democrat and support some Union positions, and not others?

I was a member of a union (State Government) for about 4 years. Lots of plusses, and lots of minuses - but overall a good thing for government. I do think there are certain jobs/fields where unions are critical - all government positions (state, local, Fed) including police, fire, teachers.

On the private sector - I am not as sure as I used to be that unions can survive. As we, the US, seem to move our center further right, and as union representation in the private sector continues to decline, I wonder if we have reached a point where support has waned to a degree it will not come back.

When Unions had 35%+ of the private sector - they had real power. I am not so sure they do anymore. That's not to say that's a good thing - just reality.

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

108 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Can you be a Democrat and be anti-union? [View all] UnrepentantLiberal Apr 2012 OP

Not a REAL Democrat. n/t Horse with no Name Apr 2012 #1

You can think you are madokie Apr 2012 #2

No Bluzmann57 Apr 2012 #3

Unless you are a member of DLC/Third Way/Blue Dog mazzarro Apr 2012 #4

I'm a DLCer and I support Unions.... BlueDemKev Apr 2012 #32

You may be the only exception IMO mazzarro Apr 2012 #51

Can you be a Democrat an be anti-union?... this sounds like what repugs are going thru. seabeyond Apr 2012 #5

No. You can call yourself a Democrat hifiguy Apr 2012 #6

No. Are there anti-union "Democrats" who think since they believe in other Democratic positions pampango Apr 2012 #7

Laissez-faire free traders are, de facto, anti-union, though. nt Romulox Apr 2012 #11

Trade and strong unions go together quite well in Germany, Sweden and most of Europe. pampango Apr 2012 #15

Not in the US, however. In the US, "Free Traders" have gleefully dismantled the Labor movement. nt Romulox Apr 2012 #21

If you are Conservative, why bother to go over when the Democratic leadership itself has gone over? RC Apr 2012 #24

Agree, I think more moderate republicans came over to the Democratic party jp11 Apr 2012 #65

Um, have you SEEN how many DUers love their Nissans, Toyotas, Hyundais? Romulox Apr 2012 #8

. Go Vols Apr 2012 #38

Gotta have a job before you can unionize. Lars39 Apr 2012 #41

I used to drive a Jeep Pickup. I was really sad to see it totaled (my fault and no one got hurt-- amandabeech Apr 2012 #56

When I went to UM, I washed the dishes of many sons and daughters of GM engineers Romulox Apr 2012 #85

I went to U-M, too. amandabeech Apr 2012 #97

I have a Honda. I looked for an American made car with a great reliability history.... Honeycombe8 Apr 2012 #82

This is an extremely verbose *justification* for why you don't support unions... Romulox Apr 2012 #84

That's an extremely assholish response on your part, quite honestly Spider Jerusalem Apr 2012 #86

Thank you, Spider. That was my point, for real. That I really looked...it wasn't that I didn't Honeycombe8 Apr 2012 #88

Gimmeabreak. You're an avowed "free trader", not an etiquette coach. Romulox Apr 2012 #92

Well, no, actually, I'm not Spider Jerusalem Apr 2012 #103

You're a corporatist wrapped in the gaudy costume of a "citizen of the world". Romulox Apr 2012 #104

That's ridiculous. blue_onyx Apr 2012 #102

Yes, I can be verbose. But you lie when you say I don't support unions..... Honeycombe8 Apr 2012 #89

It's ALWAYS cheaper to hire a scab. The rest is blah blah blah... nt Romulox Apr 2012 #90

Don't forget 1gobluedem Apr 2012 #93

No. Unions are the #1 voice (read: money) of the Democratic Party. Scuba Apr 2012 #9

What does it say in the rule book? cherokeeprogressive Apr 2012 #10

Are you pro-union? UnrepentantLiberal Apr 2012 #14

Yes but that wasn't the question. cherokeeprogressive Apr 2012 #18

Democratic Party Platform - page 16 cyberswede Apr 2012 #20

No - nt Ohio Joe Apr 2012 #12

DNC Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz doesn't support the UAW, that's for sure. Romulox Apr 2012 #13

You can be anybody inhuman and hateful... ananda Apr 2012 #16

Since all it takes is to register as one, yes. But if you claim to stand for Democratic principles Egalitarian Thug Apr 2012 #17

So to confirm what you seem to be saying leftynyc Apr 2012 #22

Which positions don't you support? UnrepentantLiberal Apr 2012 #26

I don't hate guns leftynyc Apr 2012 #31

Well there's something we agree on. Egalitarian Thug Apr 2012 #60

I'm personally very supportive leftynyc Apr 2012 #66

Fascist? UnrepentantLiberal Apr 2012 #67

The concept of a strict leftynyc Apr 2012 #73

Bullshit. UnrepentantLiberal Apr 2012 #75

What's wrong with expecting members of a political party to agree on some core principles? limpyhobbler Apr 2012 #72

