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WillTwain

(1,489 posts) Wed Apr 1, 2015, 10:18 AM Apr 2015

Democrat's Apathy For Unions Is Suicide [View all]

Last edited Wed Apr 1, 2015, 09:43 PM - Edit history (4)

For some reason unions do not receive the same love and support as other groups within the Democratic party. Compare the response to two recent moves by Republican Governors.

Governor Pence of Indiana signed a sickening anti-gay bill last week. Since then, the response has been overwhelming. Hundreds of businesses, the media and millions of individuals have either boycotted the state or expressed outrage. George Stephanopoulos actually did his job.

Governor Walker in Wisconsin signed a sick right-to-work bill and other than unions and a few college professors and economists, nobody gives a shit. I have not heard of lists of companies refusing to do business there. I have not heard outrage from Hollywood or sports franchises. Nobody cares. It is crickets from George Stephanopoulus.

There is no excuse for the sick law Pence signed. It will do damage to many in the LGBT community. But the damage Walker and right-to-work legislation will do to every working man and woman in America is enormous. Wages will decline dramatically and jobs will be lost. Local economies will suffer.

Even DUers, literally "Yawn" at most posts about unions. OmahaSteve does a great job of posting union posts. Many of them roll through without a reply or rec. And we are the front line for democratic solidarity. This is a troubling sign.

If at least Democrats cannot find love for unions again, we will all continue to gain equal rights which is obviously spectacular, but the problem is we will all have the same opportunities to live in poverty.

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Democrat's Apathy For Unions Is Suicide [View all] WillTwain Apr 2015 OP

See what I mean WillTwain Apr 2015 #1

I was outside washing windows TNNurse Apr 2015 #29

Precisely. WillTwain Apr 2015 #38

Get This For Proof Of Apathy On DU WillTwain Apr 2015 #93

mineralman has a big following Doctor_J Apr 2015 #155

That was my gut Feeling on Mineralman. WillTwain Apr 2015 #158

Many of the best DUers have moved on to other venues where issues like this are still as sabrina 1 Apr 2015 #168

Dr. J. WillTwain Apr 2015 #205

It goes back to before I was a doctor Doctor_J Apr 2015 #217

Priceless Quote - "I never felt comfortable playing a populist" - Barack Obama WillTwain Apr 2015 #222

K and R. I DO see what you mean. Smarmie Doofus Apr 2015 #2

Nothing is more frustrating WillTwain Apr 2015 #3

There's always been a vague uneasiness among many ( not ALL, not MOST) Smarmie Doofus Apr 2015 #8

I tell you what, you nailed it. I could not sum it up better. WillTwain Apr 2015 #9

+100 ND-Dem Apr 2015 #41

Yes we all look down at the plumber, builder, electrician yeoman6987 Apr 2015 #136

Honesty , Is such a lonely word . - Billy Joel WillTwain Apr 2015 #183

+1. People might not recognize the importance of tradesmen & skilled workers until their appalachiablue Apr 2015 #203

Another lie is government is bad. So, corporations are better? What the hell is that? WillTwain Apr 2015 #204

+1 n/t Alkene Apr 2015 #179

Quite right. It's my observation as well over the past 2 decades Populist_Prole Apr 2015 #12

Republicans hate unions for two reasons, primarily. Democrats for another. WillTwain Apr 2015 #16

Good summation Populist_Prole Apr 2015 #23

It comes down to stupidity with "wing-nuts." WillTwain Apr 2015 #27

Without a single poster saying a negative thing about unions, you resort to "they look down on us". ieoeja Apr 2015 #60

My opinion is based on experience. Others appear to have recognized the same. WillTwain Apr 2015 #65

Well, us blue collar Democrats don't look down on them because the only ones of us even surviving Dragonfli Apr 2015 #161

yes, all the building trades unions here are hurting bad. it's deliberate union busting pure ND-Dem Apr 2015 #165

Like you said, "The only ones of us even surviving are union members." WillTwain Apr 2015 #225

As the mother of an experienced union electrician, I can add that there are increasingly Nay Apr 2015 #227

Yes, no matter how one looks at it, those not born wealthy are pretty much screwed from now on Dragonfli Apr 2015 #228

