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Unions not the problem, the elite rich are

Posted 6/27/11

To the Editor: Re: “Unions Bankrupt Country” (Sound Off, June 15-21), Really? Unions are not the problem, re: bankrupting this country! Such claims are either terribly ill informed or are …

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Unions not the problem, the elite rich are

Posted

To the Editor:

Re: “Unions Bankrupt Country” (Sound Off, June 15-21), Really? Unions are not the problem, re: bankrupting this country! Such claims are either terribly ill informed or are purposefully trying to mislead others.

We are in the middle of unprecedented war expenditures, bailing out Wall Street, which nearly decimated the economy--WE are paying the bill--remember that, we did not bail out a union but Wall Street!

And Mr. Cuomo is dead set against the recipients of this bail-out paying their fair share.

It is not in dispute that the top 1% of income earners, who average over $1 million a year, actually pay a smaller percentage of their incomes to taxes than the 9% just below them.

So how do you account for most of the money in this country being in the hands of the top 1% of the population?

The bottom 90% (that’s us -- the workers) held only 14.4% of the total US financial assets in 2004 -- and it’s gotten worse since then.

That means if we tripled our income and assets, we, 90% of us would still have only about 40% of the money.

How much does that top 1% need?

How can the few of us, whose jobs are actually protected by unions, bankrupt anything -- when the majority of the money is in the hands of a very small group.

Don’t give me this trickle-down nonsense either.

Real wages have gone down in past decades, while the productivity of the country has gone up dramatically.

Where’s the wealth going?

Naturally, the wealth is “trickling” up -- the rich are getting richer.

If you think the government is corrupt, fix it, it’s yours.

But you cannot easily control the real culprits -- the corporate elite who have the money to “fix” whatever they want.

If you work, in whatever capacity, you keep the country going!

You deserve a living wage, and if the laws are not their to protect your right to work, then you need unions need to push for fair laws!

The wealthy of this country can afford lawyers to protect their assets, the rank and file cannot.

Your labor is your greatest asset!

Workers are the strength of this country, and if you cannot get ahead doing an honest day’s work, then you need a collective who can represent your basic human rights.

Unless you want to go back to a 6 day work week/ 10-12 hours a day!

Thank the unions for that one!

Laura Fair-Schulz, Potsdam