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For every $ paid in dues, union members get $20 or more in pay, versus their non union workplace brothers. From UPS vs Fedex, to carpenters in AZ vs NV, the cost of dues is far less than the extra pay, plus pensions plus having a voice at the workplace plus the healthcare coverage plus the life insurance benefits.
Add in the costs to society, in AZ where so many of the "free" workers wind up on food stamps and medicaid, because employers in AZ pay far less in wages and benefits.
Actually Blanche all unions are incorporated, therefore they get the same rights under Citizens United, but they don't have the same amount of money.
Recalling Walker changes nothing. The angst in America isn't caused by big business or big money, nor is it caused by labor unions and progressive groups. It is caused, at its root, by our impending bankruptcy. All the rest is reactions to this fact, or reactions to the reactions. What we must realize to come together as a nation is this: Government programs will bankrupt us. Government Social Security, government food aid, government education, government defined benefit retirement plans, government housing, government loans, government jobs, government healthcare -- we will not be able to pay for it all... or I mean, we aren't able to pay for it all. You could tax everyone 100% income tax and this is still true. We are barely able to pay the interest on the loans we have as it is. America, this is the problem.
Requiring the Government to pay union rates, insisting on government provided defined benefit retirement programs, holding on to government "assistance" programs -- celebrate that you have them if you must but don't kid yourself -- they will bankrupt us. History demonstrates this truth time and again, and we are witnessing it in Europe this very day. A system that relies on government to provide for the well being of its citizens fails. Bankruptcy is the inevitable destination to the course we've charted, and I'm doing my best to prepare my family for this day.
Social Security and defined benefit government retirement programs should not be "saved," this only bankrupts our children. Instead, we should pay contributors a lump sum buy out and get America back to what we are supposed to be: You are responsible for you. Your children are not responsible for you. Your neighbors are not responsible for you. If you struggle and need help, ask your community. If you can help, volunteer and contribute within your community. That is the nation we are supposed to be, because that is the person we were created to be.
Regardless of what you think about Governor Walker or his backers, regardless of the outcome of the recall efforts, nothing is going to change so long as we continue the path toward bankruptcy. Put a Democrat in there, celebrate our "victory" of the people, but we will remain in this black hole of angst because we haven't addressed the root problem. Until we, as a group of people with a shared interest in our future, shed the government welfare and retirement programs that accumulate debt and pass the bill on to future generations, we will remain on our path towards failure. But America likes its programs... America likes its credit cards... America likes its debt-enabled standard of living, and we are going to keep it. I’m going to get my government paycheck, children be damned.
America, please realize that we must eliminate the government programs, the "safety nets" that we all love so much, the ones that bankrupt our great nation. Once we do that, we can balance the budget with a progressive tax system that seeks more tax revenue from our wealthier citizens and encourages a strong and vibrant middle class. Do these two things, and we can move forward as a nation again.
"It is incumbent on every generation to pay its own debts as it goes. A principle which if acted on would save one-half the wars of the world." - Thomas Jefferson
"I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them." - Thomas Jefferson
"Here is my principle: Taxes shall be levied according to ability to pay. That is the only American principle." - Franklin D. Roosevelt
Yours in Faith for a better America and a better World.
www.visionpresident.com
I am so grateful to Colbert and Stewart for emphasizing the problems with Super Pacs. In that same vein, I was wondering if we could push for all celebrities to start a Super Pac? Wouldn't that be awesome? I'd be so ridiculous that it'd drown out politicians and they'd have to get rid of them. That's the end goal. Anyway, we could call it Super Pacs For Celebrities! Kind of catchy, huh?
