I've been thinking of leaving the DU...

[Omaha Steve]

My place on the DU is LBN, GD, Choice, GLBT, Energy & Environment, and Labor. Labor is the largest part. I had considered dropping the Labor Forum. I felt the return investment of my time was below the curve.

There been some changes in the DU many have talked about in the light of day. Some have been right. Some have been off base. Many have already left. I miss them all.

We overall are a family with the bond of making the USA better than it has been. Different backgrounds. Different regions of the US. Different thoughts on the direction of the party. Different people. Common bond.

I spent the most part of two days last week when I was busy away from the DU. It was hell.

Sure we have trolls, R's in cloaking mode, etc. But the best we have usually wins out. I count on that. I need this place more than most of you know. It keeps MY compass pointing D!

Thanks to some things said to me behind the scenes I'm staying. I could never replace what the DU as a whole means to me without a sense of something missing in my psyche.

Thank you for listening to a sometimes cranky union member with a history dedicated to "OUR" party. Your stuck with me. :-)

Omaha Steve

[NYC_SKP]

1. Recommended.

Glad to be stuck with you, Omaha Steve!

:thumbsup:

[Dennis Donovan]

2. Steve, normally I'd comment snarkily on a "Goodbye DU" thread, however...

You're THE DUer that keeps me in touch with the labor movement. Your efforts here are very appreciated and would be sorely missed. Very glad to hear you're staying!!!:hi:

[blondeatlast]

22. Agreed. Steve's one of the best. nt

[philly_bob]

60. Definitely depend on your union viewpoint. Stick around! (nt)

[malaise]

3. You'd better stay

:fistbump:

[SusanaMontana41]

78. This former Nebraskan agrees with malaise

You'd better stay, Omaha Steve ... for lots of good reasons.

:hi:

[blaze]

4. Thank you!!

I don't post a lot... but I read yours on a pretty regular basis.

I'm glad you're staying.

We need you.

:patriot:

[CTyankee]

5. Union, yes! I've been waiting for a long time for a union resurgence.

I've been waiting for it to happen...

Perhaps with more DUers like you and me, we can help make that happen!

Best of luck to you Steve...

[awoke_in_2003]

49. what have the unions done for us?...

I have never belonged to a union (not by choice). So, what have they done for us?

40 hour work week
paid vacations every year
safe working environments
RESPECT

That last one is pretty damn important. "Either we all hang together or we will, most assuredly, hang separately."

[Citizen Worker]

63. There's something else Lalbor Union's do and that is to change the

balance of power in the workplace and bring a measure of democracy into an otherwise top down totalitarian environment. And most employers just hate the fact that with a Union they can't do whatever they want. That, of course, depends on the Union Rank and File acting in their own interests and not leaving everything to the Union rep.

[awoke_in_2003]

121. Guess I kinda...

rolled that into "respect". I cannot believe the hatred that exists for unions in the country, and hell, even here. Anyone who knows any history should know what working conditions used to be like for the common man. People take things for granted, and think those conditions could never come back- how wrong they are. We will get back to those times- may be death by a thousands cuts, but those days will return.

[pleah]

6. K&R Glad you're staying. :)

:-)

[countingbluecars]

7. Thank you for helping to keep

me informed. I especially appreciate your Labor related posts. We need you here.

[struggle4progress]

8. knr

[w8liftinglady]

9. Steve...STAY----I live in Texas,for crying out loud.The UAW rep

was at the dem governor's meet and greet...we need positive union voices...they are so few and far between.I need you,Steve!!!!

[jwirr]

10. Thank you for staying - you are our link to labor and to the history

of the labor movement. We need you.

[Kurovski]

11. Thank you.

:kick:

[uppityperson]

12. I would very much miss your Choice posts and thank you for continuing to dothem.

[RKP5637]

13. Glad you are staying!!!

:toast: :toast: :toast:

[Xipe Totec]

14. It would be a personal disappointment if you did

I enjoy your posts.

[Mz Pip]

15. You've been here for 6 years

and that counts for a lot. Glad you're going to hang in here.

