OPINION: Two views of working people
As we celebrate Labor Day 2024, let’s consider the views of Democrats and Republicans with respect to working people and job creation.
Former President Bill Clinton and United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain did just that when they addressed the 23,500 joyful warriors who crowded into Chicago’s United Center for the Democratic National Convention last week.
In his familiar gravelly drawl, Bill Clinton touted President Biden’s successful record of recovery from COVID, saying: “We were in the middle of a pandemic and an economic crash. He healed our sick. And he put the rest of us back to work.”
The facts bear that out. Under Biden, the U.S. economy added a stunning 15.7 million jobs — 6.3 million more than before the pandemic.
Clinton then revealed another phenomenal statistic. He prefaced this by first saying, “You’re going to have a hard time believing this, but so help me I checked it.
“Since the end of the Cold War in 1989, America has created about 51 million new jobs. I swear I checked this three times. Even I couldn’t believe it. What’s the score? Democrats 50 (million), Republicans 1 (million).”
Democratic administrations oversaw the creation of 50 million new jobs while Republican administrations, over the same time span, created just 1 million jobs.
Nonpartisan fact checkers confirmed Clinton’s numbers.
Then, UAW President Shawn Fain came to the podium. He wore a big smile and a dark suit coat covering a bright red T-shirt.
Fain genuinely thanked President Biden for marching together with striking auto workers on their picket lines. Biden is the first U.S. President to do so.
Fain then said Trump promised to bring “all the auto jobs back.”
In fact, Fain exclaimed, when auto plants closed, “Trump did nothing!”
And at the top of his voice, Fain let out that when General Motors workers struck for better wages in Lordstown, Ohio, again, “Trump did nothing!”
Fain paused as the crowd roared.
Looking out over the United Center, he smiled and said it’s getting warm in this arena.
Fain then removed his suit coat to reveal the bold lettering on his T-shirt: “Trump Is A Scab! Vote Harris.”
A scab in labor parlance is any person who crosses picket lines. A scab betrays workers and caves in to the unreasonable and exploitative demands of employers. A scab is beneath contempt. Unredeemable.
The joyous warriors instantly picked up his refrain, chanting “Trump is a scab! Trump is a scab!”
Shawn Fain then laid out Kamala Harris’ years-long support for organized labor. She supported the UAW and fought for workers’ rights.
“Kamala Harris walks the walk,” Fain said.
This Labor Day, Democrats say we cannot go back to the unkept promises of the previous administration.
We say honor the people who do the work that keeps our economy growing and our society moving forward.
And we say let us not forget which candidate walks the walk toward a More Perfect Union.
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Evan Koch is chairman of the Kootenai County Democrats.
