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Forum Post: A Labor Day Nod to Labor!

Posted 11 years ago on Sept. 1, 2012, 1:10 p.m. EST by shoozTroll (17632)
This content is user submitted and not an official statement

15 great quotes from the labor movement!

http://www.addictinginfo.org/2012/08/31/15-of-the-greatest-quotes-in-honor-of-the-american-worker/

Labor!!

The folks that have brought us all good things!

Have you hugged a union member today?

73 Comments

73 Comments


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[-] 3 points by beautifulworld (23769) 11 years ago

Very nice, shooz. I enjoyed reading the quotes. Happy Labor Day weekend!

[-] 3 points by shoozTroll (17632) 11 years ago

Thanks BW...........:)

Just trying to remind folks about whose day this really is.

I always said the bosses should have work in labors jobs for the whole 3 day weekend..........................:)

Of course these days, that might mean a 3 day trip to China.

Could we get RoMoney to go first?

[-] 4 points by beautifulworld (23769) 11 years ago

When they say someone "made it from nothing" it is never true. In most cases the capitalist "makes it" on the backs of the laborers. We used to respect labor in this country. Now it has somehow become a dirty word. If you're not a big successful entrepreneur you're nothing. It's unreal and it needs to change.

[-] 1 points by shoozTroll (17632) 11 years ago

It has never been any other way.

Humans are wired that way. It's why most of us seek out mates.

[-] -2 points by PoliticalBabbleKillsOWS (-117) 11 years ago

A rich man created ex nihilo. Only possible in America.

[-] 3 points by beautifulworld (23769) 11 years ago

No. He does that with help from others.

[-] 3 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 11 years ago

Hey - I just built me a sandwich - and I did it all by myself - except for the farmer who grew the wheat - the baker who made the bread the fisherman who caught the tuna the worker who cut up the tuna....hmmm . . . now wait just a gosh danged second...... lets try that one again . . . I just 8 a sandwich - all by myself . . . . hmmm . . . nope that's just not quite right either............

[-] 2 points by beautifulworld (23769) 11 years ago

Very well said.

[Removed]

[-] 1 points by shoozTroll (17632) 11 years ago

In that case, I think a nod and a wink might suffice.

OK, maybe just a nod........................:)

[Removed]

[-] 2 points by shoozTroll (17632) 11 years ago

Unions matter more today than ever before.

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0912/80571.html?hp=r5

[-] 2 points by shoozTroll (17632) 11 years ago

Postal union in jeopardy!

WE already knew that, but here's a few more words on the subject.

http://www.politicususa.com/postal-service-attack-republicans-canary-coal.html

Just another success, dismantled by whom?

You don't need to guess, there is an accurate answer.

[-] 2 points by shoozTroll (17632) 11 years ago

"As we near Labor Day, I want to encourage you to help younger generations better understand why labor unions are so important. Too many people either know very little about unions or only know what politicians and Fox News tell them. "

There's that damned FLAKESnews again.

Union yes!!!

http://www.aflcio.org/Blog/Other-News/Barbara-J.-Easterling-We-Must-Educate-Younger-People-About-Unions

Education is one of the keys to freedom.

[-] 2 points by shoozTroll (17632) 11 years ago

DETROIT - Last night Republican vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan attacked President Obama for closing the General Motors plant in Janesville, ignoring the fact that the plant closed during George W. Bush's tenure.

Some words from the UAW on labor day weekend.

http://www.uaw.org/articles/uaw-statement-paul-ryans-speech-republican-national-convention-hes-no-friend-working-people

[-] 2 points by hchc (3297) from Tampa, FL 11 years ago

The amount of lies coming out of this process is incredible.

Pre bought politicians telling blatant lies to the people.

What percentage on each side will cling to them as if they were facts?

[-] 1 points by shoozTroll (17632) 11 years ago

Most have bought the lies told about unions.

It's one of the biggest lies of all.

[-] 1 points by hchc (3297) from Tampa, FL 11 years ago

Do you think that union dues should not go towards politician's campaigns? Or they should?

I have found this is usually 50/50 at OccTampa.

[-] 0 points by shoozTroll (17632) 11 years ago

Not the fucked up libe(R)tarian question again.

That's one of the biggest LIES told!!!

Should one single cent you spend on anything go to political activity of any kind at all?

It wouldn't be 50/50 if YOU personally pushed for the truth hchc.

I come I get the feeling you don't?

[-] 1 points by hchc (3297) from Tampa, FL 11 years ago

Wow, talk about snapping. Wow.

So anyways, what are your feelings on union donations to political campaigns?

[-] 1 points by shoozTroll (17632) 11 years ago

it's labor day.

And I hate it when people talk against labor!!!

So why do repeat the neolibe(R)tarian BS question once again?

You will answer my question first, as the lions share of the monies you are tying to deny unions, are given 1,000 fold by the corporations they fight.

