I have lived in both a heavy union state (MI) and a right to work state (AL). The difference is like night and day.
The unions do have some influence here in AL, but not as much as in MI. Just this past weekend, a friend was discussing an encounter with a union rep during the course of his work as a plant manager. The rep actually had a copy of the book Rules for Radicals at the meeting. Our friend asked him if he really used the book. The union rep responded by saying it was used to instruct him on disruption tactics.
My husband then informed our friend about the book’s dedication and purpose, and it soon became apparent on how our friend wished he would have had that info prior to the meeting.
On another note, just like you, my uncle is former union and the stories he tells are incredible. Looking back on my childhood, I see in retrospect the union mentality in other members of my family. The Roosevelt and Kennedy love, the union perks, etc. My very own Italian immigrant grandfather was a union “thug”. When you are raised in that environment, you know nothing else. That is your worldview. I see why MI has always been a blue state. It seems that is changing now.
I hope and pray that more are awakened to the web of deception.
Actually Michigan hasn’t always been a blue state. Its been a GOP state far more than its been in democrat hands. Jackson Michigan is one of at least 3 places named as the birthplace of the GOP. In fact the GOP wave in the last election was greater here than anywhere else in the nation.
Last november we elected a republican governor by more than 60%, a GOP attorney general and secretary of state, solidified our hold on the state house and took control of the state senate. We held one conservative seat on the supreme court and elected another conservative supreme court judge. We also picked up two US house seats giving us a GOP majority from Michigan. We didn’t have a senate race.