Unions Make Obama An Offer He Can’t Refuse
by Kyle OlsonIt’s amusing to watch President Obama try to stick it to his friends in organized labor by proposing a tax on union-negotiated health care benefits.
If it weren’t for the fact that the tax proposal would have a devastating effect on the American economy, the situation would be downright hilarious.
Richard Trumka, AFL-CIO President
On Monday, a group of top leaders from the American labor movement gathered at the White House to share their concerns with the president.
The irony of the discussion was delicious. During the campaign, Obama and the Democratic Party (including the unions) attacked John McCain for suggesting that health care benefits should be taxed as income.
Strangely, that’s what Obama is now proposing (above a certain level) and union bosses aren’t happy because it would impact the lush benefits they’ve successfully secured through bare-knuckle negotiations.
Interestingly, Rich Trumka, former coal miner and now president of the AFL-CIO, suggested that the president could be unwittingly arranging a replay of the 1994 mid-term election, when labor voters stayed home in droves and the Democrats lost control of Congress. From the Associated Press:
“A bad bill could have that kind of effect, where people sit at home,” Trumka told reporters. “Politicians who think that working people have it too good – too much health care, too much Social Security and Medicare, too much power on the job – are inviting a repeat of 1994. Our country cannot afford such a repeat.”
Harold A. Shaitberger, president of the firefighters’ union, made “similarly threatening remarks,” in the words of the AP.
“The president’s support for the excise tax is a huge disappointment and cannot be ignored,” Shaitberger said. “If President Obama continues to support it and signs a bill that include the excise tax on workers, we will hold him accountable.”
The Wall Street Journal listed the attendees of the White House meeting:
- AFL-CIO’s Trumka
- Anna Burger of Change to Win [and SEIU vice president]
- Dennis Van Roekel of the National Education Association
- Leo Gerard of United Steelworkers
- Joe Hansen of the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union
- Ed Hill of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
- Jim Hoffa of the Teamsters
- Randi Weingarten of the American Federation of Teachers
- Andy Stern of the Service Employees International Union
- Terry O’Sullivan of the Laborers’ International Union of North America
- Gerry McEntee of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees
- Larry Cohen of the Communications Workers of America
The people on that list wield a great deal of political power, and Obama is clearly angering them at his own peril.
It’s shocking, but not unprecedented, for organized labor to threaten to withhold political support from a sitting Democratic president. But its temper tantrum will likely produce the desired result - dropping the tax proposal.
If not, the unions may just poke a few more holes in the already sinking Democratic ship. At least Trumka, Stern, Weingarten and Van Roekel can enjoy their martinis and fine cigars during the slow, painful ride to the bottom.
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68 Comments
Is it just me or does Trumka look the part….Thug… wonder where the DUMS will go to get the money now?
Boy, this guy deffinately looks like fat cat thug doesn't he?
Wonderful theatre.
Watch them, as they eat their own…………
Dear Leader is pissing off his friends.
First the Amish (because of Religon) and now UNIONS who will more that likely be exempt for the 40% tax….
Pays to be in a union… did you know that 50+% ofg Unions workers are now government employees??? WTF?
Let them cave to the union thugs. 12% of the US is unionized. Who is going to get really pissed if the union thugs get their way? The other 88%. Barry O and his democrat congress is already in the toilet – let them piss off the people some more.
He's kinds got that "Rod Blago hair thing" going on as well….
It's a scam
this is just the begining of health care damage and socialist moves.
Senator Bill Nelson doesn't believe he has to read and understand every bill he votes for.
Senator Bill Nelson believes it is RIGHT to hide bad laws in good unrelated bills so he can spend our money on pork projects to help his re-election. He likes spending taxpayer money.
Senator Bill Nelson believes he can pass any law he desires without constitutional authorization.
Senator Bill Nelson is a bad senator and should be voted out of office.
http://www.downsizedc.org/
“Politicians who think that working people have it too good – too much health care, too much Social Security and Medicare, too much power on the job – are inviting a repeat of 1994. Our country cannot afford such a repeat.”
Funny how union leaders think that the only people who work are their union-member vassals.
Rich Trumka is also bad a math…our country cannot afford (literally) anything but a repeat of 1994.
