When did public employees become the enemy of the people? No, let me clarify…when did UNIONIZED public employees become the enemy? Public employees are teachers, police officers, fire fighters, social workers, prison guards, and all of those folks that we count on to keep the fabric of our country together and to help us when we need help. The folks in Wisconsin are fighting for their collective bargaining rights---it is not about the money the state needs to save currently, as the unions have already swallowed that bitter pill and agreed to the concessions that they were asked for. No, it is about powerful people gaining even more power over the collective voice of the people, and what is amazing to me is how those powerful folks have managed to get so many dupes to sign on to their own demise.
One only need to take a look at why unions came to be in the first place to see the advantages that union busting would have for the powerful. Unions began to assure that a father could work a reasonable number of hours a week and still have time for his family, and to protect his health from the overwork and long hours that had been the norm in the past. Unions began so that mothers would be assured a wage that was equal to that of a man doing the same work, so that she could feed, clothe and house her family. Unions began so that companies wouldn’t exploit children for the sake of profits. Unions began to assure that one single worker had a voice. Sounds kind of like a democracy, doesn’t it?
If you are pro-democracy, you should also be pro-union. Our country is stronger due to the voice of the people…ALL of the people…being heard, and to show support for our unions is the most patriotic thing you could do. Let your voice be heard.
