Topic: Worker Collective

A growing movement of "old-school" gay and lesbian activists is speaking out against the inclusion of children in drag shows and medical transitions. In Portland, a new lesbian bar called Doc Marie's was forced to close after one week due to staff demands for a "queer worker-owned cooperative." The conflict illustrates a widening rift between traditional gay rights and modern "queer" intersectional activism.

President Obama addressed the Council of Governors, commenting on the labor disputes in Wisconsin. While acknowledging the need for fiscal discipline and salary freezes, Obama stated that public employees should not be "vilified" and that their rights should not be infringed upon. The hosts debate whether collective bargaining is a "right" or a negotiated privilege.

Pollster Frank Luntz explains how the choice of words significantly impacts public opinion on labor issues. He notes that while 60% of Americans support "public workers," that support drops when they are called "government workers." Similarly, the term "collective bargaining" polls well, but the "right to join or not join a union" flips the results.