OK. there are a lot of things demanding Obama's attention right now.

[Jackpine Radical]

The impending shutdown of the Government, 5000 Americans in Libya, the need to give a speech to 140 small businessmen in Ohio (where he mentioned nothing about labor issues), buying dogfood for the family mutt. Yeah, he's a busy guy, and small isolated events like the busting of the remnants of American labor can hardly be expected to command much of his attention.

So of course he delegated responsibility for those minor issues to his Labor Secretary.

2 questions:

1) Given her prominence in the news lately what with all the speeches she's been giving about the labor crisis, can you name the Labor Secretary?

2) Can you summarize what she has said about the Republican Governors' movement, started in Wisconsin, aimed at busting public employees unions?

[babylonsister]

1. I can name her, and she's been MIA. BUT!

she and Biden met with Trumka today supposedly...

http://weaselzippers.us/2011/02/24/biden-meets-with-afl-cio-boss-richard-trumka/

[Jackpine Radical]

6. Did you catch O's speech to 140 Ohio businessmen Tuesday?

Kasich introduced him. What follows is the complete text of the part of his message dealing with the current labor situation:
.
.
.
.
-end-

[babylonsister]

13. I think she was there, too. And no, missed it. Also heard

nothing about it on the newz, though we lost our cable so I'm reduced to the internetz.

[Jackpine Radical]

14. Yes, Solis was there.

[roguevalley]

47. this deserves a higher official. this should at least mean Biden, mr.

I grew up in the working class scranton bullshit. they don't care. they don't give a shit. one fiftieth of our country just got hit with an evil tsumani and they don't give a shit. Fuck them both.

[NV Whino]

2. Uh, no.

[leftstreet]

3. Who?

[jody]

4. I don't care unless Obama declares Solis speaks for him and he will honor every promise she makes.

[nadinbrzezinski]

5. Solis and she has been quieter than a church mouse

[Jackpine Radical]

7. Proof that you have a good memory.

Not like there've been a lot of refreshers in the news lately.

[nadinbrzezinski]

12. I at times remember really odd shit

remembering who is the labor secretary is one of those odd shits

[KG]

8. face it, on this issue, he's just not on 'our' side.

[Jackpine Radical]

10. Only we

are on our side.

[Bake]

15. Uh oh, now you've done it.

I caught hell for expecting the President to act like a !@#$#@! Democrat. We're just supposed to trust that he's on our side.

Bake

[MadMaddie]

20. I suppose the Koch brothers are? Maybe the Governer of

Wisconsin? I mean these guys really are for the working guy and gal aren't they?

:sarcasm:

[RufusTFirefly]

22. If I remember correctly, the appointment of Solis was supposed to be a "win" for progressives

Figures.

:banghead:

[Number23]

45. You win the thread.

It's almost funny, isn't it? When she was named, this board screamed from here to Sunday about how the president "finally (FINALLY!!one!) did something for the left" and here we are barely two years later and folks here a) can't remember her name and b) are STILL demanding that the President march/scream/bust a cap in somebody over this issue and couldn't care less what Solis -- the "liberal champion" two years ago who is actually the one who SHOULD be speaking out on this on the president's behalf -- has said or done on this.

This has gone beyond ridiculous, beyond embarrassing.

[scarletwoman]

46. "the one who SHOULD be speaking out on this on the president's behalf..." Okay, do you have

some recent quotes from Solis about what's going on in Wisconsin?

If you had read the OP, that's exactly the point he was making -- that the LABOR Secretary hasn't seemed to have had much/anything to say about Unions being under attack.

So, if -- as you say -- Solis is "the one who SHOULD be speaking out on this on the president's behalf", then what has she said?

[Number23]

51. What exactly is it about the word "SHOULD" that has you so confused?

[scarletwoman]

9. Answer to #1: (blank) Solis, right? Can't think of the 1st name - but maybe I'm wrong altogether?

As to your question #2: :rofl:

sw

[Jackpine Radical]

11. Hilda Solis.

[scarletwoman]

16. Now you've got me wondering - what exactly is the purpose of having a Labor Secretary?

What is a Labor Secretary supposed to do? What is the portfolio?

