One of the workingman’s supposed favorite singers, Bruce Springsteen, sang, “Glory days, well they’ll pass you by…”
It seems Big Labor’s glory days have passed them by and that’s fueling their effort to pass state laws, such as in Wisconsin, ordering the teaching of “the history of organized labor in America and the collective bargaining process,” according to the bill recently signed by Gov. Jim Doyle.
More recently, labor groups in Minnesota have produced materials geared toward public schools that will teach the influence of Big Labor in the state. Reports Workday Minnesota:
To provide more resources for teaching about workers and labor history, the Labor Education Service has released a new video and website devoted to teaching about the Minneapolis truckers’ strikes of 1934. LES also has embarked on a new student-focused project documenting the history of the state Capitol.
Meanwhile, the AFL-CIO, the American Federation of Teachers, the National Education Association and the United Association for Labor Education have all passed resolutions supporting the expansion of labor-in-the-schools efforts.
One wonders if perhaps, given the fact that American students rank 24th and 25th worldwide in math and science test scores (McKinsey Group), schools should instead focus on teaching the basics and preparing American students for a global economy.
Instead of teaching the history of the isolationist labor unions, maybe teach a course on how America became the best country in the world: through hard work, competition and innovation spurred by capitalism.
Today’s labor movement despises capitalism and would prefer to eliminate foreign imports.
And maybe, just maybe, if we’re going to really teach American history, we should get back to the basics: the Constitution, our Founding Fathers and the commitment from the World War II generation and others that allowed America to be in the position we’re in: free and prosperous.
Instead, students will be required to learn about the history of Big Labor, probably without the ugly but honest details regarding mobsters, graft, corruption, and murders.
Wisconsin Big Labor allies have been trying for years to pass such a bill requiring its history be taught to schoolchildren. Previous versions included the creation of a special “labor history” license plate, with the proceeds going to fund the development of “a labor tool kit for the schools,” according to the Wisconsin Labor History Society. Isn’t that fantastic?
As many labor unions seek to teach the glory days to a new generation, we must realize they’re attempting to use that education to build a base of support for the future.