If Gov. Arnold's Proposition 75 passes in California Nov. 8, gub'mint workers in that state will have a choice: they could withhold the portion of their union dues that would otherwise go for union political activity, namely, campaign contributions to Big Government Democrats. That no such right of refusal currently exists seems pretty Third World to me.

Prop. 75 has union leaders in a serious dither, as The L.A. Times reports today.

Labor strategists say workplace campaigning is the most effective tool for solidifying the union vote. The limited reach of such efforts was apparent last week at the Kaiser Permanente medical complex in Los Feliz. Deidre Brown, 43, a medical records clerk wheeling a metal cart of files through the corridors, said she had heard nothing about Proposition 75 from leaders of her union, Service Employees International Union, United Healthcare Workers-West. She said she trusted her union to spend her dues wisely but understood the appeal of getting members' consent for political spending. "It makes sense to ask permission," she said.

"It sounds like a good idea," added Malcolm Drake, 59, another medical records clerk who said he had heard nothing about Proposition 75 from the union. Both said they were undecided on Proposition 75. But their openness to voting for it illustrates the danger union leaders face: Their own members could defy them and nudge Proposition 75 into law.

Supporters of the measure are being advised to make it about freedom of political expression.

Ken Jacobs, deputy chairman of UC Berkeley's Center for Labor Research and Education, said the Yes on 75 campaign starts with an edge that could erode as voters learn more about the measure. "They win if people think this is a question of union democracy," he said. "I think they lose if people think this is about whether teachers, nurses or firefighters should be able to participate in politics or whether their voices should be silenced in the political arena."

What a yutz. Of course teachers, nurses or firefighters should be able to participate in politics. But how in the Holy Fires Of Hell are they being "silenced" if public employee unions must first get their permission to use part of their dues payments for partisan politics? There's far more "silencing" of the employees voice under the current arrangement.

Apparently, choice is good if a fetus is being aborted (I reluctantly agree); but bad when funneling money from government employees to candidates for payroll bloat at taxpayer expense.

Talk about situational ethics.

TECHNORATI TAGS: PROP. 75, CALIFORNIA

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Posted by Matt Rosenberg at October 10, 2005 10:34 AM