JEERS to greedy financiers, CHEERS to candy

CHEERS to the members of the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers who rallied outside the shareholder meeting of American Capital in downtown Washington, D.C., to protest the company’s investment strategy of leveraged buyouts of businesses like NECCO. NECCO is famous for making little colored candy hearts with messages like “True Love” and “Kiss Me” that are popular on Valentine’s Day. The union protested the way that American Capital loaded the little candy company with debt! (From AFL-CIO blog)

CHEERS to the AFL-CIO for urging NFL owners to negotiate a fair agreement with the football players’ union. The national labor federation is emphasizing the many ancillary jobs that are at stake if a lockout occurs. (From CBS News)

JEERS to Republicans (and some Democrats) in Congress who claim, out of one side of their mouths, to be worried about the deficit, then, from the other side, advocate extending the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy, which would add another $4 trillion to the deficit over 10 years! (From Talking Points Memo)

CHEERS to American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten for clearing up some of the issues about public schools that could easily be misunderstood by a viewing of the new movie, “Waiting for Superman.” (From Daily Beast)

CHEERS to rock star Justin Bieber for urging young Americans to vote. (from AFL-CIO blog)

JEERS to House Minority Leader John Boehner for pledging to increase the retirement age to 70 if Republicans get control of Congress. (From New York Times)

CHEERS to the national Alliance for Retired Americans for their letter campaign to stop Congress from raising the retirement age. (From Alliance for Retired Americans)

Photo: PW/Jim Lane