Republican and Conservative political analysis and commentary

Left-wing political bloggers are talking about forming a labor union for bloggers and - get this - they want organized labor to pay for their healthcare.

Sitting at a panel titled "A Union for Bloggers: It's Time to Organize" at this week's YearlyKos Convention for bloggers in Chicago, [Kirsten] Burgard said she'd welcome a chance to join a unionized blogging community.

"I sure would like to have that union bug on my Web site," said Burgard, a blogger who uses the moniker Bendy Girl.

Madrak hopes that regardless the form, the labor movement ultimately will help bloggers pay for medical bills. It's important, she said, because some bloggers can spend hours a day tethered to computers as they update their Web sites.

"Blogging is very intense _ physically, mentally," she said. "You're constantly scanning for news. You're constantly trying to come up with information that you think will mobilize your readers. In the meantime, you're sitting at a computer and your ass is getting wider and your arm and neck and shoulder are wearing out because you're constantly using a mouse."

I'd be embarrassed to have a "union bug" on my website. Though the idea of left-wing bloggers going on strike and refusing to blog until they get a new contract (with whom I don't know) that allows them to do less work for more pay, does appeal to me.

If and when that day comes, count me among the crossers of the virtual picket line. I'm a firm believer in right-to-work laws that prohibit requiring someone to join a union in order to work. But, then, I'm a conservative who believes in freedom rather than forced collectivization.