AFAIK the only union member to have become POTUS was Reagan.

[Recursion]

We should change that.

Do we have anybody in the wings who has a labor background? Any rising candidates we can push?

[HardTimes99]

1. Lincoln corresponded with Karl Marx. Not sure if that counts (maybe in spirit :) - nt

[BOG PERSON]

8. not w/ lincoln but with american ambassador to UK

http://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/iwma/documents/1864/lincoln-letter.htm

very friendly exchange

[Recursion]

9. Of course, the attached minutes then descend into self-parody

From the minutes of the Central (General) Council of the International — November 19, 1864:

"Dr. Marx then brought up the report of the subcommittee, also a draft of the address which had been drawn up for presentation to the people of America congratulating them on their having re-elected Abraham Lincoln as President. The address is as follows and was unanimously agreed to."

The minutes of the meeting continue:

"A long discussion then took place as to the mode of presenting the address and the propriety of having a M.P. with the deputation; this was strongly opposed by many members, who said workingmen should rely on themselves and not seek for extraneous aid.... It was then proposed... and carried unanimously. The secretary correspond with the United States Minister asking to appoint a time for receiving the deputation, such deputation to consist of the members of the Central Council."

Reminds me of the PFJ scenes from The Life of Brian...

[HardTimes99]

10. Getting senile in my dotage. That is one hell of a letter. I could only wish to write

something 1/100 as eloquent and moving. Thanks for posting!

[Art_from_Ark]

2. And look what Mr. Union President did

He fired the PATCO workers within a half year of taking office. And he basically told unemployed union workers during the 1981-83 recession to take a hike ("vote with your feet" as he euphemistically put it) and quit "leaching" off the public dole ("pull yourself up by your bootstraps" in Reaganese).

[HardTimes99]

3. Art, once again, totally digging your eye for relevant historical detail. Lest anyone forget, Reagan

presided over the worst recession since the Great Depression. Unemployment rate reached 12% nationally at its height, IIRC.

[Recursion]

4. He had PATCO's endorsement in 1980, because of Carter's airline deregulation

Though in fairness, as CA governor Reagan had been more or less supportive of public sector unions (just not public sector strikes); I guess they just never came to a disagreement like PATCO did.

[Luminous Animal]

5. And a rat on his fellow workers. We don't need another one like that.

[JI7]

6. maybe some right wing professional sports type ?

[Recursion]

7. Well, OK, but I think most of us would prefer a left-wing type

Pat Tillman is dead, but there's got to be some other athletes on our side. Bill Bradley was in the NBPA, I guess.

[Go Vols]

11. Like most groups

there are always good and bad.

Fuck Ronny Raygun and most of the shit that's come since him.

[Warpy]

12. Yeah, and he was a company/FBI stooge

There are union members who are there for everyoneand there are union members who are only there for some advantage they can turn it into when they fink to the bosses.