Firefighters, Cops Warn Republicans Anti-Union Stance Has Consequences Fire Fighter Union

[iwishiwas]

Source: Huff post





http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/04/01/firefighters-cops-warn-re_n_843787.html

Andrea Stone

Firefighters, Cops Warn Republicans Anti-Union Stance Has Consequences
Fire Fighter Union

First Posted: 04/ 1/11 04:04 PM ET Updated: 04/ 1/11 04:58 PM ET

WASHINGTON -- Leaders from two unions known to support the Republican Party warned of serious repercussions for GOP candidates in the 2012 elections, saying the onslaught of anti-labor bills in state capitals has shifted their political allegiances.

“Our political principles are pretty straightforward. We’ll support those that support us,” Harold Schaitberger, general president of the International Association of Fire Fighters, told HuffPost. “We tend to stick with those who stick with us.”

“There is a distinct possibility that the pro-labor candidate in the next election will be looked at much more favorably than their overall record,” Chuck Canterbury, national president of the Fraternal Order of Police, told HuffPost. “The vast majority of our membership will put other issues aside.”

The inclusion of police and fire unions in an Ohio bill that stripped collective bargaining rights from public employees may have been the last straw for the two conservative-leaning groups. But even in Wisconsin, where Gov. Scott Walker’s actions exempted them, cops and fire fighters marched shoulder to shoulder with teachers and other public workers.

Now, the public safety unions are signaling what could be a tectonic shift in the political landscape, one that could result in a level of labor solidarity missing for recent elections.............


Read more: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/04/01/firefighters-cops-warn-re_n_843787.html

---

Great news--if this indeed carries the sentiment to the polls.

[Kolesar]

1. What issues have the GOPs ever supported them on?

Calling up employees in the reserves to go die in Iraq?
Weakened laws against police brutality?
More prisons?
Drug arrests?

[freshwest]

29. Good list. In a twisted way, I'm sure they approved of all of those. Mystery to some but not them.

[pnwmom]

31. The "War on crime" used to be a big GOP slogan.

Now it's the war on unions.

[Blue_Tires]

38. typically, a lot of 'tough on crime' conservatives

make it a point to ensure that police departments have the absolute latest in high-tech toys and weapons...DHS has been giving out high-dollar stuff like candy since 9-11 (even to backwoods Mayberry-like departments)

[Kolesar]

41. Police in obscure corners of the Midwest got funds for the global war on terror

It was pork to bring money into the state so that the 'pukes would win the next election.

[freshwest]

43. People usually defend whatever pays them. They have to believe they're doing the right thing.

But 'the right thing' is determined by the Boss. In this case, they're breaking rank with the ones paying them directly, for their entire community's benefit. Glad they can see the big picture.

[iwishiwas]

2. Firefighters, Cops Warn Republicans Anti-Union Stance Has Consequences Fire Fighter Union

Source: Huff post





http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/04/01/firefighters-cops-warn-re_n_843787.html

Andrea Stone

Firefighters, Cops Warn Republicans Anti-Union Stance Has Consequences
Fire Fighter Union

First Posted: 04/ 1/11 04:04 PM ET Updated: 04/ 1/11 04:58 PM ET

WASHINGTON -- Leaders from two unions known to support the Republican Party warned of serious repercussions for GOP candidates in the 2012 elections, saying the onslaught of anti-labor bills in state capitals has shifted their political allegiances.

“Our political principles are pretty straightforward. We’ll support those that support us,” Harold Schaitberger, general president of the International Association of Fire Fighters, told HuffPost. “We tend to stick with those who stick with us.”

“There is a distinct possibility that the pro-labor candidate in the next election will be looked at much more favorably than their overall record,” Chuck Canterbury, national president of the Fraternal Order of Police, told HuffPost. “The vast majority of our membership will put other issues aside.”

The inclusion of police and fire unions in an Ohio bill that stripped collective bargaining rights from public employees may have been the last straw for the two conservative-leaning groups. But even in Wisconsin, where Gov. Scott Walker’s actions exempted them, cops and fire fighters marched shoulder to shoulder with teachers and other public workers.

Now, the public safety unions are signaling what could be a tectonic shift in the political landscape, one that could result in a level of labor solidarity missing for recent elections.............


Read more: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/04/01/firefighters-cops-warn-re_n_843787.html

---

Great news--if this indeed carries the sentiment to the polls.

[Kingofalldems]

3. They figure it out finally--repubs are not their friends

K and R

[Tippy]

4. K&R....did a brick wall fall on them???

[Iliyah]

5. I heard on tv

one Dem congressman told the host on MSNBC (talking about the tea brats in congress) its like you telling a child over and over again not to do something. The child does it anyway and gets either hurt, suprised, disappointed, etc.

Same goes to the gopers, especially in the unions, who votes gop. I hear that some tea brats voters (not in unions) are upset and now realizes how evil the gop are. Damn, I guess it had to take this shit inorder for them to see b/c I personally could not reason with some of my friends who are gopers and now WOW, they understand what I have been trying to tell them for years.

