This is a set of reviews of Roseanne episodes. My general thoughts about that show are here. I will focus only on the political aspects and will mention what percent of lines spoken by non-family members are spoken by people of color.
“Aliens” Episode 25, Season 4. Wikipedia summary is: “DJ's spelling-bee triumph is a welcome bright spot as Rodbell's luncheonette closes down and Dan's bike shop continues its slow descent. Meanwhile, Nancy is heartbroken when Arnie leaves her, especially when he claims he was abducted by aliens.”
There are two main notes I’m going to make about this episode. The first is about a economically progressive bit of dialogue between Roseanne and a state representative (member of the state House) and the second is something that comes up when the state representative meets Roseanne a second time- small businesses.
State Representative: I’m going door-to-door trying to get to know my constituents.
Roseanne: Door-to-door, huh? That takes a lot of time. Why don’t you just go down to the unemployment office and see everyone at once?
SR: I hear you, and you’re right, we can’t let this area’s workforce lay idle. That’s why bringing in new business is my #1 priority.
Roseanne: How?
SR: Through tax incentives. See, we’re going to make it cheaper for out-of-state businesses to set up shop right here in Lanford.
Roseanne: So they get a tax break?
SR: Yeah that’s why they come here.
Roseanne: Well, who’s gonna pay the taxes that they aren’t paying?
SR: Well, you will. But you’ll be working- good steady employment.
Roseanne: union wages?
SR: Well, now, part of the reason these companies are finding it so expensive to operate in other locations-
Roseanne: So, they’re gonna dump the union so they can come here and hire us at scab wages, and then for that privilege we get to pay their taxes.
(A scab is a strike-breaker)
********
I’m not as pro-small business as a lot of progressives are. I understand the arguments in favor of small businesses but A) there are some “small” businesses with dozens or hundreds of employees and at some point there’s enough employees that I think there should definitely be a union, and B) there are some things about larger chain stores that are better than small businesses.
How are small businesses better?
1. In general it’s a good thing that they’re more likely to respond to what the community wants.
2. Although this may be less true than some think, they at least sort of keep money in the community when they bank locally.
3. At many small businesses the boss is working right alongside their employees most of the time and isn’t getting paid tons more than them.
How are large businesses better?
1. They tend to have cheaper prices than local businesses of the same type.
2. They’re more likely to be unionized (or at least that used to be the case and might still be)
In Boulder, CO, about 25 years ago someone started the Boulder Independent Business Alliance, as an alternative to the Chamber of Commerce. It’s founder was a well-known and respected anti-corporate activist, and it was very popular with progressives. Around the same time there was a labor battle taking place in Southern Colorado. Steelworkers in Pueblo were locked out of their plant. I can’t remember many details but it was a pretty messed up situation. At one point I asked the founder of BIBA if he would encourage member companies to boycott a bank that was tied to the employer. He said no. I probably didn’t do a great of trying but I don’t think that explains why he said no. A little before or a little after I asked, a very skilled student organizer did the same thing and got the same response. Even the small businesses that are anti-corporate in Boulder won’t do anything to help LOCKED OUT (not striking) workers. Locked out workers are prevented from doing their job until they cease non-strike agitation as part of a labor dispute; it’s initiated by the employer, not the workers.
I am open-minded about one idea that I think pro-small business progressives would like. There should be some way to identify which small businesses are going to have trouble paying a decent wage because of some reason other than greed at the top, and some mechanism to funnel money from the government to those employees being paid a low wage. Also, although businesses will probably be taxed more to pay for universal health care, that would be an employee benefit businesses wouldn’t need to worry about providing.
There are about 20-25 lines spoken by non-family-members and none are spoken by people of color.
“Terms of Estrangement, Part 1” Episode 1, Season 5. Wikipedia summary is: “Roseanne and Dan adjust to losing their bike shop while seeking new jobs. Meanwhile, when Mark receives a great job offer in Minneapolis, he and Becky elope."
The job offer that Mark gets is for a union job that pays three times what he was making working for Dan (see the review above this one about small businesses and corporations).
(Mark and Becky get married and after this episode I won’t count Mark or his brother David as non-family members)
There are 20-25 lines by non-family members and about 15% are by people of color.
“The Dark Ages” Episode 3, Season 5. Wikipedia summary is: “The Conners' electricity is cut off when they cannot pay the bill. Darlene and David stay up all night in Darlene's bedroom working on their comic book. When Roseanne and Dan do not believe Darlene when she insists they did not sleep together, she lashes out, feeling punished for Becky's mistakes. Dan phones Becky, finally thawing the ice between them."
In Becky’s apartment, there’s a poster about saving the rainforest.
“Mommy Nearest” Episode 4, Season 5. Wikipedia summary is: “Jackie starts dating Fisher, a much younger guy played by Metcalf's real-life then-husband Matt Roth. Bev makes a large profit after selling her house and gives Roseanne and Jackie $10,000 each.”
This is the first time that Jackie and Roseanne talk about opening a restaurant. In addition to my comments above about small businesses, I would say that in general I don’t have too many negative thoughts about them.
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