Public Sector Unions: Not as Advertised
Recently, union members launched protests because legislatures around America have begun to address budget deficits by eliminating perks long considered sacrosanct by public employees. While it’s reasonable to expect unions to represent their members’ self-interest, their actions beg the question: are they?
For example, Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker continues to reject union compromises “over collective bargaining rights,” triggering protests by “tens of thousands.”
In Congress, lawmakers introduced a bill “that would freeze hiring government wide except at the Defense, Homeland Security and Veterans Affairs departments,” in order to cut the federal budget. Federal employee unions responded by “pushing back hard against the GOP-proposed cuts”
In Indiana, “thousands” protested as a bill advanced that would end the requirement that all employees pay union dues.
These protestors are what Open Secrets calls “public sector unions,” which “represent workers at every level of government — federal, state and local.” But they have a hidden agenda that’s bad for America.
Some public employee unions support gun control. Former American Federation of Teachers (AFT) president Sandra Feldman believes that many school shooting incidents were committed by boys who “grew up in a culture where adults have a positive attitude toward guns, and the access to guns of all kinds is nearly unfettered.” She believed the solution was to:
Pass state and federal gun control laws that do a better job of restricting children’s access to guns. Mandatory child safety locks on all guns would be a good start. So would stricter laws for licensing and monitoring those who sell guns.*
In 2010, the AFT was the second-highest contributor ($5,183,670) of all public sector unions, after the National Education Association ($6,778,993). Former National Education Association (NEA) president Reginald Weaver supported gun control, having praised three top national gun control proponents for their legislative accomplishments:
Thank you Senator Kennedy, Representative McCarthy, and Mrs. Brady [of Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence]. The [NEA] commends the sponsors and is proud to offer the support of its 2.4 million members for key provisions of the Children’s Gun Violence Prevention Act.*
Public sector unions benefit from growth of government jobs and power, as this in turn strengthens their political clout. For example, Phil Glover, legislative coordinator for the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), testified before Congress that an “explosion in the federal prison inmate population is the direct result of Congress approving stricter anti-drug enforcement laws involving mandatory minimum sentences in the 1980s.…”
Glover used this “explosion” to justify asking Congress to “recognize the need for additional BOP [U.S. Bureau of Prisons] staffing.” He then claimed private prisons were not a cost-effective alternative, compared to government union-run institutions.
Since justifiable homicides occur “during the commission of a felony,” armed citizens reduce the need for prison space — and additional staff — by eliminating criminals who may spend many years behind bars.
Likewise, gun control often turns law-abiding citizens into criminals. For example, the Legal Community Against Violence believes: “Laws that require firearm owners to report lost of stolen firearms serve several public safety functions.” But in Connecticut, if a repeat theft victim doesn’t report stolen guns within 72 hours, he faces a class D felony after the second “offense,” and up to five years imprisonment.
Research shows that many organizations not traditionally classified as part of the gun control lobby spend heavily on anti-rights politicians.
* AFT and NEA quotes from archived articles no longer available online.
Considering the union rhetoric above, it seems reasonable to determine if there’s a correlation between public sector union contributions and anti-rights voting in Congress. The graph below shows a strong negative correlation indicating that as the NRA grade value falls from A (GPA=4) to F (GPA=0), public sector unions comprise a greater portion of the candidate’s campaign funding. (Spearman’s correlation value is -0.90.)
Since nearly all public sector union campaign contributions went to Democrats, it could be argued that this is a coincidental correlation, since most anti-rights politicians are Democrats. For example, the 135 NRA F-graded House members are all Democrats, and 104 of the 106 Brady-endorsed members are Democrats.**
Adjusting for the “Democrat effect,” the correlation persists (see graph below). Democrats who vote anti-rights tend to receive greater portions of campaign contributions from public sector unions. (Spearman’s value is -0.70, a strong negative correlation.)