[SpiralHawk]

9. They are finally getting it that the Republicons have SUCKERED them

for years and years. They need to turn off Fox and Rush and all the Republicon lies and spin, and instead continue to deal with truth and reality.

[freshwest]

14. Learning that RW dog whistles don't pay the rent!

[Vidar]

46. Pretty literally on 9-11. Fairly long delayed reaction, though

[sendero]

36. Better late than..

..never. Now if the rest of the country would stop voting against their own interests, we could get somewhere. Maybe even elect a REAL DEMOCRAT to the white house.

[Scuba]

6. Why on earth did the firefighters ever think the Republicans gave....

... a hoot about them?

The LEO's I can understand falling for that 1980's "law and order" soundbite even though the word "justice" was never included in the discussion.

But the firefighters? What did they fall for? Rudy?

[calimary]

19. Yeah, I've wondered that myself. How on earth could ANY union person EVER vote republi-CON?

I just don't get it. It's SO counter to their own needs and issues. Is it just nice-sounding pie-in-the-sky about how "you jus' keep on a-votin' republi-CON, and YOU'LL be RICH someday TOO!!!!!!"? Is it the sloganeering and the nonstop barrage of "Dems-BAAAAAAD! GOP-GOOOOD!"? Do any of these people stop and think for a minute? Do any of them connect the dots?

Evidently not. At least until they were forced to. Somebody finally pried their eyes open, I guess. Funny enough - I believe it was those very same republi-CONS who've conned all these poor schmucks for all this time. Even though they had no intention of doing so. This was the one objective they were NOT working toward, and the exact outcome they would NEVER want.

LOVE-LOVE-LOVE the smell of republi-CON overreach in the morning!

[Scuba]

20. You'd have to win a 100 million dollar tax-free lottery every week to ...

...make what the Koch's made last year. Each. Yet society holds out lotteries, movie star salaries, pro athletes, etc. like a gold ring for those of us on the merry-go-round. But unless you were born on the right horse, your chances of joining the really wealthy are worse than the lottery, no matter how hard you work.

Many (most?) who vote Republican are dupes.


As for the Kochs, well, when you're so rich the only thing left to buy is a government, you're too rich.

(edited for punctuation)

[calimary]

34. I find myself resisting a very powerful urge to holler "Shame on YOU" to a lot of these

union members for voting republi-CON for so long, for thinking they belonged in the GOP and swallowing the bullshit about how it was THEIR party and the CONS speak their language and free-market, free-market and how that was the magic prescription for everything that ails one's own personal bottom line. Do they not see? Do they not READ? Do they watch ANYTHING other than Pox Noise? Do they listen exclusively to limbaugh and the rest of hate radio? And how long have they just swallowed this crap whole, without even chewing it a little? How could they EVER in their whole lives put that particular two-and-two together and get anything but square root of negative one? Do they not know how to connect dots? Do they not SEE WHAT'S GOING ON, and DO THE MATH? Well - maybe they finally have, NOW, with it becoming just a little too painfully obvious that their beloved republi-CONS are only in it for themselves, and for fleecing anyone other than the filthy rich.

There's a little bit of me that finds it supremely difficult to race down the proverbial beach toward them in slow motion with my chiffon gown and my arms wide open. They damn well should have known and should NEVER have strayed from the Dems.

Okay, okay, I believe in redemption and forgiveness and all those good things. I'm glad these blockheads finally had their eyes forced open. I hope they have longer memories than gnats and that the fog doesn't return to their brains with a lot of smooth slick talk from the GOP that will woo them back in. NO. Repeatedly voting republi-CON will NOT suddenly magically make you rich like they are. NO. And it won't EVER make you rich like they are NO MATTER HOW LONG you keep voting republi-CON, NO MATTER HOW FERVENTLY you believe in their lies and fast-talking and empty sloganeering, NO MATTER HOW RESOLUTELY you trust them. IT. WILL. NOT. WORK. And. You. Will. NEVER. NEVER. NEVERNEVERNEVERNEVER. Get. Rich. By. Voting. republi-CON. Do you cops and firefighters FINALLY GET THAT??????? Give up the gullibility, dammit!

Glad they're back with us, and I know I should not look a gift horse in the mouth, and I know I should just be plain-ol' happy they finally saw the light, but CRIMINY!!!!! They should NEVER have been wooed away. They should NEVER have trusted these bastards, or believed their bullshit, or abandoned the only party with any clout that cares about them.

I have very little patience or sympathy with injuries that are self-inflicted. I'm glad they're back with us, but DAMMIT, THEY NEVER SHOULD HAVE LEFT!!!!!!!!!

[bertman]

22. Uniforms with badges and emblems.

I'm not kidding. There's something about wearing a uniform with an insignia of authority that brings out the authoritarian in lots of otherwise good folks.

[calimary]

35. Yeah, the whole macho thing. Brings out the meathead in some people, I guess...

:eyes:

[SpartanDem]

27. Parts of it's cultural

there is a large white, male, cultural conservative element within unions and particularly within police and fire fighters. Some these idiots got very complacents as far as working rights and voted on cultural issues. Now they're getting their asses handed to them.