I think everything is wrong with it leftynyc Apr 2012 #74

Well unions are the topic, but generally yes. Egalitarian Thug Apr 2012 #34

No. n/t DLevine Apr 2012 #19

NO! Kingofalldems Apr 2012 #23

I know, Alex! "What is the DLC?" HooptieWagon Apr 2012 #25

Good point. UnrepentantLiberal Apr 2012 #28

Yes cbdo2007 Apr 2012 #27

You don't support the right of workers to bargain collectively. Ikonoklast Apr 2012 #76

What are your thoughts on unions? UnrepentantLiberal Apr 2012 #79

Yeee-haaaaaw! Iggo Apr 2012 #29

I think its more complicated than a simple yes or no... Whiskeytide Apr 2012 #30

no MrYikes Apr 2012 #33

I believe that the right of workers to organize Cirque du So-What Apr 2012 #35

While labor issues are VERY important toddwv Apr 2012 #36

You can be a "New Democrat", they ARE anti-union. Some consider them GOP infiltrators. Dragonfli Apr 2012 #37

NO WAY tk2kewl Apr 2012 #39

NO. Every Democratic endorsement questionnaire has strong questions about union support on it. Poll_Blind Apr 2012 #40

AFIC, you can't support "Free Trade" or a "Free Market" and still be a "DEMOCRAT". bvar22 Apr 2012 #42

Even if you never were in a union.... wandy Apr 2012 #43

The only requirement to being a Democrat is to register as one. n/t Egalitarian Thug Apr 2012 #61

I imagine it depends on the Democratic platform. LanternWaste Apr 2012 #44

It's in the platform cyberswede Apr 2012 #46

Yes, I oppose unions. Zalatix Apr 2012 #45

Yes...sadly progressoid Apr 2012 #47

Of course. How many democrats voted for NAFTA and GATT? As Chris Hedges has noted, the passage of Citizen Worker Apr 2012 #48

It it time to start the latest purge? jeff47 Apr 2012 #49

It's not a purity test. UnrepentantLiberal Apr 2012 #52

Then why ask the question? jeff47 Apr 2012 #59

Have it your way. UnrepentantLiberal Apr 2012 #62

I don't know. Ask Rahm Emanuel. KamaAina Apr 2012 #50

No. DevonRex Apr 2012 #53

Those who support "undocumented workers" coming to the US hughee99 Apr 2012 #54

Yes. Puregonzo1188 Apr 2012 #55

NOPE! DiverDave Apr 2012 #57

Well, you can be a member of the Democratic Party and be anti-union. Zorra Apr 2012 #58

Good point. The Democratic Party is a political grouping, whereas coalition_unwilling Apr 2012 #83

No, it would be very strange treestar Apr 2012 #63

No. Just like you can't be a Democrat and support the NRA. baldguy Apr 2012 #64

The circle (D) absolves all except for shout it from the rooftops, Klan robe in the closet racism TheKentuckian Apr 2012 #68

No. senseandsensibility Apr 2012 #69

No. nt frogmarch Apr 2012 #70

No. Fuck that noise. Muskypundit Apr 2012 #71

No. hay rick Apr 2012 #77

Sure! Robb Apr 2012 #78

Nope. lonestarnot Apr 2012 #80

How can one be anti-union and vote Dem? Kaleva Apr 2012 #81

Can you be a democrat and support SOME UNIONS? WinniSkipper Apr 2012 #87

Well, you certainly can, boxman15 Apr 2012 #91

Only if you are a scab. n/t Hotler Apr 2012 #94

Not just no, but HELL NO. Bake Apr 2012 #95

Yes Bradical79 Apr 2012 #96

Kind of like being an openly gay Republican -nt Bradical79 Apr 2012 #98

Sadly, yes. n/t lumberjack_jeff Apr 2012 #99

No. truebrit71 Apr 2012 #100

I suppose you can vote Dem and be anti-union. LeftishBrit Apr 2012 #101

I support unions--except when it saves me a buck to go with a scab product. That counts? Romulox Apr 2012 #105

Also, I support *MY* union (a lot!). But when it comes time to support *YOURS*? I'm buying a Prius. Romulox Apr 2012 #106

YES!YES!YES! Donny1020 May 2013 #107

Welcome to DU my friend! hrmjustin May 2013 #108