After announcing plans to shift the second 787 assembly line to South Carolina, Boeing officials made repeated public statements that the decision was at least partially a retaliation for prior strikes and the IAM's refusal to surrender its right to strike in the future. And under federal labor statutes, such retaliation is illegal. And that's what the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) ruled.

Not surprisingly, Republicans are up in arms, and with South Carolina hosting a key early presidential primary, the controversial NLRB ruling is fast becoming a central issue in the race for the Republican nomination. SC Gov. Niki Haley joining fellow Republicans at a forum on the issue hosted by the US Chamber of Commerce, attacked President Obama for siding with unions (you know, instead of the corporate elite). But when it comes to pumping up the crazy, nobody does it better than Galtian Sen. Rand Paul, who elevated the White House role to the level of conspiracy:

"Mr. President, do you have an enemies list? Is this decision based on the fact that South Carolina appears to be a Republican state, has two Republican senators? Is this decision based on the fact that South Carolina is a 'right to work' state? Are they on your enemies list?"

To folks here in the Puget Sound region, the NLRB ruling is about jobs. But to national Republicans, this is apparently about overthrowing a fascist dictatorship in the White House. Such a mismatch in passion can't ultimately work out well for our region, especially with our own paper of record fighting against the interests of its subscribers.