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> The other side is to be a large enough entity to influence elections and then “negotiate” with those you helped get elected. That's the nature of politics. B
by _qulr 6y ago
> The other side is to be a large enough entity to influence elections and then “negotiate” with those you helped get elected.
That's the nature of politics. Businesses and business leaders lobby politicians and donate to their political campaigns too. It's strange to single out unions when there are so many different kinds of political interest groups, often with much more money than unions.
Public employee unions are bad, but the Tavern League, for example (I'm from Wisconsin), is ok? The National Rifle Association is ok? The National Landlord Association? Businesses and interest groups of every kind are donating money to the politicians who will directly regulate them. Why specifically exclude public employees from that?
- nemo44x 6y agoCorruption comes in many forms, yes. But a private sector union that can elect gives the people they elect incentive to grow the union membership and therefore consolidate power. You can’t elect the person you’re going to negotiate with. It’s pure corruption and a major conflict of interest. Private money has major issues too but it doesn’t have a direct influence on votes. A company can lobby all day and give money and that might get you more ads. But aligning with a union gets you votes and will continue to. Police unions do this with Republicans as Teachers do with Democrats.