Category Archives: Unions

September 26, 2012

Maggie Hassan WILL raise Taxes and thinks Voters will LIKE it

By Kimberly Morin

 

Maggie Hassan, Democratic candidate for Governor has a slight problem – her record. Hassan was a New Hampshire State Senator for several years before being voted out in 2010. One of the reasons was due to her ‘taxing’ problem. While Hassan may like to claim she won’t raise income or sales taxes, she certainly loves raising all kinds of other fees and taxes that necessarily hurt the working and middle classes in New Hampshire. She has specifically said she will raise taxes and fees and actually believes the voters will like it. From the Portsmouth Herald:

Hassan said before anyone can talk specifics about taxes, the state needs to evaluate its revenue and determine its funding priorities, but she did say there are multiple tax cuts that could be reversed.

“There were a lot of back-of-the-budget tax cuts that the Republicans put into this last budget that we’re going to have to review and look at,” she said. “When you look at some of the back-of-the-budget tax cuts and other tax cuts the Republicans made the last two years, I think there are some things that most taxpayers of New Hampshire would agree that we could restore.”

Unfortunately Hassan is serious. She actually believes that taxes should be raised on New Hampshire residents even during this abysmal recession that her dear leader Obama has kept this country in for almost 4 years. Hassan was booted out of the State Senate in 2010, in all likelihood due to her love for raising fees and taxes. New Hampshire residents enjoy the freedom of a small government and paying less in overall taxes than their neighboring states. Apparently Hassan hasn’t gotten the message.

While Hassan was in the State Legislature, she raised taxes and fees over 33 times. Those are 33 reasons alone not to vote for her as Governor. Those were 33 reasons alone she was voted out of office. From an ad paid for by the Live Free PAC:

“Two years ago, voters rejected Maggie Hassan’s tax record – voting her out of office,” a female narrator says. “As Senate Majority Leader, Hassan pushed a budget with over $300 million in higher taxes and fees, 33 tax and fee increases, a controversial new tax on small businesses, higher taxes on rooms and meals [and] increased fees for vehicle registration. Even a new tax on camping! Maggie Hassan believes in high taxes. New Hampshire doesn’t.”

Continue Reading here:  http://www.examiner.com/article/maggie-hassan-will-raise-taxes-and-thinks-voters-will-like-it?cid=db_articles

Leave a comment   |  tags: , , , , , | posted in Democrats, Election 2012, Elections, New Hampshire Politics, Obama, Unions, Women

September 10, 2012

Chicago Teachers Strike proving why Public Sector Unions should be Banned

By Kimberly Morin

Late breaking news out of Chicago last night was that Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) and the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) negotiations broke down yet again and the teachers will be going on strike today. The last contract ended on June 30, 2012 and negotiations have been going on for months but neither side would give in to the other’s final concessions. Why would almost 30,000 teachers strike, leaving around 400,000 kids ‘on the street’? Before delving into the reasons, you should know some background about Chicago:

With those factors in mind, it’s a wonder there is any money left to pay for increases in educational expenses. But it doesn’t stop there. What exactly are the main reasons for the CTU strike?

Extended school day and year:

Chicago Public Schools have the shortest school day in the country (6.25 hours according to the latest CTU contract). Mayor Rahm Emanuel (Obama’s former Chief of Staff) wants to increase the day by 90 minutes. As a concession, CPS said they’d only increase it by 10%. Studies have shown that a longer school day actually helps students to learn more. The teachers are willing to work the longer school day but want a 30% increase in pay for doing so – 24% in the first year, 5% the next year.

Increase in pay:

Chicago teachers are, on average, the highest paid teachers in the country. According to the CTU, the average pay for a Chicago teacher is $71,000 (for working 170 days per year – they get 10 paid vacation days). Given that they have the shortest school day and the highest pay already, demanding a 30% increase in pay over the next 2 years is egregious. Especially since Chicago Public Schools fall in the bottom of the country when it comes to test scores.

