Posted by
Matthew on Thursday, June 12, 2008 9:33:57 AM
Chicago is a city where you can't change your baby's nightlight without a team from the Electrical Contractors' Union on hand. God forbid you should ever try to move a box in your office - there must be at least three members of the Office Box Moving Union there - two to take turns lifting and moving the box, and one to drink the coffee.
Obama has maintained a cozy relationship with labor. He has been quite clear in his support of the Employee Free Choice Act, which would remove the secret ballot from votes on unionization. Besides the fact that we all kinda like the idea of secret ballots, this act would prevent employees from saying they would support a vote for unionization just to get the union people off their back, then vote against in privacy. The 'big deal' here is that unions (might want to sit down for this) have a reputation for using intimidation. As in, 'vote for unionization or you never know what might happen out there on the line.'
Obama's view on this act?
“We will pass the Employee Free Choice Act. It’s
not a matter of 'if'; it’s a matter of 'when.' We may have to wait for
the next president to sign it, but we will get this thing done.”
So why is he suddenly getting a thumbs-down from labor? Because one of his top economic advisors, Jason Furman, is a known associate of Robert Rubin, one-time Clinton Treasury Secretary.
Wow. People to the right side of Obama are criticized for pointing out Obama's direct relationships with people of questionable character ... but now the union folk are complaining that one of his advisors might have learned too much about economics from the Treasury Sec of Bill Clinton. I'm sorry, but wasn't the Clinton team supposed to be responsible for a sustained economic expansion? Seems like I have heard that multiple times when I've knocked heads with Progressives on economic issues. Frequently.
So the unions don't want someone involved in Obama's potential administration who is an associate of someone who was closely tied to big business. I once ran a business - into the ground. I wonder if the unions would consider me more qualified or less qualified as an economic advisor as a result.