…let us remember it is
not because a simple lack of civility caused this tragedy…but rather because
only a more civil and honest discourse can help us face up to the challenges of
our nation, in a way that would make (the victims) proud.
President Barack Obama at a speech in Tucson, Arizona, 12 January 2011
President Barack Obama at a speech in Tucson, Arizona, 12 January 2011
Last year, Teamsters president Jimmy Hoffa, during an
address to union members declared, “President Obama, this is your army. We are ready to march. Let’s take these sons of bitches out.” The “sons of bitches” in question were
Republicans. It appears that various
union supporters in Michigan have taken this order to heart as it fights (literally)
against the recently passed “right-to-work” legislation, which was signed into
law by Governor Richard Snyder. In the
aftermath, the Republicans and other right-to-work supporters have been
subjected to violence and the threat of more violence.
As I come from a “union” state, I’m familiar with the rather
heavy-handed approach they often use to make their points. However, in the aftermath of the Michigan
legislature’s actions over the last week, the unions in that bastion of
unionism have ratcheted it up a notch in their protest. At the head of this charge was Democratic
State Representative Douglas Geiss, who declared that, “there will be
blood. There will be
repercussions.” It is difficult to know
where to go from there when the opposition is actually declaring the need for
bloodshed. The hyperbole of the arguments
used by union mouthpieces suggests a complete lack of logic and reason and the
death throes of an institution. The fact
is, as columnist Charles Krauthammer made perfectly clear, the idea of
“right-to-work” is a choice between high wages and high unemployment verses
lower unemployment and a wider tax base – the latter something Michigan
desperately needs.
Outside the capital, union mobs increased the tension and
the violence against anyone who dares propose a different course than the
engrained path of unionism seen and upheld in Michigan for over a century. The organization, Americans for Progress,
attempted to put up a tent as part of a demonstration in favor of the
legislation. As they were nearly
finished, a union mob descended upon them.
As the crowd worked themselves up, they began cursing and screaming at
the people within and around the tent.
Soon, pushing and shoving ensued as AFP advocates were punched and
knocked down while the union mob tore down the tent. Various threats are easily heard on the
tape. It is not clear where the police
were during the incident.
It is easy to characterize these actions and words as those
from a desperate and baseless group.
However, in Michigan, unions have wielded considerable power and enjoy
unbridled support from the likes of no less than the president of the United
States. Mr. Obama’s support of these
crowds, who in the last two years have perpetrated one violent encounter after
another against their opponents, is particularly perplexing when one considers
his own words. After the attacks in
Arizona that killed and maimed, most notably Rep. Gabby Giffords, the president
was quick to suggest that there must be more civil discourse without the
inflammatory and provocative. He has as
often chastised Republicans for their “rancor” but has uttered no condemnation
of union aggressiveness.
One of the things that supposedly holds our democracy apart
from the squalors of dictatorship and totalitarianism is the rule of law and
the belief in the democratic process.
Whatever is passed and not approved of by the people can be addressed in
the following elections. The tactics of
mob violence and intimidation are the tools of bullies and fanatics. President Obama said our discourse should
provide a better place for our children.
Surely, he and the Democratic leadership can begin the process by
disowning the methods of their own supporters.
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