Maybe a reson to vote Dem.

[Soverytired]

No one knows what Obama is. He's barely been a Senator, never successfully sponsored meaningful federal legislation, and always votes hard left. His very election into the Senate was a huge fluke anyway; caused when the Republican candidate in IL went down in a 9th inning sex scandal.

If you're looking for a candidate who has a proven track record of "reaching across the aisle" to build sacred "consensus", McCain is your man.

Obama is a somewhat skilled orator (his numerous gaffes are dutifully covered by a enthralled media) . . . . but a bold visionary leader, or bi-partisian legislator, HE MOST DEFINITELY IS NOT.

Personally, I think it's an embarrassment to both parties that these two chuckle heads are the best they can come up with.


The iron law of oligarchy rears its ugly head.

 

[Rez O. Lewshun]

No one knows what Obama is. He's barely been a Senator, never successfully sponsored meaningful federal legislation, and always votes hard left. His very election into the Senate was a huge fluke anyway; caused when the Republican candidate in IL went down in a 9th inning sex scandal.

If you're looking for a candidate who has a proven track record of "reaching across the aisle" to build sacred "consensus", McCain is your man.

Obama is a somewhat skilled orator (his numerous gaffes are covered by a enthralled media) . . . . but a bold visionary leader, or bi-partisian legislator, HE MOST DEFINITELY IS NOT.

Personally, I think it's an embarrassment to both parties that these two chuckle heads are the best they can come up with.


The iron law of oligarchy rears its ugly head.

The Air Line Pilot profession is good for this country...

The safety work that unions do benifits the public.

When the profession is threatened and safety is deminished... the profession needs to be able to call the White House and talk with someone...

Who is a bigger chuckle head... the one that will or will not pick up the phone and talk to pilots...

 

[Soverytired]

The Air Line Pilot profession is good for this country...

The safety work that unions do benifits the public.

When the profession is threatened and safety is deminished... the profession needs to be able to call the White House and talk with someone...

Who is a bigger chuckle head... the one that will or will not pick up the phone and talk to pilots...

I'm sorry Rez. I just think there are a sh!!load more important issues facing the US right now than having a President who shares your huge hard-on for ALPA.

On a scale of the 100 things I think are most important for my country, I'd have to rate this towards the bottom.

I know you think the two active wars, alternative energy sources, an education crisis, retirement reform, economic trade deficit, declining dollar, declining world prestige, a resurgent Russia, a rising China, climate-change (or not), a porous border, national security, and so on and so forth is all subordinate to having a President who, like you, gets a big 'ole boner when "ALPA" calls.

I'm not even saying any other candidate can, will, or is addressing these other issues. I just question the rationality of a voter who makes this one issue the only reason to vote for a candidate.

But . . . that's why it's still a free country. Cheers.

 

[olympus593]

Why don't you help us out Einstein. It's really hard to pin this curious George down since he doesn't like to talk specifics..unless raising taxes,universal healthcare, cut and running in Iraq, re-distributing wealth, and talking directly to any third world commie isn't what you call Bona-fide!

Is socialist better for you!! Remember this guy has 3, count them ,3 muslim names! If it walks , talks ,and looks,it is!

"curious George" THAT A NEW LOW, WOULD YOU CALL A BLACK PERSON THAT TO HIS FACE?

 

[Rez O. Lewshun]

I'm sorry Rez. I just think there are a sh!!load more important issues facing the US right now than having a President who shares your huge hard-on for ALPA.

No doubt... that is why when I vote for POTUS, I am not done.. I contact my congressmen and work the issues over the four years... Customizing my politics. When hobby issues like guns, gays and abortion come up, I'll let my congressmen know where I stand... In addition, I give money to the lobby groups that share my views on the issues. If I want, I'll volunteer my time to those organizations..

See.. I don't put all my politics and hopes into one POTUS vote every four years... And many do when you look at the voter participation for POTUS and those for congress. Many vote for POTUS not many vote for congress.

