Unions: What's Mine is Mine and What's Yours is Mine

"We're going to give our legislators no peace until they do their job."
"These are risky cuts to public services."
"We can't afford this extremist plan."
"If we just settle for any budget, then thousands upon thousands will go to work just to get layoff notices."
"Their budget would replace your paycheck with a pink slip."

All of the above are quotes I heard from a union official tonight.  Here's what boggles my mind: the majority of voters in the state of Minnesota elected Republicans, who then proceeded to take over both houses of our legislature.  This would, by default, make the union mindset the mindset of the minority.  I'm just guessing here, but it would seem obvious to me the Republicans in the legislature are simply carrying out the duties they were commissioned to carry out on election night.  It would be disgusting, to say the least, if the legislature were to cave now and agree to a tax increase.  Consider this quote:

"During the struggle and after the struggle, the workers must, at every opportunity, put forward their own demands alongside of the demands of the [opposition.]  They must demand guarantees for the workers as soon as the [opposition] set about taking over the government.  If necessary they must obtain these guarantees by force and in general they must see to it that the new rulers pledge themselves to all possible concessions and promises--the surest way to compromise them."

Any guesses regarding the source of that quote?  It is from the Address of the Central Committee to the Communist League, Karl Marx, March 1850.  Anyone who scoffs at the notion the struggle we face in our nation today contains the same elements is a blind fool.  It is wholly un-American to forcibly separate a person from his property--including his money.

Consider now the definition of "dependence":  a being contingent upon or influenced, controlled or determined by something else; subordination (Webster's New World Dictionary.)  What a horrific existence, to always be demanding more and more and more from others, when independence--freedom--cuts loose the chains and provides the means by which each person makes his own way.  Which would you rather have:

1.) Constantly begging, demanding, coercing, forcing to meet your needs?

or...

2.) Happily blazing your way through life, barely noticing what others have or do, but, rather, focusing on your own gifts and skills, the fruits of which provide for your needs?

The first is a miserable existence with anger always a central ingredient.  The second is fueled by joy and optimism.

Independence: freedom from the influence, control, or determination of another or others. (Webster's New World Dictionary)

The deceit of so-called "guarantee" of your needs being met is there's no such thing as a water-tight "guarantee."  We are seeing this "guarantee" falling apart, all across the nation.  The house of cards is tumbling down.  Although the uncertainty of what's happening in our nation right now is frightening to a degree, it is also incredibly healthy, healing and cleansing.  We will emerge from this battle far stronger.  The absolute beauty of freedom and the atmosphere of self-reliance it naturally provides is, if you are dissatisfied with your life and you want to change it, you don't have to waste your time & energy, turning to someone else to demand the change you want.  YOU make the change.  YOU review the source of dissatisfaction, make a plan for alteration and then DO IT.