In any case, trial lawyers, public sector unions, and Democrats all favor gun control. Those promoting the anti-rights agenda appear to consistently associate to achieve their agendas.
It’s been alleged that the National Rifle Association has undue influence on Congress because of its political spending. For example, the Washington Post believes the NRA’s money is why the ATF has trouble imposing gun control regulation that will supposedly “help stem the smuggling of high-powered AK-47s and AR-15s” to Mexico:
Such is the power of the NRA. With annual revenue of about $250 million, the group has for four decades been the strongest force shaping the nation’s gun laws.
Apparently, this criteria of “money equals undue influence” only applies to the NRA. Table 1 shows that since 1990, public sector unions contributed $208.8M to federal candidates – giving 86.5% ($180.6M) to Democratic candidates – versus the NRA’s $18.2M.
† Campaign contributions include both individual and PAC money.
The two teachers’ union PACs alone spent more money than the NRA (see Table 2).
According to Washington Post criteria, public sector unions have about 3.6 times more undue political influence than the NRA. If it’s wrong for the NRA, how can it be right for public sector employees to use our money – our taxes pay their salaries, benefits, and union contributions – to influence legislation?
The NRA is a private, member-supported organization. Public sector unions are often mandatory-membership organizations: employees must join to work. Union members in Indiana and Wisconsin have been protesting against proposed legislation that would eliminate the “mandatory union dues teachers and other public workers are required to pay.”
Apparently, unions are losing public support:
“There’s a perception that was not present in 1995 that public employees are almost a privileged class,” said Richard Vedder, an economics professor with Ohio University who studies the labor movement.
A recent Rasmussen survey found 48% supported Wisconsin Governor Walker’s “showdown with unionized public employees,” while 38% supported unions.
A Clarus poll found that 64% of voters believe “government employees should not be represented by unions.”
Curiously, teachers apparently have time to stage protests in many states, but not to teach. Regarding the Wisconsin legislation:
The National Education Association, which represents 3.2 million workers, said teachers’ collective bargaining rights are also being targeted by proposals in Ohio, Idaho, Indiana and other states.
The U.S. Department of Education reported that in 2009 68% of 4th graders and 69% of 8th graders couldn’t read proficiently.
People lacking reading skills are unable to comprehend founding documents such as The Federalist Papers, rendering them incapable of appreciating the principles of American liberty or valuing what they’ve lost when another freedom is regulated into oblivion.
** Campaign finance and NRA data compiled into Excel work
I am part of the shrinking Middle Class. Why? I work hard and have determination, no one ‘handed’ me anything.
The UNIONS/SOCIALISTS/COMMUNISTS CERTAINLY [DO NOT]REPRESENT ME!!! NOR DO THEY REPRESENT A [VERY LARGE PORTION OF THE MIDDLE CLASS]… So, I really would appreciate if the Van Jones and the other Union/Socialist/Commies of these United States would quit spewing THE LIES that [THEY] Represent ME! THEY DO NOT AND I find [The Claim] highly insulting!
And their “New Perversion” of “The American Dream” because they don’t mean it the way it should Historically should be taken.
I think we all have been very well educated on the corruption held by Public Sector Unions. These are violent, hateful, lazy, slobs of people. And that pretty much fits the over all Kool-Aid drinkin’ Liberal/Progressive/Kool-Aid/Socialist/Commie Mindset…
I am so glad I voted against a [tax] increase for the schools in my town when it came up for a vote.
If people [by now] are not more throughly educated about the [Greed] of these Public Union people off the backs of the tax payers, the [Greed] of the Union Leaders off the backs of the tax payers [and] their Union Members, AND, they fall for the old ‘heart tug’ line ["It's for the Children"] they are more stupid then the poor indoctrinated kids they turn out from public education as [Howard] pointed out in his article. The poor kids don’t have a chance in he** to make it in America. Thank-God for parents who home school.