"At least Trumka, Stern, Weingarten and Van Roekel can enjoy their martinis and fine cigars during the slow, painful ride to the bottom."
What does Anna Burger smoke?
Big Union. We turned the hour glass over on you this New Year. Think DINOSAURS. God willing.
Obama thinking to himself…."Hey this President thing is harder than I thought….everyone always agreed with me in the past…..what are they doing wrong…..I'm still the great annointed one…..everybody is picking on me…..hey Rahm, make them all shut up!"
Isn't it obvious to everyone that there is no honor among thieves? The only question with this administration and congress is who will they stab in the back first, and who will get theirs later.
If the left continues to run on the moniker of "hope and change," I think the only reasonable response would be to run on platform of Truth and Honor. The time it would take the leftists to figure out the meaning of those words would be more than enough to bring about their defeat.
That's the problem Ton Loc, they're eating governments alive and holding the taxpayer hostage to collective bargaining, it's a damn crime.
isn't it amusing that only Big Labor has the ear of Pelosi, Reid and Obama? Polls clearly show us common folk don't want this trash heap of a bill and yet, they turn a deaf ear to us. Guess it shows where their allegeince lies.
This is about so much more than the 40% tax on these plans, it's about who will have control over the plans and the money they generate, also if the unions lose control they become less attactive when trying to organize new members. These plans are one of the cornerstones of unions the other being pensions.
This is soooo tragic to watch the breakup of such a beautiful couple.
The times they've spent together, breaking laws and jaws. While corporate America paid their wages as they sat in phone banks, eating pizza and slugging down Pepsis, the in kind contributions amounted to a massive pound of flesh.
When love turns ugly, the tears burn the pavement . But wait those are tears of joy from the rest of us as we watch this scorpion lovefest. Someone will go out on a gurney, it'll be the healthcare bill. Dese boys don't leave a fight until someone is laying on the floor.
We all know about the 'Chicago Way' yet ppl voted for for these types of individuals and put them into key positions, whats that about? Your surprised that your seeing thugs and crooks out in the open now that you elected them!? Its like buying something thats cheaper, a knockoff… you get what you paid for folks. Why not start real investigations into all of the above, are there any "Jim Garrisons" left in this country who have set?
You keep doing the same things over and over again when it comes to dealing with all of this expecting a different outcome!?!? Thats insane!
Your playing their game… STOP and play your game through Saving the Republic
SCREW THE UNIONS.
As a small business owner, I NEVER EVER give ANY business to a union or a union member.
http://noliberalspin.blogtownhall.com/
The Anti Liberal Zone
Obummer's going to find a horse head in his golf cart, LOL
http://reaganiterepublicanresistance.blogspot.com...
Welcome back ! Where u been?
True .. my God …. Look at GM Mr. president!!!! Look and learn sir…
What I don't understand is WHY is HE talking to them in the first place? Who are they to him? I mean I know the answer but why doesn't the MSM ask this question? I mean really … are they more important than me.. the rest of America? What makes them special Mr. President? Why can't this be asked to Robert Gibbs?
He is the President of ALL Americans I thought ….When are the doves going to start flying .. been looking ….
Oh hell, they were all in the oval office having a yuk at America’s expense. It was all for show, you’d better believe these weasels will figure a way to get it done, the screwing of America must continue apace!
Follow the money.
What makes them special is the DEMs can always count on union endorsements and campaign contributions. It doesn't matter if the REP has better ideas, a better character, and a spotless reputations, unions will still support someone like these:
Barney (I didn't know the pot was growing in my yard) Frank,
Chris (it was an honest home loan) Dodd,
and Charlie (taxes? Who knew?) Rangel.
Well, I guess Union Bosses still have the right to be heard, even if the Dems have eliminated the rights of the regular citizen in the process, with of course, the help of the media to keep outrage tamped down.
i think we should start a pact that we will al become Amish in the next couple of months if they pass this debacle…
they couldn't possible say we weren't Amish, right? i mean, that would be like saying Hassan wasn't a muslim…
and if we are all Amish then we do not need this health control mandate!!!! plus, seriously.. .i don't watch that much tv!
