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RiverLover

(7,830 posts)

13. CNN 2014: "How labor unions and Democrats fell out of love "

Wed Apr 1, 2015, 10:46 AM

Apr 2015

...Politically, unions have become more controversial among Democrats: Once the status quo among Democrats, now they are often seen as outliers.

...President Obama has repeatedly disappointed union leaders with his failure to support key proposals that would make it easier for unions to grow.

The loss of organized labor's clout within the workforce and among the Democrats has been a devastating loss for the party. As the party turned away from this constituency and hesitated to support policies that would reverse the damaging trends that have hindered union membership, they have lost an animating force that could help sustain them in their struggles against a rightward bound Republican Party.

The relationship has a long, important history. The union movement was pivotal to the success of Franklin Roosevelt's New Deal in the 1930s. FDR and northern Democrats pursued policies greatly benefiting the organization of industrial workers in Northern states like Michigan and Wisconsin....

http://www.cnn.com/2014/08/31/opinion/zelizer-labor-democrats/

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The weakening of Unions has fucked with the Democratic Party and its historic support [View all] cali Apr 2015 OP

Public unions are some of the most viable and vibrant ones remaining bigbrother05 Apr 2015 #1

I have often thought the people should start a new union mmonk Apr 2015 #2

I've thought something similar (maybe) alc Apr 2015 #4

Dems have also lost the white working man, who has learned procon Apr 2015 #3

Because We Refused to Pander to His Bigotry AndyTiedye Apr 2015 #33

Dems have also failed to save the unions... Orsino Apr 2015 #5

Bingo donnasgirl Apr 2015 #6

That's kind of what I was going to say, Blanks Apr 2015 #7

No, these two trends are inextricably linked. Orsino Apr 2015 #11

I understand that... Blanks Apr 2015 #25

Dems have choices precisely in proportion to the Big Money they don't seek. Orsino Apr 2015 #28

Good point Blanks Apr 2015 #29

Yeah. Walker in particular is merely a puppet. Orsino Apr 2015 #30

What EXACTLY should Democratic politicians done that they haven't done already to "save unions"? KittyWampus Apr 2015 #8

Democrats should never, ever support a "free" trade deal. Enthusiast Apr 2015 #12

When some of the same money buys Dems... Orsino Apr 2015 #14

Is Rahm Emanuel a Democrat? Was he Obama's Chief of Staff? Is he a union-buster? ND-Dem Apr 2015 #20

Truth. Octafish Apr 2015 #10

Yes, failed to even try. JayhawkSD Apr 2015 #21

Unions haven't modernized. At all. Democrats suck at countering all the money, media and bs KittyWampus Apr 2015 #9

Which Union are you a member of? Bluenorthwest Apr 2015 #16

I was a member of the grocery workers union. Both my parents were teachers. KittyWampus Apr 2015 #32

CNN 2014: "How labor unions and Democrats fell out of love " RiverLover Apr 2015 #13

I've been a Union member my entire adult life, but most on DU seem not to be in or to care for Bluenorthwest Apr 2015 #15

Most? Don't confuse intruders with an agenda (no matter what their post count or start date) valerief Apr 2015 #19

The best shops are where the union and the management have to COMPETE for the loyalty bemildred Apr 2015 #17

So does the union. JayhawkSD Apr 2015 #22

No, I agree. bemildred Apr 2015 #23

I prefer the corruption of unions to the corruption of Republicans. valerief Apr 2015 #18

Well said Populist_Prole Apr 2015 #24

It's really sad when you look at labor stats regarding unions. The membership is less than 12% Hoyt Apr 2015 #26

It's tough when you work at a place with a union Johonny Apr 2015 #31

Union members cut their own throats by abandoning Democrats in the '60s. BillZBubb Apr 2015 #27

To rob the working man of his political power is the reason for union busting. PeteSelman Apr 2015 #34