About this Blog
Direct democracy -- the Switzerland-inspired system of initiatives, referenda and recalls that allows voters to make and repeal laws in 24 states -- is poorly understood. It isn’t even very direct. Direct democracy has become blockbuster democracy: a half-billion-dollar international industry of signature gatherers, consultants, and election lawyers who use ballot measures less as a method of making law and more as a tool of mega-communications to boost some politicians, hurt others, and supplement lobbying campaigns.
Blockbuster democracy is a decentralized business that practices wide-open politics. This blog aims to provide a center of news, analysis and conversation for and about the industry. We will report from blockbuster democracy’s capital -- California -- but we’ll monitor ballot measures from across the country and around the globe.
Your Blogger: Joe Mathews is an
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A Challenge That Will Be Answered
Denver Post columnist Al Lewis, looking at a right-to-work initiative on the November ballot in Colorado, asks where the victims are of union abuses. It's an interesting question, given the low rates of unionization in the private sector in his state and nationwide. But let me be the first to predict that Lewis will be deluged from complaints from public sector workers -- particularly teachers -- angry about being forced to give part of their paycheck to powerful organizations who practice politics they don't agree with.
Colorado..."The New Michigan"
A previous comment made reference to the fact the there was no percentage number attached to the comments about unions having made much of the contributions against the Right-to-Work initiative.
The fact is that the unions have made most of the contributions (over 80% to be in fact). The unions are trying everything possible to stop the Right-to-Work initiative. This will put a big dent in their pockets. With this initiative, people will have a right to choose weather or not they want to be a member of a union. The unions feel that if 50% plus one person wants a union, then everyone should have to join and pay dues as a condition of employment even if you voted against it or did not want to participate.
This initiative puts a hurt on the union’s ability to collect dues and they don’t like it. This has nothing to do with protecting Colorado. This has everything to do with protecting the growth of the unions. Don’t be fooled by the rhetoric. The unions are trying to make Colorado the new Michigan. High unemployment, businesses leaving, no new business coming in, super high taxes (the highest in the country). The auto industry has moved south to states like Tennessee, South Carolina, Texas, Alabama, Arkansas, etc…all right to work states. There is a reason for this. The unions have little control in theses states and these employees, companies, and states are thriving because of it. Don’t let the unions fool you into believing that they are helping Colorado…they are only helping themselves.
Also, everyone fails to mention that these supposedly small agency fees that the current law requires employees to pay also come with a condition of employment. Currently, you either pay the fees or you loose you job. What kind of democracy is this???
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