The American Spectator : Sorry, Norma Rae

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Sorry, Norma Rae

By Lisa Fabrizio on 2.24.11 @ 6:08AM

Pubic employee unions just aren't in your league.

Back in the good old days, if you weren't a union supporter, you were un-American. Those of a certain age remember movies like Norma Rae, where poor, impoverished Southern women were crushed under the heels of evil, white slave-drivers before being rescued by altruistic union organizers. Or the made-for-TV weeper, The Triangle Factory Fire Scandal, where poor, impoverished Northern women leapt to their deaths because of evil, white slave-drivers who were later punished by altruistic union organizers.

Thanks to tremendous amounts of propaganda over the years, an inordinate affection for unions has, over time, wormed itself into our national psyche. Name one Hollywood movie made in the past 30 years that fails to portray them in a good light. The last was probably Elia Kazan's On the Waterfront, which actually only bashed the crooked leaders, while continuing to sanctify the rank and file; a practice which has continued unabated in the media up to this very day.

But it had to happen sooner or late in this age of 24/7 media coverage: the lid has finally been lifted from the boiling cauldron of government union corruption; friendly fire from class warfare has finally caught up with the liberal machine. In Wisconsin and across the nation, the ugly stew of union thuggery and liberal skullduggery has come to the national forefront and is widely available for sniffing. And, try as they might to euphemize away the struggle -- calling groups of hyper-organized, bused-in union members, "citizen uprisings" -- the American people are finally seeing through the rhetoric and getting a glimpse of a truth once obvious only to us right-wing extremists.

Gone are the days when Hollywood screenwriters and their fellow storytellers in the media can sing sad songs and paint pathetic pictures of downtrodden, peons laboring under the brutal yoke of big business. Some of the largest salaries and benefit packages in the nation now belong to those sucking the lifeblood out of U.S. taxpayers. Although the dirty dealings between public section unions and the Democratic Party have been well-chronicled in certain circles, the public has been mostly unaware of the self-perpetuating aspects of this unholy marriage; until now, that is.

Inevitably, after private sector unions have almost vanished in this country by bankrupting nearly every industry associated with them, they have now demonstrated their smothering effect on our city, state and federal governments. But how did this happen?

Decades ago, people became civil servants because they either truly wanted to serve the community or just couldn't get jobs elsewhere. The pay was not too hot but the benefits were usually good. Then came the big labor organizers and with them, the attendant brain-washing. Just try and talk to a civil servant; or worse, an uncivil postal employee on the subject. Otherwise clear-thinking men and women turn into raging monsters at a hint of questioning the justice of collective bargaining or the mere mention of Ronald Reagan's name. Their union membership all but made them the worst caricature of one-issue voters as well as a breeding ground for generations of dependable Democrats.

But you know the tide is turning when even New York's Governor Cuomo, son of liberal demigod Mario, has seen the light and taken the pledge. It's getting so bad that even my ultra-liberal hometown paper had a front-page piece exposing the outrageous pay and practices of our police department, where one officer made a total of $274,988 on the city payroll and another made $95,962 in overtime alone. No, it's getting harder and harder for liberals to claim that the salaries of corporate America are obscene, when the true obscenity is as close as your local police station or the schoolhouse door.

We were lectured ad nauseam by our president for two years -- until the 2010 midterms -- that "elections have consequences," and so they do. More and more Americans are finally getting the connection between more taxes and less freedom; between socialism and labor unions and most importantly, between government employees and the heretofore unwitting dupes who pay them.

They are looking around at their fellow citizens who are members of government unions and seeing, not dozens of poor, noble Norma Raes who desire only enough to feed their struggling families, but six-figure earners who will retire at 55 with lifelong pensions and benefits; all on their dime.

About the Author

Lisa Fabrizio is a columnist who hails from Connecticut (mailbox@lisafab.com).

Letter to the Editor View all comments (68) | Leave a comment

Clint| 2.24.11 @ 6:27AM

Big Government Union Parasite Leeches are sucking up confiscated American Taxpayers' Money .
Rise Up In Rebellion.

The Tea Party Rebellion Escalates.

vtwin| 2.24.11 @ 2:30PM

"I'm not taking a side on this, I'm just telling you what's going on...to pretend this is about a fiscal crisis in the state of Wisconsin is malarkey" --Shepard Smith of FOX "NEWS"

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/.....27547.html

Damn, you go girl!

Clint| 2.24.11 @ 3:10PM

The Teachers Union is doing for American Education what The Autoworkers Union did for The American Auto Industry & The Steelworkers Union did for The American Steel Industry.

The Tea Party Rebellion Escalates.

Rise Up.

