September 3, 2001

 

LABOR DAY, LOYALTY, AND
SHADES OF BOSS TWEED

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Since 1894, we have been celebrating Labor Day. Originally intended to recognize the contribution of working people to American society, the holiday now more readily marks the end of the Summer vacation season, and the beginning of the school year. Much has happened concerning the notion of Labor in the last 107 years, from the disappearing Jimmy Hoffa and humongous pension funds, to the phony shortage of programmers in Silicon Valley.

Historically, the trade unions have been aligned with the Left, and at this point, history is probably the only reason they still are. It is difficult to understand how their members are served by the Left's preoccupation with race and class warfare, high taxes, and an ever-encroaching government bureaucracy. But, old habits die hard. Perhaps some current events from California will shock the rank and file into a long overdue reality check.

Recently, Governor Gray Davis released a very mild statement criticizing Rep. Gary Condit. Davis and Condit have been friends and part of the California Democratic machine--an outrageously powerful institution that would put Tammany Hall to shame--for years. In reaction to the statement, Condit's two adult children decried Davis' lack of loyalty and resigned their cushy state jobs in protest. As the saying goes, this would be funny if it weren't so pathetic.

Chad Condit, 34, was Davis' top aide in the Central Valley (Condit's portion of the state) on agricultural issues, constituent problems, and other matters, at an annual salary of $110,856. Cadee Condit, 25, was a personal assistant to Davis, knocking down $52,644. Unless I'm missing something here, Davis providing high-paid employment to Condit's kids seems pretty loyal to me.

Let's reflect for a moment.

Both Condit offspring were earning far more than the average working stiff, supposedly the heart and soul of the Democratic Party. But, these jobs were merely political patronage, and the Republicans are guilty of this, as well. In better times, the young Condits might have been able to step right into equal or better positions in Sacramento, but now that they are damaged goods, their employment prospects in their present field seem a bit dim. What were they thinking of?

And, while we're at it, what ABOUT loyalty? How loyal was serial adulterer Gary Condit to his wife and kids during his tenure in politics? I guess character really doesn't count, when even his family, that he saw once or twice a year, whether they needed it or not, stands by him. The near certainty that Condit will soon resign in disgrace apparently had no bearing on their decision. Neither did the concept that loyalty is generally earned, rather than conferred and retained simply by status.

But then, this is the Left, and individuality is to be avoided at all costs. True, there is a split here, but the people involved are behaving as factions, not humans. Assuming that they are otherwise normal, Condit's kids surely hate him, but can still be manipulated to the extent that they will engage in a stupid photo-op resignation that benefits no one at all. They are confident, beyond all reason, that Big Daddy, finished in politics forever, will take care of them, as he has in the past.

One wonders how this story, given prominence in the Los Angeles Times, usually quite averse to reporting anything negative about Democrats, will play in the homes of loyal Democratic union members. When was the last time that THEIR kids got a big job, courtesy of a politician they helped to elect? How would a 25-year-old teacher (an overwhelmingly Democratic voting group) feel comparing her salary to Cadee's?

And how does Democratic California feel about Davis' arrogance of power, in this small matter, as well as the incredibly expensive mismanagement of our energy situation?

Sad to say, none of this matters in the least. In this huge state, full of problems, money, and colossal egos, the only thing that matters is tribalism. Believe me, if the horribly flawed Loretta Sanchez and Gary Condit can be elected to the US Congress--and that just scratches the surface--we won't be out of this mess anytime soon. At least Tammany, to its credit and eventual ruin, opposed FDR.


 

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