CA: Kerry calls union dues proposal an effort to silence workers (Prop 75)

ap on Bakersfield Californian ^ | 10/13/05 | Michael R. Blood -ap

[NormsRevenge]

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Entering a fight over union rights that could have national implications, Sen. John Kerry warned Thursday that a ballot initiative backed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger could tip the balance of democracy by muzzling the voice of working people.

Proposition 75 would force public employee unions, such as those representing teachers, firefighters and prison guards, to seek written permission from members before using dues for political purposes. Kerry, speaking outside a downtown firehouse, said the initiative would condemn workers to "a completely unfair system."

The proposal "represents part of an ongoing effort by the Republican Party to create an unfair playing field, to change the balance of democracy in America," the former Democratic presidential nominee said. "They want a one-sided argument - their side."

While pharmaceutical, insurance and other industries pump millions of dollars into political races, the California proposition would "take away the voices of the firefighters, the police officers, the teachers, the nurses," the Massachusetts senator said.

Republicans want "to strip away Democratic power," Kerry added. "We saw this in the Senate. This is not just a California fight."

Schwarzenegger, on a campaign stop in Burbank, said little when asked about Kerry's criticism. He noted that he skis and plays hockey with Kerry - they both vacation in Idaho. Kerry never mentioned Schwarzenegger by name, but focused his criticism on the proposition.

"I don't pay much attention," Schwarzenegger said. "He has his beliefs, I have mine."

Schwarzenegger has argued that the initiative is not about workers but union bosses who have frustrated his agenda in Sacramento. But public employee unions see it as a threat to their political strength, and they have raised more than $80 million to defeat the proposition and other Schwarzenegger ballot proposals.

Kerry's appearance comes three days after the Republican governor enlisted Arizona Sen. John McCain, a former candidate for the Republican presidential nomination, to help sell his ballot initiatives at public appearances in Burbank and Oakland.

Kerry, flanked by firefighters and other union members, was introduced by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, a fellow Democrat who was one of Kerry's national campaign chairs during the 2004 presidential race. He called the proposition "the wrong way to go."

The mayor derided the governor for failing to work with the Democrat-controlled Legislature. He said supporters of Proposition 75 are corporate interests that want to "discriminate against one group of unions."

In addition to the union proposal, Schwarzenegger is pushing ballot initiatives that would cap state spending, strip lawmakers of the power to draw political boundaries and lengthen the probationary period for teachers from two years to five.

Recent polls have shown that the union initiative is the only one on the governor's slate favored by voters.

[frankjr]

How can Kerry even think that it is bad to give individuals a say in how their money is spent on political contributions?

I guess it goes along with the Lib theory that government knows how to spend our money better than we do. In fact, Kerry should propose a 100% flat tax rate for all.

[SALChamps03]

Oh, by requiring a person to take three seconds to sign a permission slip, three seconds to affix a stamp, and maybe two and one-half minutes to walk to the mailbox, this proposal will "muzzle" the voices of union workers? You gotta love The Poodle.

[Ron in Acreage]

It's funny how democrats always need to get their money by force and against ones will. Whether it be in the form of higher taxes or union dues. They cannot count on anyone to give them their money on their own free will.

[unlearner]

I propose we do this on a federal level and offer the Democrats a compromise: require unions AND publicly traded corporations to get approval from their members / share holders when making political contributions.

[Old Seadog]

[308MBR]

However, muzzling Republicans and Goldwaterites (yes Freepers, there is a difference these days) while making them pay FOR their own muzzling needs to be done to keep the American Dream alive.........yes folks, that was sarcasm.

[BigBobber]

public employee unions see it as a threat to their political strength, and they have raised more than $80 million

This makes is sound so populist, so grass roots, doesn't it? Like they stood in front of the grocery store for hours on end and collected peoples nickles and dimes.

No forced contributions here. No sir.

[goldstategop]

Oh yes... requiring unions to get permission from their members BEFORE spending dues on political causes... is anti-worker, how exactly? Unions can still contribute to parties and candidates who back their interests - they just have to get their members to agree to spend their dues on it. No offense, Jean Francois, but you're off the reservation on this one.

(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)

[The Old Hoosier]

Proposition 75 would force public employee unions, such as those representing teachers, firefighters and prison guards, to seek written permission from members before using dues for political purposes. Kerry, speaking outside a downtown firehouse, said the initiative would condemn workers to "a completely unfair system."

Oh, how unfair to the workers, to require their written permission before their money can be used for politics. Shed a tear for the American worker!

[FOG724]

Kerry needs union support if he is going to win against Hillary.

[newzjunkey]

Kerry does have a point: it isn't "reform" because it doesn't apply to all unionized workers. What a brilliant idea, John F'n! When can we expect you to introduce such legislation in the Senate? That's your plan isn't it?

Thanks be to God he isn't president.

[newzjunkey]

It does sounds so "grass roots" and so "populist" as if it's (as they claim in ads) the working class going door-to-door, begging for pennies against the evil, greedy Machine of Big Business and Republicans. Great observation!

Instead they made a special assessment and borrowed against future assessments to wage this campaign of lies. It's even more laughable when the union bosses control municipalities and nearly all state government with an iron fist.

[zip]

ping