Collective Bargaining 101
One of our commenters recently asked for a explanation of what “collective bargaining” was and why it was a “bad thing” for government unions.
Here’s a vid from the Heritage Foundation that does a good job of explaining it:
~McQ
I don’t think this issue should be considered exclusively a union issue. The relationship exists between all government employees. They all know who butters their bread the best.
Although State and Local workers can shut down work, government workers in total happen to be a sizable voting block as well as campaign contributing base. Another reason to grow the government, union or not.
I’d say simply that government employees shouldn’t be allowed to contribute directly or indirectly to political campaigns, period.
“….government employees shouldn’t be allowed to contribute directly or indirectly to political campaigns, period.” Man, you are a huge 1st amendment defender, huh?
I agree with your other points and support Walker’s actions in Wisconsin, but you need to think that last point through. You couldn’t possibly justify limiting individual political contributions based on employment status.
Sure you can, I would also disenfranchised anyone who was on the public dole. Of course it would require a constitutional amendment. I see no legitimate philosophical reason to allow people who benefit from government to be allowed to vote themselves ever bigger pieces of the pie.
Being able to vote yourself money is one of the possible death spirals that can happen in a Democracy.
If you made it a condition of public employment, it would not violate anyone’s rights. Look at the suspension of many rights respecting our military personnel.
On the other hand, I agree that merely making a political contribution may be pretty innocuous. I’ve done it for years, and I’ll be damned if I can see any good it did me!!!
As I’ve said, with civil service laws in place, there is simply no justification for public sector unions.
The conflicts of interest are obvious and manifold. As I think Michael Barone noted this last week, it isn’t like we can take our business elsewhere when we find the price too high that the product pure crap when dealing with government.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a look of misery and dejection on the face of my daughter as I just did a moment ago. She just couldn’t understand why reactionaries in these unions would undermine the efforts of fellow fiscally responsible taxpayers. “Even my Grandpa?” she asked pitifully.
I sat down with her on the sofa and (as calmly as I could) tried to explain to her why these public employee unions has rushed to judgment and besmirched the good name of every fiscally responsible taxpayer, past and present. “And yes honey, even Grandpa”, I was forced to say.
I tried to keep my voice steady, but it became increasingly difficult – the rage and feelings of helplessness were just too much. I think my daughter could tell something was wrong. I found myself at such a loss for words – nothing made any sense; nothing makes sense anymore. I finally had to admit, “Honey, I just don’t know – I don’t know what’s going on in this country anymore…”
When I finished her lower lip started to tremble and her eyes began to fill with tears, “Daddy” she said, “why are these reactionary unionists doing this to the country?” Well, that was it for me: I finally fell apart. She just fell into my arms and we both began sobbing for several minutes.
For once she had to comfort me and get me back on my feet. Sometimes I just think it’s too much, but seeing the strength in my young daughter’s voice helped me to get through.
Classic reset there Neo.
I particularly enjoyed the part about calling them “reactionaries” .. a term they like to call others.
The Times has a couple of interesting pieces, well sort of, they talk a good game then go nowhere.
It’s Time to Face the Fiscal Illusion — this starts out sounding great then offers a solution that may have worked 3 decades ago
State Workers and N.Y.’s Fiscal Crisis — Gov. Andrew Cuomo is probably wishing he had run for US Senate about now as he tries to tackle the public employee pensions and wages. The Times seems to think he can cajole unions into doing what Walker is trying to do without deconstructing the unions, the unions are resisting, as his position was weaken by previous deals.
From Angelo Codevilla’s The Ruling Class:
I Davis-Bacon went away tomorrow, the Democratic Party would cease to exist.
Well, for sure it would become MORE dependent on foreign contributions…
Both parties are beholding to foreign interests.
Probably not. Public sector employees still have a reason to contribute to Democrats over Republicans and private sector employees are nearly insignificant these days.
At some point, the person who pays the bills (Taxpayers) must get the last say in how their money gets spent.