Salon: Rand Paul kicks Big Labor when it's down

[RonPaulFanInGA]

Rand Paul kicks Big Labor when it's down
Union membership is at a 70-year low, but that's not good enough for the new senator from Kentucky

http://www.salon.com/technology/how...ul_kicks_big_labor_when_it_is_down/index.html

 

[sailingaway]

Yeah, that almost made me cry....*sniff!*

 

[John Taylor]

Absolutely wonderful! Coming as someone from a Right to Work State, I can only high-five Rand here!!!

 

[specsaregood]

Absolutely wonderful! Coming as someone from a Right to Work State, I can only high-five Rand here!!!

Welcome back JT, where ya been?

 

[specsaregood]

Did that writer just quote Karl Marx positively at the end?

 

[BamaFanNKy]

I guess they are surprised? Uh, what did his Chief of Staff used to do?

 

[MichelleHeart]

Did that writer just quote Karl Marx positively at the end?

Yeah, and the whole "Big Capital" thing. Sounds pretty Marxist.

 

[Petar]

Rand is wrong.

If a company comes to an agreement with a union, and requires all of its workers to join said union, or else be fired, then that is none of the governments business.

Just because something is anti-union, does not mean that it is pro free-market capitalism.

Rand Paul is awesome, but this is a pretty big fuck-up, IMO.

 

[BamaFanNKy]

Rand is wrong.

If a company comes to an agreement with a union, and requires all of its workers to join said union, or else be fired, then that is none of the governments business.

Just because something is anti-union, does not mean that it is pro free-market capitalism.

Rand Paul is awesome, but this is a pretty big fuck-up, IMO.

Unions are bullies to their members and use Union money to advance the higher up political desires.

 

[NewRightLibertarian]

Yeah, and the whole "Big Capital" thing. Sounds pretty Marxist.

Of course. They're doing state propaganda for a Communist dictator. What do you expect?

I'm not sure about this bill (I am less anti-union than many libertarians. I think they can do some good.) but it is nice to see how aggressive Rand has been. It's obvious that he's going to do a lot and be a very visible candidate looking to reduce government.

 

[Matt Collins]

I guess they are surprised? Uh, what did his Chief of Staff used to do?

One of the top guys at RTW.

 

[BamaFanNKy]

One of the top guys at RTW.

*Tapping rhetorical question meter*

"This thing on?"

 

[Matt Collins]

Ok, to be serious for a minute, I don't fully understand the Union / RTW issue.

Can someone please explain it to me in brief?

 

[malkusm]

If a company comes to an agreement with a union, and requires all of its workers to join said union, or else be fired, then that is none of the governments business.

Is the following the government's business?

Extortion, outwresting, and/or exaction is a criminal offense which occurs when a person unlawfully obtains either money, property or services from a person(s), entity, or institution, through coercion. Refraining from doing harm is sometimes euphemistically called protection. Extortion is commonly practiced by organized crime groups. The actual obtainment of money or property is not required to commit the offense. Making a threat of violence which refers to a requirement of a payment of money or property to halt future violence is sufficient to commit the offense.

ETA: Before Petar brings up the Civil Rights Act in his retort - barring someone from entering private property is not extortion. Firing someone from an employment is an act against a person's (future, yet unearned) property, and using a threat to alter the terms of employment is indeed extortion, and should be treated as such.

Also: Right to work laws don't ban voluntary unions.

 

[Petar]

Unions are bullies to their members and use Union money to advance the higher up political desires.

Start by defining "bullies" please.

 

[Petar]

Is the following the government's business?

Yes extortion is the governments business, and in case you were not aware, it is also currently illegal.

Also, please explain how "right to work" has anything to do with criminal extortion.

Thanks.

 

[malkusm]

Also, please explain how "right to work" has anything to do with criminal extortion.

Extortion, outwresting, and/or exaction is a criminal offense which occurs when a person unlawfully obtains either money, property or services from a person(s), entity, or institution, through coercion.

Oh, you're right. The difference is that forced unionism isn't "unlawful" in the absence of a right to work state. I guess that means it's not extortion, in the same way that the IRS isn't committing theft and the Federal Reserve isn't committing fraud.

 

[Petar]

Actually, unionism is not "forced", in the same way that black people are free to eat at non KKK owned restaurants, improper CRA provision notwithstanding.

 

[angelatc]

Actually, unionism is not "forced", in the same way that black people are free to eat at non KKK owned restaurants, improper CRA provision notwithstanding.

I can assure you that in Michigan unionism is indeed forced.

Here's the way I see it. If a group of business owners got together and decided what prices they were going to charge for their services, the government would scream collusion. But when a group of workers get together and decide what prices they're going to charge for their services, the government forbids their customers from seeking other suppliers.

 

[BamaFanNKy]

Actually, unionism is not "forced", in the same way that black people are free to eat at non KKK owned restaurants, improper CRA provision notwithstanding.

You asked about Bully.... I worked summers at a Union paper mill for 2 weeks (college summer job). I went to the non-union competitor in town for safer working conditions because you are threatened to join or get your head beat.