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REDFORD, MICH. – President Barack Obama traveled Monday to Michigan to tout a new investment in domestic auto jobs, while using the opportunity to assail the state's Republican lawmakers for pursuing "right to work" legislation.
With three weeks to go to avoid the fiscal cliff, President Barack Obama will travel to a Detroit auto plan and attempt to sell his plan to raise taxes on the top two percent of Americans.
Obama renewed his offensive to pressure Republicans into extending middle class tax cuts, calling on Congress to pass legislation making the Bush-era tax rates for those making below $250,000 permanent.
But this trip to the Detroit-area came with some extra baggage in the form of a state-wide union battle over a right-to-work law that Michigan’s governor, Rick Snyder (R) has pledged to sign. The president addressed the union controversy towards the middle of his remarks:
"We should do everything we can to encourage companies like Daimler to keep investing in American workers," Obama said, "what we shouldn’t be doing is trying to take away your rights to bargain for better wages and working conditions."
Related: Lawmakers implore Michigan gov. to halt or delay 'right to work' law
The audience responded enthusiastically as the president continued: "These so-called right-to-work laws, they don't have to do with economics. They have everything to do with politics. What they're really talking about is giving you the right to work for less money."
While Snyder did not join the president for his event at the Daimler-owned Detroit Diesel Corporation, the governor did greet Obama on the tarmac along with some of the Democratic members of Michigan’s congressional delegation.
Snyder had a meeting with many members of the Michigan delegation earlier today to discuss the legislation, which would make mandatory payment of union dues or fees as a condition of employment illegal. On the flight to Michigan, White House Press Secretary Jay Carney noted that the president’s opposition to right-to-work laws was “well known” and the optics of this were brought even more into focus by the president being accompanied on his tour of the engine plant by the UAW NW Local 163 Detroit Diesel Engine Unit Shop Chairperson Mark Gibson, and multiple people in the crowd sporting UAW stickers. Currently, 23 states and Guam have some type of right-to-work legislation on the books.
Saul Loeb / AFP - Getty Images
President Barack Obama speaks on the economy and fiscal cliff negotiations after touring the Daimler Detroit Diesel Plant in Redford, Michigan, December 10, 2012.
But while the president was on the tour of the Redford engine plant, the clock continued to tick towards the end of the year and the so-called fiscal cliff. Obama again insisted that tax rates on the wealthiest Americans should be allowed to go up,
"What you need is a package that keeps taxes where they are for middle-class families," he said. "We make some tough spending cuts on things that we don't need, and then we ask the wealthiest Americans to pay a slightly higher tax rate. And that's a principle I won't compromise on."
He didn’t mention his meeting over the weekend with House Speaker John Boehner, choosing instead to focus the blame on Congress if taxes go up for everyone at the end of the year.
"If Congress doesn't act soon -- meaning in the next few weeks -- starting on Jan. 1, everybody's going to see their income taxes go up. It's true,” the president said. The audience loudly booed and the president responded, “You all don't like that.”
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Idaho passed "right to work" legislation in 1986 with the promise that employers large and small would bring good jobs to the state. So, how has that worked out? In 26 years, the average wage of an Idahoan has DROPPED from 87% of the national average to 76% of the national average. The median hourly wage is $14.51 (2011), 43rd in the country. Also, Idaho is 10th in the number of people who work multiple jobs to make ends meet. There must be a better title than "right to work". How about "the right to work multiple jobs because one won't support me" law.
Iowa has been a right to work state for years and it has not hurt them one bit.
So, force people to join what they disagree with?
YOU need to move to China. They would love your mindless, gutless babble.
Do they still manufacture Maytag washers in Newton, Iowa?
No, the union there broke the company so they had to move to another state.
After Maytag was acquired by Whirlpool Corporation, it moved production from Iowa, a so-called "right to work" (for less money) state, to another country--Mexico. Unions had nothing to do with it.
