Card Check fading in the Senate?

posted at 10:22 am on March 10, 2009 by Ed Morrissey

Today, Democrats in both chambers of Congress will carry Big Labor’s water and introduce the Employee Free Choice Act, better known as Card Check.  With wide majorities in both the House and Senate, Barack Obama shold expect to see the bill on his desk soon.  However, the Wall Street Journal reports that several key Senators have second thoughts about their support, now that it will really count — including one RINO who could make the difference:

Key Senate Democrats are wavering in their support of legislation that would give more power to labor unions, dealing a setback to labor’s top priority as businesses warn of the damage the bill would cause. …

At least six Senators who have voted to move forward with the so-called card-check proposal, including one Republican, now say they are opposed or not sure — an indication that Senate Democratic leaders are short of the 60 votes they need for approval.

The legislation is divisive and distracting, said Arkansas Sen. Blanche Lincoln in an interview Monday. The Democratic lawmaker, who was previously seen as a supporter, said the Senate should focus on creating jobs and improving the U.S. economy. “I have 90,000 Arkansans who need a job, that’s my No. 1 priority,” she said. The legislation, she said, would be “divisive and we don’t need that right now. We need to focus on the things that are more important.”

Sen. Lincoln is one of several moderate Democrats expressing doubts about the Employee Free Choice Act. … Louisiana Sen. Mary Landrieu and Arkansas Sen. Mark Pryor are among the Democratic lawmakers who have backed off their previous support.

The list includes one RINO who suddenly discovered he was on an endangered-species list.  Arlen Specter voted for Card Check in 2007, the last time it hit the floor, but the vote then was relatively safe.  Even with a slim Democratic majority, it had no real chance of passing Congress, and then-President Bush had already vowed to veto it.  As John Kline said in his conference call, a yes vote was a safe way to pander to union constituencies without having any chance of doing real damage.

Circumstances changed with the election of Barack Obama and the establishment of a near-filibuster-proof majority in the Senate.  A yes vote is no longer safe, but will likely result in the implementation of Card Check.  It’s one of the GOP’s biggest legislative priorities, along with FOCA, and a betrayal here will cinch the GOP effort to unseat Specter in 2010.  After all, if he won’t oppose Card Check, what part of the Obama agenda will he not support?

In my interview with Jim DeMint, the conservative Senator predicted that Landrieu, Pryor, and Lincoln would peel away from the more liberal efforts in the Democratic agenda.  It appears that may happen here.  They have gone out of their way to avoid taking a position on Card Check, and that has to have Harry Reid worried.  Like Specter, the three Democrats now wonder whether this is the time to raise costs on business and to endorse government intervention in labor disputes.  They’re worried about overreach and 2010.  And they should be.

Previous posts on Card Check:

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Arlen saw Pat Toomey in his rearview mirror?

Wethal on March 10, 2009 at 10:23 AM

Southern Democratic Senators do seem to be, on the whole, more amendable to business interests rather than union thuggery. Good.

Off topic, but I heard this curious snippet on NPR this a.m.
“Some key figures in President Obama’s administration are still waiting to be confirmed. Ron Kirk, the nominee for U.S. trade representative, could have faced questions about back taxes. But that was barely mentioned Monday night as the former”

Yet another Dear Leader appointee having problems with taxes? Apparently he “underpaid” his taxes. Which is a requirement for an appointment from The Onion.

rbj on March 10, 2009 at 10:27 AM

This is a bigger deal in terms of the direction of this country than health care, IMO.

genso on March 10, 2009 at 10:28 AM

Have you seen this:

http://www.nrtw.org/en/blog/video-new-administration-02272009

Keemo on March 10, 2009 at 10:28 AM

I want to see to top of Harry Reids head blow off!

Keep overreaching Dems!

ctmom on March 10, 2009 at 10:28 AM

All part of MSNBC’s plot to Reinvent America – cause Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness just ain’t cuttin’ it!

Mr_Magoo on March 10, 2009 at 10:31 AM

Specter is nearly 80 and has major health problems. I don’t see how he would be overly concerned about his electability in the future.

I just looked him up on Wiki. I didn’t know he was Jewish. I long wondered where his liberal tendencies come from, as he always struck me as mid-western.

JiangxiDad on March 10, 2009 at 10:32 AM

I still don’t understand why ANYONE thinks this is a good idea.

Well, aside from the consolidation of power, anyway, I guess. But it does seem to fly in the face of all the left is supposed to stand for.

Right?

