The problem with politics in America boils down to this: General Electric piled up $14 billion in profits last year and paid ZERO in income taxes; GE’s chief executive Jeffrey Immelt, who coordinated the massive political effort to win those tax breaks, received millions in salary and an appointment by Barack Obama to head up the President’s National Council on Jobs and Competitiveness. No joke! Meanwhile, the after-tax pay for the ordinary worker has fallen in real dollars in the past 30 years, yet too many white voters would rather side with pro-business, anti-“those people” politicians because of their deep cultural fears and biases. A coalition of labor, civic rights, women’s and other groups is holding a “We Are One” silent rally in Raleigh on April 4 to honor Dr. Martin Luther King’s vision of the human family. It’s part of a national effort to counter the Koch-funded Tea Party and similar anti-worker hate organizations. It’s a good place to be on the 43rd anniversary of King’s assassination. You can also sign up here and tell Mr. Immelt and Mr. Obama to find a better head to lead the Jobs Council. How many signers will it take to replace this dud bulb?
1-888-OUR-VOTE|info@democracy-nc.org
I wonder what the National Council on Jobs and Competitiveness is really supposed to do. For some time now, big businesses have been raising their price competitiveness by shutting factories here and moving them overseas, cutting staff here with each closing. Perhaps the council’s name should end with the words “Of Other Countries”. Will Mr. Immelt urge GE to re-open plants here? I’m not going to hold my breath.
Allow me to correct your statement. It is incorrect to say that someone is anti worker. Nobody is anti worker, we’re all workers. It is correct to say anti union. In particular anti public worker unions, as a taxpayer, I see no benefit to public sector unions. Nobody is looking out for the interests of the taxpayer.
Uhh Jackson, you do realize that the largest donors to candidates are not corporations but are unions. I’ll give you the benefit of doubt that you didn’t know that. What makes this insidious is the influence of public worker unions make the big donations to Democrats and get rewarded with benefit plans as Democrats get elected. The bill for those benefits (which we can’t afford) are just kicked down the road to our children and grandchildren to pay. I look at prison guards who retire in their 40s with full pay and health benefits. Something is wrong here.
Uh, Frank — your elected leaders are supposed to be looking out for the interests of the taxpayers. That’s their job. Unfortunately, they are too busy looking out for the interests of their big donors, like in Wisconsin where the governor engaged in union-busting tactics for one reason and one reason only: his big donors — like the Koch brothers — wanted it.
You are nothing but a pawn in their game who has been duped into thinking they are on your side. Unions are not your enemy. Huge donors buying government policy are.