New York. The un-Michigan. The un-Wisconsin. Why not?

With Michigan and Wisconsin “leading” the way, we now seem to live in a culture where — rather than confront the realities of  poverty, hunger, income inequality, worker’s rights, the right to basic health care — it is infinitely simpler to focus on the alleged greed of unionized workers who — this line of nonsense goes — are the cause of everything from a bad economy to the seasonal flu.

Just thought I’d mention that New Yorkers now have a chance to show the nation a different way, to stop the demonizing of workers, to reject the union busting, and to show support for  professionals who have chosen to dedicate their lives to the quality of our lives.

I am absolutely serious: The New York State Nurses’ Association,  properly outraged by a system that seeks their sacrifice while continuing to raise executive compensation, is at a crossroads that very well might lead to a strike that they have already voted to authorize.

This really is a chance to show the country a different path.

Why don’t we all — patients, future patients, health care professionals, citizens  – stun a nation caught in an epidemic of victim-blaming and support workers who aren’t afraid to take a courageous stand for fairness and equity.

Think about it. We could stand proudly as the un-Michigan, the un-Wisconsin, as the one of the first places to stop the scapegoating and stand by those who have stood by us.

I kind of like the sound of it:

New York. The un-Michigan. The un-Wisconsin.

New York. The state that had a simple and different answer:

Enough.

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