While in the campaign, Barack Obama defined himself as a new kind of poltician, it was the man whose legacy he’s trying to undo who embodied in his actions the ideals Obama promotes in his rhetoric.
Once elected in 1980, Ronald Reagan governed as he had campaigned. He did not cast aspersions on her adversaries, blaming them for our nation’s problems. He did not propose sweeping new federal programs at odds with his campaign rhetoric. He sought to build bridges with his political opponents. He did not push legislation merely to appease the various interest groups who formed his coalition.
And yet that’s what Obama and the Democrats are doing in their support of card check, legislation that would make it easier for union organizers to intimidate workers to join their ranks. Democrats push their so-called “EFCA” bill even as polls show that overwhelming majorities of non-union workers are not interested in joining unions.
The primary support for this proposal comes not from workers clamoring for tools making it easier for them to organize, but from unions interested in swelling their ranks in order to increase their power — and that of their favored political party, the Democrats.
Jennifer Rubin sums it up:
But there is something more fundamental at stake. This is legislation for and by a special interest group. There is no popular groundswell or demonstrable need for it. We don’t have tales of woe from employees unable to organize. We don’t hear about frustrated employees who, but for the secret ballot, would have union representation. Some may have a visceral reaction to losing the secret ballot or feel badly about the “plight of workers.†But they are not clammoring for any change in the law.
Emphasis added.
The president’s support of this legislation is yet another sign that his “new kind of politics” is mere rhetorical subterfuge. It shows him pushing a policy not to promote the national interest but to appease an interest group.
And I had thought that kind of appeasement was something he had run against in his campaign.
True.
Intimidation should only come from Employers. That’s America, goldarnitall!
#1
Are you arguing that the unions should be allowed to intimidate folks?
I’m arguing (snarking actually, in this case) that it is ridiculous for any conservative to pretend that they give a damn about intimidation in the workplace. Never have, never will, as long as the intimidation comes from the top.
As to card check, the only thing you can be intimidated into doing is saying that there should be a vote about unionization. The vote itself would be a secret ballot, the very thing conservatives pretend to give a damn about.
As to card check, the only thing you can be intimidated into doing is saying that there should be a vote about unionization.
Wrong. All the union needs to do is to intimidate more than 50% of the workers into signing cards and there will be no secret ballot.
Why else would the unions be pushing for this? Under the current system, they can demand an election if only 30% of employees sign cards. The reason is that they’re losing in situations where they don’t know who to pressure.
And before you try lying and saying that unions never pressure employees, you’re full of it.
His departure comes as several union staff members told of being pressured by Freeman’s lieutenants to sign a petition in support of him. Some of those who initially refused were transferred to positions far from their homes, according to three staffers who asked not to be identified because they feared reprisals.
About 10 workers who balked at signing the petition had their union-provided cellphone service discontinued, the staffers said.
The petition cited recent “attacks” on Freeman and the local and said, “Let it be clear that we . . . proudly and firmly stand with President Freeman and the work of our local,” according to a copy the staffers provided.
Could you provide evidence of this?
The intimidation can go both ways with this card check, which violates the US Constitution (which liberals don’t give a damn about, never have, never will). This way, each side knows exactly WHO to lean on.
We pass this, how long will it be before liberals decide to do away with secret ballots in any election?
I know Caligula and the other Obama-slobberers aren’t gonna like it, but the Marxist Messiah just had a Dan Quayle moment.
A-u-s-t-r-i-a-n?
(The filter hates i-a-n words).
With only 12% of American workers being union workers there doesn’t seem to be much of an outcry for unionization. The argument against is simple. How’d you like to end up like GM and Crysler, the UAW being one of the last and most visable unions surviving. But for how long?
Like the buggy whip manufactuers, unions are doing whatever they can to survive. If all else fails….intimidation or even manditory union membership like the teachers unions is their plan.
