The word union is hated by so many, maybe it's time for a change.

[RegieRocker]

Citizens Group for a better life might be better. Does it have to be only workers in that profession?

[Earth_First]

1. Fuck that...

My grandfather, father, my uncle are/were PROUD hard-working, hard-fighting UNION members.

Unions have done more for the working-class American than any stiff in a suit will ever hope to do.

Fuck that...

Union is NOT a SHAMEFUL word.

[FiveGoodMen]

2. Amen!

[lonestarnot]

30. X25!

[AlinPA]

36. Yes!

[TheCowsCameHome]

3. U-n-i-o-n

Leave it at that.

Screw those that don't like it.

[Earth_First]

5. Those who fear the word are those who are out to defeat it... n/t

[HockeyMom]

6. I second that

UNION, public or private.

[Shagbark Hickory]

4. It doesnt matter what you call it. It will inherit the same reputation

[RegieRocker]

8. This country is a union, that is why the president gives a state of the

Union address. The point is why not form a union for citizens that is not part of the government. Keep the professional unions but have a larger one for anyone.

[aquart]

18. Like, say, a Fascist Party?

You're making me laugh now.

[RegieRocker]

Mental hysteria is what your experiencing. You're imitating the very

same people that are against you.

[aquart]

7. How about you find some guts and stop letting idiots dictate even your words?

The word Yankee used to be an insult. Until someone pulled his head out of his ass and said, "You're damn right I'm a Yankee. And show some respect when you say it!"

I am a pro-union liberal. And no sniveling wormy coward giving in to a bunch of bullies is going to make me less a pro-union liberal or ever ashamed to say so.

[Earth_First]

9. Here! Here! n/t

[RegieRocker]

12. How about you find the courage to find a better way instead of being

closed minded and afraid. Anger is fear. Afraid of losing something. Unions wouldn't be in the position they are in if they were strong. They are not. They were, but that was a long time ago. Hot air will get you no where. Buck up and realize your situation.

[aquart]

15. A mealy-mouthed name change is a "better way"?

That sounds so...what is the word...Republican.

[RegieRocker]

29. Loud mouth boasting is republican. Thinking is liberal. You're not going to

persuade anyone with a republican mindset with your emotional outbursts.

[lonestarnot]

31. Oh now lemme guess, you went into your closet for prayer?

[Name removed]

35. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[RegieRocker]

38. I guess you just came back from a satanic ritual.

[lonestarnot]

40. Snort. What wore that out?

[RegieRocker]

49. Your brain?

[white_wolf]

10. We need to defend the word Union.

If we let the far right defame it like they have liberal, progressive, socialist, then it is just another victory for them. They are very good at manipulating the message and that hurts us worse than even the DLC types.

[Ikonoklast]

11. FFS. NO.

Union Now, Union Forever. Let them hate it, I welcome their hatred.


Not a union member, I take it?

[RegieRocker]

13. You make many wrong assumptions I've noticed.

[aquart]

19. Well, some people make that so easy.

[RegieRocker]

33. You make a wrong assumption and it's the fault of someone else?

Lol boy is that rationale is familiar.

[Ikonoklast]

20. What local you a member of?

[lonestarnot]

32. Well are you a member or not?

And what is your argument for changing the designation?

[Starry Messenger]

14. UNION is a word with a fierce heritage

Surrendering the word would be surrendering history. People will hate the word to their graves because they hate solidarity and the power of a union. If we called it anything else they'd hate that too. We don't need rebranding.

[jwirr]

16. Union is our heritage and Union it is going to stay.

[Hutzpa]

17. Fuck NO!!!

n/t

[Bluenorthwest]

21. Union Forever.

Sorry if it bugs you.

[LoZoccolo]

22. I question the premise; polls have shown majority support for the unions in Wisconsin.

I would expect that support for private-sector unions would be even higher because I could see some percentage of people supporting the public-sector unions somewhat less due to the fact that they are the ones paying them through taxes. The taxpayers are essentially management in that scenario, but even then, they have majority support.

[MatthewStLouis]

23. What Unions need is a democratic leader who is not afraid to be pro-union.

We need proud defenders of the word 'union'. Americans have seen many decades of clever conservative-run 'union' bashing. It's like the word 'liberal'. Mention 'liberal' and democrats scatter. What we need are some leaders who aren't afraid to tell people what we believe in and aren't afraid to take on the mantle of pro-union liberal. I'd bet most Americans don't even know what a union is...

Conservatives are so proud of their own stupidity, people who don't know any better think being a 'conservative' might be a good thing. Progressives need to be bolder. We know we are right! Why not act like it?!

[MichiganVote]

24. Amen to that.

[malaise]

25. Union forever!

Not changing a word

[State the Obvious]

26. The word "union" is NOT hated by so many......

.....it is only hated IF you are a Republican.

The word "union" exemplifies strength.

Change it to "Citizens Group for a Better Life"......:crazy: Really??

[JustAmused]

27. LOL

That sounds like a KochRoach name for a front group...lol

[nosmokes]

28. Proud *UNION* member here willing to fight for my rights, not cave to some

wanker capitalists and their fearful accommodating bipartisan minions.

