[quote=SK in CV][quote=harvey][quote=SK in CV][quote=CA renter]
The attack on govt workers/unions is NOT about saving taxpayers/consumers money, and private sector workers will NOT benefit in any way from the destruction of public sector unions. [/quote]
No, it’s not about saving taxpayers money. It’s about winning elections. The SEIU and public labor unions are among the most powerful political tools that the Democrats have. The origin of the anti-public labor movement has its roots in conservative organizations that have a primary goal of getting Republicans elected. Destruction of those public and private labor unions is a tool in reaching that goal. Fewer union members, fewer unions, fewer dollars and voters to the Dems. It isn’t any more complicated than that.[/quote]
That analysis of the situation is oversimplified and refuted by very basic facts.
What about the Democratic mayors of San Jose and San Diego? What about the Democratic governor of CA?
Heck, there’s even me. In general, I’m one of the harshest critics of Republicans on this site. But this issue is different.
The system as it is evolving is highly regressive. Current workers will have their salaries cut, their numbers thinned and their benefits slashed, all to maintain relatively comfortable benefits for retirees, who are on average richer than the people who are being asked to make these sacrifices. Current residents will watch their services dwindle, so that retirees–again, who are richer on average than they are–can have guaranteed generous cost-of-living increases year after year.
In other words, it’s the old-guard vs. everyone else.
The last sentence of this says it quite well:
Public-sector unions are strong supporters of the Democratic Party, so their clout has drowned out the voices of the poor, the young, students and average citizens. That is why real credit for courage should go to those few Democrats who are taking on these issues, even at the cost of losing support from one of their key constituencies. That includes mayors like Rahm Emanuel and Chuck Reed as well as governors like Andrew Cuomo and Pat Quinn. Sadly, they are too few and too isolated. Democrats should take note: the ideals of liberalism are now being sacrificed for the interest groups of liberals.
Zakaria is certainly not a right-wing pundit.
This issue is not about left-right politics. It’s about basic arithmetic and common fairness.[/quote]
I said the origins. Not what the anti-public union movement has evolved into. Just a coincidence that it started with almost identical bills in multiple states (Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana, Maine….)? No, it’s not a coincidence. These bills originated with and organization called ALEC, a big business anti-labor sponsored organization. It was anything but grass roots. It was well planned, well funded, and well executed. At it’s origins, it had nothing to do with saving states money, only with bigger profits for big business.[/quote]
Exactly. It was exceedingly well-organized and very well funded. Big business/capital has most certainly won this very important battle, and I’m not sure labor can recover for reasons you’ve already pointed out.
Most importantly, it was NEVER about helping private sector workers (or workers of any kind), and it was never about helping average taxpayers (though the very wealthiest taxpayers — and no, you’re not one of them, Pri — will likely benefit greatly).
I have a deep suspicion that people will be paying more for less, in all aspects of their lives. IMHO, American voters have just ensured that their purchasing power will be greatly diminished over the coming years. These elections have paved the way to an accelerated race to the bottom for ALL workers.