Howard N Writes:
“Curiously, teachers apparently have time to stage protests in many states, but not to teach. Regarding the Wisconsin legislation:”
“The U.S. Department of Education reported that in 2009 68% of 4th graders and 69% of 8th graders couldn’t read proficiently.”
“People lacking reading skills are unable to comprehend founding documents such as The Federalist Papers, rendering them incapable of appreciating the principles of American liberty or valuing what they’ve lost when another freedom is regulated into oblivion.”
When I mentioned the Unions being ‘slobs’ well you can see for yourself. And that goes for all of them as far as I am concerned. If you notice a lot of Union people look very lethargic and very chubby…
You can see for yourself what I mean here:
http://www.moonbattery.com/archives/2010/10/commies-converg.html
Note: You may have to copy and paste…
Here’s an even better one:
http://maroonedinmarin.blogspot.com/2010/10/one-nation-of-commies-unions-other.html
More to substantiate my claim:
http://maroonedinmarin.blogspot.com/2010/10/one-nation-of-commies-unions-other.html
Considering the increasing boldness of labor’s Goon & Thug locals, small wonder they don’t want citizens armed.
I have it on good authority that many members of organized labor have ready access to firearms and are familiar with the use of same. So who are they kidding, soccer moms?
And speaking of goons and thugs, why isn’t RNC broadcasting videos through (national and local buy) commercials of all the assaults that have taken place. They certainly ought to be taking advantage of this reprehensible behaviour.
In a concealed carry state, the Union thuggery and beat-downs just don’t happen, or won’t happen more than once.
Let me see if I have this right. In Connecticut, a person who doesn’t like gun owners can get them jailed just by having criminals break in and steal their property if the victim doesn’t report it within 72 hrs. This is insane!
Commie unions against guns? Is this a surprise when great portion of America gun owners are for ‘sensible gun control measures?’
Very few of us comprehend what the Second Amendment actually means, and it definitely does not mean that “Shall not be infringed” somehow translates into “reasonable restrictions apply”.
F the unions!
Beck v CWA A union member cannot be forced to donate to political causes or candidates. The union MUST refund the potion of the paid dues or reduce the amount paid. This is a quick and dirty explination of the ruling. I have been getting a refund from my union since 1999 when I joined.
This just in – lefties support gun control!
Seriously, what did you expect?
“For example, the Washington Post believes the NRA’s money is why the ATF has trouble imposing gun control regulation that will supposedly “help stem the smuggling of high-powered AK-47s and AR-15s” to Mexico.”
I wonder when the Washington Post plans on reporting on the REAL reason how weapons purchased in the US are ending up in Mexico? I’m not going to hold my breath…
http://www.examiner.com/gun-rights-in-national/a-journalist-s-guide-to-project-gunwalker
Let’s look at it another way. Fully automatic AK-47s are available on the open black market for $150-250. Example:
http://current.com/shows/vanguard/76356342_wanna-buy-an-ak-47.htm
A semi-automatic AR-15 goes for as much as $1,000 in a Texas gun store. (Sometimes they do this, but I don’t know why.)
Drug cartels can buy semi-auto rifles by the piece, endure a background check for each purchase, and then smuggle them into Mexico across the US border. Or they can buy 4 AK-47s for the same price, maybe less in large lots? No background checks, and Mexico’s shorelines and southern border are far less secure.
If you were a criminal, what would you do?
You can be sure that ATF is running guns into Mexico on the orders of Obama and his Justice department. The plan, to create the illusion that US gun dealers are supplying the cartels with weapons, and using that as an excuse to repass the assault rifle ban. Progressives can’t implement their plan to subvert the Constitution if a majority of Americans have the ability to resist by force of arms, something of which our Founders were well aware.
