The One Thing Democrats Should Learn From Conor Lamb

[blue-wave]

It’s time to embrace unions.

<snip>The real lesson, the one that Democrats need to recognize, it precisely the opposite of what Trump and Ryan suggest. Lamb isn’t exactly a progressive Democrat. But Ryan’s being absurd when he tries to identify the Pennsylvanian as a conservative. Lamb campaigned as a sharp critic of corporate influence on American politics who criticized Trump’s tax policies and aggressively defended the Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid programs that Ryan seeks to dismantle. Alex Lawson, the executive director of Social Security Works, says, “Lamb’s victory is a repudiation of Donald Trump and Paul Ryan’s plans to gut the American people’s earned benefits.” <snip>

<snip> But on the essential issue of labor rights, Lamb ran a far more militant campaign than most prominent Democrats have in recent decades. The candidate sought labor endorsements, as Democrats usually do, and he called his Republican rival out for taking anti-labor positions. But Lamb went much further than that. Instead of treating organized labor as a special-interest group, Lamb embraced unions such as the Pennsylvania-based United Steelworkers as vital infrastructure for civil society.<snip>


Full Article: https://www.thenation.com/article/the-one-thing-democrats-should-learn-from-conor-lamb/


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I agree 110% with the premise of the article. With the decades long attack on the middle class, we can become the dominate party again for a very long time if we embrace unions ever more closely in the years to come. Your thoughts?

With that said, is it possible to start a "union" forum on DU?

[Demsrule86]

1. Great point...I think you ask ask the administrators.

[Wounded Bear]

2. There is a group, but it's not a "forum"...

and as such, doesn't allow a lot of back and forth. It might help you keep up on union activities and events, though.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=forum&id=1117

One of our problems is that unions have been largely hollowed out here in the US. Sucks, but that's the way it is right now. Increasing union membership and support is a heavy lift, but a worthwhile one.

[monmouth4]

3. That horrible bridge (walking bridge) accident yesterday in Miami, I'm sure could have been avoided

if it had been union-constructed.

[Sherman A1]

4. My take away from this election is a bit less nuanced

it comes down to having a candidate on the ballot in every race. Even in a district that offers a minuscule chance of any hope of victory. I think too often that the GOP wins because they simply are not challenged as I understand (and perhaps I am incorrect) this area was previously allowed to run unopposed.

Even if it's nothing more than a name on a ballot and a hundred yard signs at the very least make that minimal effort.