Unions prepare for protests, legal challenges over 'right-to-work' push

[Unreconstructed Reb]

[QUOTE=Artois;543091]

Unfortunately, and one of the primary reasons for the continued existence of unions, they don't do so in an effective or efficient manner. While contrary to popular belief, not every union sends large amounts into political coffers. Certainly not in comparison to corporate PACS.

The unions were responsible for almost half of Bronco's contributions in 2012. That's significant.

[Artois]

[QUOTE=Unreconstructed Reb;543165]

The unions were responsible for almost half of Bronco's contributions in 2012. That's significant.

Honestly I have no idea if that's true or not. I'll grant it the benefit of doubt, that's fine, but you also have to remember that according to the Federal Election Commissions filings on this election year:

Business Interest Contributions: $2.36 BILLION
Labor - Union Contributions: $127 Million
Ideological Contributions: $153 Million
Other Contributions: $458 Million

Granted, there's certainly some discrepancies with how they calculate those figures... but they are the recognized totals used. Seeing the staggering amounts that business interest contribute. Along with the unfortunate caveat of American politics, don't contribute and most politicians don't want to answer your calls. There's little wonder that campaign contributions have to be made.

[Unreconstructed Reb]

[QUOTE=Artois;543181]

Honestly I have no idea if that's true or not. I'll grant it the benefit of doubt, that's fine, but you also have to remember that according to the Federal Election Commissions filings on this election year:

Business Interest Contributions: $2.36 BILLION
Labor - Union Contributions: $127 Million
Ideological Contributions: $153 Million
Other Contributions: $458 Million

Granted, there's certainly some discrepancies with how they calculate those figures... but they are the recognized totals used. Seeing the staggering amounts that business interest contribute. Along with the unfortunate caveat of American politics, don't contribute and most politicians don't want to answer your calls. There's little wonder that campaign contributions have to be made.

Those are probably the numbers from direct contributions, however, big money was spent by the PAC's taking out their own ads.

The bottom line is that the union/democrat marriage is a fact. The democrat politicians know that as long as they support the unions, the unions will give money to their campaigns, hold placards at rallies and commit thuggery when necessary. They unions know that as long as they do their political dirty work that government contracts will keep rolling their way. And then, of course, there's the organized crime element.

[Artois]

Those numbers included PACs...

FWIW when I was a union officer of a pretty major union, we gave a whopping - campaign changing average of $100 a politician. Regardless of political affiliation, as long as they weren't berating us with political rhetoric. If I recall, only a handful were ever given $500 or $1000. It's been awhile since I was involved with PACs... For what it's worth our union PAC and fortune 100 corporate PAC almost mirrored each other, and we had an honored tradition of discussing controversial issues together and working to avoid unnecessary division. Sadly, many politicians check their campaign contribution list before scheduling appointments or returning phone calls, so everyone has to play that game to some extent.

[ReinMan]

Direct donations are only part of the picture.

The unions will mobilize their members on behalf of the Democrats they support; leafleting, canvassing, all manner of campaign work; a lot of it that would customarily be paid services, which are donated to the candidate's campaign.

This sort of "volunteer" work can equate to tens of thousands of dollars that a congressional campaign can spend elsewhere, and isn't legally required to declare as a contribution.

[Artois]

That's very true, and also a normal part of the political process that all parties perform.

[NJCardFan]

Apparently these union idiots threatened the life of the governor's daughter: http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/...me_666554.html

I beg our pro-union friends here to defend this.

[ReinMan]

Apparently these union idiots threatened the life of the governor's daughter: http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/...me_666554.html

I beg our pro-union friends here to defend this.

They won't defend, they'll dissociate. They'll say how they can't be held responsible for recklessly out-of-control individual from the rank-and-file.

Concepts like 'solidarity' and 'collective' seem to evaporate when situations arise that can embarrass the Union.

They evaporate just as readily when holiday triple time OT is up for grabs, or a Committeeman's nephew needs a bump in the queue for an apprenticeship...