Who's side are you on, son?

[-] 2 points by hchc (3297) from Tampa, FL 11 years ago

Im on the side of all money removed from politics. I dont care if its a 10million donation from the pope, I'm for all of it out.

And if you dont think its at least 50.50 that want it all out, with Occupy and even lots of Greens, then you are mistaken.

Im on the side of our elected serving the people. Not corporations, not unions, not anything besides the people. Some companies are not unions, and they should not be marginalized because they arent.

The fact that I can say I want all money out of politics and you declare Im one of your cute little phrases, which is blatantly false, just shows who side YOU are on.

But we already knew that. . . .

[-] 2 points by shoozTroll (17632) 11 years ago

Spoken like a man who hates laborers.

How will your plan make up for all the ground lost over all these years?

Over all the trillions corporations have spent against labor?

Not just the monies spent on campaigns, but all money spent on anti worker propaganda?

It won't.

You have no plan at all.

Just neolibe(R)tarian propaganda.

Who would have thought you would speak against labor on labor day?

Anti union talk from you?

I expected it.

I guess WE know who's side you are on too, and it isn't the workers.

[-] 3 points by hchc (3297) from Tampa, FL 11 years ago

No offense shooz, but I've done more manual labor than you. Otherwise, you wouldnt be so naive.

Remove the money, and the corporations cant lobby them. There are then no corporations to fight. They are banned from DC.

There will always be a pull between labor and antilabor. Im for people being allowed to unite. Thats basically what OWS is.

But Im also for people being elected on their own merit and ideas. Not having to pay back campaign favors. No campaign bribes of any type at all.

Why do you hate that so much?

[-] 0 points by shoozTroll (17632) 11 years ago

There you go assuming again.

Claiming you worked harder that anybody else.

Like that makes up for ignoring my statements and questions to you.

Why do so often repeat the neolibe(R)tian line?

[-] 2 points by hchc (3297) from Tampa, FL 11 years ago

Im simply stating that you obviously dont know what it feels like to get shafted on a construction contract because your company leaders arent all cozy with the local politicians, unlike the one that got it. If you did, you would see that we need to remove ALL money from politics.

No one mentioned level of work intensity. Defensive?

Why do you hate the idea of removing all money from politics and let the politicians work freely, on a public financed campaign?

ARe you going to answer the fuckin question or not? Just attack?

For once in your life, answer the god damn fuckin question.

Why are you not for removing all influence of money from our political processes?

[-] 1 points by shoozTroll (17632) 11 years ago

Because I've already answered this question umpteen times to every libe(R)tarian that's asked it so far.

You just weren't paying attention.

With your asking this same question once again, I thought about how the imbalance has harmed organized labor and I'm curious about how you would compensate for that.

Or would you?

PS: Just because you said FUCK, doesn't add any validity to aything at all.

[-] 2 points by hchc (3297) from Tampa, FL 11 years ago

If you remove all the money from politics the power will go back to the people. Its very simple.

[-] 1 points by shoozTroll (17632) 11 years ago

That ignores what I am asking of you.

How will you compensate for 100 years of anti-union propaganda?

You choose to ignore it.

You pretend it will just away like magic.

It won't.

[-] 0 points by Mooks (1985) 11 years ago

AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka – $293,750.

National Education Association President Dennis Van Roekel – $460,060

Service Employees International Union President Mary Kay Henry – $290,334.

American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees President Gerald McEntee – $512,489.

International Brotherhood of Teamsters President James P. Hoffa , Jr. – $372,489.

American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten – $493,859.

International Association of Fire Fighters President Harold Schaitberger – $323,811.

American Federation of Government Employees President John Gage – $198,690. (Gage retired this month)

United Food and Commercial Workers President Joseph Hansen – $361,124

Maybe if they didn't pay their presidents so much they would have more money to lobby our politicians with, thus throwing even more money into a corrupt system.

Get the money from the far left, the far right, the middle, from everywhere out of politics and you will see a lot of problems going away.

[-] 2 points by geo (2638) from Concord, NC 11 years ago

Those salaries are in line with what CEO's commonly make. What they don't have is a bonus made up of stock options... the real money maker in CEO compensation packages.

The CEO of Caterpillar Corp, who is screwing the rank and file workers who are on strike there, received $12 Million worth of stock for pushing to keep the rank and file's pay frozen for 6 years... no raises plus new employees will be downgraded to $13/hr when joining. The company made, after paying all expenses, over $4 Billion profit last year and is on target to make over $5 Billion this year.

[-] 1 points by shoozTroll (17632) 11 years ago

So?

They are still not getting paid what they are worth.

With this type of FLAKESnews style thinking, you would be overpaid at minimum wage.

