From Media Matters for America -- September 6, 2010:
Following Fox News' lead, Conservative media outlets celebrated Labor Day by attacking labor unions, often smearing them as "Socialist" and violent.
Conservatives attack unions as "socialist" "thugs" on Labor Day
Beck guest host Thompson: "Happy Socialism Day!" During the September 6 edition of Premiere Radio Networks' The Glenn Beck Program, substitute host Doc Thompson opened the show by saying "Happy Socialism Day!" He continued:
"Today is America's yearly tribute to that great political system known as socialism. Oh there are going to be those who are going to pretend today is to honor workers, honor the people who labor, we're just giving a little tribute to them. But it's really a day that honors labor unions."
Breitbart.tv posts "Labor Day Special" videos, which depict union members as "thugs." On Labor Day, Andrew Breitbart's website Breitbart.tv posted several anti-union videos with the title "Labor Day Special." Several of the videos depict union members as "thugs" who engage in acts of violence or intimidation against those with which they disagree.
Big Government claims organized labor "embrace[s] socialist ideals" and calls for Congress to "abolish 'Labor Day.'" In a Labor Day post on Breitbart's Big Government website, Kyle Olson argued that " 'Labor Day' ought to be abolished and replaced with a celebration of the American Worker" because "[t]he reality is, unionized workers are no longer the ones driving America's prosperity." Olson also wrote:
Big Labor is bankrupting government -- and we should continue honoring that?
Perhaps even worse, today's labor leaders are downright hostile to America's exceptionalism and worse yet, embrace socialist ideals.
AFL-CIO president Rich Trumka is calling for a global financial tax -- driving us down the path of one world government.
Former SEIU heavy Andy Stern was fond of invoking Karl Marx' calling for "workers of the world" to "unite."
These are not out fathers' and grandfathers' labor unions and they do not deserve our admiration.
Malkin column highlights "Big Labor's legacy of violence." Malkin marked the occasion with a column and blog post on "Big Labor's legacy of violence," in which she highlighted alleged past incidents of violence at union protests to smear unions as being filled with and lead by violent thugs. She posted a picture of President Barack Obama and AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka with the caption "Thugs-in-chief" and concluded her column by declaring that the "bloody consequences of compulsory unionism cannot be ignored." From her September 3 blog post:
Fox News also attacked unions in the run-up to Labor Day
As Media Matters documented, numerous Fox News personalities bullied organized labor in the days leading up to Labor Day. For instance:
Beck: "I think the unions are like Biff," the bully from Back to the Future. During the September 2 edition of his Fox News show,
Glenn Beck said, "You know what I think of some of the unions? I actually think of Back to the Future. I think the unions are like Biff." Beck showed a clip featuring Biff Tannen, the bully in the film, and added, "But in the end, once you really realize who they are and you're not afraid anymore, it always turns out exactly the same way for the bully every time." Beck then showed a clip of Biff working for the man he originally bullied.
Malkin accused unions of embezzlement, violence, and corruption. During the September 2 edition of Fox News' America Live, Fox News contributor Michelle Malkin accused labor leaders of "embezzlement," "violence," and "corruption."
Varney: There will be "[t]wo more union outrage stories to bring to you in our next half-hour." During the September 2 edition of Fox Business Network's Varney & Co., guest Joseph Caruso criticized a Securities and Exchange Commission rule that would allow more shareholders of public companies to use proxy votes to nominate board members. Caruso claimed that unions would use the rule to "wreak havoc" by nominating labor-friendly board members. In response, Fox Business' Charles Payne suggested, "So, this will be used more as a tool of intimidation than anything else." In a subsequent tease, Varney said, "Two more union outrage stories to bring to you in our next half-hour."
Cavuto likened unions to Hurricane Earl on a "collision course on our towns." During the September 2 edition of Fox News' Your World, host Neil Cavuto compared unions to Hurricane Earl, saying, "The monster and the mess. Your World on top of Earl's collision course with our coast and what could be unions' collision course with our towns." Cavuto added: "And get ready for Earl's wallop and, to hear some state and local governments tell it, unions' direct hit on their wallet."
Carlson: How much of the cost of a Chevy Volt is "because you have to pay the unions so much money?" During a discussion of the Chevy Volt on the September 2 edition of Fox & Friends, co-host Gretchen Carlson asked, "How much of that money ... is because you have to pay the unions so much money?"
