Posted on 08/02/2004 2:08:52 PM PDT by Willie Green
For education and discussion only. Not for commercial use.
On the first day of the Democratic national convention, Andrew Stern, the head of the 1.6 million-member Service Employees International Union (SEIU), dropped a bombshell in an interview with The Washington Post. He said that both organized labor and the Democratic Party might be better off in the long run if Sen. John Kerry lost the presidential election this fall. Stern´s remarks were quickly rebuked by AFL-CIO president John Sweeney, who pledged anew his support for Kerry. However, the SEIU is the largest and fastest growing union in the AFL-CIO and has banded together with other expanding factions of the labor movement to push for a more radical-left agenda than the Democratic Party is presenting this time around.
Stern sees a “deep crisis” on the left. The Kerry-Edwards ticket is trying to identify itself with the moderate-liberal legacy of the Clinton Administration, which Stern also criticized as having been harmful to “reform.” The SEIU had been an early supporter of Howard Dean, especially when he was the darling of the anti-war movement. Dean re-ignited the mythology of the New Left of the 1960s, but the Democratic establishment rallied around Kerry to head off another McGovernite debacle.
The SEIU´s involvement in the antiwar movement was independent of the Dean bubble. At its national convention this June in San Francisco, the SEIU adopted foreign policy resolutions which included calls for “An end to the U.S. Occupation of Iraq,” and “The redirecting of the nation's resources from inflated military spending to meeting the needs of working families for health care, education, a clean environment, housing and a decent standard of living.” And to put meaning into its claim as an “international union,” the SEIU platform repeated a statement made in the letter Stern sent to President Bush in January, 2003 opposing a war with Iraq. That statement claimed, “The goal of our foreign policy must be to promote a safer and more just world - promoting peaceful, multilateral solutions for disputes” and “must give high priority to improving the lives of people around the world.” The SEIU believes that forcefully removing Saddam Hussein from power violated these principles.
The Democratic platform takes a very different approach. It attacks the Bush administration for “badly exaggerat[ing] its case [for war], particularly with respect to weapons of mass destruction and the connection between Saddam's government and al-Qaeda.” However, now that the U.S. has overthrown the Saddam regime, it “cannot allow a failed state in Iraq that inevitably would become a haven for terrorists and a destabilizing force in the Middle East.”
The Democratic platform also calls for adding 40,000 troops to the U.S. military, and doubling the strength of special operations units, which are used in unconventional warfare and anti-terrorism actions. In his acceptance speech for the vice-presidential nomination, Sen. John Edwards cited the need to “strengthen and modernize our military” and said in regard to Iraq, “We'll win this war because of the strength and courage of our own people.”
The SEIU is a member of the New Unity Partnership, which also includes the Laborers' International Union of North America, the Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees International Union, and the United Brotherhood of Carpenters. The wing of the union movement representing the most unskilled and lowest paid workers has always been the most radical in its demands. Before their merger, the AFL, which represented skilled craft workers, and the CIO, which represented the unskilled, were often bitter political rivals.
During the rise of the United States to world economic leadership, the bulk of the “working class” in industry was elevated to middle class living standards. This was a great success story and a key reason why American politics have been more stable, moderate and realistic compared to what other countries have had to suffer with cycles of demagogues, suicidal policies, and mob violence. Workers who could afford to own homes and send their kids to college where not vulnerable to calls for a Marxist proletarian revolution.
Unfortunately, industrial decline has eliminated millions of middle-class blue collar jobs as America´s “labor aristocracy” has been undermined by cheaper foreign production.. The balance of power within the labor movement has shifted away from the “hard hats,” who wave the U.S. flag from their pickup trucks and send their kids into the military. They confronted the New Left in the streets in the 1960s and emerged as Reagan Democrats in the 1980s. The irony for Republicans is that by embracing the “free trade” policies pushed by corporate interests whose loyalty to the nation and its values is questionable at best, they have decimated the most patriotic and socially conservative segment of the labor movement.
As the number of workers in the shrinking industrial sector has declined, so has that sector´s influence in the labor movement. Service and government-sector unions have recruited members of growing sectors in the economy – service workers and government employees, whose interests and ideologies are much further to the left.
A key feature of the New Unity Partnership is the high percentage of immigrant workers they represent, including large numbers who are in the United States illegally. The SEIU claims to be the nation´s largest immigrant union and has stressed the need “to build a powerful, new immigrant electorate.” The SEIU strategy is to win a complete amnesty for illegal aliens to pave the way for their recruitment as left-wing voters. They have rejected President George W. Bush´s plan for an “earned” legal status through employment because it does not clear a path to full and immediate political rights. The SEIU urges its members to participate in politics even if they are not citizens or even legal residents. Its website states, “While we may not all be able to vote, we can all participate. If you can´t vote, you still have a voice. You can make phone calls, walk precincts, and pass out literature to ensure that everyone who is eligible to vote can.” The union itself has raised about $65 million for use in this year´s political campaigns.
The other unions in the New Unity Partnership coalition are also heavily involved in protecting massive illegal immigration, which has provided them with so many members. LIU resolutions call for “effective and far reaching reform legalizing undocumented workers and oppose current guest worker programs.” These sentiments are shared by all groups on the far left.
