Reply #17: I used to be in a labor union from 1984-1990 [View All]

[Indiana_Dem]

However, it was when the unions began breaking due to many of the policies those of the Reagan era pushed through. It was when companies would declare bankruptsy, file Chapter 11, close, sell or merge, reopen non-union. This was the beginning. Since then, many companies have just closed up and gone out of country, too. At the point in time I was in the union, even the union members had a bad impression of the union because the unions became just another business and appeared to do nothing but collect your union dues. All the laws being passed disabling union power made the unions powerless but yet seeming to take all your money. It was like a business unto itself. It wasn't supposed to be like that. Reagan just killed the unions.

I just don't think there will be anything we can do about the unions anymore. It'll take awhile before the cycle for worker's rights comes around again.

I don't know if it will air again but I saw an interesting show on the History Channel called Wild West and one program lastnight had the story of the Ludlow Massacre in Colorado. It was about union vs. company and how Rockefeller pulled in the National Guardsmen and the military to a shooting standoff where they killed men women and children because the workers tried to form a union to obtain better working conditions. It's going to have to be mighty oppressive again like that before any Americans will go that far. The military is alot stronger now, too.

It's an old battle but I would fear this day in age the media would spin it to make the union look like the bad guys.

The media slant is not an excuse. It's just a fact. All we can do is continually donate to our causes and become actively involved. I can't buy a TV or radio station but collectively we might be able to if someone comes up and initiates it. It's going to take more than just one TV or radio station, though.

Everything cycles in time. The young people will come up and help. They are encouraging. The babyboomers should also step up to the plate as they begin to retire and need healthcare and retirement. Healthcare, pensions, Social Security will become a VERY important issue in a few years. The growing Latino population should also be of help. It's just going to take some time.