Democrat's Apathy For Unions Is Suicide

[NM_Birder]

212. Nice to see we will part ways without hating each others guts.

I never thought I would be old enough to say, "it wasn't like that when I was a kid", but I am,....... and it's not.
I enjoyed then, and still do, proving myself. I like proving myself TO myself, and I like proving myself to those around me. The 20 year old somethings of today seem to embrace the notion that they are owed things, "what do I get", instead of "what can I earn". I attribute that to a growing population of kids...... raising kids.

I agree every generation is getting softer than the previous. I liked your "sticking your face in the wind and denying the the physical abuse" ....... it makes me feel younger again. The thirst to prove myself, is as strong as ever, even if I'm making the little Ahhhh noises every now and then when I get up. Some of the worst of times, hold some of my best memories.

My girlfriend has been a member here for a long time, lounge mostly, she's not an arguer, I joined and have had mixed experiences, some if not most argumentative ones are probably my fault. my name NM_Birder ? she is a bird watcher, a fanatic, obsessed bird watcher, I'm an avid hunter and obsessed fisherman, I'm a birder but not a watcher, inside joke play on words. I see a lot of similarity in the bird watching crowd and DU, there is a desire to be sure the other person knows, that you know more than them. She is still surprised I haven't been kicked out, sometimes I am too. I assumed this was a discussion website, but really it isn't, the majority of it seems to be "I'm going to complain and show the hypocrisy of the ***** republicans, but don't dare point out the hypocrisy of Democrats, because if you do........ you're just a ******* republican", and a significant amount of "poor me, someone console me". I've said several times before, I may just not be cut for this, it's alright not everything is for everybody.

The union thing struck a nerve, and a disappointment that is still very alive in me. Probably jumped a bit too soon, and a bit to severe. I'm not awash in the fact that I have been extremely fortunate, I know I have been, and there is a lot of truth to the fact that my distant past experience with the union, especially the salty old bastards forged from the union were instrumental in a large part of that fortunate experience. If I had kids, I would describe it as a son that was everything he ever wanted to be, was the pride of my life, and on his track for the success he desired,............ and then pissed it all away at the request of someone else, for someone else's gain, and then blamed me for his bad choices. That's what politics have done to the union, it's dying if not already dead, and more often than not it's those that helped kill it telling me it's my fault. like I said, I probably jumped a bit quick.

I know the vast majority of those in the construction trade are struggling, it can be a tough road even in the best of times and regardless what the news says, this ain't the best of times. I was headed straight down that road for thankfully a short time. You can't deny that a significant number of guys make poor choices, over and over and over again, and are miserably satisfied with living in the "come this Friday" mindset. I think there are more today than there were then, and it's getting worse.

I am satisfied,... I am nearing the point where I can be honest with myself and admit that "I've made it", I am proud of what I've accomplished, and I'm nearing the time when I will take more time to enjoy the choices I've made. One regret will likely be the choice to never have kids, but I have nephews on my side and a niece on her side to spoil and corrupt

you want to save the union ? Don't blame the people who cut a different path and succeed at doing so, I'm allowed, I do not regret my career choices, and I would do it the same all over again, the same way. Blame the "cancer" on unions on people that are currently telling you they are fighting for the unions, but are only using a captive audience for a political agenda.

Might have to break out the good scotch,...... and there would likely be some pretty tense moments where our ladies abandon our foolishness, but I'll bet we could share stories out by the fire pit, and come away laughing more than yelling.

Take Care.