Union support no longer blank check to Democrats

Washington Times ^ | 2/26/02 | Donald Lambro

[kattracks]

AFL-CIO President John Sweeney and other union leaders are meeting in New Orleans today to find a way to shore up their sinking finances amid growing internal demands that they become more bipartisan.

The labor federation, long a powerhouse in American politics, is running into hard times these days as a result of the recession and layoffs that have shrunk membership rolls and union dues, forcing cutbacks in union staffing and perhaps new assessments on locals that also are strapped for cash.

[america-rules]

Well, Well !

[brat]

I never thought I'd thank the Clinton's for anything, but you have to admit that they turned alot of people OFF! LOL

[Hawkeye's Girl]

I won Minnesota Teamsters and International Union of Teamsters scholarships, so they're also helping Republicans by sending me through college :)

[rockfish59]

didn't some teamster's beat up some clinton protesters?
oh those kind, caring democrats!

[Green Knight]

Yeah, I remember that. Bastards.

But whatever the case, this is good news for us, despite the fact that some Union members are Clinton loving thugs. Personally, I've never understood how the Unions can be such staunch supporters of a party which apparently puts more value on the support of environmentalist groups then unions. The Democrats take union money, but when it comes time to choose who do they side with? The environmentalist whackos, that's who. The unions, like the black vote, are a brick in the foundation of the Democratic Party's power base. And like the black vote, the Democrats only pay lip service to them, throwing them the occasional scraps from the dinner table, without doing anything substantive for them. If we can peel some of that support away, then it'd be a huge advantage for us.

[tm61]

while its great to see the dems losing some of their base voters and money, on the other hand, does having policies and candidates that appeal to unions mean the republicans are just moving to the left to accomodate them?

[rockfish59]

i worked for the laborer's union for 18 years and had to look at a clinton/gore poster every time i went to pay my dues.
i always forgot to bring a couple of darts.
was i pissed when i found out they were using my money to support these creeps?
and the majority of the members are MEX-I-CAN!!
mull that one over, dubya!

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

BTTT!

[Billthedrill]

Well, I don't see why not - it's taken them long enough to figure out that the corporate support that goes the Democrats' way does so with strings attached, and sometimes those strings do not pull in the direction of the union membership.

[dead]

Great. We've just entered the bidding war for the corrupt union vote.

"I see President Bush in the corner with 30% tariffs on imported steel. Do I hear $3 billion in spending to hire new teachers? Can I get $3 billion for new teachers? Ah, thank you Mr. Kennedy.

We're looking for a raise in the minimum wage now... do I hear $12 an hour... anybody... we'll be spending 60 million on campaign ads in the 2004 elections... can I get $12 minimum wage. Thank you!... Oh, I see $13 over there..."

[dead]

bttt

[hattend]

didn't some teamster's beat up some clinton protesters FReepers in Philly?

Hell YES they did.

[curmudgeonII]

I'm old enough to rmember when the United Mine Workers under John L. Lewis, the Carpenter's Union and other skilled trade unions routinely supported Republicans.

[rockfish59]

yes, now i remember the thread!
well, if they did it to hoffa...........

[danmar]

How sweet it is...

Watch the Dems freaking out big time over this. Finally your friendly union tug has seen the light at the end of the tunnel, and realised that the Republicans are humans too and have the will and power to do/undo things benefitting the Unions.

I am telling you, Dasshole party is having a canniption fit right now, seeing their base also running away from them among other things.
I'll tell you what, just by reading this, it allready made my day and further more it reinforces my belief that we going to make a huge change of historical proportion come November.

it looks like, there is a God afterall...