Requiem for a Republic

Matewan

John Sayles is a great film-maker, and Matewan, in my opinion, may well be his masterpiece.

If you haven't seen it, you should.
Right now.
Today.
You can find it on youtube, and it's available on dvd.


In 1920, they called Union men "Bolsheviks" and "socialists" and "communists," or just "reds."
And even today you'll hear idiots griping about unions.
Socialists.
Communists.
Uh-huh.

You work an 8-hour day instead of a 12 or 16-hour day?
Ever hear of the "minimum wage?"
You get time and a half for overtime?
How about paid vacation days or sick days?
Health care?
Retirement plan?
You think the government did that for you?
Guess again.
Why do you think so many politicians are union-busters?

If you have any of those things, you can thank a Bolshevik, socialist, communist, union "red."
And a lot of them paid their union dues in blood.

I want you to see Matewan because, if you squint just a little, it'll look very familiar.
In fact, the situation is exactly what we have today
Every one of us who can find work is working dawn 'til dusk and still hopelessly in debt to the Company Store, and being rode roughshod over by Company thugs.

What we need now, is a damn good union.


liberty & justice,


sj

An Offer You Can't Refuse

The U.S. Government represents 

The People of the United States

Like the Mafia represents 

The people of Chicago.

sj