THE UNIONS AND THE DEMOCRATS

President Obama spent part of Labor Day speaking to organized workers. There was a lot of rhetoric with very little applause. He talked about rebuilding the middle class and talked about the fight for the 8-hour day. But what is the actual record of his policies in the past two and a half years?

"Free Trade": During the 2008 election Obama promised "Fair Trade" but continues to advocate corporate trade policies and is pushing hard for more devastating trade policies that are damaging, heartbreaking and disgusting. The Korea FTA would KILL jobs in the U.S. and increase our trade deficit. The Columbia FTA deal would KILL more trade union leaders and their allies in a country where murders and "displacements" dominate the lives of workers. The Panama FTA will KILL our ability to fight tax havens and gives new privileges to corporations.

Of course war funding continues, EFCA was dead on arrival, CEO salaries have increased, the Bush tax policies continue..What is there not to love about the Democratic Party?

Research shows (open secrets.org) how much money Democrats receive from unions. At the Federal level over $771 million since 1990. In 2008 $75 million. In 2010 $96 million and already for the 2012 election cycle $12 million.

Richard Trumka claims he wants a labor movement independent of the Democratic Party. He should start by cutting the purse strings and instead of creating a Super PAC he should create a Super Strike Fund for workers who want to fight back!!!