I agree with thw above statements,but somewhere it is not fair also.The people working in their 80's also,that is a good thing but the wrong side is then when will they going to rest.A man who can work up to his 60 s ..That is enough to earn for enjoying their remaining life.Thais has another positive factor that,the youngesters will get a chance to work also.
jamon iberico
*Some people make the world SPECIAL just by being in it*
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Today has been a good day for a change. We saw the end, for at least a while, of the XL Pipeline, and, due to the activism of THE PEOPLE who "blacked-out" their websites today, along with the 3-million signed [SOPA/PIPA] opposition petitions delivered to Congress, the SOPA and PIPA Congress support began to implode. Shows you what can be accomplished when THE PEOPLE unite to defeat what ails OUR nation. But folks it's not over, the Senate version - PIPA [ S.968 ] Bill (PROTECT IP Act of 2011) is still going to be voted on next week, Tuesday the 24th, "State of the Union" speech day. So lets not drop the ball now, keep contacting Congress members, especially the Senate on the PIPA Bill. My wife Barbara and I "blacked-out" all but one of our sites today. On the one site we still have open, www.RumbleofthePeople.com, you can read the SOPA and PIPA Bills, find contact numbers on any House or Senate members, access opposition petitions to SOPA/PIPA and links supporting overturning "Citizens United". One other thing, we have also posted the U.S. Constitution, Bill of Rights, Declaration of Independence and Magna Carta, text and image documents, for your pleasure and research. Also the "RICO Act", you know, that law that the Banksters need to be prosecuted under. By the way Thom, glad to see you didn't burn the studio down with all the candles:)
great post, I know plastic is a chemical proccess, but I never realized for the longest time that a lot of plastics are made from petroleum,that would be great if there was another way to make all this stuff,I would be game thats for sure,but I like things made from real wood etc though rather than plastic lol" ever see what a lot of furniture is even made with nowadays?
I always thought it was a serious federal offense(like you would have the secret service arresting you) to even jokinly threaten the president,why isnt this Jack gerrard scumbag in jail,and facing federal charges?
Just like the flood of political pamphlets that circulated around Paris during the late 18th century, cyber space has become our modern day vehicle for unrestricted flow of, and access to, political truth. It's hard to find anywhere else.
Rousseau's idea of, "rule by the will of the people," may have been a startling political theory to most during the 18th century...... but today it only seems to startle a few 1%ers who have had much success with the suppression of it. SOPA is their way of burning our pamphlets! We "sansculottes" have to fight back.... I've signed countless petitions, contacted my reps. as well as informing co workers, friends, posted on facebook, you name it, and will attend any protest possible...... Why do I suddenly think I need to validate my sincerity?...... just kidding!
You are confident that Obama will be re-elected. I dont know if that will be the case. It will all depend upon how the campaigns are run and what they target. The GOP should target his record, because it is very, very weak. The Dems will use class warefare and unions. It will be interesting!
corporations are a tool designed to give rich people the duplicity of personhood. it used to be true that one person one vote could mean something. but now a wealth-hoarder can buy a corporation (or a few dozen) and they now have multitudes more power than an the average person. they are now able to give greater than the maximum donations to elections (through their corporate shell game). they are now able to amplify their voice though subservient employees.
the game must be called out for what it really is. a loophole in the doctrine of fairness. it must be called out and stopped.
Totalitarian Socialism? I'd like Obama a lot more if he was more socialist! He is far from that...I'm afraid. So far, all he has done is the bidding of the ones that own him.....Wall Street. If Obama was a totalitarian socialist (whatever that is) wouldn't it be great to force the rich to pay their share of society...for a change? Socialized medicine...banking system...clamp down on Wall Street? And stop sending our jobs overseas? Sounds like it is about time.
Watch Fox Snooze? Not a chance! I haven't watched that disgraceful fascist disinformation and right wing propaganda outlet in many, many years. I am sure not backing Obama this time...not for anything he has done in the years prior to his election in 2008..but....for the selling out of the position he held that led us all to believe in him.
I wouldn't care if he pimped girls or sold drugs in his early years...it's what he has done (or not done) in the past 3 years that I will be not voting for him again. He has not stood up to the ruling elite and their puppet-whore Republican politicians and has, in effect, become one of them.
I heard that even Bain Capital has donated double to Obama than what they have donated to Mitt Romney.* If that is true...then that says a lot about who Obama really is..or at least on what Bain Capital believes he is.....not that we really need that extra bit of information....because we already knew that Obama was being heavily funded by Wall Street. Why do you think? Come on...think! Obama will continue to be a puppet of Wall Street. Foolish voters who again thought they had no other choice will again see Obama continue what he started in his first administration ...and that is continue trashing the 99% for the benefit of the 1%.
