What is a Democrat?

[Badfish740]

Originally Posted by owtcast

Not the type of union member that bickers over longer breaks and lives by the "It's not my job" mentality.

Thanks owtcast. I just wanted to call attention to this point. What you mentioned above is what I hear from Republicans all the time about unions. As I stated, my father is a Teamster. Say what you want about the Teamsters' past with regards to organized crime, etc...but I'll tell you a little bit about my father's experience with them.

My dad is a UPS driver and has been one for 25 years. In those 25 years he's been injured on the job more than a few times. He's been bitten by dogs, gotten his finger smashed by a faulty roll-up door, had one surgery on his back, one on his knee, and will probably need the other knee done soon. The only reason he's able to continue working is because of the healthcare package the Teamsters fought for. He'll retire with a little less than half pay and receive healthcare until age 65 when Medicare kicks in-all because of the Teamsters.

I'm not saying that UPS is evil or doesn't care about its workers, because to be quite honest, the welfare of its workers should not be its (or any other company's) concern. The bottom line of a company should be just that-the bottom line. The point of a business is to make money. It should be the job of the unions to look out for employees, and it should be an adversarial push-pull relationship. Bottom line? There are some lazy union members out there, but in the grand scheme of things its another ugly stereotype. Also, for all of those who claim that unions are responsible for the downfall of industry in the U.S: The Teamster's union is the most powerful union in the world-yet UPS is a billion dollar company which grows more profitable every year.

[owtcast]

Unions didn't run off any corporation from America that wasn't headed that way to begin with. The proof lies all along our southern borders. There are numerous corporations lining the borders of America with their refineries, factories, etc. that clearly do not conform to ANY work standard or ANY polution regulations. All to make a larger profit the easy way, by cheating the rules.

[Badfish740]

Originally Posted by owtcast

Unions didn't run off any corporation from America that wasn't headed that way to begin with. The proof lies all along our southern borders. There are numerous corporations lining the borders of America with their refineries, factories, etc. that clearly do not conform to ANY work standard or ANY polution regulations. All to make a larger profit the easy way, by cheating the rules.

Amen brother. Ever see one of those documentaries on shipbreaking? Shipbreaking used to be common here in the U.S., now there are no companies doing it here at all. Why? Because in India they run derelict ships aground on the beach and send guys in to cut them up right there. No safety standards, no protective gear, and if you get crushed, burned, poisoned, blinded, etc...on the job they boot you out and hire someone else. Anything left in the ship (chemicals, crude oil, fuel oil, etc...) spills out onto the beach. If you google "shipbreaking India" you can find pictures of the places where they do this stuff-it looks like a moonscape.

[Jim Carpenter]

I don't judge people by using political labels. But you should understand what the Democratic leadership desires to accomplish, gun control, government control of health care and retirement, redistribution of wealth( higher taxes and welfare), basic socialism. On an international scale, apeasement and confromation to the rest of the world. Republicans generally believe in individuals keeping their own money to invest and take of themselves(capitilism). So when someone says they're a Democrat, you are telling me you want the goverenment o take my guns and my money. O yah, now democrats want to tell you what to drive ( no trucks, suv's or big V-8s).

[Badfish740]

Originally Posted by Jim Carpenter

I don't judge people by using political labels.

But blanket stereotypes don't seem to be a problem. Sure there are Democrats who I don't agree with, and there are Republicans I do agree with, but my core values tell me that I'm a Democrat. Also, you might want to read my post on welfare-do a little research on who was instrumental in passing the biggest piece of welfare reform in history.

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Last edited by Badfish740 : 01-29-2008 at 02:47 PM.

[cchase]

I would consider you a republican. But I also think the whole party system is a sham. Run on what you believe in. I am both I would say. Republicans seem to be agaisnt abortion, but for guns. Democrates want more goverement. i wont less goverement abortions to be the women and mans choice. but altmatily the womens. its not the goverements job to tell me how to live or what to do on everything! that said I am against both parties when it comes down to it, and I pick a candiate. It doesnt matter which party, I pick for his views and thoughts.

[owtcast]

A little email from a friend. I thought it would fit in this post quite well.

Chinese hardhat


Dust and particle breathing apparatus.


Osha approved scaffolding


And my favorite. The welding mask.

[Badfish740]

Well there's an argument for organized labor if I've seen one. I practically owe my life to the Teamsters union and will forever support the right to organize. There's only one party that agrees with that notion. Therefore, in the words of Popeye "I yam what I yam."

[Mustang1989]

Answer this Badfish, and keep in mind there's only one correct answer.

Should a service or product be provided at the barrel of a gun? Yes or No.

[sikktruk01]

I don't understand your question Mustang1989 ?