I was a union paramedic for 16 years, didn't have a choice if I wanted to work in my city. Eventually because I was always griping about how worthless the Union was I became a shop steward. Managed to fix a few things with our Union, got the Union and management on the same page, fixed relations between the two. By the time I left, you couldn't get into management without being a union shop steward first.
But even after fixing some things that were really broken, fundamentally I couldn't do anything about the union itself, which represented the union bosses first, their bottom line second, and I doubt union members even made the top 10. Local 250 was, and still is absolutely WORTHLESS!!! For 16 years I paid into their coffers and I have nothing to show for it.
I don't disagree with the assessment that corps and private businesses pour funds into the Rs, and again I'm far from an R apologists or supporter. I don't see them touting their "liberal" hallmarks like supposed conservative unionistas do (gun owner, 2A supporter, pro-life, etc) while funding a party that is diametrically opposed to those core values....
Better take a closer look then. Lots of corporations (mine, for example) that claim to be all for worker safety, environment protection, equal rights, etc - but contributing heavily to individuals and groups that would work against those causes. Many businesses also contribute to both sides, hoping to have influence no matter which side is in office. Self-serving hypocrites - no?
And those of us who work for these employers are helping indirectly to fund whatever they favor. Not saying it's necessarily wrong - just that it exists and isn't necessarily to our benefit. Stating that only one side is plagued with hypocrisy is just ignorant.
I don't disagree with the assessment that corps and private businesses pour funds into the Rs, and again I'm far from an R apologists or supporter. I don't see them touting their "liberal" hallmarks like supposed conservative unionistas do (gun owner, 2A supporter, pro-life, etc) while funding a party that is diametrically opposed to those core values....
Better take a closer look then. Lots of corporations (mine, for example) that claim to be all for worker safety, environment protection, equal rights, etc - but contributing heavily to individuals and groups that would work against those causes. Many businesses also contribute to both sides, hoping to have influence no matter which side is in office. Self-serving hypocrites - no?
And those of us who work for these employers are helping indirectly to fund whatever they favor. Not saying it's necessarily wrong - just that it exists and isn't necessarily to our benefit. Stating that only one side is plagued with hypocrisy is just ignorant.
Fair point, and conceded.
Originally Posted by Mannlicher
America needs to understand that our troops are not 'disposable'. Each represents a family; Fathers, Mothers, Sons, Daughters, Cousins, Uncles, Aunts... Our Citizens are our most valuable treasure; we waste far too many.
I don't disagree with the assessment that corps and private businesses pour funds into the Rs, and again I'm far from an R apologists or supporter. I don't see them touting their "liberal" hallmarks like supposed conservative unionistas do (gun owner, 2A supporter, pro-life, etc) while funding a party that is diametrically opposed to those core values....
Better take a closer look then. Lots of corporations (mine, for example) that claim to be all for worker safety, environment protection, equal rights, etc - but contributing heavily to individuals and groups that would work against those causes. Many businesses also contribute to both sides, hoping to have influence no matter which side is in office. Self-serving hypocrites - no?
And those of us who work for these employers are helping indirectly to fund whatever they favor. Not saying it's necessarily wrong - just that it exists and isn't necessarily to our benefit. Stating that only one side is plagued with hypocrisy is just ignorant.
Who might those be?
The degree of my privacy is no business of yours.
What we've learned from history is that we haven't learned from it.
Having walked more than a mile or two in both union and non-union shops, I have seen azzhole managers either tromp on the neck of employees (always in a non-union environment) or collaborate in good faith (union shops). After hearing what I heard while working in management short term, I know it is popular to generally detest the employees, withhold information, abuse power, and cover up any undesirable fallout. Given those facts, what would you choose? The job where your arrogant manager thinks college kids are akin to slave laborers (pay them $7/hr+ no leave) and middle managers need to "earn" any salary increase by being stuck at the same measly ($45K) rate for 5 years? I prefer to work for a boss who knows there are boundaries and he/ she will be held accountable for their actions.
Last edited by 3584ELK; 03/05/15. Reason: added emphasis
"I didn't realize we had so many snipers in this country." by J23
For what ever reason, even with the growing popularity of many non-union foreign owned/US manufactured brand vehicles, the vast majority on US highways are still union made Ford, GM and MoPar.
