sc94597 said:
Let's imagine if FDR were president right now (somebody Biden's fans compare him to all of the time), here is what he would've done when this got tied up in the courts: 1. As soon as the bill was held up, he would've came up with half-a-dozen alternative plans that would address the legal challenges and explain them to the public. 2. He would threaten to stack the courts, expanding not only the Supreme Court but other federal circuit and appeals courts, given the Democratic Senate. 3. At the very least he would make the 0% interest rate and forbearance indefinite to induce action on the part of Congress to pass a bill. Instead this is what Biden has done: 1. Threw his hands in the air and if the courts strike this down reinstate the status quo 60 days after they make a decision or July 2023 at the latest. It is pretty clear that the Biden administration has given up. I disagree, why change your current plan or present any alternatives until you hear a ruling from the SC. It would be a bad tactic because the SC could be very specific if they ruled against the forgiveness which would allow the President to change the terms just like he did when another court case against the forgiveness happen. There is no reason to show your hand unless you actually have to especially until you get a decision from the SC. An alternative plan at this juncture does nothing since it would then have to go through a whole process again and just throwing stuff at the wall until you know what you need to do seems like a lot of wasted energy.
1. If the Railroad workers are that crucial, there needs to be more pressure on the owners of the railroads to secure laborers (the industry is hemorrhaging workers.) Eliminating the ability to strike is not a long-term solution, if -- again the railroad workers are so critical to the economy. 2. 51% of all Railroad workers who voted voted against the contract. This is because three of the four unions, that voted against, were quite large, and the margins were slim in the other 8 unions. 3. Even if the majority of railroad workers didn't vote against the contract, the unions had an agreement that if any union decided not to go forward none of them will. The rules were clear. 4. Biden did little to pressure the owners and much to pressure the workers. 5. Biden could've talked with Pelosi to keep the compromised 7-day amendment and the original bill together; he also never came out publicly for the 7 day amendment, instead promising something he obviously won't keep. Just like his other promises: student loan forgiveness, public option, etc., it is empty. 6. All workers should have the right to strike, regardless of the effects it has on the economy. The alternative is to propose slavery and exploitation. In a free country labor should be voluntary. So yes, Biden did urge congress to remove the right to strike from an entire sector of the economy. Most railroad workers have decided that they're going to take their backpay that they were owed for not having a contract in three years, and then they're going to find new jobs, because being on call 24/7 and not having sick days while the owners of the industry over the last 15 years cut laborers in order to maximize profits isn't worth it. |
While you believe that all workers should have the ability to strike but actually that is not a reality in the US. There are a lot of industry that are allowed unions but not the ability to strike. Personally, I would say it depends on how it could impact the nation. Let's say the strike happens and prevent needed supplies that cause people to die. If one of those people are your loved ones, you might blame, the strikers, the president, the railroad, the GOP you name it but at the end of the day, it will not matter who you blame, your loved one is dead. I know if my child is in danger, I am not going to be for a strike. I look for ways to help but dead is permanent and looking for blame does nothing.
So my position is that if the strike could really hurt the country, find another solution. It would have been great if the GOP did not block this bill but then again for them it was a pretty easy move. They are not getting any pressure from their constituents; all blame goes to the President, and they continue the tactic of doing nothing because the easiest move for most people is to blame the President then actually blaming their representees. Even now, you seem to believe that the President has all this power but in reality, the power is in Congress as it always is.
Why would the president keep the 7 day leave in the House bill when he probably knew it would not pass and thus the strike happens. Either way the GOP still get what they want. Strike happen, nukes the economy, president gets the blame.
Now just think if GOP constituents cried out that this is wrong and put pressure on their representees to vote yes.
As for the railroad workers, they are doing what they should as any worker who is not satisfied with a job, take your money and go but its not like its an industry with a lot of cross over especially in today's climate.