Chicago Public Schools have some of the worst student outcomes in Illinois and the country. The demands made by the teachers’ unions all these years that more spending and smaller classrooms (CTU contract also limits class size) will increase the test scores and learning of students is apparently bogus.

Teacher evaluations:

The CPS wants to install new methods of evaluating teachers so that they can retain only the best teachers. It is built into the CTU contract that the union has a say in the evaluations. How many employees tell their employer how they want to be evaluated? Given the failing record of the Chicago Teachers Union, maybe it should be the parents who evaluate the teachers. The union should have zero say in evaluations. The Chicago Public School Board should create the standards that weed out the worst teachers so that students actually have a fighting chance at a good education.

Air conditioning:

One of the complaints of the CTU is teachers being forced to teach in 98 degree classrooms on some days. While it definitely would be better to have air conditioning for all involved, the majority of schools in this country do not (at least not on the East Coast). They have never had A/C in Chicago Public Schools so this is all of the sudden a reason to strike? Given that the teachers themselves are sucking up most of the funds going towards education, it’s hard to rally around them asking for millions more to pay for air conditioning.

Supplies and copying:

Apparently books are not in on time for the first day of school. Why? What are the reasons for this delay? Arguably this is an issue that needs to be resolved. This again is no reason to strike. Copying also seems to be an issue. Given that teachers do make many copies throughout the years, this is another resolvable issue that is no cause for a strike. If funding is the issue, maybe teachers can spend a little more on their health insurance and use the savings to pay for the desperately needed copies.

It should also be noted that Chicago teachers pay only 3% of their health insurance premiums. That seems to be another point of contention. The CPS is possibly trying to raise that amount by 7% so the teachers would be paying 10% for their health insurance premiums (note: the majority of taxpayers footing the bill for these teachers are paying 25% or more for their own health insurance).

Contiue Reading here:  http://www.examiner.com/article/chicago-teachers-strike-proving-why-public-sector-unions-should-be-banned?cid=db_articles

Leave a comment   |  tags: , , , , , , , | posted in Democrats, Right-to-Work, Unions

September 3, 2012

Some Truth about Unions on Labor Day

By Kimberly Morin

Every year unions take great pains to remind people why unions were (once) so great. They attempt to make people believe that unions are still necessary and great now. Unfortunately for union bosses, there is more truth out there now. They can hide from it but they can only run for so long. The fact is that unions do nothing but hurt the economy, taxpayers, consumers and the overall country now, including union members.

Less that 7% of private sector workers are unionized. Why? Workers are protected by a slew of federal, state and local laws. Businesses have realized that offering better pay and benefits will attract better workers, so they offer them. Workers don’t need to be unionized to negotiate their own salaries.

What has changed about unions? Since John F. Kennedy decided to allow public sector unions to organize in 1962(for purely political reasons), we have seen the unionization of millions of federal, state and local workers. Around 37% of all public sector employees are union members. What does this mean for governments and taxpayers? It means higher taxes, bigger government, a less productive workforce and an unsustainable liability of pensions and health care payments far into the future.

George Meany (former President of the AFL-CIO) and FDR were accurate when they agreed that public sector employees could not collectively bargain with elected officials. What has happened as a result? Unions pay big money to elect politicians (majority of money goes to Democrats) and then those politicians in turn pay back the unions by pushing for bigger government, higher salaries and bigger pensions. The tax payer ends up paying the price while have zero say in the collective bargaining negotiations. In Massachusetts an unskilled toll collector on the Massachusetts Turnpike made almost $100,000 in on year. His base salary is $60,000 not including his cushy benefits package . This is egregious and shows exactly how unions and Democrats work with each other in a symbiotic relationship that leeches off the tax payers.

Continue Reading here:  http://www.examiner.com/article/some-truth-about-unions-on-labor-day?cid=db_articles

Leave a comment   |  tags: , , , | posted in Democrats, Election 2012, Elections, New Hampshire Politics, Right-to-Work, Unions

August 4, 2012

Lions and tigers and Tea Party, oh my!

