If the AFL-CIO likes the Health Care Bill passed yesterday

[Gman]

then it's a damn good bill. The purists need to STFU and let the people that know about working people and working class issues handle this.

http://blog.aflcio.org/2009/11/07/house-passes-landmark-health-care-reform/

...and now... we shall see just how anti-union DU can be.

[Cha]

1. Thanks for this

link, Gman.

[jenmito]

2. K&R. Yes, thanks for the link.

:hi:

[SemiCharmedQuark]

3. The Unions, the Liberal Dems, the President vs. Dennis Kucinich.

It reminds me of Mike Ditka vs. God. It'll be close!

[vaberella]

24. +1000. I can't stop laughing at that. n/t

[Clio the Leo]

4. Solidarity forever!

There's a reason why THAT is their anthem.

When the union's inspiration through the workers' blood shall run,
There can be no power greater anywhere beneath the sun;
Yet what force on earth is weaker than the feeble strength of one,
But the union makes us strong.

In our hands is placed a power greater than their hoarded gold,
Greater than the might of armies, magnified a thousand-fold.
We can bring to birth a new world from the ashes of the old
For the union makes us strong.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solidarity_Forever

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYiKdJoSsb8

and you cant have THAT one without this one...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5iAIM02kv0g&feature=fvw

[Gman]

8. Here's all the lyrics

Solidarity Forever

When the union's inspiration through the workers' blood shall run,
There can be no power greater anywhere beneath the sun;
Yet what force on earth is weaker than the feeble strength of one,
But the union makes us strong.

CHORUS:
Solidarity forever,
Solidarity forever,
Solidarity forever,
For the union makes us strong.

Is there aught we hold in common with the greedy parasite,
Who would lash us into serfdom and would crush us with his might?
Is there anything left to us but to organize and fight?
For the union makes us strong.

It is we who plowed the prairies; built the cities where they trade;
Dug the mines and built the workshops, endless miles of railroad laid;
Now we stand outcast and starving midst the wonders we have made;
But the union makes us strong.

All the world that's owned by idle drones is ours and ours alone.
We have laid the wide foundations; built it skyward stone by stone.
It is ours, not to slave in, but to master and to own.
While the union makes us strong.

They have taken untold millions that they never toiled to earn,
But without our brain and muscle not a single wheel can turn.
We can break their haughty power, gain our freedom when we learn
That the union makes us strong.

In our hands is placed a power greater than their hoarded gold,
Greater than the might of armies, magnified a thousand-fold.
We can bring to birth a new world from the ashes of the old
For the union makes us strong.

This song can still give me chills and get me teary eyed.

[Teaser]

5. nobody needs to STFU

seriously. Half the stupid on this board is people telling other people what they should think about any given issue.

[Waiting For Everyman]

6. NOW is foursquare against it, but that means nothing - no worries

right?

They're so RW and all. Who cares what they think? :eyes:

[Gman]

7. Don't mean a damn thing as far as I'm concerned

NOW needs to GTF out of the way and let us get this done.

[Waiting For Everyman]

9. So screw women's rights and health. You made yourself clear.

I guess you know that's a big reason why women support Dems. It's only half the electorate - who are being sold out. It's only handing over Roe v. Wade through different means, by the very party which has pledged to protect it all these years. Nothing that matters of course.

[Gman]

10. LOL! Like NOW represents all women

fortunately, we have organized labor, the AFL-CIO to protect working men and women, including protecting them from NOW.

[Waiting For Everyman]

12. Who said it does? How is that the point?

Yuppers, AFL-CIO's all we need to look out for us, their endorsement of this shows what great protectors of women's rights they are, I can see that. Threw us right under the bus without a backward glance. Impressive, I tell you!

Well if AFL-CIO wants us screwed, then we should follow them blindly and want ourselves screwed too then, I guess. Silly me.

[Better Believe It]

14. Some are misrepresenting the AFL-CIO position on healthcare reform. They support single payer and

have also been very supportive of NOW and its workplace goals.

And don't assume that a few top union officials speak on behalf of all union leaders much less all union members whenever they comment on some issue.

Does Nancy Pelosi or President Obama speak on behalf of all Democratic Party officials or supporters? Of course not.

[Waiting For Everyman]

18. Thanks, BBI, I saw your info on that below.

I'm pro-union too, and glad to know there's more to this story - which doesn't surprise me.

I just wasn't accepting OP's "if the union says so, then that makes it all just ducky no matter what" position.

