Garden State Patriot

Former Presidential candidate and Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney held a conference call today to discuss the Employee Free Choice Act – or as it was more accurately referred, the Employee FORCED Choice Act. Specifically, Governor Romney addressed two major issues with the legislation Democrats in Congress are pushing: Card Check (or the end to secret ballots) and Binding Arbitration.

According to the Governor, if enacted, these measures would result in an increase in union membership of of some 1.5 million people and a loss of 600,000 American jobs. Governor Romney called this proposed legislation an “unprecedented attack on citizens and workers” and nothing more than a way for union bosses and Democrat politicians to line their own pockets, while claiming it is in the name of the average worker.

The issue of Card Check is the component of the legislation that has been the main point of focus for many. And Governor Romney reiterated that this would take away worker’s rights and would lead directly to intimidation by unions to force workers to unionize. In his home state of Massachusetts this has already occurred where unions pressured teachers in a charter school to unionize (Governor Romney vetoed Card Check legislation but it was signed into law by his successor).

However, Governor Romney was just as, if not more so, concerned about the issue of Binding Arbitration. This would essentially be a power grab by the federal government, allowing a government appointed arbitrator to set the contract terms between the union and the business owner.

Specifically, the federal government would be forced to intervene in the negotiating process if, after 90 days, no agreement was reached. Next, a 30 day mediation period would ensue. If the mediation period is unsuccessful, the government arbitrator would then be empowered to set the terms of the contract. This means a government arbitrator would mandate things like wages, work rules, hours, and health benefits.

Such a scenario takes away any incentive for the union to bargain in good faith. The unions simply could wait the process out and allow the government arbitrator to set terms in their favor.

The Governor called the impact of these 2 measures “calamitous” for our economy both in the short term and in the long term. He likened these rules to “a black cloud” over business owners and entrepreneurs who would not take the risks to grow their businesses (or start them at all) and create the jobs our economy needs. In the long term, Governor Romney said this will simply result in higher unemployment for the country.

So, what can we do to fight this? The Governor urged all of us to start contacting our legislators, writing letters to editorial boards and calling talk radio programs to get the word out. Nothing less than our economic freedom and prosperity is at stake if this legislation passes.

On Tuesday I posted that the, ahem, maverick Senator “Benedict” Arlen Specter planned to vote against union card check. According, to Michelle Malkin’s blog, though, there was a big “but” at the end of Specter’s decision:

2:31pm Eastern. Specter just announced his decision on Senate floor and denied that he cut some sort of deal. Says he would be willing to reconsider Card Check when economy improves and his requests to amend the National Labor Relations Act are approved.

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4:20pm Eastern. Pat Toomey picks up on the fine print…

Statement from Pat Toomey on Specter’s Conditional Reversal“When Senator Specter does a flip flop, it’s worth checking the fine print. On the senate floor today he said: “I would be willing to reconsider Employees’ Free Choice legislation when the economy returns to normalcy.” In other words, if he thinks his political fortunes have improved, he will deny workers a secret ballot after all.” – Former Congressman Pat Toomey

Memo to Senator Specter: Did you really think we wouldn’t notice this?

While the RINO Senator continues his tightrope act, he might want to look below because the netting is about to be taken away. The Senator is in big trouble in Pennsylvania, where challenger Pat Toomey is leading him by double digits according to a Quinnipiac poll.

Two separate polls released yesterday show the political hit that Sen. Arlen Specter (R., Pa.) has taken in his party’s base for giving crucial support to the Democrat-drafted $787 billion economic stimulus.

A Quinnipiac University survey found that 53 percent of Republican respondents said that Specter did not deserve reelection. The Franklin & Marshall College Poll, meanwhile, reported that 51 percent of Republican voters think it’s time for a change.

Specter, 79, is seeking a sixth term in next year’s GOP primary, and he already faces fire from the right.

Former Rep. Pat Toomey, a conservative leader from the Lehigh Valley, leads Specter 41 percent to 27 percent, according to the Quinnipiac poll.

Though Toomey came within 17,000 votes of beating Specter in the 2004 GOP primary, the poll found that 73 percent of Republican voters did not know enough about the likely challenger to form an opinion of him.

“Pennsylvania Republicans are so unhappy with Sen. Specter’s vote for President Barack Obama’s stimulus package and so-called pork-barrel spending that they are voting for a former congressman they hardly know,” said Clay F. Richards, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.

Suffice it to say, we will remain on top of Senator Specter’s every move as we look to oust this dead wood from our party.

Cross-posted at Conservatives with Attitude!

According to Americans for Tax Reform, the wayward Pennsylvania Senator (aka RINO) is actually going to oppose card check.

Senator Specter has confirmed to ATR that he will vote against both cloture and passage on the Employee Free Choice Act (also known as “card check” or the employee NO choice act). His vote is critical and this a major victory for freedom, as well as a stunning defeat for the other side.

As they say, even a broken clock is right twice a day (or something like that)! (h/t Red State)

Barack Obama claims that saving the auto industry is a top economic priority, but in reality it is a top POLITICAL priority for Democrats. Big labor unions are one of, if not the top, Democrat special interest groups and if the Big 3 auto companies were to file for Chapter 11 it would break the backs of the union and probably cost the Democrats a huge voting bloc.

The reality is the unions have gained too much power and leverage of the auto industry, with outrageous contract demands and benefits packages. Along with strict environmental regulations, such as CAFE standards, the auto industry is being suffocated. This is why they can’t compete with the likes of Honda and Toyota.

So, this is one industry that needs no bailout. In fact, we’ll all be better off if they file for bankruptcy and start anew. Unfortunately, Obama, Reid and Pelosi will be doing all they can to take care of their special interests. So much for being the party of the ‘little guy’ eh.

For more, check out these posts on the auto industry bailout.

• UAW Campaign to Destroy Auto-Industry to be Aided by Obama
• Why Are Dems Palling Around With Big Business
• Via Michelle Malkin: E-mail from an auto industry worker, More reader mail on bailout-mania