CRYING WOLF — THE SAME OLD SONG

Universal health care and the reform of outdated labor laws are shaping up to be the two great policy battles of the year, if not the century. Business interests are dusting off decades of campaign rhetoric warning about the doomsday scenarios if Congress enacts “socialized” health care and the Employee Free Choice Act to give workers a decent shot at organizing unions. They’re wrong about both issues, but will politicians and pundits believe them anyway?
Crying wolf has been a successful formula for business lobby groups. It has helped them thwart every attempt since the New Deal at achieving universal health care and leveling the playing field for workers. Now, after 40 years of declining wages for most employees, as well as growing numbers of uninsured and underinsured families, the stakes for workers and the economy couldn’t be higher. continue reading