How Unions saved the Democratic Party

How Loyalty Dies
(by R.P.Edwards)

Loyalty
 Is a matchless place

A sacred bond

With face to face

A binding

Holding

Ever true

An always me

With always you

But even stone

With rain decays

And "Loyalty"

Must go both ways

And as adultery kills

The marriage bond

Some twisted ties

Must not go on

It was the babies dying; that was the final straw, the violent push past the tipping point, the grisly crack that caused the dam to burst and the concrete bond to shatter. Yes, it was this ultimate betrayal that divorced Unions (many) from the party of Jefferson; which led, eventually, to the rebirth of the Democratic party, and perhaps the saving of America. 

It all started long ago. Yes, way back in grandpa's youth there were sure differences between the blue collar and the white. Back then it was Workers rights versus Corporate greed; the little guys defiantly locking arms to defend against the well-moneyed fat cats. The Democrats, the union backers, wore blue. The Republicans, red. Long ago.

Well, in the not so distant past, say a half century, the "Left" began to chisel away at more than just tight-fisted dollar holders. Their (as in "not" necessarily unions) vision was so much broader and far reaching than just paychecks and benefits. It seemed a "new" culture was their desire and, with the constant gushing from tainted Universities along with believers in high places...they got it. 

Oh, to be sure, the deflection was slow at first and, as elections came and went many in the Labor ranks comforted themselves in the voting booth with the thoughts and words: "They're really for me; they'll do what's best," as they loyally, faithfully pulled the blue lever; albeit some holding their nose.

BUT, shortly after the end of the Obama administration the gentle leaning and sliding of the left suddenly became a sprint. From out of nowhere policies that would invariably and obviously kill the economy and make millions destitute (The Green New Deal, Socialism) these were heartily proposed by freshman lawmakers and quickly adopted by the Party elite. And, as egregious as this was, the final offense was when the party of Roosevelt, Truman, and Kennedy pushed abortion, the destruction of innocent human life, to its very limits; even to the point of infanticide.

Well, that did it. This was the bracing slap in the face that demanded a rebuke. And, not surprisingly, it was the local unions involved in heavy industry that were the first to stand up. Before long they were joined by many others and even some public sector unions recognized the dire direction of the nation and that desperate action was needed. 

So, in the year prior to the 2020 election many in Union leadership, loudly, emphatically refused, REFUSED to endorse the Democrat nominee(s) and, although they made it clear that this abstention was for the good of the country and not necessarily a nod to the other party; the results were predictable: There was a landslide for the republican party but...this was just the beginning.

For, you see, post election there was actually very little time spent in wound licking and sour grape eating. Instead, the massive middle of the democratic party demanded an expulsion of the extreme invaders and a return to sanity. And, even when the Far Left's shock troops, Antifa, went to the streets with masks and mallets, these were more than matched by Union hard hats and hammers. AND, as a result, in the next general election the "Blue" party had not only returned to sanity, but they had returned...to office.

And that, dear reader, is how the Unions saved the Democratic party...and the nation.

But, alas, it is only a fanciful dream.

****

STRIKE?

Union

(By R.P.Edwards)

I was beaten down, mute, and weak

Then a brother came to help me speak

A sister gave a lifting hand

Then others joined, to help me stand

At last the oppressor made his run

To finish the job he had begun

He thought only "I" would field his blows

But instead, he found a Union...

Standing toe to toe


  King Rehoboam talked it over with the elders who had advised his father when he was alive: “What’s your counsel? How do you suggest that I answer the people?”
⁷ They said, “If you will be a servant to this people, be considerate of their needs and respond with compassion, work things out with them, they’ll end up doing anything for you.”
^8-9 But he rejected the counsel of the elders...
(1 Kings 12:6-9)

The context of the above scripture: King Solomon had died. Before his exit, however, he had loaded the people down with oppressive taxes and burdens. They wanted some relief. His heir, Rehoboam, asked his father's counselors what to do. They advised compassion. He, instead, listened to his arrogant friends, and the kingdom was subsequently divided.

Of course, there's more to the story, but it came to mind upon hearing of the offer from the "rulers" in Pittsburgh who have answered the USW's (United Steelworkers) request for a fair contract with something that is ridiculous, insulting, and unthinkable. I have no doubt that if the offer is unchanged the "people" (workers) will strike and the kingdom of U.S.Steel will be divided (for a time, anyway).

I'll not over-expound, but I would like to express my amazement and curiosity at these recent events.

Amazement: it was but a short time ago when we had a presidential visit where said chief executive highlighted how the steel industry has come back to life. Indeed, the facility where I work was, not long before, on life-support and now (then) grateful returning steelworkers were once again bringing home a living wage. The community rejoiced. Workers rejoiced. And it appeared that the leaders of the industry also rejoiced, and oh, it would have been such a simple thing to add to the "feel good" future of labor and management by the acceptance of a contract that mirrored the last one, with just a slight sweetening of a long overdue pay raise. 

But, instead of the no-brainer decision (especially given the profit margin of the players) there now seems to be an attempt by the company(s) to punish, break, and irreparably wound and weaken current workers, new-hires, and even retirees. Perhaps such rhetoric is (was) supposed to cause fear, resulting in submission. But, instead it has galvanized the many to stand in opposition. And, sadly, what was an environment that was ripe to birth a new partnership based on mutual respect and a common goal, it is now quickly devolving (at least on labor's part) to an atmosphere of toxic suspicion and even abject hatred.

And now, curiosity: Given that the last contract--when things were bleak and the future uncertain--given that even THAT agreement had elements of compassion (and we were, quite frankly, glad to get it!) I truly wonder what has happened since then to cause such an odious offering to be produced this go round? Is it new upper management? Outside consulting? I don't know. But I DO know that the battle-lines are being drawn, and that the hearts and will of the many are being steeled in order to fight for our families and future. How sad, it all could have been so easily avoided.

****