Economic class advancement in America is the worst in the Western world WillTwain Apr 2015 #231

This is not how it has to be. WillTwain Apr 2015 #230

Good for you -- I did the same thing. PrefersaPension Apr 2015 #145

Seems there are "Democrats" RedCappedBandit Apr 2015 #174

I have worked Blue and white collar. Both have advantages. WillTwain Apr 2015 #184

Agreed, and it's a tad stupid considering white collar unions like the Teacher's union whathehell Apr 2015 #49

Unfortunately, solidarity is not why some are in unions. WillTwain Apr 2015 #52

The majority of Union members working in entertainment are Teamsters, Electricians, Carpenters, Bluenorthwest Apr 2015 #214

A few people get it. WillTwain Apr 2015 #215

I hope you didn't misunderstand me -- I am 100% Pro-Union whathehell Apr 2015 #216

Amen WillTwain Apr 2015 #221

Very balanced and thoughtful perspective. beerandjesus Apr 2015 #75

You raise some good points Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin Apr 2015 #206

Oh, it's absolutely appalling how Boeing's been doing that.... beerandjesus Apr 2015 #211

Shameless WillTwain Apr 2015 #220

And having been around (and working for) the Teamsters, AFL, CIO erronis Apr 2015 #58

Another great point. WillTwain Apr 2015 #61

(I have to say, sometimes the unions are on the corporations' side; but they're forced to at ND-Dem Apr 2015 #124

They are so weak today. WillTwain Apr 2015 #125

I can. ND-Dem Apr 2015 #17

Fire away! WillTwain Apr 2015 #22

Why support for labor is low here and the reverse is true for identity issues? ND-Dem Apr 2015 #25

Identity issues are used to herd us toward supporting corporate candidates.[n/t] Maedhros Apr 2015 #32

A great big head fake used to think democrats are with us. WillTwain Apr 2015 #40

More like a protection racket. Maedhros Apr 2015 #44

Love your tag line. WillTwain Apr 2015 #48

Democrats of all stripes need to muster the courage to defy conventional political calculus Maedhros Apr 2015 #59

Conventional wisdom is now conventional stupidity. WillTwain Apr 2015 #63

It's Party propaganda, and so many are willing to believe it. Maedhros Apr 2015 #64

Shit, that's a devastating article by Frank..... beerandjesus Apr 2015 #79

Hope is a lazy cowardly sales pitch. Like Frank say, deliver. WillTwain Apr 2015 #86

Or at least TRY to fuckin' deliver, right?? beerandjesus Apr 2015 #90

But it hit's the nail on the head, doesn't it? Maedhros Apr 2015 #87

With a sledge hammer. WillTwain Apr 2015 #89

even when they don't do diddly, or worse, sell us out, we're still supposed to shut up. ND-Dem Apr 2015 #127

devastating and so true. ND-Dem Apr 2015 #126

Wow, really well thought out. WillTwain Apr 2015 #132

Wow. +10000000. Beautifully said nt. F4lconF16 Apr 2015 #178

why, i think you're right. anti-labor candidates supported by the likes of the Gap and ND-Dem Apr 2015 #123

I agree with you and it's baffling. City Lights Apr 2015 #4

This is why I believe the leaders of the "New Democratic" party are complicit with Republicans WillTwain Apr 2015 #5

BTW, I have a good analogy for social "vs" economic liberalism MisterP Apr 2015 #6

Great way of saying it WillTwain Apr 2015 #7

exactly--unions have had to build coalitions since the failure of lily-white unionism in the 1900s MisterP Apr 2015 #15

Nice, WillTwain Apr 2015 #18

the DLC took over 1994-6, arguing the party had to "move to the center" after '94's "GOP wave" MisterP Apr 2015 #46

Fighting real power (Big money and Wall Street) takes guts. WillTwain Apr 2015 #54

a lot of them will tell you it never happened. ND-Dem Apr 2015 #128

Yes. It's not complete apathy yet... Orsino Apr 2015 #10

Reagan really got the ball rolling. That prick ruined everything - everything. WillTwain Apr 2015 #11

