Why should people be supporting the fat union state workers that have all of the benefits?
Why shouldn't the Teachers, and other State union workers be taken down a few notches?
How come the State Union Workers get all the benefits and money and I don't?
You should hate these fat cat workers because they have it much better than you.
I'm paraphrasing what I've heard recently from the right wing media, and from my own experience. Funny thing is, you can take out the subject (teachers and state union workers) and insert any other organized labor group, go ahead try it:
GM, and the bonuses they are getting.
Garbage workers unions
Teamsters
Firefighters and their great medical benefits
See where this is going? It is a tried and true tactic of the Right, its goal to disembowel the Labor movement.
And what are we doing about it?
Nothing.
We are doing nothing to take the envy and jealousy to the other side. We are always playing defense: We are standing for 'Workers Rights', 'Fair Wages and benefits' and a 'level playing field'.
Those are code words that have no effect on the 78% of the population that do not belong to a union. Hell, you can't get union members to understand and not succumb to the take down language above.
If we want a chance to win in Wisconsin, Ohio, Indiana, and other places, it will not just be with defense, we need to go on the offensive, with language. Use their code words to heap the rage where it belongs. Use words that belittle people while naming groups that have it better than everyone else, something you can put a face on, like your Bank. Examples:
Sacrifice happens to the unfortunate, who isn't unfortunate these days?
Why are we SACRIFICING our workers to the ALTAR of the BANKERS and SUPER RICH?
People Bleed, banks don't. Power lust - implys sexual gratification, the rich bankers are getting off on our suffering.
How much do workers have to BLEED to the BANKS and SUPER RICH in order to satisfy their POWER LUST?
Simple message - you're next.
Once the SUPER RICH defeat the Unions, how long until our INTEREST rates to to 50% or more?
Don't Sacrifice Workers, Sacrifice CORPORATE WELFARE!
No Concession Until ALL Corporate Welfare is STOPPED!
Ok, the last two are slogans, but you must get to the vast majority who think that Union is a bad word and replace it with something they know in their gut is bad; the Super Rich. Put a face on it by naming their Allies, the BANKERS. That is the face that hits them every month in their credit billings, mortgages, and default notices.
We should be defending the workers by exposing the rich, who hide under corporate veils that created this crisis.
Until with language, we take the focus away from the Union Workers and put it squarely on the Bankers and Super Rich, we are fighting a battle against 78% of the non union population. Until we change the focus, we will not have the backing of 98% of the people.
And for the final example, how does this grab you:
Why should people be supporting the fat cat Bankers that have all of the benefits?
Why shouldn't the Super Rich, and their friends the Bankers be taken down a few notches?
How come the Bankers get all the benefits and money and I don't?
You should hate these fat cat bankers because they have it much better than you.
Quid Erat Demonstratum