Birds of a Feather???

Mandatory Marcus

Every once in a while I hear something so magnificently preposterous that I am forced to pause and wonder if I could actually have just heard it. Like last night (5/28/09)

I heard a radio ad from the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor on KABC 790 TalkRadio; the home of Dodgers Baseball. The ad is running during live broadcasts of Dodgers home games and supports something called The Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA); which is public relations spin to describe the elimination of the secret ballot method of voting to unionize in the workplace. The EFCA is designed to create a system whereby a union can be recognized without a formal election once a majority of members of the bargaining unit has signed union cards. In other words, it abolishes free private elections.

Now I could go on and on about what a horrid idea that is...but my problem here is actually with the ad itself; which you can listen to yourself right here. So you can really soak it in I have transcribed it here verbatim:

"Hi everybody, this is Rick Monday for the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor. There's only one thing more all American than baseball, that's service in the United States Military. Americans joined the service by signing their names and they ought to be able to join the union the same way.

The LA County Federation of Labor believes that every veteran deserves a good union job in a country they fought to protect."

This is so mind numbingly dumb, that I am forced to dissect it line by line in order to prevent my head from imploding as a result of spontaneous brain shrinkage brought about by the massive dose of stupidity this ad delivers.

So let me address it line by line, with my interpretation and response in bold:

"Hi everybody, this is Rick Monday for the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor."

I am an ex-athlete that played so long ago, nobody under the age of 45 even knows who I am. So thank God somebody is willing to throw me a bone and let me read some lines for money.

"There's only one thing more all American than baseball, that's service in the United States Military."

Actually there is no comparison. Generations of US Military personnel have served and some have died, in service to this country. Although it is "America's Pastime"...baseball is still just a game...on steroids.

"Americans joined the service by signing their names and they ought to be able to join the union the same way."

That this line could actually be written, let alone spoken, is a disgrace. An American joining the military is by no means an analogue to somebody joining a labor union. Union workers make cars, teach, fix some plumbing etc.

Oh and unions also artificially drive up the cost of US manufacturing and drive entire industries into bankruptcy; like the United Auto Workers; just ask GM and Chrysler. Other times unions work to ensure failing systems continue to fail, that competition is legislated away and that nobody can get fired; like the American Federation of Teachers. (see my previous blog)

American servicemen and women on the other hand, fight and sometimes die, to preserve our rights and freedom.

Odd. I can't seem to find any common ground here. Hmmm...let's see...going on strike to preserve above market wages vs. getting shot in some god forsaken desert in service to your country...nope, I can't seem to find a connection.

"The LA County Federation of Labor believes that every veteran deserves a good union job in a country they fought to protect."

I'm pretty sure that amongst the many things that every veteran deserves, is to be able to live and work in an environment that upholds the basic principals that they served to protect. Like the fundamental right to vote in privacy in a free election...even in the workplace.

As importantly, what every veteran deserves, is not to have the honor and nobility of their service cheapened and manipulated into a sales pitch by some pro-union lackey; especially when their service is being pimped out to drive support for a concept completely antithetical to the spirit of their service.

Now show some respect and take this ad off the air.