The new Health Care Bill passed the House on Saturday and is now scheduled to go to the Senate for consideration.  If this health care bill passes, what happens to the excellent health insurance benefits which the coal miners contracted for and fought for years ago and depend on now?  I am concerned that if this bill passes, the coal miners are going to lose their present health benefits which they fought so hard for and will be dropped into a government-run health care system.  I believe that if the coal miners knew this was about to happen, you would see them “marching on Washington” again, like they did years ago…even though they might be in their 80’s and retired.  For they’re a hearty and sturdy group, full of integrity and honesty and courage to fight for what is right!

What about the excellent health care benefits that all union members fought so hard for yet many had to give up?  No one gave a second thought to those union members other than to insult.  In fact, they were verbally attacked and blamed for the downfall of the car companies.  They had contracts that had been negotiated but everyone expected them to toss those contracts out the window and give up everything they fought for.  There was no condemning of the management or mismanagement, just blame the workers for having gotten a contract.  They made concessions but still they are insulted and attacked.

You said…“For they’re a hearty and sturdy group, full of integrity and honesty and courage to fight for what is right! ”  My grandfather was a coal miner and died from health issues related to going into the mines.  I know the strength of those individuals but your words can be said of many employees trying their best to do a good job not just the miners.

You said, “your words can be said of many employees trying their best to do a good job not just the miners”—you’re exactly right!  I apologize for being offensive to “everybody else”.  I just had the coal miners on my mind, because my dad is a retired coal miner.

MissManners - 09 November 2009 02:40 PM

You said, “your words can be said of many employees trying their best to do a good job not just the miners”—you’re exactly right!  I apologize for being offensive to “everybody else”.  I just had the coal miners on my mind, because my dad is a retired coal miner.

My point was that many “workers” fit the category.  There are people on this forum and beyond who have attacked some of those workers because they were in unions.