Constitutional Right of Association Protects Wisconsin's Workers

Even GOPSTER -governors and would-be party- dictators now forced To amend attack on Collective Bargaining.

(SEASIDE, Ore.) - Be completely clear on how you understand what is underway in the Wisconsin attack on worker rights. That attack, it is now absolutely clear, is a planned, totally unprovoked, manipulative and malign political-dogma/driven attempt to renew and complete the Reagan attack intended to kill off the union movement in this nation.

For his own private political gain, and advised in detail by Far Right brain/tank "consultants" on "what-and-how", Reagan smashed the union representing airway controllers among the very first actions he took.

It mattered not a whit that the union's protests were against abuse and neglect of safety-for-passengers provisions and actions, not primarily about their wages and/or work conditions.

The public record --and voluminous press coverage-then, which I personally recall-- established the fact that President Reagan knew at the time and accepted what he also understood as the consequences of his action. At the time this drew both protest and political pressure from many across the nation.

That attack on a strong, active --and highly publicly/visible !-- union began what has become a GOPSTER political obsession ever since.

It is frequently applied as one major tool to defy, deny, roll back and --if ever possible in a modern day demanding what unions do best: represent workers vs overwhelming corporate dollar-power-- defeat what the New Deal had begun, as a solid base and foundation for the then-developing Middle Class and its "American Dream".

Many historians believe that one major reason for the unprecedented and "surprise"-nature of the Reagan attack on the air controllers was his strong appreciation for its overwhelming public-relations value at that time.

That understanding fits perfectly with the often-accompanying thesis/theory from many historians that Reagan was, in effect, "simply playing-a-role"...surely a natural action for a noted actor, and one recent writings by his two sons seems to support in some details.

For those who know real American history, that particular era is one building nearly every advance on hard, tough, dangerous --sometimes even deadly !-- worker effort, directed to employers who found it to their own best economic interests of the time to go along and provide what the workers clearly were set --one might even say "deadly set !" here-- in winning for themselves and their families and children.

For those who lived through those times, in some contact with the working world and with those who win their existence by working with their hands, no explanation is needed here.

This current attack is the prelim bout for more-to-come, most authoritative observers will inform you on contact (which we have done already for some prior time and for solid working basis for Op Eds.)

it is the ultimate trial-run for determined, desperate politicians facing full and perhaps final collapse of their failed blocking and frustrating tactics against the now very-obvious start of what may well become a national uprising in Washington, D.C. just as historic as that one we are observing first in Cairo, Egypt --and now spreading throughout the Mideast.

This Governor Walker --for his own private reasons-- seeks to snatch away worker rights for collective bargaining; with other goodies for his friends and blows for his enemies tucked into the same bill.

He refuses even to discuss with lawmakers and worker representatives any part or parcel of compromise, including several sets-and-levels already offered to him.

For whatever motivations, he sees ONLY complete and abject surrender, stating in a conversation now well-aired nationally that this attack, coupled with similar actions elsewhere in other Republican-governor/states, is what he candidly describes as "This is OUR MOMENT!"

YOU can see-and-hear this conversation via simple search on the Internet, to provide you with an historic moment-of-your-own: Never before has it been possible to overhear what is actually being clearly stated --with all the revealing tone, timing and total emphases of speech in your ear--from a naive politician careless enough of workers' human rights under extreme examination to allow himself to be publicly.

Gov. Walker --driven by private political-gain interests-- refuses any and all compromises on costs, pay and pension-levels already offered by state workers, insisting that ONLY "complete surrender" to the tender mercies of what he and other state officials see as fair treatment without any resort to the already well-established usage of collect bargaining.

Today may well be the proof of what we see, from examination of over 80 national-level "authoritative sources" and from other materials on hand for a continuing Reagan-study.

The pay-off may well be the Governor's action in compelling his Legislature supporters to manipulate the vote held today on his projected bill, even there in his own Legislature seen as so dangerous it required more than 60 hours of debate before forcing the final vote --with parliamentary action barring some 25 Democrats in the Wisconsin House from recording their votes while their Wisconsin Senate Democratic colleagues remained securely segregated and separated by another state's boundary.

Watch this one while the national kick-back already in formation builds...and you will recognize "the streets of Cairo" in Washington, D.C. --perhaps not yet filled with angry protesters. But can that be far behind, given the ongoing interplay now occurring among these complex components within our democracy ??