As for "the White House being against SOPA and PIPPA"...they were against the NDAA too...for a while..until Obama gave in and signed it anyway. How many times has Obama said one thing...then did another?
Let's consider Darcy Richardson this time. But even though Darcy says a lot of things we want to hear....so did Obama. I no longer believe that it really matters who is President...the ruling elite will own them all. But it might feel good, for a little while anyway, that you are voting for someone who says all the right things....and hope that he follows through with what he says. Obama has proven that he does not follow through with what he says. Why vote for him again? There are other choices...but you aren't going to hear much about them because all the money is being placed on the people that the ruling elite will own.
Snow blight and the 7 dwarf Republicans are obviously no match for Obama because Obama has all the money betting on him being the purveyor of false hope upon the people...once again...which will confuse and delay the eventual reality that we're all screwed....and they did it to us again! If you are even going to vote this time around....vote for someone other than the top dogs..who are Wall Street's bitches.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darcy_Richardson
* I was pretty sure I heard this on one of the Dylan Ratigan podcast shows made by one of his guests on one of the recent "Greedy Bastards Antidote" series.
IMHO, the reason we've been electing all these idiots the last 30 years is most people can't afford to go to college anymore, just the 1%....
No Clarissa, I wasn't bitten by a unionist. I became a teacher to make a difference. I consider teaching a profession like law or medicine. I don't believe professions should unionize. Professional associations are OK, but not unions. Plus, it's more fun working without a net, keeps me sharper.
It's important for everyone to contact their congressional representatives to express their opinion on SOAP and PIPA. As individuals, we can make a difference.
Wish you all the best Nurse
Too bad folks can not see the incredible value in investing in our young 's education. Americans can be very short sighted .
Some mean unionist must have bitten you.... Sorry for that. :(
Only 12 House Members Vote Against Iran Sanctions > http://www.antiwar.com/blog/2009/12/15/only-12-house-members-vote-against-iran-sanctions/
Intellectual Revolution, Brain power- not brute force, Ron Paul Moves to stop indefinte detention > Ndaa Floor speech Jan 18 2012> http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=tg69QM1yXQQ
Clarissa, Yes I'm a Republican, non-union joining, high school public school teacher, in Maryland. We have the best public school system in the USA. Believe me, there are plenty of us Republican teachers here. We are not endangered, we are subversives.
I kinda enjoyed the sophisticated discours with MaryMary; now this individual admits to be a teacher -- doubtlessly one of those threatened subjects the Republicans consider useless, not unlike firefighters, postal workers and policemen.
No Sir, this can't be a Republican.... Probably playing the part of the devil's advocate. Otherwise this would be highly suicidal....
Whatsoever, this is an issue of an endangered species, so you got to help!
Where did you come up with that AWR Hawkins guy - what a hoot. A PhD in what (and where did he get that?). Thom - you did a magnificent job calling that guy out - he had no answer for anything. Wow, If only every day you could get guests like that. I love hearing those guys. Let's find more guests like that.
We still need alot of help in Wisconsin. Wouldn't it be a shame to go through the trouble to turn in 1 million signatures, only to lose the election. We still haven't had anyone come forward to do this, and the incumbent "Koch Whore" has a huge war chest. To boot, the national press has burried the story (big surprise, if it weren't for a few talk shows that support Democrats and Progressives, you wouldn't have heard anything about it). You had to click 4 clicks to find out what happened from the main news pages from ABC and CBS (yet it is called the liberal press????).
As I said, the "Koch Sucker" supposedly got a $250,000 dontation from the biggest beer distributor in Texas. I say "supposedly" because I myself didn't verify it yet. In Wisconsin, I refuse to let my politics be influenced by a beer distributor in texas. I am sure that outside of my liking beer, I have nothing in common with that guy, yet he can buy politics on Wisconsin. Ain't that America......
We need help begging someone like Russ Feingold to run. We need that office back in the worst way. A progressive can fire us up to get more than enough votes. However, if we attempt to take the "lets be moderate and hope we got some of the others to vote Democrat" approach, we will lose again.
A little money to the wisdems wouldn't help. I'm sure we'll get outspent by a big margin again, but it sure helps buy some ads.
Thanks,