No, the problem is not unions. The problem is our economic base went from manfacturing to service. Service is why we have so many small businesses. Why were our father's generation so well off. Good paying jobs in an expanding manfactur base after WWII. Who killed that economy. Big business that went overseas, and yes, unions who made unrealistic demands must share the blame. Read some business and labor history of this country Starting around 1830 and lasting to the late 1800s/early 1900s, businesses were extremely harsh and exploited labor. Unions came into being as a rebutal to confront the harshness of business. By the late 1960s, early 70s, labor had become too strong. Labor and business law started changing and unions fell out of favor. Cokely would call this a cycle. In the 1980s business started closing U.S manfacturing capacity and moving overseas. So now, with no manfacturing base, we import everything, small business markets the imports, and labor works for minimal wages and low employee benefits. Union membership is now what--30 percent of what it used to be. Union wages did not drive this latest economic debacle. Auto manfacturers want to tell you that--but it is not true.

Now Doug, lets hear your economic theory and tell us how unions are crippling you and the country.

And Chief, I don't do sound bites and search the web. Never have thee radio or tv on during the day. TV sometimes at night to watch CSI Las Vegas, never watch Fox news, Glen Beck, Sean Hannity, or David Letterman. If in the pickup, listen to all those communists on KC and Lawrence National Public Radio. There's 90 year old Walt Bodine and his guests doing either restaurant or movie reviews, there are non-political broadcasts that discuss science, there is classical music, there is a broadcast on music history and performers-rock and roll, jazz, and country-and there is local and national news every hour. Do read a lot of news articles and columnists on the internet.