Teachers... madfloridian Apr 2015 #13

Still, They need to pick a party. There is hope with democrats. No chance with Republicans. WillTwain Apr 2015 #19

Nothing personal, but ironic in light of your defense of the extreme anti-union shop "Amazon". ND-Dem Apr 2015 #20

Teachers are just next on the laundry list. Join the crowd. WillTwain Apr 2015 #24

+100 (Though I tend to disagree about Europe these days; same tactics in play). ND-Dem Apr 2015 #26

They are losing it a bit. WillTwain Apr 2015 #30

good on them. ND-Dem Apr 2015 #31

In Texas teachers cannot strike nor even say the word 'union'. It seems the Reganites won the war. Rex Apr 2015 #92

The brain washing works. The voucher thing is a perfect example. As is the flat tax mantra repeated WillTwain Apr 2015 #100

You will see a lot of DUer missing from pro-union threads. Rex Apr 2015 #102

and a lot of them are apparently Party operatives. Surprise, surprise. ND-Dem Apr 2015 #130

Key to understand: Larry Summers, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, Rahm Emannual, WillTwain Apr 2015 #190

have they been paying attention? there are charters to hell and gone, and they're mostly ND-Dem Apr 2015 #129

+1,000,000 K&Rs ND-Dem Apr 2015 #14

That is it. WillTwain Apr 2015 #21

It's the circular firing squad that is the hallmark of the Democratic Party... MaggieD Apr 2015 #28

Do you have a solution to the dying middle class? I think it is unions. WillTwain Apr 2015 #34

I agree... MaggieD Apr 2015 #43

There is a reason why Republicans hate unions more than anything else. WillTwain Apr 2015 #56

I think unions are the solution too MaggieD Apr 2015 #232

Blaming [X] for political losses is just a convenient means to avoid placing blame where it belongs: Maedhros Apr 2015 #36

Exactly.... MaggieD Apr 2015 #39

Blaming Nader for Gore's horrible campaign is the iconic example. [n/t] Maedhros Apr 2015 #45

Nope - that's actually a perfect example of... MaggieD Apr 2015 #51

I saw him speak at the Schnitzer Auditorium in Portland in the nineties. Maedhros Apr 2015 #62

Nader is behind Rand Paul WillTwain Apr 2015 #66

I wouldn't put it quite that way. Maedhros Apr 2015 #70

True, WillTwain Apr 2015 #72

I do understand what he's getting at. Maedhros Apr 2015 #82

Nader is an egotistical gadfly, IMO MaggieD Apr 2015 #74

In the 2000 presidential election in Florida, George W. Bush defeated Al Gore by 537 votes. ND-Dem Apr 2015 #133

Gore would have been an excellent President MaggieD Apr 2015 #73

The world we be a dramatically better place if Scalia did not appoint Bush. WillTwain Apr 2015 #77

And we wouldn't have had a dozen terrible USSC decisions MaggieD Apr 2015 #78

Nader has done some great work. Nader damaged Gore in Florida. Two facts. WillTwain Apr 2015 #81

I agree MaggieD Apr 2015 #107

More Florida Democrats went for Bush than for Nader, but you blame Nader. Okey-dokey. ND-Dem Apr 2015 #141

Yep - I definitely blame Nader MaggieD Apr 2015 #146

Pinning Gore's loss on Nader has never made much sense, given all the other factors that played into Maedhros Apr 2015 #84

I'm not a right leaning democrat MaggieD Apr 2015 #105

+100 ND-Dem Apr 2015 #134

Gore won Florida Oilwellian Apr 2015 #95

True, IMO - but the disunity made it close enough to steal MaggieD Apr 2015 #106

I saw him speak in Seattle in the 90s. I found him inspiring and I'll echo your comments ND-Dem Apr 2015 #131

He gives a good speech AND throws major temper tantrums MaggieD Apr 2015 #147

More florida democrats voted for Bush than for Nader; about 5 times more in fact. ND-Dem Apr 2015 #148

Because 97 thousand people in FL voted for Nader MaggieD Apr 2015 #149

and half a million florida democrats went for bush. ND-Dem Apr 2015 #150

Yes, it's a swing state MaggieD Apr 2015 #152

Do you have ANY proof whatsoever they weren't Republicans? Major Hogwash Apr 2015 #163

