Saturday, October 15, 2005
Election Woes: Proposition 75
The intent of the proposition is to shut up the public employee unions who oppose our Governor’s skinflint policies. These unions, who represent teachers, fire fighters, and other important public employees, have been vocal opponents of some of Mr. Schwarzenegger’s proposals. Because of my belief that this proposition is an attempt to keep these unions out of the political dialog, I shall vote against it.
Before becoming Governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger was a rich business man. He associated with other rich business men. He may have been a member of a labor union at one time, but recently he has regarded unions as nuisances and impediments to running an efficient, profitable business. It is hardly surprising that one of his favorite propositions is one that would shut public employee unions out of the political process.
Here’s the brief summary of Proposition 75 in the description of the proposition on the web site of the California Secretary of State:
This measure amends state statutes to require public employee unions to get annual, written consent from a government employee in order to charge and use that employee’s dues or fees for political purposes. This requirement would apply to both members and nonmembers of a union. The measure would also require unions to keep certain records, including copies of any consent forms.
I often decide to vote for or against a proposition by noting the names of the supporters or opponents. Supporters of this proposition include the following:
MILTON FRIEDMAN, Nobel Prize Winner
LEWIS UHLER, President, National Taxpayer Limitation Committee
ALLAN MANSOOR, Member of Association of Orange County Deputy Sheriffs
JAMES GALLEY, Past Vice President AFSCME/AFL- CIO, Local 127
ARCHIE CAUGHELL, Member Service Employees International Union
PAMELA SMITH, Member California Teachers Association
Opponents include:
LOU PAULSON, President California Professional Firefighters
BARBARA KERR, President California Teachers Association
SANDRA MARQUES, RN, Local President United Nurses Associations of California
LIEUTENANT RON COTTINGHAM, President Peace Officer’s Research Association of California
MARY BERGAN, President California Federation of Teachers
DEBORAH BURGER, President California Nurses Association
The big name on the two lists is Milton Friedman. I have disagreed with him for the past forty years.
Before becoming Governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger was a rich business man. He associated with other rich business men. He may have been a member of a labor union at one time, but recently he has regarded unions as nuisances and impediments to running an efficient, profitable business. It is hardly surprising that one of his favorite propositions is one that would shut public employee unions out of the political process.
Here’s the brief summary of Proposition 75 in the description of the proposition on the web site of the California Secretary of State:
This measure amends state statutes to require public employee unions to get annual, written consent from a government employee in order to charge and use that employee’s dues or fees for political purposes. This requirement would apply to both members and nonmembers of a union. The measure would also require unions to keep certain records, including copies of any consent forms.
I often decide to vote for or against a proposition by noting the names of the supporters or opponents. Supporters of this proposition include the following:
MILTON FRIEDMAN, Nobel Prize Winner
LEWIS UHLER, President, National Taxpayer Limitation Committee
ALLAN MANSOOR, Member of Association of Orange County Deputy Sheriffs
JAMES GALLEY, Past Vice President AFSCME/AFL- CIO, Local 127
ARCHIE CAUGHELL, Member Service Employees International Union
PAMELA SMITH, Member California Teachers Association
Opponents include:
LOU PAULSON, President California Professional Firefighters
BARBARA KERR, President California Teachers Association
SANDRA MARQUES, RN, Local President United Nurses Associations of California
LIEUTENANT RON COTTINGHAM, President Peace Officer’s Research Association of California
MARY BERGAN, President California Federation of Teachers
DEBORAH BURGER, President California Nurses Association
The big name on the two lists is Milton Friedman. I have disagreed with him for the past forty years.