Bob's Kid on March 10, 2009 at 10:34 AM

Could this be an indication that the filthy liar’s coattails are beginning to fray under the rapidity that bad legislation is making it into law without any discussion beyond the “I won” mantra?

highhopes on March 10, 2009 at 10:35 AM

Southern Democratic Senators do seem to be, on the whole, more amendable to business interests rather than union thuggery. Good.

Well, yeah, Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor have no desire to tick off their state’s largest business.

Snowed In on March 10, 2009 at 10:36 AM

Right?

Heh.

Maybe they’ll work out a deal with the unions. Something like the US will assume the pension and health benefits of the UAW while GM and Chrysler reorganize without and emerge without any liabilities. Then the unions will give up card check. Or something underhanded like that that screws the taxpayer.

JiangxiDad on March 10, 2009 at 10:37 AM

JiangxiDad on March 10, 2009 at 10:32 AM

I read somewhere recently (maybe a comment here) that Specter started out as a Democrat but switched to Republican for political expediency. He’s supposedly pro-choice, pro-labor, pro-government. Sounds like a Dem at heart.

mrsmwp on March 10, 2009 at 10:38 AM

These senators who are changing their minds are just pandering for more pork. Once fed their porky project funds they will come around to Obahmbo’s plans.

Bad pig! Bad!

portlandon on March 10, 2009 at 10:39 AM

Sounds like someone either got a fat donation or a big talking to from Walmart.

mrsmwp on March 10, 2009 at 10:39 AM

I just looked him up on Wiki. I didn’t know he was Jewish. I long wondered where his liberal tendencies come from, as he always struck me as mid-western.

JiangxiDad on March 10, 2009 at 10:32 AM

Yeah because if it is in Wiki it must be true! Only place I ever found a “true” accounting of the GWB pretzel incident which it turns out was nothing more than a cover-up for the President’s relapse into alcholism.

Seriously though, there is nothing Midwestern about Specter. He is you typical Eastern liberal who happens and inexplicably has an “R” behind his name instead of the customary “D.”

highhopes on March 10, 2009 at 10:40 AM

If Lincoln follows through with her reservations about Card Check, I would gladly keep her in the senate.

Even if Specter grows a pair on Card Check, I still want him gone. Can’t trust him.

myrenovations on March 10, 2009 at 10:40 AM

highhopes on March 10, 2009 at 10:40 AM

yeah, I know Wiki sucks big time.

I have a thick NY accent, so Specter sounds different to me than E.coast people. In any case, doesn’t the mid-west start just on the other side of the Hudson River?

JiangxiDad on March 10, 2009 at 10:42 AM

mrsmwp on March 10, 2009 at 10:38 AM

thanks. Didn’t know that.

JiangxiDad on March 10, 2009 at 10:43 AM

I want to see to top of Harry Reids head blow off!

Keep overreaching Dems!

ctmom on March 10, 2009 at 10:28 AM

Is that a threat against a member of congress?

sethstorm on March 10, 2009 at 10:44 AM

Big Dummy sure is moving fast, he doesn’t want to let this crisis go to waste.

Bishop on March 10, 2009 at 10:44 AM

“I have 90,000 Arkansans who need a job, that’s my No. 1 priority,”

Then tell Bentonville to STFU and pass the bill.

sethstorm on March 10, 2009 at 10:45 AM

Is that a threat against a member of congress?

sethstorm on March 10, 2009 at 10:44 AM

bring it over to Kos. After their fact-finding, call the secret service.

JiangxiDad on March 10, 2009 at 10:46 AM

mrsmwp on March 10, 2009 at 10:39 AM

If I were them, I’d hang up on Bentonville.

sethstorm on March 10, 2009 at 10:47 AM

Then tell Bentonville to STFU and pass the bill.

…and watch that number grow to 100,000 in a heartbeat.

Snowed In on March 10, 2009 at 10:47 AM

In any case, doesn’t the mid-west start just on the other side of the Hudson River?

JiangxiDad on March 10, 2009 at 10:42 AM

That’s about the place my brother in Manhattan places the demarcation point! I’m living in Michigan and he acts as if I were in the middle of the wild west. :-0

highhopes on March 10, 2009 at 10:51 AM

Snowed In on March 10, 2009 at 10:47 AM

Trying to pull off the Jonquiere stunt in Arkansas won’t work if there’s too many stores to close/seize. It would make it mighty painful for them to continue.

Perhaps they would do well to ask their Michigan and Ohio based friends on how to cooperate and profit with unions.

sethstorm on March 10, 2009 at 10:52 AM

Arlen, try not to be a complete failure. Vote no.

