Welcome Leo, really good to have you here today.

Marcy and I were so impressed when we visited the steel plant in Pittsburgh. The workers were incredibly aware of trade issues and how they affected their industry. You’ve done a really good job of educating your members.

How have you gone about that?

Welcome Mr Gerard,
It looks to me like Blanche Lincoln is following the strategy of a recent dem VA gubanatorial candidate.

Leo,
Can you explain the Mondragon model a little bit and do you really think that can work in the USA?

Hi, We built a grassroots member to member education program called Rapid Response. We trained people in as many workplaces as possible, and on a regular basis, we send them information about trade policy, legislative policy and other issues, and inform them how this affects their daily lives. We do this regularly on current issues and those the union has identified via discussion with our members about issues they want information about. Over time, this proves a great member to member education tool as it also encourages one-on-one dialogue among workers.

Citizen Leo Gerard:

Welcome to FDL. My question is a simple one and goes back to the splintering of the union movement and the fights between the Reuthers and the Meanyites. Has the union leadership found solidarity between its organizations and the egos and self-interest of its leaders?

Leo,
Do you have a primary challenger lined up?

Blanche Lincoln in our opinion needs to vote right on both EFCA and health care, or she will have a difficult time getting re-elected and getting labor support.

Mr. Gerard, a great honor to have you here.

Leo,

What would you say is the most important or the 2-4 most important pieces that must be part of health care reform?

Welcome Mr. Garard as well. As a Californian I know we recently lost the Toyota Plant in Fremont. But at one time California produced the Mustang, both GM F-body cars (Camaro/Firebird) and if I recall Toyota took over the old Mustang plant in Fremont years later.

Things are still built in America, but at a reduced scale.

How could we educate America at Large on the ravages of NAFTA and how it hollowed out good paying Blue Collar jobs in America?

Well in light of Blanche Lincoln, how about Rep. Jason Altmire, who the USW supported in the past and who voted against health insurance reform?

It’s great to be here with the most progressive online community, and look forward to working together!

Hello and thanks for visiting us.

How can we reconcile the conflicts between the construction trades and gentrification in our inner cities?

I know there is probably not a lot of union strength in Arkansas, but the Steelworker have a presence there, yes? How big is it relative to that of other unions?

welcome leo!

we’ve got to find a method and use it for returning our society to one that appreciates to union workmanship and membership…remember the add campaign, “loof for the union label”?

great stuff there

the corporatists have done an excellant job turning the word “union” into a perjurative and now most people actually believe union jobs are bad for the economy

the very first thing we need to do is turn that around, we must have society once again view the union and membership as a benefactor

one method would be some research and semi documentary demonstrating what the union movement did for our economy and how it grew the middle class

then demonstrate how the middle class has declined BECAUSE of the lack of unions

we also have to educate people for the fundamental purpose of unions, here is the analogy I like to use, it works every time and has not failed;

“if a company needs to buy 100 tons of steel, they don’t tell the steel mill what they will pay for a ton, the steel mill sets the price, the provider, not the seller

the buyer can possibly negotiate this price, by telling the provider he can’t make money at that price, the seller needs to make the sale and the negotiations begin”

that’s what a union does, the provider sets the price not the seller

I go on

“sometimes the provider can price themselves out of the market and the company they rely on out of business so it is mutally beneficial to each party a proper and fair value will be brokered”

this analogy works every time

We hear there’s a candidate lining up, depending on her voting, we’ll certainly will look at supporting an alternate candidate.

Just reading about it in Spain. However Spain has high unemployment, I’ll continue reading…

Just fyi, I came to FDL as an ex-Republican, who had been raised to distrust all unions. It was Jane’s voice, intellect, and always-sound-judgment, that helped me realize that unions are absolutely critical to the U.S. economy.

Thanks for your commitment to progressive change throught the labor movement. You are a great inspiration to many, including nurses from the “RN Super-Union”…

Ummn, how real do you think Obama is? Do you think he wants to be helpful to unions but finds the climate in Washington difficult, or do you think he just wants to create the impression of being pro-union without really being so, or without willing to do anything on their (our) behalf?

