I am about to go to bed.
I loved reading Michael Moore's Labor Day rant. With unemployment at 10% and higher in Moore's beloved Michigan (and with bozos like Thad McCotter and Dave Camp promoting right-wing BS against Michigan Democrats), I think Michael Moore (of all people) is entitled to rant a little.
Having said that, a quick correction and expansion on the "F*** the UAW" story that forms the basis of his diary.
See, the president of the F***ing UAW doesn't seem to mind. In fact, he defended Rahm:
UAW President Bob King doesn't seem to be offended.
"If it wasn't for Rahm Emanuel,... if it wasn't for President Obama and the Democratic leadership in the House and Senate, we wouldn't have an auto industry. Millions of more people would be out of work today," King told CNBC on Friday morning.
More after the jump.
I was only following this story a little bit over the weekend, after Ben Smith blogged about it at Politico. Apparently, a senior White House staffer emailed Smith with this statement:
Throughout the entire process that saved the auto industry, Rahm tirelessly defended and advocated on behalf of the auto workers. Any suggestion to the contrary is simply ridiculous.
See, Rahm actually has the clout, connections, and focus to get stuff done. Unlike a couple dozen other presidents over the past 100 years, Rahm and his team actually delivered comprehensive healthcare reform that provides universal coverage, limits federal government liability, and provides subsidies to make insurance and healthcare more affordable. Rahm was intimately connected to the GM and Chrysler bailouts, and came in on day one to help rescue an industry on the verge of total collapse.
So, yeah, let's be careful who were attacking.
More from UAW President Bob King, via HuffPo:
"They have done nothing but to help the middle class in America. I appreciate the Obama administration. I appreciate what they have done for workers in general. Did they do good for the auto industry?
"Yes they did. Did Rahm Emanuel play a role in that? Yes, he did. I appreciate him."
There are some really good other diaries on the rec list right now.
The Real Enemy (hint: It's not Rahm)
President Obama: They talk about me like I'm a dog ("They" being special interest groups that don't like people-centered politics and want to drown out the voices of ordinary American families.)
President Obama: $50B plan (this year) to rebuild roads, rails, and runways (I would bet Rahm had something to do with this.)
Michael Moore rightly notes that Rahm helped the DCCC win back the House in 2006. He rightly notes that Rahm helped again in 2008, giving Democrats back to back gains in seats.
So, while I loved Moore's diary and thought it was fitting that he write something on this Labor Day, I think we all need to step back from the circular firing squad, thank God for the jobs that have been gained back, and work to make sure that more Republican members of Congress are out of a job in November.