Mr. Joe on March 10, 2009 at 10:53 AM

Perhaps they would do well to ask their Michigan and Ohio based friends on how to cooperate and profit with unions.

sethstorm on March 10, 2009 at 10:52 AM

HAHAHAHA! Michigan and Ohio and profit! HAHAHAHAHA! You should be on Johnny Carson or something. That’s rich.

Vashta.Nerada on March 10, 2009 at 10:54 AM

How do you suppose the market, already voting against the policies of the current corrupt and anti-business adminstration would react if this legislation passes?

From a simple fairness standpoint this bill is crap intended to pay back the mafia of organized labor for their support of Democrats. Beyond that, are investors going to go along with the filthy liar’s plans of unionizing every single business?

highhopes on March 10, 2009 at 10:54 AM

Arlen, try not to be a complete failure. Vote no.

Borderline treason to do so.

sethstorm on March 10, 2009 at 10:54 AM

And when will people start to believe that clearly there are Democratic versions of Specter among the Dems. Already Conrad from N.D. is trying to strip the closing of business tax loopholes out of Obama’s budget, blue dog dems are fighting Waxman on cap and trade. If you follow the way the budget is working through congress it’s clear there are huge differences of opinion among the Democrats. Break free from your damn dogma and recognize that both parties are basicall the same. Corporate shills and lesser corporate shills.

DeathToMediaHacks on March 10, 2009 at 10:55 AM

Let ‘em pass Card Check. And watch the DOW drop to 5000 overnight.

GarandFan on March 10, 2009 at 10:56 AM

I read somewhere recently (maybe a comment here) that Specter started out as a Democrat but switched to Republican for political expediency. He’s supposedly pro-choice, pro-labor, pro-government. Sounds like a Dem at heart.

mrsmwp on March 10, 2009 at 10:38 AM

Again from Wiki (and I know its issues), he switched to Repub in 1965 to run for DA. While in no way a supporter of Specter, switching from D to R in 1965 is a lot different than switching parties today. For example, JFK cut taxes and Repubs in congress pushed through civil rights legislation. The golf between the two parties was not as big.

WashJeff on March 10, 2009 at 10:56 AM

Vashta.Nerada on March 10, 2009 at 10:54 AM

Ditto. You want to see what America looks like in four years under the filthy liar in the White House and the Rats running the Congress, just take a look at Michigan. All because Jennifer Granholm is more interested in propping up the UAW and teacher’s union than helping the state diversify its economy.

highhopes on March 10, 2009 at 10:57 AM

omg OMG OMG

How will we ever march forward across the bridge to utopia if this doesn’t pass!?!?!?

MarkT on March 10, 2009 at 10:57 AM

Vashta.Nerada on March 10, 2009 at 10:54 AM

Laugh until you’re blue in the face, not my problem. When you come back from that, see how they’ve managed to work well with unions.

I grin from ear to ear seeing them survive and thrive – and not selling themselves to Third World countries. At least when I go to those, I don’t have the feeling that I’m contributing to the Communist Party or some hot-shot unionbuster and their private jet.

sethstorm on March 10, 2009 at 10:58 AM

Repubs in congress pushed through civil rights legislation.

Against strong D opposition. Dirksen (sen R-IL) kept the bill clean the whole way through.

MarkT on March 10, 2009 at 11:00 AM

sethstorm on March 10, 2009 at 10:58 AM

You really aren’t very bright, are you. I feel sorry for you.

genso on March 10, 2009 at 11:01 AM

sethstorm on March 10, 2009 at 10:52 AM

Who said they would close a la Jonquière? I simply think some workers are going to get cut if a union is forced upon Walmart.

And given the wonderful symbiotic relationship that companies, like, say, GM, have with their unions, should Michigan be a model for anything relating to business at present?

Snowed In on March 10, 2009 at 11:02 AM

Break free from your damn dogma and recognize that both parties are basically the same. Corporate shills and lesser corporate shills.

DeathToMediaHacks on March 10, 2009 at 10:55 AM

I do not see where this comment fit sin this thread or majority opinion of the members of this web-site. I agree that both parties throw our money to their support groups, but most people here would rather that the federal not take our money so we can throw our money to whom we want to. I have not gather that from you posts, is that what you would like to see to (smaller federal government)?

