Thursday, April 28, 2011

This Morning's Labor Quote from Adam Smith, Father of the "Free Market"

This disposition to admire, and almost to worship, the rich and the powerful, and to despise, or, at least, to neglect persons of poor and mean condition, though necessary both to establish and to maintain the distinction of ranks and the order of society, is, at the same time, the great and most universal cause of the corruption of our moral sentiments. That wealth and greatness are often regarded with the respect and admiration which are due only to wisdom and virtue; and that the contempt, of which vice and folly are the only proper objects, is often most unjustly bestowed upon poverty and weakness, has been the complaint of moralists in all ages.

Adam Smith, The Theory of Moral Sentiments pt i, ch iii (1759).

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

This week's Labor Neighbor Radio

Click title link to listen

Last night's city council meeting...

Was great!

All city council members except Nancy McLaughlin voted to affirm Spokane's commitment to the human right of collective bargaining - a right recognized by all free nations on our planet. Ms McLaughlin voted against this nonbinding resolution.

I will post the audio here, as soon as I can get it. Many Local 29 members came out to show support for Councilman Snyder's resolution and to speak in favor of it.

It was an especially entertaining evening as Council President Shogan upbraided the always entertaining George McGrath. It was no surprise that George spoke against the resolution and us. He even tried to denounce the resolution when it wasn't even the subject the council was addressing! I'll try to get that audio for you too.

All in all, a great night. It will be rebroadcast on City Channel 5 on the 28th at 6pm. Enjoy!

Monday, April 25, 2011

And now a word from Aristotle...

"Whenever men rule by reason of their wealth...that is oligarchy, and where the poor rule, that is democracy." Aristotle. Early Greek Philosopher