Nothing I admire more than a person with strong convictions. How does that old saying go? Oh yeah, “When the going gets tough the tough get up and leave.”

Oh Bernie, we hardly knew you.

I think what we have here is real congressional material. “Vote for me and I will end the Iraq War.” That is until I find out how much money I can make once I get in office.

There's a reason why the first UNIONS were coal miners.

Actually the first unions were not coal miner unions they were skilled trade unions formed in the 1790s.

http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761576185/Labor_Unions_in_the_United_States.html

The first coal miner union began in 1848.

http://72.14.253.104/search?q=cache:mYFrPt_Ltm8J:www.teachcoal.org/lessonplans/pdf/coal_timeline.pdf+first+coal+miner+union+in+United+states&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=6&gl=us

This is interesting: reportedly Aronson was later fired for "insubordination".

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,915101,00.html

...and then went on to write speeches for Walter Mondale. Revenge?

rob payne: Weren't they more along the lines of guilds, where as the Molly McGuires and the Sons of Hybernia were a true labor movement born of the desperation of corporate oppression. (Girard Mining interest)(Robber Barons)

Mike,

There were guilds before unions usually associated with the medieval era but Encarta says pretty clearly that trade unions formed in the US in the 1790s.

Here is what Encarta said:

The trade union movement in the United States originated during the early years of the republic. As in other countries, skilled workers were the first to organize and form unions. During the 1790s unions were formed by the carpenters and shoemakers of Philadelphia, the tailors of Baltimore, Maryland, the printers of New York City, and groups of crafts workers in other large cities. These unions, usually small, were organized to conduct particular strikes, after which they were dissolved. Actions in the 18th century were few, although journeyman printers did occasionally strike in New York City and Philadelphia in the late 1700s. Sporadic work stoppages also occurred during the early decades of the 19th century, although strike leaders frequently were fined and imprisoned for what was termed “conspiracy to raise wages.”

Of course these were not national unions which came later in history.

It's good to see that "Conspiracy To Raise Wages" is a traditional CRIME in this country instead of something that just came down the "pike".

Yeah, I noticed that bit about the wages as well. Notice how long it took congress to even begin to raise minimum wages, they were afriad of being in a conspiracy I guess, being so traditional and all.

Congress conspires to raise it's own wages EVERY year. One wonders why there a isn't an ANNUAL ARREST for Congressiional Members. ( there could a parade, festivities, carnival, with the perp walk grand finale.) (no need for a circus, that is permanently on revue when Congress is in session)

Absolutely, when it comes to giving themselves raises they are certainly fearless. I can’t think of one good reason congress should not be arrested for conspiracy. After all they could do absolutely nothing behind bars just as well as they do nothing when they are in session other than giving themselves raises that is.