What is weighing on my mind is the tension I’ve noticed on social media between Pelosi’s leadership of the House of Representatives and Labor activism as a cause for ending the recent government shutdown. I believe that both had a significant role. Some feel that giving any credit to Pelosi takes away from the well deserved credit of the workers, whose actions I believe broke the camel’s back. There are two related but distinctly different things going on here- Labor action and political action. Both are necessary. Both contributed to end of the shutdown.
I see unions and political parties similarly, in that both are organizations of like-minded people banding together to accomplish things that require pressure to make the desired things happen.
As it turns out, the Democratic Party and Labor have complementary goals. The party is to support labor- workers rights, benefits, fairness, etc. Labor is to guide the party toward meeting the workers needs, applying pressure to candidates to support workers issues. We are stronger together.
So why the divisiveness? I think that nefarious forces are at work. Russians? Republicans? I don’t know. There are many that benefit by turning us against ourselves. Even if one feels slighted that your ally got undeserved credit, what possible good does it do to tear down one branch of the same tree?
Both the Democratic Party and the Unions have had and continue to have problems. They always will. Our job is to pressure them both to be better. We must not let perfection be the enemy of the good. Both entities are subject to intense resistance and draw enemies and propaganda to tear them down. We must band together and resist these forces. I’m no longer a union member, but I’ve belonged to three of them in my career. My dad and my grandpa were proud union members. I stand with the union and trust that membership will work to keep them on track.
I’m not always happy with my party. Particularly on the federal level. Yet, I know that, short of a revolution, this is how things get done. I believe in government by the people and for the people. I believe the Democratic Party is the best vehicle to shape my government the way I want it. This Democratic Socialist will continue to support the Democratic Party, but I’ll damn sure continue to agitate for improvement. More and better Democrats. Boot the blue dogs, the banker toadies and the ethically challenged. Let’s pull together for the greater good. And not let the bastards tear us apart.
Hi friends. Please be kind. I’m a lurker that hasn’t posted for a long time. I wrote this for Facebook, but thought it would be appropriate here on Kos too!