Those who want to radically transform the United States need to create a new proletariat which is as alienated from American society on class, ethnic, and cultural grounds as leftist intellectuals are alienated on ideological grounds. Drawing more illegal aliens into the country is the strategy for creating such a movement. In a evenly divided electorate, the influx of millions of foreign-born voters skewed towards one end of the political spectrum would be decisive. Thus behind the hiring of a few more janitors, kitchen helpers, and day laborers lurks the far more ambitious project of importing revolution.
It is just the way it is
No you are right, I am so honored to be schooled in the art of politics. Perhaps when I learn something about it I can understand how you jumped from the first part of the sentence to the other.
He has NEDVER held an elected office
NEDVER is apparently one of those "insider" words us "purists" and "ultra" FR types don't know about.
Alan Keyes is a nobody,who talks down to everyone,has had trouble with respecting the monetary laws that rule campaigns,and has used the RACIST "victimology" of the likes of Jackson and Sharpton,when he didn't get his way.
No it sounds like he's just been screwed over by the GOP not wanting him to have a voice that he called himself a victim. Now, I don't know anything about politics, but it might serve the GOP well were they to show an olive branch to the guy and let him introduce someone at least, mend some fences. Of course that's probably too much.
Tancredo is worse than that.He's a nobody,who outside of FR and his constituents,has absolutely NO name recognition.He's a one issue politician,
I actually wasn't aware he was a favorite on FR, but it makes sense. He's certainly a favorite in SoCal where we are enduring the brunt of the Mexican invasion wasting $5 bil a year and counting. He's popular precisely because he covers the one issue well. That's why it would be good compromising politics for the GOP to pander to that wing that they are getting killed on out here. They have no face in the Admin that is even somewhat tough on border enforcement. Not even a shill like yourself could claim that in all honesty. Giving him a token role is just good relations.
I used the word "ultra" because the purists here are so faaaaaaaaaar right,that they're almost out of the party.
But they sound like they are leaving the party on their own, and no one's attempting to take you with them, its just hearing them squak about it is why you are on this non-linear meltdown isn't it? I think you should let them go, after all you know politics and they don't.
(Cut the crap, you use the word "ultra" because you are a cheap party hack who is intellectually bankrupt so you're down to name calling)
No no no, you are either really dense or trying to gloss over your own BLATENT mistake. Either Catholic France is becoming socialist because they have no "faith" and Catholic Mexico is becoming socialist for the same reason, or both of them are not. You can't have it both ways, if Europe is dying because of antiChristian governments acting socialist, then so is Mexico.
Have you been to Mexico lately? Have you seen the crime statistics there? How can you really claim that people who can't/won't save their own country can come here and save ours? That's goofy. How has religion helped Mexico at all? Have you seen how there are thousands of street children in Mexico? Where are the hispanics religious values when they allow that number of kids --- some as young as 6 or 7 years old to live on the streets? Hispanics are saving themselves by coming to a country like America --- which inherited a British tradition.
Then why hasn't Catholicism saved Catholic countries like France, Spain, Italy? Hasn't saved any of Latin America? I am a Catholic --- but separation of Church and State seem like a pretty good idea --- maybe Catholics should worry about saving souls and forget about saving countries because they just don't seem able to do that. There isn't one Catholic country that has reached the level of the USA --- which like it or not was founded on more Protestant virtues such as the work ethic --- Calvinist ideas.
The Mexican government, the elite class is ruled by a handful of families --- 10% of the population falls into the elite ruling class, 80% are impoverished --- if 80% with the other 10% that might be middle class cannot do anything about the corrupt oligarchs --- just why do you think they can save the USA?
Alan Keyes pulled the "victim" garbage TWICE.The first time,was when he demanded to have a talking spot he was NOT entitled to,in a debate.He wasn't asked to be there,but demanded he be,when the thing was already underway.
He deserves NO bone toss after the way he's treated the president and he brings nothing whatsoever to the table.He's been out of government so long,that you might as well say that Rush deserves to speak or even that obsequiously,smarmy Bill O'Riely.Hey,why don't they have Ann Coulter? FOR THE SAME REASON...SHE ISN'T A POLITICIAN!
And before you bring up wee Ron P.Reagan,he was a poke in the GOP eye for the Dems! If his name was Ron P.Jones,instead,he wouldn't have been at the convention in Boston at all.
The GOP has NOT done anything TO Keyes.It's his own ego which has destroyed him.
Okay,here's a much needed lesson in politics,that you should learn.There are reasons why people are chosen to speak at conventions;both the GOP ones and the Dem ones.They can vary from such diametrically opposed positions as they ran for president in the just past primaries, to showcasing an up and comer,to the tradition of having the sitting mayor of the city the convention is being held in (same with governor of the state)to a past president,who is much loved by that party,to someone who,like Zell Miller is from another party and is supporting that party's candidate,to McCain,as a more than obvious poke in the eye with a sharp stick to Kerry,who wanted him as V.P. of all things.
