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2009-11-17 Home Front: Politix

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Posted by Fred 2009-11-17 00:00|| || Front Page|| [4 views ] Top

#1 Lets not forget the Teacher's union.

Personally I think unions (all unions) should be banned from *all* political activities (contributions, phone banks, workers, etc...). Its simply not their job.

Posted by CrazyFool 2009-11-17 01:00|| 2009-11-17 01:00|| Front Page Top

#2 I agree. Union members as individuals can do whatever they want, I have no problem with that, but the union should not be allowed to engage in political activities. At the very least they should lose their tax exempt status.

I find it difficult to believe that a union that donates 99% to Democrats has 99% Democrat membership. Use of dues for political contributions should be prohibited. I have no problem with a union setting up a PAC and ONLY donating from the PAC from voluntary member contributions but I have a serious problem with using any resource paid for with dues for political activity.

That means no use of union facilities, equipment, infrastructure, etc. Not even a union telephone line.

The PAC can rent their own office and buy their own phone lines, computers, etc.

Posted by crosspatch 2009-11-17 01:35|| 2009-11-17 01:35|| Front Page Top

#3 Lets make Unions just as culpable as corporations.

Meaning that if a teacher goes and molests kids the school district can be sued - but so can the union.
If a machinist screws up a part and an airliner goes down killing everyone - the Union can be sued for that too.

In short make them responsible for the quality of their workers.

Right now they have all the benefits (fees) and none of the responsibilities.

Posted by CrazyFool 2009-11-17 03:31|| 2009-11-17 03:31|| Front Page Top

#4 As a gubbamint engineer, I work in a closed shop, meaning I have to join the union's bargaining unit, i.e.: pay basic union dues to cover their labor negotiations for wages and cafeteria benefit package (health ins., etc.). I can opt-out of paying the higher dues figure that contributes $ to the PAC, and I do, since they don't represent my political views very well. We are also prohibited from striking and would likely lose our jobs if we did...We lost 6% last year and it will be years before we see any wage increases - more likely the furloughs and givebacks will continue for the next 2 or more years. Layoffs are coming. Civil Service with classified employee positions were devised to prevent patronage and corruption. Just the way it is...the alternative is Chicago writ large

Posted by Frank G">Frank G 2009-11-17 09:53|| 2009-11-17 09:53|| Front Page Top

#5 We are also prohibited from striking and would likely lose our jobs if we did...

In Michigan, the public employees unions are prohibited by law from striking. However, judges are reluctant to enforce the law due to the threat of having the unions against them come election time. No one ever loses their job and strikes occur with semi-regularity.

Posted by SteveS 2009-11-17 11:29|| 2009-11-17 11:29|| Front Page Top

#6 I can opt-out of paying the higher dues figure that contributes $ to the PAC, and I do,..

The various government unions are infamous for flaunting that. Just google 'union illegal dues political contributions'.

Posted by Procopius2k 2009-11-17 23:24|| 2009-11-17 23:24|| Front Page Top

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