[annabanana]

16. I'm glad you're hanging in there Steve. You bring a particular

energy & perspective to DU that would be hard to replace.

[obxhead]

17. Your posts in the Labor forum have taught me a lot.

I personally extend a huge thank you for your work there.

:toast:

[annabanana]

18. I'm glad you've decided to hang in there, Steve..

You bring a unique perspective to DU that would be hard to replace.

[BeHereNow]

19. It's advisable to take breaks from the DU...

Otherwise, one has a tendency to lose perspective.
I'm trying to spend more time with people in my life,
not just the people on the net.

After both elections were stolen, DU was the only place I could
go for cathartic release and discussion.

We've held each other up and together through outrage fatigue-
I seriously don't know what I would have done through some of those times
without my DU friends.

I've made some wonderful friends here and put the trolls on "ignore."

Stay, and don't be afraid to use the "ignore" list.
It makes DU ever so much more pleasant.

BHN

[Cassandra]

20. I don't often respond to your posts but...

I read them, particularly in the Labor forum. Always worthwhile!

[madmax]

21. Good to hear!

:hug: You contribute a lot, we need ya.

[Jackpine Radical]

23. Thanks for staying, Steve.

Yours is a valued voice here. Never underestimate the value of your postings in keeping us informed.

[kgnu_fan]

24. I always look for your post. I usually get all labor news ahead of my news department

So you and what you bring to DU are very important for me.

I know some of the recent changes in membership make-up (more pro war folks here than before)is hard for me to stick around, but I just take a rest and read post that are useful to me and ignore bs to keep my sanity. You have to do that to survive these crazy times.

So please keep in touch.

[asdjrocky]

25. Peace Steve.

I'm glad you're staying, and the plain fact is, we could all spend a little more time in the Labor forum.

[Born_A_Truman]

26. I've been meaning to thank you Steve, for your OP

"It's ok Eddie, Dad's here". The story had me dissolved in tears in a restaurant where I was reading it on my iPhone waiting for my daughter and grandchildren. I may disagree with the war but always honor the soldiers and fallen and their families. Thank you again.

[pinto]

27. Glad you'll continue posting your finds. As with most of our members, you're an asset to the site.

And we all have our niches of interest and involvement. That's one aspect to DU that keeps it varied and vibrant, imo.

:thumbsup:

:thumbsup:

[awoke_in_2003]

50. "you're an asset to the site"

hear, hear

[undeterred]

28. Omaha Steve, you are irreplaceable.

I don't post as much as I used to, but when I come here to read, I always read your posts. Please know that your contributions are very much appreciated. :hi: :grouphug:

[BrklynLiberal]

29. Thank GAWD!! I would hate it if you left...!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[stevedeshazer]

30. Don't leave. Your posts are valued and widely read.

It takes thick skin to stay here. Skin up, brother.

[Omaha Steve]

32. I'm not

I think deep down I knew I could never leave. So many happy shared memories.

I thank everyone for all the kind thoughts & words of encouragement.

OS

[liberal N proud]

31. I left

I was gone for 7 days.

In all seriousness, you have been a valuable member of the group here. I can recall many a informative message with your tag on it.

Since I lived in Western Iowa and Northwest Missouri prior to moving to Ohio, your local flair has been an added bonus to your input.

Keep up the good work and don't get discouraged about anything else. I keep telling my kids, "Take nothing personal."

It just took me 50 years to realize that.

[bullwinkle428]

33. This site would certainly be weaker in your absence.

[BlueJazz]

34. You're not going anywhere Steve....We....ahhhh....have "Friends" who would bring you back.

:)

.
.
.
.

[madrchsod]

35. unions are the last hope to save this dam party....

[awoke_in_2003]

52. and yet...

this damn party keeps pissing on them. Time to take the party back.

[donco]

36. Glad your staying

from a teamster.

[handmade34]

37. I applaud that decision!

:applause:

[DeSwiss]

38. K&R

I'm still mulling........

[Hekate]

39. KnR. DU would be diminished by your absence.

Be seeing you around.

