The American Spectator : Card Check Means Union Slavery

Special Report

Card Check Means Union Slavery

By Peter Ferrara on 3.25.09 @ 6:08AM

Suppose to vote in state and national elections you weren't allowed a secret ballot behind a curtain. Suppose to vote you had to go downtown and vote in the baseball stadium, where your choices would be flashed on the scoreboard, before a howling mob. Your boss, and your co-workers, and your neighbors would all know who you voted for.

That is how the unions and liberal Democrats want to change the law in regard to employees choosing whether they want a union.

For decades now, employees have been able to vote in secret ballot certification elections to determine whether they really wanted a union in their work place. In about half of these elections, for many years now, the workers have said no to the union.

Workers v. Unions

Why would workers not want a union? First, unions are expensive. Union dues for major, national unions now often run $500 to $600 a year. Once you get a union in your workplace, if you don't pay the dues, in most states you are automatically fired. Unless your state has a right-to-work law, once your employer signs a contract with a union, you must join it and pay its dues whether you want to or not.

Moreover, your union may call a strike when you can't afford not to work and miss your paycheck. Under current law, you can still cross the picket line and continue working. But you are then subject to union harassment and even violence, even after the strike ends. And check it out for yourself: there is a long history of union violence.

In addition, if you work hard and try to get ahead, the union often works against you. Union work rules routinely require advancement based on seniority in the union, not hard work, skill, and productivity.

Unions also have a bad history of driving the employer into the ground over the years, with unnecessary costs and excessive demands, resulting in fewer and fewer jobs, until the employer is finally gone. Remember the once mighty, now long gone, major steel industry? All that is left today of U.S. Steel, once challenged as a monopoly, is the logo. Now it's the once mighty auto industry going down. If these great engines of capitalism can be brought down, what chance does a medium or small business have?

Unions also routinely suffer corruption. Dues are diverted for the personal gain of union leaders. Union pension funds are looted. Check out this history yourself as well.

Finally, unions use billions in forced union dues to promote ultraliberal/far left politicians and political causes that many union workers may not support, or even oppose. As liberal academics Peter Dreier and Kelly Candaele have written,

[O]rganized labor is still the most effective political force for electing liberal candidates at the local, state and federal levels. Once in office, pro-labor [meaning liberal left] politicians are typically also the strongest advocates of funding for public schools and higher education,…gay rights, [and] universal health insurance [meaning socialized medicine].

And where do these liberal politicians stand on your gun rights, or on abortion, or on vouchers for your church school, or on taxes?

After all of this, is your union bureaucracy responsive to the concerns of individual workers? Or does the bureaucracy expect individual workers to be responsive to the union bureaucracy's concerns over its power and personal perks for union leaders?

Unions vs. Free Choice

The controversy over card check legislation shows how concerned union bureaucracies are regarding the wishes of the workers. This legislation bears the Orwellian name "The Employee Free Choice Act." It would end secret ballot elections for deciding whether the workers want a union -- elections, remember, where the workers have rejected the union half the time.

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Letter to the Editor

topics:
Unions, Card Check

Rocco| 3.25.09 @ 6:51AM

I found out how useless unions were at the early age of 18-19 when I was a member of the steelworkers' union. I once filed a (valid) grievance over a safety violation (a few weeks later a co-worker lost his legs in an accident involving a similar problem) and the shop steward canned it. Also, I ran a large machine in the finishing division, but could not do basic repairs which I was fully capable of doing (had to call a millwright) or even change a light bulb (had to call an electrician). Stupid regulations and work rules caused my machine to be down up to half of my shift, causing loss to the company and lost production bonuses for me; inertia (deliberate or otherwise) caused unnecessary injury or death. Since then, even though I can see a useful purpose for unions (in a perfect world), the reality turned me against them, and gave me a good incentive to complete college and get out of the steel industry 8 years before the decline really began. The sooner we get rid of these thugs, the better for industry and our economy.

Melvin| 3.25.09 @ 7:15AM

People, when are we going to put the brakes on this bull squeeze. This Country is disintegrating before our very eyes and no one wants to commit to anything to stop it.
These imbecilic and ineffective "Tea Parties" that are springing up around the country are not having one bit of effect on Washington D.C. or even the States for that matter.
Oh sure! there is the cry of. "Revolution," but no one wants to show up. Last time I checked a revolution takes a committed populace willing to make sacrifices and make a physical stand. But unfortunately soccer and band practice take precedence over saving the Country.
People, we need to mobilize by the millions and I mean millions not this ten or twenty people that usually show up isn't going to cut and and march not on the White House but march on those slimy weasels that park their bloated and botoxed carcasses in the halls of the Legislative Branch.
All I can say about the United States of America right now that it has turned into a pathetic beggar State with it's fleshy palm extended to the world, and begging, "Hey buddy can ya spare a dollar."
No longer are we the beacon of individualism, and freedom that is governed by the rule of law but have become governed by the rule of the mob, if we allow this card check to pass then we have done nothing but bring this pox upon ourselves and good riddance to us.

Jay| 3.25.09 @ 7:31AM

Americans wake up! If this radical left Congress can take away the rights of workers to vote, they can take away yours as well! I have written for years that the so-called liberals want to establish a Cuban style dictatorship here in this country. Taking away voting rights is another step in the furtherance of that plan.

The left must have unions. Unions are the most corrupt organizations in this country. If you doubt that read about them : murder, fraud, coercion, theft of pension plans; and many are owned and operated by organized crime.

But democrats love unions because they spend prodigious amounts of dues money on electing radical leftists. Radical leftists have no trouble with corruption because any path to power is acceptable, because power is control.

Today unions are irrelevant. Most do very little for their worker members. The goal of unons is not the betterment of the worker it is to keep the leadership from going back back to their "lunchboxes." That is what union rank and file say happens to leaders thrown out of office. They have to go back to work.

Unions actually work against the best of their members. Good workers get no more than those who do little. The Company I worked for offered performance bonuses to union employees in contract negotiations. The union flatly refused because performance bonuses "discriminated against those members not willing to learn and improve their skills"!

I can see it now. At work, union goons threaten and cajole workers to sign cards. Then no privacy of the voting booth. The goons win. This is much different from today when the goons come to your house after dinner and tell you you will work less and make more. When you say you're not interested it is remarked that the extra money would come in handy, say, if your wife was beaten and robbed or one of your children was hit by a car - sign the card. You sign but can still vote your conscience in a private booth.

If every elected official in Congress doesn't get a half million messages telling them exactly how they will be voted out of office if this awful bill passes, our country as we know it is finished.

We can all awake one morning and be told there will be no elections this cycle because an AFL-CIO run poll says 82% of Americans are satisfied with the elected officials and so an election would be a waste of time and money. So hence forth election day will be a National Holiday celebrating Unions.

JamesD| 3.25.09 @ 7:58AM

Unions have become that which they are meant to fight, big business. I too, was a member of a union, LIUNA, and found them to be of no use other than to make my paycheck lighter. When my wife, who was also a member, became pregnant with our first child, I was able to demonstrate to her that the cost of health insurance was equal to the market rate for an individual so there was no benefit to be had. It took very little effort on her part to decertify the union. I will not work for a company where union membership is required and I am willing to wager, with your money, that there are others who feel the same so there is a definite economic impact that will be felt.

