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What is the purpose of public unions?

Discussion in 'Political Debate & Discussion' started by webdog, Oct 21, 2011.

  1. webdog

    webdog Active Member
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    Here in Ohio this is a hot topic. SB 5 eliminates collective bargaining for public workers and issue 2 to overturn this is now on the ballot for this fall.

    This got me to thinking, what is the real purpose of public unions? Isn't it a conflict of interest to accept union dues (taxpayer dollars) and then redistribute these taxpayer dollars into campaigns to help elect the politicians who are then supposed to represent taxpayers in negotiations with those same unions?

    Private unions essentially killed manufacturing in the US.
     
  2. preachinjesus

    preachinjesus Well-Known Member
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    Public unions are the last ensconced area of union power outside the NEA. The voter backlash over unions attempting to shutdown state goverments in light of necessary budget cuts will end most of their infuence and existence imho.

    I think there are some good public unions. The policemen's union being one of them. I'm not sure that without it we would see adequate obligations towards people who sacrifice themselves in the protection of ourselves and others.

    Like with so many other things, however, one needs to realize it can easily become corrupt and fail to accomplish its larger purpose.
     
  3. Robert Snow

    Robert Snow New Member

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    Not true! Corporate greed, followed by individual greed has led to our manufacturing jobs being sent overseas.
     
  4. Bro. Curtis

    Bro. Curtis <img src =/curtis.gif>
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    Yup. That, and ridiculous amounts of unnecessary regulations.
     
  5. billwald

    billwald New Member

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    >Isn't it a conflict of interest to accept union dues (taxpayer dollars) and then redistribute these taxpayer dollars into campaigns to help elect the politicians who are then supposed to represent taxpayers in negotiations with those same unions?

    Same conflict as Congress voting on their wages, state legislatures voting on their wages, city councils voting on their wages . . . . OK lets put every person's wage to a general election. We can vote for the max and the min for every job classification. That would be "democratic."
     
  6. Havensdad

    Havensdad New Member

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    No, its not even close to the same. When Congress vote themselves a raise, they don't get it until after the next election. Thus, if we disagree with them, we can vote them out and they never get to see the money. Typically City Councils and other local groups have oversight, or are not even in control of their own wages.
     
  7. Ruiz

    Ruiz New Member

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    I am not a fan of unions and believe they are harmful to America. However, I do believe people should have the right to join a union and the right to not join a union. Thus, I am an advocate of the "right to work" laws, as forcing union membership is a violation of my right of association. As well, so is telling me that I cannot join a union.
     
  8. billwald

    billwald New Member

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    The topic has been expanded to include all unions. If a company prefers to have his employees work in a union shop should the owner be prohibited from doing it?
     
  9. targus

    targus New Member

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    In the case that you are suggesting, it is the company's own money that is being paid to the union employees.

    With public unions it is the taxpayer's money.

    Big difference.
     
  10. Arbo

    Arbo Active Member
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    The answer is yes. You win the insight award. :thumbsup:

    Sounds like the same thing that was done here in Wisconsin earlier this year. Very good move in order to get the fiscal house in order. :thumbsup:
     
  11. Arbo

    Arbo Active Member
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    Why, pray tell, would an owner of a company want to have a union shop? Makes no sense to add more costs and restraints to his business.
     
  12. billwald

    billwald New Member

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    Well, if you want to put it in those terms, why would an person to work for scab pay and benefits in a scab shop?
     
  13. Havensdad

    Havensdad New Member

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    Cause they don't want to be forced to give 5 dollars an hour of their hard earned money to a union that is going to turn around and fund Democrat candidates that are against everything they believe in with it? :laugh:
     
  14. targus

    targus New Member

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    Because not everyone wants their earning potential to be subject to artifical limits.

    I don't even care to imagine what my lifestyle would be if I had settled for union wages.

    I really don't understand why you think that union wages are the answer.

    You told us that you were trapped living in a "white trash" neighborhood until you inherited some money.

    What did all those years in the union get you?
     
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