Conventions have changed drastically of late.Wives and children NEVER used to speak and down the throat,obscene slobbering kissing, a la algore and Tipper,4 years ago, and Clinton's staged walk underground are things that don't belong at ANY Convention,biut seem to now be part of the "show".AND IT IS NOW JUST A STAGED SHOW!
Tancredo is NOT a favorite" on FR at all. He's idolized by a handful of one issue FREEPERS who know almost NOTHING whatsoever about him,except that he talks about illegal aliens.Ask them what his positions are on anything else and there's dead silence.
I'm not the one calling names,but you are."ULTRA" is a shorthand version for the rabid purists and one issue voters,who never look at the big picture.It's the all or nothing,dog in the manger,"pinciples" screamer types,who neither see a glass as 1/2 full or 1/2 empty,but rather,no glass at all and if they can't have 100% of what they claim to want,then they'll take NOTHING gladly.
You've said that you are going to vote for President Bush,so I'll not lump you in with that crowd.OTOH,no,you really don't understand politics.You've proven that with every post I've read of yours on this thread.
Normally I agree, but it was to mock your unbridled arrogance, it was quite relevant in that case.
He wasn't asked to be there,but demanded he be,when the thing was already underway
So he's a party crasher? I am so sorry for the hurt GOP leaders feelings.
He deserves NO bone toss after the way he's treated the president and he brings nothing whatsoever to the table.
He seems to get about 5% of the vote every time. When turnout is everything, smart politicians wouldn't be so cavalier to dismiss them as you and they agree on. That's your own loss, smart politicians would look to reach out, but there's a reason why they call the GOP "The Stupid Party" and this is it, petty pride.
And before you bring up wee Ron P.Reagan,he was a poke in the GOP eye for the Dems! If his name was Ron P.Jones,instead,he wouldn't have been at the convention in Boston at all.
Exactly the same can be said for your lone conservative example;Micheal Reagan. Try again.
Okay,here's a much needed lesson in politics,that you should learn.
As Reagan would say, "there you go again" what a jerk.
I'm not the one calling names,but you are."ULTRA" is a shorthand version for the rabid purists and one issue voters,who never look at the big picture.It's the all or nothing,dog in the manger,"pinciples" screamer types,who neither see a glass as 1/2 full or 1/2 empty,but rather,no glass at all and if they can't have 100% of what they claim to want,then they'll take NOTHING gladly.
You don't know anything about me, this pathetic strawman beating is a futile attempt to disregard my own voting record and my plans on voting in the future in order to pigeon hole me, as if I don't realize what you are still attempting. Its the oldest trick in the book, paint everyone else as an extremist and yourself as the voice of reason. Tell me, political genius, if you are so tolerant and accepting of a glass half full why wouldn't you listen to a bit of dessent on the choice of speakers? How do you know how these heretics will vote? You don't, you don't know 1/2 of what you claim.
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to realize that an influx of low-paid voting immigrants will probably gravitate towards the DemocRat Pary as they have been the historical beneficiary of such votes. They have honed their divisive class warfare skills to a fine edge over many generations with many different groups of immigrants, and then can now add to the flammable mix, the issue of race.
The Republicans have only two ways to beat them at this game: reduce or at least bring under control immimgration through elimination of illegals, and make a better effort to sell the Republican political philosophy to these people.
Most of these immigrants, although from the lower rungs of the financial ladder, are not receptive to kind of environmentalist wacko, rabid homosexual, anti-school choice rhetoric spewed by typical DemocRats, and by selling the benefits of smaller government, less taxes, along with programs specifically targetting and benefiting lower income people and the education of their children we can wean them away from the far leftists.
Under the present Administration, the GOP has abandoned that domestic initiative in favor of global corporatism.
I'm a conservative, but I don't support globalism. It has destroyed our industrial base, ruined our working classes and made us economic serfs to Red China.
But then, even the DemocRats support globalism - look at Teresa - Heinz plants all over the world - Kerry.
Yeah me too, and as you pointed out this Porterville is quite possibly making one of the single NUTTIEST posts I have seen on here. The reason it is so insane is that he is rationalizing for a broader agenda, La Raza-his interest in The Race. Where I come from that kind of racial christ-complex sounds like racism.
The major point in this idiocy to add is that Boston had a huge Irish Catholic invasion, how is Taxachusets saved by John Kerry and Ted Kennedy?
The Eastern European and Italian mass immigration into Hillary's New York?
The Mexican invasion of Boxer's California?
These are all Democrat bastions. In CA after such a huge invasion of Mexican "saviors" into Bob Dornan's district he was quickly replaced by an ultra liberal latina Democrat. Hispanics and Catholics in general vote Dem, always have. I don't know why, I think they are all complete morons for doing so, but that is reality, and unless you believe voting Dem is going to "save America" more Catholics in America is going to merely get us more Democrats and hurt the United States.
sorry, forgot to ping you, you'll LOVE the posts by "Porterville" above.
Their "belief in God" hasn't stopped Hispanics from becoming one of the largest drains on our justice system.
If that's "saving this country" it's the type of saving we can do without.
We could also do without the drugs they cultivate, transport, and smuggle over the border --- that certainly isn't saving the USA.
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