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“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.
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4 hours ago