I am brettrix and i approve this comment….
It's great to watch the DEMS destroy themselves!!!!
What goes around, comes around!
"our country cannot afford (literally) anything *but* a repeat of 1994"
exactly my thoughts. hopefully this will be a reality.
how come i can only give this one thumbs up?
I wish the Republican Party would listen to this sort of reasoning. :-/
Again .. I do understand but if the question was asked to Robert Gibbs "Why are UNIONS getting to talk to the President" he would have to answer somehow….
Going Amish. How about no teeveee? We already don't watch teevee. Might accidentally click on Maddow or tingles.
I don't mind living outside the grid and no electric or gas. Beard? No problem. I guess I could wear a black hat. Would it be worth saving 17,000 a year insurance premium?
You Betcha.
Well, if we all become Amish, it'll certainly solve the climate change problem, but I doubt that the Amish would like most of Obama's (or the Dem's) other programs. I don't think they're big separation of Church and State folks, probably not pro-abortion, or same-sex marriage! Instead of bail-outs and loans, it'll be "Go build your own darn barn!"
the two headed snake will kill itself
If this piece of crap passes then we the people should start a national movement to refuse to take part in it. I'm not smart enough to know how to do it but surely there is a group out there that would know how to organize and carry about a plan to revolt. Our only chance of success is in large numbers and determination to not give in at the individual level under pressure. This is the most egregious takeover of our rights in my life time. To think that after Iwo Jima and the Bulge these people can do what the Nazi's and Japs could not do and they didn't even have to fire a shot!
Democrat union thugs: haitian
Tonton Macoutes?
Union unrest? Uh-oh…Barry could be the first one to find "Jimmy"…….but then: No one will ever know.
… well, duh. What, are the Union's that stupid. Didn't they realize that everything Obama said to EVERYBODY during the election was total BS? He doesn't play favorites, he's from Chicago – where they scr*w everyone.
We will all have the Amish experience of simple living once the Marxist policies that Obama has established take effect.
You see commercial real estate imploding as unemployment continues to fester. More and more of the unemployed have used up their benefits and are falling off the chart, giving a false read on the percentages. While the official number is hovering around 10%, millions more are no longer counted.
We are becoming more Amish like every day and will continue to decline as long as we allow Pelosi, Reid, Obama and their ilk to hold power and make policy.
The only solution short of a violent revolt, is to force them out of power with your vote. Too bad Obama has 3 more years to wreak havoc upon us.
By then, it might be too late to save the Republic.
Perhaps that revolt is looking more attractive every day.
Dig in, store food, water and survival supplies. You might need them sooner than later.
THIS IS HOW WE UNIONIZE THE WORLD'S WORKERS!
yes, they do fit a certain profile
maybe i will have to become a muslim amish person… that would be a minority religion for sure and i would be super protected by dear leader!!!
Union's mission is admirable, create fair working conditions, at a fair wage for the everyday worker. They are supposed to stand between the little guy, and the "evil corporations" so the little guy gets what's fair. Problem is , like any assembly of people with power, be it money or political, there is corruption. U.A.W is a prime example, they had numerous chances to vote and lower their wages and benefit packages to help the "evil corporations". Instead they voted their selves raises every time, and the auto companies were only able to sustain this for so long. Now look at them Gov. Motors, most are built in Mexico, where there is no U.A.W. I heard some one say, a democratic society is only sustainable until the people realize they can vote themselves financial restitution. Does any entitlement programs ring a bell when you read this. That is the ultimate demise of unions.
I'm glad the thieves are fighting with each other now. But unfortuneately, the real reform that we need isn't being worked out honestly. They all know that each other is a liar and very devious….and really may "rat out" or threaten to "rat out". They're all lower than a snake's shadow. One grenade could get them all.
BHO+POTUS+NBC=UNKNOWN???So why don’t the MSM bosses allow the "talking-heads" to even bring up "NATURAL BORN CITIZEN"???Do they have a vested interest in Obama not being removed from office because of an eligibility question? Canadian Free Press take:
“Absolutely. And much more than that. They are international corporations in every instance. They have international boards in every instance. They have international interests, in every instance. And they are not a free press the way Jefferson spoke about a free press 200 and some odd years ago.” In “Are Americans Too Stupid to Run Their Own Country?”, an article that appeared in Canada Free Press, Williams wrote that only a handful of corporations control the flow of information in America:
General Electric – NBC, CNBC, MSNBC, Universal Pictures, Universal TV, Telemundo Communications Group, Vivendi Universal, Sony and Liberty Media.