Specifically about Arkansas, Sen Lincoln recently supported USW workers in Arkansas (at Cooper Tire, if I remember), by supporting US workers against China tire makers – a decision later confirmed by the USTR.

Is that just nice to have from Lincoln? Does she earn any points with you for that? Or is the Employee Free Choice Act still the be all and end all for your support of Lincoln?

What an unexpected and very welcome treat to have you here today!

Could you expound on WHY there has been little visibilty by new Sec of Labor Solis?

(Chao was the BIGGEST union busting tool the BushCo crowd EVER had.)

What is she doing on the backlog of Labor Dep’t complaints?

Great comment and absolutely accurate observation. I think the average American knows that the global trading regime created by Wall Street multi-national corporations and their political opportunists have created a trade system has now generated a seven trillion dollar trade debt and cannot be sustained. So it’s not a matter of educating the American public, it’s a matter of mobilizing. We need to educate the free trade idealogues in both parties to stand up for American workers and start making things in America again. The public is awaiting.

It was amazing how quickly our senator, Michael Bennet, came around when a challenger announced.

Well, Solis’ OSHA – currently let by former FDL blogger Jordan Barab – has been doing phenomenal work. Just a point of reference, it’s not completely silent over at DOL :)

Just fyi, I came to FDL as an ex-Republican, who had been raised to distrust all unions

see my 15

Unfortunately, Bennet’s challenger is worse on the Employee Free Choice Act. Over at Daily Kos on Sunday, Andrew Romanoff repeatedly echoed corporate talking points about “secret ballots” and said he was opposed to majority sign-up. Not the kind of primary challenge we need.

The most important thing we could have done with healthcare reform is to pass a universal, single-payer plan. It would have saved more than $400 billion per year, and everyone could have been covered. Having said that, now the most important things are to get a “robust” public option (no triggers, no co-ops & no opt out) make sure it’s paid for by both ending the war in Iraq and rolling back the Bush tax cuts to the already rich and super powerful. Last, but not least, is to have an employer mandate and no taxation of workers healthcare benefits.

That’s a health care plan I can believe in!

Saw that after the fact = had been wondering who to support up to that.

President Obama is the most pro-worker president — meaning pro-union president in the last 75 years. Our problem isn’t with President Obama, our problem is with weak-kneed corporate Democrats. We need less corporate Democrats and more Obamas.

I think that it is very important that we have a PO that is targeted to help a whole lot more than 6 million. That small a program will fall flat.

I think that DOL Secretary Solis is working on a number of fronts that fall under the jurisdiction of her department, and she is working to put the best people in position she can find, but like so many other things — the Republicans are doing everything they can by putting individual “holds” on appointments. The Republicans have now set a record for the most holds of nominations by any party in the last 50 years. You are right about Mrs. McConnell (Elaine Chao) being the most anti-union labor secretary, and we’re going to have to work everyday with Secretary Solis to help her and President Obama undo the damage that she and the Bush gang have wrought.

Well anybody that lives in Southern California or any of the bordering States to Mexico has already known the impact of NAFTA, its just when I was a teenager I just didn’t fully understand it. All I knew is that the Latino population exploded but nobody bothered to really explain why.

Our Trade Problems are huge, I work at Pep Boys, its hard to find anything in the store that’s made in America. Customers complain, many are willing to pay extra for American Made Parts (especially for American Cars).

I know the Public is Waiting, I want to mobilize –

Let’s have some strategy!

Agreed. The best and biggest public option is single payer.

As a fellow Union member, let me say welcome, Leo.

I fully support not funding any politician who does not support a robust public option.

Blanche Lincoln is a symptom of a wider problem, IMO, do you have any other irons in the fire?

You are right, Jordan is doing terrific work. Finally, after eight long years, we’ve got someone who truly cares about workers and workplaces be made as safe as possible. And doesn’t believe in behaviorial safety, but believes in process safety so that we can make our workplaces as safe as possible for every worker.

I was actually just speaking with a reporter from CBS. People seem to have forgotten that the unions were (understandably) upset about the passage of NAFTA in 1993 and it affected their willingness to turn out the vote in 1994.