Hank returned to Oregon to complete M. Ed. degree at OSU, went on to Indiana University for Ed.D. (abd) and special other course-work; was selected as first Information Director for NAVA in Washington, D.C.; helped write sections of NDEA, first Act to supply math, science, foreign language consultants to state depts. of education; joined Oregon Dept. of Education, where he served as NDEA administrator/Learning Media Consultant for ten years.

He joined Dr. Amo DeBernardis at PCC, helping establish, extend programs, facilities, Oregon/national public relations; moved to Chicago as Editor/Publisher of oldest educational-AV journal, reformed as AV GUIDE Magazine; then established and operated Learning Media Associates as general communications consultant group. Due to wife’s illness, he returned to Oregon in 1981, semi-retired, and has continued writing intermittently ever since, joining S-N in 2004. His Op Eds now total over 560 written since then.

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Kathie October 22, 2013 10:58 am (Pacific time)

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Hank Ruark March 1, 2011 11:06 am (Pacific time)

To ALL: Do NOT forget to check out Comments on basic Internet sites relaying Wisconsin situation reports. There is now NO BETTER way to "see with own eyes" in their open language precisely what it is that now is moving common folk like us...in their own words yet ! Beats ANY daily or other newspaper these days, except of course this S-N open, honest, democratic channel for dialog on the issues, often with thoughtful expression of personal feelings but also with "informed" background--the sine qua non for honest dialog here. I personally now see, read, and make notes in some dozen leading journals from both political spectrums, as well as seek out authoritative source channels on Internet --now numbering over 100 for Wisconsin situation. Yet I spend only one or two hours at computer daily, all my 93-years/meds situation will allow. To build "informed opinion" worth honest dialog one must transcend the inevitabilities of simple personal feelings based mostly on life experience...so easy to be outdated these days by the increasingly rapid flow of solid information now easily found and checked for reliability on the Internet. We should be grateful to Editor Tim and Bonnie for their great contribution via this open, honest, dialog-devoted channel...and do our best to deserve this privileged situation, by seeking information on which to build truly thoughtful opinion. "Off-top-of-head" statement here may well draw response embarrassing to perpetrator --that's one of the great strengths of dialog when conducted openly, honestly --and democratically !!

Hank Ruark February 28, 2011 8:18 pm (Pacific time)

Howard et al: You are in grievous error and distortion on most points. But this re RR has become distraction from main issue of CHOICE, for which Wisconsin was unavoidable quick-shot. Must now return to three-parter on why CHOICE is ours to make and what that entails in full responsibilities for current debacles. SO will refrain until can do roundup of recent historian, sociologist, economist, text authors et al re the facts now known on these points. Thank you for your participation and thoughtful comment, well-expressed even in deep disarray with truth, as in "passed all legislation"...

Howard February 28, 2011 6:21 pm (Pacific time)

Reagan was a giant. His yougest son, a former DJ on failed Air America radio is a well known as a very far left liberal. Nothing wrong with that, but remeber he has an older brother named Mike who takes a completely opposite view. So who is the most credible? Regarding Gallup's sample base, well as President Reagan would say: "Well, there you go again..." People of power always have their detractors, and in Reagans case, they have had no relevant adverse impact. Sometimes you just have to get over it. But in regards to any deficit that happened under his watch, he was dealing with a democratic congress that fashioned and passed all legislation. Reagans input put the country on track from a very severe downward economic trend. The world was very dangerous then and President Carter had greatly diminished our military, which Reagan built back up and no doubt this played an important role in dismantling the Soviet Union. I have read Dutch, and have read other articles and books on Reagan, he was a giant and deserves his number #1 presidential ranking. He was also in management which put him at odds with his own union background, that happens as people move into management positions, but he followed the law, and that just rankles some. Get over it.

Hank Ruark February 28, 2011 3:06 pm (Pacific time)

To all: Disclosure -- Was major caregiver for six years while wife fought and lost with Altheimer's. The experience helps me to understand how 70/yr/old President in the early stages might well fit character now being discovered, while still seeming jovial self of earlier years. RR was oldest when elected of all Presidents; he also left us largest deficit, totalling more than all his predecessors, and heavy reliance on false rules for management: Deregulation, Privatization and response to Globalization. Most economists see roots of current world economic problems in what U.S. and other nations then did via those misapplied rules. Re era, remember Carter swept from office in large part due to flaming wreck of helicopter-based hostage rescue, after long incarceration, which brought on by our attempt to force un-welcome changes in their govt.

