In defense of unions
A rarity in The City Paper: Charles Maldonado writes a first-person essay for the cover, defending unions:
I do not for one second believe that Republicans in the state legislature believe their rhetoric about teachers’ unions. In saying that I’m being generous to them, because if they did believe it, they’d be as gullible and incapable of critical thinking as they present themselves to be. Consider that for a second now, and then again after you finish reading how virtually every bit of factual information in this “debate” over unions has been distorted by officeholders currently waging a political war.
I’m a reporter. I can’t even say any of the above aloud under normal circumstances, let alone write it for publication, but there it is. I’d offer my letter of resignation, but I’m a freelancer, and I can’t resign from my non-job.
I’m also from Michigan, and that means I grew up believing that the labor movement is either directly or indirectly responsible for many good things, not just greed, graft, corruption, political manipulation, and the widescale theft of billions from public treasuries. Among them: the 40-hour work week; workplace safety regulations; whistleblower protection; some measure of dignity for people who work for a living; and more or less creating the American middle class. But then again, I was brainwashed. I’m sure if I were from Tennessee, I would know that Davy Crockett did most of that.
The last and best reason for me to believe in unions is that my wife, Jenny, who is by far the breadwinner in our home — somehow managing to outshine the $7,159 I pulled in last year by a factor of, let’s say, a lot — is herself a Metro Nashville Public Schools teacher, and thus, the current target of choice for the state GOP’s campaign of folksy divisiveness and arbitrary, albeit maybe focus-grouped, derision. (Or at least she’s one of a select few that includes women, non-Christians — especially Muslims and to a slightly lesser degree seculars — poor people, sick people, children unless they’re not born yet, the whole LGBT spectrum, all immigrants except the ones from business-y countries, and anyone uncomfortable with the idea of being armed all of the time. I think that covers the big ones.)
As countries progress further
As countries progress further and further into the latter stages of the major soccer event, the buzz in the air of a country that has reached these stages just goes through the roof. Countries that did not make the finals still end up viewing the awesome matches and root for a team that they enjoy1984 Chevrolet S10 Truck AC Compressor
El Donna "As for "economic
El Donna
"As for "economic refugees," Mexico, a country wealthy in resources, has an unemployment rate much lower than ours"
Speaking of distorting facts, Mexico's wealth is mostly in the pockets of only a select few. An unbeleivable number of people are extremely poor.
Jobs do not always translate well into an acceptable standard of living. A high percentage of workers in Mexico are paid very poorly. Even the minimum wags here is vastly superior to an average wage there!
Many of our "guest workers, economic refugees, and undocumented residents" are from other than Mexico. Mexico is probably the most advantageous of the Central American countries (Costa Rica ?). While using facts about Mexico in this discussion may not be inaccurate, it is most certainly a gross distorion for effect. Pot-Kettle thing? Shame on you!
As for being a "refugee", YOU HAVE NO CLUE! Moving to Detroit, Pittsburg, or even Matewan is not like being harassed by self serving politicians pandering to sometimes violent and racist elements of the "land of the free". Some of my people were from Eire, I know of refugees!
Donna, America is a melting pot, and yours is NOT the answer!
"not just greed, graft,
"not just greed, graft, corruption, political manipulation, and the widescale theft of billions from public treasuries" These are the operative words here, yes? WTF good is anything that derives its power from any of the aforementioned harbingers of tyranny?
Union yes? Sure, why not? Freedom of assembly and speech is a natural right, well enough. But collective bargaining for government employees? The answer to that is a resounding HELL NO. It is the very definition of coercion and blackmail.
In the 40s when we weren't quite as bankrupt as we are today, the godfather of the modern socialist movement in America, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, even understood the absurdity of the premise.
Well! Now that we have heard
Well! Now that we have heard from Larry, Moe, and Curly.........uh Amy, Tony and Donna, lets see how the cow eats the cabbage!
Amy
I don't know which article you were reading, but I imagine you are just a bit upset with what Mr. Maldonado was saying. I found him to be on point and not "rambling" as you so put it. In the real world of freelance writers ( I know several), it often takes a bit of a while to reach the point of reasonable returns in the compensation department. Not professing to be an adequate judge of writing ability as you feel you are, I can only judge for myself, and I enjoyed the article and found it somewhat informative. But what do I know, I'm NO conservative, and you guys rule the roost! Right!
