The influence of big labor

[kraft-t]

He know little about anything but that doesn't keep him from talking like he does.

[tomtoolbag]

  No it doesn't, kraft-t. I was willing to explain how things work to him but he apparently isn't willing to learn about something that he constantly denigrates, but his fingers don't work now.

  I've seen a few just like him over the years, that after THEY freely sought out a union and became a member of one, would constantly berate that same union that collectively bargained for the pay and benefits that they received, and did it in a heated break/eating area that was bargained for by that same union. 

  Coincidentally, I just had a delivery from UPS, where the driver is a union member, and will work until roughly 7:00 pm tonight, on a holiday weekend, and that holiday is Labor Day too. 

[r3020]

It's really pretty basic Tom, the current employees pay the retirement and health care for past employees. The more the union management drains for lobbying the less in the pension funds. Of course with Obama it was a good return on investment.

[kraft-t]

How about it then. Do you care that business interests are using company money to campaign? What about the poor stockholders dividend checks? The truth is the unions and the stockholders can decide if they want their earnings spent that way. You shouldn't worry about it either way.

[r3020]

I really don't Mr. Kraft. It is their money to spend how they see fit. Where it involves me is when they want to bailout pension funds with tax dollars.

[Canuck_2]

Pensions may work differently in your country but there is no way a union could drain pension funds for lobbying.

What is invested in a pension fund remains in the pension fund until paid to a retired person entitled to a pension.

The problem with pension funds usually comes from poor performing markets, assets are suddenly worth less than yesterday therefore underfunded.

It can happen from poor investment expertise/advice too.

[r3020]

I didn't say drain the pension fund for lobbying. I said spend the money on lobbying instead of depositing into the pension fund. Big labor spent 60 million dollars to get Barack Obama elected President. Where did that 60 million come from? I don't think Bernanke printed it and handed it to them.....but I don't know that for sure.

[gough whitlam]

But of course if you are suggesting there should be the abolition of unions you would also subscribe to the pathetic low wages and conditions which were extracted from the greedy pigs in down town, by the Unions.  You would also agree poor people should work for a pittance while their bosses buy yachts and houses in Miama.  I wonder if you have kids who work their guts out at McSlaves for  the award wage or do they take the **bleep** money and walk away with a warm inner glow knowing they never subscribed to that Socialist theory of Obamas?  Huh?  Tell me what you think.  

[r3020]

I think the labor unions have become exactly what they were formed to to put an end to.

[Canuck_2]

Whatever the different wording in Canada they could not divert pension money out of pension funding. That would be a criminal or fraudulent use of funds.