On a scale of the 100 things I think are most important for my country, I'd have to rate this towards the bottom.

Good for you. My house note and ability to earn a living is pretty important to me.... yours is your choice...

And it for most people... they just take it for granted and operate under false pretenses of wealth. Just cause we got an SUV, flat screen TV and a hugh house doesn't mean we are wealthy or living well.

Most people if not many can't make two months of bill payments with no income. If they lose their job they are very screwed. And for airline pilots who have gotten screwed fr seven years... when is it enough?? But... hey... there are more important issues...right...??

I know you think the two active wars, alternative energy sources, an education crisis, retirement reform, economic trade deficit, declining dollar, declining world prestige, a resurgent Russia, a rising China, climate-change (or not), a porous border, national security, and so on and so forth is all subordinate to having a President who, like you, gets a big 'ole boner when "ALPA" calls.

Agreed... that is why there is not an Air Line Pilot Party. If there was I wouldn't vote for him. I am pretty sure the Congress and POTUS will be able to work all the above issues...

I'm not even saying any other candidate can, will, or is addressing these other issues. I just question the rationality of a voter who makes this one issue the only reason to vote for a candidate.

As I said... I think they can and will address the issues... I have optimism for the future and the coming generations. I don't live in fear.

However, I do want to be able to defend my profession.

The medical profession is being weaken too.... Should Doctors just let the lawyers and insurance companies take over? Let CorpAmerican devalue the medical profession for shareholder profits?

But . . . that's why it's still a free country. Cheers.

Its too bad many do not really know what that means...... know what I mean?

 

[Soverytired]

Its too bad many do not really know what that means...... know what I mean?

Wow Rez, you really are a sanctimonious prick, you know that? Nice to know my contributions and vote will cancel yours out. Not to mention the fact that the vast majority of pilots have their head screwed on straight when it comes to this kind of stuff.

Again, name one piece of proposed federal legislation by ALPA, your congressman, or your presidential candidate of choice that will improve the airline economy, thereby guaranteeing jobs for everyone in the airline business. (Pension reform doesn't count, ALPA dicked this one up a long time ago)

You can't, because they aren't. Oblique references by rogue congressmen for possible "hearings" don't count . . nor does the "ALPA secretly working behind the scenes" either . . . you may as well say the tooth fairy and black helicopters if you buy that route.

 

[Rez O. Lewshun]

Wow Rez, you really are a sanctimonious prick, you know that? Nice to know my contributions and vote will cancel yours out. Not to mention the fact that the vast majority of pilots have their head screwed on straight when it comes to this kind of stuff.

I take it you really don't have much more to contribute to this debate. Look I am all for rational, thought provoking discussion. IF you have a valid point and pragmatic debate, I might even change my mind...

Again, name one piece of proposed federal legislation by ALPA, your congressman, or your presidential candidate of choice that will improve the airline economy, thereby guaranteeing jobs for everyone in the airline business. (Pension reform doesn't count, ALPA dicked this one up a long time ago)

Oh so you get to decide what counts and what deosn't. YOU are The Decider? Where have I hear that?

Once again, you fail to understand. It is not about exclusive legislation geared towards a specific group that cures all sickness. As I told you... voting for POTUS once every for years is not being a good American.

One piece of legislation that ALPA is working on is FMLA reform. As you may or may not know companies can exclude pilots/FAs from FMLA. This may not be a big deal to you, but little ALPA is slow and methodical. They are on the Hill making changes.

Sure that is not good enough for you... you want an all you can eat, one stop shopping, satisfaction guarantee, one bullet, one kill bill on the Hill to make everything better. And until it happens you'll denounce the profession.... right?

You can't, because they aren't. Oblique references by rogue congressmen for possible "hearings" don't count . . nor does the "ALPA secretly working behind the scenes" either . . . you may as well say the tooth fairy and black helicopters if you buy that route.

