Family farmer Tony Schultz: “This is what democracy looks like.”
by Michael Smith (Veshengro)
This video is, in my opinion, a “must watch” for Tony Schultz expresses it in the terms that speak to each and everyone of the working and farming class.
“Family farmers, like the labor movement, value economic democracy. What is a union? It's working people coming together to improve their lives. Today we stand here to say we reject this union busting bill; We reject this budget. Solidarity between the labor and the farm movement dates way back before even the populist movement. We fought together for the progressive income tax; We fought together for the 8 hour work day. ‘Our interests are identical because our enemies are identical.’”
The state government of Wisconsin is doing a similar act as was done by the British government under Margaret Thatcher, though, in all honesty, even she did not go as far as the WI governor and his legislature seem to be going.
It would appear that what they have in mind is the total destruction of labor unions in the state and making it illegal for anyone to be in a labor union. A little bit like it was in the early part of the last century when the sharecroppers had to conceal that their meetings were other than religious chapel gatherings.
Being a union man myself – even though I may not always agree with the union that I may be a member in at any particular time, and for that reason one may consider starting something more relevant – I detest such actions by governments and employers and we all must stand as one.
Solidarity Forever (This song expresses it all)
When the union's inspiration through the workers' blood shall run
There can be no power greater anywhere beneath the sun
Yet what force on earth is weaker than the feeble strength of one
For the Union makes us strong
Chorus
Solidarity forever, solidarity forever
Solidarity forever
For the Union makes us strong
They have taken untold millions that they never toiled to earn
But without our brain and muscle not a single wheel can turn
We can break their haughty power gain our freedom when we learn
That the Union makes us strong
In our hands is placed a power greater than their hoarded gold
Greater than the might of armies magnified a thousandfold
We can bring to birth a new world from the ashes of the old
For the Union makes us strong
© 2011