What are your memories of that election year WRT to union participation?

Leo
How do you view Harry Reid?

Mr. Gerard, I am sure the Steelworker’s union is already well aware of the Pulitzer in history this year, Slavery by Another Name: The Re-Enslavement of Black Americans from the Civil War to World War II

I think what is less well known is that a lot of the ex-slaves in the south (Birmingham, AL is one example) died (in coal mines that were crucial to the steel industry) and were then buried in unmarked graves.

Given that the book has been out such a short time, my comment is premature. I do hope, however, that the Steelworkers and other unions will consider the disposition of these unmarked graves.

IMHO, the forced slave labor in the old Confederacy does much to explain the 1870′s violence in Pennsylvania coal mines. The Molly Maguires were competing against slave labor. I think “Slavery By Another Name,” has tremendous resonance for the plight of the American worker today.

Wasn’t there a victory last year by the USW over at WTO-relating to Chinese steel pipe?

Thank you.

As important as health care is, it is also extremely important that we fight for a new economic model that creates jobs at home as opposed to exporting jobs overseas and borrowing from the Chinese to pay our trade debt as they manipulate their currency. Almost every major advance democracy, as well as China, India, Brazil, Russia — have an economic strategy that understands real wealth for a nation is created by making things, not by creating asset bubbles and trading worthless pieces of crap paper, so Wall Street big wigs can line their pockets. The only two countries, to my knowledge, who have no strategy are the U.S and Canada. We need to change that and we need to get rid of politicians who don’t understand that or are in the pockets of corporate multinationals. That may include several corporate Democrats and almost every Republican.

Actually I think its still possible to get Single Payer in the 11th Hour, but do you want it bad enough? Are you willing to get on a bus and go to the Capital Building? Are you trying to tell me only the Lobbyist, Wingnuts and FOX can get people to protest against Health Care Reform?

All we have managed to do is get a few people arrested and very little TV time.

Is Mr Garard, the leaders of AFL-CIO and SEIU willing to fund a massive turnout by the Left and Labor on Health Care Reform and demand Single Payer?

The Public Option (Hacker’s) should be ONLY seen as a compromise from Single Payer.

I still believe the reason Health Care Reform hovers around 50-60% in polling is because its NOT RADICAL CHANGE that we put these people in power for.

Why is the Left now settling for Incremental Change????

Leo said MOBILIZE? I know who to call to lease buses… Hell I can drive a Bus.

BTW, you should totally be on Twitter, Leo. With your…quotability? You’d be an instant Twitter rock star.

The USW is one of the largest unions in Arkansas and one of the most respected, and I’m sure that our union joining with other unions and progressive online communities like this one, we can make a difference — and we should.

I like this guy.

I have a typo in that, it should say “the seller sets the price not the buyer”

How’s about the use of some good ole fashion RICO enforcement? Like when they busted up A&P?

How’s about starting with WalMart?

Bet that would make Ms. Lincoln blanche!

One of the problems of dealing with single payer is that nobody is persuaded by moral scolds, and so its strongest adherents make it really difficult to promote. They effectively keep it from being mainstreamed.

We’re trying to find a way to work around that, but it’s something to think about.

He’s kind of a natural here, huh?

Union members have a very deep sense of betrayal and we’re very angry, and many not only refused to work for Democratic candiates who helped pass NAFTA, but hundreds-of-thousands stayed home, and it took almost 10 years to re-elect a Democratic majority in the Congress. I fear the same thing if we get a lousy health care bill, a lousy Free Choice Act and no meaningful job creation as we continue to bleed jobs through rotten trade deals and weak trade policies and no industrial strategy.

I’ve heard that from other union leaders. I think you should write something on that, because this reporter had no idea. We’d love to post it.

Mr. Gerard: Thank you for being here.

It appears that another (jobs) stimulus package will be necessary. I am also of the opinion that, insofar as the rebuilding and upgrading of the nation’s infrastructure is concerned, the Steelworker’s Union could play a very big role. Any plans to push Congress and the President to start working on another (real) stimulus package?

