Here's a hypothetical quiz: You're a famous liberal United States Senator. Who among the following do you favor most:
(a) Union members;
(b) Union leaders;
(c) Both of the above;
(d) Neither (a) nor (b).
If your name is Hillary Clinton, then the answer is (b) Union Leaders.
There's an initiative up for vote in California which would require public employee unions to get annual approval from the union member before his/her union dues can be used for political purposes. It's clear why union leadership would want this -- money is power, and the more money they have to tempt politicians then the more power they have over them. But should the union members want it too? Maybe, maybe not. But that's not the issue.
The issue is whether the union members should have a choice in the matter. Currently the law in California says they don't, but Proposition 75 on the November 8 ballot would give them that choice.
Californians for Paycheck Protection website reproduces the whole initiative, and here's the summary:
Prohibits public employee labor organizations from using dues or fees for political contributions unless the employee provides prior consent each year on a specified written form. Prohibition does not apply to dues or fees collected for charitable organizations, health care insurance, or other purposes directly benefiting the public employee. Requires labor organizations to maintain and submit to the Fair Political Practices Commission records concerning individual employees' and organizations' political contributions; those records are not subject to public disclosure. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: Probably minor state and local government implementation costs, potentially offset in part by revenues from fines and/or fees.
So one has to ask oneself, who could oppose this beside the union leaders? Well, Hillary Clinton, for one. John Edwards for another.
Here's the Monterey County Herald:
Clinton and Edwards sent e-mails to California voters on their supporter lists, urging a "no" vote on Proposition 75 during the Nov. 8 recall election.
''The strength of our democracy depends on voters' faith in the fairness of the process, that everyone has a right to participate,'' Clinton wrote. ''In taking away the rights of public employees, and only public employees, Proposition 75 would weaken our democracy. It would undermine the work and the rights of teachers, firefighters and health care givers.''
Yeah, it's that "faith in the fairness of the process" that seems to be in doubt here when it looks like plain old fashioned greed.
Tradesports.com doesn't seem to have a contract on this issue, and I wouldn't gamble anyway, but I have a feeling that the California voters will pass Proposition 75. We'll know next week.
For more information: FullosseousFlap's Dental Blog has updates on the issue and League of Women Voters of California has a discussion.
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