[-] -1 points by PoliticalPrattleKillsOWS (-155) 11 years ago

shooz is a snapper. He is unable to control his temper. When faced with an opinion contrary to his own, his emotions crush his logic and he is unable to reply using proper argumentation. He drowns in the flurry of logical fallacies that drip out of his emotional mouth.

[-] 2 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 11 years ago

Thanks shooz.

An Excerpt from your link:

From labor leaders, activists, and other public figures, here are words of wisdom and support for the labor movement and all workers on Labor Day. Courtesy of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO.

“They have waged class war on us. It is time for our class to fight back. It’s time for us to reach out to one another to fight for the right to organize, to fight corporations that would fight us, to demand that trade agreements protect workers and workers’ rights, children, our environment, and our quality of life, and to fight for human dignity.” – Stewart Acuff, labor organizer

[-] 1 points by shoozTroll (17632) 11 years ago

We should all be fighting for the same thing!!.......:)

[-] 3 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 11 years ago

Apropos to the day.

For all of you in the streets today.

Takin' It To The Streets

[-] -2 points by PoliticalBabbleKillsOWS (-117) 11 years ago

Playing the twinkle game with shooz again? You twinkle him, he twinkles you... Sometimes, I think I should pull out my bot and give you a nasty lesson for being so vulgar on this site and attacking great contributors like Odin with school yard insults.

[-] 3 points by shoozTroll (17632) 11 years ago

Now you use threats!!!!!!!!!!!!

Fuck off, and I don't use that term often, nor lightly!

You're a hater and a tyrant.

Go away!

[-] 0 points by hchc (3297) from Tampa, FL 11 years ago

Perhaps we should create a Walmart Workers Union, even if the ones in it arent working for Walmart. Perhaps it would draw more attention to it?

[-] 1 points by shoozTroll (17632) 11 years ago

Spoken like the anti-union, anti-labor man you are.

You've shown that you HATE walmart shoppers, now you show you HATE those workers too.

That has to be among your most pathetic comments yet, and on Labor Day yet.

Nothing positive on labor from you.............Nothing at all.

[-] 1 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 11 years ago

I don't know shooz - if it was an accident or what(?) I mean hchc?) - But WallMart workers should form a Workers UNION or join one. There are a lot of people working for and being subsequently abused by WallMart - I would love to see a strong UNION grow from the abusive mess that is wallmart. AND THEN a National Strike.

[-] 1 points by shoozTroll (17632) 11 years ago

Well, at least this line of comment has excited the corpo(rat)e stinkle team.

You are correct Wallyworld needs to be unionized, in a very real way.

A way that must follow all the way to China.

[-] 3 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 11 years ago

I do believe that the good people of China are coming alive again in their demands for better treatment - Sheesh talk about having walked an eternally long road of abuse - and yet their spirit has not been crushed.

[-] 1 points by gnomunny (6819) from St Louis, MO 11 years ago

So, what you are saying is that you agree when DK says it, but disagree when hchc says it. I think that's what they call 'hypocrisy.'

[-] 2 points by shoozTroll (17632) 11 years ago

HUH?

DK and I would have Wallyworld labor organized.

hchc, is suggesting a union as "theater".

I would further suggest, that hchc's plan would work best hand in hand with an actual union organizing effort.

Such a thing take a concerted effort of union cooperation.

[-] 1 points by gnomunny (6819) from St Louis, MO 11 years ago

"Perhaps we should create a Walmart Workers Union, even if the ones in it arent working for Walmart. Perhaps it would draw more attention to it?"

Wrong call on your part. I take "draw more attention to it" as meaning draw attention to the problem. Please clarify your interpretation, since comments can often be taken various ways. I'm not seeing it.

[-] 1 points by shoozTroll (17632) 11 years ago

Forming a phony union is a form of "theater".

(forming a union isn't as easy as you seem to think)

There's nothing wrong with street theater.

However, if not done in concert with an actual union organizing effort, the workers at Wallyworld might find it a bit insulting.

[-] 1 points by gnomunny (6819) from St Louis, MO 11 years ago

I see what you are saying. " . . . even if they don't work for WalMart."

Edit: I was in a construction union for twelve years. I know a tad about them.

[-] 2 points by shoozTroll (17632) 11 years ago

Then you also know that one doesn't form a labor union on a wim.

What hchc is suggesting would only work as theater.

[-] 1 points by gnomunny (6819) from St Louis, MO 11 years ago

Gotcha. In this case, I will defer. Sorry 'bout that.

[-] 1 points by shoozTroll (17632) 11 years ago

hchc and I do argue a bunch, but sometimes we come to points of clarity too........ :)

It doesn't always appear that way, but that's generally my aim.

[-] 1 points by MattLHolck (16833) from San Diego, CA 11 years ago

I read posts

[-] 0 points by gnomunny (6819) from St Louis, MO 11 years ago

Yeah, me too. Sometimes numerous times.

