Not-So-Special Interests Hold Parties Hostage

IBD Editorials ^ | August 18, 2008 | Thomas Sowell

[Kaslin]

We take it for granted that a vote means a secret ballot, but it was not always that way. Moreover, it will not remain that way for workers who vote on whether or not they want a labor union, if legislation sponsored by congressional Democrats and endorsed by Sen. Barack Obama becomes law.

Before there were secret ballots, voters dared not express their true preferences if those who watched them vote could retaliate — whether by firing them, beating them up or in other ways.

Anyone who is serious about people being free to express themselves with their votes wants a secret ballot.

The problem for labor unions is that workers in the private sector increasingly vote against being represented by unions. The proportion of workers in the private sector who are represented by unions has fallen below 10%.

Since unions are losing the game under the current rules, their obvious answer is to change the rules. Specifically, they want to do away with secret ballots when the government conducts elections to determine whether the workers in a particular company or industry want to be represented by a union.

With labor unions being major supporters of the Democratic Party — spending hundreds of millions of dollars in this year's election campaign — it is hardly surprising that congressional Democrats have lined up solidly behind legislation to let union organizers simply collect signed cards from a majority of workers, in order to be certified as the officially recognized union for those workers.

[Kaslin]

ping

[jazusamo]

Thanks for the ping, Kaslin.

Thomas Sowell columns re Obama

Whose “Special Interests”?
The Galbraith Effect
…As Well As Several Other Issues
Are Facts Obsolete?
Conservatives for Obama?
Cocky Ignorance
Obama and McCain
Irrelevant Apologies
Success Built on Work Ethic
An Old Newness
A Living Lie
Obama’s Speech
Race and Politics
Non-Judgmental Nonsense

[pyrless]

This is about as anti-American as you can get. For this alone, no “Democratic” politician should be elected.

They should change their name to the Undemocratic Party.

[jazusamo]

Agreed. Though union membership is far smaller than in past years they’re in the tank for the Dems as much if not more so now than in past years. Evidently the Dems are looking for more dollars and votes and are willing to sacrifice another freedom to get it.

It’s despicable and all stops should be pulled out to defeat this, even if BO (shudder) should be elected.