Democrat Udall will be beholden to labor
Jennifer Evans, Littleton
Published June 24, 2008 at 12:05 a.m.
"Money makes the pols go 'round," the recent Rocky Mountain News article about fundraising in Colorado's U.S. Senate campaign, begs the question: Who has helped U.S. Rep. Mark Udall build such formidable coffers? A large percentage (nearly a quarter-million dollars this election cycle alone) has come from unions.
The 111th Congress beginning in January 2009 will face one of the most controversial and sweeping labor reform bills in history. The Employee Free Choice Act passed the House last year, but was blocked by the Senate. With likely Republican losses coming, this bill will be a prime target for big labor.
EFCA or the "card check" bill will make it easier to unionize a shop by eliminating private ballot elections. Union bosses would merely collect signatures from half of the workers, and the shop is unionized. You can see how this could lead to the intimidation of workers.
Udall is heavily supported by the unions, supports EFCA, and must know that this bill is bad for workers, bad for business and bad for Colorado!
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June 24, 2008
6:05 a.m.
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SheikYurBooty writes:
I heard those stinkin' workers have an "agenda."
June 24, 2008
6:46 a.m.
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Mike_In_Hartsel writes:
Big labor? The unions are losing members every year. The only way they can survive is through one-sided legislation.
June 24, 2008
6:51 a.m.
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Shadow writes:
Is there any doubt that many politicians are in the pockets of the labor unions? Look how Ritter and Hickenlooper are going behind the voters back to make this state a closed shop. Any one who thinks Udall is not in their pockets too has their head in the sand. Look at his campiagn finances. Big labor is a major supporter.
The little man is being forced to pick up the tab for all these fat cats. It is time that the voter speaks up, loud and clearly. No more special interest. These elected officials serve at OUR WHIM, not theirs. They are beholding to the constituants. WE HAVE TO SEND THEM A MESSAGE AND PUT THEIR BUTTS OUT OF WORK.
June 24, 2008
7:07 a.m.
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HolierThanThou writes:
Do you work for a living?
If you do then Udall is beholden to you.
That's horrible! Especially for your boss... more so if your boss is planning to substitute a pink slip for your paycheck and offshore your job or give it to an H1B slave.
How are the bosses supposed to cut people's pay and give themselves bigger multi-million dollar bonuses at the expense of everyone else if we fill congress with representatives and senators who support the average American?
The whole idea of real Americans taking over the government is horrifying to the wealthy bosses. Why... they might introduce... ACCOUNTABILITY!!!
OH MY GOD!!! You mean... when a wealthy cabal of bosses kicks thousands of American workers out their job that they might be taxed to pay for the social and financial costs of dislocating all those people??? Well, yes, that's the traditional meaning of accountability, folks.
This is why they're getting nervous and having a panic attack over working Americans getting organized. This is why they're spreading lies about organized labor such as the above letter and commercials on TV.
If you enjoy being poor, worrying about your job, having no health benefits, working for peanuts and raising your kids on ramen noodles and spam, by all means write a letter to the editor like Jennifer Evans. Otherwise, check out the credentials of all candidates and vote for the one who is least likely to empower your boss and more likely to improve the quality of YOUR life.
June 24, 2008
7:12 a.m.
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HolierThanThou writes:
Is there any doubt that many politicians are in the pockets of oil bosses and wealthy special interests who've been offshoring jobs, hiring illegal immigrants, or hiring perfectly legal H1B slaves to cut your pay or take your job?
If you have any doubts, look at the foreclosure statistics and gain ye some wisdom.
June 24, 2008
7:19 a.m.
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leftside writes:
Udall and every other politician should be "beholden" to labor.
The Republican side of the isle has brainwashed their voters into thinking that we should bow down to the big corp. and the rich. Big unions should be held in check but don't kid yourself it's the workingman man that keep this country running and if it takes unionizing to insure them and their families are properly taken care then so be it.
June 24, 2008
7:20 a.m.
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Wechasa writes:
Questions:
Who, then, is Both Ways Big Oil Bob Shaffer beholden to?
Among the rest of the "conservative" Republicans, that is?
How do you know Republican politician is honest? That's easy. He stays bought, at least until a higher bidder comes along.
Be sure to vote Republican. You'll get the best government the special interests can buy.
June 24, 2008
8:12 a.m.