I mean -- not to get all cynical or anything, of course -- is having a Labor Secretary something like a dog having a dewclaw? A non-weight bearing appendage that's just sorta there -- as long as it doesn't interfere with anything, it's okay to just leave it be and ignore it.

sw

[leftstreet]

17. :spray:

is having a Labor Secretary something like a dog having a dewclaw?

:spray:

[scarletwoman]

19. Thank you very much. I'll be here all week.

:D

[Kennah]

21. DOL Mission

http://www.dol.gov/opa/aboutdol/mission.htm

"To foster, promote, and develop the welfare of the wage earners, job seekers, and retirees of the United States; improve working conditions; advance opportunities for profitable employment; and assure work-related benefits and rights."

[scarletwoman]

24. "...assure work-related benefits and rights." Hmmm. "Rights" like collective bargaining?

Maybe they forgot to give the D.O.L. an office to work out of?

[sad sally]

49. Here's whatr Former Labor Secretary Robert Reich did:

OSEC Congressional Testimony
Statement of Robert B. Reich Secretary of Labor before the Committee on Government Reform Subcommittee on Human Resources and Intergovernmental Affairs United States House of Representatives<3/9/95>

...The operations and programs of the Department of Labor must be scrutinized in the light of the central challenge our country now faces: to restore America's middle class. If we are to restore our heritage of shared prosperity, American workers need protection in the workplace and every bit of assistance we can give them in adapting to the new economy. And let me assure you that I agree with those of you who also say that Americans are rightly demanding that we provide for these needs as efficiently and creatively as possible...

[Name removed]

18. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[jberryhill]

23. What is the federal role here?

[scarletwoman]

27. See Kennah's post #21 above. Assuring workers' rights comes to mind.

Maybe just putting out an unequivocal public statement about the value of Labor to the fabric of our nation?

[jberryhill]

29. In other words... nothing

There are states which don't allow public workers to collectively bargain. Should the President of the United States be doing something about them?

When the president injects himself into a matter of state legislation, that's a big deal.

This isn't like the various Arizona laws on immigration and citizenship which encroach on an area of exclusive and pre-emptive federal authority. This isn't like Little Rock, where the local schools were acting in contempt of a decision of the Supreme Court.

[scarletwoman]

34. Did I say anything about "injecting" himself into a state matter? No!

The fact is, there IS a federal Department of Labor -- whose theoretical purview includes looking after the rights of Labor.

It would NOT be out of place for the Executive branch to issue a general statement about the RIGHTS of Labor as a counter to the demonization of Labor being engaged in by the Right.

That is, unless they're just too busy kissing the ass of the Chamber of Commerce.

[jberryhill]

50. If there is a labor law violation, then the Department of Labor has something to do

What should the Department of Labor be doing about the five states that don't permit collective bargaining for public workers?

Obama would be seen as meddling in a state law question. It is not illegal for WI to end collective bargaining here. It is wrong, but that's another thing.

[GeorgeGist]

52. Obama could suggest ...

that Governor Walker and his motley crew move to one of those slave states. Happy Now?

[Arkana]

25. Hilda Solis, and she was perhaps one of the most liberal appointees he made

to his Cabinet.

So criticizing her is going to make you look like a massive hypocrite. Just sayin'.

[ProSense]

26. Here's some news

Today: The Vice President and Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis meet with President of the AFL-CIO Richard Trumka and presidents of AFL-CIO labor organizations

Earlier this month: A single dominant industry no longer carries the economy, and the time to think small has arrived.

<...>

Solis heard from a good range of ASBC members, all dedicated to pursuing a “triple bottom line” that reflects social and environmental responsibility, as well as the profitability of their operations.

<...>

Rudy Arredondo of the Latino Farmers and Ranchers Trade Association points to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack’s challenge to create 100,000 new farming jobs. Arredondo sees an opportunity to help farm workers become farmers, and in doing so promote small-scale farming, food security and local businesses by working with individuals who already know how to work the land.

Brian Golden, president of Litecontrol, an employee-owned and unionized manufacturer of high efficiency lighting products, describes how the company has been able to grow at a steady clip and now has 200 employee-owners. And Vince Sicliano, President and CEO of New Resource Bank in San Francisco, describes the commercial bank’s “mission-based” approach of achieving environmental and social as well as financial returns by investing in companies that share these values. He speaks of consumers’ growing interest in “knowing where their money sleeps.”