[Gman]

23. That's an anti-union freeper comment

[Gman]

22. That's an anti-union freeper comment

[karynnj]

28. Women's preference for the Democratic party is not based on just abortion!

As a woman, I do not feel that this is selling out women or that it is "handing over Roe v Wade". I was in college before Roe v Wade and the BIG difference is that it is legal now and it wasn't then. The fact is that in 2001, 74% of abortions were paid out of pocket. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/22/AR2009072201802.html I have no idea what the percent would be under this legislation, but some would for all plans as they are medically needed and I would assume that there would be plans where it is added, but not paid for by government subsidies.

[karynnj]

27. NOW can be both very good and very bad

In 2008, the leader of NY's now was absolutely offensive in her sickening attacks on Ted Kennedy, who had an excellent record on woman's issues. Why, because he endorsed someone other than Hillary Clinton. To me that was as sexist a position as anything I ever heard in the 1950s and 1960s growing up from the pro-male society.

It is completely predictable that they are outraged. I didn't see there statement, but Naral's appeared to go beyond the facts - and ignored that insurance does not pay for the majority of abortions now. I would hope that the Senate, where the Finance committee rejected an amendment requiring separate insurance for abortion (Stabanow was brilliant in speaking of how illogical this was), or the conference committee could write language that results in no changed to the status quo - which is likely an uneasy compromise.

[Scarsdale Vibe]

37. Actually, NOW supports HR 3962.

Despite these harsh restrictions on the coverage of abortion services, NOW believes that the House bill should be passed because of the many improvements that are proposed to expand health care coverage and benefits for women. As noted, H.R. 3962 is far from our ideal of health care reform, but it is a strong step in the right direction.

http://capwiz.com/now/issues/alert/?alertid=14305841

There really aren't any rational people that oppose the passage of HR 3962 because the good it contains far outweighs the bad and will make life far better for the poor, the sick, and the most vulnerable in our society.

[Better Believe It]

11. Your STFU statement on the AFL-CIO's health care legislation position is misleading at best

Some top officials of the AFL-CIO will support just about any bill that might be passed by Congress. They think it's better than nothing. I'm not so sure about that.

But, the entire AFL-CIO organization and their affiliates have made it very clear that only a single payer bill, like HR 676, can really solve the health care crisis for working people. The single payer system is the health care "reform" supported by the AFL-CIO.

You failed to point that out in your uncivil Shut The Fu*k Up post directed at DU'ers.

Here is an article about and the text of the official national position of the AFL-CIO on health care legislation. The AFL-CIO national convention is the highest decision making body of the labor movement. The AFL-CIO positin was made clear in a resolution that was adopted unanimously at this years national AFL-CIO union convention. As the AFL-CIO explains in their position: "The single payer approach is one the AFL-CIO supports and that merits dedicated congressional support and enactment".

If you really support organized labor and working class people you should read the AFL-CIO resolution and endorse it and not attack supporters of the labor movements position as "purists" or tell us to STFU.

--------------------------------------------


LABOR CAMPAIGN FOR SINGLE-PAYER HEALTHCARE
SPECIAL BULLETIN
AFL-CIO ENDORSES SINGLE PAYER MEDICARE FOR ALL

In a unanimous vote, the AFL-CIO yesterday endorsed the Single Payer Medicare for All approach to healthcare reform as the "most cost-effective and equitable way to provide quality healthcare for all." The resolution caps a successful effort led by the Labor Campaign for Single Payer (LCSP), the Labor Caucus for HR 676 (a coalition of national unions) and the All Unions Committee for Single Payer Health Care to put the Federation on record rejecting private insurance and in support of a social insurance model for healthcare reform.

Over 70 resolutions were submitted to the Convention on this subject--more than on any other single issue in the history of the AFL-CIO. Submissions came from a diverse range of labor organizations including 5 national unions, 7 state labor federations and over 60 central labor councils. Yesterday's Convention actions came as a direct result of the mobilization efforts of hundreds of labor bodies, state federations, central labor councils and local unions.

The resolution passed shortly after President Obama addressed the Convention. The Convention also passed a resolution that set conditions for support of the main legislative proposals before the House and Senate but delegates were unanimous in their agreement that the private insurance industry was the biggest roadblock to real healthcare reform.

"We've had debate within our own movement," said United Steelworkers President Leo Gerard, who chaired the discussion,"But what unites us is greater than what divides us."

