Union Power Failure

Public employee unions are very powerful in New Jersey.  They can get tens of thousands of members to rallies and campaign events, finance political candidates, and have ready access to mass media.  What they’ve done with that power is a betrayal of their membership.

There will be another rally tomorrow and here is part of the email sent out to members of CWA Local 1036:

THIS THURSDAY IS OUR DEFINING MOMENT

Sweeney/Christie Bill Passes Senate, Heads to Assembly for Thursday Vote

The Sweeney/Christie bill to increase health care costs and pension contributions for every public employee is on the move. This terrible piece of legislation will also severely restrict collective bargaining rights. Corrupt political machine bosses from North and South Jersey have linked arms with Governor Christie to attack public employees and enrich insurance companies. The bill will now go to the Assembly for a Thursday vote. It passed the Senate with all 16 Republicans voting in favor and the following 8 Democrats who betrayed the principle of collective bargaining:

Jeff Van Drew (D-1), Dennis Twp.

Jim Whelan (D-2), Atlantic City

Steve Sweeney (D-3), West Deptford

Fred Madden (D-4), Washington Twp.

Donald Norcross (D-5), Camden

Jim Beach (D-6), Voorhees

M. Teresa Ruiz (D-29), Newark

Brian Stack (D-33), Union City

We have over 30 supporters in the Assembly but we need more. We’ve got two days left before the Assembly votes. Let’s make sure they understand “Come November, We’ll Remember.”

What exactly will they remember in November?  That New Jersey is a political cesspool run by bosses buying votes with favors funded by taxpayers they intend to dupe each election?  If they know that now then why aren’t they doing anything about it beyond asking their members to take one of their sick/vacation/personal days to block traffic on their way to mingling around a giant rat listening to nazi references?

The reason is that they used those same ‘corrupt political machine bosses’ to acquire those unaffordable salary and benefit packages that are being usurped so that the pay-to-play gravy train can continue for their confreres.  All over this state connected lawyers, insurance brokers, and contractors pump millions of dollars to back political parties and candidates that repay them a hundredfold in lucrative contracts and jobs often at the expense of public workers.  In my own slice of pork-heaven in Union County I estimate that at least 5% of all spending ($25 million) can be traced to waste, fraud, and abuse that accrues to the benefit of political insiders.

If the public-employee unions want to serve their members they should do everything in their power to expel the real pigs from the trough.  There is no longer enough slop for everybody.