Forum Post: The Independent Labor Party You've been Pining For
Posted 10 years ago on Dec. 6, 2013, 2:19 p.m. EST by shoozTroll
(17632)
This content is user submitted and not an official statement
Yep, an actual Labor Party.
Note that while they have not ignored National issues, they are starting things off within their community.
"Union-dense Lorain County, Ohio, is now home to an independent labor slate of two dozen newly elected city councilors—recruited and run by the central labor council there. All labor’s candidates had strong showings last month, and all but two were elected. “This was a step we took reluctantly,” said Lorain County AFL-CIO President Harry Williamson. “When the leaders of the [Democratic] Party just took us for granted and tried to roll over the rights of working people here, we had to stand up.” A series of disputes between organized labor and the Democratic leadership led the labor council and its allies to recruit and run their own slate in this Democratic stronghold, home of Ohio’s largest steel and auto facilities. ‘The Final Straw’ The unions had worked for years to build a labor-community partnership that resulted in a Lorain city Project Labor Agreement (PLA), which required that city contracts be staffed by at least 75 percent local and 9 percent minority workers, and unionized during the period of the project."
“When the leaders of the [Democratic] Party just took us for granted and tried to roll over the rights of working people here, we had to stand up.” A series of disputes between organized labor and the Democratic leadership led the labor council and its allies to recruit and run their own slate'' ~{:-) & here's an angle on why this is so important :
''Psychology 101 - Why We Need To Replace Every Member of Congress and The Senate''.
You're mos def more stout, working boots than tatty, frayed slippers lol here shooz. There is no magic wand or fast forward mode - only slow steady steps and seeding for a Mass Movement - in the correct direction towards ~*~ democracy. Nice forum-post.
per ardua ad astra ...
And?
Also, please leave the clearinghouse out of this.
I'm also not surprised that was the only thing you found of enough value to comment on.
肥皂劇的情人...
0.01% Corporatist Hitlary Clinton is all but a shoe in for POTUS, in 2016 as Repugnants chew each other up between Christie, Rubio & probably one other, in their primaries. Thus, the question remains, what thereafter ? Your post goes to the heart of that question, I think.
Where does it say in the US constitution that democracy should be a choice between two parties? Yet this is the situation that prevails not just in the US but throughout modern deMOCKERYcies. Ideally all communities should select their own Independent representatives at local, state and national level who in turn vote on each and every matter independently - based upon the strengths and weaknesses of the arguments for and against any issue. I believe that the Banksters and Corporations fear this very deeply.
Established political parties are now increasingly being shown to be anathema to Democracy, as they require massive amounts of cash for campaigns and thus they all become open for Corporate Co-option, Corruption and Control. 'Money Out Of Politics' is a core OWS demand and is essential for democracy !!
I do recommend the embedded short 'You-Tube' video - ''The Parable Of The Five Monkeys'' (transcript included) - from my ICH link above as I saw it over a week ago and I think it applies here. My previous comment was simply an opening cheeky but apt gambit and you do not need to too cantankerous or obtuse, though I am a little surprised that your were ''not surprised'' etc. above, lol.
Unions in the US and UK are also ripe for reform with the steel toe cap of a boot up the ass, as they too have - in the main, been co-opted by 'the system' and are far too prone to compromise with Crapitalism. Workers organising is good for industrial democracy and I agree with it totally but I have many criticisms of the leadership of unions - however there are many very good people involved at the coal-face of worker organisation. The German model of worker representation & cooperation with management has lessons.
The 99% need to have a perspective beyond one, two or even three election cycles, imo.In short, I really like the contents of your forum-post & thanx for posting it. It is a sure sign of a political awakening in the 99% - just like the election of that avowed Socialist council member in Seattle and is hope for the future & hey look - no links, lol.
pax ...
I'm sorry, but I can't recall mentioning Ms. Clinton, and I fail completely in seeing what your extensive comment has to do with the formation of a Labor Party in an Ohio community, fighting for the vitality of it's beleaguered unions. Really, you took this as an opportunity to bash their leadership. Democratically elected, leadership, I might add.
Since you've offered a change of subject, I will here offer MORE PROOF of libe(R)topianism spreading to other parts of World, as they adapt a very ALEC/SPN like attitude towards workers.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/04/business/economy/the-americanization-of-european-labor-policy.html?ref=international-home&_r=1&pagewanted=all&
Don't believe it?
Well, you should.
http://www.prwatch.org/news/2013/11/12318/ALECs-extreme-legislative-agenda-for-2014
Even in the SPN
http://www.prwatch.org/news/2013/12/12334/guardian-documents-expose-state-policy-network-groups-intent-lobby
.
Wtf are you talking about ?! Where did I take an ''an opportunity to bash their ''Democratically elected, leadership'' ?!! I thoroughly approve of their local initiative and the local union leadership and I did NOT offer ''a change of subject'', I extrapolated the issue - but like you say yourself .. you ''fail completely'' !!!
Even if I did open your links, I'll keep my thoughts about them to myself as no doubt you would take an obtuse contrarian view of anything I might say. It appears that you wouldn't know a collegiate hand held out if you saw one and would prefer it to be a slap in the face rather than on the back, even if you did !!
Be advised, in this my last comment on your forum-post here that your obtuse, hectoring & abrasively didactic nature is NOT actually conducive to getting your points across & can be rather self-defeating !
temet nosce ...
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" but I have many criticisms of the leadership of unions"
It's been a favorite of the "I'm not anti-union" crowd all along.
Zapomnisz, co mówisz i co zostało powiedziane.
Perhaps if you had just said something supportive?
Especially about the new link I provided to aid you in understanding.
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This is excellent news. It's about time.
Union YES!
It won't cure all our ills, but it can go a long, long way towards curbing inequality, and putting recalcitrant banks and corporations on notice..
I agree, this is excellent news, that needs to be "exported" to every State in the Union.
Agreed. Although, it kind of feels weird but I don't think that there was much choice left.
Why weird?
It's just late in arriving, yet hopefully, in the nick of time.
IDK. It's just a direction that you don't, or that I didn't, expect them to take. Although, at this point it is long over due. Specifically, it forces the Democrats into a put up or shut up stance.
I think it's indicative of the kind of pressure I've been saying they've ( SPN, et al.) been putting on all the States in the Great Lakes region.
It's my hope that this creates a "new left" all over the country. If the Dems join in, so much the better, but you know the right is going to fight this tooth and nail.
Good Deal
It really can start with community, and unions really can help.
You just have to ignore all the anti-union propaganda, and join or start one.
Absolutely - the 21st century needs to rethink many things and unions are one of em.