Left-wing Extremism, Abortionists vs. Unions, Kudos to Paul

Tuesday, April 24, 2018

Left-wing Extremism

 
The extremism of the left is on full display at the City College of New York.  The campus chapter of the Young Democratic Socialists of America is demanding that the ROTC program be kicked off the campus. 
 
In typical socialist fashion, their demand is couched in class warfare.  Posters appearing on campus read, "The Rich Will Never Die For You.  Don't Die For The Rich." 
 
Thousands of courageous men and women join our military every year.  I don't think any of them are doing it for Bill Gates or George Soros.
 
This is nothing unusual for the Young Socialists.  In the past, they have demanded that the police, the military and white supremacists -- as if they are all the same -- be disarmed.  For some reason, I doubt the group has ever demanded that radical Islamists be disarmed.
 
A few years ago, you might have laughed off this nuttiness.  But polls show that millennials are embracing socialism.  So when the Democratic Socialists call for something, a large number of young Americans will entertain it.  
 
Polls also show that Millennials are the least patriotic generation in history.  A glaring lack of pride in the country of their birth will undoubtedly lead some to turn their backs on the very institution that guarantees their freedom.
 
 
 
Abortionists vs. Unions
 
The media love to highlight divisions on the right, hoping to demoralize conservatives.  But there are plenty of divisions on the left, which Big Media frequently ignores. 
 
For example, Planned Parenthood is fighting efforts by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) to organize its workers in Colorado.  I won't bore you with all the details, but the dispute between the two left-wing powerhouses is very unusual. 
 
Planned Parenthood has given hundreds of thousands of dollars to support the SEIU's political efforts and vice versa.  When Planned Parenthood was caught trafficking in aborted baby body parts, the SEIU's leadership publicly defended the abortion business.
 
By the way, Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards is married to a top SEIU executive.
 
Former chief shop steward turned union critic Peter List said, "It is not uncommon for progressive organizations like Planned Parenthood to claim progressive values on the one hand, while acting like 19th-Century bosses when their staffs want to unionize on the other hand."
 
I'm curious what the SEIU was fighting for in this case.  Is it concerned that the abortionists are overworking their medical staff?  Do they need more time off from destroying so many babies?  It's a shame the babies can't unionize to demand better rights. 
 
Or is the union concerned about work place safety?   Not surprisingly, Planned Parenthood is fighting efforts to require clinic inspections.  The left always wants to regulate businesses, except when it comes to the billion-dollar abortion industry.
 
 
 
Kudos to Paul
 
Kentucky Senator Rand Paul surprised many observers yesterday when he voted in favor of Mike Pompeo's nomination to be secretary of state.  With Paul's support, Pompeo narrowly avoided receiving a negative recommendation from the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. 
 
I have my disagreements with Senator Paul, but he deserves credit for eventually doing the right thing.  Perhaps he was moved by our argument yesterday.  How does a conservative senator rationalize voting for John Kerry to be secretary of state and against Mike Pompeo? 
 
By the way, Kerry became a public figure when he returned from Vietnam and accused his fellow soldiers of war crimes.  Pompeo graduated first in his class at West Point and served honorably in the U.S. Army.
 
Pompeo's final confirmation vote will take place later this week.  While it is likely to be successful, here's what you need to know. 
 
Hillary Clinton was confirmed to be secretary of state by a vote of 94 to 2.  Kerry was confirmed 94 to 3.  When Pompeo was confirmed last year as director of the CIA, he got 66 votes.  I would be surprised if Pompeo's receives more than 55 votes this week.  
 
How's that for a breakdown in civility and bi-partisan compromise?
 
  

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