With the widespread anti-union sentiment of the past several decades you'd think that there would've been a major nationwide campaign to boycott all labor union made/represented products and services.
One would think, too, that all strong anti-union believers would make it a point to refuse to buy/own stock in any unionized company regardless how well it is performing.
One would think, too, that all strong anti-union believers would make it a point to refuse to buy/own stock in any unionized company regardless how well it is performing.
Son of a liberal: " What did you do in the War On Terror, Daddy?"
Liberal father: " I fought the Americans, along with all the other liberals."
For what ever reason, even with the growing popularity of many non-union foreign owned/US manufactured brand vehicles, the vast majority on US highways are still union made Ford, GM and MoPar.
With the widespread anti-union sentiment of the past several decades you'd think that there would've been a major nationwide campaign to boycott all labor union made/represented products and services.
One would think, too, that all strong anti-union believers would make it a point to refuse to buy/own stock in any unionized company regardless how well it is performing.
You forgot the part about "supported by our tax dollars". jus sayin.
The degree of my privacy is no business of yours.
What we've learned from history is that we haven't learned from it.
Get a job at Wal-Mart with the rest of the rednecks.
Whining about your own lack of skill just makes you look stupid.
I work with computers, get paid well, set my own hours and don't have to put up with union goldbricks.
+1
I got my first job in '59 and recently retired in 2013, with a full pension, company-paid retiree medical, self-funded Roth IRA, 401K (with a company contribution), money in the bank, and NO debt.
Never in my life did I join a union or pay a nickel in dues.
I don't disagree with the assessment that corps and private businesses pour funds into the Rs, and again I'm far from an R apologists or supporter. I don't see them touting their "liberal" hallmarks like supposed conservative unionistas do (gun owner, 2A supporter, pro-life, etc) while funding a party that is diametrically opposed to those core values....
Better take a closer look then. Lots of corporations (mine, for example) that claim to be all for worker safety, environment protection, equal rights, etc - but contributing heavily to individuals and groups that would work against those causes. Many businesses also contribute to both sides, hoping to have influence no matter which side is in office. Self-serving hypocrites - no?
And those of us who work for these employers are helping indirectly to fund whatever they favor. Not saying it's necessarily wrong - just that it exists and isn't necessarily to our benefit. Stating that only one side is plagued with hypocrisy is just ignorant.
Fair point, and conceded.
I appreciate that. I think debating the merits or evils of unions is fine. But calling someone a leftist (or a right-wing nut) because of his choice of employment does not make a good argument.
I don't disagree with the assessment that corps and private businesses pour funds into the Rs, and again I'm far from an R apologists or supporter. I don't see them touting their "liberal" hallmarks like supposed conservative unionistas do (gun owner, 2A supporter, pro-life, etc) while funding a party that is diametrically opposed to those core values....
Better take a closer look then. Lots of corporations (mine, for example) that claim to be all for worker safety, environment protection, equal rights, etc - but contributing heavily to individuals and groups that would work against those causes. Many businesses also contribute to both sides, hoping to have influence no matter which side is in office. Self-serving hypocrites - no?
And those of us who work for these employers are helping indirectly to fund whatever they favor. Not saying it's necessarily wrong - just that it exists and isn't necessarily to our benefit. Stating that only one side is plagued with hypocrisy is just ignorant.
Who might those be?
Without getting specific and without taking the time to build a list - I'll just start with railroads.
Get a job at Wal-Mart with the rest of the rednecks.
Whining about your own lack of skill just makes you look stupid.
I work with computers, get paid well, set my own hours and don't have to put up with union goldbricks.
+1
I got my first job in '59 and recently retired in 2013, with a full pension, company-paid retiree medical, self-funded Roth IRA, 401K (with a company contribution), money in the bank, and NO debt.
Never in my life did I join a union or pay a nickel in dues.
It can be done.
the question is though - would you have those things if the Unions didn't fight for them in other places.
I bet a pretty solid argument could be made that some companies (not all) provided good benefits just to make sure unions didn't get a foothold in the company.
Last edited by KFWA; 03/05/15.
have you paid your dues, can you moan the blues, can you bend them guitar strings
