War between Tea Party and Unions
By Dee Kowallis
Posted on the doors and bulletin boards in Union Halls throughout the state and possibly throughout the country are signs that say, “Respect our Rights.”
Tea Party advocates may also endorse the same sign, only with one additional word, “Respect our Constitutional Rights.”
So why is there such a big divide between unions and Tea Party activists?
Listening to the verbal ideological clash between unions and Tea Party activists like Glenn Beck can launch anyone into a fury of frustration about the other, depending on which point of view you listen to.
Some say the desire for labor unions should be growing ever stronger as Corporate America and the wealthy elite crush the middle class through monopolies and cartels in the oil, food and pharmaceutical industries. Unions contend we need more government regulation and oversight to prevent these out of control entities. On the other hand, Tea Party activists contend it is the governmental regulations that stifle the economy and enslave us all. Two opposite conflicting solutions that vouch to aid the average working middle class American and curtail the ever widening gap between the “haves” and “have nots.” So which ideology provides the best solution? More government or less government?
I can understand the rationale unions make to increase regulation and oversight. Greedy corporations and big business elites demand to do business unchecked and unregulated with a free-for-all approach to capitalize and eventually monopolize a market to improve their bottom line. The goal seems to be to increase shareholder wealth at any cost, including: environmental ruin, job loss to outsourcing, deceitful reports, cunning media propaganda, unethical and dishonest behavior, abuse of employees or anything that can be legally allowed, but otherwise morally or ethically reprehensible. Unions want to curb such practices by instituting more laws and more regulation over such unprincipled conduct.
Conversely, I am partial to the rationale of limiting government from controlling every aspect of our lives (socialism), as voiced by the Tea Party movement. Our government now seems to possess the ability to charge, jail, take over, or raid just about anyone’s business, for just about any violation imaginable. I fully support the idea of complete honesty in dealing with others, including the IRS. However, just this one government agency is so complex and over extended that even tax attorneys cannot always agree on the interpretation of our tax code, thus putting everyone at risk of violation no matter how honest they are. Many would be shocked to discover that Uncle Sam has the ability to charge someone for tax evasion for just trading favors with friends and neighbors. IRS Publication 1220 part A Section 1 (7) form 1099-B. For example, if I ask my neighbor to cut my lawn in exchange for fixing his lawnmower, or I tend someone’s pets in exchange for them painting my fence, I would need to report to Uncle Sam the fair market value of such transactions otherwise risk jail time for tax evasion. It’s just crazy!
I am concerned, as everyone should be, that as the government takes more control we lose our constitutional rights. Once we give up a certain freedom, it is difficult, if not impossible to get that freedom back. On the other hand, what would it really be like without legislative or regulative policy preventing toxic chemicals or hazardous waste being dumped into our air and water? Would America really be better off if there were no minimum wage laws, OSHA, FDA, SEC or thousands of other regulatory agencies? How comfortable would we feel about riding on an unregulated low cost airline that is known for cutting costs in safety maintenance operations? Tea Party activist might say the free market would prevent this type of business from continuing because people would choose not to use an airline that crashes their planes. Pro-regulation proponents (unions) may say, “tongue-in-cheek”, it’s true, those riding the plane that crashed won’t be riding with that airline again.
The ideological war between Tea Party activists and union activists can go on indefinitely. Can anyone provide a third option? Maybe we should be asking the more compelling and deeper questions like, can we be assured that those providing oversight don’t become facilitators of the vary actions in which they were established to prevent? Would giving more power and control to our government ensure that their behavior would be more ethically responsible than those to whom they are regulating? Is it even possible to create enough laws to prevent every form of dishonest, unethical, irresponsible and selfish behavior dealing with business practices, discrimination, abuse of the less fortunate, or the environment?
Maybe the most compelling and ultimate question we should be asking is: Does the general moral fabric of society in America have anything to do with this dilemma?
In other words, do we do the right things because it is the right thing to do, or are our decisions based on our chances of getting caught violating some law?
Dee Kowallis of Chubbuck is the author of “Going Inside a Labor Union.” He
can be reached through his web page under contact us at
www.unionexperiment.com.
http://www.unionexperiment.com.