By Kimberly Morin

 

New Hampshire Democrats thought they had an incredible scoop when they posted in a blog tonight that New Hampshire GOP regional field director Drew Cyr was ‘caught’ trying to enlist the help of a (gasp) Tea Party group for the November elections. They claim that the NH GOP is trying to ‘push’ the Tea Party agenda as if it’s a bad thing. Lower taxes, less government, less wasteful spending and more individual freedom are supposed to be bad things in ‘Live Free or Die’ New Hampshire – only if you’re a Democrat. It is so pathetic that the Brookline Democrats and DNC Chairman Raymond Buckley even retweeted it on Twitter.

For some reason Democrats in New Hampshire think that their ‘flying union monkey’ partnership of big government, higher taxes, huge pensions and wasteful spending is just dandy. Of course, their far left wing agenda hurts all residents in NH but that’s just a side effect of getting unions to buy elections for Democrats. To NH Democrats, their bedding the unions is absolutely acceptable but for the GOP to work with the Tea party, a group made up of Democrats, Republicans, Independents and Libertarians, is somehow almost criminal.

The problem for NH Democrats is that they cannot stand that the majority of people in the ‘Live Free or Die’ state of New Hampshire actually want less government, lower taxes and individual freedom. It kills them that they live right next to a state with huge government, high taxes and little individual freedom. In a recent study conducted at George Mason University, New Hampshire was scored as #1 in freedom and Massachusetts came in at a deplorable #46. So the very jealous Democrats in New Hampshire have to paint the Tea party as radical because the Tea Party represents everything they despise: lower taxes, less government and individual freedom. Are you starting to get the picture?

Continue reading here:  http://www.examiner.com/article/lions-and-tigers-and-tea-party-oh-my

Leave a comment | posted in Democrats, New Hampshire Politics, Republicans, Unions

July 8, 2012

The outrageous salaries and payouts to public sector employees in Masschusetts

By Kimberly Morin

 

The Boston Herald posted a rather large list of the various payrolls, pensions and buyouts of public sector employees throughout Massachusetts.  This information is available to the public because it is the taxpayers who are footing the bill.   Public sector union contracts are also available to taxpayers for the very same reason.  Before reading this you may want to either mix a drink or take a blood pressure pill because if you are a hard-working taxpayer in Massachusetts you are going to be outraged by some of the egregious salaries, pensions and buybacks that Democrats have given to the unions.

Years ago Massachusetts was promised that once the Massachusetts Turnpike was paid for the tolls would be taken down.  Of course they weren’t and tolls have steadily risen.   Politicians and bureaucrats will blame it on one thing after another but one thing they never seem to take a good hard look at are salaries.  One Turnpike toll collector (yes a toll collector – the person who sits in the booth and takes your money and ticket and may have to give you change) made almost $100,000 with overtime in 2008.  You read that right.  A toll collector collected almost $100,000 in payment with your taxpayer dollars.  That is just the salary.  The amount does not include benefits or pension.  You’ll be paying that insane amount as well.

Continue Reading here:  http://www.examiner.com/article/the-outrageous-salaries-and-payouts-to-public-sector-employees-massachusetts

Leave a comment | posted in Democrats, Right-to-Work, Unions

April 20, 2012

Union Leaders – Nevermind the Law

By Kimberly Morin

Nothing new here.  Union leaders have always ignored the law and committed crimes whenever they feel like it.  Funny the first speaker talks about the right to ‘Freedom of Association’ except he is FOR FORCED UNIONISM which takes that ‘right’ AWAY.  The hypocrisy and criminal element in the unions is despicable.  Progressives are their ‘allies’?  Guess what America – progressives are not PRO-Constitution which is why the Unions love them because neither are they.

