Restoring the Promise of the American Dream
The promise of America is that if you work hard, you will be rewarded. You will be able to provide for your family, own a decent home, afford quality health care, and enjoy a secure retirement. It is that promise that built a thriving middle class. It is the American Dream, and it has inspired generations of women and men who helped make this country great.
Today we are living through a period of profound economic change. We have new ways of communicating, new methods of production, new means of generating wealth, new global competition. And while many of the ways we used to do business have changed, the American Dream has not.
Today, in 2007, that dream is at risk. We stand at a moment of unprecedented economic opportunity, but that opportunity is not being extended to all. Tens of millions of Americans are working harder than ever just to stay afloat. The latest Census Bureau report shows that wages are dropping and more people lack health insurance.
On the other hand, a handful of incredibly wealthy people are prospering beyond all comprehension. Private equity CEOs are making on average more than $650 million -- or more than 22,000 times what the average American worker brings in. Put another way, it takes the average American worker one full year to make what a wealthy buyout CEO makes in only ten minutes.
The buyout industry and the big banks are cutting the heart out of the American economy. Global buyout corporation the Carlyle Group is taking over one of the nation's largest nursing home chains, ManorCare. As part of the deal, ManorCare's CEO Paul Ormond will personally profit up to $186 million dollars, money that could have gone to hire more nursing home aides to care for our loved ones. Even worse, ManorCare will pay no corporate taxes while it is owned by Carlyle. The lost federal, state and local tax revenues over the next five years? More than $600 million. There's a credit crunch on, and massive lenders like Bank of America are using their size and market dominance to run up fees and credit card rates, deny loans to working families and minority communities, and lay off workers.
This Labor Day, a greater percentage of the economy is going to profits than to wages, and a majority of parents believe their children will be worse off economically. Tens of millions of people in the U.S. are working harder than ever before, but they're still falling behind.
We are at a crucial moment, a moment that makes us ask what kind of country we want to be.
The answer to that question must include more workers uniting in unions -- the labor movement. Unions have always been the best anti-poverty, best pro-health care, best pro-family program around. Unions have done more to help working people experience economic success than any other program.
This week, a new report by the Center for Economic and Policy Research and Inclusion showed that workers in the lowest-paying jobs make about 16 percent more when they are members of a union, and they are 25 percent more likely to have health insurance or a pension plan.
Now, more than ever, as new technologies and new ways of thinking about efficiency have reduced workers to a line item on a balance sheet, unions are not only relevant -- we are indispensable.
As the economic landscape has shifted, the labor movement has needed to adapt to these new realities. I am proud to report that the 1.9 million workers united in SEIU stand at the forefront of the evolving labor movement. In recent years we have pioneered new models of organizing, like uniting workers in nontraditional employment situations. Since 1999, 400,000 home care workers have changed state laws throughout the country to give them the freedom to unite in a union.
We have established new relationships with employers who are willing to reward work, while continuing to hold accountable those who are not. We are acting on new ways to secure health care and retirement security that reflect rather than deny the new economic reality.
The bottom line is this: the American economy is not a zero-sum game. There is no good moral or economic reason why all workers cannot or should not share in the success and prosperity they helped create. We need to restore the promise of the American Dream. And that means choosing what kind of country we want to be.
-Andy Stern, President, Service Employees International Union
Also from SEIU this Labor Day, check out Cincinnati janitor Craig Jones' "Just Work" blog about turning minimum wages into livable wages.
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About SEIU: The 1.9 million-member SEIU is the fastest-growing union in North America. SEIU members are winning better wages, health care, and more secure jobs for our communities, while uniting their strength with their counterparts around the world to help ensure that workers, not just corporations and CEOs, benefit from today's global economy.
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This theme of the average American Joe working longer mindless hours to consume more of an unsatisfying life was touched upon by two recent documentaries. The first was Sicko - showing old workers giving up the dream of retirement and continuing life's toils in low paying jobs to pay for the painkillers and medications they need to get by another day. The environmental plea - The 11th Hour - showed dissatisfied workers/consumers working more to buy more stuff to fill the void. The goal of the average American is to be the best consumer you can be - that is the American dream - to try to consume your way out of despair. Good luck with that.
