union meeting

[GRIMJIM]

I went to my monthly union meeting last week and they went on and on about voting for the Democratic party. I am a republican and I don't want this to become an anti-union rant as I know how some of you guys feel about the unions.

The thing that really bugged me was the rep got up and said " I know there are about 140 registered republicans in our local.............."

HUH? How do they know this? Is it public record how someone registers? Is that why I never get annoying phone calls from democratic candidates? Can anyone look up what I am registered as?

I was just taken aback.

[PowPow]

If your state is like Alabama, you ask for a democratic or republican ballot in the primary, and then sign the democratic or republican roster. They don't know who you voted for but they know which primary you voted in.
I get those calls from both parties.

[Oldshooter]

if they know it they will let you know they know it! Its why they want card check! all I can say is I hope there are a bunch of ya!

[gypsyman]

grimjim, I think your located here in Ohio arn't you? When you vote in the primary's, you have to declare if your an R or a D.(Which I think is a crock!!) I'm just wondering if that's available for public info. I know I'ld rather register an an independent, as party affilliation is a bunch of bs, as far as I'm concerned. gypsyman

[Range Rider]

Why worry about how they know what you are doing out side of work?  Your first problem was when you joined a Labor Union. Its too bad folks are not good enough to find and hold jobs on their own.  The Unions are funding every Left Wing take over in the U.S.  Labor Unions would love to have the NRA membership list.  Sorry guys I worked 40 years and retired and never once did I belong to the Workers Party.

RR

[vabowhntr]

To answer the question, yes there are lists available for purchase/rent on the list rental market.  So are some states hunting license lists.  States are hurting for money like everyone else, and it is a way of making some by renting these lists.

[PowPow]

Technically, only party members should be voting in the primaries.
This is where the parties decide who they want to put up for the general election.
There is an express or implied agreement that for the opportunity of voting in the primary, you will support the candidates of your party in the general election.

Some states don't even have primaries. I think the party does not have to follow the results of the election.
They just have to put up the most candidate that they feel is most electable.
If they believe there was some fraud (cross-over voting) in the primary.
It happened in the governors race in Alabama in the 80's.

In Alabama, the winner of a judicial primary (this person was a certain race) was disqualified because of some professional malfeasance. The runner-up (this person was of a different race) was the obvious choice for the general election.
The party leadership selected a third person (also of the certain race) to be the candidate in today's election. The chariman of the party was quoted as saying they needed a "sister" in that spot.

Technically, an independent cannot vote in a primary, since taking a party's ballot makes you a member of that party.

[GRIMJIM]

Why worry about how they know what you are doing out side of work?  Your first problem was when you joined a Labor Union. Its too bad folks are not good enough to find and hold jobs on their own.  The Unions are funding every Left Wing take over in the U.S.  Labor Unions would love to have the NRA membership list.  Sorry guys I worked 40 years and retired and never once did I belong to the Workers Party.

RR

I have been a cabinetmaker for over 25 years and am very confident I could get a job outside of the union considering my skill and experience level. Unfortunately in the Chicago area if you want the better paying, better benefits jobs they are union.

I could get a job anywhere if I wanted to settle for crappy benefits and lower wages.

[Val]

Why worry about how they know what you are doing out side of work?  Your first problem was when you joined a Labor Union. Its too bad folks are not good enough to find and hold jobs on their own.  The Unions are funding every Left Wing take over in the U.S.  Labor Unions would love to have the NRA membership list.  Sorry guys I worked 40 years and retired and never once did I belong to the Workers Party.

RR

Kind of an unfair statement. Often to get a good paying job with benefits you have no choice but to join a union. I worked my way through college with a part time job with UPS. To have that job I had to join the teamsters. The alternative was the minimum wage ($1/hour) part time jobs I previously found.

[PowPow]

...Often to get a good paying job with benefits you have no choice but to join a union. I worked my way through college with a part time job with UPS. To have that job I had to join the teamsters...

Same here, except mine was Retail Clerks International...I've been out of the union for over 30 years, but having been in the construction industry since then, it has become obvious to me that when the job is of a critical nature, they go with the union contractors. There seems to be more pride in the craftsmanship from union workers, at least here in Alabama.

I tend to vote Republican on election day, but I vote with my dollars every day and I appreciate the quality of union-made products.

[JBlk]

The thing that I have never been able to understand is how the Democratic Party can say that they represent the working man.The party platform is to raise taxes to accomplish their goals.We know that the poor doesn't pay taxes and the rich have so many write offs that they pay a minimum of taxes so who is left?The working man does and always pay these taxes and carry the majority of the tax load.I strongly suspect that the union leaders profit from the backing of the party.