Hank Ruark February 28, 2011 12:51 pm (Pacific time)

C. et al: Have you read Reagan biography by his chosen writer and lifelong colleague ? Seek out "DUTCH" by Edmund Morris for sweeping detail over their mutual life-span...Morris still working. "See also" Eric Alterman column in NATION (3/14/11): "Ronald Reagan Superstar" whose first pghs present historical proof RR was "pathological liar". Also check first-quote I sent from Alinsky emphasizing necessity to take the world as it is, rather than try to live by myth --which works only for the very religious.

Hank Ruark February 28, 2011 12:31 pm (Pacific time)

To all: Be not confused by distortion and resort to plain lies re "right to work" laws and their impact on state workers. Here's Dean Baker, noted professional writer on this issue, in Truthout today: (Excerpt, last pghs of his fully explanatory text.) "This is why the states with right-to-work laws have much lower rates of union representation than states without such laws. If the government rigs the deck against unions, then it will be very hard for them to survive, just as it would be hard to sell copyrighted material in a world where copyrights were altogether unenforceable. Even without right-to-work laws, any worker always has the right to not join a union. If they dislike the union enough, they have the option to work somewhere else, just as they would do if they disliked the employer enough. Of course, workers also can vote out bad union leaders or vote to get rid of the union altogether as well, options that they do not have vis-à-vis their employer. In short, right-to-work laws have nothing to do with protecting the rights of individual workers. They are about reducing the bargaining power of workers: pure and simple. This is the issue at stake in Wisconsin and across the country."

Hank Ruark February 28, 2011 9:24 am (Pacific time)

C-2: Reagan deserted union leadership as head of actor-group and was longtime spokesman for GE with The Speech, which created his role then played rest of life... It was GE affiliation --at low point in his finances and career-- that saved the stage-play then on the way...long-time propaganda/study case still under close exam by scholars, from whom late data now well on record. Your view understandable from the public perspective, long distorted and erroneous; now under correction, as in all history, as family, friends, many colleagues, and experts of all kinds of relationships get in their work inevitable over time. Gallup poll misled since highly dependent on sample, and fact is most respondents mis-and disinformed on truth of situation in RR-era. What we dissenters now doing is ONLY seeking truth, since myths now misleading far too many and demand correction for issues, problems, situations we must now face via realities. That's NOT "attack-mode" but only inevitable --and invaluable-- further study. Best comment I've found, by noted actress working with him on famous materials: "There was no 'there" there...!!" Incidentally, that view now echoed in one son's frank review of relationsh[p. This shared to preview for you direct if you so choose...much, much more in my seven-ft. bookshelf, 20 years of study intriguing character playing role to maximum impact, abetted by failed public media shirking duties due from professional contacts. Also intended as statement of fact as now personally/professionally known, in dialog intended for all...as required for this S-N channel.

Hank Ruark February 28, 2011 9:08 am (Pacific time)

"Anon": Agree with you re your last sentence. Re OR union situation, too, in part; must recognize causes and longtime consensus shaping situation, more acute at state and national level. In 30-yr. contact with OR state workers, including ten in OrDeptEd, found them fine, strong, active, honest hard working...with only natural small sprinkling of A's ---seven-ltr word.

Hank Ruark February 28, 2011 8:59 am (Pacific time)

C. et al: Historical perspective alters true appreciations on most era, events, and leaders. Appreciate your Reagan-defense and will dialog-in-depth soon on this very problem with many new insights, and including new information from both new books by his sons. Happens I "knew the man" via some coverage done then without actual face-face contact, have been intrigued into continuing folo-up ever since, will share unique perspective. You are to be commended for your own loyalty despite fact of shifting of ground on which you must stand. IF you prefer-direct, ask Editor Tim for my direct emailer...glad to dialog direct with YOU, anytime !!