Redstateboy| 2.24.11 @ 4:35PM

BooYaa!! Brilliant Piece!! It dawned on me that Lisa Fabrizio is absolutely correct in that Hooeywood has been giving us 60+ years of Unions Good - Business Eeeville BS. I'm a witness to what Unions did to Buffalo, NY. in just 50 years turning that City from an Industrial Giant to a Welfarite/Slave Party enclave of Poverty, Crime, Corruption and ignorance.

Redstateboy| 2.24.11 @ 4:39PM

those 15 year twits protesting with their (cough, cough) "Teachers" and parents in Madison, 15 years from now, when they're bust'n it to put gas in their Cars, food on their tables and pay their bills AND having 50 cents on every dollar they earn confiscated by the Government can recall back when their own Teachers and Parents used them as Pawns.

Alan Brooks| 2.25.11 @ 12:22AM

You want to set a right-wing welfare state, no one is fooled anymore.
But do what you have to do, this is your country.

CRM| 2.24.11 @ 9:59PM

Shep Smith is an expert on the state of economics in Wisconsin apparently. I have lived in WI all my life and we are broke. Broke. No money. The average teacher salary + benefits at Milwaukee Public Schools just went over $100,000. Its about the money.

Turnditch| 2.24.11 @ 6:40AM

The Hollywood comparison angle is one I hadn't thought of Ms. Fabrazio.

I have to admit that every time I've seen a pro-government-employee-union person being interviewed by the media in Madison, poor ole downtrodden Norma Rae never enters my mind.

Great read ma'am...

Ryatto| 2.24.11 @ 6:52AM

Miss Lisa, Yankee fan, hit this one so far it would have cleared the facade in the old Stadium. Love her on sports, religion, but her political columns are primo. If she wasn't such a baseball fan I'd try to talk her into moving down to Tennessee.

MikeD| 2.24.11 @ 7:40AM

Apparently elections only have consequences when Republicans lose them. Even though I get more furious by the day as the travesty of thuggery and democratic arrogance escalates in Wisconsis, Indiana and Ohio, with every passing day the possiblity that the criminal tactics will actually work gets more likely.

Every day that passes gives the media wing of the socialist party more time to spin and lie; until it could finally become so untenable for the party that actually won the election that they will give up. Frankly, signs of weakened resolve are appearing every day; as symbolized by Mitch Daniels surrender.

It has also proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that the democratic party and their two allies, the media and the crooked unions, is no more than an arm of organized crime. The time is past for the Republicans to start waging real political war. They should use every weapon in their arsenal. Paychecks for fleeing representatives should be witheld; and the remaining representatives should pass every legally possible law to crush the democrats by party and the fugitives individually. If it hasn't dawned on the GOP, the democrats have declared total war on the Republicans and the American people; and are brazenly attempting to negate the results of the most important election since Reconstruction. We'd better fight back with the same tactics or it's all over.

Thunderbottom| 2.24.11 @ 9:36AM

For one sector of government workers, namely, the military, penalties are imposed if members go AWOL (or UA - "Unexcused absence" - for sailors and Marines). I remember hearing squeals of outrage from feckless sailors who, upon receiving their paychecks after being UA for a few days, discovered that their pay had been docked for the time they had been absent from their duty stations. This was in addition to any punitive penalties imposed by their commanding officers at "Captain's Mast" - non-judicial punishment (they could forfeit up to a half-month's pay for two months). If such measures are good enough for our servicepeople, then they should be good enough for our civil service workers and legislators.

MikeD| 2.24.11 @ 10:25AM

Excellent Comment. Besides, our men and women in uniform are so far above the crybabies and thugs that compose our public employee unios they're not even in the same universe.

Bob Knutson| 2.25.11 @ 5:48AM

Amen, Brother. My pay was always held down because of the future benefits I would recieve.
Now, in retirement, if I didn't have another source of income, I would literally starve, or be on welfare.

tatosian| 2.24.11 @ 7:43PM

You're right.

The Democrats and the unions have gone all in in Wisconsin and we're seeing, once again, the Republicans (excepting Gov. Scott Walker) getting ready to fold.

It seems that everyone, including the citizens of Wisconsin, are just waiting around for an outcome.

Isn't there something the citizens of Wisconsin can do to show their support for either Walker or the unions and so end this sideshow?

I mean, their legislature has been shut down by union demonstrators, their schools have been shut down and some of their legislators have skipped town. This is serious stuff.

Where are the citizens?

Handy| 2.24.11 @ 8:04AM

Lisa, you have encapsulated the essence of Unionism. It was bad enough when it was limited to the private sector, but when it metasticized and invaded the public sector, it became well-nigh incurable.

It is good to remember that most violence against the owners of mines, wells, factories and transporation companies was initiated by unionists of the past. That's what happens when ignorance is set ablaze by demogoguery. Expect to see violence against public facilities in the near future as the goons of the public sector rise up. For the children, of course.

