Don't forget..."blue collar". That's code word for, "these people work really really hard and they deserve more money than they make for the company..."
Why does everyone glorify this section of the American workforce? Do they magically work harder than everyone else just because they are a "Detroit auto worker" on the assembly line? The auto workers union is part of the reason Detroit went broke in the first place. Now we have these "hard working" blue Democrats who got bailed out on yours and my tax dollars voicing their adamant allegiance to Barack Obama for saving their jobs. Of course, it doesn't matter that their jobs were saved by taking money from the rest of us.
All the while we have the media and everyone else touting this untouchable group of Americans. Portrayed as the epitome of American hard work, innovation, and everything great about America. Now it is Barack Obama's top political arguing point this election season.
I don't see Detroit autoworkers as untouchable. In fact, I see it the other way. They should be criticized. They and their union milk the taxpayer and their very company dry. Then, my god, what should we do?? Oh, let's take money from other Americans (who make less and do more work) to save our company that makes products no one wants. Now they get $7000 bonuses before GM has even paid back the bailout money. This is insanity. And they have the gall to criticize Republicans like Romney for opposing the bailout? These people are by no means untouchable.
The media constantly puts forth this red, white, and blue image of the 3rd and 4th generation Detroit autoworker (also 3rd and 4th generation Democrat) who is the epitome of hard work and success in America. More like the epitome of laziness. These FACTORY WORKERS make more money than cops, firefighters, paramedics, and teachers--(speaking of other untouchable groups...) But, somehow, some way, they are also poverty stricken, struggling to feed the family every day. Living "paycheck to paycheck". This isn't the case, but more the image the media has created.
If you are a Detroit auto worker reading this I could care less if this offends you. There are millions of other workers out there who do much harder and demanding jobs and make less than half what you make. And I am sick of this iconization of various groups in this country and their placement in the "free from criticism zone."
The "struggling" Detroit autoworker. The "hard working" illegal immigrant. The "courageous" anti-war protester. The "persecuted" Muslim. The "generous" celebrity. The "honest" daytime cable talk show host.
There is no untouchable group of people in this country except for ONE: The "murdered" unborn baby. But they aren't actually people are they?
Why does everyone glorify this section of the American workforce? Do they magically work harder than everyone else just because they are a "Detroit auto worker" on the assembly line? The auto workers union is part of the reason Detroit went broke in the first place. Now we have these "hard working" blue Democrats who got bailed out on yours and my tax dollars voicing their adamant allegiance to Barack Obama for saving their jobs. Of course, it doesn't matter that their jobs were saved by taking money from the rest of us.
All the while we have the media and everyone else touting this untouchable group of Americans. Portrayed as the epitome of American hard work, innovation, and everything great about America. Now it is Barack Obama's top political arguing point this election season.
I don't see Detroit autoworkers as untouchable. In fact, I see it the other way. They should be criticized. They and their union milk the taxpayer and their very company dry. Then, my god, what should we do?? Oh, let's take money from other Americans (who make less and do more work) to save our company that makes products no one wants. Now they get $7000 bonuses before GM has even paid back the bailout money. This is insanity. And they have the gall to criticize Republicans like Romney for opposing the bailout? These people are by no means untouchable.
The media constantly puts forth this red, white, and blue image of the 3rd and 4th generation Detroit autoworker (also 3rd and 4th generation Democrat) who is the epitome of hard work and success in America. More like the epitome of laziness. These FACTORY WORKERS make more money than cops, firefighters, paramedics, and teachers--(speaking of other untouchable groups...) But, somehow, some way, they are also poverty stricken, struggling to feed the family every day. Living "paycheck to paycheck". This isn't the case, but more the image the media has created.
If you are a Detroit auto worker reading this I could care less if this offends you. There are millions of other workers out there who do much harder and demanding jobs and make less than half what you make. And I am sick of this iconization of various groups in this country and their placement in the "free from criticism zone."
The "struggling" Detroit autoworker. The "hard working" illegal immigrant. The "courageous" anti-war protester. The "persecuted" Muslim. The "generous" celebrity. The "honest" daytime cable talk show host.
There is no untouchable group of people in this country except for ONE: The "murdered" unborn baby. But they aren't actually people are they?
Years ago, Paul Harvey said that you can't pay people $25 and hour to make cars to sell to other people making $10 an hour (or somerthing like that). The unions still don't get it.
ReplyDeleteHack,
ReplyDeleteI am blue collar and a UAW member (not by choice being MI is not a right to work State)and work for a 1st, 2nd and 3rd tier supplier and I wish to say I agree with every word here.
There are not many of us to be sure who fight this fight daily from the inside but please know we exist,,,
http://workplacechoice.org/
p.s. Blue collar is not a bad term and not limited to unions whatsoever. I have been blue collar and worked hard all my working life and never in a union until this job I currently hold.
p.p.s. I have never once gone to the union for one damn thing as I live and die on my own abilities or lack thereof.
Hell, even though the money extorted from me (dues) pays for parties and such gatherings as picnics, I refuse to attend out of principle.
"If you are a Detroit auto worker reading this I could care less if this offends you. There are millions of other workers out there who do much harder and demanding jobs and make less than half what you make. And I am sick of this iconization of various groups in this country and their placement in the "free from criticism zone."
ReplyDeleteThe "struggling" Detroit autoworker. The "hard working" illegal immigrant. The "courageous" anti-war protester. The "persecuted" Muslim. The "generous" celebrity. The "honest" daytime cable talk show host.
There is no untouchable group of people in this country except for ONE: The "murdered" unborn baby. But they aren't actually people are they?"
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Brilliantly said, Hack. And no, human babies in a womb aren't really human,at least according to the SCOTUS. Oh, the irony.
Christopher, thank you for commenting and letting everyone know there some good guys out there yet! Of course, this isn't a criticism of all auto workers (or blue collar workers, hell, I'm one) merely the glorification of them by the media as well as many of the Democrats within the unions.
ReplyDelete