WashJeff on March 10, 2009 at 11:03 AM

At least when I go to those, I don’t have the feeling that I’m contributing to the Communist Party or some hot-shot unionbuster and their private jet.
sethstorm on March 10, 2009 at 10:58 AM

Have a look under your GM hood, and let me know how many ‘communist’ Chinese parts are in there. Then, do a quick lookup on the term ‘automaker bailout’. You might find a few articles on that. Lastly, just for grins, do an unemployment comparison of Michigan and Ohio versus the rest of the country.

Vashta.Nerada on March 10, 2009 at 11:04 AM

And given the wonderful symbiotic relationship that companies, like, say, GM, have with their unions, should Michigan be a model for anything relating to business at present?

Snowed In on March 10, 2009 at 11:02 AM

Yep. GM should be the model of how to take a giant corporation (i.e. too big to fail) through Chapter 11 proceedings. Followed in short order by Citi group and AIG.

highhopes on March 10, 2009 at 11:05 AM

sethstorm on March 10, 2009 at 10:58 AM

My shop isn’t union and I don’t have a private jet. My guys make a good wage, they get a long lunch, we goof around and they know if they do their jobs they will probably never see me peering over their back.

Man, all that hate is going to burn you up.

Bishop on March 10, 2009 at 11:05 AM

Keemo on March 10, 2009 at 10:28 AM

hmmm…isnt that nice. Sounds like a bribe.

becki51758 on March 10, 2009 at 11:08 AM

Yep. GM should be the model of how to take a giant corporation (i.e. too big to fail) through Chapter 11 proceedings.

Touché.

Snowed In on March 10, 2009 at 11:09 AM

Snowed In on March 10, 2009 at 11:02 AM

Their history suggests that they are not above “highly questionable if not illegal” actions when cornered.

Jonquière was a time when they were cornered and responded accordingly. Same with Colorado and about every time they couldn’t defeat the support.

My question is – where’s the chain that Sam built? To my recollection, it left in the 1990′s and something else stood in its place.

sethstorm on March 10, 2009 at 11:15 AM

GM was buying 20 million parts a month from China a year ago – I can only imagine how many they are buying today.

http://www.reuters.com/article/ousiv/idUSPEK36652920071130?sp=true

Vashta.Nerada on March 10, 2009 at 11:17 AM

Vashta.Nerada on March 10, 2009 at 11:17 AM

Then bring the manufacturing and quality back home. Problem solved.

sethstorm on March 10, 2009 at 11:25 AM

Perhaps they would do well to ask their Michigan and Ohio based friends on how to cooperate and profit with unions.

Profit?

Profit?

Have you read anything other than a coloring book lately? Living in Michigan I see the “benefits” of this “Profit” you speak of every day. Foreclosed homes, highest unemployment in the country (and has been for some time), no job market to speak of, and very little freedom to start businesses because the government will regulate you and tax you to death.

You obviously have zero clue and should stick to the Kos-Kidz-Koloring book

webproze on March 10, 2009 at 11:25 AM

I’ll never purchase a single union made product that I’m not absolutely forced to buy.

As in, I’m forced to pay taxes to support heavily unionized, overpriced and underperforming, public schools.

They can’t force me (yet) to buy a car made by the UAW.

They can’t force me (yet) to pay union contractors.

And if they do try and force me to, I’ll find a way around it. I’d rather pay an illegal to do a job than to pay a union man.

NoDonkey on March 10, 2009 at 11:26 AM

Then bring the manufacturing and quality back home. Problem solved.

sethstorm on March 10, 2009 at 11:25 AM

Be more competitive. I know…dump the weight of the unions.

genso on March 10, 2009 at 11:26 AM

Hopefully insolvent banks will follow suit instead of taking trillions more of our tax dollars. And to answer the question. I’m actually am in favor of a smaller government, just with different priorities. Less war, less unnecessary defense procurement, less federal subsidization of corporations, less insurance company subsidies etc. etc. etc.

DeathToMediaHacks on March 10, 2009 at 11:30 AM

DeMint and the other Republicans should try peeling off a few more Dems besides Landrieu and the Arkansas Senators. What about Ben Nelson of Nebraska–not exactly a big union state? What about the two Democrats from Montana or Virginia?

Steve Z on March 10, 2009 at 11:31 AM

Less war, less unnecessary defense procurement, less federal subsidization of corporations, less insurance company subsidies etc. etc. etc.

DeathToMediaHacks on March 10, 2009 at 11:30 AM

Less social funding, fewer entitlement programs, welfare reform(downward). I’m on board for all of that.

genso on March 10, 2009 at 11:32 AM

Then bring the manufacturing and quality back home. Problem solved.

sethstorm on March 10, 2009 at 11:25 AM

Bring the manufacturing home so they can be taxed to death by the new Boy King? You’re a bigger idiot than I thought. Get off of mom’s computer and go take an Economic’s 101 course and quit making a fool out of yourself amongst the adults.