I’m not sure what you mean, but it would seem to me that there’s a lot more than Bernie Madoff who ought to be investigated and made to do the perp walk. In fact, I think once they’re found, if they are guilty, before they go to jail, they have to walk through one of the plants closed, a house abandoned and look the people in the eye whose pensions they robbed and whose kids cannot go to college and made to eat at a food bank, leave their clothes at Good Will — and put their corrupt asses in jail.

ANYBODY remember the Million Man March on the Mall a few years back?

What’s Twitter?

…..have an economic strategy that understands real wealth for a nation is created by making things, not by creating asset bubbles and trading worthless pieces of crap paper, so Wall Street big wigs can line their pockets…..

Bullseye.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Is this my brother from Sudbury?

Oh boy. World, get ready…

Now I REALLY like this guy!
If ya ever get to Portland Leo, I’m buying.

President Obama is the most pro-worker president — meaning pro-union president in the last 75 years.

This simply isn’t true. Even Nixon was probably more pro-union than Obama. How long ago was EFCA passed? Oh wait, …

“It appears that another (jobs) stimulus package will be necessary.”

Why?? Because the first stimulus worked so well??

Is there a good meatballs and pasta joint?

Several.

Any chance we can get another job stimulus plan.

What I mean is that Blanche Lincoln is a tool of Tyson,WalMart, Jackson STephens-ALL Arkansas firms.

There’s a neat,slick little site called jonah tebbet’s Iconoclast blogsite that deals directly with Arkansas politicos.

Check it out for the inside scoop on what’s doin in Arkansas.VERY informative.

We better respond to Brazil…. After crushing its Government a few times with CIA backed Quo’s, they are looking to turn the corner and they have resources to do it. They’ve already stopped importing OIL from other countries. In fact while GM and the others are still struggling to bring Flexible Fuel cars to market, Fiat in Brazil is already bringing to market cars that not only run on gas, but sugar based ethanol and LPG!

FYI but VW in Brazil also offers Flex Fuel versions of the Golf and Polo.

I hear the hold up for advanced Flex Fuel Technology is being held up at the Federal Level.

I know Leo knows that if we want to really get out of this hole, reduce our need of imported oil and put American back to work on a large scale we really need to push forward with The Green Economy.

Don’t let our Wind Turbines be built in American only to send the Profits BACK TO GERMANY OR CHINA.

We’re so behind on High Speed Rail, I’m afraid that California’s first train sets will be from Canadian Bombardier or Siemens AG (Germany.

We need to build those TRAINS HERE!

FYI

Jane Hamsher on Twitter

Chad Johnson aka OchoCinco on Twitter

I think Jane’s correct, Twitter’s here to stay. It will gradually replace a significant portion of email communication.

Why?? Because the first stimulus worked so well??

No, because the first stimulus package was very stupidly designed – as was very clearly articulated by many at the time of its construction.

The USW is on record — both for support of a second stimulus, BUT A SECOND STIMULUS IS NOT ENOUGH. What we need is a new economic model that makes Wall Street the servant of Main Street, as opposed to being the slave of Wall Street. That economic model needs to have at its core,green jobs, renewable energy, energy conservation, retro-fitting and modernization of our infrastructure, high-speed transit and a refocus on making sure every child gets a chance to have an education so that we can once again invent the next generation of goods and services that will both create meaningful family-supportive jobs and help protect the planet for our kids and grandkids. That should not only be a dream, but it should be change we can believe in.

Mr. Gerard, it’s very nice to have you here. Would love to hear you speak. A question – have read lately that the Chinese steel being used here is inferior. Is that the case, and if so, how dangerous is that? Certainly sounds unsafe to me.

Why?? Because the first stimulus worked so well??

The first stimulus needed to be $1.1-1.3 trillion per year in size with a 90/10 split between spending and tax cuts to be effective. It didn’t come close. So yes, more stimulus will be needed and it will need to continue for as long as necessary. The key is that it should be used to as a bridge to a sustainable re-industrialized country.

I agree but can we get it passed, and when?

