Old sayings still apply today

Happy New Year. It’s 2012 and we’re around to see it! Some old sayings have been on my mind as a point of departure for commentary on 2011 and 2012.

“If I’d known I was going to live this long, I would have taken better care of myself.” — Mickey Mantle.

Actually, UFT retirees have taken pretty good care of themselves. Hard work as professionals, a great union that kept an eye out for benefits, pension and health care, an optimistic commitment to young people and social consciousness prepared us well for this moment in time.

“It’s better to keep your mouth shut and appear stupid than to open it and remove all doubt.” — Mark Twain.

For Sarah Palin, Rick Perry, Michele Bachmann and Herman Cain, maybe a copy of “The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere.” Longfellow took poetic liberties with history but at least got the time, date, state and century correct. Maybe if they had gone to New York City public schools ... .

“Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today.” — Benjamin Franklin.

When our colleagues in Wisconsin and Ohio needed help, labor put the word out and our retirees jumped into the fray. The Ohio labor victory was ours as well as theirs.

“Always put off till tomorrow what you don’t have to do today.” — French diplomat Talleyrand.

We helped torpedo the “Entitlement Commission,” beat the debt ceiling crisis and lobbied down the congressional “Super Committee.” Each would have unfairly sacrificed Social Security and Medicare on the altar of federal deficit reduction.

Maybe, if we can turn around the Congress and hold the presidency, there actually will be a fair-minded approach to such issues.

“Know when to hold ’em; know when to fold ’em.” — Kenny Rogers.

Labor has always faced the dynamic over when to fight and when to settle in order to survive. For the best labor leaders, it’s an art form. In the1975 fiscal crisis, the UFT saved the city by buying big MAC bonds, which later gave security to our pensions. Our political allies sometimes don’t get it. In health care, the Obama administration regrettably compromised before it even did battle with its opponents. A good law could have been great.

At last, the president has exhibited some real backbone in his recent controversial interim appointments of a consumer affairs director and three new members of the National Labor Relations Board. Win or lose, it shows a welcome willingness to fight on behalf of labor.

The year looks brighter already.

“I could’a been a contender.” — Marlon Brando.

Many contenders are lining up for the 2013 mayoral race. The RTC is paying close attention. Several public officials have come to our meetings to address the issues. We expect others. Some may even turn out to be candidates. Retirees can evaluate the candidates’ ideas at our monthly general membership meetings which resume in March. Also ...

Certain presidential contenders are in a race to the right. Each vows to be more against labor, public education, financial regulation, public employees, pensions, Social Security, Medicare and health care. Polls show some seniors favor Romney, over Gingrich versus Obama.

Oy vey! Fortunately, AFT retirees favor Obama by 60 percent. But we’ve got work to do.

“Dear Lord: We thank you for the evil that the king neglected to do.” — A medieval peasant.

Mayor Bloomberg has 24 months to go. Ten years later: three failed reorganizations of the education system, attacks on public employees, pensions and tenure. What other bad stuff can he still do? There’s an Irish saying, “I’ll be happy to see the back of you.”

Just once, I’d like a blessing that’s not in disguise. That’s being the chapter leader of 60,000 wonderful UFT retirees.

Happy New Year!