Secretly working behind the scenes actually happened when ALPA was working with the TTD or transportations trades department ( www.ttd.org )
preventing the GOP congress from equating a labor strike to an act of terrorism and natural disaster, promting a gov't response. The precedence set in this Port Security Draft would have been devastating for unions. This draft legislation of course was in response to the Dubai Ports/Bush Admin fiasco.

Didn't hear about that one.... did you?

 

[acaTerry]

McCain hates pilots with a passion.

Oh puh-leez. McCain hates whoever he needs to hate at the time in order to get to the Office. As an example, look how many times he changed his mind on the abortion issue: Oh yes, life is sacred. Wait, uh, let a woman choose to kill the baby, er, I mean, um, but she is killing a baby, but, er, um it's her right, um, um...
Classic McCain. In this election whether you vote for "Everything for Everyone" Hillary, Dodge The Issue Obama, or flipflop McCain, there will be no winner, just 400,000,000 losers.

 

[Soverytired]

I take it you really don't have much more to contribute to this debate. Look I am all for rational, thought provoking discussion. IF you have a valid point and pragmatic debate, I might even change my mind...

One piece of legislation that ALPA is working on is FMLA reform. As you may or may not know companies can exclude pilots/FAs from FMLA. This may not be a big deal to you, but little ALPA is slow and methodical. They are on the Hill making changes.

Sure that is not good enough for you... you want an all you can eat, one stop shopping, satisfaction guarantee, one bullet, one kill bill on the Hill to make everything better. And until it happens you'll denounce the profession.... right?

Secretly working behind the scenes actually happened when ALPA was working with the TTD or transportations trades department ( www.ttd.org )
preventing the GOP congress from equating a labor strike to an act of terrorism and natural disaster, promting a gov't response. The precedence set in this Port Security Draft would have been devastating for unions. This draft legislation of course was in response to the Dubai Ports/Bush Admin fiasco.

Didn't hear about that one.... did you?

Rez . . .if you want a "debate", you have to present specific issues to discuss. Saying one party will ensure your job without specifically discussing pertinent federal legislation or action (i.e. the "how") is utterly meaningless.

In that vein: I was not aware of the FLMA loophole for airline employees. This was clearly a case where the intent of the legislation was being stymied by the conflicting airline duty time regulations, and it needs to be addressed. Hurray for ALPA for almost getting this corrected after a mere FIFTEEN YEARS.

That said, I consider this a minor correction to an entitlement that most airlines honor anyway, and certainly could have been negotiated by labor groups anyway. Besides, few airline employees take advantage of it anyway . . . who can afford to take off 12 weeks without pay? It is a technical correction to a flawed bill that should be fixed, but on a practical level it has very little impact either way.

I'm not impressed with the "behind the scenes" argument for an organization that takes millions in dues from it's members. This is an easy out: all good things that happen are credited to "secret meetings", all bad things are assigned to nefarious outside forces. You may as well tell me that it was your letter to your congressman that stopped this provision of the PSD from being enacted. How could I prove otherwise?

I'm not asking for a "one stop" solution. I'm asking for specific proposals that ALPA and/or labor is pushing that will strengthen a very weak airline economy.

Consider: If the Taft-Hartley Act was repealed tomorrow, do you think this would make your job more secure, or less? Do you believe this should be a stated goal of ALPA, or at least a "secret one"?

 

[PCL_128]

In that vein: I was not aware of the FLMA loophole for airline employees. This was clearly a case where the intent of the legislation was being stymied by the conflicting airline duty time regulations, and it needs to be addressed. Hurray for ALPA for almost getting this corrected after a mere FIFTEEN YEARS.

For nearly 15 years, it wasn't necessary to do anything about it. The airlines honored the bill just as every other employer did. In the past couple of years, a small handful of airlines have decided that there is a "loophole" that allows them to ignore the legislation. This has created a reason to close the loophole.