This brings up another point. Unionists are cowards. We abhor it when terrorists and other "nogoodniks" use human shields, but unionists get a free pass when they play the sympathy/victim card. They make a big deal out of "Solidarity," but they are really just hiding behind their skirts and those of others. On a personal level, they are just plain afraid of hard work. Cowards.

I sincerely hope that recent events are the beginning of the end of public sector unionism. Specifically, I hope that they are the death knell of all public education, which has failed so miserably everywhere it has been tried. Socialism, anyone?

The cancer that is uni0nism has had 80-90 years to sweep our nation. It has left a lot of private corpses in its wake. We can only wish that it will kill off public education and bloated bureaucracies as effectively as it did big steel and automobiles.

Without radical surgery, the body politic is doomed to a tragically painful death. Thanks unions.

Louis Jenkins| 2.24.11 @ 8:46AM

There is a big difference now adays between what was unions and now what is unions. I can still remember the old folks talking about union movements being busted by gun fire. Now the shoe appears to be on the other foot. Only this time it is the taxpayers who are footing the bill. Maybe the taxpayers should note the old fashion way of dealing with the unions.

MikeD| 2.24.11 @ 9:10AM

Louis,
Your point is well taken. There was a time that the unions were a necessity, and not just because of the terrible tactics of the owners and managers, but for economic reasons too.

One of the reasons the Great Depression (Although I can never understand how a depression or a war could EVER be called "Great") happened was because the laborers were so poorly paid that they couldn't even buy the products they were making in the factories where they worked. Along with the plethora of protective tariffs that arose to protect each country's markets, the lack of hard currency circulating advanced the conditions that caused the collapse of the economy. Of course, these are just a few of the many things that caused the depression, but they were certainly factors.

The situation is almost the exact reverse today. The out of control public employee unions, and the cycle of using union dues to fund democratic party causes is the most dangerous development in our times because it effectively perpetuates the conrol of the democrats who have clearly demonstrated their basic philosophy of doing ANYTHING to gain, and hold, power. The cycle has to be broken or our Country is dead. It is quite clear that obama and his fellow thugs don't give one damn about the damage or the impression they are making in the minds of voters. They can do this because they know that, if they get their way on this, ELECTIONS WILL NOT MATTER. As our 'Thug in Chief, barry the muslim famously, and arrogantly sneered, "ELECTIONS HAVE CONSEQUENCES. Unless, of course, you happen to be a Republican. Then, it's screw you! We'll do what we damn well please because we know you don't have the stones to stop us. Oh, also, because, the longer we hold out, the more time our media wing will have to mold public opinion". At least now all America can clearly see the distain the democrats have for the electoral process.

The Bishop| 2.24.11 @ 8:51AM

I am a recently retired federal employee. I was part of the management structure for about 15 years of my career and a member of a public sector union for a good part of my non-management career (National Treasury Employees Union - NTEU).

I left the union in the latter stages of my career because I witnessed first-hand the corrupting power given to it by agency management and the way in which the union used it. When I was a manager and attempted to deal with unproductive and incompetent employees, the union was there every step of the way working to keep the unproductiveness and incompetence in its place. And every political season, it was no secret which national party was favored by the union and which it supported. And one fact that I've seen no where is that some federal union employees in each state are allowed to devote 100% of their workday to union activities but paid their regular federal salaries. So the taxpayer is unwittingly funding the functionaries of these unions.

Public employee unions are corrupt, bloated, and (dare I say?) evil. I hope that Wisconsin, Indiana, Ohio and the other state leaders serve their constituency and their budgets by eliminating the corrupting influence of collective bargaining. Great article, Lisa.

Brian Mc| 2.24.11 @ 8:55AM

"Hoffa" was a pretty scary look into the corruption and greed associated with the mindset unionists hold when they feel their fight is right and it's those 'others' who are evil.

The bitterness, spite, malice, vindictiveness and outrage that the left feels is justified as they fight the 'good' fight [because if they see fit to fight 'it' it must be good] is at times, fun to watch, scary and yet quite sad as it proves the narrow-mindedness inherent to their causes. They're always willing to get along, just so long as it's their boot on the throats of conservatives. Once the order is reversed, the screeching and howling is comical and we can only hope that swing voters are paying attention at this detestable show of self-centeredness. "Screw the country, just so long as I get mine" attitudes will hopefully wake up those who have yet to see the light of what is really occurring-what is truly at stake up in Madison...and they will finally, and willfully and permanently start voting for the revival of this Republic.

