The Right-Wing Network Behind the War on Unions

[L. Coyote]

The Right-Wing Network Behind the War on Unions
— By Andy Kroll
Mon Apr. 25, 2011 12:01 AM PDT - http://motherjones.com/politics/2011/04/state-policy-network-union-bargaining?page=1


From New Hampshire to Alaska, Republican lawmakers are waging war on organized labor. They're pushing bills to curb, if not eliminate, collective bargaining for public workers; make it harder for unions to collect member dues; and, in some states, allow workers to opt out of joining unions entirely but still enjoy union-won benefits. All told, it's one of the largest assaults on American unions in recent history.

Behind the onslaught is a well-funded network of conservative think tanks that you've probably never heard of. Conceived by the same conservative ideologues who helped found the Heritage Foundation, the State Policy Network (SPN) is a little-known umbrella group with deep ties to the national conservative movement. Its mission is simple: to back a constellation of state-level think tanks loosely modeled after Heritage that promote free-market principles and rail against unions, regulation, and tax increases. By blasting out policy recommendations and shaping lawmakers' positions through briefings and private meetings, these think tanks cultivate cozy relationships with GOP politicians. And there's a long tradition of revolving door relationships between SPN staffers and state governments. While they bill themselves as independent think tanks, SPN's members frequently gather to swap ideas. "We're all comrades in arms," ....

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[Hestia]

1. I really think people are no longer being dazzled by these "policies"

Just talked to a guy yesterday who came in to discuss his parents Medicare and get a form notarized and he was really talking about all this crap coming down from the 'pugs. He was especially worried about our age group (less than 55 but more than 50) who were being pushed out of Medicare. He comes from one of the monied families here in this small town. They've tried to glamour us with all this bullcrap - the one thing about glamours is they can't last long. People are waking up, just not sure what to do.

[L. Coyote]

2. KICKING

[malaise]

3. Kick

Maybe you should repost this so we can get it to the greatest page

sp