by Loren Adams, 16 October 2011
The realization came to me last February as Wisconsin’s
Governor Walker and his pals in the Republican legislature prepared to pass a
law decertifying public unions, destroying collective bargaining, and cutting
teachers’ salaries and pensions. I knew then a trip to Madison was in order.
So, we joined 100,000 workers circling the Capitol at the high-point on March
12.
“But where’s
Obama?” many questioned. “Just when we need the President’s support, nothing
but silence.” Teachers, nurses, firemen, custodians, state workers, and police
were angry – disappointed they had cast votes for the man who promised
devotedly to put on walkingshoes and demonstrate with workers if collective bargaining was ever
challenged.
The promise of “change one can believe in” was not imagined
but clearly defined by CandidateObama.
Now, the damage from lack of support was dismissed by union
leaders at the peak, but hindsight tells a different story. Only two Republican
state senators were recalled instead of three or six, which would have given
Democrats a majority and reversed anti-union measures. This, to me, was direct
evidence Obama is to blame for the sin of omission. He could have energized the
Wisconsin vote, but didn’t.
National union leaders could have also called for a
state-wide general strike but instead opted for recalls. Big mistake. While
enjoying an invigorated movement, they could have nailed Walker. Obama’s
walking shoes were never put on, so why hold back with lesser methods?
The base’s leaders are weak. Right aggression calls for an
equally strong left aggression. Appeasement is surrender. Thus far, we only
witness appeasement.
As predicted, now we find the largest public-sector union
under attack: the American Postal Workers Union, along with the carriers’ and
mailhandlers’ unions. Obama could have stopped it at the gate last February in
Wisconsin but didn’t, either out of cowardice or sticking to his constitutional
lawyerly misconceptions.
Teachers and state workers didn’t cause Wisconsin’s budget
woes, neither did postal workers and their unions cause the Postal Service’s
pending collapse. The seeds of financial ruin were, of course, planted by
“conservatives” years ago – but only allowed to incubate due to inaction
by Bush’s successor, Barack Obama – only in office by union support.
In 2006, the Republican-controlled Congress passed the PostalAccountability and Enhancement Act, signed by George W. Bush. This law
requires the Postal Service to do something no other business or government
agency has to do: Pre-fund its future retiree health care benefits. This is a
75-year liability that has to be paid in 10. The Postal Service is required by
law to pay $5.5 billion every September 30 – end of the fiscal year
– to meet this congressional mandate.
The Post Office has been paying this $5.5 billion
installment for four years into a trust fund for employees who have not even
been born yet. This is the burden that is creating the “financial crisis” for
the Post Office. The Great Recession (along with its ugly sibling, the soon-coming
Second Great Recession/Depression), has certainly affected the Postal Service.
But even in these, the worst of economic times since the 30s, the USPS has had
a net profit of $611 million – not taking into account the ridiculously mandated
overpayments Republicans planted in `06 during the lame-duck before Democrats
took over.
The crisis is a purely manufactured one – as are the
other crises (economic and subsequent social mayhem soon-to-follow) now
gripping the U.S. and Europe. Bush sowed the seeds; Obama was reluctant or
hesitant at revocation; and now we’re past the incubation phase into the
harvest. The effects of Republicanism is now manifest. (Happy now,
rightwingers?)
The postal crisis has energized postal workers across the
U.S.
Around
one-hundred union activists picketed in front of the Fort Smith office of Rep.
Steve Womack Tuesday afternoon, September 27th. Union activists from across Northwest
Arkansas met at the Fort Smith Little Theater, next door, where union t-shirts
and signs were distributed for those marching both sides of the street -- back
and forth -- while union presidents and officers were inside visiting with the
congressman to present our take on the postal crisis. Then we heard Rep.
Womack's reply. It was as if he didn't hear or didn't understand what the six
officers explained. (Actually, it was obvious; he didn’t want to hear, as
evidenced by his refusal to budge from party line.)
Union officers stated repeatedly, "We don't want nor
need a bailout.
Not one cent of taxpayers' money is needed to remedy the Postal Service's
problem. The Postal Service has NEVER spent one-cent of taxpayers' money in its
235-year history."
There was a severe disconnect. Womack acted like he didn't
hear a word we said.
What Womack vehemently disagreed with us on is his undying support
for HR2309 and against HR1351. HR2309 (Darrell Issa's bill) would DESTROY the
Postal Service, bust the unions, and send one-quarter million workers to the
unemployment line. Apparently Womack is in lockstep with Issa, despite his
public statements to the contrary.
The same pattern emerged across the country – as union
leaders met with hard-line Tea Party Congressmen who wouldn’t stray from sacred
ideology. Translation: Gridlock. The nation is paralyzed – except for
Obama’s eagerness to compromise – even for that which should never be on
the table, yet offered as a peace-token to the angry white men’s mob unwilling
to give an inch but willing to witness the country suffer for ideological gain.
The people lose when trapped between bully and balless.
HR1351, “The United States Postal Service Pension Obligation
Recalculation and Restoration Act of 2011,” is the only bill before Congress
that will address the pressing financial concerns of the Post Office in a practical
manner without eliminating jobs and services to the American public. Rep.
Stephen Lynch (D-MA) introduced 1351 and presently has 211 co-sponsors. This is
not a bailout, nor will it cost the citizens of the United States a single
penny in taxes.
Despite the facts aforementioned, Republicans – along
with their propaganda network, FOX – continue to drum it into the
public’s head, “Bailout! Taxpayers’ money!” Just like other catch-word codes hatched
by Luntz: “Death taxes, death panels, tax & spend, etc.” Republicans are
marketers of decline and national shame. I just wish some champions would rise from
the other side.
The fall of the Post Office is the big canary soon to
collapse from suffocation in the mine. What other indicator does one need to
wake up and start fighting for America’s survival?