The Mayor of Lansing, Michigan hilariously trolls Tennessee over UAW crackdown

[G_j]

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/02/12/1277015/-The-Mayor-of-Lanisng-Michigan-pulls-a-Rick-Perry-on-Tennessee?detail=facebook

-snip-

The mayor of Lansing, Michigan, Virg Bernero -- a staunch pro-union Democrat -- has publicly invited Volkswagen to relocate their manufacturing plant to Lansing, if the idiot Republicans in Tennessee, eliminate their tax breaks.

"The legislature, the governor, they have the nerve threaten the support for expansion based on unionization? I was amazed by it, and then I smelled opportunity," said Bernero.
He posted on his facebook Monday saying "come to a real car town, leave Tennessee behind."

On Tuesday he sent out the formal request, and plans work with LEAP to send a whole packet of information to VW later this week.

"It's a little wild, but stranger things have happened. We're a car town. We have no problem with the unions, and we welcome all manufacturers."

Bernero said he discussed this with GM before making his statement, because GM has an auto plant in Lansing. They were fine with it.

The downright panic being displayed by Tennessee Republicans over the possibility that one of their auto plants might unionize is tragicomic, obviously. Their dumb billboards proclaiming the "United Obama Workers," and comparing it to a Civil War invasion by the "Union," are laughable. But, the consequences are very serious. Workers have been losing ground for decades, and this is just a small step toward restoring the balance between workers and management that has been dramatically tilted toward the latter over the past 35 years.

[Siwsan]

1. I LOVE Virg Benero!

He would have made a terrific Governor for Michigan because he wanted to serve the people, instead of the corporations.

Fingers crossed we will be rid of 'Governor Nerd', soon.

[llmart]

3. I voted for him.

Snyder's a disaster.

[Enthusiast]

2. Kicked and fucking recommended!

[ellie]

4. That would be awesome!

Go Mayor Bernero!

[juajen]

5. Unions saved this country before, and I hope they can do so again. K & R

[etherealtruth]

6. Bernero lost his bid for Governor of my fair state

... we got Rick Snyder and "right to work" for less laws.

[QuestForSense]

7. Wouldn't it be wonderful if Volkswagen would pick up and go?

That might be a real teaching moment for the dummies who voted these idiot Republicans into office.

[pampango]

11. At least they should VW should locate future plants in union states to avoid this type

of craziness where both the company and the workers want a union and government officials stand in their way.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

8. "comparing it to a Civil War invasion by the "Union,""

I've actually MET those 'low information voter' types who actually BELIEVE the Civil War was fought to keep the Unions out of the South and,...wait for it,...THEY BELIEVE THEY WON.

Must have.

After all, there's no Unions around,...right?

There ya go.

(Or, as Archie Bunker used to say, "Case closed.&quot

[Dark n Stormy Knight]

9. We must support the unions. Good for Bernero!

[countryjake]

10. K&R!

[Brigid]

12. The funniest part about all this . . .

Is the sheer panic of TN Repugs over a union presence at VW. Not that the reaction would be terribly different in this screwed-up state.

[B Calm]

13. More proof that republicans are all about cheap labor.

How anybody who works for a paycheck votes Republican blows my mind!