Taxpayers Vs. Public Employee Unions

Isn't it curious that public employee unions seem always supportive of higher taxes and more spending. The reasons behind this are somewhat obvious. The more money taken from taxpayers the more likely their employer (the government) will have money to fund even more benefits and higher salaries.

In the private sector businesses hope to increase their income through sales and services desired by the consumer. The big difference  is that business income is from the voluntary exchange with the consumer while government takes money by force. Put another way, the difference between a corporation, or other form of business, and government is guns. If a taxpayer doesn't turn over money to the government the government will take it by force. Using the force of government public employees unions see their own path to wealth and power. Here are examples:

•  California, 2004-Teachers Association, SEIU, Council of Community Health Agencies lead a successful $4.7 million dollar campaign to raise the state's income tax rates. They gave $2.3 million to that cause.
• Washington state, 2010-SEIU and the National Education Association donated $3.4 million to the campaign to impose an income tax in the state.
• New York state, 2008-09, United Teachers Union, the state's health care unions gave $1.75 million to launch a series of attack ads against cuts in medicaid and a cap on property taxes.
• Oregon, 2010-Oregon Education Association, SEIU contribute approximately $5.25 million to pass measures to raise business and income taxes.
• Arizona, 2010-teachers unions and public safety unions influential in supporting sales tax increase from 5.6% to 6.6%.

These are just a few state examples. There are many, many more. Consider your own community. How about nationally? Public Unions are among the biggest players. The Center for Responsive Politics reports the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) has been the third biggest contributor to federal campaigns for the past 20 years. The National Education Association is number 8, the SEIU is number 10. These organizations fund campaigns knowing the results will lead to higher taxes and more power to influence further elections.

I'm still searching for those campaigns that ask for lower taxes and less spending supported by the public employee unions. Whose side are these unions on anyway?  Not the taxpayers!