Beck: Labor hero is "indoctrinating children." During the September 1 edition of his Fox News show, Beck accused Dolores Huerta, an 80-year-old labor activist who co-founded the United Farm Workers with César Chávez, of "indoctrinating our children" because she spoke at a high school. Beck also criticized the Labor Department for spending money on what he called a "catchy tune" that included Labor Secretary Hilda Solis saying, "You work hard, and you have the right to be paid fairly," and, "[I]t is a serious problem when workers in this country are not being paid every cent they earn."
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18 comments:
Without the unions everyone would be working 12 hour days and that would count for children as well. (child labor)
No vacations
6 day work week
no minimum wage (working for peanuts)
no worker safety regulations
etc.
EVERYTHING POSITIVE IN THE WORKPLACE IS THE RESULT OF YOUR GRANDPARENTS HARD WORK, THE RETALIATIONS AND HARDSHIPS THEY ENDURED TO CREATE UNIONS FOR A BETTER FUTURE FOR THEIR CHILDREN AND FUTURE GENERATIONS.
Remember that the reason the unions were formed was due to appalling working conditions.
The people of the USA prospered for a while because the big co's wanted the citizens to buy their goods, for no other reason only out of avarice.
Now with the global economy/market in full swing for a few decades, the co's don't need to sell/make their goods just in the USA anymore. Just as Columbus discovered America, the multinationals discovered the "world" and have been and are taking full advantage of it.
REMEMBER: They don't give a damn about the citizens. That's why the job prospects and earning capacity will likely NOT improve but go down. I don't believe in corporate benevolence.
China and India, huge populations = huge buying power/market. And don't count out the rest of the world.
The multinationals are really saying to their USA citizens: F.O. You had it good for a while, what are you bitching now for?
The multinationals ARE the real world government, they RULE. No elected government has any real power.
"indoctrinating our children" because she spoke at a high school"---WRONG. And again, this is an example of what Media Matters does---not giving the FULL STORY. The comment by Ms Huerta was--and several were played, (even saw her lips move) "remember, the quote of the day is: Republicans hate Latinos" and another gem: her praising Hugo Chavez of Venezeula. Actually there were 2 of those. In praise of a Socialist/Marxist dictator!
THAT is indoctrination of our children.
"Beck also criticized the Labor Department for spending money on what he called a "catchy tune" that included Labor Secretary Hilda Solis saying, "You work hard, and you have the right to be paid fairly," and, "[I]t is a serious problem when workers in this country are not being paid every cent they earn." WRONG. the rest of the quote is "whether here legally of illegally"
Media Matters lies by omission. period.
There should be no arguement that the Unions have had a history of violence and to be honest, we no longer need them. The labor laws take care of the hours you work, and the age of the worker. There are no longer sweat shops. The truth of the matter is, our Unions have made it impossible to compete in the "global marketplace". And the fat inflated pensions are not sustainable and are bankrupting the Unions. Look it up.
(personally, I love the clip of the 3 SEIU members beating and kicking a black man while calling him the "N" word. Only a few months ago. Really heatwarming. But no, there is no bullying there--or violence! They were even wearing their purple SEIU T-shirts!)
caseybutch said...
"The truth of the matter is, our Unions have made it impossible to compete in the "global marketplace".
So Sure that there are no sweat shops in the USA? LOL
So the unions should sell out their workers and the remaining USA citizens to the lowest bidder in the world, making the USA a third world country as it is already developing like that? LOL
Make no mistake, the ones not belonging to the unions went along with the great ride of good wages and working conditions while it is/was lasting. They didn't refuse the benefits that the unions fought for the whole population's benefit in the USA!
Look around and Watch reality instead of Fox Noise. Ain't easy with Fox blinders on isn't it? LOL
Why don't you offer your employer - that is - if you work - to LOWER your wages to benefit the greedy co's you support? This should apply to all repuglikkklans. LOL
caseybutch said...
"The labor laws take care of the hours you work, and the age of the worker."
Make no mistake, the government has no real power. The multinationals buy the government and therefore can easily change the laws.
If parents would not be earning enough to bring food on the table etc, they'd have no choice but to send their children to work instead of school.
Therefore back to the dark ages before the unions.