Knucklehead on March 10, 2009 at 11:32 AM

Then bring the manufacturing and quality back home. Problem solved.

sethstorm on March 10, 2009 at 11:25 AM

You do realize that I was directly contradicting your argument that you did not want to support communists, don’t you?

Vashta.Nerada on March 10, 2009 at 11:34 AM

Less war, less unnecessary defense procurement…

DeathToMediaHacks on March 10, 2009 at 11:30 AM

These two concepts are mutually exclusive, I hope you realize.

Vashta.Nerada on March 10, 2009 at 11:37 AM

Specter is nearly 80 and has major health problems. I don’t see how he would be overly concerned about his electability in the future.

I just looked him up on Wiki. I didn’t know he was Jewish. I long wondered where his liberal tendencies come from, as he always struck me as mid-western.

JiangxiDad on March 10, 2009 at 10:32 AM

I think I take umbrage to that remark. I’m Jewish and I HATE liberalism. So Specter is Jewish. Okay, many – perhaps even a majority of Jews – are liberal. Jews are also supposed to be that evil cabal know as (gasp) “neo-cons.” Please, let’s let the Democrats sully themselves and use race as a weapon.

J.J. Sefton on March 10, 2009 at 11:38 AM

I think I take umbrage to that remark.

So do alot of Jews, which is why the GOP will never be able to fully embrace Jews and other non white Christian Anglo Saxon constituencies. Which ain’t enough to win elections.

DeathToMediaHacks on March 10, 2009 at 11:40 AM

less insurance company subsidies

So you’re for tort reform?

We’re the most overlegislated country in the world, we have by far, per capita, more damn, worthless lawyers than any country in the world.

We can’t sue ourselves into prosperity, but looking towards our clown Democrat Congress, you would think we can.

And what profession contributed more to the election of the Obama-Mugabe regime? Trial lawyers.

Anyone stupid enough to try and start a business in this country, under this incompetent and corrupt regime, is simply insane.

Get attacked continually by the idiots in Congress, comply with reams of regulations, get taxed to death, take abuse by neo-communists from ACORN because you don’t give away your goods for free and you don’t pay your employees $100 per/hour to produce $3.00 worth of work.

NoDonkey on March 10, 2009 at 11:42 AM

“Perhaps they would do well to ask their Michigan and Ohio based friends on how to cooperate and profit with unions.”

WTF? Dude,I live in Ohio, trust me the auto industry in this state is done, finished, through…I have lots of friends that live in the Dayton area, all the Delphi plants – closed (except Vandalia). The GM assembly plant in Moraine – closed, December 08. Counties in Ohio with heavy Union population are becoming nothing but ghost towns, with sagebrush blowing across the street. But hey President Embarrasement “saved” 25 police jobs in Columbus the other day! Change you can believe in….

EagleClaw on March 10, 2009 at 11:42 AM

Look at the unemployment numbers and layoffs since PBO was elected. Those numbers soared. One the The One’s promises was to sign card check.

Jvette on March 10, 2009 at 11:44 AM

So do alot of Jews, which is why the GOP will never be able to fully embrace Jews and other non white Christian Anglo Saxon constituencies.

Democrats embrace both Jews and the people who want to kill all of the Jews.

Democrats version of the big tent.

NoDonkey on March 10, 2009 at 11:44 AM

Then bring the manufacturing and quality back home. Problem solved.

sethstorm on March 10, 2009 at 11:25 AM

Eliminate the onerous tax burden on business and that may happen.

Jvette on March 10, 2009 at 11:45 AM

Barack Obama shold expect to see the bill

Spell much, Ed? ;-)

Sorry, couldn’t resist…

*ducks and runs

ladyingray on March 10, 2009 at 11:45 AM

Less war, less unnecessary defense procurement,…
DeathToMediaHacks on March 10, 2009 at 11:30 AM

Like Vashta.Nerada, these two items, defense spending and less war, are related. I am sure you agree we are the best country on the planet. I know I would not want any country to be the world’s police but ours. And in case you feel that no country needs to act as the world policeman, show me in history where this void existed and the world was peaceful.

Using an analogy, I will not pick a fight with someone that is stronger than me and has shown he is willing to use that strength. My hope is that this person does not negatively impact my life. If he is, I need to get to the gym (or get some tools to increase my power). This quest for power is all around us, watching documentaries on animals proves how inate it is in all living beings.