Hekate

[femmocrat]

40. Whew! I would really miss your posts!

We need your voice here at DU, Steve. :hug:

I love the Labor History ones, especially!

[amandabeech]

41. Don't leave, Steve!

You're just about the strongest voice here for U.S. working people, particularly blue collar working people, unionized or not.

You always stick up for good U.S. products on days when it seems DU has become filled with folks who only buy imports, whether they're lousy or not.

You're a true American and a true Democrat in my book.

Hang in there! You are much appreciated here by lots of us!

[OmahaBlueDog]

42. As a fellow Nebraskan, I enjoy your posts

On my sig line is a link to a thread where I'm doing some analysis on attitudes here at DU. If you have a moment, I'd love to see your responses. If not, no hard feelings..still happy to have you here.

[femrap]

43. Good! nt

[Renew Deal]

44. Of all the people thinking about leaving DU, I hope you're not one of them.

I don't care much for others grandstanding, but you're a serious and valuable member. I'd hate to see you go.

[TBF]

45. As far as I'm concerned you're one of the best posters on here -

I look for your posts, and hope others realize (as I do) that when we lose labor we lose the heart of this party.

Solidarity my friend.

[williesgirl]

46. We need you here and appreciate your input. Please stay! rec'd

[awoke_in_2003]

47. Do not leave, Steve...

you are a voice of sanity- this place needs you

[Lost4words]

48. Back At You Steve!

[nadinbrzezinski]

51. Steve I appreciate your posts

and I fear the battle for labor will soon get hot again.

And we old cudgers will be able to look the kids in the eyes and go... THAT IS WHY history matters.

[Booster]

53. From one union person to another, I'm sure glad you're staying.

We've all got to make sure that pendulum swings back for unions. That's the only thing that will help/save the middle class; the true backbone of this country. I always read your posts and you are one damn good human being.

[Oldtimeralso]

54. Omaha Steve

You are the VOICE OF LABOR here at the DU!
I, a retired union member, look for your posts here as they are very informative.

[WheelWalker]

55. That's a BIG k&r, Steve. Blessings.

[era veteran]

56. Someone has to help me educate the dullard Rand Paul

He 'thinks' Bloody Harlan is about the Duke's of Hazzard. ///"Which Side Are You On?" is a song written by Florence Reece in 1931. She was the wife of a union organizer for the United Mine Workers in Harlan County, Kentucky. In 1931 the miners of that region were locked in a bitter and violent struggle with the mine owners. In an attempt to intimidate the Reece family, deputies hired by the mining company illegally entered and searched the Reece family home. Sam Reece had been warned in advance and escaped, but Florence and their children were terrorized in his place. That night, after the men had gone, Florence wrote the lyrics to "Which Side Are You On?" on a calendar that hung in the kitchen of her home. She took the melody from a traditional Baptist hymn, "Lay the Lily Low", or the traditional ballad "Jack Munro". Florence recorded the song and it can be heard on the CD Coal Mining Women.//////http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nzudto-FA5Y&feature=related

[Starry Messenger]

57. I read every post of yours I catch while awake.

I'm glad you are staying. Labor history is so neglected in education in the US. I'm counting myself in that, and your posts have filled that lack. :thumbsup:

[Uncle_Gunnysack]

58. Perhaps you should try other boards in addition to DU; that is if you don't already.

I was recently told about DU, and I've decided to try it out.

[rhett o rick]

59. Plez stay and fight for truth and freedom. nm

[Mopar151]

61. Keep the faith, brotha. n/t

[roody]

62. I always appreciate your posts.

[daleanime]

64. All ways look forward to your posts...

please keep'em coming!:bounce:

[kestrel91316]

65. Don't go. NGU. Ignore the trolls.

[DesertFlower]

66. glad you're staying.

[Gore1FL]

67. I have effectively left

I was here in 2001, but I rarely post anymore.

My patriotism has been considered right wing.

My pragmatism has been considered anti-gay.

My views on the economy have been considered fascist.



Of course the reality is, in the actual Democratic Party, my views are too left. Go figure.

I like DU (used to love it) so I won't quit. Unfortunately, it has become the Left's Free Republic, at times and lacks reality a majority of the time.

