Workers of the World, Break Up!

The political ramifications of the three unions leaving the AFL-CIO leave Republicans salivating and Democrats making desperate cries for unity. Jesse Jackson made an appearance at the AFL-CIO convention warning delegates about the "anti-civil rights, anti-labor rights Republicans." Here's the Washington Post story.

In the second to last paragraph, AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Richard L. Trumpka announced that the federation might raise dues. Will they raise dues by 1/3 to keep the same $120 million budget? There are other ways to balance that budget: like giving less to 527 organizations. But the AFL-CIO would never trust its members to give to the candidate of their own choosing.

Republicans have a huge opportunity to make head-way with a group of voters that has traditionally been a monolithic vote for Democrats.