"Industrial unions are organized against the might and greed of ownership," writes Time's Joe Klein, a liberal who understands the crucial distinction. "Public employees unions are organized against the might and greed . . . of the public?"

Such unions are government organized as an interest group to lobby itself to do what it always wants to do anyway - grow. These unions use dues extracted from members to elect their members' employers. And governments, not disciplined by the need to make a profit, extract government employees' salaries from taxpayers. Government sits on both sides of the table in cozy "negotiations" with unions.  (George Will)

And President Obama hasn't time to talk with Cabinet mermbers but Richard Trumka is in the White House 2-3 times a week?  Makes Will's remarks so poingnant (sp).

FDR oppossed unions for public employees.  And how long do you think it will work for public employees to make better wages and benefits than those who pay the bill?  This algorithm has been tried before and fails to deliver.  Look at CA for the end game scenario of a one-party state run for the benefit of government employees and politicians.  And NY, IL.  No wonder all the fleebaggers headed for IL.   

Mr. Mondragon is incensed about the Citizens United decision, because "it makes corporations into people".

No, it recognizes that corporations have free speech rights just as unions do, and as individuals do.  Freedom of speech recognizes the marketplace of ideas needs to be free and diverse.  Discriminating against one segment or another is just that, discrimination.  Thought we were past that, but neither that nor the references to Nazi's, unreported by the "fair and balanced MSM (and SFR). 

As a small business owner, I believe a corporation is no different from a union.  Can you show me the heartbeat of a union?  Where is its brain?  It resembles a corporation more than it does a person.

Why are unions so worried about a "right to work" law?  If they truly offer benefits to workers that are enticing, anyone would want to join.  This is not about guarding "workers' rights" but assuring union monopolies.  Should an individual person have a right to work and NOT join a union?  This promotes individual freedom? 

And how about if someone objects to how the union spends their dues?  What a fine record unions have of respecting such wishes.   

PS: Thank the union rank and file from AFSCME for the lunch, and no, it wasn't free for them.  They paid for it with their dues.

This is one reason government programs never die.  There is always someone there promoting the expenditure and asking for more...and no one there from the people who pay for it asking why.  So you got a sandwich and the people who paid for it were invisible.  Of course it looks free. 

TANSTAFL, as Robert Heinlein would say.

So glad to hear only happy people join unions.  How would you explain the signs carried by "edcucators" in WI?  Not the sounds of happy people.

"To hell with them".  Interesting.  Who be "them?  Taxpayers?  They are greedy because they are tired of open-ended tax obligations and increases?  If the taxpayers go to hell, who is going to pay for this little man to strut around.   

Conservatives?  There's a little incivility for you.  I am sure some conservative must have dissed the fine man to warrant his ugly words.  We conservatives ALWAYS deserve whatever kind liberals dish out in ugly rhetoric.  Just ask any "liberal", they will tell you, or at least I have been told what I am by quite a few liberals.      

If you personally think you are undertaxed, you can make a contribution in excess of your statutory tax liability any time you want.  All you people out there who aren't "greedy", have you sent your checks in yet? 

This is where Warren Buffett and Bill Gates are buffoons when they frump around for continuation of the inheritance tax.  First, they have hidden the vast majority of their wealth in foundations which will pay no tax when they die.  They themselves don't figure government is the best place for their billions.  Second, and particularly with regard to Buffett, he has complained also about paying less tax than someone making less money...he could fix that in a second with a check to IRS...but never has.  Just as you who stand with the union workers.  If there is a deficit because the tax base is not keeping up, why don't you chip in? 

So do all you union employee boosters, when can the NM treasurer and IRS expect your contributions?

Oh, right, the problem is the greedy conservatives and corporations. 

Anybody understand how corporations pay income and other taxes/fees/etc government lays on them? 

It's in the price of the product you buy.  You, the consumer.  Or the company runs out of money and the product disappears.  Sure, raise taxes on corporations.  Polticians love you for your support on bright ideas like this, because you are taxing yourself, thinking you are getting something for free, like a lunch from AFSCME, rhyme intended. 

Your economic ignorance is being used against you.  The premise of a "free lunch" is being used to raid you wallet.  Hate those corporations!!  The more the better for some politicians, and the knife goes into your back. 

I run a small corporation and am an accountant by trade.  My corporation pays all taxes, all wages, all benefits, etc, by collecting money in the price of the products we sell.  We are just a tax collector from you. 

Like I said, pols love it when you get all het up and moral about business taxation.  They get the money and you don't know where it came from, but gripe about "inflation", not realizing what you did to yourselves.  Perfect!

Accounting sure is dull compared to art history or "Poetry by Che", but it is reality, which in fact is where we all live.  Really...or at least when it comes to money and self-support, or being on the dole.  When the money runs out, it runs out.  Hopefully you will have skills you can barter a meal for.  In the meantime, you just keep bashing corporations and taxpayers for their "greed". 

Economics is not a zero-sum game, as Obama sells it.  History shows this.  History is dull, too, though.