The Heart of Democracy
On November 2nd, Arizonans will have a chance to defend democracy from thieves who would steal it. Arizona decides if the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) really supports free choice. It doesn’t matter if you are pro-union or anti-union in this fight. The only thing that really matters is how you feel about protecting your freedom of choice without the possibility of coercion. Our nation’s fathers wisely figured that the secret ballot was the only way to assure the will of the people could be known. Your right to a secret ballot is a distinct American privilege. The EFCA tries to chip away at that right in the name of protecting workers. In fact, some of the ideas in the EFCA really are good, but there is no justification to give up your secret ballot.
The arguments have been brewing on both sides of this issue for years. The supporters of EFCA are out of step with the American Constitution. At the federal level, liberal actors are telling us that they need our vote to let unions have a fair chance at organizing the workers for the workers sake. They are pushing hard for the EFCA which would let union organizers pass out signature cards at a workplace that have the power with enough signatures, to instantly have a union recognized, without having an election. It sounds good for the workers, and they say if there are enough people who support starting a union, who needs a secret ballot? America does!!! This is just one more example of how we must be vigilant against the erosion of our rights. Why do they fight against a formality that guarantees your liberty?
When you examine the EFCA, the vast majority of the bill has merit. Article three says that following a union being certified, the union can make the company begin negotiations within ten days. Article four says it would make the NLRB come down on employers who discriminate against employees who try organize a union.
These are good ideas that every fair minded person could negotiate. But the poison pill in the bill, the idea that ruins the whole thing is article two. Article two would allow the recognition of a union as their collective bargaining agent if a majority of employees sign cards stating they want the union to represent them. That’s equivelent to “if enough people sign cards, we the people can impeach Obama.” It may sound good, but that’s not how America is supposed to work. Ben Franklin said something that resembles “Those Who Sacrifice Liberty For Security Deserve Neither.”
The Arizona legislature has given you a chance to protect your rights from the liberals on capitol hill, and to put the power back in the hands of the people. Make old Ben proud, and vote YES on Arizona Proposition 113 this November 2nd.
