The politics of public sector unions
Bottom Line: On back of sharing my concerns about public sector unions ultimately collectively bargaining against us (the taxpayers they work for) and the use of dues to influence the political process to their perceived personal benefit... I predictably received some push back. It's not in my nature to formulate views that aren't based on facts so here's the brass tax of political donations of public sector union donations.
Via OpenSecrets.org here's the scorecard of public sector political donations to partisans since 1990:
- Democrats: $239.9 million
- Republicans: $24 million
That's 91% to Democrats if you're keeping score. So, 91% of taxpayer money that goes to public sector unions that's used for political purposes is used to support Democrats. How is that remotely defensible? You're forced to pay taxes that go to employees who use it to overwhelmingly support Democrats – or they'll take your home away from you for example. Btw, the principal would be exactly the same if the parties were reversed. And btw, what's happening this cycle? Every one of the top supported candidates is a Democrat – most in highly competitive elections this year. Here's a top ten...
1. McCaskill, Claire (D-MO)
2. Brown, Sherrod (D-OH)
3. Connolly, Gerry (D-VA)
4. Cartwright, Matt (D-PA)
5. Heitkamp, Heidi (D-ND)
6. Baldwin, Tammy (D-WI)
7. Cummings, Elijah E (D-MD)
8. Nelson, Bill (D-FL)
9. Tester, Jon (D-MT)
10. Casey, Bob (D-PA)
That's why we pay taxes right? To support the campaigns of these politicians? And that's the rest of the story...