[davidthegnome]

34. Sure... while we're at it...

Maybe we should change democrat to something less offensive, too. They hate that word. We could come up with new ones for liberal and progressive. We could change the democratic underground to... well, I don't know, help me out here, something to do with good, honest, god fearing "citizens".

Citizens Group for a better life... you know, it's catchy.

Also, we're going to have to change our symbol. Our donkey - we'd better turn it into a weasel.

[RegieRocker]

37. Progressive is a new word! How old are

you? Are you ok? A new word for a democrat.

[davidthegnome]

39. Really?

Progressive comes from the word progress - which is a very old word. I would point out that the word is merely an extension of an idea.

It's not a word for "democrat", it never was. Rather, it's a word that many of us use to refer to those who wish to create progress. This idea about moving forward, rather than backward (it actually applies to some republicans, too). To give in to union hating imbeciles who really haven't got a clue what unions have done for this Country for decades is regressive - and no, that's not a new word for republican, though maybe it should be. :)

I'm okay, by the way, thanks for asking. I'm twenty six - but what does my age have to do with this?

[RegieRocker]

42. Progressive Democrat is a new label for democrats. It was obscure

and associated with foreign politics such as taiwan. The term liberal was the mainstay for years. There is also moderate democrats. The progressive democrat is relatively new as a label for a democrat in the mainstream of terms and well known. That is the reason for asking your age.

[davidthegnome]

43. Progressive Democrat may be a new label

I realize that you're suggesting that these labels are not particularly important, but I would argue that point. Personally, I'm always quite proud when people label me as a liberal or progressive - some of them use these words as insults, but I take pride in them. Union isn't a bad word any more than these words are. The point is - do you think we should change them because they offend some people? Or because some people hate these words?

Your logic is that because people hate the word "union" we should change it to something others might consider more appealing. I would suggest that that's basically giving in to the opposition and allowing them to dictate even what words we use. It's a good word - and unions are a good thing. That word has a proud and powerful history attached to it - when I think back on the stories of my Great Grandfather and how he was one of the first mill workers to help organize unions initially... it makes me very proud indeed.

No, I wouldn't change the word into something else simply because it is hated by the ignorant.

[RegieRocker]

45. It is not anymore giving in to the opposition than it was from a liberal

democrat to a progressive one. It is however a change for progress. Pride can blind oneself from seeing what needs to be done. The unions use to be very strong and anyone that believes their strength hasn't diminished is only fooling themselves. The refusal for change is exactly why they have lost power. I am a strong supporter of all unions and know firsthand what has plagued them and caused their loss of power. Even union members complain about these things but would not want to be without their union. If you pay attention closely my post was about releasing the requisite to be in a particular profession to be in a union by forming a generic one. This would enable anyone to join. Union is just a word but UAW, IBEW, TEAMSTERS etc. are not just words. When unions figure out a way to help all workers then and only then will their power be regained. A more stringent method of safeguards preventing corruption would also be helpful. Our government surely isn't going to do this for all workers.

[davidthegnome]

46. Hmm

I don't disagree so much with the sentiment or the purpose, just the method. We don't have to change the word to make it apply to everyone - but now that I realize what you're attempting to do I apologize for my earlier sarcasm.

You're right, our government isn't going to do this for all workers, but we could. We still don't have to change the word though... but if you're talking about something new, a sort of union that applied to everyone... I'm with you on that one. I still think we need to fight against this union busting and keep the word as it represents a good concept. I still don't think we need to let go of our pride in something we have a right to be proud of.

You know, you could have used a better headline, though I admit this one attracted attention. If we're talking about a National union that everyone can join, I'm with you. If that's what you want and you just want a name or title for it... I still think Citizens Group for a Better Life is an awful title. The Union Alliance... The American Union, the Peoples Union. I think we should include the word union because it is part of a proud and powerful (and rightly so) heritage.

Not a bad idea... awful title though.

[RegieRocker]

47. Read again

The word union is hated by so many, maybe it's time for a change.
Does it say change the word union? No, it states only "maybe it's time for a change.“
Then the change was "Citizens Group for a better life might be better. Does it have to be only workers in that profession? ” Why not a union for anyone?

Now lets pretend a non union independent was to suggest some changes for unions. How well do you think that would be received after viewing the responses to this post? Do you think they would be endeared to unions?

[davidthegnome]

48. Okay, I get your point

Nonetheless, I insist, Citizens Group for a better life a terrible, terrible name.

Honestly, I get what you're saying, that if it was presented as a new idea it wouldn't perhaps piss people off so much on both sides of the fence. Realistically, I think we could all see the benefits of such an idea if they were presented to us in simple English... but yeah, you might have to beat us over the head with the concept a few times first. Fair enough.

[demmiblue]

41. Billy Bragg says feck that!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88vZD4Dd_Jo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwbzxemJZIc


Word!

[Hugabear]

44. The country we live in today was built by UNIONS

If you enjoy making more than a few bucks per hour, thank a UNION
If you enjoy having sick time and vacation time, thank a UNION
If you enjoy having a safe working environment, thank a UNION
If you enjoy getting paid for overtime, thank a UNION