Posted on 09/30/2005 8:42:07 AM PDT by NormsRevenge
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Actor-director Rob Reiner campaigned Thursday against Proposition 75, a ballot initiative pushed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger that would require public employee unions to get permission to use members' dues for political purposes.
Reiner, a Democrat and longtime political activist often mentioned as a potential challenger to Schwarzenegger, told an audience that Prop. 75, known as "paycheck protection" by its supporters, was designed purely to stifle political speech.
"The things I care about - education, health care, energy, environment - I need, we all need, to have everybody's voice heard," Reiner told a small audience of teachers, nurses and other activists. "If a democracy is to work properly, we must not, we dare not, have any voice suppressed."
Supporters of Prop. 75 complain that the state's major government unions - especially the powerful California Teachers Association - wield too much influence over the Democrat-controlled Legislature.
Eric Beach, a spokesman for the Prop. 75 campaign, said if Reiner were concerned about the "voices" of working people, he would want them to be able to choose whether to give their money to political causes.
"Why would Mr. Reiner or any of his union friends not want to give everyday workers a voice?" Beach said. "Paycheck protection is a simple concept - give workers a right to choose how their political dues are spent, and stop taking money from members without asking permission."
Unions have spent nearly $50 million so far to kill Prop. 75 and several other "year of reform" initiatives Schwarzenegger has placed on a special election ballot Nov. 8.
Several audience members spoke, including one woman who beseeched Reiner to challenge Schwarzenegger next year.
"People want movie stars and television stars and however good (state Treasurer) Phil Angelides and (state Controller) Steve Westly are, the way to beat Arnold is with Rob Reiner and Warren Beatty," she said.
Reiner laughed but said nothing. Neither he nor fellow actor-director Beatty, who has become a vocal Schwarzenegger critic, have ruled out challenging the Republican governor, but neither is expected to run.
Aides say Reiner is focusing his political energies next year on passing a ballot measure to provide preschool to every California child.
Reiner starred as "Method" Mike Satiric in the 1970s television series "All in the Family." He went on to be an accomplished director of films including "When Harry Met Sally" and "A Few Good Men." His latest movie, "Rumor Has It," starring Jennifer Anniston, is coming out later this year.
If you're against asking permission, it's blatantly obvious you don't want them to know what you're doing with the money you extorted from the membership.
Hey, if the unionistas want this state to have to choose between two leftist celebrities for a dem Gubinatorial candidate, I say Bring It ON!
Beatty and Meathead! Maybe they could co-run on a ticket.
Looks like Meathead is back on the menu, boys.
thats what I thought too... wasn't it Stivek?)
It was Stivic. Some reporter should be embarrased.
Those piss ants wouldn't run because they would be exposed for the morons they are. Arnold was an athlete and a business man before he ever was an actor. He also has his own ideas and way of governing. Those other two just have liberal morons telling them what to say.
yeah.. they need a dictionary to know how to spell meathead, too LOL
What about protection of the political speech of the people from whom the dues are extracted, Meathead?
What if they don't agree with the union's political agenda?
Or is it only the speech of Demo(n)cRATS that needs protection?
Arnold for President. This guy has guts. Governator Bump.
Reiner loves it when someone else pays for his "political speech." That is the whole purpose of the media.
The last paragraph is like an obituary. Reiner is a has-been.
How are they suppose to embezzle union dues to carry out their liberal agenda? Think Arnold, think!
Oh wait, I see! he he he
"What if they don't agree with the union's political agenda?"
Most, if not all, state gov unions in CA have what is called "fair share", what this means is that you HAVE to pay the union dues whether you are a member or not for particular job classifications. You can, however, send your dues to a charity of your choice.
The Terminator's bill is a good one and I support it. The unions do not speak for all their members and should not use union dues for political purposes.
Nanny, Nanny Nanny State politics! Reiner, another gasbag overinflated with his sense of self!
How would you like it if I dictated how much money you donate and to which political causes it goes.
I think that would be great. No more FReepathons.
I was surprised today when i received an request for absentee ballot form from Arnold's campaign. Great brochure, made his point, and excellant method to get out the vote.
His staff appears to have their stuff together
And yet, that is *exactly what Rob " I'm a socialist traitor tyrant wanna-be" Reiner, wants to do! He wants to take peoples money, whether they want to give it to him or not, and use it for *his* communist ends. Sounds like *Taxationn without Representation!* to *me* Meathead...*you* may not remember your american history very well, having spent so many decades doing your best to rewrite it...But we americans don't *like* people who take our stuff, and use it against us....in fact we get quite hostlie about it, and start shooting and hanging the imperialists that try! Whether they are monarchial or fascist imperialists, or *Socialist* imperialists like ]*you* and the rest of your HollyPervert Mafia doofus comrades.
Editors have been replaced by spell checkers.
Wrong, but accurate spelling.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.