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Leave out the www. Website is unionexperiment.com (basically stated IP is the webserver itself period)
Something is wrong, the book basically shows ‘de-listed’ (out of stock, etc. on google and barnes & noble, amazon for example) except on the original site, no reviews, nothing. Doesn’t appear to be doing well. Trying to stir up a tempest in a teapot type of thing? Just wondering. Sorry about your book, sir.
I thought this artical was one of the better I’ve read all year. You would have my vote for a reprint monthly. I’ve always thought it odd that the don’t tread on me folks tread on others/unions….most are really not any of thier buisness, but when the Koch brothers are your leaders, what would one expect. The Koch brothers version of the Tea Party = Oligarchy. Our govrnment has been highjacked by the wealthy, good luck getting it back with so many voting GOP.
Alan,
Then buy all the gentleman books, nobody else appears to be. I can’t even get a rating on it.
You dsylexic too, your spelling looks like mine? i.e. artical, buisness, thier, highjacked, etc. Your second sentence was a doozie, no matter how many times I read it, it comes out wrong. Ends with a period but poses a question in the wandering? Who and what is the subject?
You also connect the dots that aren’t there. With all due respect the Tea Party controls nothing, thus doesn’t merit your oligarchy comment. Koch brothers sure get credit for a lot of things. Now Obama is a hell of a lot closer to the description. Government is hijacked all right but you got the wrong people in the hijack seat. Are you known as ‘non-believer’ in other circles?
You’re right about one thing, voting GOP might just get it back.
@Disgusted Reader, like “you dsylexic too” is a real sentence, and I don’t see whats so hard to understand…”You would have my vote for a reprint montly” You as in ISJ, reprint as in the article we’re blogging on.
No, “You dsylexic too, your spelling looks like mine?” is a question. I figured you wouldn’t see what’s so hard to understand. DR=1 Alan=Zip.
I don’t think they reprint things that bomb. But if you and I got at it for say 200 posts, maybe we could change their minds. As it is, I’m through.
Its your…the word is your, not you, there is an R at the end of your first word sparky. Only in the precious world of short buses and helmets does your sentence qualify as a real sentence.
Try; Your dyslexic, and leave out the too.
Your back to zero DR, and I’ll take that 1.
And the original was drafted on a notebook/laptop when I mistakenly hit send before spell checking, but thanks. And now I’m through.
War between the Tea Party and Unions ????
The Tea Party Republican rant is Unions have out lived their use, they only sever to harm America.
This should read .
The Unions have been outlawed by rich Republicans because they only serve to harm the pocket books of the 1 percent.
With out Unions rich people such as Mitt Romney can take over a company , destroy the lives of people with years of service , their retirements and jobs just to put ” CASH ” in the pockets of the 1 percent of America.
When Right to Work passed in Idaho by the Republican voters I was one of the men who lost my job the day the bill passed and then was offered my job back for less than half the pay, no medical insurance for my family, no paid holidays, no paid vacations and no time and a half for overtime.
This is what the local Republicans here are demanding we return to in the coming elections, total take over of America and slavery to the working people of America.
Not no but HELL NO, It’s time to take our country back from the slave owners.
These people that vote against their own self interests just boggle the mind. Do you suppose they will figure it out when the 1% own 90% of the money and the average worker is working for $5.00 a day? Just where is the breaking point where they get a clue?
http://www.idahostatejournal.com/news/state/article_30ac13c3-0d42-5606-9288-a7928a1e70e6.html
That’s the first time I’ve tried to copy a link so if it didn’t work I apologize.
But it points out that Raul Labrador may be poising himself for a run at Governor!! Wisconsin comes to Idaho?
For Democratic Party Chairman Larry Grant, Labrador’s intent is clear: To prepare for a 2014 gubernatorial bid.
Wow! Democrats can see a lot of things everyone else aren’t even aware of? It doesn’t point anything out, it says the democrats know what a republican is doing even before he does it? Can we wait 5 minutes? Subject is “closed primaries” and how that translated to the comment is muddy, foggy and totally unclear at present. The link to Wisconsin is even less clear. Cheese head.
In the last 100 years, life in the First World has gotten a whole lot easier. We’ve built an impressive infrastructure to mass produce and distribute food, water, electricity and anything else we can dream up.
