I was so pleased to find the Tribune again on my doorstep Sunday morning (the Tribune has increased Sunday circulation from 100,000 to 150,000). Small independent newspapers were the lifeblood of American democracy and made this country a world leader: an example of life's promise. The only drawback: Getting this free press gift is robbing my morning coffee pleasure with know-it-all types like Tom Patterson. They ignore the facts and never admit they have been wrong.
They have a never-ending chant of freedom. Tom, without unions there would be less freedom. As a nation we have never been more free and we owe it more to unions than to corporate executives who once again wish to take advantage of the surplus of workers to jobs to lower wages and benefits. They seem to forget their house of cards collapses if they do not have consumers of their products or services. They have transferred the burden of taxes to the worker and drowned them with debt while taking the benefit of increased productive resources to eliminate jobs.
They brand any that disagree as socialists. Well, we need a little of that. I am a WWII Marine who elected to become a Methodist. We believe in a Living God and the word of the Bible that advocates caring and sharing. The selfish and inconsiderate are not comfortable with that and frighten with talk of socialism or communism - some while accepting more than their fair share of charity.
Consider the facts: What is the alternative without unions, pensions and entitlement? Where would we be today? Where will you be tomorrow? I saw the alternative in 1935 when the National Guard took over steel mills, people were living in boxes and hungry, the elderly warehoused in the County Home. It is time to question those who wish to change this country. Could it be they want more profit?
Richard T. Tracy Sr., Mesa
rothbardlovesme posted at 8:48 am on Mon, Mar 7, 2011.
I would really like to know what the "facts" are that Mr. Patterson ignored. He had a lot of quantifiable points, whereas you called a series of rhetorical questions, "facts."
But, to answer you "facts," questions... whatever the hell they are:
What is the alternative without unions, pensions and entitlement?
Without public unions and the pressure of collective bargaining, teachers, police officers, and other government employees would be compensated fairly. Good teachers can be paid more. Bad police officers could be fired more easily. Plus, there would be no public worker bullies rallying support for politicians who promise them the most goodies. Without pensions, the public sector would have to do what nearly the entirety of the public sector does: save. Pensions are near extinct in the private sector, why should the public sector be any different? The alternative to entitlement is a population of people who are responsible for their own well-being, and health care costs that aren't artificially inflated.
Where would we be today?
We would be climbing out of recession much faster.
Where will you be tomorrow?
On the same path towards a bright and successful future, albeit with more money in the bank from lower taxes.
I saw the alternative in 1935 when the National Guard took over steel mills, people were living in boxes and hungry, the elderly warehoused in the County Home.
Yes. Obviously, that was about the National Guard and steel mills, not the fact that it was THE GREAT DEPRESSION.
It is time to question those who wish to change this country. Could it be they want more profit?
Who would profit from getting rid of public unions? I'll tell you. YOU will and I will. And in the end, public workers who do a good job will.
Dale Whiting posted at 10:48 am on Mon, Mar 7, 2011.
Perhaps like Democracy, trade unions, public sector unions and industrial unions are the worst form of representation and fair play that have ever existed, except of course for all of the alternatives. Clearly Doctor Tom Patterson is out practicing in fields where he knows absolutely nothing about his patients.
Cerulean posted at 11:07 am on Mon, Mar 7, 2011.
"Tom, without unions there would be less freedom. As a nation we have never been more free and we owe it more to unions than to corporate executives . . ."
Yes Richard, you are absolutely correct!
Corporations are not evil, they are motivated by the bottom line - PROFIT. When the bottom line is generous executives get greedy, as anyone who follows business news can tell you. I recently read that here in Arizona executive pay has continued to increase during the recession. What does that mean? The article said that "the chief executive officers and chairmen at 47 Arizona-based firms earned an average $1.04 million in 2009. That was up nearly 6 percent from 2008, and it marked the second-straight yearly rise in pay."
This is during a recession!!
( http://www.azcentral.com/business/articles/2010/06/20/20100620biz-Arizona-executive-pay-rising0620.html )
Most people do not mind when someone earns a higher wage, within reason. However when some are working their butts off at minimum wage while the upper echelon take all the profit to buy the BMW etc, etc, etc, that is when Unions are needed. Profit and greed need to have a check and balance.
Both Republican and Democrats understand where their money comes from - corporations. The only tool the People have left to represent our interests as a work force is collective bargaining - UNIONS.
samkat posted at 5:01 pm on Mon, Mar 7, 2011.
Richard must be a pretty darn old dude if he was old enough to see, and understand what what was going on in 1935. :-)
Unfortunately, the problem with public as well as private sector unions is they they have no restrictions on what they can do. I worked in union shops and I saw how nasty they can be.
Leon Ceniceros posted at 5:09 pm on Mon, Mar 7, 2011.
Oh no....another American specie has become extinct.....the "AMERICAN CHICKEN".....well....back to business.
I totally support fairly elected (secret ballots) unions in the "private sector". Unlike the "public sector"...the private sector workers owes his/her alligiance to an owner, or to stockholders. If a strike is called it will not effect the goods and services that are necessary for security, safety, water, power, sewers and transportation. Think of it....if you did not have a car and relied on bus/rail transportation to take you to and from work so that you could earn a paycheck to pay your taxes which paid the salaries of the bus/rail workers..........and they decide to go on strike....where would you be. What would happen if the Police or the Firemen/women decided to go on strike for higher wages, bettter working rules, more holidays or vacation time or more pension/health/hospitalization/dental/vision care (many...if not most of these benefits are not included in the "private sector" employment packages any longer).
Private sector unions are the only way for American workers to secure many of these benefits but if these "private sector" workers go on strike...only the owners, the stockholders, the workers and the customers or purchasers are affected...not all the citizens of a town, City, County or State.
GO TEAMSTERS