A Conservative View

UNION DISASTERS

 Before the Wisconsin debacle that has dominated the recent news, my interest and knowledge about “Unions” was limited to the private business sector. I am fully aware that “Unions” have created the loss of manufacturing jobs that plague the country and why we have to import most of the consumer product we buy today. When you couple “Union” pressured trade barriers with the regulatory pressure of the “Tree huggers”, we have made conducting business in America nearly impossible. I have created businesses in Canada and the United States and without a doubt the Canadian government is far more business friendly. They actually help you get started and survive.

The “Wisconsin Disaster” unveiled another “Union” situation that has been off the radar since Reagan fired the air traffic controllers a long time ago. Unionization of government employees is one of the dumbest things I have seen evolve in my 80 years as an American. Can you just imagine that as this practice expands, we could see the “Unionization” of Congress, the Judicial and Executive branches of American government?

 We have some union type demands already in place like the lifetime terms for Federal Judges and the Supreme Court (tenure). There are no measurements of performance and they can’t be terminated. Congress uses seniority (tenure) as the basis for power and committee appointments. Thank God they can be terminated as we witnessed last November.

 With Obama’s passion for European style Socialism, visualize the potential of “Unionizing” the Executive branch of government. The President and his army of czars could go on strike for better pay and fringe benefits. Who could stop them? What would happen if the Supreme Court decided to strike? If Congress went on strike and refused to function, who could stop them? I could drive you insane with the possibilities of what an uncontrolled government could do. If you wish to see what idiots who mesmerize the populace can do, read what Chavez has done in Venezuela. See how he used the unions to get elected and gain dictatorial powers. Why can’t this happen here? 

Before you accuse me of insanity, look at what is happening in the real world today. All democratic State Senators in Wisconsin left the State to avoid doing state business. The Governor has not been able to get them to return. The media legal eagles have stated that there is no law being broken and no one has the power to arrest them for anything.  

I would like to say that if a quorum of Congress were to do the same thing, it would be tragic. Unfortunately it could probably be an improvement over the idiotic regulations and Obamacare they raced to impose before the last election. Congress has allowed the Executive branch to run wild for over two years. If the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) alone is not abolished soon, we just think energy prices are high today. Locally the price for gasoline has jumped about 9% in the last week. Coupled with out of control spending, we are watching America destroyed from within. Our current government in action at all levels is like watching cartoons. 

I am now compiling data and facts of what “Unionization” of the teachers in Wisconsin has cost the citizens. The questionable legality of how they are provided insurance alone will amaze you. The teachers own the insurance company and collective bargaining is how they have screwed the taxpayer. Stay tuned for a series on public service unions nation-wide.

C Brewer