Labor Chief to Democratic Opponents of a Public Option: ‘Do So at Your Peril’

Wow!!
How one sided can a story be? Is ABC reporting the news or just giving all the talking points for Obama? How is it that the question was never asked “who was organizing against you”? There was no big communist labor union that the Republican party had! They were little old ladies, housewives and the working class who had to take the day off to go and point out that the government does very, very little that is efficient and good. No one likes red tape and in the end all this democratic crap is just red tape on your health.
But it is OK for the Democrats to have Labor Unions have a “grass roots” reaction, when they are all paid labor union people that no american wants to deal with on a daily basis.

With all the conjecture that exist, how can anyone say, “We’re not going to let up?” It’s against the will of the people. AND, there’s serious proof that we don’t want a public option. Some improvements, absolutely, but an all out overhaul is ridiculous, facetious, and maniacal. Who, assumed “we the people” wanted this “reform” in the first place…it wasn’t the people! Get ‘em out of here!

Funny how the rightists always talk about the power of unions and call them vile names. Unions represent working people, who have to most at stake in the healthcare reform issue. They don’t want to deal with the FACT that most of the demonstrations against current proposals, have been inspired by the healthcare insurance giants, who put millions of dollars into the battle to protect their huge income producer and their cushy jobs (yes,the head of United Healthcare is oaid $750.000 a minute–yes, a minute, not an hour, a dayt or a week, but a minute, paid out of the policy holders exhorbitant charges.

The Labor unions that pretty much have free health care for life are threatening Democrats? Whay would they want inferior government run health care? 1) to expand their membership base wiht health care workers, 2) now they can line the members pockets by not having to waste time and money negotiating for health care. Further, who are they going to support if the Democratic party doesn’t “tow the line”? Maybe they’ll start their own party? This is a crazy card to play… Glad to hear the Labor Unions don’t play poker cause if I was a democrat with any spine, I’d call the bluff and slap them silly at the same time.

it has actually been quite nice with obama out on vacation. he has been trying to brainwash his face on us just like dictators brand their pictures throughout their country. lets give obama a permanent vacation. can we say IMPEACH?

Wow, all the more reason to oppose reform now! The AFL CIO does not watn their platinum and gold plated plans taxed and have unequal tax treatment of insurance for small businesses and domestic partners. Some of these same gold plated plants have landed the Detroit 3 auto makers into bankruptcy and governmetn ownership.
The Unions have such a great track record of making US industry globally competive. We need to follow their advice to drive the rest of our jobs overseas. Furthermore, they are shareholders and parnters with teh Obama adminstration in Government Motors.
The blue dog democrats and moderates know that if they support more government they will be booted out of office in 2010 and the Democratic Leadershhip knows it.

The AFL-CIO doesn’t understand that the majority of the country who oppose public options and health care reform ARE WORKING PEOPLE, who understand that the people who are going to have to pay for this fiasco with higher taxes ARE WORKING PEOPLE. I dare say that most Democrats in Congress who oppose the health care reforms as currently being presented will probably be a lot safer come election time than those that don’t.

Why the hell should the ubion thugs care if public option gets foisted onto the rest of us. They won’t have to have the public option. They’ll get to keep their golden policy. Hard- working Americans WILL NOT be squashed or intimidated by these union thugs!!!!!

The AFL-CIO is after some high cost entitlement and wants the rest of us to pay for it. The AFl-CIO has wrecked every industry it controls in America and made sure the jobs went overseas. Unions have ruined the ship building, railroads, airlines, appliance manufacturing, maritime, and electronics manufacturing. Clothes are all made overseas. This is the result of listening to the AFl-CIO leaders over the years

brian, this is the result of our government not taxing imported goods these greedy companies have made over seas. The greed is what is killing our country. Without the unions, no one but the super wealthy would have any benefits at all. Big business is ruining America. Without unions, we would all make $4 an hour and be able to pay for nothing. Before greed was allowed to run amock, people could sustain a middle class living with one job. It is corporate greed killing our nation. STAY THE COURSE!!!

You go Bob!!!

Good for you AFL-CIO and Amen, if you democrats in name only BlueDogs will live as a republican, than die as a republican.