With multinationals in power, one has to have a balance of unions, government and big co's, not JUST the multinationals. See what they did to your country and many others? A modernized feudal system!
In civilized countries in Europe, the government, the co's and the union (which represents ALL working people) come together yearly to discuss and implement according to what the COUNTRY can afford at that time. They use the GNP or whatever for that.
You in the USA need to catch up with the civilized countries of the world.
Some benefits of working in many countries in Europe:
4 weeks paid vacation for starters.
About a month's salary in vacation pay extra. Sharing in the profits of the Co. 80% of current wages in unemployment insurance pay. Those examples are just a few of the many.
Now don't get jealous caseybutch! LOL
Oh Anon2---you are such a Tool! haven't you been watching what is going on in Europe? Big problems with the Unions and all of those benefits, breaking the banks of the Unions. Huge demonstrations today in France over just the very things you were mentioning.
And please---who are these "multinationals" that you are talking about?
And you can keep calling me that derogatory name if you'd like. It only makes you look stupid. I realize that what you lack in intelligence, you make up for in a childish, sophomoric sense of humor. It is like being in grade school again---you know when the kids got a big laugh out of making fun of somone's name, by changing it around to be something else? VERY childish.
In case yo missed this
Oh Anon2. I think they need to pull your "honorary liberal card" Last time I checked calling a woman 'butch" was a derogatory term for a Lesbian. Are you a homophobe, anon2? Seriously. I don't use that term and you call conservatives narrow minded!
Lets go over this again...I am a straight woman, who really really likes men---I just am not a pathetic dependent woman that needs to be tied to one man for all eternity, to feel validated as a woman!
However---there is NOTHING wrong with being gay, and if you think it's funny or clever to make up ignorant nicknames, that demean gay women, then that's on you.
Unions don't decide the price of an item. Overpaid, greedy CEO's do!!
Repuglikkklans with the help of their masters have always created false myths about unions.
Yes, the people of France spoke and won by striking legally against their government wanting to introduce a higher minimum retirement age. (from 60>62)
In France, the PEOPLE decide their destiny and NOT their government. In France, the government is afraid of their citizens! Good!! That way, it remains a democracy, which cannot be said of some countries I know.
Get your FACTS from another source than Fox Noise.
What do Wall Street and Casino's have in common? At least one knows the odds at casino's. LOL
caseybutch said...
"I don't use that term and you call conservatives narrow minded!"
You're the only one who gets that title from me hon. ;)
"So Sure that there are no sweat shops in the USA? LOL" ---Anon2
Yes I am sure. You go ahead and name ONE.
" Anon2 said...
Unions don't decide the price of an item. Overpaid, greedy CEO's do!!"
That has got to be the single most ignorant statement that you have ever made---and that is really something, because you have made a TON of 'em.
How the Hell do you think that the price of an item is set? do you really think that CEO's just pull the figure out of their asses? Maybe check their horoscopes first?
This is a hard one, Anon2...Put try really hard to concentrate.
The cost of PRODUCTION goes into the cost of an item. Therefor, when the cost of PRODUCTION (that means what it cost to MAKE the item) goes up---the cost of the item goes up, too.
Seriously. I hope the concept is not too hard for you to follow.
That is why Unions contributed to killing GM. they weren't the sole cause, but getting paid for doing nothing when production was down, (because of Union rules) didn't help. Riviters making $70,000 per year is a little excessive. I know. I underwrote the loans for these people and that is a REAL wage! ( I live in Michigan)Anon2, this isn't 1930, and we don't need this kind of crap anymore. Unions should be there to protect the worker from unfair treatment in the work place---not to run the place.
And France is in serious trouble and going broke. Too many entitlements to too many people. It isn't sustainable. That is why the government wants to raise the retirement age. Don't you READ anything???
I will leave you with one last thought. Marriage is for ugly women! Are you married Anon2?
So call me "butch" all you want. It must make you feel better. I've gotten pretty used to jealous, women in my lifetime. It makes me feel sorry for them!
Fox calls for repeal of the 20th century.
http://mediamatters.org/research/201009070031
Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid
17th Amendment
16th Amendment
Americans with Disabilities Act
Civil Rights Act of 1964
Voting Rights Act of 1965
Nuclear arms control
Abortion rights
Labor unions
Department of Education
Unemployment insurance
Environmental Protection Agency
Progressive taxation
Caseybutch, You're not WORTH it wasting any words on. LOL
You are so right, Anon 2. FOX News much prefers the 19th Century.
