Posted: 12/10/08 11:22, Edited: 12/10/08 13:31
by Dave Mindeman
Some liberal blogs and media have been assessing the meaning and the state of the progressive movement. We are probably entering an era where change is actually possible and probable.
But, for the moment, I would point to another side of the discussion. Let's talk about where the progressive movement has failed some core collaborators.
I'm talking about Labor and the GLBT alliance.
Labor
During the recent campaign year, the Labor movement was fighting a lonely battle on the Employee Free Choice Act. The Pro-Business groups seized on a theme that the EFCA would take away the right to a secret ballot. It was an effective campaign.... absolutely wrong, but effective. Liberal groups were too busy with candidates to pay attention to this important labor issue.
Union membership is dropping precipitously in this country. It has been eroded by international free trade agreements....agreements that have no worker protections, for US workers or international workers. We have embarked on a new era of worker exploitation.
The recent Wal-Mart settlement in Minnesota only emphasizes what has happened in this regard. For years, Wal-Mart was getting away with pushing employees to work "off the clock" and to forego overtime they deserved. The settlement may help with financial burdens in some cases, but worker dignity at Wal-Mart went out the window long ago.
And, not surprisingly, Wal-Mart has been a strong opponent of the EFCA. They want to continue their anti-union tactics which intimidate employees and force union sympathizers out of the company. Ironicially, Wal-Mart traded off their anti-union stance with China to gain market access. Wal-Mart has unions in Communist China but not in America. How about that?
GLBT
The passage of Prop 8 in California was a bitter pill to swallow, especially coming on the heels of a major court victory in the same state. But the even more challenging aspect of it is outlined in a recent Newsweek poll showing a surge in support for gay marriage and even stronger backing for gay rights in general.
55% of respondents favored legally sanctioned unions. 74% backed inheritance rates for gay partners. 73% approved of extending health insurance and employee benefits to those same partners. 67% favor equal Social Security rules for gay couples.
In the midst of this growing public awareness, the Prop 8 failure stands out. The liberal/progressive community failed to mobilize and support the opposition to this "morality" legislation.
And we also continue to give religious organizations an outright advantage in their own mobilizing efforts. The Mormon church figured prominently in the financial support of the pro-Prop 8 forces. As well as the usual evangelical co-horts. Making direct appeals from the pulpit, these religious entities were making it a part of the "divine" plan to pass this measure. And their members responded with open wallets. Prop 8 advocates numbered 40+% from Utah (for a California measure).
Gay rights is really the civil rights cause of our time. The issues are basic and broad support continues to rise as the issues are made clear without religious rhetoric. Religious denominations have every right to NOT recognize the marriage of a gay couple. But they have NO RIGHT to deny them the legal process itself. NONE!
Progressives and Liberals have become so focused on the electoral process that the basic fight.... the real day to day fight in the courts and the court of public opinion has been neglected.
I'm as guilty as anyone on that score, but now there is enough progress on the electoral front that the advantage must be pressed. I fear that the protecting those electoral gains with timid action is what appears to be coming out of Democratic leadership.... on all fronts. That is the wrong way to go.
The progressive movement has certainly made headway over the last few years....but our friends in Labor and the Gay Community are still waiting for us to step up.
We have no more excuses.
