I thought this comment on 3/23/10, in the WSJ, was worthy of a total reprint. "It's no joking matter, not all members join unions voluntarily," by Don Crockett of Oakland, Calif. Mr. Crockett wrote, "Lynn Rhinehart (AFL-CIO general counsel) must also have a keen sense of humor" (Letter, March 18). She states that "union members....voluntarily joined (their unions) in the first place." The fact is, there are only 22 right-to-work states left where workers CANNOT be forced to join their workers union. (My comment: President Obama is working to force union membership on right-to-work states even as I write this blog)
Secondly, she states that " represented nonmembers already can opt out of financing union political and legislative activity." This indeed was confirmed in the 1988 "Beck" decision, and Executive Order 13201 required federal contractors to post workplace notices of this right. However, President Obama, flanked by big labor representatives, REVOKED this notification requirement soon after assuming office.
Why would big labor and President Obama not want union members to know of their rights to opt out of conscripted political contributions to a party or candidate they might not support? Hint: The AFL-CIO spent $53 million in 2008 to help elect President Obama. If "unions give voice to workers" per Ms. Rhinehart, It appears that the VOICE is to the Democratic Party only."
As I've written before, unions are losing ground rapidly in the private sector and gaining ground rapidly with employees in the public sector. President Obama has been paying back these "special interests" is many ways that slide under the the radar of the ordinary citizen. Hopefully many will wake up in 2012 and be wide awake when elections are held in 2014.
Obama is creating thousands of new federal workers (watch the new health bill create government jobs)that he knows will support him come election time if they realize where their "bread is buttered".