[Grinchie]

68. Unfortunately, somebody left a big magnet lying next to the compass

The D that it points to is not true D, as you may have already noticed.

If you leave, they will have succeeded, and that's the only reason I still show up occasionally to rain on the cheerleaders parade.

It's not a matter of going raw raw for the abusers anymore. The people with D behind their names are not even remotely close to the real democrats I know, small d, because we are the only ones that appear to be invulnerable to the effects of greed, avarice, and glitzy marketing.

We small d democrats are well read, have highly developed memories, and leave emotions mostly out of the equiton when it comes to evaluating the effectiveness of our chosen leaders, who continue to shit on us at their own peril.

Our society continually tries to instill a feeling of useless futility on the individual, destroying the will to pursue ones calling in life, and quashing any love of work or the pursuit of happiness by reframing the goal as the pursuit of monetary gain. This has worked on millions upon millions that work in dead end jobs that produce nothing but more complexity in their own lives.

The Democratic party need housecleaning, along with a thicker skin, and a clear focus on where we want to go. We simply cannot have another slick willie like Obama saying one thing, and then following the report from iron moutain ethos in lock step with the republicans.

Personally, I have proven all the dogma that has been imposed upon me totally wrong. One person CAN CHANGE THE WORLD. I have planted hundreds of thousands of trees in my life, and I can walk through forests that I basically planted entirely by hand. I have restored harsh, unwelcoming secondary forests into gardens of eden that produce food without any additional input, and if I choose to add my own labor, I get double the output, if I so desire.

This simple example is applicable to everyone, if only they would wake up and realize the awesome power of the human being. For the nominal investment of clean air, food, water and shelter, we can outproduce any machine, and do it consistenlty for decades.

Yet, many people live in polluted cities, drink polluted water, eat good looking yet non-nutritious food, augmented with lots of sugar for energy, and spend much of their brain power watching American Idol instead of thinking about ways of making a table, or making string, or cutting a mortice without buying it from a compnay that makes it in China.

Yes, many are trapped in the city, but even in the city, one can grow an apple tree, or herbs or whatever that adds that crucial beneficial molecule to our lives.. If only people had enough time to realize how the rat race makes us dependant on cash and reduces our ability to creat real things that make our life more pleasurable. People buy too much these days.. They don't sit down and watch things grow. It's to slow, and thinking or visualizing change is too painful and boring.. Because I'm missing AMerican Idol!

Cutting the Cable TV service off is the best thing a person can do. Keep the Internet, and affect change!

As far as labor is concerned.. I think Labor is the most valuable asset I have, and I classify Software Engineering as just as taxing as that of a farmer or a forester. Why? Because the IT guy is consuming massive amounts of sugar that is the only food the brain uses to fire neurons. A good 2 hours of problem solving is just as taxing calorie wise as 2 hours of chopping trees with and axe. Blogging is just as calorie intensive as dancing, although not as aerobic.

Yet, we as humans need all three to be healthy, Mental Exercise, Physical Exericise, and Spiritual Exercise. I'll leave my spiritual power sources out of this, but I will say that they are real, and very important for health and happiness.

All one needs to do is wake up from the me me me attitude imposed upon us by the Corporate world. Work wit others when you can, but when that proves impossible, push back as hard as your comfort level allows, and never yield when you have the upper hand.

The Powers that Be, and that includes this sham of an administration, and trying hard to maintain the status quo. Everyone knows through the collective concsiouness that it is the wrong path, and nobody has balls enough to call them out for the final collapse. Too much fear prevents the needed change from happening. Of course, nothing like another Great Depression 2.0 to throw fear into the hearts of nearly everyone, and this is what they want.

The trols here are morping, and so is the cheerleader squad. I have seen several war hawks morph in to a "I'm with you brother" avatar, like they think nobody will notice. Well I notice, and it makes me watch closer. People don't change their philosophiy that drastically overnight, and it smells like a halibut hidden on the poop deck...