No, just experience in politics and common sense MaggieD Apr 2015 #166

wasn't there a purge of lgbt here not so long ago? ND-Dem Apr 2015 #37

I don't know.... MaggieD Apr 2015 #42

There were a lot of really ugly GLBT posters. ieoeja Apr 2015 #53

Maybe they hold a grudge MaggieD Apr 2015 #76

worse than "homophobic." Rick Warren = guest of honor at his inauguration. WTF? ND-Dem Apr 2015 #135

Yep. I was surprised that Obama turned around... MaggieD Apr 2015 #151

Warren came, gave the invocation. Why do you say Obama "turned around"? He never ND-Dem Apr 2015 #153

His administration refused to support DOMA MaggieD Apr 2015 #156

DOMA: Enacted under Clinton ("by large, veto-proof majorities") ND-Dem Apr 2015 #157

Well, you'd be wrong in my book MaggieD Apr 2015 #159

The links are not intended to be condescending, as I know nothing about you. They are ND-Dem Apr 2015 #162

Okay no problem MaggieD Apr 2015 #167

they were purged as LGBT, en masse, right? ND-Dem Apr 2015 #122

No, they were purged as assholes or trolls. ieoeja Apr 2015 #185

I didn't ask if they were purged "for being LGBT". ND-Dem Apr 2015 #192

So what? They were assholes. They were purged. Are you suggesting PPR should be rationed? n/t ieoeja Apr 2015 #193

No; I'm suggesting "asshole" is a subjective term. Regardless, there was a group of ND-Dem Apr 2015 #195

The correlation with the folks that don't give a damn about working class needs and now the TheKentuckian Apr 2015 #229

Wall Street pays better Kelvin Mace Apr 2015 #33

Yeah, but unions can offer workplace safety and sick pay. Let them know that. WillTwain Apr 2015 #35

Some unions are more equal than others tularetom Apr 2015 #47

Great point. I get physically ill thinking about police unions. WillTwain Apr 2015 #50

Exactly right. blackspade Apr 2015 #55

They used to be and life was good. WillTwain Apr 2015 #57

For the record Unions vote their own interests.... Historic NY Apr 2015 #67

Understood - people are inherently selfish. WillTwain Apr 2015 #68

Here be the rub. Savannahmann Apr 2015 #69

Interesting take that almost nobody is thinking about. WillTwain Apr 2015 #71

That's because unions,.... construction trade unions anyway are.... NM_Birder Apr 2015 #80

We have nothing in common. My experience is exactly the opposite. WillTwain Apr 2015 #83

LOL,...I call them MY GUYS because WE NM_Birder Apr 2015 #99

You blew it with the lame "team" crap. WillTwain Apr 2015 #103

LOL, someday, hopefully you'll understand what a "team" means, it's not "a crap term" lol NM_Birder Apr 2015 #114

The LOL thing is so trite. Get original. Scabs are conditioned by necessity to kiss-ass, back-stab WillTwain Apr 2015 #117

....... my 15 minute lunch breaks... really ? NM_Birder Apr 2015 #194

First Mr. Pre-conceived, If you have more money than me you would not be working - I retired early. WillTwain Apr 2015 #196

rah rah rah, NM_Birder Apr 2015 #198

Read comment 200, you must stop your silly assumptions and trite rebuttals. WillTwain Apr 2015 #201

Every stereotype you have about me has been wrong, every one. How do you feel about that? WillTwain Apr 2015 #202

My guess is not only are you not a worker; you're also not a democrat. ND-Dem Apr 2015 #138

? think you skipped a track there timmy, NM_Birder Apr 2015 #180

i see your type all the time as well. nasty. ND-Dem Apr 2015 #181

Low end Wolf of Wall Street WillTwain Apr 2015 #182

appreciate the "youngster" comment, NM_Birder Apr 2015 #197

First, I thought you were much younger judging by your comments saying how quick you made it. WillTwain Apr 2015 #200

no worries, I can't remember if I mentioned my age before or not, NM_Birder Apr 2015 #207

