Unions

Considering the fact that I do not currently belong to a union nor have I ever, I consider myself a rather pro-union person. I have close family that are FOP, NEA, AFSCME, Teamsters and Laborers, including a long history of UMWA members.  I also have a lot of friends that are NEA and SEIU members.  Most complain about the intrinsic nature of their union but all seem to love their pay and benefits.

Personally, I don't have a preference one way or another if a job is or isn't union.  I do, however, believe workers have the right to organize.

What if a Democratic legislature tried to ban the Chamber of Commerce or the Farm Bureau?  Neither are unions like we define them but both are large groups of dues-paying people organized for common causes they believe are detrimental to their occupation.  And both are largely Republican.  Or what if Democrats tried to ban unions that are more sympathetic to the GOP like the FOP or firefighters?  After all, those are the two unions Gov. Walker (R-WI) has left alone in his union-busting bill because he says they provide safety and security to people unlike labor unions. Conveniently, those two unions endorsed him for governor.  We all can make up our own minds on his rationale but coincidences are rare in premeditated legislation.

One thing that really stands out at me in this whole thing is why does it always seem Republicans are always arguing in favor of 19th century norms?  I thought we already had this union debate a hundred years ago?