Thread: Twinkies

Originally Posted by earcutter

They aren't FORCED to do anything... they are forced to join the union if they want a union job though

I type to slow to answer first!

Anyone is welcome to get employment across the street at the non union place. If the non union employer offers better wages and benefits why would anyone argue and want the union job. To me it relates to a previous post about caring only about yourself and the present. Many want the advantages and support of the group but when it comes to contributing their share they think only of themselves.

Originally Posted by Crotalus

Why are they UNION jobs? That's an absurd notion. They are just jobs. The union doesn't have a monopoly on any jobs.

"Just Jobs?" LOL.

My wife and I just argued this all out - her as a union hating lawyer, and me as a want to be Economist. As much as we may or may not like it - the second a company lets unions so much as begin sniffing at a company - your employer is effectively changing your contract. hence the reason Walmart closes up shop the second that happens.

Hence, you have to succumb to collective will... just like car insurance. It might bite - but its the way it is... is all.

These ideas are so alien to me I have trouble comprehending the mindset that harbors them.

The article above is exactly what I mean. "And a union forced to directly collect dues from workers who are under no obligation to pay them is not going to collect nearly as much."

This must mean that the unions only operate by force, and not by the willing cooperation of their members.

If the unions can not survive unless their members are compelled, then the unions should go away.

It's called freedom of choice. Why should tyranny by a union be any better than tyranny by management or government?

Being forced to do something is tyranny no matter what label you put on it.

Originally Posted by earcutter

Hence, you have to succumb to collective will... just like car insurance. It might bite - but its the way it is... is all.

This sounds like a direct quote from Karl Marx.

Originally Posted by Crotalus

This sounds like a direct quote from Karl Marx.

I KNEW it! You're a Red-baiter!!!

Originally Posted by Crotalus

These ideas are so alien to me I have trouble comprehending the mindset that harbors them.

The article above is exactly what I mean. "And a union forced to directly collect dues from workers who are under no obligation to pay them is not going to collect nearly as much."

This must mean that the unions only operate by force, and not by the willing cooperation of their members.

If the unions can not survive unless their members are compelled, then the unions should go away.

It's called freedom of choice. Why should tyranny by a union be any better than tyranny by management or government?

Being forced to do something is tyranny no matter what label you put on it.

By your example if who I vote for in government doesn't win I should just not pay my taxes?

I was just going to reference Neil MacDonald's piece in which he states that only about 10% of the US workforce are union workers as opposed to nearly 50% many decades ago. Why then are unions still such a boogeyman when in reality they represent such a puny number of workers. Fear mongering at it's finest.

This is pretty interesting Apple to produce line of Macs in the US next year . Are wages in the US now nearing levels that are competitive with China? I guess all the right to work legislation maybe having an effect after all. Can the US now finally match the Chinese standard of living which is closely tied to the wages you earn? Is the long slow plunge over?

Bob

BobH --
To try and answer your question, it's because unions traditionally support the Democratic Party. This move in Michigan is merely one step in the GOP's plan to eliminate financial support for the Democratic Party. Next, I'm guessing they'll attempt to outlaw public employee unions (teachers, nurses, etc.) and possibly attempt to lower the minimum wage.

Originally Posted by 32t

By your example if who I vote for in government doesn't win I should just not pay my taxes?

Don't you know?

Harry Reid says paying income taxes is voluntary.

Originally Posted by Crotalus

Don't you know?

Harry Reid says paying income taxes is voluntary.

Suuuuuuuuuuurre! And going to prison is a vacation from SWMBO!