<...>

Other key ideas explored with Solis included public-private partnerships that support locally-rooted start-ups that offer a higher financial return for communities; procurement and lending policies that promote businesses pursuing a triple bottom line; and cooperative research, development and training programs to create healthier, cleaner and more profitable products.

<...>

[jody]

28. Obama and candidates can fight for the union vote, 12% of the voters, but it’s the non-union vote,

88% of the voters, that elect presidents.

Are You a Union Member?
- NO (88%): 52% for Obama, 46% for McCain
- YES (12%): 60% for Obama, 37% for McCain.

Source: http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/results/polls/#val=USP00p3

[ProSense]

30. Actually,

it's every vote that elects a President.

By your logic he can ignore African American, Hispanic, LGBT, 18-29, 65 and older, or any category of voters.

Seriously, does anyone really believe a candidate can ignore 9 million voters (which is what 60 percent of the union vote amounts to)?

[jody]

32. Another view, how can a presidential candidate balance 88% of the vote against 12% of the vote? nt

[ProSense]

39. Another: how can a presidential candidate balance 90% of the vote against 10% of the vote?

The 10% being 18- to 24-year-olds.


Another: how can a presidential candidate balance 91% of the vote against 9% of the vote?

The 9% being Latino voters.


Like I said, every vote counts.

[jody]

43. Agree re every vote but in practice voters allow themselves to be divided and polarized on issues

like gods, gays, abortion, guns, and now government labor unions.

[Tatiana]

31. This is clearly what he is banking on - that he can afford to forfeit the labor vote

in favor of those coveted "independents" with financial backing from Wall Street.

That strategy will only work if the Republicans nominate an idiot like Palin or Romney.

Obama better thank his lucky stars someone like Crisco Christie decided not to run. I don't know if he wins a match-up like that without labor.

[Schema Thing]

35. clearly. :eyeroll:

[ProSense]

36. Hmmmm?

"Obama better thank his lucky stars someone like Crisco Christie decided not to run."

Chris Christie better hope his lucky stars he wins a second term as NJ Gov.

[bluestate10]

37. How did you arrive at that conclusion? nt

[Tatiana]

42. The vast difference between the previous stated position on labor and the current silence.

Yes, I know the President has spoken a few words of support (tepid, IMO) for the Wisconsin protesters.

But this had the potential to be a real defining moment of his President where he stood up and spoke with clarity in terms of the rights of people to organize and bargain collectively. So far, he has not risen to the occasion.

I'm not expecting the President to walk a picket line. I am expecting him to say directly to people in a state that he carried pretty solidly that he would never, under any circumstances, support any attempt to take away one's right to negotiate and bargain collectively.

[eilen]

54. He clearly doesn't have their back.

Why bother saying otherwise?

[jody]

38. BLS, 103 million private sector jobs, 93% non-union, 21 million govt. jobs, 36% union. Obama, "What

to do, oh what to do, because 2012 is almost here?"

source: http://www.bls.gov/news.release/union2.t03.htm

[bluestate10]

33. The labor secretary is Hilda Solis.

her job is making the mechanics of the Labor Department work. She is not a public mouthpiece. What people in Wisconsin must do is get out and start collecting signatures to recall every republican senator that is eligible for recall. Hilda Solis mouthing supportive words on Walker's insane policy will not change Walker's mind, but having Walker's republican senator's names on recall ballots damned sure will get Walker's attention. And if Walker refuses to bend, recall the senators then recall Walker when that becomes an option.

[Stinky The Clown]

40. K&R

[senseandsensibility]

41. Hilda Solis was the one bright spot in Obama's appointments

What is going on? Can someone tell me why she is silent? I have heard (and don't buy) all the excuses for Obama's handsoff approach. No one even mentions her.

[RufusTFirefly]

48. My absolute favorite Obama appointment was Van Jones. I wonder how HE'S doing.

Oh. Yeah. Never mind.

[scarletwoman]

44. *kick* - because I don't give a damn about Charlie Sheen. (nt)

[jeff47]

53. Now is not the time for Obama, Solis or the DNC to make a splash in WI

Right now, the spotlight is on Walker and the Republicans. And the longer it's on them, the worse they are coming off.

Obama coming in would move that spotlight. Do not interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake.