DISQUS

Interesting history less from RICKDAY. I am sure glad the bad ol' days when labor unions were actually needed is long, long gone. Today, almost every employee in this country has paid vacation, paid holidays, works a 40 hour week (or gets overtime bonus if beyond 40), health insurance that covers even basic medication and doctors visits. Almost every employer pays greater than minimum wage and provides all these benefits, because they compete for employees. The market dictates that they pay well and provide benefits. Unions have become irrelevant.

Unions are like terrorists in that they can incite fanaticism for no reason (like religious zealots who condemn all other faiths), and they also use fear and extortion tactics. They used fear in telling us firefighters and policemen will die if Amendments 47, 49 pass. Then, they sponsored the "poison pill" amendments (to punish both businesses and employees in Colorado). The unions, then withdrew the poison pills for pledges of money to fight Amendment 47. Sounds like clear and simple extortion. Sounds like terrorism to me.

I am disgusted by Democrats being in the back pocket of the Unions. To me, I agree with most principles and the platform of the Democratic Party. The one single thing I cannot stomach is their cowtowing to organized labor. Hey, Democrats, you guys are better than that. Please break your ties with organized labor and become the true American party, representing the interests of real workers and average citizens. About the only people I know who oppose Amendment 47 are either union stewards or full-time union employees. They are afraid the gravy train of money siphoned off the average worker (involuntarily) will end. The other group opposed are Democratic Party politicians. They receive this money siphoned off from the workers through union contributions to the party. Again, when your money is cut off, you come out against Amendment 47.

Vote Yes on 47, of course!!

Whether you agree with the principle of Amendment 47, that all employees in the state of Colorado should be free to access gainful employment without being forced to join or pay money to a union, I think we all can agree that the tactics employed by organized labor this year are disgusting and unethical.

So, first, business groups get 47 on the ballot. In clear retaliation, organized labor puts 53, 55, 56, and 57 on the ballots. Even union officials and union-backers agree these "poison pills" really have no useful purpose, and are there only as a punishment or counter-attack against business in Colorado. Now, labor agrees to exchange withdrawing the poison pill Amendments in exhchange for money to fight Amendment 47. I call that extortion.

I think this article would be more accurate to say that Unions are out stumping for themselves. Every visit or phone call I have received asked for support for Obama and Udall, then launched into opposition to Amendments 47, 49, and 54. I support Obama and Udall, but am definitely voting for 47 (which gives each worker in Colorado freedom to determine who they associate with, and how to spend their paycheck), voting for 49 (which prevents our tax dollars going to support union dues).

Amendment 47 is critical to protect basic rights in Colorado. Most other states surrounding Colorado have already recognized this, and have become "right to work" states. Colorado needs to get with the times, and do the right thing to protect our workers from forced unionism.

YES ON 47 and YES on 49!

I am sorely disappointed in anyone that would restrict the right of any worker to choose who they associate with and how to spend their hard earned salary. I read an earlier quote from Heinemann stating that Amendment 47 would restrict how he spends his hard earned money. Just the opposite. Amendment 47 gives choice and freedom, where today there is none for many workers.

I absolutely support Amendment 47, as it offers the freedom to support a union if you wish or refrain from financial support of a union if you feel they are not earning their keep! Yes on 47!