I never saw Richard Nixon as a pro-union and pro-worker president, and he did everything in his power to weaken unions. What we did have is a much, much, more progressive majority in Congress. What we lack now, and what President Obama needs, is to recreate a pro-worker, pro-union, progressive majority in Congress. President Obama has been more pro-active and has done more executive orders in a short period of time, that were pro-worker and pro-union than any president since FDR.

On that note, what are your plans for House Dems who vote against the Employee Free Choice Act?

Mr. Gerard, thank you for being here. You represent several of my family members who are USW members.

I have a question about how unions support candidates for office. Does each union (USW, UAW, Teamsters, etc.) work independently or is there some sort of executive council where the heads of the unions meet to discuss strategy and distribution of resources for elections?

If there is such a council, have you met yet to discuss how to best pressure recalcitrant corporatist Dems to toe the party line?

Labor is prior to, and independent of, capital. Capital is only the fruit of labor, and could never have existed if labor had not first existed. Labor is the superior of capital, and deserves much the higher consideration.
- Abraham Lincoln

This is huge point I’m trying to emphasize to folks, a very overlooked aspect of the 1994 take over.

Danger of 2010 being another 1994 isn’t this so called “concern” over big government, it’s the dem base not being excited and staying home.

Where are you from? BTW, check out what happened when Gov. Arnold in CA, segmented the Bay Bridge in San Fran, so that he could get around the ‘Buy America’ policy. For the record, the bridge is almost a year delayed, and the Chinese steel doesn’t appear to meet the specs, or to be able to hold a weld. Tell me what would have been cheaper and create jobs at home?

Numbers and details of this economic plan would make a Great Post:)

Mr. Gerard, thanks for your time. What do you see as the most important policy measures that need to be taken to ensure that the evolution of our economy involves “green jobs, renewable energy, energy conservation, retro-fitting and modernization of our infrastructure.”

Also, what measures is the USW taking to ensure success in a new “green economy?”

Thanks again!

I know that labor leaders talk about this like everyone remembers it, but few do. Perhaps an op-ed by Mr. Trumka would remind everyone of that.

I agree with you completely on the need to transform our economic model from one that is driven by Wall Street’s desire for short term gambling returns to one that is driven by long term investments that provide a better economic return for the public at large. Have you thought about how our regulatory structure needs to be changed to bring about such a short-term profit to long-term investment shift?

The Steel can’t hold a weld just how crappy is this steel? What could make steel that bad impurities in the steel?

There are a lot of important races in 2010 that need to be won and even more in 2012.

Am from just south of San Francisco and have read about the Bay Bridge. The governor made a huge mistake (one of many) and made everything more expensive. I am also concerned about inferior steel being used in other bridges, high rise buildings, etc.

It’s nice to know you and your family are concerned Steelworkers. We need to get corporate Dems to either toe the line, or leave. I think maintaining, and expanding a broad coalition that we created in the 08 election that supported President Obama’s vision of ‘Change We Can Believe In’ so that we can help him and progressive Democrats implement that vision. As FDR said: ‘I know what you want me to do, now go out and make me do it.’ We know what President Obama wants to do, and we know what progressives want, we now have to go out and build a coalition to make them do it.

I want to thank Firedoglake for the opportunity to spend this time with you today. It’s been fun. It continues to highlight the massive job we have to do to prepare both the country and the planet for the kind of future that we should feel obligated to leave to our kids and grandkids. My personal objective is to make sure that the USW — the Steelworkers Union — has done everything we are able to do to make that happen, along with thousands of friends and allies. Take care, and good luck. Soldiarity!

I am always willing to be educated. My point about Nixon is that our political Establishment has moved so far to the right that Nixon probably would be to the left of Obama. As for EOs, they can be changed by any succeeding President. Nor am I sure which EOs you are referring to but I do not wish to hijack the thread.

I’m just assuming that you have to be politic in how you describe Obama because from my perspective Obama is not progressive at all and represents in almost all policy areas a continuation of the Bush Administration.

I don’t think this is a question you can answer, but I long to figure a way to bring reality into the US populace about what unions have done for everyday people.