Gill O'Teen| 3.25.09 @ 8:40AM

Actually if you ever saw me play basketball, you'd know that heavy drinking before the game could not possibly hurt my shooting percentage. Make mine Kentucky Bourbon, please.

But then again, I could choose to enjoy a fine micro-brewed American beverage instead, but there's that pesky word implying 'choice'. Why anyone is surprised that the marxists use the word 'choice' to mean something else entirely is forgetting the Sarah Palin lesson about 'Choice'. If you recall, Governor Palin exercised her 'right to choose' and knowingly gave birth to a child with Down's Syndrome. She was vilified by the pro-death crowd because according to their twisted logic, she made the wrong choice. The implication is that we have the right to choose only so long as we make their approved choice, which is to kill our children.

To these dolts, the word 'choice' is nothing other than a synonym for 'death'. Card Check will be the death of free enterprise.

Melvin, I suspect you might be advocating an activity that could possibly require copious amounts of brass encased metal tipped projectiles. Good luck with that. None of the shops around here have any available in my size. Maybe because they are non-union.

Joan| 3.25.09 @ 8:53AM

There is a proposal being bantered about in healthcare circles that would repeal the exemption from the Fair Labor Standards Act for those providing companionship services (i.e., housework, shopping, cooking) to the elderly and disabled. The unions are pusing this proposal under the guise of being "fair" to these workers by entitling them to overtime pay. I shudder to think what union work rules would mean to the work that these people perform for the elderly or disabled. Further, anything that these workers would gain by receiving overtime undoubtedly would be negated by having to pay union dues.

Gill O’Teen| 3.25.09 @ 9:24AM

Joan, not a problem. Once we get socialized medicine as good as that available in the United Kingdom, the elderly and disabled won’t have to deal with unions except maybe at the funeral parlor.

jharp| 3.25.09 @ 9:48AM

"Your boss, and your co-workers, and your neighbors would all know who you voted for.

That is how the unions and liberal Democrats want to change the law in regard to employees choosing whether they want a union. "

Again today, it took the first paragraph of the first TAS article for an out and out lie.

No one. No one is proposing doing away with the secret ballot.

Good Lord. Do you not have a conscience?

Marc Jeric| 3.25.09 @ 9:53AM

I grew up in a communist country. All workers were forcibly members of the Communist-led union. As an engineering student I had to accumulate 6 months of actual work in an industrial plant; I chose the nationalized Siemens plant producing electrical motors and steam turbine-generators. I "worked" 2 months there - one week each in different sections. Getting bored we were advised by workers where to sleep off the work hours - 6 AM to 3 PM; usually in the bowels of a generator housing. One day during a short lunch break I got really bored and undertook to produce big steel bolts out of raw bars: cut the bar in 16 pieces, machine roughly the 16 bolts, machine thread al 16 in a single lathe adjustment, finish the head and the end of the bolt. In 45 minutes I produced 16 bolts. My sponsor, a master worker, was panicked: " You idiot, you are going to increase our quotas for the same money they pay us!" Which was 8 bolts/day. And so he taught me the principles of union labor in a communist regime: 1) first you cut one piece out of the long bar; 2) then machine rough that piece; 3) then set the machine for fine work and prepare the bar for threading; 4) rough thread the bar; 5) prepare the lathe for fine machining; 6) fine machine the thread; 7) polish the head; and so on. Then restart the proces by cutting the next bolt, etc. This way you produce 8 bolts per day. When their supervisor would leave the floor for his before-lunch snooze, all workers would switch to private production of whatever they could sell on the black market. Well, they would explain to me, the rookie, they pretend to pay us, and we pretend to work. After I got my degree I escaped from that hell one week after.

Dustoff| 3.25.09 @ 10:28AM

More bad news.
FedEx has told Boeing that they will cancel the order of 30 777 freighter (airplanes) if cardCK happens.

That is a real lost of income/jobs for all.

joan| 3.25.09 @ 10:50AM

to jharp

Good Lord man/woman. Do you not have a brain?

The whole premise of this fiasco is that to become unionized, one must openly declare which way they voted. It seems clear to me!! Seems like "doing away with the secret ballot to me "!!!

John II| 3.25.09 @ 11:01AM

Add "jharp" to the list of well-poisoners that keep popping up on this site in the comment sections. There's no way I can see to explain that dirth of imbecility except to suggest that the well-poisoners are political hacks employed by the Obama machine. Call my speculation paranoia if you wish, but I prefer to think of it a modest way to lend some dignity to the poisoners. If they're NOT doing it deliberately, their stupidity is too horrible to contemplate.

jharp| 3.25.09 @ 11:08AM

"Card check doesn't allow labor leaders to forgo anything. It allows workers to do so. The Employee Free Choice Act does nothing to modify the National Labor Relation Act's provision ensuring that if 30 percent of workers want a secret ballot election, one will be held. That could even happen after a card check election. If three-of-ten workers are unhappy, they can call the union into question in a secret ballot election. Let me state that again, and clearly: Card check does not end the secret ballot."

http://www.prospect.org/csnc/blogs/ezraklein_archive?month=11&year=2008&base_name=that_the_crypt_would_simply

And yes, I do have a brain, an educated brain. It is you who has no idea what this legislation is about.

Read, girl, read. And learn.

jharp| 3.25.09 @ 11:21AM

"Add "jharp" to the list of well-poisoners"

Good one. Peter Ferrara posts a lie. I make it clear that Peter's claim is false.

And I'm poisoning the well? Poisoning the well of the cesspool of lies promoted by wingnuttia with the truth is all I've done. Too funny!

Paul from SA| 3.25.09 @ 11:48AM

I saw Rachel Maddow the other day on MSNBC audaciously claiming this legislation will not take away the right to a secret ballot and this is all a big smoke screen by Republicans. Apparently it is only an option.

If this, and other liberal ideas, wouldn't harm our country so much, I'd like to let them go forward with unionizing our labor force just to let them see how it will harm businesses and eventually workers.

Much like raising the minimum wage, liberals seem unable to understand how it affects labor costs and the eventual consequences.

In 1981, I took a job installing alarm systems in San Antonio making about $4/hr. We heard unionized alarm workers in NYC start at #13/hr with full benefits. If you (liberals) were going to start an alarm business, where would you want to locate?

Unionizing the workforce has nothing to do with helping workers (or helping children and saving the planet from evil republicans). It's all about acquiring power for liberals.

Liberty Lady| 3.25.09 @ 11:50AM

Jharp, I'd like to hear from you, please. Would you kindly explain the rationale behind the 'Employee Free Choice Act'. Since your opinion greatly differs from all others posted here, I would like to know what you think. Thank you.

Berl| 3.25.09 @ 11:51AM

re: Dustell's posting
FedEx will NOT cancel any orders from Boeing because of union/Democrat strongarming. Quite the contrary. They will cooperate or have their administration nationalized by Congress and the Obama cabinet.

Paul from SA| 3.25.09 @ 11:56AM

Imagine our entire health care industry controlled by a single union much like the teacher's union. Now that's scary.

Paul from SA| 3.25.09 @ 12:03PM

Unionizing doesn't even need to occur to hurt the workers.

I used to work for a major department store retailer who had planned to open a new distribution center in a certain state. They purchased the land, got the necessary permits and even after the local city officials took credit for bringing 500 jobs, they hoodwinked the company and announced it would be a union workforce. The company immediately canceled their plans and opened a new dist.center in a southern state.

jharp| 3.25.09 @ 12:21PM

"Jharp, I'd like to hear from you, please. Would you kindly explain the rationale behind the 'Employee Free Choice Act'."