[Mohawk]

Normally, it is all public record. In Texas it is a right to work state and unions are very weak. But normally voter registration info is very "transparent" and is easily accessible.

[Pat/Rick]

Think I had about 5 years as a union worker, (hod carriers). You can make $20+ an hour without belonging to a union (aka protection racket).

[GRIMJIM]

Think I had about 5 years as a union worker, (hod carriers). You can make $20+ an hour without belonging to a union (aka protection racket).

How about double that an hour plus overtime and double time, a decent pension, putnam retirement fund, paid holidays, paid vacation and really good insurance paid fully by the employer.

[Pat/Rick]

Belonged to HC union in the late 70's. Vacation pay? Yep. we had it, the union would take IIRC 50 cents or a dollar an hour and put it in a fund for vacation. Problem was, you could only get it between dec 15 and 30th. ONLY what you put in, forget the interest the money drew. Unions?? Ya can keep 'em.  IMO unions are the main reason America can no longer afford itself, and are partly to blame for our inflated economy. YMMV

[Redhawk1]

The voter registration is public knowledge. I can go on line, and find out how anyone is registered here in Delaware.
As for the Unions, I don't look for the Union label.. I buy what is cheaper. Unions are the inner corruption of America. Selling your sole for more money, just like a politician.. JMHO 

[P.A. Myers]

I was a railroad worker long enough to retire. Carter showed me democrats are no friend to working people. I made no secret of my Republican inclination. So they called me a nazi, big deal.

I always have had more of a 'guild' view of what unions should be. Marketing a skill as a group is legitimate. When you bring government into it, things get all screwed up. Working people are easy to exploit and always have been.

[PowPow]

...I always have had more of a 'guild' view of what unions should be. Marketing a skill as a group is legitimate...

I like your attitude. I think there are locals where that attitude prevails and is nurtured.
Those are the places where union shops have remained successful.

[jhm]

     Be proud of being a Republican!!  Look at all the major UNION cities that are under major Democratic control Detroit, Chicago, Pittsburg, Cleveland, etc. etc. between the 2 of them they have managed to bring those cities to their Knees and to BANKRUPCY, good job, yes good job.   Jim

[Will Bison]

Getting voter information is very simple. I go to the court house and ask for it. I can have the information sorted in any way I wish and get name, address, party, phone number, date last voted and other information as requested. I can also download it in flat file and then upload it to excel or any data base. There is a nominal fee to cover cost.

In addition to that it's possible to get information on homes and property, taxes, and a lot of other info. All of the info is public record.

[Redhawk1]

Think I had about 5 years as a union worker, (hod carriers). You can make $20+ an hour without belonging to a union (aka protection racket).

How about double that an hour plus overtime and double time, a decent pension, putnam retirement fund, paid holidays, paid vacation and really good insurance paid fully by the employer.

Subsidized by the tax payers, and at the expense of destroying the country..  Most union works are over paid. At one time the unions meant something, and were there for the people, know they are there for themselves and the workers are bought and paid for!

[Redhawk1]

Today's unions serve one purpose, to lower the work level to that of the worst employee.

[casca1]

well, I have been building BIG YELLOW EARTH MOVERS for over 18 years, It is well known by all that work with me that when I vote the 2nd Ammendment is my #1 issue
                       veterans issues      # 2
then the rest fall in line there.   
Union contracts are important,  you work hard and feel that when large profits are made perhaps the wealth should be shared a little.  Instead of searching for cheaper labor over seas.

When a known anti gunner, comes to shake hands at the meeting I always ask as loud as possible " HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT MY ASSAULT RIFLE COLLECTION"  & I always get the same answer "If you want to play with those kinda guns join the military"  THEN   I GET TO SAY  " WHERE DO YOU THINK I GOT THE NASTY HABIT FROM ?"  "WHERE DID YOU SERVE?

CASCA 1
                     

[Savage .250]

Looks like your UNION knows more than you think.   

[jcn59]

Seems to me like lots of people who never held a union job are armchair experts on the subject.  Probably people who never did an honest day's work in their life.  People that never had a blister, burn or work related injury.   People who stay home from work because they have a "cold".  People we should send to China so they can buy really cheap.

[Redhawk1]

Seems to me like lots of people who never held a union job are armchair experts on the subject.  Probably people who never did an honest day's work in their life.  People that never had a blister, burn or work related injury.   People who stay home from work because they have a "cold".  People we should send to China so they can buy really cheap.

