IN WAKE OF MASSIVE PAYCUTS AIRLINE TELLS WORKERS TO SEARCH DUMPSTERS FOR FOOD

When I first noticed this story earlier today, I searched in vain for a punch line, some word or combination of words to clue me that this was some twisted soul’s idea of comedy, and not bona fide advice being offered to American citizens by their onetime employers, in this case North West Airlines.

Regrettably, no punch line was to be found. The story is on the level, and is but the latest and most disgusting example of the ownership society’s all out war on the middle class, a war which if it is successful will leave only the haves and the have nots with no one in between.

In the midst of our issues with George Bush we in the BLOGOSPHERE often forget that this is the real purpose of his tenure in the White House. It is why he was allowed to steal the 2000 election in the first place and why all attempts to remove him from office have gone absolutely nowhere.

As Americans we are a proud people. This means that it is intrinsic to our makeup to be able to make a living, support our family, educate our children and to obtain the necessities for a long successful life, including healthy food, clean drinking water and competent medial care.

Since the Reagan era, all of these basic necessities have been under attack. The cold hearted, non-caring advice from North West Airlines is just the latest attack.

DENIS DONOVAN - EDITOR

Bankrupt Northwest Airlines Corp. advised workers to fish in the trash for things they like or take their dates for a walk in the woods in a move to help workers facing the ax to save money.

The No. 5 U.S. carrier, which has slashed most employees’ pay and is looking to cut jobs as it prepares to exit bankruptcy, put the tips in a booklet handed out to about 50 workers and posted for a time on its employee Web site.

The section, entitled “101 ways to save money,” does not feature in new versions of the booklet or the Web site.

Northwest spokesman Roman Blahoski said some employees who received the handbook had taken issue with a couple of the items. “We agree that some of these suggestions and tips … were a bit insensitive,” Blahoski told Reuters.

The four-page booklet, “Preparing for a Financial Setback” contained suggestions such as shopping in thrift stores, taking “a date for a walk along the beach or in the woods” and not being “shy about pulling something you like out of the trash.”

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