Take It From Reagan: No Freedom Without Unions!

Posted on March 16, 2011 by Eli

One of the best explanations of why unions and democracy are intertwined comes from none other than Ronald Reagan (circa 1980). It’s a bold and eloquent address, all the better for the yacht floating by in the background. Take a look, then share it with your favorite Reagan-loving uncle.

Of course, Reagan’s address is about unions in Poland, not in the U.S. And there was that whole air controller debacle a year later. But at least for these two minutes, his logic is impeccable.

Originally found on GuyFaux2007′s YouTube Channel.


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  • Anonymous

    Why aren’t conservatives as fond of this speech from their hero ron as they are about FDR’s comments on public sector strikes?

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Jeff-Sherzer/644518087 Jeff Sherzer

    Reagan destroyed unions(as well as the industrial infrastructure) in the U.S. during his presidency. The steel industry is no more (in the U.S)nAm I missing something here?

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_735EVOVCWER4G76M2F6OSUNE6E melissa l

    for the same reason they always denie any fact.That makes them realize they maybe wrong. That is one benifit of being a tea party member or conservative your never wrong

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_735EVOVCWER4G76M2F6OSUNE6E melissa l

    Ron should have practiced what he preached

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Elizabeth-Fetner/21203930 Elizabeth Fetner

    This is a speech about the Solidarity Movement in Poland 30 years ago. In case you don’t know, Solidarity was an act of civil disobedience by the Poles against the communists. Are you saying the workers who don’t want to pay for medical care or their retirement are the same as the workers who risked everything to defy the Russians? I can assure you they’re not.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Robert-Suchor/100000309030999 Robert Suchor

    And I can assure you that all public workers in Wisconsin already pay 100% of their medical care and retirement. It’s a total compensation package they work for, not just cash wages. This talk about “contributing more” is no different than if employers said “I’ts not fair that we have to pick up the whole cost of employees’ wages. They should contribute their fair share.”

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_6ZNBOXW6FIEY6QTKM3357JDSSY John

    Hear, hear! Who is it that said…nn”When fascism comes to America, it will come wrapped in the flag and waving a crossu201d?nnI think we can modify it now to include the Corporations ordering our lives.nnIt’s ok for the Unions to exist elsewhere, not here, per the Right-wingers.nnWe may be approaching that stage, with Citizens United and its aftermath.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_6ZNBOXW6FIEY6QTKM3357JDSSY John

    Oh, and you don’t think it applies to the US because it happened in Communist Poland? You can only oppress a people but so much, and for oh so long. nnIf this Union-busting here in the USA continues, and wages/benefits continue to decline, and the wealth continues to be accumulated in ever-fewer hands, you can be sure that a Lech Walensa will rise up. We are already beginning to see glimpses a la Wisconsin, Ohio, Indiana, etc. n

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Matthew-Nace/100000125446845 Matthew Nace

    its funny you know union members have two bosses, they have their union boss they have to pay dues to, and they have the gov where they have to pay tgaxes. Thats really a sad state of affairs. I just pay taxes, to pay for your guys unions If there are no more jobs, to pay for union dues, then where will that money come from. I really doubt this will be posted. Tell me, what happen to the GM plants, what happen to detroit, what happen to the New York harbor. Taxes, and unions drove them out.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Matthew-Nace/100000125446845 Matthew Nace

    There is a difference where a union protects its memebers from corporations and does it within its bounds, but it is entireley different scenerio where union strong arm the gov for more control and dues, i.e. money, ummm where does that money come from, taxes, where do taxes come from, me, if there are no jobs, there is less tax revenue, if there is no tax revenue, how can you compensate for the difference in what needss to be paid out if less is coming in. There are two options, what are they?

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Jim-Chau/100001204475139 Jim Chau

    Melissa, please call him President Reagan or President. You have no right to call him Ron. That is truely disrepecting the President and dishonoring his memory. President Reagan is the greatest president this country has ever known. You don’t get to compare yourself with the greatest man who ever lived. President Reagan is not your friend and you don’t know him personally so don’t disrespect him by calling him Ron.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_XA6S55IQF7JRPODDKHO5C5FIVU roger

    Wasn’t it Reagan that fired all the traffic controllers and then rehired all new ones?