That said, I consider this a minor correction to an entitlement that most airlines honor anyway, and certainly could have been negotiated by labor groups anyway. Besides, few airline employees take advantage of it anyway . . . who can afford to take off 12 weeks without pay? It is a technical correction to a flawed bill that should be fixed, but on a practical level it has very little impact either way.

As a union rep, I assisted pilots with FMLA constantly. You'd be amazed how many people benefit greatly from this law. Diminishing its value demonstrates that you aren't really aware of what issues affect your fellow pilots on a daily basis.

I'm not impressed with the "behind the scenes" argument for an organization that takes millions in dues from it's members. This is an easy out: all good things that happen are credited to "secret meetings", all bad things are assigned to nefarious outside forces. You may as well tell me that it was your letter to your congressman that stopped this provision of the PSD from being enacted. How could I prove otherwise?

I'm not asking for a "one stop" solution. I'm asking for specific proposals that ALPA and/or labor is pushing that will strengthen a very weak airline economy.

I understand what you're saying, but unfortunately, politics is usually a "behind the scenes" business. Real business doesn't get conducted on the House and Senate floors. It gets conducted in back rooms and over drinks. It gets conducted in the Capital hallways and over the phone. It gets conducted in restaurants and in the homes of representatives. If you think real business gets conducted out in the open, then you've watched "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" far too many times. Welcome to the real world of politics.

Consider: If the Taft-Hartley Act was repealed tomorrow, do you think this would make your job more secure, or less? Do you believe this should be a stated goal of ALPA, or at least a "secret one"?

Taft-Hartley is an abomination and a disgrace to democracy. The founding fathers would be sickened to read such a document. It undermines every single principal that this country was built upon. Not only should it be repealed, but we should be completely ashamed that it was ever law in the first place.

That being said, it has little affect on us as pilots. The RLA is the law of the land for us as pilots, and Taft-Hartley, the NLRA, and many other labor laws generally don't apply to our operations.

 

[Cokie907]

Look, either way it goes, the Democrats win this November. Either we get a socialist-appeaser who believes in a living, breathing Constitution or we get a left leaning pseudo-socialist who believes in national defense. To celebrate the impending victory, I leave you with some of my favorite Democrat slogans:

The best thing to ever happen to the Democrat party was the Great Depression.
4 out of 5 terrorists surveyed recommend Democrats for president.
Give hope to Osama, Vote for Obama.
We'd rather buy oil from terrorists than drill for it ourselves because we're smart.
You like our nomination process, you should see us run Congress!
If Bill Clinton was the first black president, then Obama must be his twin brother.

 

[spinproof]

"Talking to any third world commie"? Used to be called "diplomacy."

You clearly don't know the definition of "socialist" either. So you are claiming that Obama is a socialist muslim? Not sure what that means, really, except that you like to talk out of your a$$.

P.S.: Barak Obama is not a muslim, and if he was, he would have every right to run for president of this free nation.

This country has never talked to any commie nation without preconditions! The only A$$ talker is you! Which I might add is your forte!
Barack(Muslim name) Hussein(Muslim Name) Obama(Muslim name) is what he is called! He claims to be Christian...I really can't tell...so far!
You Dems are gonna get a big surprise..it'll be coming from your own! Hillary was your best chance!

 

[spinproof]

Do you have any idea how much Carter has contributed to the greater good since his presidency?

And you already do pay a "tax" for healthcare, it just ends up in the pockets of 1) Pfizer/etc. and 2) Insurance companies. What do you know about healthcare in the first place?

Just focus on keeping the blue side up and leave the serious stuff to the professionals.

You are a complete baffoon!!! Carter has done more harm than any good of building a few houses will correct!

 

[spinproof]

:beer:

Baffoons love company!!!!

 

[spinproof]

Deleted...done! Have a(insert your own feelings here) day!