Ah, so the right to work legislation had nothing to do with it, either.
You need to think through your comments before posting. This is at least the second inane comment you have made on this subject.
At $14.51 is just over poverty level!!
You realy shorted yourself and family be not working for a UNION!!
To Bad!!
2012 Poverty Guidelines for the
48 Contiguous States and the District of Columbia
Persons in
family/household Poverty guideline
1- Person $11,170
2- Person $15,130
3- Person $19,090
4- Person $23,050
5- Person $27,010
6- Person $30,970
7- Person $34,930
8- Person $38,890
For families/households with more than 8 persons,
add $3,960 for each additional person.
As more and more states enact so-called "right to work" (for less money) laws, the working class can forget about its aspirations for upward mobility. After all, their wages must be kept down to subsistence level in order for our businesses to be competitive with China.
Why is it ok to force people to join and support what they do not want to join?
You need to be made to enlist in the military for the good of the nation. It does not make any difference if you want to; It needs to be done for the good of society..and for you to have both a job for a while and some discipline.
Perhaps I already served. In fact, I did.
Wow, you were not sure if you served or not? Fascinating.
What service and unit were you in? Tell the truth; I will know if you are lying.
I thought about giving you that information, but I thought I'd supply it only if you post yours first.
.
Those who prefer to exercise their so-called "right to work" (for less money) and not join a union should seek employment with non-union employers.
Many do in order to have jobs since unions have been helping reduce the number of companies able to hire
Those who prefer to exercise union thuggary to force people to pay them union fees should go to Russia. Idiot
I got a better one. How about you and the rest of the free loaders stowaway on the next ship headed to Russia. Oh that's right, you came over with out an invention to visit so your breaking Russian law and now your facing 20 years in a real prison.
Without unions, all jobs would be over seas. Maybe you can make a few bucks washing the Koch brother's trucks for 7.50 an hour. Tea party fags.
Why has Obama not made it possible for federal employee unions to collectively bargain?
Uh oh......
That was taken form President Obama hands before he was born. The Internet is a powerful tool, use it. Google.com
Try Taft-Hartley Act, circa 1947...
Obama said "We need to make tough choices, and cut things we do not need". If we do not need it, how tough is it? What an arrogant ass.
Better an arrogant ass than an ignorant ass like you...
Anyone who believe that a preson must be FORCED to join a union to get a job is a person who does not believe in the freedom of the Constitution of the United States period. There can be no discussion on this point. Unions of course have long supported the Democratic party (a party who does not believe in democracy if it does not suit their agenda). That is also a fact and conot be disputed. Unions once served there purpose in the early 1900's but are no longer needed with government regulations over employees rights. I do not need some union representing me I can do it myself. So in FACT anyone who needs a union to represent them is weak and cannot stand on their own.
I really like to read stuff like this. Why you ask? Because it just throws more spotlights the GOP's way and the country and the world can see how out of touch these limp dicks are and how they are pulling straws to stay in power. I bet you this time next year Michigan will have a house full of democrats and a democratic Governor to go with them. I think a recall is in order!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Get the petions out and lets get the signatures!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
As for me i am a happy union dues paying member who can now not stand the fact that some low life republican voting ignorant SOB can free load off my union dues and make the same wage!
To hell with all republicans.
So quit and find another job!!!
Hell no!!!
Sorry Nobama, you lose...
No, Romney lost. Obama won.
Sore loser...
Barry, go visit Detroit and see what the democratic party has done for that once great city. It gives new meaning to the term ghetto. Lead, follow or get the hell out of the way and in your case just go away.
obama is the most anti business, anti American president this country has ever elected. He is accomplishing Reparations and Wealth Redistributions under the his program of Tax the Rich. He is and has done nothing but buy votes which are rapidly leading to the destruction of the United States of America. He has risen to power using the Hitler handbook and his followers are too ignorant to realize what is happening. He relies on class warfare and his stlye is dogmatic.
SELLING AMERICA!!!
