[lbo-talk] ciao, unions

[Somebody Somebody]

One factor which hasn't been discussed is the extraordinary vilification of public sector unions by the editorial boards of countless local newspapers over the course of the recession. To the extent that unions are so disproportionately represented in state jobs, and to the extent that states are imposing austerity programs due to balanced budget requirements, it's pretty easy to see how organized workers are being scapegoated by *both* the wealthy and the disorganized working class.

When liberals see the same newspapers that have supported gay marriage and opposed President Bush's worst civil liberties abuses also finger public sector worker pensions for state budget crises, then it's fairly predictable that a large portion of them should be turned over to rather right-wing views on the matter.