Seek| 2.24.11 @ 11:17AM

About the movie, "Hoffa" (1992): Danny DeVito directed; David Mamet wrote the script. The movie depicted the Teamsters titan in a sympathetic, but not sugarcoated light. Jack Nicholson/Jimmy Hoffa was a crook and a nasty guy, but he did stand up for his people.

There aren't all that many movies about labor unions, but Ms. Fabrizio, given her ignorant and taunting style, could have been expected to overlook "Hoffa." Naturally, in her denunciation of the film about the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire, she conveniently overlooks the fact that this wasn't just about women "leaping" to their deaths. This was a terrible fire that killed more than 100 persons, an event by the way which happened exactly one century ago, in 1911. Lisa Fabrizio is a disgrace to TAS.

CalMark| 2.24.11 @ 4:20PM

Seek: only an unreconstructed, brainwashed Leftist could call Lisa Fabrizio's writing "ignorant and taunting." It's pretty mild, compared to the rants and nastiness of liberals like--say, for instance--you.

Anyone who even remotely understands literary devices (you obviously don't, probably a result of being taught by public school Union teachers) sees the passages you condemn as exagerration in the service of a larger point.

And anyway, Seek, it takes a lot of nerve to say what you do. The Left mantras "let's not pass judgment" and "let's get both sides of the story" are notably absent from your intolerant, strident post.

Seek| 2.24.11 @ 4:47PM

In the minds of people like you, an insult or a threat is usually what passes for an idea. Has it occurred to you that a conservative who takes issue with another conservative isn't necessarily a "Leftist?" There is nothing intolerant about pointing out that Ms. Fabrizio's post was long on aggression and short on facts.

So I've got "nerve?" Good. I'm hoping I can preserve as much it as I can.

Le Cracquere| 2.24.11 @ 11:54PM

Ms. Fabrizio overlooked nothing relevant about the Triangle fire. She simply pointed out the truth: the Left battened onto a terrible disaster in which many innocent lives were lost. The sequel was mass unionization. One of history's ironies: the undeserved deaths of honest workers resulted in a tsunami of dishonest quasi-workers, newly protected against disasters now abundantly deserved.

Stomry| 2.24.11 @ 9:09AM

Jack Nicholson's movie "Hoffa" did not exactly show the unions in a good light. Interestingly, it also showed Robert Kennedy as a bit of a showboating jerk.

Anthony| 2.24.11 @ 4:25PM

Hoffa knew lowlifes when he saw them. To his credit, he was right about the Kennedys, they were bigger dirtballs than he was.
Since Hoffa was a bluecollar stiff, and not a lace-curtain shanty Irish with a Harvard degree, I'll put Hoffa above the Kennedys anyday.

xRedcoat| 2.24.11 @ 9:34AM

While most of the media are reflecting on Pres. Ronald Reagan's stand against the air traffic controllers, they should also acknowledge his accomplishments as president of Hollywood's Screen Actors Guild. He headed the initial negotiations that ultimately resulted in the first pension and health plan for SAG members.

That demonstrates both benefits and risks associated with union representation. When it comes to public sector unions, it’s a two-edged sleep-fest - - less about benefits and more about greed and power.

As documented on ballotpedia.org, the NEA, SEIU, AFSCME, AFL-CIO and numerous subsidiaries, promote candidates, legislation and regulations that are detrimental to a robust economy and good education.

When they have a community organizer in the White House that they visit two and three days a week, its down right dangerous.

These are lessons learned when the Trade Union Complex is allowed to proliferate and dictate not only who gets to work where and for how much, but also who represents them at the bargaining table and ballot box.

Let’s applaud British PM Margaret Thatcher's resolve to stand up against the Trade Unions when they unleashed a full economic assault on the British economy and brought the country to its knees. The people rallied behind Thatcher and the unions had to back down.

Scott Walker has taken a page from her book. We finally have a political executive with the backbone to stand fast for the Wisconsin populous, it couldn’t have started in a better place.

This economic cancer caused by the Trade Union Complex has to be surgically removed and their ability to spend hard earned member dollars on political ambition curtailed once and for all.

It starts in Wisconsin. Hopefully it will end with Democratic stronghold California.

RacerJim| 2.24.11 @ 11:47AM

"Elections have consequences."
"We won."
"They can come along for the ride but they'll have to sit in the back (of the bus)."

Amazing the Democrat's hypocrisy.

David T| 2.24.11 @ 9:42AM

Excellent piece, Ms. Fabrizio. Public sector unions should be outlawed.

Thunderbottom| 2.24.11 @ 9:49AM

"Although the dirty dealings between pubic section unions..." I also noticed the same typo in the title on the home page. While unintentional, it's apropos: the "pubic sector" unions are like a bad case of blood-sucking crab lice, causing extreme discomfort in both the local and national economies.

