“The Bible Was Not Written by Billionaire Hedge Fund Managers”
...and eight other facts that too many Americans don't understand. Among them:
American Exceptionalism is a crock of B%##S#!%. This exceptional country has the world's largest prison population, and ranks 37th in access to quality health care.
Union membership benefits the economy. You know, when we all win, everybody wins, and all that. When working people are paid decent wages, they buy more stuff. Etc. This shouldn't be rocket science, but: a recent Gallup Poll showed that 71% of Americans are in favor of anti-union “right to work” laws. 11.1% of American workers are union members (this includes public- and private-sector employees.) Compare that with a unionization rate of 74% in Finland; 70% in Sweden.
Greater availability of mass transit means less air pollution, less traffic congestion and, to an extent, better physical fitness (i.e.having to walk more). With the exception of a few American cities, America's infrastructure is centered around the Single Occupant Vehicle. Maybe that's just as well, since the train is leaving the station and we're not on it.
posted by Tom Harper @ 7:02 PM
10 Comments:
I will never understand why Americans have been so eager to give up on unions. It's kind of like crime victims advocating for a smaller police force.
We are also exceptional when it comes to healthcare costs and military spending.
Jim: Me either. It's just one of the many ways that Americans keep getting conned into voting against their own interests.
Jerry: Yup, those are 2 good examples. Come to think of it, we really are quite "exceptional."
As the old reactionary generation dies off, the younger generation will be much less likely to conform to a particular political party, a particular religious faction, or any kind of demographic "box". This has already started to happen. I think eventually it will lead to a more "socialist democrat" type of government, where there will be a little more fairness and less polarization.
At least, I hope so!
I'm jealous of millionaires, they get so many things I don't, so I would really like to be one rather then just eliminate them. If we all got the same things the millionaires got things would be better. I think most American's agree with me.
Unlike Unions where they want to eliminate them!
Erik
SM: I agree, political parties seem to have less traction with the public. More people are focusing on specific issues on their own merits, rather than which party said what, or what a certain demagogue said. I think it's a change for the better. Both parties tend to take their core constituencies for granted.
Erik: I'm jealous too. You can make an anonymous 7-figure political contribution, and the lowly public doesn't have to know about it. But if one of us lowly peons even signs a political petition, it's part of the public record.
Guess I was trying to be a little too Clever, What I was trying to say was I believe people are jealous of Unions because Unions get to strike and demand higher pay and such, while they don't get to. Instead of being inspired to join, support, or start one of their own, they favor it's elimination instead.
Erik
Erik: I knew what you were saying; I was just adding my own twist to it. You're right about the irony, that people want to squelch unions because they're jealous of all those benefits and high wages; but when it comes to millionaires, it's "Hey, get the government off their backs. I could be one of them someday if I play my cards right."
The belief that they could be one of them is why so many people vote against their own self-interest.
Jerry: Yup, it's a clever myth that keeps on conning people. The gift that keeps on giving.
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