We live on the shoulders of so many hard won fights by unions, and yet the common sentiment in the media, atleast, is derisive towards unions. SO much so, I fear we may lose those broad shoulders.

How do we get the history of unions in America in textbooks and in the minds of Americans?

Thanks for being here.

Of course I do, as I said in other post, if Minster Farrakhan can get close to Million Black Men to march on the Mall, why can’t we?

It doesn’t make any sense!

The Nation of Islam did most of the work, that’s on a tiny scale compared to what could be done by Labor and the Left.

Is not The Left -

Organized Labor

Progressive Churches

Democratically Controlled Dept of Labor

Urban League

NOW

NAACP

etc, etc?

Okay, so don’t tell me we don’t have the RESOURCES

If we want Single Payer we can get it, you just have to want it. I want it, I’ll go to Washington to get it.

Look how many people showed up when Obama was sworn in, are you trying to tell me nobody that stood there that day isn’t in favor of Radical Change?

Jane don’t tell me your already drinking the Beltway Kool-Aid that says only a PO is possible when the opposition against that is the same against Single Payer there is no difference. This was the mistake in taking Single Payer off the table in the first place.

Thank you Leo, we need two hundred million more folks who think like you do.

Thank you so much for being here, this was great. We’re really glad that you took the time to let our community get to know you, and vice versa. The USW is doing the most progressive work of any of the unions, and we really want to be supportive in any way we can.

Thank you Jane for this invitation to Mr Gerard.
Mr. Gerard, it is a pleasure to hear your clear-cut suggestions and feedback again! I witnessed this late last month at the ‘Building The New Economy:Making it in America’ conference in DC, hosted by OurFuture.org. ( We met briefly as you were leaving.)
http://www.ourfuture.org/buildingtheneweconomy – go here for clips, transcripts of the day.
I want to thank YOU again for your strong call against poor Chinese-made steel used in the Bay Bridge! It has seen been confirmed that the recent repairs made with this poor grade Chinese steel were directly responsible for that emergency bridge closing, where steel cables broke free and hit three cars in rush hour traffic. Shocking that the welding errors found in those Chinese-made steel products used were flagged and in essence, ignored. I understand that a few of the inspectors who raised suspicions about the quality of that Chinese steel were fired? There is a reason why American made steel has stood the test of time. Because Chinese steelmakers undercut the price of their goods and are not compelled to produce safe, high quality product, American lives are put in danger because of Chinese steel? Thank you sir for adding your union’s voice to this outrage.
FDL readers may not know that the USW union was one of the first to step up publicly with Sierra Club and others, creating the Blue Green Alliance many years ago.
Jane, you are correct about Mr. Gerard’s quick wit. Those of us in DC witnessed it, as he spoke on the China/US trade challenges, and he was interrupted by a phone call. He quipped, “It’s China calling.”
Here is an excellent speech Mr. Gerard made last summer in Canada –New Democrats at HFX09.– as we in the US were withering from the onslaught of ultra-right teabaggers at health care townhalls. Listen to the whole speech, but to get a sense of Mr Gerard’s commitment to Health care AND his biting humor, listen beginning at 14:00. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Osk1ofyiPSM

-Amy Ringenbach /aka/ BleuZ00m

doh! Took too long to write my comment. Enjoyed it nonetheless.

Thank you to FDL and Mr Gerard.

Did you read my comment above? How man people do you think you’re bringing to your cause by saying things like “beltway kook-aid?”

You’re not helping single payer, you’re making it krimptonite that nobody wants to touch. If you want anyone to work on an issue, you need to stop indulging in rhetoric that makes everyone throw up their hands and say “it’s not worth it.”

You’re creating an environment where no one wants to march because no matter how much they believe in the cause, they won’t go because they’re afraid you’ll be there. I just don’t see how that’s helpful.

Doggone it, I’m late to the party.

My question is one of importance for the long term.

As a Native American/Chicano, I see EFCA as important. And yet, I have not heard a labor leader speak to the fact that there is an “unmet need” in our Community here in the Sonoran Desert. And of course, I am speaking of inserting EFCA into the NAFTA Regimen as the efficient and effective “labor standard” that Clinton and the Neo-libs intentionally failded to address.