Obama is done. His fork was handed to him in April of 2009, and he's been stabbing himself with it ever since. I have no sympathy for Obama, and I now think of him as just another Michael Steele, selling out for a short term capital gain. There are no achievements so far that would entice me to vote for him ever again. In fact, he's wise to stay away from the mid terms like the media is blasting on the internet these days.. Obama is toxic.

Don't give up, the cheerleaders have a limited payroll, and that is disappering as the jig is up. The ponzi scheme collapse in under way, and it's a slo mo train rwreck from here on out in my opinion.

Aloha

[Desertrose]

69. Very true, Grinchie...and glad you're sticking around Steve.

:)

[flyarm]

116. Excellent Post Grinchie, an very happy you are staying Steve..I to am a 33 yr Union member

now retired.

My hubby was VP of a very successful union..for many years.

We can do what we can to educate others..but like the saying goes, You can take a horse to water, but you can not make it drink.

I don't think anyone is fooled by the minority that are so willing to sell out democratic principles and values, and they are a minority who spew the same shit day in and day out here..ignore them and just keep posting truth..the Truth will prevail and real democrats are waking faster than repukes were that they had been had!
We must stay vigilant about Schools and Teachers, and unions , and the working man and woman..for Gays and for minorities,our soldiers , our laws, our health care womens right's to their own reproductivity.. but most of all we must stay vigliant for our constitution, those things must never be negotiable!

For those who would sell us out so cheaply , I just laugh at them with total pity..and while posting I say out loud..YOU may sell others out, but it is your ass as well, I am trying to protect! ( even if THEY are too damn stupid to know it!)

I too was ready and willing to leave DU, but then I thought if all the good dems leave this place will be a shell ..with few left ..and a very small community..because the DLC'er are truely a very small minority and they are many times trying the bully pulpit to no avail...and this site will die if we all leave! Something the Admin should think strongly about, when chosing their mods!

I don't post much here anymore..but I will be a thorn in the side of anyone who thinks they can sell out the incredible Dems I have known who have fought so hard for this party and its principles and values and dedicated myself to , and given shit loads of money to and even more of my time and efforts to and supported for 40 years of my life. No siree..they can not turn this party into republican lite..it will be over my dead body.

One by one I will give money and my time to getting the republican lite/DLC out of this party, if it takes to my last breath!



Keep educating Steve..you are good at it!!

fly

[JDPriestly]

70. Omaha Steve, you are the greatest.

I always look forward to your posts.

[DainBramaged]

71. Your observations are spot on, but no one pays attenton to us

The lack of attention paid to the Labor Forum is distressing. Poutrage wins the day of late here. I spent time away, and it was refreshing. And now I spend less and less time here.



Typing words that only mean you know where the keyboard is are not very fulfilling. For years I thought we were accomplishing something. but then I realized that not only are we invisible to those we elected, most here don't believe in the values that built this Country and made it strong. And Union and Made in America doesn't mean Jack Shit to most here. That's even sadder than how we concern ourselves about the food the poor eat while we gorge ourselves on food they can't afford.


It may be our party, but our party can't get its shit together and drive down the road without crashing during a useless argument. Or worrying about how the Pukes may be offended.

[rpannier]

72. You'd be missed if you went

No one covers union issues like you do.
It's appreciated by many here, myself included

[SDuderstadt]

73. Thanks for staying....

OS. Unions need a voice like yours to remind us of, among other things, helping to create a strong middle class.

Please, please, do not give up the fight.

[girl gone mad]

74. This place is definitely not what it used to be.

[HEyHEY]

76. Every day I find myself in an argument with some moop who takes more issue

With how I said something instead of what I said. It's like everyone here just goes around looking for a reason to be right about ANYTHING. SO, they start fights on here about insignificant things.

[patrice]

75. Please stay. Some of us have come to rely on you,

[SunsetDreams]

77. K&R thank you for sticking around

glad to be stuck with you:hug:

[PoiBoy]

79. Thank you for staying Steve...

I always read your posts with great interest and feel that I learn a great deal from what you have to say... you would be sorely missed.... I for one am very glad that you are staying...!!!


