FOP, Police Unions, Cops, Kennedy and Politics.....

The predominate republican leanings of cops is something that has always baffled me. And this is a great example of the same concept as what is found in the book "What's The Matter With Kansas" by Thomas Frank. How can a group of people consistently support another group of people that is consistently doing things that are against their interests.

I'm watching MSNBC right now and they are doing a long piece on Kennedy and his accident and the FOP leader L. Cannon just came on hammering Kennedy. (I'm not supporting DUIs and Kennedy should stand up and take his lumps if guilty.) Now, what gets me is that Republicans absolutely hate collective bargaining and every financial and benefits packages that have benefited the cops come from DEMOCRATIC IDEALS.

Bill Clinton put 100,000 cops on the street, got police departments more federal grant money and training than any other president and what happens? One of the leaders of the FOP comes out swinging at a politician who is more likely to benefit cops than hurt them.

Another thing, cops have short memories - just a couple of years ago the Bush Administration wanted to change overtime rules for public employees - who stopped it? Democrats.

As for the the link to Kansas - and our dilemma - it is my view that cops are so rethuglican leaning because of one issue: the perception that Democrats are weak on crime. (Now, to add to this baffling concept - try asking a cop this: what is more important to you, better wages, benefits and health care coverage or some gang banger going to jail? Guess what the answer is? Yes, it's not the gang banger going to jail.)

You mentioned Clinton putting 100,000 new police on the streets. The National FOP returned the favor and endorsed Clinton in 1996.

remember, you are talking about the "National FOP" rather than "rank and file". There is a difference.

It's sort of like how many republicans are in labor unions and want their unions to stop giving money to Democrats -who usually fight harder for wages and benefits for workers than do rethugs.

how it's usually the liberal protestors (who really heard of a violent conservative protest???) who are getting their heads bashed in . . . even when protesting "passively" . . .

And all those "anti-war" protests of the 60s and 70s were (as we're constantly reminded) against a war "started by a Democrat" . . . therefore, the opposition to the Vietnam war would be REPUBLICAN . . .