Sure. Most importantly it does NOT end the secret ballot. It is a lie to state otherwise.

"What card check does allow, however, is for workers to forgo the long, drawn out election in which employers routinely fire union supporters, intimidate workers, put the union supporters on awful shifts as a warning, hire unionbusting consultants, and so on, and so forth."

And this is exactly what happens every time.

I'd expect Peter Ferrara to correct his out and out lie if I felt he had an credibility. How about it, Peter?

Liberty Lady| 3.25.09 @ 12:31PM

So, if I elected not to become part of the union, no one will know how I voted--ever?

jharp| 3.25.09 @ 12:40PM

"So, if I elected not to become part of the union, no one will know how I voted--ever?"

Do you mean voted against becoming a union shop or mean elected not to become part of the union?

Big Leo| 3.25.09 @ 1:05PM

jharp is poisonous and dishonest. Don't respond to him.

Joan| 3.25.09 @ 1:52PM

To Jharp
As to your last "lecture" I'd like to point out that what you are referring to with regard to the firings and intimidations etc. is exactly what's happening now in Albion, Alabama, except its the union organizers that are the ones doing it.

And I like to point out the following from the EFCA proposal itself. It reads as follows:

"The process of forming a union through secret ballot elections does not explicitly change under the Employee Free Choice Act. Workers may still utilize the election process to achieve union representation. However, a union's collecting cards from over 50% of employees can force unionization on a company without a secret ballot."

This would effectively abolish the secret ballot election, as union officials would submit cards every time and not choose to hold an election.

This is the BANKERS FRAUD| 3.25.09 @ 1:55PM

What America needs is not Republican or Democrats, but Independence. There is the two camps but what one needs to think of is more to do with the future.

Where all Americans think they are important, the system which controls America is nothing more than the biggest fraud in the history of humanity. Till Americans can address this issue they are doomed to a life of the Fed invent money out of nothing, and the population pay the interest on the money produced out of nothing.

The very idea that Americans think they have a Democracy, is about as foolish as really thinking that Muslim in Iran and Iraq is your ememy. Americans are largely controled by false information by a controled media keeping the masses in the Zone of the ZOMBIES.

What the Government condem publicly, the Government is supporting privately like the amounts of money paid to the Pakistani government to keep the images of muslim terrorist on their borders, as long as the Pakistani government can fullfill what Bush was paying for it's Ok, because behind the seen while everyone thinks some poor muslim who can't feed his family is about to plant a bomb in America, it keeps the Money situation in their control, to bankrupt the people raid their pension, throw them out of work, and out of their homes into a state of desperation. While giving up your rights out of fear.

They are watching the internet now because Americans will be the last to wake up from lead poisoning, and all the other poisons they have put in your water to drink so you become Zombies, willing to give up your freedom because the crooks that runs Wall Street says so and the CFR. Obama, do you really think a racist country like America would allow Obama to run America, it is as impossible as having a Muslim or Black running Britain.

You people who is still intouch with reality have better wake up because only in America can it be stopped. In the UK they want to tell people what to eat drink and wear, and live, how to think the country is at Zero growth as fron the 24th March 2009. The economy is Bankrupt.

And for anyone in America who think the Fraud in the Banking system is going away, had better wake up and know one thing, the government did commit Sept 11th and killed Americans. Facts are fact tourturing people to own up to crimes they never committed is easy. People have got to wake up now even if it's taking your money out of main Banks and put it in local banks to have time to think of what to do.

What the Government and the people who fund the government wants is for it to seem as if they are running the country but the Banks runs America and the world. They print the money out of nothing you pay the interest on the amount printed, making you slaves for life and your children and gran children. If you don't understand go to rehab.

I don't care who writes your laws as long as I control the money, forgot to tell the people who runs the money controls the country.

Mervin King acheived his contract of Bankrupting the UK, and told Gordon Brown there is no more money to baliout anymore banks.
And on the 25th he goes to see the Queen to say mission accomplished.

jharp| 3.25.09 @ 2:09PM

"And I like to point out the following from the EFCA proposal itself. It reads as follows:"

Even then a secret ballot IS STILL AN OPTION. It does nothing to END THE RIGHT OF A SECRET BALLOTT.

How do sleep at night after spending the day spreading lies? Let me guess, you're one of those wingnuts who also claims to be a Christian after lying all day long.

jharp| 3.25.09 @ 2:15PM

I had to add more to your utterly moronic post, Joan.

"However, a union's collecting cards from over 50% of employees can force unionization on a company without a secret ballot."

That would be 50% of employees chose to unionize, birdbrain.

"This would effectively abolish the secret ballot election, as union officials would submit cards every time and not choose to hold an election."

And union officials can only collect the cards submitted by workers. THEY CANNOT CHOOSE TO NOT HAVE A SECRET BALLOT.

Geez. The ignorance here is astounding.

Skep41| 3.25.09 @ 2:16PM

I was forced to join a union when my boss signed the contract without talking to anyone else at the studio I worked at. It seemed a disgruntled fired employee phoned them up. So I had to pony up two weeks pay for the privilege of membership. It was pay up or take a hike. So no matter what my political views are and how generous I might be to people I support I have spent more money helping to elect left-wing Democrats than on any other political cause. Thats why we're doomed. The left has turned this country into Mexico...not even today's Mexico, which would be bad enough, but the Mexico of thirty years ago, before the reforms.
I lived in England before the Thatcher Revolution and worked for cash as an illegal alien. Employers were happy to have an employee who worked for piecework, could be laid off without 6 months severance pay and who could be fired for bad work or showing up after lunch drunk. I was happy not to pay the 65% tax rates that were current at that time and because I worked hard and met my deadlines I was turning away work before too long. Those stupid work rules make it impossible to do business, I dont care what business it is you're trying to run. It means few jobs, fewer employers and I dont care how strong the union is that is never a good position for workers to be in. Card Check is just another step, and a big one, towards national poverty.

Joan| 3.25.09 @ 2:19PM

to jharp:

A Liberal is a Liberal is a Liberal. If you and I don't agree on the interpertation of something, then I'M wrong!! It figures!!
And if you can't win someone over, use religion!!

Again, it figures!!

Skep41| 3.25.09 @ 2:24PM

Is Jharp a 'seminar' commenter? All the left-wing commenters who harrass conservative web sites have a real sameness about them that is startling. Is there some government-funded building filled with low-wage 'community organizers' whose pathetic job it is to go onto conservative websites and enter nasty comments?

No amount of jharps' sneering is going to change the fact that liberals are against free elections. If they were in favor of an honest vote they wouldnt give one single penny to groups like ACORN, whose business is voter fraud. Instead ACORN gets a couple of billion in the 'stimulus' bill. Card Check is intimidation. Its bullying workers and bosses to the benefit of a few thugs who use their proletarian grievances to push everyone else around.

Big Leo| 3.25.09 @ 2:40PM

Triumph the Insult Dog and jharp-- twins separated at birth?

UNIONS WITHNO JOBS| 3.25.09 @ 2:42PM

What is the POINT OF BEING IN A UNION IF YOU HAVE NO JOB?. Americans please if you have never had to think in your life start NOW.

Mrs Thacher under the TORIES Conservatives quashed the Unions in the UK, using Police Army and many are crippled for life, that was under the Coal Miners Strike in the late 1980's.

Try to protest under the UNIONS and die from American bullets, by Black Water and the American Police force, and even your own Army you had payed Taxes to kill Arabs.

Liberty Lady| 3.25.09 @ 2:45PM

"However, a union's collecting cards from over 50% of employees can force unionization on a company without a secret ballot." --Force? What if I don't want to be part of the union--now, that's unfair. I should have a choice just as the person who decides to join has...

"This would effectively abolish the secret ballot election,--ABOLISH?

Sorry, but the words FORCE and ABOLISH are quite strong. Sounds like control to me. I want to be free to choose and I NEVER want to lose that choice.

bill| 3.25.09 @ 2:49PM

JHarp continues to quote the website prospect.org, and who was the founder of prospect.org? Why none other than Robert Reich, secretary of labor under Bill Clinton. No wonder prospect.org is behind Card Check. Try using some facts to support your argument without using completely biased sources.

Anthony| 3.25.09 @ 2:51PM

It's a complete waste of time to engage jharp in a rationale discussion on this issue because all you will get are his prevarications and leftist distortions . All one needs to ask is why his insistance on this legislation in the first place, and of course, why Congress is so intent on this legislation. Transpose Congress' interest in the "Fairness Doctrine" and ask the very same questions and you discover the intent of radicals like jharp, Obama and the Democrats in Congress. Nothing complicated here, it's Obama's fascism, American style.

jharp| 3.25.09 @ 2:55PM

"Is Jharp a 'seminar' commenter? All the left-wing commenters who harrass conservative web sites have a real sameness about them that is startling"

I've noticed it too. They speak the truth and call out the right wingers on their lies.

jharp| 3.25.09 @ 3:00PM

""However, a union's collecting cards from over 50% of employees can force unionization on a company without a secret ballot." --Force? What if I don't want to be part of the union--now, that's unfair. I should have a choice just as the person who decides to join has..."

You do have a choice you moron. You get to fill out one card exactly the same as your co workers. And if a majority wants to be unionized the majority rules. And the SECRET BALLOT IS STILL AN OPTION if 3 out of ten choose so.

""This would effectively abolish the secret ballot election,--ABOLISH?"

Wrong again. See above.

"Sorry, but the words FORCE and ABOLISH are quite strong. Sounds like control to me. I want to be free to choose and I NEVER want to lose that choice."

You won't and don't lose that choice.

Geez. Are you really that dense?

Teach| 3.25.09 @ 3:04PM

jharp says: "And union officials can only collect the cards submitted by workers. THEY CANNOT CHOOSE TO NOT HAVE A SECRET BALLOT.

"Geez. The ignorance here is astounding. "

Not only is YOUR ignorance showing, but also your lock of logic. If the union thugs (organizers) cannot intimidate at least 50% of the workers into signing the cards, who's going to call for the election by secret ballot. Surely not the workers who courageously refused to sign the cards shoved in front of them by the thugs (organizers). And the union's not going to call for it, since they already know that they'd lose.

Fact: most unions do not call for elections now until well over 50% of the workers indicate their desire for an election because the unions know that many of those who publicly indicate interest in an election (for fear of intimidation from co-workers and union thugs [organizers] who want the union) will vote no when the secret election is held.

jharp| 3.25.09 @ 3:17PM

Teach,

"If the union thugs (organizers) cannot intimidate at least 50% of the workers into signing the cards, who's going to call for the election by secret ballot."

The workers, you imbecile.

"Surely not the workers who courageously refused to sign the cards shoved in front of them by the thugs (organizers)."

It is their right to do so, birdbrain. And they most certainly would.

"And the union's not going to call for it, since they already know that they'd lose."

Again, in typical wingnut fashion, get caught in a lie. Just make stuff up.

The American public has caught on to you knuckledragging troglodyte morons. That's is why you were trounced in the last two elections and continue to be a powerless minority.

I'll say it again. This legislation does not end the secret ballot. Peter Ferrara posted a lie.

It's that simple.

Teach| 3.25.09 @ 3:24PM

jharp: "...you imbecile." "...birdbrain" "...typical wingnut fashion"

So when you can't logically counter arguments, you think that name calling strengthens your argument. Pathetic.

Denise-Mary| 3.25.09 @ 3:28PM

People, why would you even bother responding to jharp and his cronies? Spend the time writing your legislators instead - the GOP needs to hear our outrage! jharp simply provides more distraction - much like the current administration is doing. Sleight of hand is all they know, but unfortunately, it's working. IGNORE HIM/HER. Narcissicists just hate it when you do that:)

jharp| 3.25.09 @ 3:38PM

"IGNORE HIM/HER."

Good one. Ignore the truth and ignore the facts.

How's that working for ya? Lets' see. Lost the White House in a landslide, lost about 15 Senate seats, and lost about 75-100 House seats.

Good thinking Denise-Mary. Keep it up. No need to let the facts get in the way. You've got elections to lose.

Big Leo| 3.25.09 @ 3:43PM

My cousin's business was unionized, and he dealt with it very neatly. He began a new business and took his loyal employees and most of the customers with him, closing the old business down. In the short run, it cost a lot, but in the long run, it meant more profits and also better salaries for the loyal employees. The freedom to mind your own business should be pretty basic. How can a bill like this be seriously proposed in a free country? The secret ballot is basic to democracy. The leftist posturing that technically it doesn't is dishonest-- in reality and practice, it does.

jharp| 3.25.09 @ 3:56PM

Wow, I had to look.

It seems that in the last two elections the GOP has gone from a 31 seat advantage in the House to a 77 seat disadvantage!

Holy Toledo! Nice work GOPers. Just keep your radios dialed to Hannity and the drug addict El Rushbo.

It working beautifully. (for the democrats)

Tom| 3.25.09 @ 3:57PM

JHarp is spewing (largely) technically accurate, but functionally FALSE premises.

He has to know it - which illustrates why EFCA and its ilk should be opposed - for he can't argue for it on the merits.

For one thing, he's citing paid, professional union organizers as being the "workers."

Under EFCA the union organizers collect the cards, by hook, crook and threat.

If somehow over 30% but less than 50% of the targeted workforce doesn't succumb, then THE UNION can petition the NLRB, which will conduct a secret ballot election. Currently they only file if they have at least 70% signatures, for they know that many employees sign merely to get the union organizer out of their face, and that support drops off when employees get to vote in private.

Under EFCA, if over 50% of the targeted workforce signs, the union is recognized, and the NLRB is prohibited from conducting an election.

Only the union and union organizers will know who signed, and what percentage of the targeted workforce signed. And only the union and union organizers will UNILATERALLY determine whether to petition the NLRB for an election, and in the real world will never do so if they've got more than 50% of the cards signed and so now have trapped 100% of the workforce.

Under EFCA, in theory and in practice, 100% of the workforce can be unionized even if 49% of the employees are never even given the opportunity to sign, or not sign, a card, much less vote.

Under EFCA the workers will never be given the opportunity to make an informed consent as to whether or not to unionize.

Note too that under EFCA a secret ballot will still be required to decertify a union.

JHarp is lying. That he has to lie to try to support EFCA is prima facie evidence as to why it is bad.

