Comments on: Unplug the Political Machine

By: Gerardo Romero

Gerardo Romero — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:17:25 +0000

Its a hard road ahead, but I know this can be beaten. The fact that many americans have the entitlement mentality should sadden all of us. Lets make sure these idiots get stopped and start working for what our forefathers greatly handed us the freedom we enjoy now.

By: kate

kate — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:16:53 +0000

I’m a 25 year teacher here in Sacramento and I am on board to get the public unions out of the election process!

By: Jim Benson

Jim Benson — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 01:18:35 +0000

Yes, they would have to follow the same proceedure to use the profits, as a union would have to, to use the dues of members. If that involved voting on each item or a voluntary contribution into a fund for political action, or allowing a percentage of your dues or a percentage of your share of the profits. It would have to be an equal system for all.

By: Banned in Hackland

Banned in Hackland — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 23:06:03 +0000

And will corporations need to ask permission from every shareholder before making a contribution?

By: Jim Benson

Jim Benson — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 22:13:10 +0000

If that is the case then I would consider supporting it if it applied to all Unions and it also said that only shareholders could donate to campaigns not any businesses.
If you are going to provide this right to restrict use of dues for union members then stockholders must get the right to do so with the profits of the companies they own.

Dues are for many purposes not just making contributions. Which is why they can be used for contributions, like profits in a company are used for many purposes not just contributions. Restrict both then it is a more balanced approach worth considering depending on the details.

What does this proposal do in regards to independant committees which often spend money to attack the opponent since they are prohibited from supporting a candidate?

Is that still unrestricted?
If it is then it will just increase the amount of negative ads and campaigning. Which will lead to more division and lack of ablity to get things done.

Then you may run into a free speech problem, with any type of measure.

That said I still think the only way to really beging to solve the corruption issue is to make available public financing of campaigns.

By: Rogue Elephant

Rogue Elephant — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 19:50:08 +0000

This initiative treats unions equally to other special interests. Nor does it affect all unions, only public employee unions.

It puts no special limits on public sector unions, but treats them equally with other organizations. They are free to solicit contributions from their members. What they cannot do is take money from member’s paychecks.

It’s just simple fairness that public employee unions be treated equally. What could possibly be wrong with that?

By: Jim Benson

Jim Benson — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 19:32:54 +0000

Only by fixing the way we finance campaigns,by instituting public financing do you get rid of corruption. If the proposition only imposes limits on Unions and does nothing to restrict other special interests then I will oppose it.

I would support real reform that limits contributions and provides public financing of campiagns equal to the amount of special interest money spent of behalf of your opponent(s).

Anything that just limits contributions to as in this case the Democrats mainly, I will not support. Like wise I would not support a proposition to limit only business or corperate or any other specific interst group, regardless.

A real solution would be nice, but I am not holding my breath.

By: Why I hate Unions

Why I hate Unions — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:12:05 +0000

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWnxlFbYjVY

By: Vid's don't lie

Vid's don't lie — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:11:02 +0000

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5IInBP9D_s

By: Read All About it

Read All About it — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:59:39 +0000

SEIU
Violence

http://www.larouchepac.com/node/11315

By: Stop the Union Violence

Stop the Union Violence — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:57:42 +0000

I agree with #1 and #2. I have attended many neighborhood meetings in my city, Santa Ana, and Councilmeetings and School Board meetings. The SEIU and the Teacher’s Unions are always crying about something and yelling at anyone who does not bow to them. I once saw them yell down an 87 year old woman who was trying to give an opinion. Another time, I saw a group of SEIU union members circle a neighborhood association leader in the Civic Center parking lot and threaten to do physical harm to he and his wife. I could go on and on about these Unions but it brings back too many bad memories for me. I’ve seen our city and school budgets destroyed by trying to pay these high wages and retirement packages. The Teachers unions cry each schoolboard meeting but what programs do they want to cut to pay them even higher salaries? John Palacio and Roman Reyna on the board fan the flames of the Union but they don’t say what programs they would cut. Like #1 said, the Unions remind me of the Mafia back in my childhood growing up in Chicago. At least with the Mafia we know how much Payola was due and each month we made the payment. With the SEIU and Teachers Union the extorsion never ends so I think they are worse than the Mafia. I love our kids and want them to get the best education (I’m a retired school Janitor) but with all this money going to the Unions there is none left for the ones who need it most, our kids.

By: Rogue Elephant

Rogue Elephant — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:46:40 +0000

SEIU violence is under-reported. (Imagine the reporting if the NRA or pro-lifers engaged in such violent attacks.) California is at the tipping point. Voters can reclaim their power or the state slides into the abyss.