  • http://twitter.com/Birgerkatten Birger The Cat

    W. T. F? The dude almost funded Al Qaeda and made usa and even bigger class-society than it already was. I don’t get why anyone likes him. Probably because he gave more money to the rich instead of more money to the people.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_XA6S55IQF7JRPODDKHO5C5FIVU roger

    Oh grow up.

  • Brass Ring

    Nothing wrong with unions or collective bargaining ….. in the private sector.

  • Brass Ring

    Yeah, he was too late to save them from themselves.

  • Anonymous

    There is a big difference between private sector unions and unions in government related employment. In one instance it’s profit vs employers welfare or benefits; in the other instance it’s unions vs. the tax payers.nnUnions are good in the private sector as they protect the workers from being exploited unfairly. Union bosses have obtained too much control and too much compensation. nnWhen 93% of all political funding goes to Democrats then something is distorted or corrupted in the process. nnThe other thing is when policemen, firemen, people who work in the health profession decide not to work that put live’s at risk. Traffic Controllers also come under this category where lives can be jeapardized.nnJohn apparently thinks we should abandon patriotism because President Reagan said “When fascism comes to America, it will come wrapped in the flag and waving a crossu201d? He was referring to the GUISE of patriotism. You don’t throw away the authentic because of the fraudulent.nnnn

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Matthew-Nace/100000125446845 Matthew Nace

    Where is your facts? You cannot say that without any facts. Can you send me a link of an article so that I can make a better judgement of what your saying. Now I will need proof that yes President Regan gave money to Al Qaeda or back doored it some how. Didn’t President Regan bring end to the cold war without a single life spared, do you know how he did that. Liberals Demonize WITHOUT ANY FACTS! WHERE ARE THE FACTS! Obama still can’t produce a Birth certificate. He has spent more money then all the presidents combined together. But of course when the money is being spent on liberal agenda its ok, we can have a dept becuase we know how to spend the money. but I can go get my birth certificate in seconds. Obama is the President. Just seems a little funny you know. But manily liberals cannot say anything. You guys had control of both houses and the presidential. DO YOU KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS. with that supermajority the liberals could have passed anything, anyuthing, and all they did was get the healtcare out.

  • Anonymous

    How can someone be against lower taxes, less gov, and more economic freedom.

  • http://maplecanopy.wordpress.com/ mamaraby

    I’m not sure where you come from but in Wisconsin essential services like police, fire, corrections officers, etc are a no strike position. It’s against their contract to do so.

  • Anonymous

    I’m not from Wisconsin, my reference was to private vs. public sector unions.

  • Anonymous

    Guess what … without getting together ( I need to baby talk you into reality) a fight cannot be won. Listen up people the powers that be are dividing and conquering just like it was a battlefield. You still believe in hope … ah the American bullshit Dream … guess what … your lost in a wet dream….

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_YQ5ODDRTHWROVGAXJFNVHH3EJ4 Jen

    I think hes referring to the Iran Contra scandal you brainwashed lemming. And as for you, Jim, I’m taking a road trip to piss on Ronnie’s grave, may his soul rot in hell

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_TSQ7YCWDOIU6Q2J6WCA72XNWDI MandiE

    The logic is flawed here. Regan is supporting the freedom to have unions and doesn’t seem to support them more than to state that if “collective bargaining is forbidden” freedom is not present. I would like to see more of the clip to decipher if he is saying he is supporting unions or simply the freedom to have them. nnie. I support a woman’s freedom to decide what to do with her body which is why I am politically pro-choice, but on moral grounds I am very much against abortion. That is one thing that is very flawed for both main parties- especially the right. You must not legislate your own morality.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_TSQ7YCWDOIU6Q2J6WCA72XNWDI MandiE

    Lower taxes means less taxes for the wealthy. Ignorant knee-jerk reacting people find inequality morally wrong (how dare they get rich!) and prefer to take from the rich and give to the poor.nnEqual flat taxes all around is actually the most fair.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Jacob-Wren/1329213546 Jacob Wren

    RON RON RON RON RON RON RON RON RON RON RON RON RON RON RON RON !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • http://www.facebook.com/2KevLane Kev Lane

    Did someone say something about Ron Reagan?

  • Anonymous

    Has anyone done the math to compare $100 paid every month to the union for 20-30 years versus investing that same $100 every month in the market for 20-30 years?

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