Sound Off: Weigh In With Others On Haley Piñata Video

On Tuesday, a video surfaced of S.C. AFL-CIO leader Donna Dewitt swinging a stick at Gov. Nikki Haley's image on a piñata.

Haley has been a target for labor groups because of her opposition to unions in the Palmetto State and her aggressive response to a dispute between the National Labor Relations Board and the state's biggest new business: Boeing.

that go far beyond a party game in bad taste to the broader question of the value of unions in the 21st century.

Scott Graham wrote that unions aren't what they used to be.

"I'm from a family that has been been pro union for several generations," said Graham. "The degree of ignorance displayed by the AFL-CIO over the past decade has made not only myself but others want nothing to do with them."

Others suggested this kind of carelessness is politics as usual and made a distinction between union leaders and union members — a frequent distinction from readers.

"Why any surprise?" asked NightwidHD. "This is a typical response from the low-brow, knuckle-dragging union leadership … and this is not a knock against union members, the vast majority of which are hard working people just trying to care for their [families]."

Paul Jacobs reminded us of past partisan missteps, like Sarah Palin's unfortunate "targets" website in 2010. 

"One: This is relatively tame compared to GOP candidates putting targets on Democrats that always seem to be the ones taking bullets," he wrote. "Two: It's absurd because Nikki Haley would never share her candy with others."

The defense of Dewitt focused on Haley's forceful anti-union talk.

"It was a tasteless joke, but they weren't taking food out of Haley's mouth as she is trying to do with American middle class taxpayers (union members)," wrote mm3264.

And reader Reg challenged the assumption that unions are a product of another era.

"Without unions, you'd have no vacation. No benefits. No sick leave. No overtime. No chance of retiring," Reg stated. "Since union membership has declined over the past 30 years, have you noticed that hourly wages have declined in comparison to cost of living, while exec salaries have quadrupled? … To say you don't need representation in the labor field is like saying you don't need attorney in a court room."

Comments from a reader using the login "Marcus Aurelius" suggest this AFL-CIO stunt will be just another example for anti-union folks to use while they user labor groups out the door. 

"It won't be perfect in South Carolina until the 3.4 percent of people in unions in the state is down to 0.0 percent," the reader stated. "We don't want unions in SC. We work for our living down here, so pack up your bags and hags like Donna Dimwit, and head back up north with all your other money-grabbing crook brothers and sisters."

What do you think? Post your comments below.