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"One of the most elemental human rights [is] the right to belong to a free trade union." -Ronald Reagan
Question?
In this Ronald Reagan presidential address on October 19, 1982, is President Reagan rebuking the Soviet government of Poland or Scott Walker? Read it and honestly decide if Republican "Saint" Reagan's condemning words equally apply to Walker. They do:
Yesterday the Polish Government, a military dictatorship, took another far-reaching step in their persecution of their own people. They declared Solidarity, the organization of the working men and women of Poland, their free union, illegal.BuzzFlash repeats: this is from a Reagan presidential address, the transcript of which you can read here. BuzzFlash repeats this statement from Reagan's address (emphasis added): "They [the Soviet Polish government] have made it clear that they never had any intention of restoring one of the most elemental human rights - the right to belong to a free trade union."
Yes, I know Poland is a faraway country in Eastern Europe. Still, this action is a matter of profound concern to all the American people and to the free world.
Ever since martial law was brutally imposed last December, Polish authorities have been assuring the world that they're interested in a genuine reconciliation with the Polish people. But the Polish regime's action yesterday reveals the hollowness of its promises. By outlawing Solidarity, a free trade organization to which an overwhelming majority of Polish workers and farmers belong, they have made it clear that they never had any intention of restoring one of the most elemental human rights - the right to belong to a free trade union.
The so-called new trade union legislation under which this contrary and backward step has been taken claims to substitute a structure and framework for the establishment of free trade unions in Poland. But the free world can see this is only a sham. It is clear that such unions, if formed, will be mere extensions of the Polish Communist Party.
In suppressing trade unionism and collective bargaining, threatening to use the national guard to suppress the tens of thousands trade union protesters in Wisconsin, in sending out the state police to pursue Democrats who are standing up for Regan's words in defense of trade unionism and threatening to fire workers if the unions don't agree to give up collective bargaining - among other betrayals to Reagan's words - Walker is committing the No. 1 unforgivable Republican crime: He's defiling the legacy of Reagan.
In fact, in this 1981 television presidential address (which begins with some warm and fuzzy words about Christmas), Reagan championed the Solidarity trade union and its rights in the most vigorous of words.
In fact, in his 1982 statement, Reagan even discussed how the Solidarity Union sought God-given rights.
So, is Walker not only throwing mud at Reagan, but also defying God?
If you don't think so, don't take it up with BuzzFlash at Truthout. Take it up with Reagan, because he's the one who said it.
Mark Karlin
Editor, BuzzFlash at Truthout
