Posted on 05/18/2010 1:06:03 PM PDT by SmithL
From prison guards to teachers, organized labor wields influence over California politics like an iron pipe. In the Sacramento region, one group's clout rises above the others.
The Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 447 has poured hundreds of thousands of dollars into local campaigns over the years. They've groomed young candidates on utility boards, attacked mayoral hopefuls and given heavily to local Democratic organizations.
In the past three years, Local 447 has pumped $758,803 into area candidates, political committees and measure campaigns, records compiled by the secretary of state's office show. That's more than the region's two largest law enforcement unions, the firefighters union and the Sacramento Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce – combined.
Another $470,000 in plumber money has gone to groups and individuals outside the Sacramento region, from the Los Angeles County Democratic Party to candidates for the Half Moon Bay City Council.
"They will do what it takes to advance their agenda, and they're successful," said political strategist Doug Elmets. "If you're willing to cross them politically or from a policy standpoint, you're going to pay the price.
"Is that a good way to operate if you're an elected official? Probably not. But the reality is, that's politics."
(Excerpt) Read more at sacbee.com ...
But, cracks bound to appear, though....
Why dont they use some of the money to shore up the pensions?
This is why I keep plenty of Drano on hand.
Barney Fwank needs his pipe fitted
You can be the one to do that.
Something else that works on minor slow to drain problems, (and really good if you have small children) is to pour some baking soda in the drain, follow it with a healthy slug of vinegar and hold your hand over the drain to seal it and allow the slight pressure to force it open. (kids can eat baking soda or drink vinegar and walk away.)
Of course, this will not work with a sink full of dish water. Try a plunger.
Because they believe that an investment of their money today will bring them 10X the amount of your money tomorrow, courtesy of the government stealing your 401K money.
that’s not funny
sarc
it’s a Target Rich Environment here for scatalogical humor...
Suspiciously LARGE amount of money going to the school board (???) elections over there.
Wanna bet something more than plumbing repairs going on in those schools?
Because they believe that an investment of their money today will bring them 10X the amount of your money tomorrow, courtesy of the government stealing your 401K money.
Silly me.
We all need to start asking repairmen and the like if they belong to a union, and if so, which one, before hiring them. Tell them we’ll call them back once we’ve looked into their union’s political contributions, and that if they don’t hear back from us, they know why.
If we all began doing this, the unions would be de-politicized in short order, one way or another.
In California, I don't even know where you would find a union repair plumber.
I have never seen one in residential service work.
There is a time coming when money will NOT buy political office! It is almost here (internet) and will change things considerably.
Fitted?
More like wrenched.
elle bee bump
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