Monday, September 05, 2011

Labor Day

“Labor is prior to and independent of capital. Capital is only the fruit of labor, and could never have existed if labor had not first existed. Labor is the superior of capital, and deserves much the higher consideration.” -Abraham Lincoln

Imagine what a freak out FOX News and talk radio would have if our Democratic President said that today.

In this day when Unions are vilified and under assault by not just the business interests but who have convinced working people to ask "why do those people have benefits and workplace protections" instead of asking "why don't I?" The debate shifted from basic economic and fairness issues to distractions about abortion and other cultural issues such as gay marriage used as a wedge that also got people to buy into an economic agenda that is destroying the middle class. Read What's the Matter with Kansas?

After the last election Republican Governor's and state legislatures decided to go after public sector employee bargaining rights and to make it harded to vote despite never bringing up either issue during their election campaigns. The most attention was paid to Wisconsin but the same thing is going on in Pennsylvania.

I'm sick and tired of people that diss government workers. Did you ever think why the DMV is such a pain and the waits are long? Not enough workers to take care of the customers. A long wait at a SSA office? Not enough workers to take care of the customers. These people work their tails offs.

The poinyheaded bureaucrats in Washington DC that George Wallace ran against in 1968 and 1972 has become some sort of mantra for our lawmakers and GOP Presidential candidates today.

Labor day past

I piciked this up from the NEPA Libertarian Face book page of all places



Labor Day
by Kathy Kerr on Monday, September 5, 2011 at 10:35am.

I am old enough to remember when Labor Day was a celebration of the American worker, when being able to organize in a union meant a better living. Union was not a dirty word then, as it so often now conjures up thoughts of rigid work rules, excessive benefits and an impediment to profitability. To listen to the stories of the original "brothers" (there were no "sisters") following their American dream. Being a Teamster when it meant driving mule or draft horse teams of six, of my uncle starting the Stationary Engineers in Cleveland with his fists, my late brother starting a local chapter of the AFL-CIO. Sparkies in the IBEW, the Pipefitters and Millwrights, UAW guys off the line from Ford in Cleveland (the home of the kick-butt 351 engine). Uncle Bocky having the record for a big "pour" in the steel plant along the Cuyahoga River (yes, the infamous "Burning River"). To all those founders so long ago who were beaten with bats and pipes, shot at or shot dead . . . you are remembered this Labor Day. You built the great American middle class, made the melting pot work and instilled a hard work/hard nosed ethic in your families. Having oil-stained, callused hands was not shameful but a source of pride of giving an honest day's work for an honest dollar. This is almost extinct now, a little more than 100 years later.

.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Spoken like a government union loafer

Anonymous said...

I agree 100% Gort. People put down unions because they never lived without the influence of them. What do people think caused the child labor laws, safwety in the workplace, the 40 hour work week etc? I recently saw statistics on union membership and with so few workers belonging to or having the prtection of a union, I have to wonder why it is the working class think the unions are the problem? They comllain about teachers but never attend a school board meeting.As it was said, I have met the enemy and he is us! Have you noticed how corporate America has turned to part time emloyees to eliminate benefits? When these anti union people complain, all they do is join the cororate heads and give them the power to screw the workers -- us. By the way, I have worked with and with out a union and having a union is much better.

Anonymous said...

gov workers do no labor nor produce any capital

Professor Milburn Cleaver, OPA said...

Students, I believe the quote from Mr. LIncoln has been taken out of context.
The day of government programs is fast going the way of the dinosaur and with it government employment.
The U>S> postal service is going into default as I speak.
I do not decry the claim that there are good government employees, but the services they render are all part of a grand Ponzi scheme.
When Mr. ROmney assumes the oath of office with Speaker Cantor and Majority Leader McConnell running the legislative branch we shall finally see the birth of true conservatism.
Social Security must and will be eliminated along with Medicare...this is as it shall be although I must admit that when this occurs the gambling industry, both in form of lottery tickets and casinos will take a hit.
Students, such is the price of progress.
In the working out of a new idea in an old form of govt. or should I say, restoring the former form of government it is true that some toes will be stepped on and are going to be stepped on.
Govt. has no place in aiding people...People have every responsibility to take care of one another and leave govt. out of it.
We will see such an influx of cash aster Pres. Romney and the Republican congress implement reform that those seniors frightened by the Democratic fiction writers will be encased in so much money they will feel they are blissfully drowning.
As the great Pres. Calvin COolidge once said, "The business of govt. is business."
If the new President completely eliminates the capital gains tax, there will be such an influx of employment that those govt. workers who do lose their jobs will not be hurting long.
The GOP will make good on Herbert Hoover's promise: a chicken in every pot and a car in every garage.
And finally, the ghost of FDR and LBJ will have been exorcized from our lives.
We will all be the better for it.
Have I made my point, children???
CLass Dismissed!!!!!!!!!!!!