Our country is the best country and we will, a majority of the time, to good for the world. We should insure that we are the strongest nation and, with good leaders, there will be less war.

WashJeff on March 10, 2009 at 11:50 AM

Please, let’s let the Democrats sully themselves and use race as a weapon.

J.J. Sefton on March 10, 2009 at 11:38 AM

No offense intended JJ. I’m jewish. Just not a liberal like most.

JiangxiDad on March 10, 2009 at 11:50 AM

Eliminate the onerous tax burden on business and that may happen.

We can’t do that, businesses exploit workers and destroy the environment.

But we need lots more of them, so we can tax them even more, in order support our idiotic spending.

So can you CEOs start more businesses. We here in Congress will be over here taxing you to death, writing impossible to comply with regulations that will pretty much guarantee you won’t make a profit and we’ll be around occasionally to kick you in the nuts for the cameras. Thanks guys!

Democrat economic plan in a nutshell.

NoDonkey on March 10, 2009 at 11:51 AM

Break free from your damn dogma and recognize that both parties are basicall the same. Corporate shills and lesser corporate shills.

DeathToMediaHacks on March 10, 2009 at 10:55 AM

If both parties are basically the same, then why did every single Republican representative vote against the bailout bill, but only 8 Democrats? Why is pro-abortion a campaign plank of the Democratic platform, but being pro-life a plank of the Republican platform? Why are the Democrats so determined to spend money we don’t have in a recession, while Republicans keep pushing for a smaller stimulus?

Your statement doesn’t hold water. I think you’re the one who needs to break free of dogma, and realize that “corporate shills” is a completely wrong-headed way to try to look at politics and media.

Corporations, for instance, have no particular urge to promote or oppose abortion, and no particular urge to promote or oppose same-sex “marriage.”

But somehow, in your mind, it’s all about corporate control…

tom on March 10, 2009 at 11:52 AM

Democrats embrace both Jews and the people who want to kill all of the Jews.

Democrats version of the big tent.

NoDonkey on March 10, 2009 at 11:44 AM

I think they have separate sections, like an Orthodox Jewish wedding.

JiangxiDad on March 10, 2009 at 11:54 AM

I’ve been hearing on the radio that Wal Mart is a major target for unionization. If Wal Mart is forced into being unionized, perhaps we should boycott Wal Mart, and shop at local Mom & Pop stores.

VoiceOfTruth on March 10, 2009 at 11:58 AM

Break free from your damn dogma and recognize that both parties are basicall the same. Corporate shills and lesser corporate shills.

What, the Democrat Party and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)?

Almost, but I would rate the CCP higher on integrity, competence and looking out for the best interests of the United States of America.

NoDonkey on March 10, 2009 at 12:00 PM

This hatred of business, especially corporations, makes no sense to me.

If one looks back on history, one will see that prior to the advent of the industrial revolution, when this was an agrarian society, people were fairly self sufficient. Few necessities were bought with money and people bartered and traded goods and services. Most people had barely more than the barest of needs met, housing, food, clothing. The luxuries we take for granted unheard of.

Things are not the same now. Most people do not provide for their own food, clothing or housing. Those things are obtained with money. Most people earn money by working for someone else. It’s the economic cycle that we live with today. Business provides the means to earn money, money is used to support business.

As people earn more, they spend more, when they spend more, more goods and services are needed. Our economy is a mutually dependent relationship. This crisis has shown how just how much we need each other. Consumer spending is down, business are failing, people are losing jobs and therefore have no money to spend, so more businesses close or cut employment to the bare minimum.

I would rather see businesses and corporations survive than transfer more and more funds to the government as a means of support for Americans. Eventually, the government won’t have anyone to support it and it will all collapse.

Unions had their place, may even still have a place, but they have overplayed and abused their power and done harm to their workers by thinking that the dependency was one sided.

Jvette on March 10, 2009 at 12:01 PM

I also live in Ohio. Where I grew up was supported by the Steel industry and the Car companies. I don’t live there anymore because there’s no where to work. The place decays every year and it makes me sad to see it that way when I visit. There’s still the plant in Lordstown but once that goes it’s all over for that area.

I interned at the Lordstown plant for a summer. Never again. I found a guy sleeping in the old paint oven that I was measuring for a drawing I was doing. My biggest project was putting lights on the line so the workers could see better. It took 3 months to put up lights. That fall I saw someone I used to work with and he said they took the lights down shortly after I left. What a waste.