In the process, we have become extraordinarily dependent on “the grid.” Every aspect of modern life hinges on the smooth-flowing, uninterrupted operation of a number of intricate and interrelated systems.
This labyrinthine complexity makes our high-tech civilization extremely vulnerable to disruption.
What would you eat if the grocery stores and restaurants were empty? Today, less than 2 percent of the First World population is feeding the other 98 percent. Most of us get our food from hundreds or thousands of miles away, and have about a week’s worth of groceries in the pantry.
What would you do if your town lost power? In most places, drinking water would soon dry up; plumbing would stop. Sanitation would quickly deteriorate, particularly within cities. Communications would fail; phone systems would shut down within a week.
Considering the number and variety of possible events that could create such conditions, it would be irrational to ignore their likelihood. And the probability of several of them happening is high and growing. A disease pandemic. An energy embargo. Terrorist strikes or an attack by another country. The unleashing of nuclear, biological or chemical weapons. Weather disasters, earthquakes or other natural phenomena destroying infrastructure or wiping out food production. Deepening economic depression. A collapse in the value of money, through deflation, hyperinflation, or monetary manipulation
READ MORE: http://www.thetrumpet.com/6767.8239.120.0/world/are-you-ready-for-the-end-of-the-world
Disgusted Reader.
You are full of it. This Democrat knows exactly what Republicans are up to and doing, have for over 20 plus years. Destroy wages, benefits and rights of union workers of America.
Over 20 years ago a part failed on a piece of equipment I was operating , crushing my leg and foot. Because of the Republican Right to Work Law I had NO labor rights in the State of Idaho.
I was told to be back on the job site as soon as I was released from emergency , because any cost of a lost time accident would be taken out of Managements salary bonuses. OUT OF MANAGEMENTS BONUSES Disgusted Reader. I had to work on crutches for over 2 months then on a walking cast.
Under the Idaho Right to Work Law injured employees have no rights, a right to sue for work related injuries or have their medical paid by the employer, only if the employer is willing to pay . If a employee sues the employer he can be fired on the spot under the Idaho Republican Right to Work Law.
Yes Disgusted Reader , I know for a fact just exactly what Republican are up to and doing . If the American People are so stupid to ever elect your Mormon Mitt Romney it will get even worse, how many thousands of lives did he destroy to make profits for management and CEO’s , he had Zero compassion for workers that had served the companies for their entire lives , he just flat out fired all of them.
No Disgusted Reader we all know just what ( YOU ) are up to and doing , we have for years.
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Hear what the President has to say about what’s at stake for the LGBT community this November—then sign up to be part of Obama Pride.
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Cambel,
So your employer didn’t have the insurance you needed when you injured yourself and you yourself hadn’t taken out any insurance on yourself and the republicans are to blame?
Let me guess, a liberal and I’m supposed to pay for your bad decisions? I pay for my own, thank you.
A “right-to-work” law is a statute that prohibits union security agreements, or agreements between labor unions and employers that govern the extent to which an established union can require employees’ membership, payment of union dues, or fees as a condition of employment, either before or after hiring. Right-to-work laws exist in twenty-three U.S. states, mostly in the southern and western United States. Such laws are allowed under the 1947 federal Taft–Hartley Act.
So your choice and you choose the “cheap” route and ended up paying dearly. You could have done lots of other things, but didn’t and now you want to blame others for your bad decisions? Doesn’t work that way, dude. I worked in a Right to Work state several times and have workers comp and insurance and such. I paid for them out of my pocket. Pay for your own and stop complaining.
You don’t know squat.
Disgusting Leader,
Cambel offered to all his own personal experience of what happened to him during and after an injury, and that is your response?
Do you think before you start typing?
Lets hear all about your actual injury in a right to work state…..
There are so many ways to go with this. Perhaps you should not respond to everything. So what if you worked in a RTW state, you worked you got paid? Thats your experience? Wow! Well you bring a lot to the conversation.
Not everyone can afford personal insurance at every turn of life, at every moment. Have you priced out this statement? Of course the employer most likely had workmans comp. and that was only part of what he said. The rest was more like…get back to work, no legal recourse, but whats the point of retelling his account…because “some men you just can’t reach”
RTW goes a lot further than “union busting” its workers in general with little to no rights. Your right is get back to work or your fired!!
