Labor Plays Hardball...And That's a Good Thing

The Hill newspaper reports that unions are playing hardball with Democrats over the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA). What's funny is Democrats flailing around and crying foul - as if labor should just fork over money to any Democrat, no matter whether he/she sells them out on key issues. It's high time labor stops supporting Democrats who back corporate-written trade deals that sell American workers out. Democrats have gotten away with taking labor for granted for too long, voting for things like NAFTA and China PNTR and then going to unions with their hands out for campaign contributions. That has got to end.

Think of it this way - conservative groups aren't in the business of giving campaign cash to Republicans who sell them out, and that's part of the reason how the GOP has managed to hone its ideology and create unity within its party. Similarly, labor shouldn't be in the business of giving away workers hard-earned money to Democrats who stiff those workers in Congress. Maybe, just maybe, this will start to create some unity among Democrats, as there will finally be some consequences for Democrats who sell out America's middle class and their party.

Amen to the labor movement on this one.

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