Why Big Labor Couldn't Match Glenn Beck's Rally

[ErnstBlofeld]

Townhall.com/Byron York:

The nation's biggest, richest and most powerful labor unions spent months organizing the "One Nation Working Together" rally at the Lincoln Memorial on Oct. 2. With midterm elections approaching, they hoped to put on a show of political strength to energize struggling Democratic candidates. But even after giving it everything they had, they still weren't able to draw as many people as Glenn Beck's Aug. 28 "Restoring Honor" rally. Why not?

Because the labor movement is shrinking, aging and divided. Because the best program its leaders (and co-sponsors at the NAACP) could put together was one featuring Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson, Richard Trumka, Van Jones and Harry Belafonte. And because George W. Bush is no longer in the White House. Put those factors together, and Big Labor's big march fell flat.

First, the shrinking part. According to 2009 figures from the Labor Department, 12.3 percent of American workers belong to a union -- down from 20.1 percent in 1983. In real numbers, there are 15.3 million union members now; back then, when the country's population was significantly smaller, there were 17.7 million.

Next, aging. The Labor Department figures show there are more union members between 55 and 64 than in any other age group. The lowest rate of union membership is among younger workers.

[Valin]

Finally, the rally lacked a villain.

 

Oh the lefty has plenty of villains to choose from. The problem is most of them look like America,

[Casino67]

It will be interesting to see Jon Stewart's party rally. I think the young and college folks will turn out big. With Stewart it just seems to promote P A R T A Y. Nothing will be accomplished, but a fun time will be had by all.