:hi:

[TexasProgresive]

80. I depend upon you especially for UNION news and views.

I don't often post replies to your Labor forum posts but I always read them. Please keep up the good work, Brother Steve.

[ericinne]

81. He ain't going no where

I'm one of Steve's Nebraska fans.

[dipsydoodle]

82. I may not agree with everything you say

but I do always learn something so its good to hear you're sticking around.

[hay rick]

83. Whew!

Appreciate you're sticking around. You are the most reliable source of useful labor-related posts around here. Thanks for doing what you do.

[mmonk]

84. DU needs your voice.

[iamforobama]

85. WHAT'S WITH THE BUSH TAX CUTS COMMERCIAL??

[wellstone dem]

86. so many of your posts make a difference for me

I probably rarely respond, but I always read the posts if I see they are by "Omaha Steve". I have learned a lot, particularly about labor. But as I think about others, I have also learned about love, commitment, dedication, kindness....Thank you for posting, thank you for staying.

[old mark]

87. Steve, I have to take breaks from time to time too, I hope yours is temporary...nt

[madmom]

88. My whole family appreciates your labor news. My SO (who is not a

member of DU but is a union member) appreciates when I send links to your threads. Glad you're staying, we all need a break now and then.:hug:

[rosesaylavee]

89. I always enjoy your posts

I lurk more than post these days and go for days without logging in ... mostly due to computer issues and lack of computer etc. Glad you are here and thank you for all that you have contributed here.

[varelse]

90. I'm glad you're sticking with us

:)

[NJmaverick]

91. K & R

[rurallib]

92. There are a few dozen that really drive DU. You are one of them

DU would not be DU without your posts. You are the one who really reminds us that labor is the foundation of DU and of Amrica.
Thank you for staying.

[ChiciB1]

93. Love You Steve, But YOU ARE NOT ALONE!! n/t

[mucifer]

94. I really enjoy what you contribute to DU thanks for staying!

[tpsbmam]

95. Thank goodness! You'd have been greatly missed. It's precisely your kind of

voice that DU needs now. If those whose voices who form the "bond of making the USA better than it has been" leave, we'll lose a critical chorus of voices constantly endeavoring to make those real changes happen. :hug:

[Joanne98]

96. I can help you with Labor.

[earcandle]

97. Glad you are sticking around. I will take this place over the well.com everyday!

[JNelson6563]

98. You're one of the few ACTUAL union supporters here!

Many like to talk the talk and then jump into their Toyota and head out. Yes, go Union!!! Ewww, you mean drive a car they made??? Gawd no!

I appreciate your posts and how you walk the walk. It keeps the hypocrisy level at DU down a notch or two.

Julie

[revolution breeze]

99. Steve, we need strong leaders like you.

I am glad you decided to stay. Your posts are one of the reasons I signed up for DU after lurking for months.

[safeinOhio]

100. Hey Steve

Organized labor is the last hope for the working class of America. We have suffered through a blitz of corporate spending and anti-union propaganda for about 20 to 30 years. There are some signs and forces coming up on the horizon that can reverse that tide. A small resurgence in heavy industry like autos and steel. Higher wages in China and other exporters along with the lack of good jobs here and the loss of social safety nets have fertilized the soil for a resurgence in union organizing.
I see 2 things that we need to do.
1. fight to keep locals and internationals squeaky clean. Only members can do that and we must struggle to keep all power vested in our unions way above board to starve the forces of evil and keep them away.
2. Our biggest challenge is to organize, organize and organize some more. The benefits of economic self interest to workers and middle class has to be pushed. Who would have thought that would ever be needed, yet that is the problem.

I stand with you.

[texastoast]

101. K&R n/t

[tavalon]

102. I didn't write my Goodbye DU letter but I left for about a month this summer

I really missed it.

[Kermitt Gribble]

103. Glad you decided not to leave, Omaha Steve.

I'm always happy to rec your posts - we need all the Union support we can get with the Party moving to the right.

[bluesmail]

104. Oh yesss! I look forward to your labor posts, like you I have my

certain likes. LBN is my # One. :hi:

[KansDem]

105. I hope you reconsider...

I always appreciate your labor threads. Good reading and information too.