The single payer resolution charts a clear course for the future by stating that, "Whatever the outcome of the current debate over health care reform in the 111th Congress, the task of establishing health care as a human right, not a privilege, will still lay before us." It supports current single payer legislation including the HR 676 Medicare for All legislation introduced by Congressman John Conyers.

Yesterday's vote capped several days of enthusiastic organizing at the Convention. Many delegates wore stickers and buttons in support of single payer. On Monday night, hundreds of delegates attended a reception sponsored by the LCSP and the Labor Caucus. Several national union presidents spoke at the gathering including USW President Leo Gerard and Mineworkers President Cecil Roberts. LCSP Board Members Donna Dewitt,President of the South Carolina AFL-CIO, and Jos Williams, President of the DC Metro Labor Council also spoke. CNA/NNOC Executive Director Rose Ann DeMoro introduced special guest Michael Moore. After the reception, over 1,000 delegates and guests marched through Pittsburgh to a movie theater to watch the U.S. premiere of Moore's new film, "Capitalism, A Love Story".

Please read the complete article at:

http://laborforsinglepayer.org/

***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** *****

AFL-CIO Resolution link: http://www.aflcio.org/aboutus/thisistheaflcio/convention/2009/upload/res_34.pdf

Prior to the AFL-CIO convention the following labor organizations representing millions of members endorsed single payer legislation:

HR 676 has been endorsed by 572 union organizations in 49 states. Endorsers include 134 Central Labor Councils and Area Labor Federations and 39 state AFL-CIO's (KY, PA, CT, OH, DE, ND, WA, SC, WY, VT, FL, WI, WV, SD, NC, MO, MN, ME, AR, MD-DC, TX, IA, AZ, TN, OR, GA, OK, KS, CO, IN, AL, CA , AK, MI, MT, NE, NY, NV & MA).

The following 22 international/national unions have endorsed HR 676: USW, UAW, NEA, ILWU, NALC, IAM, UA (Plumbers & Pipefitters), AFM (Musicians), UE, CNA/NNOC, SMWIA, IFPTE, OPEIU, UTU, SEIU, AFT, AFSCME, CSEA (California School Employees Association), UWUA, CWA, IATSE, & AFGE.

At the AFL-CIO convention, all convention delegates from the AFL-CIO affiliates voted in support of single payer legislation.

[Gman]

13. I think you need to read my link in the OP above

which is from the AFL-CIO website. I believe labor is very happy with this bill.

Who decided resolutions are binding on anybody or anything? It's only a resolution.

[Better Believe It]

16. The statement you cite was not adopted by any official body of the AFL-CIO

Your link consisted of a blog written by Seth Michaels and a statement made by one officer of the AFL-CIO. I'm sure that some other union officials agree with his statement. However, it's just one statement by one union official.

The resolution I posted was adopted by the highest and broadest democratic body of the AFL-CIO, their national convention.

Now which do you think really has greater meaning and weight?

Get serious.

Well, at least you didn't tell DU'ers or union members who support single payer to shut the fu*ck up in your response. That's progress I suppose .... if one has a low benchmark.

[Gman]

19. You have no clue what a resolution is

it is non-binding. Resolutions are a waste of time. There was nothing passed that mandated the Federation oppose a bill if it did not have single payer. Do you think Trumka would allow that to stay on the website if they weren't happy with the bill? Make no mistake. Labor is ecstatic with this bill.

[firedupdem]

15. K&R! Straight from their website...not a copy and paste opinion

piece! Thanks!!

[Better Believe It]

17. The real AFL-CIO position on health care. Straight from their website. They support single payer

http://www.aflcio.org/aboutus/thisistheaflcio/convention/2009/upload/res_34.pdf

[Gman]

20. You should learn a little bit about legislation and lobbying

Once you've done the legwork on enough legislation you don't throw your hard work out the window just because you didn't get 100% of everything you want. That's the problem with the hard, purist left. They've never done the work and can only complain because it doesn't take any work.

[Better Believe It]

26. You need to learn something about labor unions and working class people.

Since you apparently do not take the AFL-CIO seriously.

" you don't throw your hard work out the window just because you didn't get 100% of everything you want"

And what if you get 100% of what you don't want, which is a huge part of this insurance industry written bill?

Doesn't matter to you. Whatever crap they write and pass in Congress is fine with you .... after all .... "somethin is better than nothin". Isn't that right? NO it isn't!

