Yes, there have always been attacks on Labor, but it was doing OK after WW2 and
up to the 70's. By the 70's, the traditional Democratic coalition was already
damaged because of the conflicts within our population over the Vietnam War.
Labor supported the war. Students, professionals, and some others on the left,
opposed it. Nixon could talk about "the silent majority" which included Mid
America, the workers who would soon be dispossessed as factories began to leave
their communities. Then the policies of corporations, the right wing think
tanks, and eventually, Reagan, destroyed the labor movement. It was also during
the 70's, that the Evangelical Christians began to gain political power and
that also ate away at the labor movement.
Miriam
-----Original Message-----
From: blind-democracy-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:blind-democracy-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Carl Jarvis
Sent: Wednesday, October 04, 2017 10:49 AM
To: blind-democracy@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Cc: my blog carl jarvis <carjar82.carls@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [blind-democracy] Re: Flag Idolatry Is a Pathology That Crushes Real
American Values
To All Users of Paper Towels!
Yes, we certainly did find ourselves on a downward trend during the Clinton
administration. It should have served as a warning that the Working Class no
longer had a political party to defend their interests. But it certainly did
not begin with Clinton. Remember the words, "I'm from the government, and I've
come to help"? Ronald Reagan laid much of the groundwork that, over the next
37 years saw the erosion of Collective Bargaining. The attack on Labor Unions,
which had never let up since the 1920's, was intensified. Remember the Air
Traffic Controllers? The Establishment's attack on this union was no accident.
Here was an organization that had fought for decent wages, good benefits and
retirement, along with other benefits not enjoyed by other hard working
Americans.
I remember clearly the Reagan strategy. The Air Traffic Controllers were
painted in the Establishment's Media as greedy Anti Americans.
They were demonized to the point that other labor unions turned their backs
when called upon for support. Yes, Reagan's administration got the ball
rolling, but the destruction of that proud organization came at the hands of
Labor, itself.
But Ronald Reagan was certainly not the beginning of Labor's downward slide.
Following the end of World War II, America's corporations began to flex their
muscles. The victory by the Allied Forces opened the world markets to American
Capitalists. Not only did they have reduced competition for the sale of their
products, but they saw a new cheap labor force of eager, starving workers. In
addition, women began entering the job market here at home. And of course,
without seeming to be aware, it began taking two wages in order for average
American families to stay even with the economy.
But until Clinton, Americans believed that we had a Political Party that fought
for the working class. By the time Barack Obama eased into the Oval Office,
the new Corporate Democratic Party was well entrenched. The proof was made
clear when the "People's Choice"
Bernie Sanders was kicked to the curb by the DNC.
The Empire's Ruling Class is moving forward toward tyranny. Anyone speaking
their concerns, or demonstrating them by public actions, are quickly branded as
Anti American. If they happen to be of a color other than White, they are
hinted to be Terrorists. The Mass media is fairly well under the control of
the Empire, even NPR has been forced to knuckle under. And now the push is on
to take over the Internet.
Once that happens there will be no public access to the diversity of opinions
that are an integral part of democracy. But most Americans will not notice the
changes for years. Life for them will go forward about the same. Maybe times
will call for tightening the belt a bit in order to get by, but that's what
Americans have to do in order to stay "free". Well, that's what Americans are
told they must do. Such belt tightening does not apply to the Ruling Class.
Did anyone notice the arrogance demonstrated by Donald Trump, as he tossed out
rolls of paper towels to desperate Puerto Recons?
"“Qu'ils mangent de la brioche”, “Let them eat cake.”!!!
Carl Jarvis
On 10/4/17, Bob Hachey <bhachey@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Hi Miriam,
Yes, in a way, that is a make believe world. More precisely, it is in
many ways, the world that existed in the mid-1990's before the real
impact of Clinton's crime and welfare reform bills took hold. IT was a
time of less income inequality than we have today.
No doubt, we have regressed considerably since that time.
Bob
-----Original Message-----
From: blind-democracy-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:blind-democracy-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Miriam ;
Vieni
Sent: Tuesday, October 03, 2017 6:52 PM
To: blind-democracy@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [blind-democracy] Re: Flag Idolatry Is a Pathology That
Crushes Real American Values
Well, I listened and it sounded like a make believe world, certainly
not the one we inhabit. We're living in a doomed country.
Miriam
-----Original Message-----
From: blind-democracy-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:blind-democracy-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Bob Hachey
Sent: Tuesday, October 03, 2017 5:50 PM
To: blind-democracy@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [blind-democracy] Re: Flag Idolatry Is a Pathology That
Crushes Real American Values
Hi miriam, Carl and all,
Great article by Mr. bordman heer. Seems to me that some white folks
are using their offense at others taking a knee as an excuse to sweep
the real issues here under the rug. IMHO, anyone who is truly offended
by those who decide to take a knee and do not recognize their right to
do so do not have a good understanding of free speech and our bill of
rights. I am offended by the blood and soil marchers of
sharlottesville, but I do reluctantly recognize their right to march.
Seems like Trump is trying his best to fan the flames of angry
patriotism as expressed by the far right and I am concerned that he could
succeed.
Here are two views of patriotism.Thomas Jefferson once said that "from
time to time, the tree of liberty must be nourished by the blood of patriots."
Oscar wilde once said that "Patriotism is the virtue of the vicious."
In my younger days, I might have chosen to side with Jefferson. Today,
I proudly side with Wilde.
Pasted below my name is a link to a speech given by Michael douglas's
character in a movie entitled The American President which brilliantly
describes free speech and the right to protest. . This was an
impromptu speech given in the East Room of the White House. President
Andrew Shepard was asked by a member of the press to explain his membership
in the ACLU.
This question was first posed by Republican opponent Bob Rumson. In
reply, Shepard gave a speech that I long to hear from a real American
president.
For those who haven't heard the speech before, you're in for a reall treat.
Bob Hachey
.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zemrWBIc_hE