Time Warner – CNN, HBO, Headline News, TBS, TNT, Court TV, WB, Tribune Co., AOL, Time, Fortune, Money, People, Parenting, American Family Publishers, and much more.
Viacom – CBS, UPN, MTV, BET, VH-1, CMT, Nickelodeon, Showtime, Spike, Comedy Central, Paramount Pictures, Infinity radio broadcasting and American Radio Systems, Simon & Schuster.
Disney – ABC, ABC News, History Channel, A&E, Lifetime, Fox Family Networks, Disney, Touchtone, Hollywood, Miramax, Fairchild Publications and Chilton Publications.
News Corp. – Fox, Fox News, TCF Holdings, Twentieth Century Fox, Triangle Publications, Harper Collins.
Just four newspaper organizations control the print media: Gannett, Knight Ridder, New York Times Co., and Tribune Co.
Even fewer in radio: Clear Channel, Infinity, and Cumulus.
“These companies represent the vast majority of American print, TV, radio and movie media and they are all owned or controlled by one or more of the five corporations above. Even worse is the fact that all others re-print or regurgitate their so-called “independent” reporting from these industry powerhouses.”
Do the five media giants in control of public information flow, have a common agenda? Williams answers with questions of his own.
“Who tells the American people that “illegal aliens” are “undocumented immigrants”? Who covers our headlines with anti-American, pro-global / pro-United Nations drivel? Who tells us that our soldiers are “terrorists”, or that terrorists are “freedom fighters” or so-called “insurgents”? Who sells abortion as a “right of privacy”, free religious speech as a violation of the First Amendment and federal dependency on the whole? Does Hollywood have a clear agenda? Yes and so do the companies that own Hollywood.”
Follow the money.
“Four of the five corporations and all of their sub-corporations are heavily invested in one (1) political party. Any guesses which one? Only one of the media giants invests almost equally in both parties, slanted slightly to the right, and any American can guess which one that is. (All according to the FEC)”
Why won’t Congress investigate the eligibility question?
“Number two, and probably at the end of the day a larger factor is the fact that if it’s true — and it is — that he is Constitutionally ineligible for the office he currently holds, then it is also true that the vice president is ineligible because he’s part of that fraud.
“It is also true that the Speaker of the House is ineligible because she’s a part of that fraud. It is also true that Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State is ineligible because she’s also a part of that fraud. And that list is so long that nobody, including me, could tell you how to unravel that and how to take that fraud apart and put the country back together before the country collapses.
“Unfortunately it’s not just the Left — the extreme Left that is damaging to this country at the moment. There are people on the Right that are equally damaging.”
Leaving one to conclude that there are more powerful forces in play than just the suspected usurper in the White House who have everything to gain by making sure the eligibility issue is never broached, much less investigated.
“The truth is, it doesn’t matter where he was born. It matters that his father was never an American citizen. …And as long as people are chasing around a birth certificate, you cannot get around to talking about what we need to talk about in that regard.” NATURAL BORN CITIZEN. Where do you stand?
Petition to the Hawaii Government to release Obama’s Vital Records. FULL TEXT OF PETITION:
http://www.thepostemail.com/2009/12/26/petition/
Thank you.
Been walk-about……….
I see the circus continues.
Have you ever bought an automobile made in America………………..?
Glad you brought up eleigility question and who's next in line…As I thought that if Mr Obama was removed Reid would take over and so on…Being that Pelosi, Reid and Puffy cheeks were involved….they would be removed, too. We could get 4 birds with one stone, instead of the usual three. I don't have a clue would take over those empty positions….