The CEO's will never give up there $$$$$$$$$. So, the way to deal with it is to bring back the income tax on excessive salaries. Before Kennedy, anyone who made over about $3 million (in todays dollars) was taxed at 90% (you read it correctly ninety per cent). Kennedy changed it to 70%. Under saint ronald (and not Ronald Mc Donald). The 70% was removed and all income was taxed at the same rate (about 35%). If that tax were to be reenacted, I am sure you will see excess CEO pay drop. You will also have money to pay for the war, fix the infrastructure and provide health care for all Americans.
This is the the high cost of a low price policy. I worked abroad for a non-US multinational. The attraction we, the USA has is as a market. We are the biggest consumers in the world.And yet we don't use that clout. Why, because our companies are not good corporate citizens. They owe allegiance to no one. These companies want us to buy their goods and they seduce us with their lower prices attanable only through to exploitation of cheap foreign labor. With the falling dollar they will soon run out of this toxic highball. Unions are important as a counterweight. I'm too long in the tooth to take this on , but there should be a new concept of a union. Not to take the place of all of the existing unions. But it should be a mirror image of the US Chamber of Commerce. In other words any person who is not a member of a union would be eligible to join and we would be a a voice for the larger union type issues and as a counterweight to big business.
Instead of blaming unions...w
Many years ago unions were for manufacturing which virtually doesn't exist now in the US. Then a few retail unions mostly grocery stores became stronger, then faded as the big chains forbid employees from unions. A long time ago unions were powerful lobby groups that bought the favors of influential politicians and the labor bosses got more corrupt. So, I guess my big question is how will unions make my retail life better and not make politicians and labor bosses what they were years ago?
And nothing will change and things will only get worse so long as establishment candidates (republicrat and democan New World Order candidates, i.e. all the pres candidates but Ron Paul) are continually voted into office. Weren't the Democans supposed to save us from the Bush regime?? And what have they done? They have caved in to the demands of those really in charge, the Bankster/New World Order/Illuminati, whatever you want to call them, Ruling Class who are running things for themselves and OWN BOTH PARTIES. Stop listening to promises and look at your candidate's record. If they don't have one- worry! And if they attend Council on Foreign Relations, Bilderberg or Trilateral meetings, or weekend in Bohemian Grove, kiss them off! Or enjoy more of the kick in the ass you are getting now!
Thanx for the post. IMHO this is the biggest problem facing our great country. Do we want Corporatism, which is unfettered capitalism, or democracy? Corporations have been working for years, through the media and buying politicians and legislation to change people's perceptions as well as the rules of the game. Its worked. Middle class, middle manager types expound about how unions are evil, free markets are great, and anyone who disagrees is a "socialist". Blue collar NASCAR Dads voting for politicians who back policies directly opposed their financial well-being. Ignoring corporate welfare, corporate-backed judicial decisions, corporate philosophy foreign policy (paid for with the public's tax dollars), exploitation of cheap foreign labor, and the fact that slowly we've gotten to a point where 60 hour weeks are the norm again, like the 30's. We just have a better level to barely keep your head above. How about doing things that ensure a largely egalitarian society? Nope, the elitists won't have it.
Mr. Stern, what you've done is more than commendable. If most Americans thought like you it would be a far better country. However, I just don't think that Americans, as a whole, have the guts and foresight to do what is necessary to bring the banking, economic order, and all other financial systems back into balance and into some kind of service for our posterity. It would take a revolutionary populist politics and civic life, the return to a progressive tax system, the closing of our borders, the recreation of guilds-men
When union members are willing to go on strike for what they want, a union will be strong.
Another thing a union can do for you is to teach Federal and State labor laws to the membership and make sure the laws are enforced. Once an employer has been fined for violating the law, the workplace conditions will improve.
Union members must be willing to strike and go to court.