But, change is inevitable and if you feel you must move on, I'm sure we'll all understand.

But, I hope you reconsider...

[aquart]

106. Sometimes I think you're the only one who remembers what we stand for.

You have every reason to be cranky.

[democrat2thecore]

107. Soooooo glad!

Your commitment to labor makes any post you make a must-read. Thanks for staying.

[jeffrey_X]

108. who are you?

huh?

[1monster]

109. I don't comment all that much. I've been a member since 2002, but was reading since March of 2001..

And my post count is still in the 6000s.

That said, I do read your posts, especially the labor posts. I learn a lot from you even if I don't comment.

Thank you for your efforts.

[Blue Diadem]

110. Glad you are staying Steve. You're one of the best here.

While I haven't been spending as much time here as I once did, when I do visit DU, I always look forward to reading your posts.

Thank you for being here and for making that decision to stay.

[backtomn]

111. No way you should leave....unless......

.....do you believe that everyone should ALWAYS agree with you?? Do you believe that we all should be of one mind?? Do you believe that "progressivism" has ONE definition??

If you do......you should go....with my blessing. Please.......if I was offended by disagreement, I would have left long ago.....not to mention STRONG disagreement (even an insult or two......OK, more than 2). If you think that unions are perfect.....I might need to disagree. If you support unions, as a general prospect, I am with you. Maybe absolutelism is the problem. It is OK to hold those views.....particularly here.....but, that should not mean that you should expect unanimity.

KEEP UP THE FIGHT !! Even if I disagree. Please.

[Richlu]

112. Thanks for not giving up on us

We value your ideas and thoughts. A good discussion harmonizes differences, and expands our points of view. Thanks!

[MrMickeysMom]

113. I know all about cranky, Omaha Steve...

I'm a member of the Cranky Party.

[NEOhiodemocrat]

114. Your's is one of the few names I look for on the site

I enjoy your union and labor posts and feel that they have really taught me a lot about the history of labor unions. My husband was a GM worker so I have always had a great respect for all that unions have done for the working man. I am so glad you have decided not to leave. I am sure that there are more people like me who don't post much but enjoy reading your contributions. Hang in there! You would be missed.

[WillyT]

115. I'm Thinkin Labor Is Heading For A Renaissance... And You'd Better Be Here To Lead The Way !!!

:bounce::hi::bounce:

K & R !!!

:kick:

[grantcart]

117. Your departure would be a substantial loss here.

[sfnative]

118. Labor is our saving grace in this party

I've been lurking for awhile, and I look forward to reading your pro-labor posts. Occasionally, I've seen anti-labor sentiment pop up here and there and I'm glad you and other union members are here to squash them. Plain and simple unions exist to stop worker exploitation. During the industrial revolution, factory owners forced workers to work 12 to 14 hour days without breaks. The work week was 7 days a week. Women and children were paid significantly less than men for doing the same work. There were no safety laws to protect workers from injury or death.

Most people believe labor's priority is simply higher wages when in reality most of the fights center around getting back the rights that were TAKEN away. Besides, minimum wage has a trickle up effect. Increasing the minimum wage actually increases the wages of workers who earn more.

We have to remind people what would happen if there were no unions to protect workers. Take the Northern Mariana Islands where female garment workers were basically enslaved in barbed wire living quarters and paid so low that they often had to resort to prostitution. Consequently, women who became pregnant were fired or forced to have abortions (this happens in the free trade zones too).

If unions didn't exist, we'd all be treated like the Lowell Mill girls of the 1830s to the Mariana garment workers of the 2000s. If business owners treated workers well, there wouldn't be a need for unions.

Unions protect all workers, white collar and blue collar. The perceived social economic divide between white collar and blue collar exists only to divide workers. Unless you own your own business, we are all part of the working class.

In solidarity, sfnative.

[roguevalley]

119. better stay, steve. I am glad you are.

RV, AFT, Teamsters, NEA, Hotel, Motel and etc unions

[Turbineguy]

120. We need all the Union Members we can get.