Re: James Sanderson Jr. letter

 Having read the articles pertaining to Mr. Sanderson's decision in changing to the Republican Party, I would like to congratulate him on finally seeing the light. However, there seems to be  concerns that raise their ugly heads.

After approximately twenty or so years of turmoil with the steel mill with the union involved with its, "On and Off" again openings, closings, and changing-of-hands history, I fail to see why the union was ever voted on in the first place.

Do we not see that in the long run to NOT have the union in the first place would have been less strain on the workers families.

There are two sayings that would apply in this situation.

  The the first is that "You can lead a mule anywhere if you dangle a carrot in front of him!"

  In this instance, I think the carrot was even so large that the workers at the steel mill could not  ignore.

 For over twenty years, Mr. Sanderson led the workers along the path of destruction by union promises and brighter futures. Who could resist?

  This is the same rhetoric that has destroyed and caused so many different industries in our once Great Land to go off shore and end up with cheap labor and the products then sold back to us for huge profits.

One has to only look at our auto industry unions and teachers unions to see the results of their actions.

 I know from experience in working in the Postal service for four years in the late ’60s and early ’70s. We paid our union dues and got pay raises and then had to dole out more of the raises to support the unions and their bosses.

 I ask you, What have we gained in the auto industry, government controlled and supported Postal Service and other entities that have been union controlled?

 I'll tell you what! Unemployed workers in our auto industry, support for a postal system that is sucking the life out of our tax dollars and failing education system in our schools and universities by tenured professors who do nothing but suck the life out of the students whose parents are trying to pay outlandish tuitions, just to name a few that are union controlled.  

 It seems that having a steady job, reasonable retirement plans, and a secure feeling for the future would be better for the workers.

 I worked 35 years at two different jobs, Airforce active and reserves, and a public utility for 27 of those years with a retirement.

 I started out at low wages and always less than union wages, and raised a family on these wages.

 I didn't get rich by any means; however, I never did get laid off or was out of work because some union boss said it was a time for him to get a raise and cause the workers to go on strike.

 Now that Mr. Sanderson has passed the torch onto his son Jamie, it is mighty convenient for him to retreat and find other pastures to graze because there is not enough room for two bosses.

There is the second saying and lesson that we must be cautious of that would apply here.

 That is, " Beware, a leopard can not change his spots."

Henry Stevens

Georgetown