Wicked Dickie--Virginia| 3.25.09 @ 4:11PM

Seems to me that the unions originally demanded the secret ballot on the grounds that the secret ballot eliminated employer intimidation. My, how times have changed now that we have a Chicago Thug as President with a Socialist Congress to blow the dough and force us into joining unions. Union intimidation good; employer bad. Y'all work, pay taxes and union dues, or else.

jharp| 3.25.09 @ 4:15PM

"For one thing, he's citing paid, professional union organizers as being the "workers." "

A lie. But typical for a wingnut.

"Under EFCA the union organizers collect the cards, by hook, crook and threat."

Another lie. They collect the votes exactly as they do today.

"Under EFCA, in theory and in practice, 100% of the workforce can be unionized even if 49% of the employees are never even given the opportunity to sign, or not sign, a card, much less vote. "

More BS. It's true if the first 51% all vote to unionize it's true that it doesn't matter what the other 49% desire. So what is your point? The same thing is true without EFCA.

"Under EFCA the workers will never be given the opportunity to make an informed consent as to whether or not to unionize. "

Another lie. They will have the same rights they have today.

Your post is utterly absurd and you know it. You are nothing but a liar and a right wing hack.

Keep it up, loser. See if you can lose another 15 Senate seats and another 100 House seats with your ignoring the facts and spreading propaganda.

Old Soldier| 3.25.09 @ 4:15PM

I will carry a club to work before signing an union card. I paid UAW dues for 3 summers in a GM plant - I've seen first hand how unions destroy businesses.

S.L. Toddard| 3.25.09 @ 4:16PM

How do you know when a liberal is lying? His lips are moving. Ignore the moron, he gets paid .25 for every post he makes on Conservative sites. And he doesn't belong to a union. Libturd JHarp.

Daphne| 3.25.09 @ 4:19PM

Repubs and demos are tied in generic polling--the first time in three years. Also, moderates are trending repub by 23 points. 2010 can't come fast enough! Keep your spirits up--ignore losers like Harpo.

jharp| 3.25.09 @ 4:27PM

"Repubs and demos are tied in generic polling--the first time in three years. Also, moderates are trending repub by 23 points."

Link? Or just another typical wingnut fabrication?

Big Leo| 3.25.09 @ 4:35PM

I have a new theory about jharp. Perhaps he is a conservative who is trying to make liberals look like rude, dishonest jerks. He's surely succeeding at that.

jharp| 3.25.09 @ 4:43PM

"Perhaps he is a conservative who is trying to make liberals look like rude, dishonest jerks."

Another Mr. Wrong on Everything chirps in.

Nope. I'm a leftist who only visits wingnut sites to call them out when they lie. And that is a lot.

And I'm not polite to liars. They disgust me. And it sickens me what they have done to our country.

Curtis Rasmussen| 3.25.09 @ 4:47PM

To Jharp:

It sounds like you have never experienced the fun and intrigue of working in a union shop.

I worked in a machine shop where the operators were unionized. According to the rules negotiated with the union, all union to non-union questions had to be filtered through a union shop liaison. You were SOL if that individual was not available.

How many hours (and profits) went up in smoke waiting around for an unproductive third party instead of talking directly to the individual standing next to you? Enough for me to say that unions suck the life out of companies and I do not support any legislation that makes unionization easier.

Don't get me started on trying to fire the incompetent union members.

jharp| 3.25.09 @ 4:55PM

"Enough for me to say that unions suck the life out of companies"

Tell that to the Major League Baseball Players Association.

You are a dimwitted fool.

John II| 3.25.09 @ 4:58PM

Daphne: Don't call him Harpo! Harpo was not only the funniest but also personally the nicest of the Marx Brothers. Big family, lots of kids, permanent marriage, that kind of stuff. The stuff liberal Democrats hate.

Call her Harpie instead. And can I really be paid 25 cents each time I say "imbecile," "liar," "pig-dog," "wingnut," "Obama supporter," "big-labor shill," "loser," and similar expressions?

Gosh! I could become a millionaire just responding to Harpie for twenty minutes or so!

Life just seems to be passing me by . . .

Curtis Rasmussen| 3.25.09 @ 5:04PM

Why don't you describe your positive personal experience with a union instead of parroting someone else's tripe?

jharp| 3.25.09 @ 5:07PM

In rereading the post here the ignorance and lack of understanding the issues exhibited by Republicans sticks out like a sore thumb.

Listen closely wingnuts. The issue isn't whether or not unions are good or bad. The issue is whether the majority of the workers can organize a union by simply agreeing to do so. While at the same time preserving the right to a secret ballot.

It's that simple. And I really do wish the GOP would get it's sanity back. I honestly can't believe the stupidity they display.

jharp| 3.25.09 @ 5:10PM

"Why don't you describe your positive personal experience with a union instead of parroting someone else's tripe?"

Alright. In my lifetime the greatest growth of any middle class society in the history of the earth.

And looks what has happened to the middle class the past 8 years.

John II| 3.25.09 @ 5:11PM

" . . . sticks out like a sore thumb."

What elegance. What creative turns of phrase. Harpie is a stylist too. But it still isn't worth 25 cents.

Curtis Rasmussen| 3.25.09 @ 5:20PM

Jharp: you've got nothing. This issue expands beyond a mere technicality. This is a full frontal assault on private enterprise if it makes unionization easier to implement.

Please, go somewhere where there are friends that sympathize with you.

Pingback| 3.25.09 @ 5:28PM

Topics about Airplanes » Archive » The American Spectator : Card Check Means Union Sl links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

» The American Spectator : Card Check Means Union Slavery Topics about Airplanes The American Spectator : Card Check Means Union Slavery Posted in Airplanes Topics on March 25th, 2009 Peter Ferrara put an intriguing blog post on The American Spectator : Card Check Means Union Slavery Here’s a quick excerpt Unions actually work against the best of their members. Good workers get no more than…

Daphne| 3.25.09 @ 5:41PM

Obama's favorables are tanking, too. Get rid of the moron in 2012.

jharp| 3.25.09 @ 5:41PM

"This is a full frontal assault on private enterprise if it makes unionization easier to implement."

So now unions are assaults on private enterprise? For God's sake you ignorant buffoon, turn off Limbo and Hannity. They have turned your brain to mush.

If it makes you feel any better about 25% of American's are as equally ignorant as you.

jharp| 3.25.09 @ 5:44PM

"Obama's favorables are tanking, too."

Really? Got a link?

And while your at it could you provide a link for your other BS.

Repubs and demos are tied in generic polling--the first time in three years. Also, moderates are trending repub by 23 points.

Heather| 3.25.09 @ 5:50PM

Not only is Obama tanking in the polls, his HIGHLY unfavorables are sky-rocketing. Can you say, 'one term wonder'?

jharp| 3.25.09 @ 5:53PM

"Not only is Obama tanking in the polls, his HIGHLY unfavorables are sky-rocketing. Can you say, 'one term wonder'?"

Link?

And put the bong away. The guy whose polling numbers tanked, the same guy who nearly destroyed our economy, George Bush, is no longer President.

Frosty| 3.25.09 @ 5:56PM

Obama is a loser marxist who is trying to destroy our country. Republicans will take Congress back in 2010 and then destroy the Obama machine in 2012.

S.L. Toddard| 3.25.09 @ 5:58PM

Once and for all I hope we destroy liberalism. They are haters who only live to hurt others.

Daphne| 3.25.09 @ 6:06PM

LOL. Obama's (giant screen teleprompter) 3/24 Press Conference lost 23% viewership compared to his 2/24 Address to congress. People are so over this loser.

jharp| 3.25.09 @ 6:09PM

"Once and for all I hope we destroy liberalism."