ConDem on March 10, 2009 at 12:02 PM

Where I grew up was supported by the Steel industry and the Car companies. I don’t live there anymore because there’s no where to work.

Me too. The goddamned thieving, idiot unions along with Democrat Party scum, killed most of the jobs in my hometown too (Pittsburgh).

Now I’m in the south, where you can actually get a job.

NoDonkey on March 10, 2009 at 12:05 PM

Break free from your damn dogma and recognize that both parties are basicall the same. Corporate shills and lesser corporate shills.

DeathToMediaHacks on March 10, 2009 at 10:55 AM

Actually they are the same only in the fact that they abuse their power to take from citizens money to fund their reelection by being able to go to their home states and boast about the amount of money they were able to bring to the state.

If things were truly the way the founders intended, money earned in each state would remain there and be used for the purposes of these state projects. That would lead to better accountability within the state and would allow states that have more liberal tendencies to fund those policies themselves rather than raid other states’ treasuries.

Continuing with the what I posted previously, both sides of the economic equation need government representation. That is kind of the way it was done in the past. Consumers and employees deserve to be protected against unfair business practices and business deserve an environment that allows them to thrive enough to profit shareholders as well as provide decent pay to its employees.

Jvette on March 10, 2009 at 12:10 PM

Here’s another part of Obama’s (guffaw), “stimulus” package. $355 million to Detroit Public schools, with no strings attached.

http://www.freep.com/article/20090306/NEWS06/303060003/?imw=Y

Hey why not? DPC is graduating 24% of its students. That’s pretty stellar performance for a wholly Democrat run entity, is it not?

I sure hope part of that $355 million goes to the teacher’s union. Maybe that will “stimulate” a graduation rate of 25% in ten years?

Hope and Change. Or Hope for Spare Change, if you’re a student at DPC.

NoDonkey on March 10, 2009 at 12:12 PM

Further, both parties benefit from fostering hostility between the two entities of employer and employee. The people in Washington have lost sight of their duties to the American people and the fomenting of class war has ultimately hurt rather than helped.

Jvette on March 10, 2009 at 12:13 PM

Hope and Change. Or Hope for Spare Change, if you’re a student at DPC.

NoDonkey on March 10, 2009 at 12:12 PM

Or as Hannity calls it, “The no hope and loose change” administration.

Jvette on March 10, 2009 at 12:14 PM

sounds like sethstorm is actually dumb enough to believe that forcing the country to unionize is good for labor.

MarkTheGreat on March 10, 2009 at 12:16 PM

don’t count on Virginia’s Dem Senators to do anything conservative. Warner & Webb are completely obamatized. see, our part-time governor, tim kaine, is part-time DNC chairman.

kelley in virginia on March 10, 2009 at 12:17 PM

sounds like sethstorm is actually dumb enough to believe that forcing the country to unionize is good for labor.

Good for labor bosses, good for Gambino crime bosses, good for Democrat National Committee bosses.

Tragedy for actual union members, to have their pockets picked by the above three and to have their industry killed.

NoDonkey on March 10, 2009 at 12:18 PM

don’t count on Virginia’s Dem Senators to do anything conservative. Warner & Webb are completely obamatized. see, our part-time governor, tim kaine, is part-time DNC chairman.

And your next Governor will likely be the vile Terry McAulliffe, which is exactly why I bolted Virginia.

Democrats strangle states and I don’t want to live in Michigan on the coast.

NoDonkey on March 10, 2009 at 12:20 PM

mrsmwp on March 10, 2009 at 10:38 AM

That is correct.

either orr on March 10, 2009 at 12:23 PM

Card Check is a slippery slope to the end of the secret ballot for all of us.

(At least that’s what a Democrat would say were the situation reversed.)

drjohn on March 10, 2009 at 12:38 PM

recognize that both parties are basicall the same.
DeathToMediaHacks on March 10, 2009 at 10:55 AM

Yet you denigrate the Republican party…so you are denigrating essentially the dems?
As usual, you posts don’t make sense.
If you think they are the same, then your posts would be evenly balanced between dissing the dems and dissing the Republicans…like I said, your posts never do add up or make sense.
But they are amusing…

right2bright on March 10, 2009 at 12:47 PM

Foreclosed homes, highest unemployment in the country (and has been for some time), no job market to speak of, and very little freedom to start businesses because the government will regulate you and tax you to death.

What I can’t figure out is why isn’t this put squarely on shoulders of your whiny Governor? Every time I see her on TV she’s got her hand out, looking for MY tax dollars for something that she has no clue how to fix in Michigan. She’s incompetent.