Kris Lepine| 2.24.11 @ 9:57AM

I married into a union family. My father in law lost his hearing due to unsafe working conditions in Canada in the 1930's. He found work, opportunity and safety when he can to the USA in the 1940's and joined a union. That has been totally corrupted in the last 60 years in all unions. The Detroit Carpenters District Council union rep is in federal prison for stealing millions of hard working men and womens dues money for his own gain. I listened to speech after speech in the years my husband was involved as a union rep and they never deviated from the topic (and probably still say).......vote Democrat because the Republicans will break the unions. America, the unions have "broken" themselves. Thank God my husband got out in the mid 1990's as the corruption is rampant everywhere you look.

Here's what's pitiful about the liberals. They can show and preach hatred of their fellow countrymen and by force, if necessary, demand "their rights", while at the same time they "coddle" militant jihidists who are out to kill us. We are told to be tolerent, understanding, turn the other cheek and they will love us. Hmmmmm, doesn't seem to be working.

The only way to limit the unions powerful strangle hold over this country is to vote Republican.

David| 2.24.11 @ 10:08AM

Im pretty sure there a couple of biopics of Hoffa that pretty well slam the Teamsters for being fairly corrupt.

WillyP| 2.24.11 @ 10:34AM

Where is the union for the taxpayer, and why wasn't he at the table when the contract was negotiated? Oh, that's right, our union is called Government, and the Dems were in charge at the time.

Al Adab| 2.24.11 @ 10:57AM

Hence the TEA Party. Somehow voters much defend their own dollars. Perhaps we could call the TEA Party our union, set it up that way, pay dues and see how The Left reacts. Interesting idea.

jon| 2.24.11 @ 10:50AM

People want Walker to come clean, and well he should. Walker is union-busting, and it's for the long-term good of his budget. I wish he'd just say it.

Meanwhile, the union organizers could admit something of their own - without unions, Democrats will no longer be elected in most of the country. And that's what this is really all about.

Jon
www.gutfeelingbook.com

Sheila| 2.24.11 @ 10:53AM

Part of the reason for the "unions are all-American" meme is that it is part of the Jewish-American fable. The victims of the Triangle fire were predominantly Jewish; many of the early, radical union leaders were Jewish as well. Norma Rae? Her union rep "savior" happened to be a northeast Jew as well. Of course, all those pro-union movies have been made by Jewish-run Hollywood. This is intricately intertwined with this country's leftist recasting of history. Many may think of Jimmy Hoffa when they think of unions, but a great deal of the money and muscle behind today's unions (SEIU/Andy Stern, anyone?) is Jewish. Spare me the usual "you hateful anti-Semite" garbage, folks; these are facts, and FWIW, while I am a Christian, I am of Jewish heritage. However, I am a conservative, not a right-liberal movement Republican, and I deal with facts and reason, not emotion and PC restrictions.

Franco| 2.24.11 @ 12:58PM

I am a card-carrying member of the International Jewish Conspiracy (Pornographers/Bankers/Lawyers/Moneylenders Local 666).
You are plainly onto us.
We will break you.
Actually, the connection between unionism and Jewishness is plain. The 19th-centry influx of Eastern European Jews was of a people highly persecuted, economically and politically, in their former countries. Thus impoverished, sticking together in numbers was second nature. Other than that, I can't even imagine what your point is.

Sam Levi| 2.24.11 @ 1:37PM

Why is it that whenever a Jew is successful, so called "Christians" and the Muslims start pointing fingers at us and blaming us for everything? Remember, your Christ was a Jew.

Sheila| 2.24.11 @ 2:27PM

Find those boulders on your shoulders heavy, much, Sam? Read a bit more carefully, and you might note that I did not "blame" anything specifically on Jews, but rather noted that their heavy involvement with unions and Hollywood is behind the romanticizing of unions in America, which is what Fabrizio's column is about. I'm well aware "my" Christ and Saviour was of Jewish heritage; as I note in my comment, I am as well. You might consider trying to live outside of a psychological ghetto and without a persecution complex; it would do wonders for your worldview, not to mention the logic and reasoning (or lack thereof) in your comments.

VBMax| 2.24.11 @ 8:17PM

Some wise man a while back, don't recall who it was, had it right: "There are only 2 types of people, the decent and the indecent".
All other distinctions are unnecessary and frankly just a distraction from the task at hand. We're all in this together.

Brian Mc| 2.24.11 @ 2:38PM

Not a single individual speaks for everyone on this site, Sam. With that said, your point is well taken, but for the last one. He's your "Christ" too, whether you care to believe it, or not. I'm a Christian and disdain the thought of anyone being impuned for being successful. "Thou shalt not covet thy neigbor's goods" comes to mind each and every time.

gearjammer| 2.24.11 @ 5:10PM

These Christians are the only hope Israel has against the Muslims.
wake up fella!