Too funny. It's conservatism that's on the verge of extinction.

Did you not witness the election bloodbath in November? White House, landslide. Senate, 15 seats. House 100 seats. In two short years.

Or are you a brain dead moron?

jharp| 3.25.09 @ 6:10PM

Still no links to back up your lies?

James| 3.25.09 @ 6:13PM

jharp

Can you put ONE sentence together without calling people names?

jharp| 3.25.09 @ 6:38PM

"Can you put ONE sentence together without calling people names?"

Sure, easily.

But if someone chooses to lie they are going to hear about it. And in not nice words.

And if someone posts something stupid. I will also call them on it.

Interloper| 3.25.09 @ 6:50PM

JHarp--Okay, I just posted something stupid. Call me on it, moron.

James| 3.25.09 @ 6:51PM

Oh so now you're the stupid police? What if they don't think they dont think it's stupid?

And I'm sure you're going to have something to say about how superior you're thinking is!!

Please... give us all a break and SHUT UP!!

Esther| 3.25.09 @ 6:52PM

About jharp
Folks, Why do you even answer this hate spewing person. You are allowing him to get his jollies off and making his day. So please please just ignore him you can't debate a narrow minded fool!

ZerObama | 3.25.09 @ 6:54PM

Obama's 3/24 giant screen tv presser's ratings dropped 23% from his similarly moronic presser of 2/24. Boring loser.

John II| 3.25.09 @ 6:54PM

[Theatrical aside: Whoa, almost 20 posts so far from Harpie: let's see, at 25 cents a post, that's five bucks for about three nanoseconds of thought and four minutes of work--way better than union scale. There must be SOME way I can get in on this scam. I'll try to be nice.]

My dear Harpsichord,

I should like to propose a business venture. How about if I egg you on with my charming wit and you respond with your witless abuse. Each time you respond to my egg, opportunities for which I can promise to be numerous, all I ask is that you cut me in for, say, 20 percent. For every quarter you get, I get a nickel.

Think of it, Harpsichord. I know you're not big even on small business, but together we could clean up in no time at all. You would become rich, having dug deep into the capacious Obama coffers, and I would become quite well-off.
You could start your own political party, and I could take my family to . . . Rio!

"Rio! I'll go to Rio . . . " (Zero Mostel, "The Producers," 1968--always cite your sources.)

ZerObama| 3.25.09 @ 6:58PM

JOHN II---LOL!! You awful Capitalist, you. But at least you don't steal it like Obummer & Co. Do any democrats pay their taxes? Lying thieves.

ZerObama| 3.25.09 @ 7:00PM

Can I go to Rio, too? On Harpo's dime (er, quarter), that is.

jharp| 3.25.09 @ 7:10PM

Hmmmm.

No more defending Mr. Ferrara's lie? That's good.

I am more than happy to enlighten everyone on the truth. That the secret ballot is still very much in place.

You are all welcome.

ben| 3.25.09 @ 7:12PM

jharp| 3.25.09 @ 4:15PM
"Another lie. They collect the votes exactly as they do today."
"More BS. It's true if the first 51% all vote to unionize it's true that it doesn't matter what the other 49% desire. So what is your point? The same thing is true without EFCA."
"Another lie. They will have the same rights they have today."

If everything remains the same, then why do we even need this new law?

Interloper| 3.25.09 @ 7:19PM

Exactly, Ben. Union thugs will violently force all businesses to organize. CardCheck ain't gonna pass anyway--Specter's scared. We stopped it. Harpy is just a libturd troll.

CARDCHECK IS DEAD| 3.25.09 @ 7:20PM

WE WON!!

jharp| 3.25.09 @ 7:42PM

"If everything remains the same, then why do we even need this new law?"

I respect a man who is honest enough to ask what he doesn't understand. And I am happy to answer for you.

Everything isn't the same. If a majority of the workers choose to unionize, then they are recognized as a union. Unlike today.

James| 3.25.09 @ 7:50PM

Oh Thank YOU!! For explaining all this to us unenlightend ones. Now I can go t bed knowing that if only the world would listen to you we'd all be better off.
Now could you explain the secrets of the universe?

WHAT AN EGO!!!!!!

jrharp| 3.25.09 @ 7:57PM

"Oh Thank YOU!! For explaining all this to us unenlightend ones. "

You are very welcome. And it really doesn't take much to become enlightened. Just turn off Limbaugh, Hannity, Fox News, Ingraham, Beck, Boortz, and the other right wing hacks.

And then read.

Nick| 3.25.09 @ 8:56PM

Mr. Ferrara is right, doing away with the secret ballot will just allow union thugs to put the screws to hard working Americans.

Unions, for the most part, are for brain dead morons who don't want to think for themselves. Some people have no choice, but you know what I'm talking about, don't you?

Unions, like all communist organizations, should be outlawed.

CARDCHECK IS DEAD!!| 3.25.09 @ 9:11PM

People hate unions--that why marxist/dems are trying to force it down peoples' throats. With Specter there are 61 senators against card check--it's dead.

Jeremiah| 3.25.09 @ 9:12PM

CARDCHECK IS DEAD AND HARPO KNOWS IT. WE WON!!

jharp| 3.25.09 @ 9:15PM

"Mr. Ferrara is right, doing away with the secret ballot will just allow union thugs to put the screws to hard working Americans."

Good Lord, Nick, are you really that ignorant?

NO ONE IS PROPOSING DOING AWAY WITH THE SECRET BALLOT.

Do try to stay informed. Your ignorance serves no one. Especially you.

John II| 3.25.09 @ 9:18PM

That reminds me: I have to get my pet gerbil spayed before I leave for . . .

Rio! . . . We're going to Rio . . .!

jharp| 3.25.09 @ 9:22PM

"CARDCHECK IS DEAD AND HARPO KNOWS IT. WE WON!"

Cardcheck has a long way to go, agreed. But it is far from dead.

Franken is soon to be seated (ouch! that's gotta hurt), Snowe, and the other Senator escapes me now. But any of them will help.

And guess what? It's gonna cost the GOP a Senator in Pennsylvania come 2010.

So even though I'd be disappointed I can handle it. Sometimes you need to take a step back in order to take a leap forward. Perfect example our giant leap forward with the most liberal Senator in Congress in Congress by just giving the GOP enough rope to hang themselves with George Bush.

Big Leo| 3.25.09 @ 9:33PM

Ferrara's statement that the secret value will in practice be a thing of the past as far as union certification is concerned is irrefutable. Any pretense that the union would use a secret ballot when it could get certification simply by getting a majority of the cards signed is delusional.

When harp posts the contrary in big bold junior high style capital letters his problems are manifest. One can only wonder if he has deluded himself or whether he is actively lying. Surely he can't believe what he says if he actually read the bill and any commentary on it.

Most of the posters on this site are educated, courteous (if emphatic), and thoughtful regardless of their opinion, like most readers of The American Spectator. One is none of the above.

Jim| 3.25.09 @ 9:38PM

Jharp has never had a job beyond selling stolen electronics out of the trunk of his mother's car and a short stint as a telemarketer which ended in failure due to tourette's syndrome.

Angel| 3.25.09 @ 9:41PM

No, Harpo--you know very well, with Specter, we got a fillibuster. Can you say filibuster, you little mofo?