[Gman]

30. I'll put my labor credentials up against yours any day

I doubt you even come close to my experience and years in organized labor. I know exactly what I'm talking about. I've done many years worth of lobbying in DC and in state capitals for labor issues. If it's posted on the AFL-CIO website that this bill is a victory, then it's a victory.

-----------on edit---------------

And I just got this email from the Texas AFL-CIO...

You Are Invited to The Big Rally.

Don’t Be Late, Because...

Health Care Can’t Wait

Speakers include State Rep. Garnet Coleman, State Rep. Elliott Naishtat and Linda Chavez-Thompson.
Music by: Sara Hickman

When: 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, November 14, 2009.

Where: South Side of the Texas Capitol, 1100 Congress Ave., in downtown Austin.

Free parking available at Capitol Visitors’ Parking Garage located at 1201 San Jacinto (12th & San Jacinto - one block east of the Capitol).

All supporters of real reform are welcome.

Sponsors to date include: Alliance for Retired Americans, Texas Alliance for Retired Americans, Center for Public Policy Priorities, Health Care for America NOW!, MoveOn.org, Organizing for America, Texas AFL-CIO, Texas Democratic Party, Travis County Democratic Party, Texas AFT, La Fe Policy Research and Education Center, NAACP, LULAC, SEIU, Texas State Teachers Association, Gray Panthers, St. Edward’s College Democrats, TexPIRG, and North Texas Jobs With Justice.

opeiu298/afl-cio

Well, I suppose they're gonna rally to kill this bill because NOW opposes it and there was a resolution for single payer. And look.... is that former national AFL-CIO Exec-VP Linda Chavez Thompson's name on the list? I guess she wants to kill this bill like NOW and Kucinich too.

[Better Believe It]

31. So you're an AFL-CIO lobbyist in Washington? You should be fired for incompetence!

Well, you sure did a piss poor job of lobbying for the AFL-CIO single payer proposal, something you deny even supporting! Did you even bother to register your opposition to the anti-abortion amendment and the weakening of the public option when you met with Washington politicians? Probably not. If so, you should be fired!

You old farts haven't accomplished much at all lobbying in Washington for the past few decades. You got a few crumbs thrown your way but not much more .... just the usual stuff .... nothing radical or even mildly progressive that has really made a difference. And every year your influence seems to decline. How ya been doing on the EFCA .... is it in the bag yet?

I doubt that you have any "union credentials" worth mentioning. First of all, we don't use the term "union credentials" among actual local union activists. Of course, you wouldn't know that if your main activity has been shaking hands and back slapping politicians in order to get in their good graces or be granted an audience or perhaps even have a crumb or two thrown your way.

How could you stand doing that?

As an union organizer, I was in drives that organized thousands of workers in private industry in which the workers obtained pretty good first contracts. And I've done and accomplished a great deal more over the decades. I'm proud of my union work and history.

But, we can't discuss our real union history and credentials here and remain anonymous.

[Gman]

32. Just stay on the porch and let the big dogs handle this.

[Better Believe It]

34. So you're a big dog in Washington politics. Would you like a milkbone?

So you're a big dog.

Well, like I said, I bet the politicians throw a little bone your way every once in awhile and they keep you on a short leash.
Just keep patting them on their backs and they'll continue to grant you an audience at a local eatery once in awhile .... just pick up their check at a 5 star restaurant or they won't talk to you anymore.

You a bigtime power dog .... without teeth!

:)

[geek tragedy]

21. Yes, they think single payer is best but still support this bill.

This is because the AFL-CIO is interested in helping its workers, not posturing.

[LiberalFighter]

25. The AFL-CIO more than any of us know the process a bill goes thru..

I'm sure they realize it is not a damn good bill. But, they realize it gets the ball rolling. There are at least two more steps before there is a final bill. And we could still get a better piece of legislation than what the House passed.

[Better Believe It]

29. In this particular case the insurance industry writes the bill and it's used to attack women!

Oh .... that's how things work. But, that doesn't fit your fantasyland version of how this Congress actually works regarding health care legislation.

You think the Senate migh improve and strengthen the House bill! Now you gotta be kiddin, right?

Talk about fantasyland!

:)

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

33. Go fuck yourself (In response to your telling half the board to "shut the fuck up")

[prolesunited]

36. Those who object are not half the board

[bigwillq]

35. You can make a point without using the phrase

STFU. Please try it sometime. Thanks.