
The times, they are a changin'. And then again, some things never change.
While many muslim dominated countries in the middle-east and Africa are feeling the heat of revolutionary fires, no less important of a battle is brewing here in the homeland. Both phenomena are overdue righteous stands against tyranny; one against the inflexible demands and rule of a freedom killing government (wherever that may be), the other against the equally inflexible demands of country killing labor unions.
Anticipating accusations of being a mindless sell-out to the opposition right, let me clarify at the outset: I am a card carrying, dues paying member of a union. I like the idea of labor unions, and I don't even have a problem with paying dues, voluntarily. I think there is a very valid function for labor unions. But at the same time, I absolutely despise what unions have become, and what they are as currently constituted. This is not a left-right issue here, but it is a right-wrong issue clearly demonstrated by the right and left, respectively. It is no wonder that so many state governments are starting to rise in opposition to them...what the hell took so long?
My grievances against unions stretch out much longer than the list of benefits I see in them. Consider some of these for a moment, my diverse, inclusive, and wise liberal pagan brethren, for they are common gripes found amongst many members who feel betrayed every time their dues are extracted:
- I never had a choice in being part of a union. If I wanted this job (which I did), then I was forced to be part of the union. This is not the employers preferred option, nor many times that of the employee, it is the reality they must impose as a result of heavy union coercion ("for the workers", natch).
- Unions claim to represent me (us), yet direct extracted funds via dues to political parties and politicians that often reflect the precise opposite of my values. In other words, they steal the fruits of my labor against my will to promote agendas and ideas I am morally opposed to. In this respect, I become their slave...leaving me naught but the option to seek employment elsewhere if I am to be free of their shackles. Is this right? Are the unions supposed to have this kind of power?
- Unions are morally and intellectually shallow. They appeal to base emotions and greed in members, manipulating them into mob mentalities that have little to do with fairness or reason. Their primary function is to serve the greed of members, without regard for the health of the tit upon which they suckle, and to amass political power through extorted dues, raw numbers and clandestine alliances. Only sold-out true believers fail to see the degree to which the members are in reality little more than puppets, or useful idiots. These days I often think that even Hoffa would be at least a little embarrassed, the classless bunch that we have become.
The modern labor union is little more than a current manifestation of the traditional socialist left, in all of its ugly dishonesty and smiley-faced dogma. One of many appendages of the modern liberal left, it desires nothing more than to bathe in the egalitarian glory of a realized utopian fantasy. You know, the same one that comrades Marx, Castro, Guevara, and Chavez were all warm in the knickers about. Today's socialists (Sen. Bernie Sanders (VT), anyone?) completely fail to grasp why it is a horrible idea that is inherently incompatible with freedom and liberty. They prefer to think that it's simply a matter of none having been smart enough to implement it correctly thus far. Until them, that is.
Labor unions are exclusive political organizations that use its members as drones in their ascension to political power. Genuine concern over its members is a short sighted endeavor at best, and a complete ruse as a norm. It seems more appropriate that they simply understand how to keep the beast fed well for when it must next be unleashed. However, they are also an essential cog in the ideological machine of the socialist left, in exactly the same socialist / communist traditions of National Socialist Germany, the Peoples Republic of China, and the Soviet Socialist Republic. Each of them had a "workers" plank to conceal more devious agendas and appetites...we've just compartmentalized and prettied ours up a bit.
That is what unions of today are. But like virtually all liberal organizations, they did not start off this way. They actually started with fair grievances, but once these were reasonably satisfied became monsters of thier own by shifting towards the pure growth and acquisition of power, fitting perfectly with the larger liberal profile. They must typically maintain the illusion of persistent justified greivance with "the other", who is always described as nefariously plotting against the best interests of its members. NOW, anyone? How about a pinch of NAACP? A dash of ACLU? Liberal organs all, and each one corrupt and dishonest to the core.
