The Cure For What Ails Us
In her September 27 remarks at the Change To Win founding convention, top executive Anna Burger said this: "American workers do play by the rules. But the rules no longer work. Wages are down, work hours are up. The gap between the rich and the rest of America is staggering and growing. Health care costs are exploding. Pensions are wiped out. Job security is a thing of the past. Part-time employment is on the rise. Giant corporations that salute no flag but their own corporate logo, and worship no [G]od, but the almighty dollar, roam the globe in search of the lowest wages.
"The result is families now face the impossible challenge of getting their children to school in between their two or three jobs. Choosing between bus fare and breakfast, health care or housing, in between taking care of their mother or their father or their children. Sisters and brothers this is not the American Dream. It is an American Nightmare. . . . Unions are the antidote for what ails us."
I agree with Ms. Burger on all but one point. And it is a biggie.
Unions are a necessary and helpful part of the American economy. But they are not the antidote for what ails us, and until we stop looking to them and other forces outside of ourselves to relieve our pain, we will be forever waiting for one antidote or another to fly in like Superman and rescue us.
No, unions are not the antidote for what ails us. We are. Unions can force employers to comply with the law, resulting in a more worker-friendly work environment. But they cannot reach into the depths of our souls and create the kind of holistic lifestyle changes that we need. Only we can do that, and until we realize and act on that truth, we will be forever at the mercy of the antidote of the day to impact our world and our lives for the better.
Of course entrepreneurship is not for everyone, and millions of Americans do not have the means, the will and/or the desire to manage a business of their own. But millions of Americans are in such a position and those of us who are should be working to make it better for everyone. Until those of us who can are willing to tap into our God-given capabilities to change our lives for the better, the antidote will never come.
We are the antidote. I am the antidote for what ails me. You are the antidote for what ails you. Let's join together to help change lives. In doing so, we will change families, communities, our country and the world.
Comments
I agree. Unions are not the anitdote for what ails us. I was a member of a union, which is another story in itself. We are, as individuals, our own anidote. We have everything we need within, not outside, ourselves. Since we have the unique ability to heal ourselves with lifestyle choices, we are the anidote for what ails us.
Posted by: Johnetta Miner, NP | October 10, 2005 04:12 PM
I agree. We spend too much time looking for an individual or an infrastructure to save us, instead of creating our own infrastructure. To some of my friends, I'm something of a freakshow because they are quite happy to keep chasing a paycheck. I understand that entrepreneurship is not for everyone, but I'm amazed at the number of people who are not interested in owning something for themselves.
Posted by: Yetunde Rodriguez | October 12, 2005 03:54 PM