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Matt Yglesias has a complaint:

I think labor-friendly writers sometimes don’t do the best possible job of distinguishing between unions qua social and political institutions and collective bargaining as a labor market institution. Something like EFCA is the only way to revive collective bargaining as a major force in private sector labor markets. But I don’t think it’s correct to see EFCA → union density as the only conceivable form of politically influential mass membership organization. 

Actually, I’m pretty sure that most labor-friendly writers are keenly aware of this distinction. But put that aside. It’s obviously true that organized labor isn’t the only conceivable form of politically influential mass membership organization. The question is whether it’s the only conceivable form of politically influential mass membership organization dedicated to the economic concerns of the middle class. Right now I’d say it is for the simple reason that no one seems able to conceive of an alternative. But I sure wish someone would.

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PLEASE—BEFORE YOU CLICK AWAY!

“Lying.” “Disgusting.” “Scum.” “Slime.” “Corrupt.” “Enemy of the people.” Donald Trump has always made clear what he thinks of journalists. And it’s plain now that his administration intends to do everything it can to stop journalists from reporting things it doesn’t like—which is most things that are true.

We’ll say it loud and clear: At Mother Jones, no one gets to tell us what to publish or not publish, because no one owns our fiercely independent newsroom. But that also means we need to directly raise the resources it takes to keep our journalism alive. There’s only one way for that to happen, and it’s readers like you stepping up. Please do your part and help us reach our $150,000 membership goal by May 31.

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