AFL-CIO's Trumka Calls for Labor Movement Separate from Parties: 'I've Had a Snootful of This S---!"

The Nation, AlterNet by John Nichols | Jun. 14, 2011 (News Report)
AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka sent his strongest signal yet about the labor movement’s frustration with the dysfunctional politics of the moment.

“We can’t simply build the power of any political party or any candidate. For too long we’ve been left after the election holding a canceled check and asking someone to pay attention to us. No more! No more!” the federation president, a former United Mineworkers union chief, shouted above the cheers of the nurses. Full Story »

Posted by Jon Mitchell

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Subjects: U.S., Politics, Business, Sci/Tech, Living, Health, Education, Community
Topics: Environment, Health Care, Labor, Taxes, Housing, Jobs, Retirement
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Posted by: Posted by Jon Mitchell - Jun 14, 2011 - 6:18 AM PDT
Reviewed by: Dwight Rousu (review), Jack Dinkmeyer (review), Deborah Plummer (review), Patricia Blochowiak (review), Don Bertschman (review)
Content Type: Article
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Edited by: Jon Mitchell - Jun 14, 2011 - 11:27 AM PDT
Related Comments: Health Care (8)

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Jack Dinkmeyer
4.3
 by Jack Dinkmeyer - Jun. 14, 2011

Good article about unions angry and frustrated at being continually ignored by politicians. Author intersperses his narrative with quotes from the speaker, along with some links. However, the Inhabitants of Planet DC are so immune to their constituents and to America itself, it may take a Mid-East style wrath of citizens taking to the streets with clubs and torches before our esteemed leaders to uncork their heads from Wall Street and corporate behinds and actually take notice of what’s really going on in the world

.

There was no way to misread Trumka’s message for Democrats who have strayed on issues ranging from EFCA to trade policy to mounting an absolute ... More »

See Full Review » (21 answers)
Deborah Plummer
4.0
 by Deborah Plummer - Jun. 14, 2011

I've been following John Nichols/The Nation for years and know they are well-sourced. Since the winter "disturbance" in Madison, I've been reading/listening to Mr. Nichols' reporting of the events, which have been excellent and compared with other sources, truthful and non-partisan. Continuing with this article on Trumka's discussions/activity with the nurses, Mr. Nichols defines the concerns, who is involved, and what the goals/solutions are needed/working toward in a well-worded/succinct essay

See Full Review » (10 answers)
Don Bertschman
3.5
 by Don Bertschman - Jun. 18, 2011
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Dwight Rousu
4.1
 by Dwight Rousu - Jun. 14, 2011

I am on the side of people, so this resonates if it can be made to fly.

It doesn’t matter if candidates and parties are controlling the wrecking ball or simply standing aside—the outcome is the same either way, More »

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Patricia Blochowiak
4.0
 by Patricia Blochowiak - Jun. 16, 2011
See Full Review » (2 answers)

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