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Insight's to the Word with Pastor Teague!
Benefits, Bargaining, Entitlements and Sacrifice!
Wisconsin and their governor have made headlines for several weeks now. Ohio has saddled up for the ride also. Governors are realizing that states have given way to prosperity in the past and no longer have the influence they used to. We are facing major deficits across the board in local, county and state governments. We have given way to entitlements and a prosperous history that has hit a road block that we have are having a hard time with. We, like spoiled children who have been catered to for years if not decades, are having a hard time distinguishing reality from fantasy. We are now bearing the fruit of our own greed. This is a double-edged sword without a doubt. We as American consumers, groomed for entitlements from big union bargainer’s, want the best of both worlds. We want the entitlements that big unions and big governments have afforded us but we also want less taxes. We want our cake, all five layers of chocolate and cream icing, and we want to eat it on imported China. Oh what tangled webs we weave!
I am reminded of a young man in scripture who was given an alternative. Keep his entitlements or sacrifice. He like, many Americans chose to keep his entitlements. He, by choice, surrendered to the profits of his greed. He walked away from a conversation with Jesus, very sad. I see some similarities here with what not only Wisconsin and Ohio are facing – but what other states will fall into as we watch the domino effect take place with lightening speed. The story is about the “rich young ruler”. It is strikingly similar to what we as a nation are facing as our government faces unbelievable and unrecoverable debt. God help us.
While the story of the rich young ruler in Matthew 19 bears greater theological significance than what I am addressing with Wisconsin and Ohio – it bears mentioning. This rich young ruler clung to his “possessions” to the point he walked away from the greater picture – eternal life and freedom from the bondage of materialism. Materialism! Ain’t that a hoot! We have become a nation of “rich young rulers”. Not that we are all filthy rich or have a dominant position of rulership – we are clinging to our entitlements. We cling to them and are not willing to surrender to sacrifice.
As a nation of employees, investors, hard workers, laborers, professionals, amateurs and corporate moguls – we are facing tough times economically. We, unlike the President, cannot print more money that is more useless than…well…you know what I mean (something about a boar hog). We are going to have to face hard cold facts that are on the table. Everyone will have to sacrifice at some point in order to see national recovery. I have not been a union fan – even in my days as a General Motors employee. I think they are far too often bed partners and the loser here is the common employee that makes the large companies what they are and funds the big over stuffed unions. Unions were birthed out of the greed of big corporations that ignored the needs of workers. There was a time when unions did what they were created to do. Not any more. We have introduced collective bargaining to the degree that we now cannot afford what we have bargained for. All the entitlements have finally caught up with us. Both the union, the worker and the employer need to sit down and take a long hard look at reality. The days of “yesterday and yesteryear” fantasies are over. Over! Badda boom, badda bing!
The rich young ruler walked away from the provision of his future that guaranteed him hope and stability. If we aren’t careful we will do the same. The sadness we are enduring now is nowhere near the sadness we will endure if we “walk away” from stark reality and the facts of truth staring right in front of us. We have our work cut out for us. No one will be “winners” as we face our future. I heard an announcer for the NASCAR race use a term that I want to use here: coopetition. This is in reference to the “double car drafting” that was used at the NASCAR race this past weekend. While they had to cooperate with each other they still had to compete with each other – one winner for the race – not multiple winners. I like the term. In order for us to get through this all of us will have to “coopetition” our way across the finish line of creating a stable country and a stable economy. Like it or not – we have a choice. Sacrifice our entitlements or walk away very sad. The choice is ours. Actually the choice is yours. What will you do?
Pastortimteague's Blog 
Pastor, I cannot tell you how much I agree with every word you said.When I first entered the work force I was part of a union and saw first hand the corruption they bring to the table. Its like Connie and I have disscussed unions were formed when companys did what they wanted to, to who ever they wanted to. People need to realize with all the Federal laws on the books concerning workers rights the day of the unions are all but over.There are far too many Pastors that tell people what they want to hear I am so thankful you tell it like it is and not afraid to do so.
Pastor, I have to agree with your view on unions. At the same time I understand Brenda’s point. In the two unions I was apart of I seen a lot of abuse with people playing the union card if they didn’t like the way something was going. Most times it was because they were lazy and didn’t want to work. That is my issue with them. Protecting people who did not want to work.
What I really enjoyed was the comment about the boar hog!! I have heard that my whole life. I don’t even know you yet but that’s what I like about you. You can just be a regular guy and a pastor at the same time.
Thanks Nathan! Yeah, I got a little carried away with the boar hog remark…but it is what it is! I totally understand the “we want big pay for little work” ideology. I worked at GM for 11 years before going into ministry. I saw the low life “don’t want to work” guys getting the same benefits as the dedicated worker. Actually, the “don’t want to work” actually did better for themselves because most of the time the unions bartered their safe keeping by trading off someones good grievance. Not in every case but far too many for me to agree with all the union does. Yes, they do a good job in their mission but its the disservice they do to a lot of good people along the way that I struggle with. Yes, they have secured a great package for their employee’s that the corp’s would not have initially given. Let me remind you that the sole purpose of the union evolved out of large corporate greed that didn’t want to reward a good worker. No real answer but I just wanted to to show the bigger picture is something all will walk away from in a very sad state if we are not careful. Hence, the rich young ruler. One cannot cherish his entitlements and be fulfilled at the table of sacrifice.
Thanks, Nathan. It’s a fine line to walk, that’s for sure. Be blessed.
Tim, Unions (I’m speaking of UAW, specifically) have taken cuts, concessions, freezes, lay-offs, and hung in there for the long haul. Unions are important for it’s employees. Personally, the union was responsilbe for my husband’s job security,and now that he is retired, it’s making sure that we will be able to live. Dad is able to be where he is today because of the union that worked for him, as he worked for G.M. all those years.
While I agree that some mis-use the union’s power, I cannot support the tearing down of all unions. It’s just bad business. Without union representation, companies (like Ford, and G.M.) would not bring back laid-off workers. They would not be concerned with safety in the work place. They would not be forced to see to it that their faithful workers are treated fairly.
Now, one may argue that without the unions, companies would be more competitive. Well, I might argue that you wouldn’t have this issue were it not for the Fair Trade Act, that allowed foriegn trade in the first place.
Unions typically “go after more” when the companies they represent make more profit. Is it not fair for those that helped them make that profit be rewarded as well?
Now, don’t even get me started on the teacher’s union. LOL
Love you, I’m glad we have a forum in which to express our opinions.
I understand your comments – totally. My point is that in all we are dealing with – everybody is going to have to sit down at the bargaining table and understand the meaning of sacrifice. We, as a nation, are in serious economic trouble. The large corps have spent retirement accounts like the government spent our social security. Bottom line is the common man is now the victim. The laborer, the employee. But it doesn’t dismiss the fact that unions, corps and employee’s are going to have to see the bigger picture here and work toward resolve – not dissolve. Love ya sister and hope those grand kids are doing better!
Doing some better, thanks. Now, mama is getting sick. When it rains, it pours. Love you too, glad we are able to discuss things rationally, and maturely. There is no real answer, except, “Even so, Lord, come quickly!” Oh, what a day that will be! Take care, much love.