…sure would be a shame if something happened to it.’ The head of the Longshoreman’s Union takes undeniable delight in threatening to shut down the US economy unless we acquiesce not only to their wage demands, but also to their insistence that no new technology intrude on their God-given right to maintain their jobs into perpetuity.
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It is possible this is a ploy by the Dems to make Harris loke like the White Knight proving her ability to lead. But they better already have the Union Prez Walz in a vise. He strikes as going ‘Good Fellas’ and say FU PAY ME to everybody.
It is unconscionable that the dock workers would strike with North Carolina in such dire need of supplies. They would have earned much more public sympathy if, instead of bragging that they could bring the U.S. economy to its knees, they had said we need to strike for better pay, and our current contract has ended, but there are Americans in need right now, so we will continue to work until the emergency situation in North Carolina is resolved.
This would have been an excellent statement and would have won them many points.
And the fact that they did not do that puts to bed any idea of Kamalameleon riding to the rescue and “solving” the strike. If the union won’t do it for themselves and their own good name they sure as hell aren’t going to do it for anyone else. I don’t see any likelihood of the union and Kammy making some sort of under-the-table deal either. When you have the power to choke off the economy of the United States of America there’s no real gain in concocting shaky bargains with iffy politicians just in case they get elected. They… Read more »
This is extortion – period. Union leaders are parasites that dupe the people they steal from by scalping dues and living like Kings – may they all join Jimmy Hoffa under Giants Stadium. Unions for 19th century kids in coal mines, ok, but today? Nah, this is greed, pure & simple. Innovation will march on. What is the one CONSTANT in the Universe? CHANGE … so embrace it or be left behind. How did candle-makers and whale oil lamp makers feel about Edison lights? Skeptical? Scared? Mad? Should we have STOPPED development of the Steam Engine (which led to ICE… Read more »
remember the last longshoreman’s strike in the 1970’s? They were fighting the new containerized cargo modernization.
If I ran the world – cue the music – I’d have pre-emptively purchased an automated system to replace most of the malcontents. Have a side docking site already fitted, pull down the curtain, crank up the machine, and ask if a 25% raise would be enough for now.
I also favor the automate out of existence, but I would also note this meme which should tie in nicely to MAGA.
Another commenter made a great point on Taft’s article – if the situation becomes dire enough, could we bring in the military to take over the dock work?
DeSantis is doing exactly that.
Politically I think this is hilarious. Democrats are inflicting more avoidable deprivations on the voting public — Right before the election. It’s almost like in their greed for power they are doing everything they can to support their busted-ass brokedick ideology even if it means shooting themselves in the foot. When your adversary is destroying himself don’t do anything to hinder him. That said, I favor the “give ’em what they want then automate them out of existence” strategy. If we win this next election this should be a priority, among others, of Congress and the White House. Burn me… Read more »
Don’t underestimate that this may be a ploy for Kamala Harris to step in and “Save the day” as an October surprise–an attempt to make her look presidential and like a deal-maker.
Could be, but I haven’t seen anything coming from Kacklin’ Kammy that would indicate she’d be willing to buck the union and flush all those (perceived) union votes down the drain. Reagan is known in union circles as “Union busting Ronnie”. Harris risks the same sort of um, ‘infamy’ if she does anything but let the union have its way. Don’t underestimate the power of Communist/Socialist influence from the union heads on the Democrat Party. Busting this strike would be seen as an assault on “fellow travellers”. I don’t think Kamalameleon is willing to accept that mantle. Time will tell… Read more »
Here is what I said over on Victoria Taft’s article at PJM the other day: This should terrify everybody. Empty shelves and skyrocketing prices pretty much guarantee a Trump landslide, right? The Dems won’t go down that easily. I see two events taking place – Biden* will die in the next 2-3 weeks (which I’ve been predicting from the moment he got forced out), and Coup-Mala gets sworn in while the press blitzes us with honoring Joe’s* legacy and getting behind the new president. That won’t be enough – there will need some major black swan event to call for… Read more »
BB – are you Brother Bob over there? I am still RSAE and comment frequently there as well.
Ever do the live 5OCS with Steve and Stephen? Since I went back to the office mostly full time I have missed the past few months but used to be there fairly frequently.
Close – over there I show up as Ulta Magnus Brother Bob
This episode has me recalling a story of the genius, free market economist Milton Freedman.
Freedman was in China touring and was a at a construction site, many men were digging a ditch with shovels, and in close proximity was an excavator. Mr freedman ask “why are you not using the equipment”, and the communist said we are employing more men
Freedmen responded why don’t you give them spoons….
Man was a genius…