THE RICH and TEA-PUBLICANS WON’T LOOSE A THING AS THEY SELL America to the HIGHEST BIDDER!!!!!!!!!!
WASHINGTON - China's economy is likely to surpass the United States in less than two decades while Asia will overtake North America and Europe combined in global power by 2030, a U.S. intelligence report said on Monday.
U.S. manufacturing is getting a dose of medicine – Chinese medicine, that is. And while, like much Chinese medicine, it’s unpalatable to Americans, experts say it’s a salve the economy needs. Chinese investors will sink as much as $7 billion into American companies this year!!!!!!!!!!!!
BUYING AMERICA ONE BILLION AT A TIME!!!!!
Quote President Obama!!! "These so-called right-to-work laws, they don't have to do with economics. They have everything to do with politics. What they're really talking about is giving you the right to work for less money."
China will locate new business in these “Right to Work States”
For the cheep labor that will come to be!!!!
Pyrrhic/ Fascism / Tea-Publicans!!!
Quote President Obama: "These so-called right-to-work laws, they don't have to do with economics. They have everything to do with politics. What they're really talking about is giving you the right to work for less money."
Fascism: a governmental system led by ONE PARTY SYSTEM(TEA-PUBLICANS and RICH) having complete power, forcibly suppressing opposition and criticism, regimenting all industry, commerce, etc., and emphasizing an aggressive nationalism and often racism.
A Pyrrhic victory is a victory with devastating cost to the victor!! “THE RICH GET THE GOLDMINE AND TO WORKERS 47% GET THE SHAFT!”
Once the Republicans have achieved their goal of busting the unions in every state, their next goal is to repeal the minimum wage. Soon enough, our working class will be toiling for wages that are competitive with those in China, but they won't be able to afford to buy the very products they'll be making in U.S. factories.
So basically what Obama is saying is he wants us to live like socialist communists. He is saying this is about politics and ensuring workers get fair wages. However, it does not say you cannot belong to a union. It just means you do not have to give money if you do not want to. How does that mean unions cannot negotiate for fair wages? So let me get this straight. The unions want the ability to force you to pay for something you may not believe in? For example if unions give all their money to democratic parties but there are conservatives in the union who are paying money who do not want that money they are paying to go to socialist communist democrats then somehow the union has the right to force them to do it? How come the ACLU is not fighting for the rights of the workers who do not want to pay that money?
Does not matter though. Democrats are all stupid anyway. Somehow yo idiots believe that BS Obama is shoveling about making the rich pay more and that somehow that will reduce the deficit. The reality is he knows as well as his whole administration knows that the 800 bil produced over the next decade will reduce a deficit that is 1.2 trip per year so then why push the issue? Politics is why. See, he figures by telling all financial idiots which is the working class that by increasing the taxes on the rich we can increase spending everywhere else. He touts cutting spending but what is he specifically going to cut? Don't look for it because he has not said where because he is not going to cut anything and if he does it will be on stuff like the military.
Think all you union idiots are peed off now? Wait until 3-4 years from now when this country is between 19-20 tril in debt and the dollar begins to collapse. See how long you have a job then. You people in the unions are being led by idiots wrapped in a moron but you are either too naive and believe everything they tell you or you are just too stupid to see what is happening to this country.
The democrats for two years controlled the Presidency, the House and Senate and never balanced the budget. Know why? Because you did not have to which proves once Obama gets his middle class tax cut while raising taxes on the top two percent he will not cut anything.
Ha ha poor people
Don't like your job? get a new one that pays you for your skill and not because you are in a union.
Ha ha poor people
Does Obama have the political strength to confront unfair business practices? Recently I found a job after being laid-off not earning enough to keep a roof over my head. I applied for other positions with other companies doing the same work but needing more hours. They did not reply. Out of no where the company I worked for offered me more hours.