Thanks for a good read Mr. Nemerov. Hitler didn’t like the public owning guns either. NEA wants/demands money through manditory union membership but not to be held accountable. Sounds very much like Obama. Will now increase my support and donations to the NRA. Thanks
Thanks to Mr. Nemerov for exposing the union colors. Interesting the anti 2nd amendment campaign is being waged by the workers of these states. Unless they are not the workers of these states. Sorry we couldn’t be at our Indiana state capital supporting our governor but we were too busy WORKING and paying TAXES. Did anyone notice that the types of people at the protests? Does anyone stop to think, I know it is hard for some, where these people come from? They look like college students to me and the only reason to watch a short segment of nightly news is to watch these hanger on-ers that obviously dont pay in like the rest of us.
The central point that has not been made clearly, nor strongly enough is, public sector unions are anti-American and unpatriotic. They therefore need to be outlawed. People in government employment are in the same relationship as those in the military. Military personnel understand they work for the people, in the phrase, “WE THE PEOPLE.” Unions are confrontational to the employer, it is their nature. Because the military is dedicated to serving the people they know in their souls failure is not an option. Do the alleged teachers carry that same knowledge or has it been replaced with ENTITLEMENT? Since the mid 60′s educational spending has breathtakingly increased while outcomes have decreased just as breathtakingly.
I find it both fascinating and amusing that even though the public-sector unions outspend the NRA by a factor of 3 1/2 to 1, gun control is STILL not a winner politically…and losing ground on a monthly basis.
Wonder what the correlation with internet availability and use might be? People getting just a bit more educated on things that DO make a difference to THEM in spite of the teacher’s unions dumbing down the school curriculum?
In the last 15 years or so, we have become far better at reporting factual research, and disseminating it to good effect. The internet helps, but this movement began before the Raging Sex Poodle “invented” the internet.
Quasicommies always fear armed citizens….so what else is new?
In response to Faith7′s comment about union members looking like slobs, the reader should look at the 1996 dumbocrat convention when a bunch of the slobs were dancing to the macarena. Now that’s TERRIFYING!!!!!!!! LOL.
John – Your comment is how un-truths and lies start…
Go back and read my comment again my liberal friend, and stop ‘reading’ into things that just aren’t there. I did not say they ‘looked like slobs’ I said they “were slobs” and I posted pictures to prove it. I did however, and truthfully so, say some looked lethargic and chubby, and they do …
Since to liberal, the “right to health care” (found in the shadows and penumbras of the Constitution) means the Government should pay for it, shouldn’t there be a corresponding handout of free guns and ammo for the “right to bear arms” (found explicitly in the 2nd amendment)?
The public employees unions and pseudo-professional organizations-like the National Association of Social Workers, are all basically leftist-authoritarian. Right now established ones and the new ones popping up are trying to scare the public employees and retirees into sending them money to stave off possible increased medical insurance costs.
One could draw on another’s view of the 2nd Amendment to fully understand how that person (or organization) considers one (and/or others) as a whole. Those who support or otherwise don’t seek to obstruct one’s right to keep and bear arms in effect have respect for you as an individual. In their eyes you are worthy of and capable of utilizing the liberties and freedoms the country’s founders set in place and many since then have fought for. On the other hand, those who support gun control see the people as subjects. The populace needs to be controlled and used for the benefit of the few who “rule.” Perhaps this need for control is born of their own guilt for disregarding the law or their desire to further lawlessness.
Teacher’s stick to your little Union handbook on how to comply to Union rules and regulations an leave the use of ALL GUNS to those of us who know how to use them. All communist leaders(Union Bosses and other thugs) want nothing better than having to face a toothless tiger whenever they want to beat up some little old lady who trys to cross a picket line.
This is such a wonderful country we live in. You have the God given right to show just how stupid you are. You have the Freedom of Speech to spout of just what your party bosses tell you to. Our First Amendment gives you the right to tell lies and other untruth about guns in America. MS Teacher, did you know that more kids are killed in automobiles in America then are killed by guns of all types? Duh, You Madam, are an educated fool and a comminist activist. Only in America.
Carl Marx knew that an unarmed population was easier to crush with his narrow minded will than an armed one just wanting to be free. Gun control is always a step to take before the real injustices happen.