Al Adab| 2.24.11 @ 10:55AM

In my simplistic world, although I once joined the UAW (had to in order to work, go figure) it never made sense that The UNION spoke for workers. Is there not an implied contract between worker and owner? I give 40 hours a week, he writes me a check. Beyond that why should I expect anything? All that the union mentality seems to foster is dissention and discontent. It pits people against one another based on a artificial class distinction and makes work, which should be rewarding and fulfiling, seem more an example of subjugation.

That being said what purpose do public emplyee unions serve? There is no right to strike by public employees. They are well compensated for their time and knowledge. They should see themselves as servants not enforcers of mandates and rules. No one is indispensible even if the functionalists think differently.

JayPitsby| 2.24.11 @ 10:59AM

I gotta get me a gummint job!

Richard| 2.24.11 @ 11:57AM

Call the years of 2008 to 2012 "The Era When the Left Was Exposed" for they are there for all to see just like cockroaches when you turn on the light. Let's hope the Republicans, the "stupid party" are able to take advantage.

Pat| 2.24.11 @ 12:26PM

For government workers, the chances of actually calling a strike is on the order of catastrophic global warming occurring within the next five minutes – the politicians are usually impatient to give in and meet their union’s demands – primarily so they can discuss how the union will support them come next election. And real strikes can sometimes resemble our Civil War campaigns – ugly, drawn out, painful affairs. Take Detroit and their periodic UAW strikes as an example. A strike might last for weeks, the strike fund would rapidly deplete, the auto workers forced to sell their prized possessions in order to make ends meet and their wives would become thoroughly sick of seeing them laying around the house.

Sadly, all those toys purchased with the auto workers’ overtime, double overtime and triple overtime, cost of living pay for working an extra half shift on bowling nights will be put on the auction block by the strikers - the brand new Ski-Doo, the bass boat, the Harley motorcycle, the RV, the 2 room ice fishing shanty – and these items will be sold for a fraction of their value because all the other UAW members are selling similar toys – talk about a buyers market. Sometimes it took years for the UAW members to recover financially, even with their new contract’s higher pay and bennies. But ask a UAW guy to do the math and the response will be we went on strike for the principle of solidarity, not the money – some of those numbskulls actually believed that.

So maybe we should require govt. workers to go on strike for a period of 8 to 10 weeks when new contracts become due, just like those UAW guys. Of course there will be few tangible benefits for their employers, the taxpayers, but there will be a few. Think of a picket line, waving signs and envision the potential advantages.

You can finally get some one on one time with your kid’s teacher by offering to carry her picket sign.

Stop signs – we don’t need no stinking stop signs.

My neighbor’s dog used to bark for hours whenever they went away – and then during the police strike he suddenly stopped – permanently.

Our state senator joined his fellow legislators on the picket line – my daughter is a government intern this semester – I finally feel like she’s safe from molestation.

That ugly shed and those rusty cars my neighbor keeps in his back yard, they somehow caught fire, the fire dept. was called but they were on strike, everything burned to a crisp – what a shame.

I decided the due date for my state income tax return would be moved to June 30th – any objections from you picketers?

Anthony| 2.24.11 @ 12:29PM

It was good to see James Hoffa Jr. last night on MSNBC or CNN, I forget which, because I didn't hang around long enough, doing his thing in Wisconsin for his public sectors brothers and sisters.
At least we know this Hoffa isn't buried at the new Giant's stadium in N.J., unlike that paragon of union virtue, Jimmy Hoffa Sr.

VinnieCCT| 2.24.11 @ 1:28PM

(has anyone else thought of this?)
What will happen when the union protesters start to riot and the union police and union firefighters refuse to work? I'm thinking National Guard action.

Anthony| 2.24.11 @ 5:04PM

I'm thinking, buy more ammo.

PolishKnight| 2.24.11 @ 1:44PM

I just had an interesting insight about the connection between unions and the government.

Unions and socialism work in similar ways: They promise to help their workers get better pay and conditions but ultimately, the union bosses wind up scuttling the whole thing. It's simply a matter of the corrupting nature of power.

Just as unions destroyed manufacturing sectors and ultimately the jobs of their workers like a bubonic plague, they are now threatening the very security of the government and the nation. In the case of the USSR, the whole thing just collapsed.

But now... with the close marriage between public sector unions and socialism, is it possible that we might have a more peaceful transition of socialist collapse?

History reveals that socialists don't go after the "rich" as they claim but ultimately scapegoat other groups: In Germany, it was Jews and in the USSR it was a series of political and ethnic based purges. Here in the states, the left has neatly cut ties to working class whites and men. Now... they're going to target non-union, non-public workers which comprise a LOT of people and voters.