What are the thugs of labor going to do now? Break our legs, send their fat guys to our homes and hold us hostage until we agree. Get over yourselves the days of big unions are OVER. You are digging yourselves a bigger hole than you are already in. You are just a bunch of bullies that helped get the king elected but it looks like the tide is turning so go back to Detroit and live with the rest of the gangs. You thugs have the best health care in the country and you are trying to tell me what’s good for me and my family. Guess what “we the people” still have our second ammendment rights. Perhaps you should try your scare tactics on the unarmed left wingers!!

Another union thug speaks and the democrats wet their pants. When will these organized thugs ever evolve into normal citizens and leave their organized crime behaviors behind? Unions are responsible for all of the good manufacturing jobs moving overseas.

bo: You say hard-working Americans will not be squashed by union thugs, but we will be squashed by rising health care costs and a lack of primary care physicians if something significant isn’t done. A public option seems to be the only solution that has a chance of saving our crumbling system.

7% of America belongs to a union if I remember right.
I guess for some Democrats that would defeat them if they are pretty weak.

Carol- How is it a failed policy? You haven’t even tried public health insurance. The for-profit care is a proven failed policy yet public health insurance is effective in most of the civilized world.

No I haven’t and I don’t intend to. I work and I pay for my insurance. I drive an older car, and still have an analog T.V. BUT, I am responsible for me and my family. I haven’t had a decent vacation in years, BUT I pay for my insurance and everyone else should do the same instead of asking the government to pay for everything for me. It’s called RESPONSIBILTY NOT A HAND OUT. I agree we could use reform, but dang, this administration is out of control in their spending that we don’t have. You don’t buy what you want, you don’t buy what you need. YOU BUY WHAT YOU CAN AFFORD!

I agree with the health reform crowd, I mean think about it…… Our health care has gone down hill since the sixties. I want the healthcare of then, or maybe the healthcare of Europe. I mean, it’s not like the majority of quality technology and medicine has come from this joke we call capitalism. France has ALL the high tech goodies. If you can’t smell the sarcasm oozing you are braindead.

For you anti-worker, mean rited “I’ve got mine” people out there please read the history of unions, Without them slave labor would be worsr than it already is in this wonderful country. Get educated on a subject first

I guess that we have become a nation of people who care nothing for others – someone please tell me exactly what does the insurance industry bring to the table when it comes to the health of you, your children and family. For me all I have ever gotten is discrimination due to pre-existing conditions, someone profiting off my being sick or ill, and lots of red tape and hoops to jump through. But hey – what do I know.

I find the “labor chief’s” remarks both repugnant and incendiary. The unions representing employees of American car manufacturers (GM, Chrysler) reaped health care benefits and at the same time continued to build cars that have not been able to successfully compete with Japanese car makers. Can we honestly acknowledge the results?
Now, mr. labor chief is being tough negotiation guy by threatening those who oppose the ‘public option’. Sadly, that term remains one of many poorly defined terms in this grand, ill informed debate.
Why not just take all union members, as in ALL union members enjoying life time health coverage and use them as the first subscribers in the ‘public option ‘. Let the AFL-CIO be the first to give up their private coverage for a ‘public option’, with no bailout if things do not work out.
Meanwhile, let every working American select from the same health care plans now available to all members of Congress.
In essence, let them put their own money where their mouth is, and let the American people have the same choices as those elected to represent them. What a concept.

Let’s get on with it. Regardless of how congress is going to vote, every congress person knows where he or she stands. Vote, and then we can hold you accountable.
I am on Medicare, know it is good insurance, and believe other Americans should have the same option. But whether or not there is going to be a public option plan, it is time to know where congress stands.
Congress, get off your duffs and vote.

spears guy | Sep 1, 2009 7:13:29 PM OMG! the media is reporting a pro-health care reform story! ++++++++++++Where the heck have you been?

Well, I guess when the “Massa” speaks the slaves had better “hop-to”. If Americans do not wake up to the real thugish influence of Big Labor with this threat, there is no hope…..and that is just what The Progressives want. If you are part of the Big Labor in anyway….be very careful….they will be ruthless!!!

The AFL-CIO and others like them need to understand even us union people vote as we please. Not as they say

I have belonged to the AFL-CIO since January 1977. I will not support any health care reform until I see provisions to ensure that my taxes will not be used to provide care for non-citizens.
I don’t case if they’re illegal aliens or legal immigrants. Students of farm workers. Only emergency care to stabilize an injury or illness should be provided to non-citizens before they are deported to their home country.
Pay cash or go home.
BTW: The Union does not speak for me or own my vote.

