That's what happens when corporations control leadership.
"Upset with choice of N.C., unions to hold own meeting
RALEIGH, N.C. — Upset that the Democratic Party is staging its presidential convention in a Southern state long viewed as hostile to organized labor, union leaders are holding a ‘‘shadow convention’’ where they hope to highlight key issues near and dear to middle-class workers.
Prominent labor leaders created the ‘‘Workers Stand for America’’ rally after what they say was their lack of input into planning for the 2012 Democratic Convention in Charlotte, which is set to begin Sept. 4. They say thousands of union workers will rally to call attention to issues affecting the middle class. The centerpiece of the event is a ‘‘Second Bill of Rights’’ laying out workers’ rights.
Unions have long been a key ally for Democrats. But many are refusing to contribute money to a convention in a state that bans collective bargaining for teachers and other public workers.
Yeah, that was really a kind of up-yours, you have nowhere else to go decision to hold the convention in Charlotte.
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Related: Obama Labors Over Convention
He's got some help:
"Patrick listed numerous accomplishments, including curbing public workers’ collective bargaining rights, “with labor at the table.”
Related: Mass. Unions Gave Back $80 Million
But it was a Democratic stab in the back with love which is different, right?
Also see: Despite changes, donors still prominent at conventions
"Obama defends health care law, attacks Romney" by Ben Feller | Associated Press, September 03, 2012
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Delegates descended on Charlotte, the Democrats’ convention city, for two days of partying before their first official meeting Tuesday in the Time Warner Cable Arena. A 25-foot sand sculpture of Obama stood near the arena, made of mine sand from South Carolina.
Related: Democrats Caught With Drawers Down
That's what the campaign contributions are paying.
Some 800 demonstrators marched through the streets near the convention hall, protesting what they call corporate greed as well as US drone strikes overseas, said to kill children as well as terrorists. Dozens of police officers walked along the parade route. One arrest was reported, for public intoxication.
My kind of people!
The economy is the dominant issue of the campaign, and Biden’s itinerary, in particular, underscored the threat that a sluggish recovery and high, 8.3 percent unemployment pose to Democrats seeking another term in power.
He was in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, states that have received little attention previously as the candidates, their parties, and outside allies concentrate on the areas of the country deemed most competitive. His presence suggested the race in both states was tightening.
At least it will give the news media something to do for the next two months.
Obama spoke on the University of Colorado campus in Boulder and made his now-familiar plea for students to register to vote. He benefited enormously from the support of younger voters four years ago and can ill-afford a fall-off in their support — or enthusiasm— in 2012....
The new voter ID laws are designed to take care of them.
Related: Obama Gets Old
"Gone are the days when young voters were not taken seriously. In 2008, they helped propel Barack Obama into the Oval Office, supporting him by a 2-to-1 margin."
For years we have been told young don't vote, and if they do they voted for Ron Paul so they don't show up to vote (as a media once told me)....
Obama Finds Fountain of Electoral Youth
It's in the rigged machines.
Also see: Obama leads Romney among voters not likely to vote
A WTF poll.
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Democrats do have their die-hard union supporters though:
"Marchers lament N.C. union stance but support Obama" Associated Press, September 04, 2012
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Union activists walked a political tightrope on Labor Day voicing support for President Obama’s reelection bid while lamenting adversarial attitudes toward organized labor in the state Democrats chose for the presidential nominating convention.
More than 300 people marched in the Charlotte Labor Day Parade a day before the kickoff of the Democratic National Convention, carrying signs, wearing matching shirts, and chanting.
In contrast to a protest the previous day, the atmosphere Monday was overwhelmingly pro-Obama, family-friendly, and generally low-key, and the police presence was much lighter.
Translation: this was a controlled-opposition protest.
For Gil Crittendon, it was important for the marchers to show that organized labor is alive in North Carolina — even though the state has the lowest percentage of union members in the nation.
The choice to hold the convention in Charlotte is really a subtle up your ass to union folk and the middle class.
The member of the National Postal Mail Handlers Union Local 305 brought his four grandchildren with him for the walk in the hot sun.
‘‘I want them to know what it’s like to stand up for your beliefs,’’ the Charlotte resident said. ‘‘A lot of people — politicians — want to break the unions. It’s important that we stick together and push back.’’
I'm sorry, but Democrats have been complicit. Must be the corporate campaign cash.
Obama and Vice President Joe Biden addressed union crowds Monday in the Midwest as part of an effort to keep the group of reliably Democratic voters motivated.
Meaning they are losing them, and for good reason.
Related: Biden's Boast
Yeah, they are sticking up for you.
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Back to the "bad" protesters:
"Small group of protesters takes to streets, with hundreds of officers at ready
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Demonstrators blocked an intersection near the Democratic National Convention for about two hours Tuesday, attracting hundreds of police officers, before they were allowed to keep walking toward the heart of Charlotte’s central business district.
Two people were taken away in handcuffs.
While the afternoon demonstrations were tense, they were free of violence or mayhem.
A group of about 50 protesters on an unauthorized march had sat down in the middle of an intersection about five blocks from where the convention is being held.
They were surrounded by hundreds of police officers and warned to disperse or be arrested.
The impasse was broken after two demonstrators spoke to Charlotte’s police chief and said they were told they could continue to walk as a group on public sidewalks. They then continued past the city’s convention center.
The demonstrators’ stated goal had been to talk to convention delegates, and the two groups came close to each other along the side of the convention center.
At one point, a group of delegates shouted ‘‘Four more years!’’ The marchers responded: ‘‘No more years!’’
Also see: God Has Spoken