I worked in a union shop. I shave seen first hand where the senior people that were worthless, were the ones that stayed when the new hard working people were the ones that were let go during lay offs..   I worked real hard to get out of the union, and took a management position that did not fall under the union.

I quit paying them union dues to the worthless unions..  At one time unions were working for the honest worker, now they work for the liberal progressive powers to be.  Big money getting more of the peoples money..  Sure union members make great money, and the cost of the higher labor is passes on to the consumer. We the people!

I am no armchair expert, but I was there, and seen it first hand.

[P.A. Myers]

When I hired at the Southern Pacific Railroad, Walter Meany was the head of the AFL-CIO. The labor leaders tended to be conservative and were the core of the conservative Democrats [included the dixiecrats]. They believed in a strong America with healthy industry so as to support a secure middle class. They were quite aware that labor demands could 'kill the goose'  and the  system seemed to work.

I note that now the head of the AFL-CIO is a coal miner. They bankrolled Obama when he promised to put the coal industry out of business. Once upon a time the membership would not put up with such insanity.

A solution to the China/India could for them to unionize so they will be just as paralyzed as the western nations.

P.A.

[45-70.gov]

Today's unions serve one purpose, to lower the work level to that of the worst employee.

isn't that  just want the DEMOCRAPS  are doing to every one?
that  way  every one can  be  ''equal''........''spread the wealth around''

i  was  in the carpenters  union for  12  years
got a letter suggesting  i vote  for  bill  clinton

i returned the letter...
telling them  they will NEVER see  one  dime  of dues from me again
i  also closed out   my retirement  account that  they controled

i  do not need or  have ever needed  a job  bad enough  to support
ANY ONE  that would support the party  of  OBUMER  or  klinton
and the unions  take your  dues  and support OBUMER  pelosi   clinton.
                               .....and much anti-gun legislation

the  health care  issue .....
thats  just a scam so the unions can be  more competitive

I  SHUN THE UNION LABEL,,,,,,,,,union = democrat

[Redhawk1]

Today's unions serve one purpose, to lower the work level to that of the worst employee.

isn't that  just want the DEMOCRAPS  are doing to every one?
that  way  every one can  be  ''equal''........''spread the wealth around''

i  was  in the carpenters  union for  12  years
got a letter suggesting  i vote  for  bill  clinton

i returned the letter...
telling them  they will NEVER see  one  dime  of dues from me again
i  also closed out   my retirement  account that  they controled

i  do not need or  have ever needed  a job  bad enough  to support
ANY ONE  that would support the party  of  OBUMER  or  klinton
and the unions  take your  dues  and support OBUMER  pelosi   clinton.
                               .....and much anti-gun legislation

the  health care  issue .....
thats  just a scam so the unions can be  more competitive

I  SHUN THE UNION LABEL,,,,,,,,,union = democrat

I agree 100%

[jcn59]

I remember submitting paperwork so the union couldn't use any part of my dues to support a democrat's campaign lies.

I also remember a time when a man with a high school education and one household income could support a family, buy a house, and put a new car in the driveway every two years.   In those days 95% of the goods we bought were made in this country by people who lived here in the USA.  We had unions aplenty, and also non-union jobs too.   Very little welfare or health insurance, and we all did pretty well.  Import goods couldn't compete because of the tariffs.

Fast forward to the present.   Union AND non-union jobs have been farmed out to China, etc.  Some of you believe the unions priced themselves out of the market but that doesn't explain why the non-union manufacturing jobs are gone, does it?  There are people in this country who actually believe it's a bad thing for Americans to earn a good wage!     Some of you even believe that it was the cost of labor that sent our jobs overseas.   

Many of you need to stop and think about how the marketability of Chinese and other imported goods is enhanced by the "free trade" agreements our congress has supported and passed.    I can't imagine how any USA business can survive with our tax structure.   Take a look at how much goes for corporate tax, then the personal tax that is due on wages paid by that corporation.   It's no wonder business struggles to survive here.   And don't forget OSHA, and the EPA.   You don't think an overseas manufacturer has to meet OSHA & EPA standards, do you?

Figure it out.  Big corporations buy the lobbyists to pay off congress to increase their profitability.   That equals imported goods with no tariffs.  It equals less competition from small local manufacturers because they can't compete with China.    And there are STILL people out there who think that UNIONS ruined this country.  Rest assured that congress loves you.   God help us.