Does Obama politically carry the weight to confront what happened to myself? Seems to me the companys' I applied to and the company I work for worked to keep me at the same wage in the same industry. Without competitively contacting me in regards to my applications. I call that conspiracy and not competition if my assumption is correct.
Wrong, wrong, wrong. I'm from a right to work state. I was here when the reform was implemented. Industry has greatly increased after the right to work statue was implemented. More jobs were created. Unions had their day and were needed at one time. But now there are sufficient laws in place to protect the workers. A person should have the right to choose whether he/she wants to work for a unionized company. The worker should not be forced into a situation where he/she must pay dues in order to have a job. The autoworkers unions almost shut down the automobile industry in this country. The days of the unions are over. Time they realize it.
It's mismanagement rather than unions. Hostess is a prime example of that.
Tell that to the people at Wal-Mart.
I worked 15 years straight. I was laid-off. The only work available was contract work until accepting a low wage job. I applied with every temp service and contract work job available. At the very end of my unemployment a Temp Service lowballed me for a job earning much less than what I was earning.
These contract work companies offer low wage no benefit jobs while charging tens of thousands of dollars which the companies that hire them greedily accept for political and other collusion. They are not competitve and based on my experiences while on unemployment I would say I am on to something. Temp agencies and contract work companies anticompetitive policies earn them fistfulls of money while passing on a pittance to the people they hire for limited work and no benefits. I am not offering proof of my assumptions thats what the news and labor advocates provide. It would be too easy to expose this. Is Obama for real? Any non-competitive policy is not part of Capitalism. Pay people based on mutual benefit. If your profits are high and someone offers more money to your worker you either let the worker go to the other copmpnay or offer them a raise. You do not work in collusion to guarantee a wage that will continue maximizes contract fees. If your company earns less profit because of competition the system is working.
Unions were needed back at the turn of the last century because workers were getting hosed. However, there are laws in place that prevent that from happening. Just go ask the private sector. The reality is unions are used today to ensure lazy ass bastards get to keep their jobs as well as get more benefits than they deserve.
The real reason 100% CNN factoid that jobs roll overseas is because unions cost the owners of companies too much money. When unions did not ask for the planet the owners could afford to pay them. However, the reality is unions got greedy so jobs started rolling overseas.
Go to any Wallmart, turn the item over and it says made in China. This is why when you buy that toy for that little bastard kid of yours this Christmas it only costs $20.00 instead of $50.00 had it been made in the US. The same people who shop at Wallmart are the same people who work for unions. They want the cheap products but complain when they are made in China instead of the US, yet they are the one's telling the owners of the company gimme.....gimme.....gimme.
Go ask all those Hostess workers how well that worked out for them and before you say that was the onwers fault try again. I know the whole legally history behind that one.
Also, because you democrats voted these clowns back in to office this country will be somewhere between 19-20 tril in debt in 3-4 years. Not make believe numbers but financial reality. Go try and find a job then when the dollar collapses....pack of idiots wrapped in a pack of morons.
Ha Ha Poor people
Republicans want the government to stay out of our business unless it is a woman's vagina, and union busting.
Incorrect. Nobody is busting unions, you can still have them. It's about freedom of employment, you cretin.
aha, i fooled you self proclaimed tree huggers...i misled, lied, you drank the kool-aid!!! Now you're stuck with me 4 more years, haha. I'll shove my agenda down your throat. You'll play or pay!!! viva muslim brotherhood!!! #The New World Order. i blamed the rich, yet 7 of the top 10 riches politicians are Dems, haha...Banks control the world and fund both sides of wars...misdirection, slight of hand, you swallowed hook, line and sinker. "Hear now this, O foolish people, and without understanding; which have eyes, and see not; which have ears, and hear not."
-B Hussein
Feisty, as usual your idiotic comments and stupidity are astounding. Must be nice being so dumb that you can't offer anything constructive other than the libtard dumbocrat party line. Right to work is about freedom for all employees, and you're a complete low intelligence fool for thinking otherwise.