I’ll admit I was willing to give this health care thing some consideration, but the more I hear of antics like this, the more suspicious I become. What exactly are they so afraid of? Why the rush? And when an organization as historically tainted as the AFL-CIO tries to intimidate and bully, it really makes me angry!
After reading about this I sent a blistering email to my congressional representative and my two senators informing them if they caved to the unions over the future of our country they wouldn’t get my support, and furthermore, I’m going to join the protest groups. Astro-turf? No way. We are real and we have massive numbers. Bring it on, unions — we’ll shove it right back in your face. Or somewhere else.

I’ve read over and over on these boards people from the left saying that the conservatives have put no alternative plans out. Of course, that’s false — the media just doesn’t publicize them. But, look at the case of John Mackey, CEO of Whole Foods. He put an alternative idea out there and has now been subjected to boycotts by these union thugs. Are we, as citizens, not even supposed to have our own ideas?
John Mackey is not some “right wing nut” as so many of you like to call conservatives. In fact, I’m pretty sure he’s a Democrat. He runs a successful business, pays his employees higher salaries than his unionized counterparts, gives them excellent medical benefits — he knows what he’s doing.
Yet, because he dared to outline something different than Obama, Pelosi, Reid, et al, he is castigated, threatened, boycotted, etc.
You don’t have to like his alternative, but to subject him to this treatment? When did we lose the America that so many of us love? That so many of us have fought for?
Now, for all of you that have nothing more to say but Bush, Cheney, Palin, then go ahead — if he situation weren’t so dire, your attitudes would be laughable.

First of all, I’m glad that the unions are doing what the rest of us democrats are not, holding our elected democrat officials accountable. The majority has not spoken on this subject. It’s just that the Republicans have been louder, and they can afford to be because they are backed by the insurance companies. I’ve been completely amazed at the lies, the absolutely ridiculous lies that make no sense, that people are believing. How can educated, intelligent people believe that our government wants death panels, and wants women with breast cancer to die. Come on people. Are you all nuts? And any “working people” that oppose health care reform, have to be plain stupid and don’t know what’s best for them or their families! Those behind the lies are the wealthy and big businesses and you fools, who would actually benefit, believe them. By the way, union members do not get “free” health insurance for life!

“And any “working people” that oppose health care reform, have to be plain stupid and don’t know what’s best for them or their families!”
I’m a little more concerned with what is best for our country, rather than what is best for me. In case you don’t know it, Betty, our country is bankrupt. Do you even have a clue how much in interest per diem we pay to China?
All surveys show that most people are quite happy with their insurance. The majority of Americans do NOT want Obamacare. There are other ways to address the problems outside of the government running it.
And, I hate to burst your elitist bubble, Betty, but most of us that are against it are not being funded by the insurance companies or big business. We are the regular, working people who realize that you can’t have what you can’t afford. You are being fed that line by the media and your Democrats.
You write of lies. Let me tell you a few (I’ll credit yesterday’s Washington Times): In Portsmouth, N.H., a man carrying a gun, William Kostric, joined an Aug. 11 health care protest. This was blocks away and hours before Mr. Obama’s town-hall meeting in that city. Mr. Kostric was given permission to be on church property where the protest occurred and was not at the place the president visited. What most of the coverage left out was that Mr. Kostric didn’t carry his gun only for the protest; he legally carries a gun with him all the time for protection.
While the media regularly used terms such as “hotheads” to mischaracterize the situation, the coverage ignored that union members who opposed the protest had attacked Mr. Kostric and a friend, kicking, pushing and spitting on them. Despite violence against him by Mr. Obama’s supporters, Mr. Kostric did not draw his gun or threaten anyone.
On the CBS Evening News, Katie Couric asked, “Are we really still debating health care when a man brings a handgun to a church where the president is speaking?” Deliberately or not, she got the facts wrong. As we know, Mr. Kostric did bring a gun to the church, but the president was not there and never was scheduled to speak there. Mr. Obama spoke at a separate event at a local high school at a different time. Not letting facts get in the way of her hysterical story line, Ms. Couric linked Mr. Kostric’s gun to “fear and frankly ignorance drown[ing] out the serious debate that needs to take place about an issue that affects the lives of millions of people.”
MSNBC misrepresented the facts to try to back up a bogus claim about racism being behind opposition to Mr. Obama’s agenda. On Donny Deutsch’s Aug. 18 show about the Arizona town-hall meeting, the producers aired a clip of the anonymous black man carrying the so-called assault rifle — but the network edited the tape so the man’s race was obscured. Truth be damned, MSNBC anchor Contessa Brewer said, “There are questions whether this has a racial overtone. I mean, here you have a man of color in the presidency and white people showing up with guns strapped to their waists.” Another commentator on the same show worried about the “anger about a black person being president.” The supposed result: “You know we see these hate groups rising up.”
MSNBC misrepresented a black man carrying a gun as a white man to invent a racial dynamic that didn’t exist.
So, Betty, have you read the Veteran’s Hand Book? Perhaps you should. You’ll find the basis for those so-called “death panels”. You won’t find the information on this website, but it’s out there.
There are a lot of lies out there, Betty, but (and you won’t believe this because you have your head in the sand) most of them are coming from the left.
Do you ever ask yourself why the rush? Why the threats? What are they afraid of? Do you ever ask? Or do you just follow blindly, never bothering to think for yourself, but just believing everything the media and this administration spoon feeds you?
Thank God, in the history of this great country we had people with that were willing to look at all issues and have the intelligence to investigate the facts. If our history was full of Bettys we would have long ago been doomed.

