Of Unionized Labor

In the interest of full disclosure, let me state right off that I've never been in a union. Also, Ive never been a fan. I guess I think of labor strife in the 1920's with armed militias blocking striking workers from marching on their employers, all in gritty black and white photos. Grueling paces established in the factories because demand was so high. Hours and wages at the employers whim. Underage children in virtual servitude. Not a good scene. Unionized labor did well in helping establish many of the federal and state workplace regulations that protect everyone. That being said, the union has basically outlived it's usefulness. Every employee in the United States is protected by Federal Labor Laws except independent contractors, who get to do whatever they want anyway. No more twenty-two hour days with no breaks, in bad lighting, with violins playing. OK, private unions, non governmental employees. If you get the choice to join a union, have at it! Hey, if the price of whatever I'm buying is inflated due to your contracts, I'm free to shop elsewhere, or not shop at all. Put the screws to "The Man" and get what you can! I can dig it. Public unions though, really? I have seen "The Man" gettin' the screws put to him and he is me! I don't blame public employees, hell, if I'd have been directed that way when I was younger, maybe I would've had one of those sweet jobs. That's neither here nor there though. It isn't right that public unions can bargain with the people they help elect, for taxpayers money. Franklin Roosevelt, who's been quoted quite repeatedly these last few weeks, said "It is impossible to bargain collectively with the government". Government collective bargaining means the people we elect negotiate spending with unions, not us. Private unions have people negotiate on their behalf for a larger piece of the profit they help create. Public employees don't create profit, they provide services. Let go of the apron strings ladies, man up and wise up.