History has proven that Latin American governments “own” and “control” any organized labor entity in these respective countries. And as such, the “employees” have no ownership of any kind in their future endeavors.

Consequently, who is going to be America’s “first” labor leader to advocate for the inclusion of EFCA into NAFTA and other international trade agreements? And do you see yourself as this “first”?

Becausenone of these many leaders have yet to come forward, I am forced to consider that Organized Labor is just another subset of a special interest group among the thousands engaged in a civil society. As such, there is no “specialness” that needs to be conferred onto the working stiff.

Jaango

If you think there is a problem with steel look at what happened with chinese drywall.

Didn’t see your earlier comment.

Agree TOTALLY.

Here’s a resource you might be interested in:

American Economic Alert – Trade News, Opinion, Globalization …Not-for-profit economic publication fighting to raise awareness of the threats to American Jobs. Daily news, opinion and editorial articles on pressing …
http://www.americaneconomicalert.org/ – Cached – Similar
News
About Us
There They Go Again
Globalization Search Globalization Factline
Blog
Hot Topics
Opinion
More results from americaneconomicalert.org »

Also….American Rights at Work….super site for all the latest,icluding the link to anti-union network. The who’s who of union busters-takes names and kicks ass.

@99:

Mexican Campaign Against NAFTA Finds Its Focus | World | AlterNetMexican Campaign Against NAFTA Finds Its Focus. By Katie Kohlstedt, Foreign Policy in Focus. Posted February 15, 2008. Hundreds of thousands are organizing …
http://www.alternet.org/world/76663 – Cached – Similar

Author: Katie Kohlstedt | AlterNet1 post – Last post: Feb 15, 2008
Katie Kohlstedt is program associate at the Americas Policy Program in Mexico City. Mexican Campaign Against NAFTA Finds Its Focus …
http://www.alternet.org/authors/9043 – Cached – Similar

Thanks for all you are doing. Great to see you here!

Exactly right. Stimulating the old economy may help, but it just returns us to great class stratification. People were hurting before the Crash of 2008.

We need to remake our economy so that working people start getting a fair share of what they create.

Just a final thought but re NAFTA, Obama has taken re-negotiating it off the table.

Oh, I know, FHM! I’ve been reading about it, and have heard that many homeowners’ insurance coverage will not cover replacing this bad drywall that is making them sick. Ah, insurance companies once again! Never mind the Chinese made toys that endanger our kids, chinese made pet food products with melamine it in.. Until we all get behind the Green revolution, China will continue to have us over a barrel, raking our pockets. And they’ve already got the jump on solar array and wind turbine construction..

Gitchee@102

I have spent a considerable amount of time in Mexico in the course of my biz career. And one thing quickly learned from the wealthy is that “specious” is their Red Badge of Courage. And they do not care if you see, smell or touch this “specious”. To them “power” is to be used, and if you do not use it, then, this “power” does not exist.

Again, the American labor movement should be a ‘force’ for good, and if not, they are then, not a ‘force’ to be considered in our political dynamic, beyond the bluster and the blather.

Jaango

Hugh@105

When Organized Labor advocates EFCA into NAFTA, only then will Obama have to come clean and see himself as a Neo-lib. Until then, our La Affaire of Integrity relative to Obama will continue apace. And perhaps, even his opposition to the inclusion of EFCA into NAFTA, will not be considered an “unassailble” fact for the many.

Jaango

I watched your comments on health care reform on Democracy Now. I wish to thank you for being one of the few really critical voices on the so called progressive left. The legislation is a mess and neither the House version nor the version likely to come out of the Senate should be passed. These bills do nothing to contain costs and will, in the long run, hurt those folks who most need health care reform. Thanks for consistently showing the problems with the legislation.

Congratulations to you Leo. The Steelworkers Union was the first to put your money where our representatives mouths were by holding back contributions to any House member that would not support the PO. It wasn’t just a threat it was full “pedal to the metal” action. Finally, America’s labor movement can now show Brains as well as Brawn! Now this is HOPE!!