I must say, when I first heard MoveOn was teaming up with the AFL-CIO's Super PAC to turn out voters in the 2012 election, I was pretty excited. Bringing together (in my perception) the old infrastructure and the new technology.
My question is this, could MoveOn and Labor be testing out something new? Something for beyond 2012? Even perhaps something beyond politics?
We know that union concentration in an industry increases wages for all in that particular industry (unionized or on your own). We have seen the middle class erode while at the same time watching union membership fall through the floor.
So imagine this (pure speculation here), MoveOn and Labor's super PAC are successful. Yes at re-electing Obama and picking up seats in Congress and the Senate. But successful at working together, a chemistry to partner to rebuild America and restore the American dream.
Imagine how effective MoveOn's online organizing skills, tactics and strategy could be to unionize workers across America? I see it as two main reasons people don't seek out unions, first ignorance (not feeling comfortable with or understanding the value of having a union) and second fear. MoveOn does something incredible well, communication. There are plenty of online Progressive groups out there trying to get people excited to vote and motivated to support particular issues. But many don't do a great job at communicating and that's why their memberships haven't grown into the millions (hold PCCC, they do a great job too!).
Imagine MoveOn delivering high impact online videos to their members (of which I'm proudly a member!) motivating them to organize their workplace and to come together to get it done? Helping people to truly understand why joining together to form a union to represent them in their workplace helps themselves, their workplace and our nation.
MoveOn is a powerful tool for Progressives and I'm hoping they see what I'm envisioning here. Forget the question of "are you better off now than you were four years ago?" because we need to begin rolling back the decline of the past thirty years and begin moving America forward once again!