Unions

 

I am a Republican, pro-capitalist and not against reasonable business profitability, but I am also pro-labor union.

 

These views held together may seem hypocritical or contradictory, but that does not deter me from holding them. Under the moral axiom of moderation, the proper approach to most any problem likely is a blended one, for most things are complex as they are constituted, and labor unions are no exception.

 

I have been working in non-union shops more than union shops since I got my first job in 1970, and I work in Local 70 in Minneapolis right now, and it is another one of the weak unions that members hate. I get their frustration and disappointment, but I disagree vigorously with their wholesale distrust of unions as vile corrupt organizations that live off of the workers, but do nothing for the workers.

 

Our members are so bitter that many, maybe a majority want to quit the union entirely. I know that is a terrible conclusion to reach. A weak union is better than no union.

 

The business agent and the managers running to labor office in Minnesota are not to blame—not much anyway—for the union being weak.

 

I regard a labor union as a microcosm of America, a worker’s democracy (more than a bit analogous to the political dispensation which we live under, and are governed by). If politicians are corrupt, arrogant elitist that serve special interests and not their constituents—which they usually are—that failure to serve and represent the people is the fault in part of the corrupt politicians, but mostly the blame goes to the citizen, the voter, and by analogy to the union member.

 

Were union members and voters trained up to be individuating supercitizens that I envision as the American adult norm in about 30 years, then there will be no weak unions or unresponsive politicians.

 

The union members and American citizens are more powerful than they realize, once they become educated, enlightened, industrious and engaged. Those on the bottom of any hierarchy—soldiers, workers, citizens, taxpayers and consumers--once knowing, organized, united, engaged, on task and demanding, cannot be prevented from running things, even commanding their union officials and public officials to represent and govern wisely and efficiently—or else punishment will be swift, as harsh as necessary, and unrelenting until elites obey the masses every time.

 

If any organization fails, it is the fault of the common people. If it works and performs well, it is due to the common people. There are no short cuts. We must man up, take responsibility for running our own and collective affairs, and keep demanding and punishing unresponsive elitists until they accede, and accept that the masses are the boss, and their word is final.