Solidarity

The masses in Middle Eastern countries like Egypt, Yemen, Jordan, Bahrain, Libya, and others have picked up upon a vital ideal in the struggle for freedom, equality and justice that it seems most Americans have forgotten. This ideal is what once made the American middle class the strongest and most socially and economically mobile in the world. It is an ideal that in the headlines this week, I am seeing challenged by the powers at the top, and sadly I believe the American masses are turning their back on. This ideal is that of solidarity.

Throughout the late 19th Century and into the 20th Century, America built itself not only with the promise of progress and industry, but with a promise to build a strong and vibrant middle class. This promise was not one made from those on high, and given as a gift to the masses, rather it is a promise that the masses united together to fight for, themselves. It is what made the unions and industry both strong, in a symbiotic fashion where when one profited so did the other. Over generations, the two sides of this organism have often been opposed, and it has from time to time gotten ugly, but in the end the willingness of the masses to stand together against the most powerful and wealthy have guaranteed a level of prosperity second to no other society today.

Speaking of today, this opportunity for prosperity, justice, and an aspect of social and economic freedom are threatened. The people who have worked so hard to build this country have been systematically under attack, and been losing ground for a generation now. We see in the headlines today the next step in this class warfare against the middle and working classes. The governor in Wisconsin is in position to eliminate the fundamental right of public employees to have a say in their own welfare and opportunity. Make no mistake, if the governor is successful, this trend will spread to other states, beyond just the public sector, this trend will spread to the private as well. It is true, once they have violated and taken away the right for free people to determine their own livelihood, the stock market will soar, fat cats will get fatter, and the economy for the few wealthiest of the American ruling class will improve. But at what cost?

Is the robber baron era in United States history really a place that we want to return to? The promise of economic freedom, social mobility, and rewarding hard work and initiative will be taken away unless we stand in solidarity with the workers of Wisconsin. It is only united as people, citizens, workers that we can overcome this attack on our well being and hope for a brighter future. It is only united that we shall succeed.

Sean M Henry