Comments for I'dDream.com

Comment on Stop Blaming the UAW by Randy Bishop

Randy Bishop — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 18:17:41 +0000

Union reform is definitely a necessity. I grew up in a union family (father was/is a member of UAW local 400). I have enough stories of shifty union worker behavior to fill a novel. But one thing I’ve noticed from working in the corporate non-unionized world for 8 years is no company has immunity against deadbeat employees. We had someone out for 5 months collecting disability with a similar ailment to your story.

As far as The Big Three and “the union [building] the middle class of this country.” You’re %100 right, the downside of that is noted in the above NYTimes article:

The Big Three and the U.A.W. had the bad luck of helping to create the middle class in a country where individual companies — as opposed to all of society — must shoulder much of the burden of paying for retirement.

That’s a lot of eggs in one basket…

Comment on Stop Blaming the UAW by George

George — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 16:46:41 +0000

Along with the automakers, the union built the middle class of this country. I really think that that should be the end of this discussion. But of course it is not.

It runs contrary to the free market idealism espoused by the Foghorn Leghorn contingent of the GOP that the union should accept less than what the market can provide. I do think, however, the unions deserve their bad rap in part. My old roommate, for example, was a union worker on the line at Ford. In the three years he lived with me, he worked maybe two months. He was on disability for the remainder. See, his dad was a union rep, and got his son off on disability for – ready – high-blood pressure. And he made more than $65,000 a year. That kind of corruption runs rampant among the rank-and-file. THAT is what they need to fix, as that is, in my mind, one of the foremost reasons that the unions are everyone’s whipping boy.

Now, I only raise that as an example of a problem with the union. I sure as hell don’t agree with the Shelby-ization of American jobs.

Comment on The Perils of DIY, Part 13 by George

George — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 13:56:23 +0000

Nice post. Agree with everything of the above. When I was just a guitar player in a band, I never worried about the promotion part – I just tapped the same friends every time. Now that I’m kind of a “band leader”, I do a lot of the e-mailing, flyering (where during this year’s Dally in the Alley, I saw a lot get tossed on the ground immediately – that kinda sucked), text messaging – it’s a lot of humbling work. The good thing is some of the other band members really do a fair share of work themselves. Can’t say it’s paid off for sure or not (we only nailed down a complete lineup in October and have been working on recording since then), but, hell, maybe it will in 09.

Comment on A Pin Dropping by Cas Kopacki

Cas Kopacki — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 08:04:47 +0000

Sweet! I always wanted a reason to visit the father Portland. Some day we’ll have to make it over to the other coast Portland to see how it is!

Comment on A Pin Dropping by timothy allen brown

timothy allen brown — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 05:04:40 +0000

how ironic, i’ll be moving to the other portland in 2 weeks! we’ll be bi-coastal portland brothers :)

Comment on Open Letter to America by timothy allen brown

timothy allen brown — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 18:38:11 +0000

a lot of people are going to experience buyers remorse. without a doubt. it’s corporate controlled politics, why would anyone think they’d get real change and real progress? i’d think the message that “we don’t care about you” from the democratic party would be clear after the 2006 congress “takeover” which didn’t do a damn thing. as matt gonzalez said in a brilliant article (linked on my blog), “what do they have to do to lose your vote?”

Comment on Top Chef Season 4, Episode 1 by You Be The Judge: Top Chef Predictions « edubTV

You Be The Judge: Top Chef Predictions « edubTV — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 00:16:57 +0000

[...] Photo: I’d Dream [...]

Comment on Harvesting Memories by kimberleigh

kimberleigh — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 06:08:35 +0000

i agree… the maryland/wayburn/kenosha years were the best times of my adult life so far. much love to nick, & randy & mary, & everyone else who attended them. yes, we will be back in detroit one day to celebrate again. this post is making me way too sentimental!

Comment on Harvesting Memories by Nicholas Provenzano

Nicholas Provenzano — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 00:00:39 +0000

I can honestly say that those events were some of the most fun I have ever had. Whenever my mint and basil is in full bloom, I think about the Pesto that drove so many Vegans to the dark side. In time, I feel we will all be together again to celebrate. I hope all is well.

Comment on Harvesting Memories by timothy allen brown

timothy allen brown — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 01:59:36 +0000

i wish it could october all year long