Unions and Young People: A Winning Combination for 2012?

[xchrom]

http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2011/11/unions-and-young-people-a-dynamic-duo-for-2012/248174/

In the wake of a significant electoral victory in Ohio Tuesday, unions and their supporters are energized and eager to flex their newly honed political muscles. But the path to greater electoral clout in 2012 could lie in a partnership with young voters and followers of the Occupy movement.

It may seem like an odd pairing: Grizzled and battle-scarred union members, many of whom have voted Republican in the past and are more socially conservative, and free-spirited Millennials more comfortable texting than organizing.

But the two groups have a lot in common, chiefly concerns about their own economic futures and income inequality in this country, which are also the central themes of the Occupy movement.

"The basic message that Occupy Wall Street has -- that people are fed up with the top one percent getting everything -- it resonates with union members and young people," says AFL-CIO Political Director, Mike Podhorzer, in an interview from Ohio on election night.

[izquierdista]

1. Why start now?

The last time the Repubs fielded a serious candidate was 1992. Bush Sr. was serious about getting re-elected. In '96 and '08, they knew they were going to lose, so they let the old war horse of the Senate have his turn. The elections of 2000 and 2004 were more to see if they could, in the words of H.L.Mencken, get the people to vote for a complete idiot, while they ran the levers of power from behind the scenes.

[Philosopher King]

2. Young people, who voted in record numbers in 2008, are disillusioned and disappointed.

They we led to believe that they were making history when they turned out to elect Barack Obama, the first African-American president.

But the thrill is gone as the little darlings have discovered that real change, in the real world, requires hard work, sacrifice and a long-term commitment.

Jesus has left the building and he's not coming back. In order to change the world, one must first change oneself.

[Doctor_J]

3. But what do main stream and DC Dems have to offer them?

The admin has been no friend to working people (Arne Duncan, Medicare cuts, Rahm, comfortable shoes, extension of Bush tax cuts).

[Magoo48]

4. Could be, at some point, who they have to offer to us...

[libinnyandia]

5. They did get an extension of unemployment insurance.