When I read about what healthcare executives make and then I read about the conditions of those impoverished in our country I always think we're lacking perspective. I feel even worse when I think about less developed nations and how bad their poor have it. I often proclaim that Republicans in their slavish worship of the free market, lack perspective. They certainly, however, do not lack discipline. Moreover, I think we at times have a tendency to lose our perspective as a result of our lack of discipline.
Rhode Island has the thrid highest unemployment rate in the country. This is particularly troubling in light of research about the consequences of long term joblessness. When people don't have a job for a long time, they seem to forget how to work. How to engage in the system. This is bad for everyone in that society. Because of this it seems relevant that we seem to have some perspective issues stemming from our lack of discipline.
While I'll likely be accused of "union bashing" again, recent behaviors by the Central Falls teachers union shows a lack of perspective. When unemployment is 12% (and that's U3 unemployment mind you, not U6), I feel reluctant to have a knee-jerk support the unions reaction. Being intransigent in light of these kind of circumstances is simply a PR nightmare. Maybe the school district was using this as an opportunity to push an agenda, but in case they haven't been paying attention, populist axes are being ground all over the nation. Unemployed workers are not going to have much sympathy for those with good jobs who don't want to work more, even if those teachers are the victim of spin.
Meanwhile you have a recently ended California hunger strike, once again seeming to make light of those who have no jobs. Once again I am not saying I don't side with the unions in these disputes as a general rule, but a sense of discipline suggests that now is not the time. This lack of perspective needs to be a Republican problem. Don't muddy the issue by making it look like my side has lost just as much perspective.
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