So here we have Governor Scott Walker of Wisconsin, leading the charge against the union mobs. Joining NJ Gov. Chris Christie as the first leaders brave enough to take a stand against the juggernaut of union indulgence and excess, we can take hope that several states will now find the strength and encouragement to join the fray in exposing the absolute greed and perversion of organizations that feel perfectly fine with raping private sector taxpayers (which fund labor employees) as they maintain warm and cozy positions in our current economic climate.
I've heard the arguments, and this is pretty clear to any kool-aid intolerant observer...the mob amassed in the Madison Government center is little more than a display of the worst amongst humanity. Raw, unadulterated greed and irresponsibility expressed in the form of temper tantrums by supposed adults with a childish view of today's realities. These are the "I want it, I want more, I want it now, and I don't care who has to pay for it" crowd. I know, because I am part of that group, obediently sending my monthly tithes to the socialist union gods who know my needs better than I.
The State Senators who left town to shut down any votes on the matter however, deserve quite a special place in hell. Each of them should be heavily censured, or even expelled from the Senate. Leaving town to shut down a fair vote simply because you are in the minority and know you will lose, well, that should be criminal dereliction of duty. Leave it to liberals to hold government hostage whenever it can. Forget the rule of law, or simple decency for that matter. It's constant guerrilla warfare for this cretinous segment of the political class. No honor, no class.
Then there is the emerging argument that the unions are willing to grant the concessions asked by the government, but fear that their bargaining rights are going to be stripped away. Yeah, that's the ticket. Can you hear it? "I would eat my greens if I had to, except then I just know you are going to starve me from now on..."...followed by banging utensils on the highchair table. Know what? I hope to hell that the unions will have their bargaining rights curtailed. It is long overdue. And the next time you hear one of these goons cry that this is union busting or some such nonsense, remember that only to those hopelessly indoctrinated does curtailing mean eradication. Then again, given only the choices of allowing unions to exist as they do or going the union busters route, I say bust the bastards...pardon my francais.
This last year, the union to which I belong was forced to reconcile its demands with government deficits. Wanna peek into the union members mind? While most segments of the government had to pare down, unemployment was up (along with housing costs), and the private sector (taxpayers) was shouldering most of the brunt, many of us union geniuses were getting our panties in a twist over the possibility that we would not receive our adequate to generous yearly raises (cost of living allowance). I actually had to explain on more than a few occasions that it might be wise to read the writing on the wall, we were lucky to suffer no lay-offs. But this is the thought process inherent to the labor culture...the world can be burning down around you, and you don't feel responsible at all, as long as you get yours. Fortunately, the union to which I belong did see the writing on the wall, and wisely agreed to three years of pay freezes rather than the alternatives, proposed and intuitively gleaned. But then again, I live in Canada, where they tend to be seemingly timid in comparison to their counterparts, my obnoxious American (liberal) countrymen.
And here's another little tidbit: as a government employee, we are not permitted to strike. You know, just like the brats in Wisconsin right now. By virtue of thier actions, each of these has violated thier union agreements. Were I the Governor, I would be investigating the possibility of reaquainting these folks with the Reagan ultimatum - return to work, or you are terminated. As a matter of fact, after the first "sick" day, I wouldn't even give them the option. They chose to break the agreement, not the government.
Bottom line: Keep doing what your doing, Governors. Set the example, and maybe we can get some of these spineless federal politicians to chip in finally. I mean, why not? Obama, the embarassment of a President that he is, has unsurprisingly thrown his weight behind the union thugs. Lets get this war on, boys. It's a righteous one well worth fighting, and only one of the fields of battle upon which we must muster if we are to continue hope for this Republic in the long term.
I'm tired of being on the side of the sissies. It does little good to be right when you won't stand for what's right. Thank god for Governors Christie and Walker. Let them be a rallying cry for those who have had enough of this left wing soft totalitarianism.
***END RANT (for now)***
-VSP