I did security at a site that was being unionized, and all of the violence and intimidation (and vandalism, and threats, and willful destruction of property…et cetera) was coming from Little Boot’ good union members.
The clowns in question went out on a wildcat strike over Thanksgiving- one-third of the workforce, out in the cold for five days- and productivity increased by 50% and theft dropped to zero.
My motto?
Look for the union label…and then buy something else. You will get a superior product at a better value that doesn’t support organized crime.
Actually, if Americans wanted to support the car companies the best thing they could do for them is boycott any American made car until the unions are busted.
Intimidation should only come from Employers.
That is an asinine statement.
When I’ve been offered a job, the terms of employment (hours, pay,benefits, etc) are made known to me up front. It’s up to me to say yes or no or to see if there’s any haggling to be done.
If I decide I don’t like the job, I am free to quit. I don’t even need to provide notice (although it’s customary). I have a business arrangement with my employer that either of us can terminate at any time. As it happens, I’ve terminated the deal in all but one case.
Card check simply empowers the unions to send Luca Brasi round to make you an offer you can’t refuse.
But that’s par for this administration. I read today about a banker who was forced to take TARP money and then told that his bank can’t return the money and if he doesn’t shut up then there might be adverse consequences.
Bush SecTreas Paulson told these guys that their signatures or the brains would be on these deals and Obama’s gang is turning the screws.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123879833094588163.html
I think this says it all about the Obama Party and unions.
A survey of West Executive Drive, where White House staffers park, revealed only five American cars out of 23 –a Dodge Grand Caravan, two Ford Escapes, a Jeep Cherokee and a Cadillac.
The lot was sprinkled with BMWs, Mercedes, Hondas, Toyotas, Saabs, Audis, Volkswagens and a Volvo.
And of course, the Oblahblah team insists that no one should drive evil SUVs, vans, or big Caddies. Except them.
I’ve got it! It’s set to filter out I-a-n if he ever tries to come back. Maybe it’s set for sock puppets too.
I worked for an IBCW shop not so long ago. There was no difference between the pay or benefits between union and non union employees. The only difference was that it took them a lot longer to fire the union employees. They kept trying to get me to join, but I saw no reason or incentive. I sure as hell don’t want my money going to the pockets of rich, white liberals.
My grandmother, rest her soul, always bought American. Some friends came to visit and had rented a Toyota Camry. She liked it so much that she bought one for herself. She also saved her money and paid cash for it (there’s something you don’t see everyday). She/we had it for 12 years and the most expensive work ever done on it was replacing the serpentine belt.
We’d bought a new GMC van not long before that. Had it in the shop at least once a quarter until we got tired of it and got rid of it after a year and a half.
When the presidential motorcade is comprised of the Toyonda Pious, then I’ll be impressed. That and when he says he won’t fire up AF1 to fly 90 nm.
I buy honda.
Built right here in Ohio.
Better than my last Festiva, built in Korea.
Union membership has been in decline for years. Unions are largely responsible for the decline of the manufacturing sector. By intimidating workers to vote visibly, they will increase membership and their power. Their coffers will increase from union dues allowing them to contribute more to keep the Democrats in power. The majority of those forced into the unions probably don´t want thier money to go to the Democrats. It is claimed that union employees can tell the union they don´t want any part of their dues to support a political party or candidate, but who monitors as to who opts for contributing and those who opt out?
#6 – Does The Snob truly believe that people in Austria speak AUSTRIAN?
What’s next – the citizens of Switzerland speak Swiss?
(For those of you in either Rio Linda, Port St. Lucie or Bryan/College Station, Texas – people in Austria speak German. People in Switzerland speak German, French or Italian depending upon the region. Just FYI in case you went to public school). 😉
Regards,
Peter H.
Know how you get a small business in Texas? Open a large one and put a UT grad in charge of it.
#17 – Q: Do you know why they never put on a Christmas pageant in College Station?
A: They could never find three Wise Men and a virgin.
Hook ’em!
Regards,
Peter H.