The unions has been the sole “lookout” for the American workers, for decades. It’s no wonder that the right doesn’t like them….. it was the right that “created” the jobs transfer to other countries under Reagan, and “left” us the McDonalds, Burger King and Walmart to work in to support our families. The Healthcare system in America is that of the “third” world, except of course for those that can afford it.

notice that none of the Democrats mention tort reform? Why? Because they are in the pocket of the trial sue lawyers even though fully 10% of health care costs are due to outrageous malpractice award s and associated costs.

“that being able to take care of your health is a right”
Where is that in the Bill of Rights?

When will the people of this country ever demand that unions stop from being allowed to contribute to political pundits. The unions are crooks. They contribute in exchange for political favors. It is completely outrageous and so obvoius. Do they really represent what is good for america or just good for them

Oh I see where this is going….another huge giveaway to the Unions.
Funny, the union members already have healthcare, so why would they care if we enact health care reform or not. Clearly they are trying to skirt the unaffordable promises they have made to their members for lifetime healthcare…when those members retire at 50 years old! Then the rest of us can keep on working to pay for their benefits. The public option will also be used to create strong unions in healthcare.
Unions in healthcare, government in health care, these two organizations are true monopolies that would be outlawed in any other context. You are G%D damn right I am angry, watch as the unions and the government divvy up our premiums and explain to us why the health care I pay for needs to be rationed.

Please explain again: “Why must the “Employer…” be compelled to pay? Especially, when such is not the case for “Home-owners” or “Auto” insurance? What does the employer add to the equation; except a convenient check-book for the government and other entities, to rob? Two simple questions: 1. Does anyone even contemplate that employer mandates contribute to sending whatever jobs possible, off-shore? 2. Is anyone aware that many “insurance problems” like loss-of-coverage, all flow from the misguided “employer sponsored” distribution channel? Many crisis situations are triggered when employees are terminated from employment – for whatever reason?

You know, the term “big labor” always cracks me up. Who does big labor work for — working people!! Their members are ordinary working people who have unionized. Who do big insurance and big pharma work for — the bottom line, for their CEOs and their shareholders. I’d rather be with big labor than with big insurance and big pharma any day!

The American people need the healthcare initiative. I DEMAND that our representatives include the “PUBLIC OPTION” in it. The insurance companies will not stop stealing from us until the competition of the “PUBLIC OPTION” forces them to. They will not cease, amend, or police their larcenous “business” model unless congressional law and constant, stringent oversight force them to.
They cannot be trusted.
I’m not even certain that our “representatives can be trusted to represent us and not the interests of the insurance companies. By your opposition to the PUBLIC OPTION, you seem to be siding with the insurance companies AGAINST your constituents……..you are “leaving your fingerprints at the crime scene with those of the insurance companies.” As accomplices to the insurance companies, you have distanced yourselves from the people you hope will re-elect you.
Your complicity is an affront to the American people and a crime that will not be forgotten. When your election bids fail, you will be left with foreshortened careers and the bitter taste of insurance company abuse in your mouths.
The outcome of this impending legislation will clearly show the American people whether they can trust their elected officials, or if we need to eliminate them all and replace them with people who will truly represent the American people instead of the insurance companies.
S.Ward