Today is May 1st which is also known as May Day. May Day is an observance of the gains made by unions and the labor movement in general which resulted in our 40 hour work week among other things.
The labor movement has always been frowned upon by conservatives and corporations and even a lot of governments. Conservative Republicans and conservative talk show hosts have long blamed unions, along with gays and environmentalists, for all of America's problems.
Once again, here are all the crazy ideas we can blame on those hippie/commie liberals:
The freedom to write this blog
40 hour work weeks
The weekend
Overtime pay
Holidays and Holiday pay (such as Labor Day)
Emancipation of the slaves
Child welfare laws
Child labor laws
Homeless shelters
Clean air
Clean water
National Parks
Forest Preserves
Unemployment benefits
Social Security
Drug treatment centers
Tenant rights
Historical preservation societies
Free Libraries
Food Stamps
Campaign laws
After school programs
Antitrust laws
Desegregation
Equal opportunity
And most importantly the 1st, 4th, 5th,6th,7th,8th,9th,13th,14th,15th,16th,19th,21st and 24th amendments and everything they include such as the abolition of slavery and women’s rights.
What have conservative movements gotten us besides tax breaks for rich people who don't need them and restrictions on our rights and freedoms?
11 comments:
What have conservative movements gotten us besides tax breaks for rich people who don't need them and restrictions on our rights and freedoms?
Union busting?
Oh ya, thats a great concept. Didn't they also bring us prohibition?
I hate to bust your bubble, John, old friend, but there are some facts that need to be straightened out.
Southern, White, Democrats were the one's who fought the civil rights movement, while Republicans were the one's who fought to give black people the rights that were written into the Constitution.
Southern, White, Democrats were the ones who fought against giving women the right to vote, while Republicans were the one's who fought to give them thier consititutional rights.
Now, this isn't to say that Republican's are always right. Now, while they have the power, they are pissing away the country. They won't protect our borders, as required by the constitution, they want to grand illegal aliens an amnesty, and they definetely don't want to build a fence down around the border.
Maybe what we need, John, are more independants like you and me to run for Congress. I know we'd have some knuckle busters, but in the end, we'd agree with what's right for our country.
Don't you think so?
Im not talking about Republicans and Democrats. At the time the Republicans were the liberal party. It's liberal, or lefty thought in general that I am discussing here.
Great post Toad. I swiped it and am using it elsewhere, (crediting "John" of course).
Good to see you back in true form.
The "liberal" distinction is an important on that we Dems need to remember also.
It's not enough to just be a Democrat these days.
Have you read "American Theocracy" by Kevin Phillips yet?
Killer.
No, but I do like the title.
I thought free libraries were courtesy of Andrew Carnegie, one of the biggest Capitalists on the planet.........
Interesting. Here I was thinking May Day was a pagan celebration of spring and fertility.
Anonymous:
Are you saying Capitalists can't ever have a liberal idea? He was also a crusader for workers rights you know. Almost sounds like a socialist now doesn't he.
Yeah, I've heard the "Carnegie Objection" too, Toad. It's important to stay clear, as you did, that Capitalism and Liberalism are not mutually exclusive. In order for us to develop clean, sustainable, renewable energy sources, somebody is going to have to make some money. Nothing wrong with that.
It is also important to consider that much of what is being touted today as "Conservatism" isn't conservatism at all. It is a new brand of Fascio/Theocratic Corporatism whereby we are all becoming endentured servants to the religio/business state. It's radical extremism. The only thing "conservative" about it is a blind adherance to the "old time religions" of fire, brimstone, the end times, anti-science and the myth of an inexhaustible supply of crude oil.
In short, we're working for the banks and the church with the blessing of the US Government. It's a far cry from American Liberty as we know it.
Workers of the world, unite! You have nothing to loose but your crucifixes and credit cards.
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