And like I said before, I would extend this statement to everyone with or without a union.
You, in some way or another benefit from unions.
D.R. Do not type, just walk away. It’s not that what you say isn’t important, it’s just what you have to say isn’t important.
Brainwashing the willing is what they are up to.
Alan.
The fact that Disgusted does not have a clue what a days work is, him thinking fist would be to no avail. He talks of workmans comp, he would not last 5 minutes doing real work that real men do.
The fool said he paid his own workmans comp. ? ? Really.
When right to work passed in the state of Idaho , employers fired every person on the payroll then gave them their jobs back at just over minimum wage, no medical insurance coverages, no paid vacations, and no workmans comp coverages butt said we could have all the over time we wanted but not with time and a half pay. Oh did I mention Davis Bacon pay was also suspended and given to the employer if the employer pulled you off the Federal job even 15 minutes before you had 40 hours in on the Federal job.
This fool Disgusted Reader is full of shit and has no clue what real work is or what real a real man is. He is nothing more that some piss in his diapers that has nothing more to do than show the world just how much a fool he is.
Alan,
If you get injured on the job and have no back up, that’s your fault. I may feel for him, but he could have set things up and he didn’t. Not my fault. He’s arguing he’s stuck in a “minimum wage” job and that’s my fault too? Nope.
But blame it on “right to work” laws which basically says unions have no right to demand dues as a condition of employment. Worst union job I ever worked on was as a teamster. Don’t ask.
Trucker,
Use English logic to go after me, I could care less about your lousy English slang and insults. Get out of kindergarten.
Worked 24/7 for approximately 32 years. I know very well what hard work is. Made a half decent living, not without a few glitches that I saw coming and made adjustments for.
Must be hard working at the Red Steer for a livelihood. dude. Try educating yourself and get a better job for a start.
If you don’t have workman comp which comes with most jobs, you can buy job insurance. http://www.insuranceagents.com/job-protection.html for a start. If your job doesn’t provide it, that should raise a large red flag for a minimum. If your job doesn’t pay enough to cover you, that isn’t a Right to Work Problem, that’s a lack of education for one problem.
Who the hell is this idiot Disgusted Reader ?
How long has it been that a Red Steer has been in Idaho, damn talk about someone talking out their ass, shit.
He says he worked 24/7 for 32 years, another bullshit claim. 24/7 ? Bullshit. At what being a total dumb ass at a computer desk.
I dare anyone to try and purchase any kind of insurance on Idaho wages, most minimum wages, anyone. This idiot has never worked a day of his life in the real world, he has just proved that, he is nothing more than some old hate possessed idiot that got his ass kicked one hell of a lot as a younger man or kid and know has a inner need to show just what kind of total idiot he really is.
Trucker, Kingman,
You nailed it.
And let me tell you this Disgusting;
My son just graduated high school, now its off to college. Because of a great idea he can stay on my insurance till he’s 26.
Or would you rather he buy some of that for gobs of profit crap while he starts life, goes to college and works at one of those high paying student jobs.
My dad taught me to never look down on a man/or woman who has the ability to work and does. You should be ashamed, you need to watch who you bash for working and what they do to keep a roof over their families head, food in the belly, and their head above water, its your party (Republican/I know your independent…whatever)who are the business folk, often the same ones who outsource, move across borders, China etc…
No matter the age though, everyone is doing what they can.
Now you are somewhat correct at what the basic 6 word definition of RTW is, but pal your Republican buddies took at waaaay further than that.
I told you the other day maybe you should walk away from some conversations, you don’t need to reply every time you finished reading, this would have been one of those times. Your proving to be a little person…at best.
WOW DR!! I think from what I just read, you have been exalted to the same ‘class’ as Mitt Romney. The troll/clones are showing their jealousy that you were able to make a good living, and they (the poor things) are still struggling to get by!
As for hard work, just from some of the posts they put on here, they probably haven’t done a decent days work in their [lifetime], such as it is. So naturally, they just do what they do best, i.e.: Call people names, make up lies about them, and spew their racial hatred. Doesn’t pay much, but maybe it makes them feel better.
And NO – I’m still not a Mormon.