More on the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
Building on earlier post - where we discussed Labor Unions contributing money to Randy Kuhl when Randy’s votes don’t support union objectives. The original post discussed the “Enterprise award” an award given by U.S. Chamber of Congress lobbying group for support of its agenda.
Well - Randy does not stand alone.
From our area - Tom Reynolds and Jim Walsh have earned that achievement as well as several other Republican House members from NY by supporting the U.S. CofC lobbying group on key votes at least 70% of the time.
From 2006, the 109th Congress - (if they are not part of the 110th Congress they are lined out). The rest of the list is here The scores are here. Locally, Randy and Tom rate 100% Jim is @ 79%. Louise is at 15%.
New York (>70% on key votes)
Rep. Peter King (NY-3)
Rep. Vito Fossella (NY-13)
Rep. John Sweeney (NY-20)
Rep. John McHugh (NY-23)
Rep. Sherry Boehlert (NY-24)
Rep. Jim Walsh (NY-25)
Rep. Thomas Reynolds (NY-26)
Rep. Randy Kuhl (NY-29)
In case you are interested in the Senate notables (%)- Lieberman (44), Schumer (64), Clinton (67), Obama (55), Biden (45) Dodd (42), Feingold (25) and Bryd (25). Like the others here, Edwards did not score above 70% so no Enterprise award for him either. Note: I couldn’t find his score so all I can say is that it is <70%).
Why would a Union contribute to a candidate that supports the aims of this group?
What are the 2007 labor priorities again? (these are different than the key votes)
o Oppose expanding workplace laws and craft alternatives when necessary.
o Aggressively oppose union-backed proposals to increase the minimum wage and abolish secret ballot elections in favor of card check majorities for union recognition.
o Oppose any efforts to expand Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) leave or mandate paid sick leave.
o Block attempts to increase penalties for criminal violations of OSHA.
o Continue to expose unreasonable union organization tactics such as salting and corporate campaigns.
o Protect the use of binding arbitration in employment.
o Aggressively advocate for pro-employer provisions in priority international labor and employment policy proposals.
o Continue to push for a reasonable application of the revised Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility guidelines.
o Advocate narrow, pro-employer provisions and changes to employment laws through legislative and regulatory actions, including reforming the wage and hour and occupational safety and health laws, the FMLA, and the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs’ implementing regulations.
Great catch.
Here’s my answer: the micro-agenda of the union conflicts with the macro-agenda of unions in general. Example: The ironworkers want more money spent on projects were their tradesmen are employed. Kuhl’s on the transportation and infrastructure committee. So he gets some money so the ironworkers get some access for some of their pet projects.
John McCain might be wrong about Iraq, but he’s right when he says that money is at the bottom of the problems in DC.
So does that make it right?
Well, the woman who wanted everyone to eat cake also said this after it all caught up to her in the end.
“I was a queen, and you took away my crown; a wife, and you killed my husband; a mother, and you deprived me of my children. My blood alone remains: take it, but do not make me suffer long”
So - Single issue groups need to look at the broader picture as to who best advocates the bulk of their positions. If they don’t, they can only hope that in the end - their suffering is swiftly ended.
Oh- John McCain (he, like Randy, is a 100%er from US CofC) doesn’t have an exclusive on saying money is the root of the problem in DC. No mention of Feingold?
McCain is wrong on a lot of things not just Iraq.
No, it doesn’t make it right. I just answered the question you posed. Unfortunately, I think many unions don’t serve their membership well, for a host of complex reasons.
Also, it’s OK to say that a Republican did a good thing once in a while. McCain’s support of finance reform is a good thing. So is Feingold’s.
but he’s right when he says that money is at the bottom of the problems in DC.
Really going out on a limb there, Rotten.
I’m edgy like that.
Redirecting here.
The point of this post is to expand the view beyond the 29th district and low and behold others in addition to Randy earned the US CofC awards. I’m sure I’ll discover that Labor contributes to Reynolds and Walsh as well when I look.
This post has nothing to do with John McCain. Nor does it have anything to do with saying nice things about Republicans. A stopped watch is right 2 twice a day.
My point is this - Context is important here. Sure McCain was a strong advocate of CFR. Where is he on CMCE? Trouble is without Feingold - there is no McCain Feingold bill. I have to look but the bill is a start and not as strong as it could be.
He also has a carefully crafted Maverick image and as the curtain on McCains maverick status is pulled back we discover there really isn’t one. Like I said he is wrong on many things Iraq is but one of them.
I believe in Credit where credit is due. I’ve written I like Maggie’s computer recycling policy. However, I wonder how long it will last and from an operational issue how it can be done better.
I’ve written that I liked Randy Kuhl when he wrote the a letter to the SecDef Gates about stop loss. OK - But where was that letter before there was a Democratic controlled congress?
However - Back to the watch metaphor - does a broken watch get credit for being correct twice a day?
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