KDKA Investigates: SEIU Healthcare's influence over Mayor Ed Gainey's administration (Philadelphia: violent crime, how much)

[wpipkins2]

Originally Posted by SteelCityRising

I'm not trying to demean wpipkins2. It's just frustrating because I'm a white registered Democrat who leans left of center (albeit not as liberal as I once was, especially on criminal justice-related issues). I'm also unimpressed thus far by Mayor Gainey's overall job performance, but I feel like if you say anything critical of him you're "racist". Was it "racist" for Black folks to make fun of bike lanes or bash Bill Peduto, a white mayor? No. Of course not. Therefore, why is it racist to be unhappy with Mayor Gainey's job performance regardless of his race? Maybe the East Hills has been improving under Mayor Gainey's leadership, but Marshall-Shadeland has not.

I'll admit I voted for Peduto because I didn't think Gainey was prepared to be mayor, and I thought Moreno was too tunnel-visioned on seeking revenge against old work enemies within the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police. Peduto wasn't a great mayor, but he wasn't as bad as suburbanites portray him as. I can guarantee we would have a new police chief by now if Peduto was still mayor. It's been about 10 months since Chief Schubert retired, and now since Mayor Gainey selected a potential problem candidate for our new chief it's likely we'll have to wait another 10 months, as the search process will start all over again.

I do not recall black residents resisting bike lanes. I do remember older black residents having dificulty with the bike lanes. This may have been the case for older white residents as well.

Peduto was never bashed by the black community as we did vote him into office. Peduto also enforced equity with regards to city parks and recreation. He ensured that all communities rich and poor had access to pools and spray parks. He also improved city league football fields and provided last minute transportation for one of our championship games. The black community never had a major issue with Peduto. I do not think I posted anything negative about him. I did find it funny when all of the confused drivers were unknowingly plowing through the bike lanes. You cant take a six lane BLVD to a single lane road overnight.

Peduto could have filled the position prior to the end of his administration. If it was that easy I think he would have finished the job. I disagree that Peduto would have a cheif in place. There are not that many qualified applicants out there.

[SteelCityRising]

Originally Posted by Moby Hick

The SEIU is after UPMC because it's the largest employer and very much using market power to hold wages down. I wish them nothing but the best.

Is it really the mayor's job to coerce private companies to permit their workforce to unionize, though? Should elected officials be in the business of interfering with private enterprise?

[Moby Hick]

Originally Posted by SteelCityRising

Is it really the mayor's job to coerce private companies to permit their workforce to unionize, though? Should elected officials be in the business of interfering with private enterprise?

Yes, it is.

[wpipkins2]

Originally Posted by SteelCityRising

Is it really the mayor's job to coerce private companies to permit their workforce to unionize, though? Should elected officials be in the business of interfering with private enterprise?

Yes and this has been the case for sometime. UPMC should pay more and should contribute more to the city coffer. UPMC is PA's largest employer and is in the process of building a billion dollar specialty hospital network in neighborhoods east of downtown.

[wpipkins2]

Originally Posted by erieguy

Nah, it’s because folks like yourself are obsessed with him and it’s always “because Trump” blaming him for their problems…and calling folks extremists is hilarious as you repeatedly say you’ll never vote for any Republican no matter what, hence you’re pulling the D lever no matter what. It’s working out so well with Big Ed and the mess he’s created…but muh Dem… and funny how you don’t say anything about the media and their writers that so often criticize him, lol.

ummm no

[erieguy]

Originally Posted by wpipkins2

ummm no

Except it is, as you continue to obsess about because Trump, and I look forward to you one day not pulling the D lever no matter who the candidate is as you’ve proven your extremist ways, and blaming the media outlets and writers of being racist when they don’t speak well of Big Ed, which they’ve done many times…as you’re certainly not going to criticize him no matter what he does.

[Moby Hick]

I think the government should outlaw owning both a health care provider and a health insurance company if they have enough of the market to use one to boost the other. Prevention of monopolies is a pretty standard use of government power. Capitalism requires a market and a market requires regulation.

[erieguy]

Originally Posted by SteelCityRising

Is it really the mayor's job to coerce private companies to permit their workforce to unionize, though? Should elected officials be in the business of interfering with private enterprise?

Nope, but SEIU obviously donated a lot of money to make it happen. I especially love how he said everyone needs to pay their fair share but talk’s stopped when UPMC didn’t give him what he wanted, and also hasn’t attended any UPMC events. Certainly not a good 14+ months for Big Ed thus far, just a lot of talk and supposed planning. He’s making Peduto look really good.

[wpipkins2]

Originally Posted by erieguy

Nope, but SEIU obviously donated a lot of money to make it happen. I especially love how he said everyone needs to pay their fair share but talk’s stopped when UPMC didn’t give him what he wanted, and also hasn’t attended any UPMC events. Certainly not a good 14+ months for Big Ed thus far, just a lot of talk and supposed planning. He’s making Peduto look really good.

No

[erieguy]

Originally Posted by wpipkins2

No

Funny how you think you know more than the article, and you’re the one that said shootings and murders can take place anywhere and anytime now, the streets are lined with meth and fentanyl, etc…, while at the same time ignoring the stats in regards to the violence, and in regards to job losses you said it’s unnerving. Such the contradictions. This is under Big Ed’s watch, and no surprise he’s going after UPMC after SEIU donated $350K to him. Quite the predicament he’s put himself in.