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JimmyB writes:
Forward69:
"I (through unmentioned source) know this is simply not true."
Still making things up, I see.
Of those who will vote for Obama, many believe ALL Republicans are crooks, for taking money from business.
Of those who will vote for McCain, many believe ALL Democrats are crooks, for taking money from unions.
At least that's what one might observe from what's indicated by several of these posts.
Speaking from my experiences as a union steward for an AFL/CIO shop, neither business owners, nor unions are all that worried about "the average Joe" outside of the "shop". Instead, both are "in it" for what they can take from the other. And, if that hits the consumer between the eyes, oh well.
There are politicians from both parties who take $$ gladly from business AND unions. Just because they do shouldn't automatically cause their integrity to be questionable.
How they perform AFTER they are elected, is what should be judged.
June 24, 2008
8:40 a.m.
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FlyfishDude52 writes:
JimmyB - Though I am not a proponet of labor unions your statements are right on. I agree that what the politicos do after elected is what they should be judged upon. All polititians accept gifts of all sorts from interest groups. That should be eliminated and made criminal. The elected represent the interest $ more that those who elect them. Hence my stand for term limits for all.
June 24, 2008
9:16 a.m.
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Wechasa writes:
JimmyB,
Although we cross swords on many another issue, here I have to applaud your posting.
One of the most disgusting ads on TV today is the one which purports to show a school class, or grade, election as it would be if "controlled by labor union bosses". It is seconded by the one with phony "workers", supposedly telling us what they "like about their Union." Both these totally dishonest, and fraudulent, misrepresentations seem to be sponsored by one of the kind of "Independent Political Education Committee" so much beloved by the Dirty Tricks Department of the Republican Party - where the current Colorado Republican Chairman, Waddams (spelling?), seems to have started his career.
Nothing human is ever perfect; nor will it ever be in the future. But, overall, the benefits of Unions, both to labor as such, and to the country as a whole, far exceed, and far outweigh, the slanders, lies, and smears - as well as any of the so called "achievements" - of the ANTI-Union "conservative" Republicans.
And, as to "integrity", I do have to say that it makes one wonder just how much "integrity" a candidate - any candidate - has who does not speak up, and speak out, against the kind of thing that the Republican Dirty Tricks people put on TV, and into the media elsewhere. I guess I'm just old fashined enough to go along with the bit about, "If it waddles like a duck, quacks like a duck, etc.", when it comes to the idea of "integrity" and public display.
Again, I applaud your presentation.
June 24, 2008
10:03 a.m.
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JimmyB writes:
Wechasa:
Thank you, sir.
I understand your discomfort with the two T.V. adds you addressed, but while you see the "controlled by labor union bosses" adds as "disgusting", others might see them as absolute truth.
It's all a matter of perspective.
While my experience as a shop steward for the AFL/CIO generally indicates those adds to be fantasy, I did know of some union officials who would have demanded what the adds are attributing to "union bosses" now.
Did those types of things happen? I can't say for sure, as I have no first-hand knowledge of such things. Is it, or could it happen, as those adds indicate? Again, I don't know.
I would hope not.
June 24, 2008
10:24 a.m.
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leftside writes:
Hey JimmyB,
I saw a motorcycle that I think was called a "Boss Hoss". This thing had a Chevy V8 engine it man. What's that about?
June 24, 2008
11:35 a.m.
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Conservativeslayer writes:
What's extremely funny about this letter is the assertion that this EFCA bill is bad for workers. While greater union representation is definetly unwanted by businesses, it should be wholely supported by workers. Surveys show that union workers get higher pay and better benefits compared to non-union members. It's the power of collective bargaining, that gives unions the ability to get higher pay for their workers. That's why republicans hate unions so much, because they fear people working together to achieve a goal. They don't want people to realize that by working together, you can achieve more then by working alone.
June 24, 2008
12:04 p.m.
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Cowboy63 writes:
What a laugh!
All the evil "Bob Schaffer is in the pocket of Big Oil" commercials and Udall is just as bought.
There isn't a nickel's worth of difference between Schaffer or Udall. Neither will accomplish anything, but at least Schaffer will spend less of your money while he is(n't) doing it.
June 24, 2008
12:40 p.m.