Looks like Al Franken's team is going to be stuffing a lot of ballot boxes...

PhilTheCapitalistPig| 2.24.11 @ 6:58PM

That's interesting. I like goldwater's thoughts on unions. Before public unions existed he talked about how private unions are the only monopoly that is allowed america. No other entity is allowed to control and monopolize an entire market segment. Think about it. The UAW goes across ford, gm, chrysler. That's the big 3.

I cant support any union in america. I think they are unnecessary. Unsafe working conditions are counterproductive at its most basic level. Any operations manager worth a lick recognizes that it. Its common sense you want your employees healthy and ready to work.

And when it comes to wages and benefits, the simpletons don't understand that labor is a market with shortages and surpluses just like any other. Anyone who has taken a couple entry level econ classes should know this. When wages are set artificially high, it usually creates a labor surplus (work deficit) bc ppl lose jobs when companies aren't profitable. If wages are set too low, the company will have a labor deficit, bc the labor can go elsewhere for a better wage. Any company with a future is competing for the best employees. Period.

Brian B| 2.24.11 @ 1:44PM

Why is it when discussing Norma Rae it is seldom discussed that the unionization of textile workers, like the unionization of most industries, did little in the the long run to improve the lives of its workers because the industries effected were soon driven overseas?

Sheila| 2.24.11 @ 2:30PM

Excellent point, but certain to be ignored by others bemoaning the "evil rich" manufacturers.

MacDaddy| 2.24.11 @ 1:57PM

Fix the title block...public unions not pubic unions, unless the slip was freudian?

Willy| 2.24.11 @ 2:33PM

Despite the impression given in the media, public sector unions are a fairly recent burden on the body politic. Most government union locals didn't exist before the 1960s. They still shouldn't exist. The logic of collective bargaining is based upon an assumption that both parties will negotiate in good faith AND that labor and management will pursue their own self interest. In the private sector this makes sense. In government, there is little or no incentive for government managers to protect the interests of their employer(us). So it should come as no surprise that outlandish labor agreements have been agreed to by them and their political bosses. The relationship between these two parties is fatally flawed, just like the whole concept of government unions.

Joe D.| 2.24.11 @ 3:54PM

Well said Lisa. However, maybe we are being to simplic that it was all unions that cause these manufacting industries to collaspe. I sure they were greatly responsible, but not all.

Again thanks for your insight.

PhilTheCapitalistPig| 2.24.11 @ 6:40PM

Simplistic? In what respect?

Sometimes things are very simple if you take a "view from 30,000 ft". Take a look at the american auto manufacturer. They are going bankrupt because of benefit plans that were sealed following wwII in the largest automobile boom in history. The unions went around to all of the major auto manufacturers in the states and threatened to have their factories striking while the other guys (who they were also threatening the same) were cashing in. This is how they secured the benefits packages that cause an american vehicle to have a higher cost than any car in the world before the first screw is turned.

In the meantime, name a foriegn car manufacturer that is NOT building a factory in the states or already making them here. I beg you. Bmw, kia, toyota, etc. THEY ARE MAKING MORE MONEY BY MOVING OPERATIONS HERE. PERIOD. OR THEY WOULDN'T BE DOING IT.

So I repeat my question from above, in what respect is her argument simplistic?

It sounds to me you're projecting your own knowledge, which is simplistic.

Pat| 2.24.11 @ 4:47PM

In addition to Chrysler’s claim they are now exporting cars to us from that new nation called “Detroit”, the Detroit Free Press is crowing about GM’s latest huge profit – see you skeptics, GM fought its way back from the grave all on its own – thank-you very much. And did you hear that GM’s hourly workers will receive a $4,300 profit sharing bonus – see you skeptics, unions do help the working man after all. And before you puff up like a toad claiming it was us taxpayers who made GM magically profitable - settle down – yes, technically Obama did take our money without first asking and he did give it to the UAW via a GM bailout - and all so the autoworkers could have jobs and get profit sharing. But, legally, you and I had absolutely nothing to do with it. Kinda humiliating for us it’s true, the autoworkers buy new snowmobiles and big screen televisions and we don’t even receive a half dozen roses after this one night stand.