Leave a comment   |  tags: , | posted in America, Democrats, Progressives, Right-to-Work, Unions

April 11, 2012

New Hampshire Legislators don’t understand ‘Live Free or Die’

By Kimberly Morin

 

Today the New Hampshire State Legislature had the opportunity to turn the  state into a Right-to-Work state. Rather than choosing freedom for workers ala  ‘Live Free or Die’, they chose to keep New Hampshire workers in forced unionism  shackles.  The legislation will not end unions but will give workers the  choice whether or not to join a union.  Federal law only allows  workers to ‘opt out’ of actual union membership but they are still forced to pay  an agency fee even if they can negotiate for themselves.  New  Hampshire’s ‘Live Free or Die’ motto should be changed to ‘Live Free with Union  Chains’ now that the Senate decided to table the bill which essentially means ‘killing the  bill’.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics only 11.1% of workers in New  Hampshire are members of a union.   Why did the New Hampshire  Legislature pander to only 11.1% of the workforce?  Clearly the other 89.9%  represent a far bigger portion of NH than the small special interest  minority.  And that’s where the truth probably lies.  It’s already a  well-known fact that Democrats are bought and paid for by unions. In the New Hampshire  Legislature it’s also a well-known fact that some Republicans  are also union puppets.

Continue reading on Examiner.com New Hampshire Legislators don’t understand ‘Live Free or Die’ – Manchester Political Buzz | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/political-buzz-in-manchester/new-hampshire-legislators-don-t-understand-live-free-or-die#ixzz1rlzmSniR

Leave a comment | posted in Democrats, Economy, New Hampshire Politics, Republicans, Right-to-Work, Unions

November 17, 2011

Occupy Wall Street is nothing but a Union Movement

By Kimberly Morin

Occupy Wall Street has tried to paint themselves as a ‘grassroots’ movement of the 99%.  However it’s become increasingly clear that they have become nothing more than a union movement – the 12% of this country.  Tonight an organization called www.unitedNY.org sponsored an event at Foley Square in New York City.  UnitedNY.org claims to be ‘Fighting for a city that works for all’ with no links on their site (what can been seen of it) that tells people who they REALLY are – the SEIU.  From their ‘About Us’ page:

 About United NY

We’re standing up for a vision of New York City where everyone, not just a privileged few, has the opportunity to thrive and build a secure, dignified life for themselves and their families. Corporations, big banks and Wall Street are making billions in profits. They should be investing in good jobs and paying their fair share in taxes so we can stop the cuts to education, healthcare, public transportation and other vital city services.
 
It was UnitedNY.org aka SEIU that set up many of the ‘Occupy Events’:
 
 

 

Their facebook page claims they are a Community Organization – never mentions they are the SEIU:

 

 

Since some in the OWS claim to be against money in politics, one would find it strange that they would bed with unions since unions spend billions in politicking and do exactly the same thing as what OWS claims corporations do.  It was also strange to hear the OWS chanting well known union chants over and over (‘This is what Democracy looks like’ etc etc).  Most people just thought unions jumped on the bandwagon – not true.  UnitedNY.org domain was created in APRIL 2011:

The following shows the IP Address of the UnitedNY.org website:

The following then links the IP addy to the SEIU in Washington D.C.:

So much for Occupy Wall Street being grassroots.  The Occupiers who had no clue about the union involvment are nothing but ‘useful idiots’ for unions and the far left wing.  The reason there was money and ‘tech guys’ to set up local phone lines and websites was because OWS is NOT a grassroots movement.  It’s a sham.  Occupy Wall Street isn’t about the 99%.  It’s about the 12% that are UNION in this country.  Period.

Leave a comment   |  tags: , , , , , | posted in America, Capitalism, Economy, Progressives, Unions

November 13, 2011

Occupy Movement and Unions – This is what Hypocrisy Looks Like

By Kimberly Morin

The ‘Occupy’ movement has become widespread across the country with at least one message that is clear and most people agree on – ‘end the corruption in politics’.  They have a slew of other messages that vary but we’ll stick to this one talking point.  The Occupiers maintain that corporations buy politicians and therefore control the government.  They want all money out of politics.  This is completely understandable and most people would agree on this point except for one little thing:  They have partnered with unions who contribute millions of dollars to politicking every single year.  Have they forgotten that Trumka visits the White House often?  Talk about corruption!

