Bernard Parks Was Targeted as Union Object Lesson

In response to Jane Doe: After reading the front page LA Times article written Tue. Feb.22, 2011, "Parks Faces Tough Battle", I have to AGREE WITH YOU on the following comments posted to this LA Weekly article written Thu. Mar. 17, 2011. Parks, after seeking, did NOT receive any backing from SEIU Local 721. They led him to believe so, but, instead endorsed his opponent. Six (6) excerpts to learn something from about the game of politics are quoted as follows:(1.)"Parks and Molina are smart to get “ahead of the game” on this one. They recognize that Americans are slowly figuring out they’re being blatantly robbed ....(2.)only 12% of the working population in the UNITED STATES is represented by unions, and of that amount, a mere 5% is represented by “PUBLIC SECTOR” unions....Public Unions (the likes of SEIU 721) can feast and feast to their hearts delight since taxpayers pick up the bill for increased wages, premium benefits, and pension benefits that would make Bill Gates blush....(3.)if money starts to run low, no problem…union bosses simply order their "bought and paid for" politicians to raise taxes and the problem is solved. (4.)The higher the wages Union bosses obtain for their public sector employees, the more they get in return via mandatory union dues.(5.)The public sector worker is happy, the politician is happy, and the Public Union bosses are EXTREMELY happy.(6.)Unfortunately, a good majority of hard-working American taxpayers (who are often referred to as “tea baggers”) are not so happy.

One has to wonder about the validity of this article especially considering the timing -- fresh off the heels of the debacle in Wisconsin. Really? Union bashing in the L.A. Weekly? ... it goes without saying, the LA Weekly is not even a shell of it's former self... One only wonders what Harold Meyerson, Ben Eherenerich and a handful of other former Weekly writers think of this. To use Bernard Parks as some sort of martyr or victim who dared go against the mighty Union is ridiculous and preposterous in the least. Please, give us a break... I suggest Beth Barrett commit herself to some serious research and at least perhaps read the Weekly's own archive...including the history of Bernard Parks. No doubt all systems of power and economy should be open to critical discussion including the Union and newspapers and periodicals such as the LA Weekly and The Village Voice, oh - to just name a couple... So The bottom line really is -- IS THE LA WEEKLY ANTI-UNION? Is it? Is it? Is it?

I love how LA Weekly continues to report about how "well-regarded" Parks is in the district without ever consulting a district voter.

Are LA Weekly reporters allergic to neighborhood activist in South L.A. or is it that they have no room for any reporting that deviates from their preconceived narrative?

This is one of the worst, most slanted articles I have ever read in my life. Are you kidding be, Beth? At least APPEAR to be objective in your reporting! You could have easily written how big business spends tons of money to overcome union efforts as was the case for Bernard Parks who received large donations from business people who Parks is beholden to. Or you could have written about the hypocrisy of Parks attacking pensions of which he is the beneficiary to the tune of over $200,000. But I guess that doesn't meet your biased agenda. Jump on board, Beth, and attack the common worker. Who's the puppet now, Beth!

Parks and Molina are smart to get “ahead of the game” on this one. They recognize that Americans are slowly figuring out they’re being blatantly robbed by a minuscule amount of public sector (i.e. government) workers. I’ll explain it in simply terms for those of you from Rio Linda: only 12% of the working population in the UNITED STATES is represented by unions, and of that amount, a mere 5% is represented by “PUBLIC SECTOR” unions. So while private sector unions negotiate in good faith with private companies for fair wages and benefits, the Public Sector Unions basically ride shotgun over politicians “they” hand select and put in office. Unlike private unions, who are kept to a minimum of concessions since all private companies have to keep to a bottom (i.e. profit margin), Public Unions (the likes of SEIU 721) can feast and feast to their hearts delight since taxpayers pick up the bill for increased wages, premium benefits, and pension benefits that would make Bill Gates blush. So what if money starts to run low, no problem…union bosses simply order their "bought and paid for" politicians to raise taxes and the problem is solved. The higher the wages Union bosses obtain for their public sector employees, the more they get in return via mandatory union dues. The public sector worker is happy, the politician is happy, and the Public Union bosses are EXTREMELY happy. Unfortunately, a good majority of hard-working American taxpayers (who are often referred to as “tea baggers”) are not so happy. Wisconsin just proved this point, but don’t take my word….you just wait and see.

Parks, stood up to the unions!!!! Thats the bottom line. Ridley-Thomas is a puppet, everyone knows that. Some of his own staff have admitted to that, off the record. The fact of the matter is, that the unions have forgotten that they were created to protect and ensure the concerns of their members were followed. Power hungry, so called leaders like D'arcy and Durazo will go to great lengths to protect their power. Ridley-Thomas is not too far behind. In regards to Park's "double-dipping" WHO CARES!!!!!! He did not write the pension laws, he did not approve it. UNIONS DID!!!! Park's served in the LAPD for over 30 years, he earned his pension! Then he got elected as a councilman. Voters elected him, he did not appoint himself. He got a job after he retired, alot of people do the same thing. I hope I can too!

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"I have no retirement benefits". Don't blame the Unions, blame yourself for bad planning and staying with a job/company that does not offer a pension. It is every American workers right to organize and unionize. Parks knows this as he was once part of the Police protective union himself. He is also "double dipping" by receiving his pension from his Police service and his current salary. Funny how he never mentions his pension(s).