Unions needed more, not less

The shocking Sept. 2 Sunday Editorial in The Press titled "Labor shouldn't be a dirty word," is a sobering testament to the damage and power of union-busting propaganda. I would never have imagined in a country literally built and defended by the hands of labor, that it could ever be implied that Labor needed to be defended from a bad reputation, or considered a dirty word. However, in a completely Republican-ruled state such as Idaho, it should really be no surprise.

Yes, in states like Idaho, Labor is a dirty word. Ask any attorney regarding worker's rights in Idaho, and I assure you that you will discover that you essentially have none. Other than the rights and protections assured to you by the federal government (who Republicans also hate and despise), you are on your own.

First, I would like to set a few things straight. The horse pulls the cart. The cart does not pull the horse. When the horse is abused, it quits pulling. While the fella in the cart can always replace the horse, his greatest fear is that the horses will unite, and he will either be left walking, or learn to be more humane. The magic word is "Unite." That is what a Labor Union does. It unites workers for the preservation and mutual benefits of a fair living wage and a safe work environment.

The rights, protections, benefits, and accomplishments afforded by labor unions are too numerous to list here. These are the things we take for granted and are literally what sets us apart from the rest of the slave labor world like China, where many of our "job creators" have stampeded to. These labor unions have set the standard of living for the middle class. Even if your company is non-union, your wages and benefits are indirectly influenced by dues paying union members which also allow you to reap the rewards of what they stand for. Businesses have discovered the best way to avoid becoming unionized is to pay fair wages and benefits, and sometimes even more than union employees. You see, just their presence raises the wages and standards and sets the mark. Their presence alone literally serves much the same purpose as the police and military.

The Press editorial would have you believe their existence is no longer needed. That is quite a thoughtless and unthankful position, especially on Labor Day when labor unions should be given the recognition and respect they deserve. In accordance with the Cd'A Press's logic, perhaps we also no longer need our military or even a police force?

The Press editorial also stated that labor unions now serve mostly to protect and reward inept workers, and to take from those that have, and give it to those that haven't. There was no mention of inept CEOs or irresponsible corporations like Wall Street profiteers that drove us into a depression. There was no mention of inept oil tycoons that destroyed America's coastlines and environment with countless spills. There was no mention of inept bank bandits that tanked the stock and housing markets. With our nation now in ruins, they all still have their jobs and have been rewarded with over 70 percent of our nation's wealth. They have invested that wealth in places like Switzerland and the Cayman Islands to evade paying taxes, in addition to sending our jobs to China so that they can exploit slave labor like they did back in the good ol' days before labor unions stopped them. They have also been the proud beneficiaries of numerous tax cuts for the rich, as well as the proceeds from freezing middle class wages for 3 decades.

It was this stolen wealth that enabled the One Percenters to retain the Republican Party to convince half of our nation that labor unions and OSHA are the Communist enemy of America. They do this while proudly operating and headquartering in the very Communist nations they pretend to despise. This is literally like stealing your gun, selling it back to you for twice what you paid for it, and then convincing you to shoot yourself in the face with it. Republicans just did a magnificent job of this in Wisconsin, where they bought into the anti-union virus that the Cd'A Press is inappropriately peddling on Labor Day. I was very disappointed.

In closing, it should be very evident who is inept, who is taking from who, and which agenda should become extinct. Labor unions and the federal government are the only two things standing in the way of the absolute corporate rule of our nation. It is no wonder they are both so despised by Republicans.

Jimmy Pappas is a Coeur d'Alene resident.