On Card Check, I would posit that this has been thrown out there today as a diversion. Obama wants to get his gaffes and foibles out of the headlines and this will consume the media. Also, I would guess he wants to get the Unions off his back, but, the test will be – is he going to go out and campaign for it like he did the stimulus bill? I’ll bet not, and if it dies, he won’t be that torn about it. He’ll be able to look the SEIU in the eye and say “I tried”.

mngirl on March 10, 2009 at 12:50 PM

Is that a threat against a member of congress?

sethstorm on March 10, 2009 at 10:44 AM

Are you really that stupid?
I hope Reid chokes on his words….and sethstorm says “Is that a threat against a member of congress?
I hope gets wiped out
I hope he flops
I hope he loses his head
I hope his head explodes
I hope he trips up
I hope his party dies
I hope ….”Is that a threat against a member of congress?”
HAHAHA…that’s why we keep you liberals around, you guys are a riot…”Is that a racist threat?”, get it? HAHAHA!

right2bright on March 10, 2009 at 12:53 PM

Is that a threat against a member of congress?

Ooooo, look at the Democrats, protecting Harry Reid. That’s so sweet.

After all, where would the Gambino crime family be without Mr. Cleanface, former Chairman of the Nevada Gaming Commission?

They would have to rely on the remaining dozen of the bought-and-paid for Democrat Senators.

Don’t worry about Harry Reid. He is the walking evil undead, you can’t kill what isn’t alive.

NoDonkey on March 10, 2009 at 1:09 PM

If Specter is the 60th vote he will vote for it. Just another opportunity to shaft the party and 49% of the electorate.

patrick neid on March 10, 2009 at 1:11 PM

WTF? Dude,I live in Ohio, trust me the auto industry in this state is done, finished, through…I have lots of friends that live in the Dayton area, all the Delphi plants – closed (except Vandalia). The GM assembly plant in Moraine – closed, December 08. Counties in Ohio with heavy Union population are becoming nothing but ghost towns, with sagebrush blowing across the street. But hey President Embarrasement “saved” 25 police jobs in Columbus the other day! Change you can believe in….

EagleClaw on March 10, 2009 at 11:42 AM

ABSOLUTELY! I live in Columbus. Used to live in Dayton. Have lots of friends and relatives from there. Even my father-in-law, who USED to work at Delphi, said that unions were a drag on business.

dominigan on March 10, 2009 at 1:16 PM

Glen Beck did a great riff on this today.

The National Labor Relations Act was passed in 1935. It required companies to recognize unions that won an election. Union membership spiked after that. And so did unemployment. The economy slid back into what is called the “Depression within the Depression”, which ended only with the advent of World War II.

History doesn’t repeat itself, but sometimes it rhymes.

rockmom on March 10, 2009 at 1:18 PM

Perhaps they would do well to ask their Michigan and Ohio based friends on how to cooperate and profit with unions.

sethstorm on March 10, 2009 at 10:52 AM

Actually you idiot… nearly all the union-based auto manufacturing have been having a TERRIBLE time. (Note what EagleClaw on March 10, 2009 at 11:42 AM said) Morraine is an absolute ghost town. I know. I usually go there every Spring for their annual fly-in. (I married into an aviation family.)

The only auto manufacturing doing well in Ohio are the NON-UNION ones… like Honda in Marysville. I have a friend who works there, and they seem stable.

dominigan on March 10, 2009 at 1:19 PM

EagleClaw on March 10, 2009 at 11:42 AM

+1000

Big Unions have destroyed our country. Unions were needed in the early 1900′s because management was abusing workers. The pendelum has, however, swung the other way in a very destructive way. There needs to be a good balance so that management doesn’t take advantage of workers and workers don’t take advantage of the company that employs them.

Ltlgeneral64 on March 10, 2009 at 1:23 PM

Is it possible for the Dow to reach “0?” I imagine that if this is implemented investors will dump their stocks faster than a pimp dumps his Ho’s once they are no longer useful.

Scorched_Earth on March 10, 2009 at 1:24 PM

Scorched_Earth on March 10, 2009 at 1:24 PM

If the dumbass in charge gets his socialist way, we probably won’t be able to utter the word ‘stock market’

Ltlgeneral64 on March 10, 2009 at 1:31 PM

Somebody from business needs to start making it clear why this is disastrous. Too many people see unions as “job safety,” and that’s all that is on people’s minds right now.

I’ve not seen good communication from the opposition on this one.

AnninCA on March 10, 2009 at 2:02 PM

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