Lloyd,
I never said union WORKERS were bad. I just have a problem with the UNIONS supporting political candidates who are diametrically opposed to the things I believe in. When workers organize to bargain with management to obtain a fair and equitable wage/benefits package when prior to organizing they were denied same by management that's a good thing. When the unions become politicized by using the workers dues to further the union political agenda then it becomes a bad thing. There were two things that got our current national dictator elected - masses of uninformed voters and unions convincing their workers to base their vote on ONE issue (their jobs). The sad fact is the way our country is going there soon will be far less jobs here, union or otherwise, because companies are leaving in droves to escape the increasingly hostile business environment in this country.
Now, I really enjoy a lively debate, but I would appreciate it if you didn't talk down to me based on your assumption that I don't make as much money as you. I don't know or care how much you or anyone else makes, or has made - I don't think one's financial situation has any bearing on whether his/her opinion on a subject has merit.
Just so you won't worry about me having enough to eat (just joking!) I probably should tell you I was a union member for 27 years, and was a union steward for about 7 years. In my chosen profession as a LEO it was something that came with the job, along with working nights, weekends, and holidays. For me it was never about just the money - it was doing what I always wanted to do and being happy doing it. That said, I was paid a decent wage and have a decent retirement, not extravagant by any means, but reasonably comfortable. How much did the union have to do with that? I really have no way of knowing for sure, but there's no doubt it helped a great deal.
Just think for a minute what unions are doing with the workers' money (dues). They're backing political candidates who are anti-business/anti-capitalism. Now, if you were a businessman and had millions of dollars at stake what would you do? Stay here and make less or move overseas and make more? An example would be the UAW. They are trading short term gains in wages for long term loss of jobs as more and more of the domestic automakers production is moved overseas. An intelligent trade?