CHICAGO – President-elect Barack Obama is weighing in on behalf of workers staging a sit-in on the factory floor of their former Chicago employer to protest abruptly losing their jobs last week.

Obama told a news conference Sunday that Republic Windows and Doors should follow through on its commitments to the 200 workers, who say they won’t leave the plant until they are assured they’ll receive their severance and vacation pay. [link here]

Weirdly, this reminds me of an episode of the Three Stooges. Watching them in the 60’s was scary — three loud guys poking each other’s eyes. But over time I have cued into the context of their humor: Depression era fear turned into jokes. They even dissed Hitler — Harry Moses Horvitz was a mensch. The Stooges were always in trouble trying to get ahead, or even get their next meal. Check it out…

The Sitter-Downers
The Three Stooges are suitors who go on a sit down strike when their prospective father-in-law refuses to consent the marriages. The strike wins them fame and they receive numerous gifts including a lot and a prefabricated house. They win the strike and get married, but the wives decree no honeymoon until the house is built. The boys have some problems with the construction, especially since Curly burned up the plans. The eventually finish the house, a monstrosity that collapses when one post is accidentally moved.

What’s the point, you may ask. Don’t know, haven’t had my coffee yet. Random thoughts: Have we a New Deal on the horizon? A new Roosevelt, a new JFK? The support of the president-elect for workers is exciting. And change, if it is to happen, will have to come from us.