Kaine Advises Obama on Libya

“Dictator Sure to Be Flushed Out”

Democratic National Committee Chairman and former Virginia Governor Tim Kaine is offering President Obama advice on how to deal with the situation in Libya. “The President should take a cue from my actions in Virginia,” said Kaine. “All we need to do is close all the rest stops on the highways. Since the dictator, Moammar Qadhdhafi surrounds himself with female guards, they will be pissed (pardon the pun) that they cannot stop to freshen up along the roads. They will overthrow Qadhdhafi, and we will not have to fire a shot. This is in keeping with President Obama’s goal of wanting to use ‘non-military means’ against the dictator, as a way of providing support to the rebels there.”

Kaine said that he tried to approach retiring Senator Jim Webb with this idea, but “mysteriously” did not get a hearing. Perhaps my ideas to not mesh well with his ‘Born Fighting’ image,” said Kaine.

President Obama is said to be considering Kaine’s ideas very seriously. “Former Governor Kaine’s ideas have certain raised my eyebrows. He’s not as nasty and pushy as Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Also, I used to get a lot of foreign policy advice from Vice President Biden, but he has been nowhere to be seen recently,” said the President. “It’s like someone has locked him in a closet or something.”

Cross-posted at Virginia Virtucon

Mark Warner: Too Extreme Even by George McGovern’s Standards

McGovern Opposes Obama/Warner/Connolly Forced Unionization

Hat tip: Ace of Spades blog

I blogged recently about how Democratic Senate candidate Mark Warner came out in support of the deceptively-named “Employee Free Choice Act” (EFCA). The main reasons Democrats and unions want this law is that it has a feature called “card check” by which union thugs can intimidate workers into signing a petition advocating for union organization rather than having a secret-ballot election. Unions would then use the extra dues money to give (directly or indirectly) to their Democrat friends.

In today’s Wall Street Journal, former Democratic Senator and 1972 Presidential nominee George McGovern came out in opposition of this bill (which has passed the House of Representatives). In a piece titled, “My Party Should Respect Secret Union Ballots,” he said, in part:

The key provision of EFCA is a change in the mechanism by which unions are formed and recognized. Instead of a private election with a secret ballot overseen by an impartial federal board, union organizers would simply need to gather signatures from more than 50% of the employees in a workplace or bargaining unit, a system known as "card-check." There are many documented cases where workers have been pressured, harassed, tricked and intimidated into signing cards that have led to mandatory payment of dues.

Under EFCA, workers could lose the freedom to express their will in private, the right to make a decision without anyone peering over their shoulder, free from fear of reprisal.

Now you know why I tend to use the term “left-wing” rather than “liberal” to describe our friends in the Democratic Party. Given how they are losing in the marketplace of ideas over the long term, the only way they can keep any semblance of power is via intimidation.

By the way, the Democratic candidate for Virginia’s 11th Congressional District, Gerry Connolly, also supports this legislation, and Senator Jim Webb has co-sponsored it in the U.S. Senate. It’s nice to know that Mark Warner, Gerry Connolly, and Jim Webb are more out of the mainstream than George McGovern. Warner claims to be a "radical moderate?" I find that Astounding!

Warner and Connolly Support Compulsory Union Membership

Secret Ballots for Me, but not for Thee

Hat tip: Anonymous Is a Woman

I do not normally link to my fellow bloggers on the left side of the political spectrum, but in this case I wanted to thank Karen of Anonymous is a Woman for posting this information. At a recent AFL-CIO Fourth of July picnic, Democratic Senate candidate Mark Warner endorsed the (“exquisitely mistitled, in the words of George Will) “Employee Free Choice Act,” which is a union-backed ploy to intimidate workers into approving labor unions in the workplace (cosponsored by Senator Jim Webb among others). AIAW also indicated that 11th CD Democratic candidate Gerry Connolly supports this legislation.

The proposed legislation, which has already failed in the current Congress, has a provision called “card check” While its left-wing supporters give the usual heart-felt speeches about how it gives workers a “choice” about whether or not to join a union without those eeeeeeevil bosses interfering with their decisions, it in fact allows unions to organize a workplace without a secret ballot. Employees must publicly declare support or opposition to unionization, and thus be subjected to notorious labor union harassment and intimidation techniques.

Karen helpfully posted a link to an AFL-CIO web page that claimed that 60% of workers would join a union if they just had the chance. Well, heck, I say, give them a secret ballot and let’s have a vote! Isn’t it ironic that politicians who are elected via secret ballot want to take that right away from American workers?

We all know the real reason for this – labor unions in the private sector have declined in membership for years. The unions need coerced dues money for political purposes (er, to contribute to worthy non-profits) to push their left-wing agenda. The old generation of union organizers and union members has been dying off, thus leading to labor’s desperation. In addition, free market ideas concerning portability of benefits, personal retirement accounts, and school choice (not to mention legacy costs imposed on stockholders and taxpayers by the union agreements of old) have helped demonstrate to a more mobile society that the bureaucratic power of union leaders is outmoded and even counterproductive.

In many ways, I do feel sorry having to write this. My grandfather, a 1930s era card-carrying communist, was a union organizer. I know enough history to realize that unions did play a role in getting workers safer working conditions in many occupations. Many unionized workers do believe in doing good work for their employers and customers. However, the same 1930s mentality contains an overly adversarial relationship that only hurts employers and workers. Unfortunately, the strong-arm tactics that have persisted throughout the years have only made the “On the Waterfront” image of the unions persist.

I realize that Karen and I will disagree on the intent and outcome of the card check legislation, but I thought that this issue deserved (some admittedly backhanded) publicity. So Karen, I do respect your opinion.

By the way, I also hope that Mark Warner, Gerry Connolly, and other Democrats advertise loudly their support for this legislation. The bloggers who support these candidates should do all they can to spread the word as well, and post more videos just like Karen did. Maybe the candidates will post them on their web sites. With any luck, 11th CD Republican nominee Keith Fimian and the Republican Senate nominee, former Governor Gilmore, will help voters understand the agenda of the Democrats as well.

For those of you in other States, please remember that your Democratic candidates most likely support the same legislation. It is your duty to find out.

Make Jimmy Ride the Bus!

Hat tip: Riley, Not O'Reilly

Jim Webb votes against protection from nuisance lawsuits against anti-terrorism tipsters.

What also funny is how these limo leftists never take public transporation, either. Or even look into it, for that matter. See, if Virginia's junior Senator bothered looking at the web (not Webb) page of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, he might have found the safety brochure with these important statements:

“If you see someone acting suspiciously, find an unattended package or witness anything unusual, stay away from it and tell the bus operator, train operator or station manager immediately.”

AND

“Recent events make it even more important for you to be our partners in safety. Show your patriotism by helping us keep Metro safe and secure.” [Emphasis added.]

Let's just say that allowing nuisance lawsuits does not help "keep Metro safe and secure."

So now Jim Webb (and his left-wing Democrat-ICK cohorts) is unpatriotic by Metro's standards?