Hmmm. Apparently this failed to pass the moderator's inspection earlier this morning.
Mr. Stern claims he wants workers to have the “freedom to unite in a union.” What he really wants are more members, which means more power. Why else would he advocate ending secret ballot elections for employees deciding to join a union?
In 2005, criminal charges and fines against union officials hit five-year highs. The Office of Labor Management Standards obtained convictions against 775 corrupt union leaders and court-ordered restitution to union members of $70 million in illegal dues payments over the last six years.
From UnionFacts
"Of the AFL-CIO's $82 million in discretionary disbursements from July 2004 to June 2005, only 36 percent went to representing members in labor negotiations…which is what unions were created to do! A whopping $49 million, or 60 percent of its budget went to political activities and lobbying, while another $2.4 million went to contributions, gifts and grants."
Mr. Stern’s own union, the SEIU, was recently busted by the federal government for bad organizing practices.
I found it telling that your website doesn't reveal much of anything on its "About Us" page. I did a little digging and to no surprise at all, the Center for Union Facts is a major anti-union website. it would be like posting something from the AFL-CIO and saying that it is neutral.
Here's some info on your site. Your site is not neutral, not that you claimed it was, but if you want to find out more about it, here it is.
http://www
The group won't reveal the names of the companies and donors who fund it.
http://www
http://www
Am I attacking the source? yeah, I am. Check the facts on unionfacts. Berman has been behind some highly questionable campaigns on behalf of big business.
Are all unions and their leaders to be held as shining examples of chivalry and...othe
Apparently you think there is some kind of conspiracy to keep your 'truth' from the people. Hmmm
I am a Union Member and unions have been under attack for a long time. Unions are the most effective tool available to workers negotiating with management. PERIOD!
The 'lobby system' in general is corrupt but evidently you are more concerned with the corruption on labor's side which I take with a grain of salt because of the source. The conservative corporate lapdogs are very good at 'witch hunts'.
The numbers you quote are peanuts compared with whats going on on the corporate side and you don't have a problem with that? The answer is simple, get rid of lobbyists altogether and prosecute the corruption ON BOTH SIDES.
UNIONS and GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS CREATED THE AMERICAN MIDDLE CLASS! All the propaganda and corporate revisionism in the world can't change that fact!
Sinclair Lewis' quote about facism coming to America wrapped in the flag and carrying a bible, seems to be upon us and it feeds on the ignorance.
Stern said, "We are acting on new ways to secure health care and retirement security that reflect rather than deny the new economic reality."
Millions of workers have been screwed on their pensions somewhere between Wall Street and Main Street. Yep ... this is a 'new way' on the road to retirement security.
Most Presidential candidates are talking health insurance-creep and tax incentives. Nothing new about this failed formula either.
When execs of companies face criminal exposure for failing to fund workers' pensions and the nation accepts healthcare as a human right to be implemented in a no-nonsense universal single-payer context, Mr. Stern's words will ring true.
I agree with you Andy 100%. I'm so grateful for the Mexicans work force coming into our country because these are strong people who have a history of standing up and fighting for what is right. It's time for the working class in America to take back a fair share of the pie. Unity is strength!
Yours in Solidarity,
Liz
Most of the decent things in life we currently take for granted, were not readily given to us, but were fought for by our predecessors, often at great personal cost to themselves. The rich and powerful ALWAYS resisted, and only by joining together in unions have they been restrained. If you doubt it - just find out what the household name companies did to the workers in Apartheit South Africa - where unions were banned. You'll find that these 'lovely, honorable' companes paid their workers below what even the Apartheit regime considered as starvation wages - and way below what the UN thought was a wage on which a family could survive.
Remove the unions and you'll have what your meat processing compaies already have - low wages, appalling working conditions and a scandalous neglect of workers injured by their barbarous regimes.
John Lennon
Working Class Hero
http://www
Some dreams are nice.
Some promises are sweet.
But not all dreams come true,
and promises aare made to be broken.
Welcome to Neoamerica.
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