Another reason I don't support Democrats

Cyclonepride · 08-01-2007, 07:43 AM

Demsâ€™ field gives unions pleasant predicament - NYTimes.com - MSNBC.com

A particularly disturbing point of the article- "All have endorsed labor’s main legislative priority, a bill that would make it easier to unionize workers." Evidently having the choice of a free society is not enough for them. I am sure they wouldn't like the implication of that wording, that joining a union is something that is done to someone, rather something someone freely chooses to do. I know I don't, but it is accurate.

Unions have been buying as many legislators as possible in recent years (not that they didn't do it before) in hopes that they can have laws passed that do what people are not doing of their own free will- joining unions. Much like the recent Iowa initiative to make non-union workers pay union dues. They evidently can't convince enough workers to join, so they buy our elected officials to make them join.

herbiedoobie · 08-01-2007, 07:49 AM

Well, whether it's knee-capping members of management, being run by organized crime gangs, or burning down management houses with kids in it, you can always count on unions for doing something zany like that.

Unions - It's all about forcing people to their socialist will.

jdoggivjc · 08-01-2007, 08:35 AM

I'm not going to argue against the benefits the unions brought to workers 50-150 years ago, because what management was doing to them back then was despicable. However, nowadays, unions have WAY too much power and are just about as bad and corrupt as management was 50-150 years ago, if not more so. I'm sorry, but I have no sympathy for organizations that go on strike because workers earning $35/hour isn't enough to live off of and are now demanding $40/hour.

Skyh13 · 08-01-2007, 08:41 AM

At a company I worked at last year, they had a "No smoking on campus" policy. So if you wanted to smoke, you had to go outside, just beyond the property fences, to do it... unless of course you were a union member. Then you could smoke in the courtyard area, so that each time you did the room right next to it would fill up with smoke, smell awful, and bother almost all of the workers.

Aside from the fact that, if you were an engineer and tried to cart something you were working on to another area that was bigger than like, a foot around, without calling a union worker to do it for you, they'd file an order against you. WTF up with that?

temperflare · 08-01-2007, 08:41 AM

Unions do serve a good purpose. The problem is that some unions have gotten too big and have done more to hurt the working man than help. Unions are just one of many reasons why companies decide to manufacture goods overseas.

The biggest problem I have with unions is that they decide to throw their weight behind a politician (usually democrat) and individual members have absolutely no say in the matter. If unions truly were for the working man, they'd let each individual decide what politician their union dues support.

Unions have done a lot of good things though. Minimum wage, worker's rights, workman's compensation, health benefits, etc. have all come about largely because of unions.

Jeremy · 08-01-2007, 08:46 AM

I'm just going to step in and remind people before hand to keep this thread civil. I know my tempers flared just reading the thread title so be nice

temperflare · 08-01-2007, 08:47 AM

Originally Posted by Skyh13

At a company I worked at last year, they had a "No smoking on campus" policy. So if you wanted to smoke, you had to go outside, just beyond the property fences, to do it... unless of course you were a union member. Then you could smoke in the courtyard area, so that each time you did the room right next to it would fill up with smoke, smell awful, and bother almost all of the workers.

Aside from the fact that, if you were an engineer and tried to cart something you were working on to another area that was bigger than like, a foot around, without calling a union worker to do it for you, they'd file an order against you. WTF up with that?

There are many instances where Unions have done more to hurt the workers than help them. Your example is just one of them. Unions provide workers with security. Sometimes so much security doesn't make economic sense.

benjay · 08-01-2007, 08:47 AM

What's wrong with unions supporting politicians? Every powerful organization in the country is guilty of the same.

I can think of a lot bigger reasons not to support the democrats than the labor bill. Seriously, the things that matter to people (that usually don't even affect them) are funny. :)

joepublic · 08-01-2007, 08:52 AM

Originally Posted by benjay

What's wrong with unions supporting politicians? Every powerful organization in the country is guilty of the same.

I can think of a lot bigger reasons not to support the democrats than the labor bill. Seriously, the things that matter to people (that usually don't even affect them) are funny. :)

I agree with you. It's like the original poster has never even heard of the pharmacuetical industry buying off politicians with its lobby. Or the farm lobby getting welfare for multimillionaire farmers. Everything's for sale in D.C., and if you're not in the game you are gonna get hosed.

CyinCo · 08-01-2007, 09:20 AM

Every political partiy panders to large organized groups. Large groups means many voters and lots of money. The Democrats choose to appeal to the unions. The republicans tend to appeal to christian conservatives and big business. IMO, pandering is pandering. Pot vs Kettle.

benjay · 08-01-2007, 09:24 AM

Yeah don't get me started on the pharmaceutical/insurance/hmo lobby and the Medicare bill in 2003. That is a sad day in congress.

Knownothing · 08-01-2007, 09:31 AM

particularly disturbing point of the article- "All have endorsed labor’s main legislative priority, a bill that would make it easier to unionize workers

Unions had there place in time. THey used to fight for the little guy. Now they just price there employee's out of the market. Why do you think Maytag went down. It's because the employee's were making to much money for the company to justify keeping it around. So you cut and run. Unions are to gready now and are trying to make themselves look like they are trying. Trust me. If I paid union dues and the union was giving my money that I gave them to politicians. I would be pissed off. Instead of giving that money to Politicians give the money back to the employee that you supposedly are fighting for.

Cyclonesrule91 · 08-01-2007, 09:35 AM

Originally Posted by benjay

I can think of a lot bigger reasons not to support the democrats than the labor bill. Seriously, the things that matter to people (that usually don't even affect them) are funny. :)

Very well put, and a whole lot nicer then I would have put it, so I think I will just say I agree 100% with this statement and leave it at that....

Amen brother

Cyclonesrule91 · 08-01-2007, 09:38 AM

Originally Posted by joepublic

Or the farm lobby getting welfare for multimillionaire farmers.

Obviously you don't have an farming background, otherwise you would know that farming and multimillionaire cannot be used in the same sentence.

I would agree that the farm program needs some revamping, but they are not out to make millionaires into multimillionaires that is certain.

wheels686 · 08-01-2007, 09:47 AM

i dont support either of them. all politicians care about is being re-elected or helping out their fellow party. they vote way to much of the time to who funds their campaign. independent is the way to go