Unions spend a fortune on elections and lobbying on issues each and every year.  According to OpenSecrets.org, several Unions are considered ‘Heavy Hitters’ when it comes to lobbying Congress:

Union Lobbying

 
 
From AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka  – 
 
From the New York Times –

Union leaders, who were initially cautious in embracing the Occupy movement, have in recent weeks showered the protesters with help — tents, air mattresses, propane heaters and tons of food. The protesters, for their part, have joined in union marches and picket lines across the nation. About 100 protesters from Occupy Wall Street are expected to join a Teamsters picket line at the Sotheby’s auction house in Manhattan on Wednesday night to back the union in a bitter contract fight.

So not only has the Occupy movement embraced the multi-million dollar a year politicking unions but the unions have even found a way to make ‘useful idiots’ out of the Occupiers.  What is also ironic is that many Union Presidents are IN the 1% (which falls right under $344,000).  The Occupy movement is holding hands with the very people that help corrupt and buy the political system and also happen to be 1%ers – those who appear to be the most revolting to Occupiers.   This is what hypocrisy looks like.

 
 
 

2 Comments   |  tags: , , , , , , , , , | posted in Unions

September 10, 2011

The Left’s egregious abuse of 9/11 heroes for perceived political gain

By Kimberly Morin

As if Trumka’s diatribe yesterday wasn’t bad enough, the Left has decided to jump on the psychotic bandwagon of using unions to somehow smear the Right as haters of our 9/11 First Responders.  Never in my life have I seen such disgrace of a devastating American tragedy as I have with the Left on the 10th Anniversary of 9/11.  The Left has sunk lower than I thought they could with their attempt at tying anti-union sentiments to anti-first responder sentiments.  It is the most egregious, despicable, heinous, vile, ANTI-American, divisive, derisive and disgusting behavior I have seen from the left since becoming involved in politics. 

I thought the Left blaming the Right for Gabby Giffords’ shooting was horrid but they have sunk to what has to be the lowest depths of the bowels of hate in years.  Here are just a few tweets from last night.  Notice who is tweeting this crap – Boehlert works for Soros’ Media Matters, Matt is a Union hack and RWWatchMa also works for Soros – hmmmm… are you seeing the pattern?

  

 

Apparently in Ohio at a 9/11 Memorial the Unions just couldn’t put aside their hate and politics.  They just had to protest Governor Kasich while pushing Obama’s ‘jobs plan’.  It is again one of the most vile examples of what is wrong with unions.   After 9/11 this country was unified as Americans.  It didn’t matter if you were union or not, black or white, male or female, Democrat or Republican.  Americans lost thousands of fellow Americans to Islamic Extremist Terrorists simply because we are Americans.  This country suffered a devastating loss that we will never forget.  Our First Responders were running up the stairs of the World Trade Center buildings to save lives.  They died fighting to save their fellow Americans.  They will always be heroes.

What the First Responders did had absolutely nothing to do with the union but had everything to do with their heroic actions on that day.  9/11 was a tragedy for all Americans and all Americans will always remember the people who lost their lives on that day.  For the left to politicize this tragedy and somehow use it to pit Democrats against Republicans is one of the most despicable political ploys they have tried yet.

The Left and unions are only hurting their ‘union cause’ further with this behavior.   The majority of Americans – whether Democrat or Republican, union or not – will find this politicization of 9/11 to be contemptible.  What the Left and unions are doing is taking away the heroism of the First Responders by turning it into a union issue – as if these heroes wouldn’t have done the same thing without a union representative.   They are abusing the actions and memories of our fallen heroes for some perceived, twisted political gain.  Once again, the unions turn Americans against them.  Unions create hate they do NOT create heroes.

Leave a comment   |  tags: , , | posted in America, Democrats, Unions