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mytwosense writes:
Conservativeslayer: "It's the power of collective bargaining, that gives unions the ability to get higher pay for their workers. That's why republicans hate unions so much, because they fear people working together to achieve a goal. They don't want people to realize that by working together, you can achieve more then by working alone."
Yep, dead on. I would also add they try to distort any attempt to "work together" as "Dirty Socialism."
Funny how they never apply this reasoning to *industry* trade organizations!
June 24, 2008
2:03 p.m.
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rockiesfan05 writes:
Employee Free Choice Act: what a conveniently named act that offers no freedom whatsoever. Rather, it offers a great deal of intimidation from union organizers by taking out the private ballots.
June 24, 2008
2:09 p.m.
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leftside writes:
Forward69 - lighten up, their unique and I doubt that everyone could or would even want to ride one of these things. I was told this one had a V8 in it though.
June 24, 2008
3:14 p.m.
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cathy.hall writes:
Wechasa wrote "One of the most disgusting ads on TV today is the one which purports to show a school class, or grade, election as it would be if "controlled by labor union bosses". It is seconded by the one with phony "workers", supposedly telling us what they "like about their Union."
As the wife and mother of two generations of union workers, I can tell you that these ads are not "digusting" at all, but they are RIGHT ON. The school ad is an exaggeration, but the fact remains the Employee Free Choice Act will eliminate the private ballot from the union organization process. How does this help the workers that don't care to belong to the Union? It only opens them up to intimidation from organizers that know EXACTLY what there vote is because their right to a private decision has been taken away by EFCA.
And as far as the second advertiesment goes, my husband and I are christians, and vote Republican in our private lives the majority of the time because they believe in our viewpoints. I assure you the thousands of dollars my husband and son pay in union dues each year don't go to ANY of the Republican candidates that we support. Only to liberal extremists that have taken hundreds of thousands in Union contributions, and have every interest in keeping the Union fat cats happy. EFCA will bolster union membership, so rest assured Udall and his democratic cronies that get all of my husband's union dues will continue to try to pass it. From a Union prospective we will be voting against Udall and EFCA, not for Big Business, but for workers who deserve to make their own choice without intimidation.
June 24, 2008
4:12 p.m.
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redge.barnhill writes:
Once again, liberal posters are distorting the argument to make it seem that the Big Mean Republicans are trying to keep everyone down. How about a little more research before your blanket descriptions?
The fact is that right now there is a six step process to unionize a business, and if over 50% of the workers in a shop want to unionize they can do so under a fair procedure governed by the National Labor Relations Board (not unions, not business). Look it up. If EFCA passes, the private ballot election monitored by the NLRB in which workers make a private decision whether they want to be part of a union or not (and pay a chunk of their hard earned paycheck to that union), will be eliminated.
It is meant to streamline a process that has been in place since the middle of the last century, to the benefit of Unions nationwide. Which, are dying anyway, because they are inflexible, don't help workers that much anymore, and hamper business. Just ask ANYONE from Detroit how unions have helped keep their businesses flexible and ready to change with the times...
June 24, 2008
5:23 p.m.
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popo writes:
Yeah, yeah,
And CEOs have Republicans in their pockets....perhaps stockholders should be able to vote their preferences which candidates THIER money goes to, without having to sell their shares to make their point.
Same deal.
June 24, 2008
9:09 p.m.
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leftside writes:
You can lighten up to Gene. Aren't you the party that goes around saying the liberals are going to take all of your guns away. This exaggeration garbage goes both ways.
June 25, 2008
7:43 a.m.
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JimmyB writes:
leftside/Forward69:
The "Boss Hog" V-8 cycle was conceived and built several years ago. I don't know what company "owns" the brand, but most are promoted for sale at several "rallies". I saw my first one about 15 years ago in Sturgis. From what I can tell, it's pure "ego trip" for those who have them, as they only get about 15mpg and if you lay it down, you need a tow truck to get it back up. I don't know the cost, but I'll stick with my little ol' Electra Glide.
Forward69:
Your statement: "I (through unmentioned source) know this is simply not true," needs clarification.
In order to make your argument valid, you need to let people know where you get your information. Otherwise, why should anyone believe what you say is true?
June 25, 2008
10 a.m.
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leftside writes:
JimmyB,
"you need a tow truck to get it back up."
That's what I thought when I saw the thing.
So it's called the "Boss Hog".
Not that I would ever buy one but what do you think the price tag on that thing is?