[-] 1 points by hchc (3297) from Tampa, FL 11 years ago

That is why I was suggesting the perhaps we should get a Walmart union going, even if it is composed of others who dont work there. Get around 10 million to sign on. That would be a very powerful message and could put a lot of pressure on them.

[-] 1 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 11 years ago

I believe it would have to be all wallmart worker's unless it was a chapter of the teamsters or something.

[-] 0 points by hchc (3297) from Tampa, FL 11 years ago

I believe it would too, but perhaps outside forces could get the ball rolling, creating press coverage and pushing the issue.

It's just a thought.

[-] 2 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 11 years ago

It would be cool if someone who knew what was up with organizing could get union education stations set up in front of these stores - to begin with though - dues should be next to nothing as these people have next to nothing.

It is not about money anyway - Right?

It is about people - working people - all working people. Strength in numbers not money.

[-] -1 points by hchc (3297) from Tampa, FL 11 years ago

That was meant to draw attention to the fact that Walmart workers are getting screwed.

And yes, I dont shop there. I dont approve of their policies.

How do you misunderstand what 90% of the posters here post, day after day?

[-] 1 points by MattLHolck (16833) from San Diego, CA 11 years ago

I try not to use the word "you" when I post

[-] 0 points by marvelpym (-184) 11 years ago

How does he misunderstand? Normally I'd blame the teacher's unions for his poor education, but blaming shooz on anybody but shooz is really unfair.

[-] -1 points by shoozTroll (17632) 11 years ago

I guess I will have to wait for stronger and clearer commentary from you in support of unionization.

So far, you really haven't shown that.

[-] 3 points by hchc (3297) from Tampa, FL 11 years ago

I support Unions 100%. I support power to the people. I support anyone's right to organize.

Is that clear enough for you?

I dont support them being able to sway legislation in their favor, to the detriment of other honest hard working people.

[-] 0 points by shoozTroll (17632) 11 years ago

You're still not answering the question.

Why is that?

How would you address the imbalance of power that has been arrayed against unions for over 100 years?

[-] 2 points by hchc (3297) from Tampa, FL 11 years ago

How would I address it? By removing the money from politics. It would take a second, but the balance would go back.

That is what I would do.

What would you do? And please dont respond with attacks on my suggestion.

[-] 1 points by shoozTroll (17632) 11 years ago

I feel quite simply that that would not be enough.

That there has been over 100 years of anti-union legislation and sorting through it would be neigh impossible.

[-] 1 points by hchc (3297) from Tampa, FL 11 years ago

Ok, so what are you proposing?

I think obviously getting the money out is first and foremost.

I think after that is where things get tricky.

[-] 1 points by shoozTroll (17632) 11 years ago

To be honest, I used to think like you, that simply removing the money from the process would be enough, but in answering the question over and over, I've realized that it won't do thing for those 100 years of anti-union legislation, let alone 100 years of ingrained propaganda.

The answer might lie in a counsel of union leaders helping to identify that legislation, and working towards removing or altering it to something more amenable to labor and collective bargaining.

The tricky part is in all that ingrained propaganda, and the danger if it affecting that process.

[-] 1 points by hchc (3297) from Tampa, FL 11 years ago

Now we are onto something. Do you know of any specific legislation or court cases that should be looked into?

Once those specifics are addressed, we now have a specific plan of action to start garnering support for.

[-] 1 points by shoozTroll (17632) 11 years ago

Oh gosh. Nothing specific at the moment, and you have to consider that much of it is built on smaller pieces of legislation that worked to affect the larger picture in corporate favor.

A good place to start, is with ANY legislation that limits organizing, or limits the scope of collective bargaining.

[-] -1 points by PoliticalSquabbleKillsOWS (-29) 11 years ago

It's like you don't understand English! You misunderstand everything hchc says! Did you ever take an IQ test?

[-] 0 points by gnomunny (6819) from St Louis, MO 11 years ago

hchc got on their bad side a couple months ago when he started calling them out on their partisan b.s. Now it doesn't matter what he says, it's attack the messenger regardless of the message. You know their game, T.

[-] -1 points by shoozTroll (17632) 11 years ago

From another feller that doesn't understand the concept of answering the question as asked?

Followed by an IQ insult?

I do believe I've already asked you to fuck off.

Please do so with much haste, as your commentary is useless to moving forward.

[-] 0 points by Karlin (350) from Nelson, BC 11 years ago

Solidarity is good, Unions are good, but alas, the weakness of Unions is the BOSSES, as they can be corrupted by the 1%.

As Quote #2 referred to, Union leadership are "...those who have the people".

So the answer comes in changing the Union bosses regularly, once a year, and the new leaders should come from the rank and file membership. [as in Iceland's new government!!]

What to you say to THAT, Union bosses? If you don't think it is a good idea, I am worried about YOU!