Angel| 3.25.09 @ 9:45PM

Sorry, Jim, Harpo is a crack dealer. Course, he's got lots of open sores on his face and no teeth--could be meth. Still be abidin' in mommy's basement, tho.

jharp| 3.25.09 @ 9:58PM

"No, Harpo--you know very well, with Specter, we got a fillibuster."

I'm aware. Go read my post again. I thought I was pretty clear that 2010 it will cost the GOP a Senate seat.

Good grief. Are you really that unable to comprehend a simple sentence?

And Voinovich could pull a Specter flip flop yet too.

Two things are certain. You are an idiot who reads at a third grade level. And this thing is far from over.

Angel| 3.25.09 @ 10:01PM

You misspelled filibuster, stupid. Loser libtard.

CARDCHECK IS DEAD!!| 3.25.09 @ 10:03PM

No flip-flops, boy. We gonna eat you alive in 2010. Generic polling shows repubs and demos tied--first time in three years!!

Interloper| 3.25.09 @ 10:05PM

Better watch that one facial sore, Harpy--looks infected. Ever take a bath? Thought as much.

ben| 3.25.09 @ 10:11PM

Jharp
"Everything isn't the same. If a majority of the workers choose to unionize, then they are recognized as a union. Unlike today. "

Unlike today?
If the unions get enough cards signed today, they can approach the employer and try to unionize their workforce. If the employer doesn't want to unionize he can request a secret ballot vote. If the majority of the workers vote to unionize then the employer has no choice but to allow the union.

Under EFCA, if the union gets 30% to sign the card then they (the union) can call for a vote. But if the union gets 50% +1 then there is no vote and the workers are unionized - regardless of the workers desires.
Today, signing the card just means that you're intersted in hearing more. Under EFCA signing the card means that you want the union and you authorize the union to negotiate on your behalf, thus taking the worker out of the negotiating process.

You keep claiming that employers harass workers to keep them from unionizing, when the overwhelming evidence is that those tactics are employed by the unions. The employer offers a job and a rate of pay + benefits. The worker then decides whether or no to apply for the job. If the job isn't worth the pay ,or the benefits are lacking the worker can choose to go somewhere else. There is nothing forcing the worker to work for any employer - slavery was outlawed. If the employer doesn't offer the wages and/or benefits the workers want, then the employer won't get any applications and thus won't have a business. It's a contract and you are free to take the job or not.

JO-not so sharp. You come on here and call people liars and idiots, but you are the most uninformed, foolish, propogandizing ,idiotic loon I've ever had the displeasure of reading. Many, many people have written smart, informed comments that you can't bring up anything to dispute. Instead of providing evidence to back up your claims you attack the credibility and character of those who disagree with you to try and paint them as foolish. If your argument lacks enough substance to make an informed, knowledgeable statement, then maybe your argument isn't worth making.

You liberals operate on the fallacy that without the worker there would be no business since workers make the product or provide the service the business sells. You tend to look only at the employer and the employee, but disregard the most important part - the consumer.

You see, without the consumer there are no businesses and no workers.
The consumer decides what they want and what they'll pay for it. The employers open businesses to provide for the conumers wants. The business employs the workers needed to do the job. It's all interdependent, the business depends on both the worker and consumer, the worker depends on both the consumer and the employer, and the consumer depends on the business and worker. Nothing is forcing the workers to take or keep a job they deem to be unfair, just as nothing forces the consumer to buy a product or service that they deem not worth the cost.

Grow up and open your eyes.

jharp| 3.25.09 @ 10:12PM

"You misspelled filibuster, stupid. Loser libtard."

No. You misspelled filibuster. I only copied and pasted your post.

A classic! Too funny! Thanks for the laugh.

Daphne| 3.25.09 @ 10:14PM

Harpo's paid a quarter for every idiotic post he leaves at AmSpec--augments his drug dealing revenues.

jharp| 3.25.09 @ 10:20PM

" Under EFCA... ...But if the union gets 50% +1 then there is no vote and the workers are unionized - regardless of the workers desires."

A lie. From a lying wingnut.

"If the unions get enough cards signed today, they can approach the employer and try to unionize their workforce. If the employer doesn't want to unionize he can request a secret ballot vote."

You are a moron. That is NOT under EFCA. That is what it is today.

I know this is tough to comprehend in the pea sized wingnut brain but please try.

jharp| 3.25.09 @ 10:21PM

Hey, Daphne. Did you ever dig up those links to verify your polling ludicrous claims?

I didn't think so. Liar.

JHarpyLIAR| 3.25.09 @ 10:24PM

Wash that face, Harpy!! CARDCHECK IS DEAD!!! Learn to love it, loser.

Angel| 3.25.09 @ 10:26PM

But I corrected myself, moron, and you fell right into my trap. Obviously you don't have the smarts to see this. Dummie demo.

ben| 3.25.09 @ 10:28PM

jharp| 3.25.09 @ 10:20PM
" Under EFCA... ...But if the union gets 50% +1 then there is no vote and the workers are unionized - regardless of the workers desires."

Jharp - notice that I said "today" in the body of the script you copied. You then state "You are a moron. That is NOT under EFCA. That is what it is today. "

Can't you read?

JHarp| 3.25.09 @ 10:32PM

It's hard to read with a crack/meth addled brain. What can I say? Moron. WingNut. Nazi.

jharp| 3.25.09 @ 10:32PM

The above part of my post is accurate.

You are correct that I missed the second part

Jeremiah| 3.25.09 @ 10:43PM

Those weeping facial sores must hurt, Harpy.

jharp| 3.25.09 @ 10:44PM

"Jharp - notice that I said "today" in the body of the script you copied"

And you said "Unlike today?"

You must be in training to be a misleading right wing hack.

Give it up. You can't fight the truth. And by the time you become a full fledged knuckledragging troglodyte wingnut hack, the GOP might not even be around anymore.

CARDCHECK IS DEAD!! WE WON!| 3.25.09 @ 10:48PM

Read it (if you can) and weep, Harpy. LOL!! WE WON--you lost!

ben| 3.25.09 @ 10:58PM

JHarp| 3.25.09 @ 10:32PM
---It's hard to read with a crack/meth addled brain. What can I say? Moron. WingNut. Nazi.
I'm a Conservative, the Nazi's were the far left national socialists like you.---

---And you said "Unlike today?" ---

Jharp
---"Everything isn't the same. If a majority of the workers choose to unionize, then they are recognized as a union. Unlike today. " ---

I was responding to the absurdity of your statement. You imply that workers cannot unionize today. I used the same two words to question your statement - hence the "?". I then went into a paragraph explaining how you were wrong.

You really don't understand what you read do you.

Angel| 3.25.09 @ 11:12PM

OMG! Brilliant strategy, Ben!! Bore Harpy to death--I love it! BTW--WE WON--YOU LOST HARPY THE CLOWN!!

jharp| 3.25.09 @ 11:41PM

"You imply that workers cannot unionize today."

No, I did no such thing. And only a knuckledragging right wing hack would lie and obfuscate in order to mislead. In other words an outright lie from a lying piece of scum.

Let me be frank.

They secret ballot is not in any jeopardy. Mr. Farrara posted a lie.

You are wearing me down with the stupid and I have a family vacation to Florida I must prepare for. I'm going to bed.

Heather| 3.25.09 @ 11:56PM

You're name is frank? What's the j in jharp then? Another lie from the lying libtard, FHarpy. Don't lie about the vacation--we know you don't have a family and have no place to go. Poor loser. Just remember: CARDCHECK IS DEAD!! WE WON--YOU LOST!! Loser libtard.