CJP said...
"You are so right, Anon 2. FOX News much prefers the 19th Century."
Too bad it's not only Fox Noise that prefers the 19th Century but their brainwashed followers as well.
Back to the feudal system although we're already well on it's way.
Earnings of top CEO's $500.00
Earnings of average citizens $1.00 = ceo's earning 500 times more.
Cons love to be in the shade of the apple tree hoping and wishing a fruit will land on their laps. However, they don't realize that the fruits have been whisked away by their masters prior to landing on cons' laps. Heck these cons don't even get rewarded for watering, fertilizing and tending to the apple tree.
Cons get conned by their masters and they're not even aware of it. Many animals are smarten than them, even the much maligned donkey.
You're right again, Anon 2. Very well said.
Caseybutch, You're not WORTH it wasting any words on. LOL---Anon2
That's only because you know you cant win. Let's face it Anon2---you don't have the stones to go up against me, and you don't bother to research before you make your silly statements.
Earnings of top CEO's $500.00
Earnings of average citizens $1.00 = ceo's earning 500 times more.
---CJP
And why shouldn't the CEO's earn more?
They are the ones that take the risk, they are the ones that create the jobs, they are the ones that invested in the company in the first place, they are the ones that got the education, they are the ones that have the stress, they are the one's that have to solve the problems and make the hard decisions.
This is just crazy, Marxist bullshit. Oh the "big, evil, corporate people"
When did you ever work for a poor man? Get real.
caseybutch said...
"you don't bother to research before you make your silly statements."
No, I don't go to your "research" site - Fox Noise - where you get all your so called "research". LOL
Guess what the CEO's would do without any employees? That's right ..... going under. Corporations can't exist without employees. CEO's/Corporations/businesses NEED employees to make things/function and to make profits.
You are too plain naive/dumb to consider the above eh? LOL
"Crazy Marxist bullshit," Casey? Not quite. Conservatives really do want a return to the 19th century with sweatshops, slums, orphanages, paupers, bread lines, selling apples, etc. They loved the Gilded Age, with Robber Barons and Oil Tycoons, and everyone else on the dole. The legal advances of the 20th century should be junked because they gave working people a decent standard of living. Any laws that help working people are just "crazy Marxist bullshit". The tax laws decide who gets to keep the money and who pays for public services. Conservatives want the tax laws weighted in favor of the super-rich, even though those poor deluded Conservative suckers won't see any of the benefits.
They are responding to Pavlovian dog whistles and want to elect Right-Wing representatives who would economically destroy them -- and everyone else.
Yes, it is Marixt bullshit. When you start demonizing the wealthy and the corporate executives---only because they are wealthy and because they are heads of companies. You know nothing of these people, you are demonizing them because YOU have decided that they are "bad" and because YOU have decided that they don't deserve what they have. THAT is what is called Marxist bullshit.
Don't this to the level of absurd!
No one wants to go back to the days of the early industrial age! You have no evidence of that and you are saying it for it's dramatic for effect.
And no, Anon2. I do NOT do my research on Fox. I spent years in school to know what I know, but there are all kinds of sites out there for people like you to get information from. I often tell you to "Google it", but you won't take the time or effort. That is sad.
Now, CJP you need to quit drinking the Kool Aid and look up the tax rates and who pays what. The top %wage earners ARE paying the majority of the taxes in this country.
Try this: "According to a report from the ***Congressional Budget Office, for the year 2006 households in the bottom fifth of the income distribution paid 4.3% of their income in federal taxes. The middle fifth paid 14.2% and the highest fifth paid an average of 25.8%. The top percentile within the highest fifth had an effective tax rate of 31.2%. The highest fifth earned 55.7% of total pretax income and paid 69.3% of total federal taxes. The top 1% earned 18.8% of all income and paid 28.3% of all taxes.
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1657556/who_pays_the_most_income_taxes.html
Not FOX, Anon2.
However this is lost on you, I am sure. fortunately people who think like you do are in the minority in this country.
Oh, and yes, Anon2. I am aware that companies need employees. It works out well all the way around... Did you REALLY think that you were making a valid point on that one? Wow. You are quick!
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