News Does America Need A Civil Revolution?

[Vee Lagrome]

You know, we were good with the 2 political parties. I quite like the historical idea of the more "conservative" party representing the interests of the Constitution and the more "liberal" party representing the interests of the People. At some point along the line, we figured, as a nation, that corporations are appropriate participants in a Representative Democracy, and that's when everything just went to hell.

I am absolutely disgusted by politicians who are anti-Union. As a former law enforcement officer, I was denied the right to join my local Union (because of the corruption within federal agencies that allows employers, both government and private, to basically lie about rights to organize), and badly abused by upper management with no one to represent my interests. As a matter of fact, everyone who I worked with, also working to protect the people of DC, was battered and trampled on by upper management. Working there was one of the worst experiences of my life (and I think that really says something).

If the Unions were able to be a stronger presence in places of employment, I think the population in general wouldn't be trampled into submission by everyone with authority. Think about it, Americans go to work and are used and abused, the politicians we elect lie to our faces, take big checks from corporations, and write policies that serve to allow corporations to continue to use and abuse us. I think most people are only just realizing that we shouldn't just give up and allow everyone in authority to just trample over us; they are supposed to be our servants, working to make our lives as fair and just as they possibly can.

I think that the people who are protesting in Wisconsin and the Democrats who fled the state in protest are exactly the kind of people the rest of us should be emulating. I absolutely hope that we have a civil revolution to scare the crap out of our politicians and force them to start working for the people who elected them, not the corporations cutting them that fat check behind closed doors.

 

[anthony]

Unions have there pro's and con's uniquely IMHO... most of Australian industries have got rid of them because they caused more issues overall than did good, though they have a requirement for some industries, such as construction, otherwise construction companies would be building dodgy buildings, placing workers in harms way, etc, which would not be good if the literal foundation of society could crumble, being the buildings. They still have firm presence with police and emergency services, mostly only Government transport, some limited health areas.

You can't have health workers, transport or emergency services downing tools and going on strike, it just doesn't work. To much union influence allows this to occur, yet none brings these industries and other foundations of business into major conflict with pay, allowances, entitlements as they are primarily over-worked if in care positions, ie. teachers and nurses.

Unions are now nearly completely out of industry here, and industry has never functioned better.

 

[Vee Lagrome]

Our industries need the influence of unions because they aren't functioning. Workers are not guaranteed livable wages unless they have a union representing their interests and without the unions, people such as myself and my former coworkers are denied rights, often denied retirement and disability pensions (which we pay into, union or not), and may be fired if someone in upper management doesn't like that individual for whatever reason not related to job performance. And this is within the federal government! American workers need unions since our laws are slanted in favor of big business, even if other countries don't need them anymore.

 

[track108]

I agree with both sides of the plate here in wisconsin, i dont think walker has the right to take away the collective bargaining of state workers, but i dont see why i should have to pay into their retirement when they dont. When i was in the marine corps i had to pay into my retirement fund the government matched what i put in but if i didnt put money into it i didnt get anything from the taxpayers. I understand that they work for me thats why my taxes go to their salaries but why should i have to pay for their full retirement. Im putting money into social security and in 40 + years when i retire social security will be long gone. They said we had to tighten our belts but when it came time to tighten theirs they ran away to illinois

 

[anthony]

That is a viable point Vee in regards to what you mention about the US working economy. When you said that, I am now remembering the issue with pilots... they are working for $20k a year and could earn more doing other jobs, as they are literally being taken advantage off because the majority of them do it because they love it, not just for the money itself. A more effective union, or union in general, should be stepping in for them considering the job they have to do.

 

[anni]

The operative word here is 'should'. Most companies do not have unions now, so back to the old, bad pre-union days when all a worker had (has) to do was breath the word 'union' to be fired. Here in Pennsylvania, they can fire you if they don't like the color of your hair- it doesn't matter, there are zero worker's rights. Of course we need unions- they were the cornerstone of the middleclass hence the building blocks which allowed the entire country to finally realize it's potential as a people. I believe they were the missing link in the Founding Father's dream, in point of fact-made the whole dam thing spring to life. It's a power structure without which a vast segment of society has no voice- now they do not.

 

[ISupportHer]

and the party I voted for won (ish) the UK election.

I won an election? No one told ME!

ISH

 

[Deleted member 5760]

Vote 1 - ISH
'The Voice of Reason in Troubled Threads'

 

[intothelight]

Yes, ISH for President!

 

[Froggie]

I won an election? No one told ME!

ISH

SuperJen is from Australia, Deb is from USA and I'm in Canada, if we vote you president ... does this mean you will be the president of the world ... sounds good, might even cure many from their ptsd

 

[anthony]

Back on topic please.

 

[Vee Lagrome]

Track- I agree that those workers should be paying into their retirement funds. I paid into my own retirement fund as well (but it's all federal government, so that's to be expected) and what's the harm in having to invest in your own retirement? The norm in the federal government is what, like 3% of your income? That's nothing! I don't think any of those workers were arguing against that part of it.

Anthony - It scares me that the person flying the plane I'm on most likely needs to moonlight at another job. It's totally insane!

Anni - I absolutely agree. That's why I think something new is being started, and Obama, like him or not, has started it in many ways. I think him winning the election boosted the confidence of younger voters. The disappointment of not getting the things he promised during the election (single payer, tuition help - what happened to that??, emphasis on environmental protection, etc.) and the fact that Obama is not standing up to these loony toon "tea party" Republicans in The House is making progressives, moderates, and liberals more energized when it comes to speaking up. I have hope that we will be moving in the right direction in terms of putting politicians back on track because of all these events. Like they say, before every mild spring is a harsh winter, or something like that. Lol.