Rachel Maddow calls it: It is going to happen.

[Obama 2012 1,714]

  Galt said:

Unions built this country in spite of the regurgitated rhetoric that you've bought into. Have you ever worked for one?

me personally? Hell no. Have had family members be a part of them, and it truly sucks because they end up 'owning' you and you lose your job if you don't do what 'they' say or you're treated like an outcast for disagreeing with them.

Not all unions are bad, but many of them are just as corrupt as they 'claim' the companies they work for are.

I've seen unions hold cities hostage and legislation to have to be written to counter-act that as well.

They aren't a pretty bunch and Public workers under NO CIRCUMSTANCES should be able to have unions who hold taxpayers hostage for more money. It's complete BS.

[Dan J 277]

  Paul and Vanessa said:

Lets not forget unions either....

Lets go back to the era before unions, when America was great. 80 hours, 7 days a week, getting paid just enough to buy from the company store and living in company provided housing, and working in very unsafe conditions. Weekends, living wages, workers rights are all communist.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

and even if public workers do form unions, those unions should not be allowed to participate in the political process... there is a clear conflict of interest when they do.

nor should they be allowed to 'strike' without losing their jobs just like they would in the private sector.

the only legitimate role for a union, in my opinion, is to collectively bargain wages and benefits.

[Obama 2012 1,714]

  w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r said:

and even if public workers do form unions, those unions should not be allowed to participate in the political process... there is a clear conflict of interest when they do.

nor should they be allowed to 'strike' without losing their jobs just like they would in the private sector.

the only legitimate role for a union, in my opinion, is to collectively bargain wages and benefits.

I can agree with this.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

  Paul and Vanessa said:

me personally? Hell no. Have had family members be a part of them, and it truly sucks because they end up 'owning' you and you lose your job if you don't do what 'they' say or you're treated like an outcast for disagreeing with them.

Not all unions are bad, but many of them are just as corrupt as they 'claim' the companies they work for are.

I've seen unions hold cities hostage and legislation to have to be written to counter-act that as well.

They aren't a pretty bunch and Public workers under NO CIRCUMSTANCES should be able to have unions who hold taxpayers hostage for more money. It's complete BS.

Unions are just like the companies...both capable of doing good and bad. Accountability is key for both entities, but the fundamental principle of organized labor is as American as apple pie. People like to always point out the bad without acknowledging the good they have done. I would venture to say that your current pay is directly influenced by collective bargaining, even if you aren't working union.

[Obama 2012 1,714]

  Dan + Gemvita said:

Lets go back to the era before unions, when America was great. 80 hours, 7 days a week, getting paid just enough to buy from the company store and living in company provided housing, and working in very unsafe conditions. Weekends, living wages, workers rights are all communist.

You mean like today that plenty of people still do?

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

  Galt said:

I would venture to say that your current pay is directly influenced by collective bargaining, even if you aren't working union.

Of sorts. If this company doesn't pay me what Prudential will, I'll go to Pru. If Pru screws me over on raises a few years in and AIG will do good by me, I go AIG. It's collective bargaining of sorts, without all the bureaucracy of a union.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

  Paul and Vanessa said:

Come knock on my door and see what happens. The outcome won't be pretty.

Joe, is that your ghost typing? Another house on fire and another plane crashed into a federal building? What is it with you Texans?

Here, use this and it won't hurt so bad...

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

  Galt said:

Unions built this country in spite of the regurgitated rhetoric that you've bought into. Have you ever worked for one?

Thats's not the point. The point is that the Unions are in bed with the Democrats and will get special tax 'favors' while the rest of us get screwed.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

  John Galt said:

Thats's not the point. The point is that the Unions are in bed with the Democrats and will get special tax 'favors' while the rest of us get screwed.

Maybe you haven't noticed but we're already getting screwed and have gotten screwed for years.

[mawilson 2,133]

  Mr. Big Dog said:

As they say, you're not putting on a condom unless you're going to **.

Some people put them on to masturbate.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

  w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r said:

On the show Monday, Rachel Maddow went ahead and called it:

"Health reform is going to happen -- health reform is going to happen. It has passed the House. It has passed the Senate. They are going to bridge the gap between the two bills using reconciliation. Republicans can do nothing about it. They lost this one."

http://maddowblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2010...going-to-happen

The most ridiculous and dumb@ss statement on the subject ever heard. The Republicans have never done anything to stop health care. As noted, it passed the house, it passed the Senate. No Republicans voted for it. They didn't need to. They never did and never could stop it. The ONLY people that can stop it, and have so far, are Democrats. Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi have not been making deals with Republicans. They have been making deals with Democrats. The Democrats have held a super-majority of both houses and the Presidency and still can't get it done.

Forcing it through on the reconciliation process will result in a bill that will be repealed once the Democrats are trashed in November. It may be the best thing to happen for the country, but it won't. The Democrats can be depended to stop this bill, just as they have before.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

  w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r said:

Yes and yes.

You are a dreamer and the reason the Democrats will lose this issue and both chambers of congress. Full steam ahead.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

  w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r said:

On the show Monday, Rachel Maddow went ahead and called it:

"Health reform is going to happen -- health reform is going to happen. It has passed the House. It has passed the Senate. They are going to bridge the gap between the two bills using reconciliation. Republicans can do nothing about it. They lost this one."

http://maddowblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2010...going-to-happen

She's delusional: An obvious pot smoker!

[Dan J 277]

  w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r said:

Of sorts. If this company doesn't pay me what Prudential will, I'll go to Pru. If Pru screws me over on raises a few years in and AIG will do good by me, I go AIG. It's collective bargaining of sorts, without all the bureaucracy of a union.

But its only really knowledge workers that really have that ability. Your bargaining power is your knowledge and experience. Most workers are not really in this position. Any job that can be automated will or be replaced by the lowest cost of labour possible. This potentially leaves a lot of people out of work.

You can look at that issue in different ways. A worker should be competitive and better themselves as much as possible to better themselves and their standard of living. However, not everyone will have the opportunity to do this, and even knowledge workers depend on a strong consumer economy to buy the products they create.