But that’s the way it is with private sector unions. When the going gets tough, the rules are changed and the going gets smooth again. Sure, we could have let GM stagger off to take its place in history, GM’s workers could have tried for new jobs at Ford, life would have gone on. But that meant less votes and money for the Dems courtesy of the UAW, so a rule change was needed, a legal bailout was quickly devised. And the public sector unions don’t even bother with the pretense of adversarial bargaining along with the risk they might not get their next contract increase. So, will the public sector unions get broken up, will us taxpayers triumph? Nah, that’s a sweet dream, but it’s against the rules.

gearjammer| 2.24.11 @ 5:25PM

In Rhode Island we have quite a violent union history. The potential is there for more of the same. I have tended bar in places were union types-bosses and leaders hang. Also, along with their political pals they yakked pretty freely and I heard it all. A white crowd of course and not so Jewish, either. The racism and Antisemitism was overwhelming. And sexist attitudes towards women ? Off the charts. Mostly I was dismayed by their grim, dark, ugly view of life and people. They lacked humanity-save for their own little clique. I am convinced most union leaders are troubled, angry, twisted men and women. They are a basic negative personality type that any sane person who wishes for success in any endeavor should avoid at all costs. I also tended bar at swank country clubs.
the upper crust types are not saints, but clearly had more integrity and decency and humanity.

Handy| 2.25.11 @ 12:10PM

The union goons talk the same way when they are sober. They slobber a little bit less, but they remain just as stupid, and brutal.

Kingofthenet| 2.24.11 @ 9:25PM

If you Neocons get your way, there WILL be Blood, Yours, We have HAD IT. You destroy the last refuge for an average Joe, to make a good living, it's going to be the 'New American' Revolution.

tdiinva| 2.25.11 @ 8:22AM

err...we have the guns. You don't. Not only can't you count the gold, you can't count the bullets either.

Handy| 2.25.11 @ 12:16PM

Dear Queenie,

Go give Trumka a BJ, you union fairy.

Dee SEE| 2.24.11 @ 11:27PM

----The TOTAL spectrum dominance by the
'Big Boys' of World Government and Eugenics
Central really moot this entire 70's Show take.

Stop pitching such off moment, off reality,
sterile agenda set-ups!

----IT's the RED China sellout, EUEGNICS and
TREASON thing dummies!

-------TREEEEEEEEE----ZUN

----TREEEE--SON

----TREASON---

GOT IT?

Marc Jeric| 2.25.11 @ 1:22AM

History has shown that, invariably, given time every union will fall into the hands of either the Mafia or the communists - this latter case more durable and more deadly. Every industry in which the union "works" will eventually die - see steel, automobile, textile, electronics, apparel...Such private industries can save themselves by oursourcing. But what about government employees unions? These should be prosecuted under RICO laws as being criminal enterprises conspiring against the people.

Tom in Michigan| 2.25.11 @ 8:40AM

We conservatives need to handle this gingerly. The majority of public employees are good, decent, hard-working Americans. Over the years, I knew all my childrens' teachers, some quite well as I also volunteered and studied with some of them. The cops and firemen in my town here in Michigan with whom I've interacted have all been true professionals - even when I was stopped by an officer. That there are some bad apples is an inescapable fact. I think it's a serious mistake to attack the rank-and-file. Remember, the majority of teachers did not go to the Capital in Madison to demonstrate, regardless of the what the corrupt, leftist media tell you.

At the same time, we cannot let the public sector unions bankrupt our government entities the way the private sector brethren bankrupted so many private industries. In the same sense though that the average private sector worker is an American, just like you and me; we need to reach an accomodation where all Americans prosper once again which means we need to reign in the corrupt leadership of the unions while protecting our fellow citizens' livelihood. After all, this is America.

Reebok| 8.11.11 @ 2:48AM

is good

Robert the Vet| 11.10.11 @ 2:32AM

Apparently you don't follow your own comment:
"N.B. We encourage readers to share and discuss their thoughtful and relevant comments about this Spectator article. Comments are routinely monitored and will be deleted if profane, bigoted, or grossly impolite. Please be respectful. (And don't feed the trolls!) Thank you."

Thought I was reading Faux News
This is just as fair and balanced... hope this isn't too "grossly impolite" for your censors.
"Sheila| 2.24.11 @ 10:53AM
Part of the reason for the "unions are all-American" meme is that it is part of the Jewish-American fable. The victims of the Triangle fire were predominantly Jewish; many of the early, radical union leaders were Jewish as well. Norma Rae? Her union rep "savior" happened to be a northeast Jew as well. Of course, all those pro-union movies have been made by Jewish-run Hollywood. This is intricately intertwined with this country's leftist recasting of history. Many may think of Jimmy Hoffa when they think of unions, but a great deal of the money and muscle behind today's unions (SEIU/Andy Stern, anyone?) is Jewish. Spare me the usual "you hateful anti-Semite" garbage, folks; these are facts, and FWIW, while I am a Christian, I am of Jewish heritage. However, I am a conservative, not a right-liberal movement Republican, and I deal with facts and reason, not emotion and PC restrictions."

I'd hate to see such "deep thinking" go un acknowledged...got a lot of hate going on this page, and I'm not going to try to scratch the surface of Fabrizio's commentary. Have a nice life and try to get along...good grief.