Douglas Benson February 28, 2011 6:57 am (Pacific time)

I made this point before but it deserves repeating . If the goverment refuses to apply the law there is still a weapon available .This same law also has a strong history in case law as an equity suit for the same actions . There is also the use of mandamus [not sure I spelled that one right ] where criminal cases can be filed by anyone acting as the pros.

Charlene Young February 27, 2011 10:29 am (Pacific time)

Henry Ruark: "Congress passed a law forbidding strikes by government employees against the public safety!" {5 U.S.C. (Supp. III 1956) 118p.} President Reagan followed the law as required by his Oath of Office. Had he not, it could have been grounds for Impeachment. He did the right thing. August 3, 1981: The President. "This morning at 7 a.m. the union representing those who man America's air traffic control facilities called a strike. This was the culmination of 7 months of negotiations between the Federal Aviation Administration and the union. At one point in these negotiations agreement was reached and signed by both sides, granting a $40 million increase in salaries and benefits. This is twice what other government employees can expect. It was granted in recognition of the difficulties inherent in the work these people perform. Now, however, the union demands are 17 times what had been agreed to — $681 million. This would impose a tax burden on their fellow citizens which is unacceptable." http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Ronald_Reagan's_ultimatum_to_striking_air_traffic_controllers (President Reagan is listed by Gallup as the most respected president. He won 49 states, and created over 20 million jobs (real net jobs, not "bubble" jobs that followed in later years). His policies pulled us out of a spiraling economic decline that had a 10.8% unemployment rate with at one time a 22% prime rate. The minority that does not like him have failed to sway opinions on him for the last 22 years when he left office, and they will never stop trying in their "Moby-Dick" pursuit from what I've observed. Note: Reagan was a Lifetime Union Member AFL/CIO)

Anonymous001 February 27, 2011 9:48 pm (Pacific time)

As someone who has been with the State of Oregon for over a decade, there are many reforms needed with unions. The states generally have wage-rate bargaining, which is something that the federal government doesn't have. There are many other long-lived issues with unions, such as seniority, that need to be abolished. Productive, efficient effort needs to be rewarded, NOT length of service.

HanK RUARK February 27, 2011 2:17 pm (Pacific time)

D.B. et al: Wisconsin public record clearly shows Gov, Walker attempted to distort dollar crisis he helped to create for crass conservative political-dogma distortion --which should be root for criminal charges, as D.B, suggests. But do not hold your breath---we had same situation in D.C. multiplied by ten for eight years of Bush II --and nothing followed for impeachment, with maindrive perp still sounding off with further Cheneyisms... CHOICE-series Op Eds, one already up, will cover massive mis-and dis- information affecting ciizen actions, preventing "eternal vigiiance" we know demanded to protect democracy.

Douglas Benson February 27, 2011 9:07 am (Pacific time)

Thank you Gov.Walker ! You have awakened the people and we wont be silenced . I was at the capitol Sat.and portland on friday . For such a short notice and not a lot of organizing beforehand there was a great turnout . Tim mentioned the other day about the fact that deprivation of rights is a crime ,even conspiring to do so is a crime and using official position to do so is as well.Just the threat of using the national gaurd against protesters should have this nutjob in cuffs . So where are the AGs or fedral pros. ? Peace

Tim King: Roger that Douglas!

HanK RUARK February 26, 2011 7:22 pm (Pacific time)

To all: From Alternet; go "see with own eyes" and also see NATION current issue for full details of ongoing attacks already underway in many states, threatening your own way of life blessed by benefits won by union effort over decades: Wisconsin Democratic Uprising Progressives have forcefully challenged the conservative and Tea Party message in a massive showing of support for the middle class. February 26, 2011 | "Welcome Senators!" a Chicago protest sign declared, as thousands rallied in solidarity with Wisconsin workers and celebrated Democratic senators hiding out in Illinois. Thousands rallied nation-wide on Saturday, with MoveOn putting the total at over 100,000 people in Madison and 50,000 in other state capitols and major cities. Protests at state capitols were also a warning shot to governors around the country: workers will fight major cuts to social programs and attacks on unions. The protests in Wisconsin have now sparked a nation-wide movement. This is the first time progressives have forcefully challenged the conservative and Tea Party message over the past two years, rejecting the notion that deficits and government spending are the country's biggest problem.

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Constitutional Right of Association Protects Wisconsin's Workers

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