[calimary]

37. Maybe some people are just hard-wired to have to learn lessons the hard way.

I just don't see ANY reason or justification for EVER voting republi-CON. I just don't see it. Unless you're one of the coors family or the hunt family or the koch family or the bass family or jeffrey immelt I suppose. Then of course it's in your best interests to side with the haves and the have mores - so you can have more too.

But for anyone other than the one percenters, it just doesn't pay! Who benefits? Those who already own the cookie jars or those who have to be satisfied with year after year of empty promises?

[louslobbs]

7. Firefighters and police know that their exemption is only temporary

if Dicktator Walker remains in power. He was just trying to get their support against the unions and it failed. They all know that they will be next and they're smart enough to support their brothers and sisters in other Union businesses now, so that Walker and his Klan won't be around to screw them as well later. Go Wisconsin!
Lou

[freshwest]

13. Ah, this answers my post below. Thanks.

[louslobbs]

16. You are very welcome my friend

Lou

[russspeakeasy]

21. On Wisconsin...Thanks for facing reality.

[louslobbs]

33. We who live in a reality based world, must win this fight and by any means possible. I'm tired

of the propaganda thrown from the right, the lies, the hypocrisy and the corporate solidarity combined with what should be "our" government. We are one now, and we are awake, and fighting, together at last. I thank you my friend.
Lou

[SpiralHawk]

8. Why do Republicons love billionaires and HATE America's public servants?

Republicons have such queer totalitarian ideas.

I, for one, respect our public servants. And I think they have a right to earn a decent wage. Like every human being.

[Scuba]

10. I'll second that. n/t

[Aerows]

11. endgame is important

they are saving up some sort of hogwash to turn off liberal voters at the last second, not that we aren't already turned off enough. Anything to keep us away from the polls. I officially can't stand Obama now, but I will pull the handle for him before I ever pull the handle for Palin or Newt, and I will pull that handle to prevent either of those two even glancing at the White House.

[freshwest]

12. Good for them! Hope all of them take this position...

But didn't the 'palace guard' in Madison get to keep their rights or else get some kind of perks?

[yellowcanine]

15. This plus the dissing of 9-11 first responders may turn the tide against repubs.

[Kolesar]

17. What issues have the GOPs ever supported them on?

Calling up safety forces employees in the reserves to go die in Iraq?
Weakened laws against police brutality?
More prisons?
Drug arrests?

[Dawson Leery]

18. The political right has given them immunity

as well as blind deference for them to do what ever is "needed" to keep "law and order".

[daleo]

28. It's a macho guy thing, I think

They just assume Republicans are more in line with macho guy thinking, so they figure they should vote for them. It's not really rational.

[AC_Mem]

23. It's a long time to 2012

Does anyone think that the GOP are pulling this crap early thinking that the outrage will fade away over the coming year?

[iwishiwas]

32. April 5 in WI--get rid of Prosser. One step at a time.

[Blacksheep214]

24. It took a public shaming by Jon Stewart

to get the first responders bill moving forward.

Why, if this is the party you support, did it come to that?

Yet you still support Republicans!

Don't expect us to fall all over the cops and firefighters now. It was never about the other union rank and file and it took their ox being gored before it got their attention!

Harsh? They are the tip of the spear which enforces the right wings draconian laws, like searching for state senators at their homes instead of telling the governor to stick it up his ass!

Welcome aboard. What the fuck took so long?!

[Bombero1956]

25. I never understood it

Some of you know that I recently retired from the fire service. In all my years in that service I never understood and nobody could explain it to me why most of the members of my local voted the way they did. I even told the union president that their endorsement of a republican running for office was against our best interest and sure enough it bit us in the ass later on. My theory is that most of the guys and gals in public safety are former military members who got brainwashed with rightwing propaganda during their time in the service. I witnessed this firsthand recently when I traveled to Ft. Riley Kansas for my nephew's return from a years deployment in Iraq. I went to the PX one day and noticed that in the book section there was nothing but rightwing books by Palin, O'Reilly, Bush, Hannity etc. Nothing by any Liberal authors. That it took something like this to wake them up gives me hope.

[tblue37]

26. And Rush in on Armed Forces Radio every day, but liberal views are not. nt

[freshwest]

39. Yes, the big fat pig is feeding at the federal taxpayer trough. Irony is dead.

[bertman]

44. Irony is dead. Indeed it is, freshwest. It's been SO dead for So long that

it's mouldered and turned to dust.

[craigmatic]

30. I've often wondered the samething.

I'm from the south and I hate to say it but it's going to take alot more than this to change union members' minds on supporting republicans.

[Snoutport]

40. kicking to the top

[underpants]

42. I didn't think the IAFF supported Repubs. I ran a phone bank for Kerry at a IAFF office in 2004

in fact my wife and I and the local head of the IAFF (okay it was a lobbying office) set up the phone bank and ran it very well for the last 4 days.

:shrug:

[glitch]

45. What the hell took them so fing long? nt