In The Oregonian this morning (read it here) there is a story by Harry Esteve on how labor unions are winning big now that the Democrats are in control of government.
That’s the problem with adversarial politics. The system is one of winners and losers, by definition a zero sum game: If you win, I lose, if I win, you lose.
But the two bills that Esteve first mentions as being pro-labor are not, really. They are not antibusiness, either. The bills to suspend the corporate kicker (to build a rainy day fund) and to limit interest on payday loans are just measures that protect services for all, protect people, easily supported by business. They are no more pro-labor than laws against fraud or theft.
But the adversarial politics of winners and losers has it dangers, if the winners get to raid the till. The PERS fiasco is owned by unions, by Democrats, the result of putting union members in charge of the retirement fund.
Yes, there are many government employees who do a sterling job, who work longer hours than expected, who face animosity from a public that does not understand their work. They are dedicated, hard working, honorable people.
Which is what Governor Kulongoski believes, we hope, when he is quoted: “I believe in the principles of organized labor, and I always have."
But the system also protects the worst. Individual accountability is not part of the union equation. There often is an entitlement mentality backed by political muscle that causes a deep rift between Oregonians. Which is why unions, and Democrats, face such a backlash when the Democrats are not in power.
The “conservative revolution” is probably over. Good riddance to those who want to tell others how to die, how to love, how many children to have.
But that is not to welcome a socialist system where there is no incentive to excel, no fear of failure, few risks and fewer rewards.
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