I’ve been following the situation in Wisconsin for the last week or so and although it’s something that many of my conservative friends don’t understand, I have a soft spot for Unions.

I also admire and respect those who are teachers. A year or so ago I volunteered to drop literature for a day in support of the local school levy. I don’t mind paying more to have our children educated. The teachers in Wisconsin seem to be singled out in this fight, although the situation deals with most public employees.

My admiration for Unions is because my father was a Union man. Back in the 60s my standard of living went up considerably when my dad joined the Operating Engineers Union – and we traveled while he worked on jobs all across the Midwest. I attended eight schools in seven years.

My dad built bridges and interstates. Have you ever traveled on Interstate 80? My dad worked on that road. How about I-70? Yes, he worked on that one, too. How about I-29 and I-35? Yep. Bridges across the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers were part of his experiences as a “Union” man in the late 60s and early 70s. Continue reading →