You sound satisfied. I am happy for you. WillTwain Apr 2015 #209

Nice to see we will part ways without hating each others guts. NM_Birder Apr 2015 #212

I am sure we have much in common - a couple of scrappy self-made dudes. WillTwain Apr 2015 #213

"team" yeah, right. ND-Dem Apr 2015 #137

It is like one of those Real Estate billboards, "Team Greenspan Is On Your Side." WillTwain Apr 2015 #223

Must be a regional issue. Here, it's the opposite. haele Apr 2015 #97

He is a corporate shill. WillTwain Apr 2015 #104

I think you just heard that word enough to convince yourself you understand what it is. NM_Birder Apr 2015 #113

Probably is a regional thing to an extent. NM_Birder Apr 2015 #112

The Turd Way views unions with pure disdain. hifiguy Apr 2015 #85

Barack is no slacker, either. WillTwain Apr 2015 #88

Nope. All the campaign promises to labor hifiguy Apr 2015 #91

50 frickin' years WillTwain Apr 2015 #96

The Reich-Wing has done such an assbusting job at smearing the unions over the past 35 years, Dont call me Shirley Apr 2015 #94

Battle-fatigue is real. WillTwain Apr 2015 #98

Well the gop has conducted a relentless war on unions. Collective PTSD? Dont call me Shirley Apr 2015 #101

not just the gop, sad but true. ND-Dem Apr 2015 #139

Corporate America Dont call me Shirley Apr 2015 #143

I've never worked in a job that had a union SickOfTheOnePct Apr 2015 #108

You are missing out. No question you would like your job more for many reasons if you had a union. WillTwain Apr 2015 #109

Could be SickOfTheOnePct Apr 2015 #110

The total package is never better in non-union places. WillTwain Apr 2015 #111

Publix is employee-owned. ND-Dem Apr 2015 #140

To good to be true. There had to be a reason. WillTwain Apr 2015 #142

well, that doesn't always mean much, but it probably has something to do with their ability to pay ND-Dem Apr 2015 #144

For the first time in my life, I will be an actual union member at my new job. alarimer Apr 2015 #115

Congratulations WillTwain Apr 2015 #116

Too many are embarrassed to admit Jakes Progress Apr 2015 #118

Yes sir, WillTwain Apr 2015 #119

Without an opposition, employers will do what they Dustlawyer Apr 2015 #120

Unions are declining along with workers-rights, wages and respect. WillTwain Apr 2015 #121

totally agree.... mike_c Apr 2015 #154

Kick and rec again! F4lconF16 Apr 2015 #160

Unions don't require loyalty to any political party to join them. Major Hogwash Apr 2015 #164

Also, a sad fact is many in labor actually voted for Reagan, which sure wasn't in their best still_one Apr 2015 #170

Guns, too. Reagan Democrats are the most confused manipulated group in American politics. WillTwain Apr 2015 #188

Actually, labor went back the Democrats after Reagan. However you are right about manipulation still_one Apr 2015 #199

Actually many union members left the Democratic party to vote for reagan. They were upset with still_one Apr 2015 #169

Remember all the bad stuff you have heard from NC lately? Well there is a strong connection... Lee-Lee Apr 2015 #171

k & r lovemydog Apr 2015 #172

That ship has sailed.. sendero Apr 2015 #173

Americans do not worry until the water is up to their noses. WillTwain Apr 2015 #187

I'd love to see... sendero Apr 2015 #189

Germany WillTwain Apr 2015 #191

Kicked and recommended a whole bunch! Enthusiast Apr 2015 #175

Love the enthusiasm and the peace sign WillTwain Apr 2015 #224

democratic politicians could give a crap about unions RedstDem Apr 2015 #176

Trumka should tell them to go to hell. Then they would be scrambling. WillTwain Apr 2015 #186

K&R Liberalynn Apr 2015 #177

No apathy or disdain for unions here Bettie Apr 2015 #208

Nearly everybody is a product of unions. Many do not want to face it. WillTwain Apr 2015 #210

The fate of the middle class AgingAmerican Apr 2015 #218

Pure and simple truth WillTwain Apr 2015 #219

Excellent post! JDPriestly Apr 2015 #226