Wow, Obama is ticking off the democrats money machine, the unions.
yeah………….you know how they work in Chicago…….pay to play…..and if you want the unions to play, you have to pay……Obama has to kneel down or bow like he did in Saudi Arabia and Japan…..then we can all hear that sucking sound, while he repays these union bosses for their financial support in the 2008 election. But hey….remember one thing…..this union boss never had a real job…..he never created anything, as far as I know he doesn't own a patent, never invented anything…..never had to go to a bank and get a business loan……he is just another Xuckup that thinks he's a big shot…..the only thing close he has done close to resembeling a big shot…. are the cum stains on his mother's bed…………
)))
It is simple, he will exempt unions and those he owes payback too, but then screw everyone else with the tax.
Being President is Hard!
(S.G.)
Empty threats by the unions. The crooks in the white house and big labor have too much in common and too much at stake. they both want to continue screwing the american people.
Don't get your hopes that TRUMKA will go against the demo. party. HE is blowing smoke, just like he did wken he was president of THE UNITED MINE WORKERS. I was there and if you did't agree with him, he sent the thugs to talk to you. HE tore the UMWA down to nothing. He will get his card check bill passed, by any means.
HE will kissup to this corrupt adm. to get what he wants. When we would have a convention, he would spend our money, like it was water. Don't be fooled by this phoney. HE is a crooked union leader, like the rest of the union leaders, and he is in bed with this crooked adm.
In my previous post, I forget the union workers are good–good people. Don't judge them with the union bosses.
and you don't think that muslim women will be exempt from going through body scanners ??? Total violation of thier religous rights !!!!! Wait and see
I love it when thieves fall out.
Apparently, the fix was in when union bosses' met in a closed door meeting at the White House on Monday and had a follow-up meeting House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Tuesday. Unions bosses were reportedly able to get an exemption for collectively-bargained health care plans from the so-called "cadillac tax."
http://laborunionreport.blogspot.com/2010/01/cadi...
All people are equal in Obamaland. It'a just that some are more equal than others.
Your ideology is showing. Do you people think it's a coincidence that the most prosperous times in our history have been times when unions were strong (when the American worker had real purchasing power)? Do you think it's a fluke that the decline in wages and the disappearance of the middle-class has coincided with the decline of the labor movement? Whatever their flaws, unions give workers/consumers more power. Unions are a check on corporate authority, which is exactly what we need right now.
Anyone have a good recipe for horse?
Not to mention the vote machine. You know….the Vote early, Vote often folks.
I suspect that even if they exempt the union "cadillac" health plans to keep the thugs like Trumka happy, the constitutional lawsuits will throw this entire bill into the trashcan of history. And the 88% of the American people who are not union members will finally see the utter contempt with which they are held by Obama and the Chicago mob he is surrounded by.
DONT WORRY THE UNION, THEY WILL GET THERE WAY, WE WONT FIND OUT TILL LATER, THERE ARE 2 AMERICAS UNIONS AND THE REST,,,PRO OBAMA YOU GET SPECIAL FAVORS, ANTI- OBAMA PUNISHMENT AND TAXES. AND HE PREACHED EQUALITY, SOCIAL JUSTICE, FAIRNESS HA
I just saw earlier today watching my variety of news networks, don't want to be called upon for only getting my info from "one" source. But that the unions now support Nobama's tax on high end insurance plans. Well sure they do… Only because they've been granted exemptions from those same taxes for the first five years over that of non-union works.
And in five years, assuming this thing passes at all, does anyone really expect the unions not to demand a further if not forever exemption? Like I've said, once the left and their ilk get their foot in the door it's over.
KB
Using the Haitian Earthquake as diversion, Big Fed. and Big Union thugs hit the medicare generation with the Death Care Earthquake. While behind closed doors, they plan to crush protest, delay help, and force feed us a euthanasia pill to silence us permanently .
I'm not going down without making lots of noise defending my life and liberty and way of life………
This is simply a declaration of class warfare from the Federal Government aimed at non-union Americans. To tax the Cadillac plans of non-union companies and to exempt Cadillac plans of union companies is discrimination of the purest form.
Is this surprise that President Obama caved and did this? Not at all.
This is also a great example of how this "historic" health care reform bill has nothing to do with the state of American health care. It is simply a tactic of redistribution of wealth.
spwagner
http://sanityintheasylum.blogspot.com/