General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsObama Leads A Comeback For Labor With Biggest Protection Of Workers’ Rights In a Generation
http://www.politicususa.com/2014/12/22/leading-big-comeback-labor.htmlObama Leads A Comeback For Labor With Biggest Protection Of Workers Rights In a Generation
By: Jason Easley
Monday, December, 22nd, 2014, 1:03 pm
The Obama administration is leading a huge comeback for labor by using two administration agencies to aggressively protect workers and unions rights.
Politico reported,
.
The new activism of the Wage and Hour Division and especially the NLRB may well turn out to be fleeting. Both agencies benefited from a Senate filibuster rule change enacted late last year partly in response to union pressure that ended filibusters against most executive branch nominees. Weil, whose nomination the International Franchise Association termed irresponsible and reckless, was confirmed on a 51-42 party-line vote, and therefore couldnt have taken office without the change. Weil became the first non-acting Wage and Hour administrator at the Labor Department in 10 years. Before that, confirming a permanent administrator was impossible either because Senate Democrats deemed Bushs choices too lenient on business or because Senate Republicans deemed Obamas choices too strict.
The Obama administration and the labor movement have kept quiet about these developments because nothing stirs up the Republican hornets nest quite like workers getting protected and paid. Republicans agree on very little, but hatred of unions is hardwired into their DNA. The NLRB decisions against major corporate employee rights violators like Walmart and McDonalds get the most attention, but there is progress being made beneath the surface that most people do not get to see.
The myth that President Obama isnt progressive enough gets much of its fuel from some on the left who dont know what is really going on. Obama is reversing decades of anti-worker decisions. The country has a president who is directing his Executive Branch to fight for the rights of everyone from voters to workers.
Obamas efforts to benefits workers and unions are areas where his accomplishments may not be fully appreciated until after this president leaves office.
okaawhatever
(9,462 posts)Tarheel_Dem
(31,234 posts)1StrongBlackMan
(31,849 posts)Isn't going to make folks here happy.
babylonsister
(171,066 posts)1StrongBlackMan
(31,849 posts)uponit7771
(90,346 posts)stevenleser
(32,886 posts)... and we are oh so lost if Hillary wins because she will be MORE of the same Turd-way/pro-Bankster/pro-Wall Street, WHARRGARBL.
There must be something wrong with this reporting. It cannot be as Easley says.
1StrongBlackMan
(31,849 posts)ever (potential) Democratic candidate (thinking) of running in 2016, and beyond, should be on their knees thanking President Obama for these Executive Actions. And, the American people, too.
While many consider these moves weak-sauce because Executive Orders can be reversed by the next President. True ... but for the next two years, all of these issues are off the table ... who is going to come out pretty trying to oppose them?
And when we have another Democratic President, nothing changes and the rule is further entrenched.
And, if we get a republican President in 2016, how is he/she going to reverse these Executive Orders quietly?
maxrandb
(15,330 posts)Perhaps if there was a little more...no excuse me...A LOT MORE trumpeting about what this administration and Democrats have done for working people, maybe enough people would stop voting against their best interest, because you know what? This is the first I've heard of this!
Perhaps if the Democrats would do a better job of crowing about how they are helping working Americans, we wouldn't have to watch Mitch McConnell and Boehner take charge of a 3RD of the government!!!
Please excuse me for using one of my Navy terms, but the American people simply can't stand and won't support someone who Pussy-foots around!
Fucking fight mother-fuckers. Dems gave up about as much resistance as the Cleveland Browns defense did yesterday.
a kennedy
(29,669 posts)He is what he is.....and love that he's doing this now.
riqster
(13,986 posts)Last edited Mon Dec 22, 2014, 05:14 PM - Edit history (1)
Instead of bitching about the Prexy's admittedly lame chops in that regard.
ProfessorGAC
(65,057 posts)Not getting your point here. He does something virtually everyone here at DU would agree is a good thing, but because he doesn't beat his chest about it, the value of the action is diminished somehow?
Pretty confusing position Max.
uponit7771
(90,346 posts)maxrandb
(15,330 posts)I don't think the action is diminished, I just don't think Democrats have done a very good job of getting stories like this out.
Say you own a restaurant, and you have the best food, at the best value in town, but you NEVER once tell people about it, or market it. You probably wouldn't get much business.
Dems have a damn good product. Perhaps they should be proud of it.
Perhaps if they were proud of their accomplishments and "promoted" their ideas, instead of "quietly working in the background", we wouldn't have gotten our asses handed to us in the past two off year elections.
riqster
(13,986 posts)stage left
(2,962 posts)Thank you, Mr. President
PragmaticLiberal
(904 posts)Just look at who posts (or doesn't) in this thread and it'll tell you all you need to know.....
Hekate
(90,708 posts)Many at DU, and some in this thread, would gain emotional satisfaction if the measured, calm man we elected (the one who can still give soaring speeches) would only turn into a fire breathing, raging dragon on all their/our favorite causes. Unfortunately, he would self destruct, go down in flames and ashes -- and nothing would be accomplished.
I so appreciate what Obama is getting done. Thanks for fillin us in on another aspect, babylonsister.
Leontius
(2,270 posts)He just pissed away all the big opportunities he had years ago
Andy823
(11,495 posts)mountain grammy
(26,622 posts)Stardust
(3,894 posts)treestar
(82,383 posts)this is a good thing.