Thomas| 3.25.09 @ 11:58PM

JHarp, how do you have so much free time to comment on this article all day long?

jharp| 3.26.09 @ 12:11AM

"JHarp, how do you have so much free time to comment on this article all day long?"

Because I work for myself and because of my past success I work when I want.

In additional to exposing right wing idiots I'm also a pretty decent golfer (10 handicap), and a decent fisherman.

Interloper| 3.26.09 @ 12:22AM

I thought you were tired of the stupid, stupid. I knew you didn't have a family--you're still in mommy's basement. Freak. YOU LOST!

BIg Leo| 3.26.09 @ 12:34AM

jharp has a low level of maturity, as indicated by his constant name-calling and lack of any signs of real intelligence. His social skills are close to nil, he is devoid of any sign of a decent education, and hangs on the thread for fifteen hours a day. My guess he is living in his mother's basement. On the other hand, I've just described Bill Gates.

Heather| 3.26.09 @ 12:45AM

Yeah, but compared to jharp--Bill Gates is a hottie. Arrrrgghhh!

unionrepub| 3.28.09 @ 2:42AM

There is more left of US Steel than the logo.
Its the largest integrated steel producer in the USA.
It also has a union.
Caterpiller is the biggest heavy equipment maker in the world. It has a union.
I work in a union organized plant.
While I don't agree with all that the unions do at times I still support my union.
Do you support all that the Republican party does?
I have leaned to the right in my political thinking most of my life.
Some of what Mr Farrara is untrue.
Today it is almost impossible for the unions in this country to use the dues money for anything other than running the union . With the reporting requirements that have been put into place since the Jimmy Hoffa days its very tough for them to steel anything from the union funds.
The government would come down on them pretty hard.
If you live in a right to work state or if the contract does not say that you have to be a dues paying member to have employment and there is an "Open Shop" this means there is both union and non union, then the union still has to represent the non union people as far as wages and grievances go.
How fair is this? The non union workers still get the benefit of the unions contract and pay no dues.
I agree that in the past that unions have caused a lot of their own troubles by asking for too much.
The companies have made trouble for themselves by agreeing to these huge wage and benefit packages when times were good.
When things went south they had a hard time with what they had agreed too.
The Jobs Bank is one.
Paying for retiree health is another.
The contract I work under has few work rules.
I would say that most union contracts have few work rules. Its only in the big auto plants that you really hear about this and that has changed much over the years.
The downfall of an industry can never be blamed on just the unions.
The management also has blame here.
Mr Farrara talked about the once mighty steel industry. The steel industry in this country is alive and well. They make more steel today with less workers than they ever did.
Just one more thing. Not all union workers make huge wages with huge benefit packages.
Some of the field trade unions also do a lot in the area of training their members in the work they do.
The Carpenters, Electricians, Pipe and Steam fitters, Boiler Makers,
The apprentice programs they go through are very good programs .
So, please don't knock all union people.
They are good Americans just like you and me.
Not all are radicals either. Not all are Left wing zealots that want the workers to have all the power.
I worked for a company that went through an organization drive. The company brought in lawyers and used union busting tactics.
It was not a pretty picture or a fun thing to go through.
In the end the union did not get in.

I really don't see the problem with a group of workers wanting a union to represent them at the bargaining table.
Believe me, when you set across the table with a company they know how to say "NO".
As long as they negotiate they can stall and play games just like the union can.

Kevin Riley O'Keeffe| 3.28.09 @ 5:03AM

Yeah, let's get rid of unions, and just pay everyone $7 bucks per hour. That might benefit the people that the guy who wrote this article knows, but it would be a disaster for America. Union jobs in the private sector are just about the only way White males (as they are virtually excluded from public sector jobs, and even if we elect Republicans, that will apparently never, ever change - even the passage of Proposition 209 here in California didn't really seem to change anything in that regard), who don't have a college degree, can escape grinding, WalMart-wage poverty. But that isn't a priority for TAC-style conservatism, apparently.

Kevin Riley O'Keeffe| 3.28.09 @ 5:07AM

"the Nazi's were the far left national socialists like you"

Neo-Con Alert! Neo-Con Alert!

(Quick, hide all the classified documents, before he FAXes them to Tel Aviv!)

Richard Baker| 3.28.09 @ 1:14PM

Once belonged to the Airline Division of the Teamsters. During negotiations about a new contract, I asked my co-workers what they thought about anyone working the Line if we had to strike. Their answer was to start swinging imaginary baseball bats and crying out "Louisville Sluggers!" This is one of many reasons that I have no love for the modern day unions. Thuggishness is a virtue.

JHarp| 3.28.09 @ 11:06PM

Union thugs are just the enforcement arm of the democrat party. Hitler's Brownshirts of today. Bust them up.

RBM| 3.29.09 @ 1:56AM

Hey j herpes or whatever you are,

It is your brain dead worthless mentality that has caused the systematic decay of this nation. The most LAZIEST and WORTHLESS ignorant waste of sperm, work for the unions. I had a friend that was a B.A. He was as narrow minded as you are. It was his way or he would kill your dog, violate you children, rape your wife, and have his spawn followers rob your home, or burn it down or all of the above. They even KILLED people. I read ALL of your posts here, and you are by far the DUMBEST, most ignorant, incompetent worthless fool ever ejaculated. And having been in Land Development and forced involvement with the communist labor unions longer than I care to think about, you are by far the most ignorant, incompetent and hateful of any I've seen. I have watched you worthless lazy murderers, beat men into submission and say you are within your rights because you are defending your union. Pure Evil. Everything you have stated is correct as YOU believe, but is actually a threat and danger to those who oppose you. Only narrow minded fools such as yourself, believe that hypocritical rhetoric. Unions ALWAYS profit off of the backs of workers, and give nothing in return. If you love communism so much, why don’t you go back to Russia. Isn’t it true you eat your young? They need help from lowlife idiots such as you. If someone does not agree with you, you KILL them. I am ALWAYS open to suggestions and helpful POSITIVE input. But what you vomit is hate and lies and helps know one but yourselves. You actually believe it. I hope I never run across your path. By terminating you, it will save thousands of lives. The LOSS of one for the betterment of the whole….. Say goodbye you worthless piece of garbage. Its easy for an intellect to act like a lower moron, but a moron can never be intellectual. You are NO intellect. You are so transparent. It is a shame I have to hold back on how I really feel about people like you. Soon you’ll all be gone. I will smile on that day, then piss on your grave as well.
NOBODY should believe a word this hateful lying thief tells you. His lies only benefit people like him. Hey j herpes…. Go Evolve! Great name loser.

PALIN 2012!| 3.29.09 @ 5:15PM

RBM, rough words--but I agree with you. We need strong men like you to fight the thuggish violence of the left. The barbarians are at the gate. Stay strong--please!!

gene| 4.5.09 @ 9:39PM

I'm not much of a blogger ,but I'm old enough to remember the U.S. Steel industry mentioned in Peter Ferarra's artical , we have no steel industry now because of the unions ,soon we will have no American auto industry,, could it be because of the unions , look how many UNION job have already been lost in the auto industry, check out Detroit, Mich. if you need proof, it is there. Check out the textiles and many other industries that went out of the country over UNION issues.

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The Fabulous Charlie Rich » Blog Archive » Mary Anne Rawson links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

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