Tony
Since there are so many variables on why a school may "fail" (what does that mean?), it would be very shortsighted to heap all the blame on teachers, even though they are the evil "public employee" and steal your precious tax dollars that should be earmarked for unjust wars (Iraq), Haliburton contracts, and Bush era tax breaks for the wealthy. Gratuitous assertions, I have always heard, are the handtools of the arrogant and the ignorant, but what do I know, I am NOT a conservative.
Donna
Ah Donna, the name strikes terror in the hearts of economic refugees (illegal immigrants) all across the Mid State! I just bet when you saw the name Maldonado you started frothing at the mouth. "Immigrants" is a generic term, and as for how it is termed in Federal Law, that is irrelevant. Mr. Maldonado was using it in a rather generic manner I beleive, but it really doesn't matter, because the point of the article was that the GOP lead legislature is behaving like a lying, vindictive bunch of "Pol Pot rebels" dedicated to making the halls of the state legislature their own private "killing fields"! But bless your little heart, once again you were able to morph another discussion into the anti-immigrant stance you know and love.
Mr. Maldonado articulates his point of view clearly, despite Amy's opinion, and I agree with him completely. Of course, I could be wrong; what do I know, I am NOT a conservative!
Naturally, Captain, you have
Naturally, Captain, you have joined the subversive, the ignorant, and/or the imprecise in trying to blur the distinction between legal and illegal, between immigrant and illegal alien and visitor, and between citizen and noncitizen. Much of our news media has happily enabled this tactic to rename the illegal and unlawful. Why, say and write it often enough, like constantly, and people might become confused, might even believe it. ##Brainwashing 101
Subversive, ignorant, and/or
Subversive, ignorant, and/or imprecise? Tisk, tisk! Such name calling from the professor of ##Brainwashing 101!
The reality,Donna, is life is NOT black and white! In the real world we live in mostly "gray areas where popular rhetoric has NO real value in enhancing everyday for the masses. It was once illegal for blacks to drink from "white only" fountains, ride in the front of the bus; women to vote; many OTHER ethnic groups to live as they wish. Illegal, Immoral,and stupidly WRONG! Are they here without legal status; yes. While it is "against the law", a massive "cattle drive to the Rio Grande is stupid and counterproductive! Consider the effect on our service based economy.
Terming what I call "economic refugees" which is more palatable than your denigrating "illegal aliens", and is neither inaccurate nor insulting. It may not suit your dubious mission and satisfy your unending quest to rid the nation of your paranoia, but honestly, Donna, who cares!
So keep tilting at your ethnically pure windmill Donna Quixote!
The blurring of boundaries
The blurring of boundaries and dividing lines is a documented tactic in this immigration/migration mess. For some, like Charles and/or the editors perhaps, the language is careless or part of the political-correctness game, though implications and inferences remain the same to those who watch the game: subversive, ignorant, imprecise.
How about just plain "inaccurate"? Like the time our current labor secretary, Hilda Solis, appointed by President Obama, told the audience at a meeting of the Southwest Voter Registration Education Project they were all Americans whether they were legalized or not.
Or perhaps "euphemistic," like all those stealth terms for amnesty.
http://cis.org/node/416
Words mean something.
As for "economic refugees," Mexico, a country wealthy in resources, has an unemployment rate much lower than ours.
We have "economic refugees" leaving Maury County. Members of my family had to do this several times before, heading to the Kentucky coal mines or to the Detroit assembly lines. I was an economic refugee once. We didn't break laws or abuse the rights and generosity of others. And we didn't head in with a list of demands or a sense of entitlement.
The United States, now a welfare state, has outgrown mass immigration. People will have to fix their own countries. That includes us.
Go Donna! The truth is
Go Donna! The truth is neither positive nor negative. It simply is.
"Immigrants" are not being
"Immigrants" are not being targeted by the Tennessee GOP, Charles. In federal law, an "immigrant" is here lawfully.
How foolish is collective
How foolish is collective bargaining on teacher evaluations in failing schools?
More gravy please, this
More gravy please, this droning is a little bland.
Could anyone ramble more than this guy? He's all for the union because he can't pull his own weight for the house hold income and if his wife is half as mediocre as he is then with out the union they'd have nothing.
Out-flipping-Standing
Out-flipping-Standing