The REAL Reason Unions Show Up at Town Halls!

HotAir ^ | 8-24-09 | Ed Morrissey

[kozanne]

Why unions are “Astroturfing” health-care town halls posted at 2:18 pm on August 24, 2009 by Ed Morrissey Share on Facebook | regular view

After enraged constituents started showing up at Congressional town-hall forums to oppose ObamaCare, the unions acted quickly to counterdemonstrate on behalf of the Democratic agenda item. In at least one case, union representatives used violence to intimidate and harrass ObamaCare opponents. The same union, which represents a large percentage of government workers and would be presumably immune from any health-care reform action, issued memos demanding volunteers to “drown out” opposition to ObamaCare. But why?

This report from the Detroit Free Press explains that the unions have a good reason — actually, ten billion good reasons:

Antilabor forces say it’s welfare for the UAW and Democrats’ union allies. Labor supporters say it falls short of what’s needed as tens of thousands of union members are pushed into early retirement as employers cut back health care coverage.

They’re both talking about a $10-billion provision tucked deep inside thousands of pages of health care overhaul bills that could help the UAW’s retiree health-care plan and other union-backed plans.

It would see the government — at least temporarily — pay 80 cents on the dollar to corporate and union insurance plans for claims between $15,000 and $90,000 for retirees age 55 to 64. …

Greg Mourad of the National Right to Work Committee called it “a shameless case of political payback,” saying Democrats and President Barack Obama are trying “to force the rest of us to pay billions to cover those unions’ health care.”

The money will be yet another bailout of Detroit, although the Obama administration and the Democrats have it flying under the radar, buried in HR3200: Thanks to Detroit’s twin auto bankruptcies and other concessions, the UAW’s voluntary employee benefit association, or VEBA, had to take stock of unknown value for $24 billion in claims, while adding thousands of early retirees to its rolls.

Outside experts estimate the funds have about 30 cents in cash for every dollar of future claims, with no guarantee of what its stock assets will be worth. Lance Wallach, a New York-based VEBA expert, says if the funds “don’t get something, they’re out of business in 12 years.” …

Key provisions in House and Senate proposals set aside $10 billion to pay some claims for early retirees covered by employers and VEBAs, before other cost-saving measures kick in. Critics call it a union giveaway, but the union says the money would keep companies from further slashing coverage.

That’s explicitly a bailout. It comes on the heels of tens of billions of dollars committed to GM and Chrysler, as well as politically-motivated bankruptcies that violated the rights of senior creditors in favor of the unions.

The unions have overcommitted and underresourced their health plans, and now Congress wants to surreptitiously bail them out from bankruptcy — all while making them more or less immune from the restrictions in the rest of the bill.

That $10,000,000,000 bailout certainly gives the unions a big incentive to crack heads and intimidate people into retreat on ObamaCare, doesn’t it? That’s the granddaddy of all Astroturfing efforts.

Update: My friend Warner Todd Huston wrote about this almost two weeks ago — be sure to read it.

[kozanne]

I seldom start threads here, but I felt this information was too important not to pass around. Something to take to your town hall meeting if you want.

[Aevery_Freeman]

Q: How can you tell Grassroots from AstroTurf?

A: Look for the Union label.

[Jeff Head]

Here's where you find the provision:

Section 164 Page 65: Taxpayers will subsidize a retiree reinsurance health fund up to 10 billion dollars to assist participating employment-based plans (unions, community organizers, etc.) with the cost of providing health benefits to retirees and to eligible spouses, surviving spouses and dependents of such retirees

Download it as a PDF and read it. Also read what the architect says...what his thoughs and beliefs are and what will surely be indirectly written into the bill and implemented over time.

The slumbering giant is stirring.

EZEKIEL EMANUEL AND OBAMA HEALTH CARE
(Must Read - Shocking, cited quotes by Emanuel)

OBAMA HEALTH CARE BY THE NUMBERS

OBAMA'S BRIDGE TOO FAR

A PETITION ON FACEBOOK FOR CONSTITUTIONAL RESTORATION

A 4TH OF JULY TEA PARTY SPEECH

[hoosiermama]

Have a eighbor who is a member. He says they show up because they are on the clock. Clock in and are bussed out, clock out on their return. Paid to demonstrate.

[kozanne]

It just makes me sick on so many levels. Of all the things you think the President of the United States might be, sneaky, corrupt and deceptive are not often part of that description.

But the exception is becoming the rule now. The important thing is that we tell EVERYBODY the truth.

[kcvl]

They’re both talking about a $10-billion provision tucked deep inside thousands of pages of health care overhaul bills that could help the UAW’s retiree health-care plan and other union-backed plans.

[HiTech RedNeck]

On the clock of what, Obama Motors?

[HiTech RedNeck]

And Sebelius is publicly egging them on. What’s in this for her?

[Choose Ye This Day]

Follow the money.

That’s why Obama wanted to rush and ram this thing through without any debate or scrutiny. He didn’t want to give citizens time to follow the money.

[MsLady]

I suspected as much. Just like the Acorn crowds they bus in. Some of those poor saps are probably just that. Poor and someone’s offering a bus ride, food and a little money.

[boxerblues]

bump for later

[MsLady]

Makes me wonder if he’s even running the show. Who’s behind all these ginormous bills? Who’s writing them? How did they make them all up so fast. Cap and trade, health care....yada yada.

[dr_who]

Post as much as you want!

[Paperdoll]

Yup. It’s all staged for The One. His Town Halls give his campaign workers the questions he wants to answer. Other Town Halls have handpicked attendees for the most part, and short shrift is given to the opposition. Why they don’t realize how transparent this is, I fail to understand. Maybe they will realize it in 2010.

[Jenny217]

“Makes me wonder if he’s even running the show. Who’s behind all these ginormous bills? Who’s writing them? How did they make them all up so fast. Cap and trade, health care....yada yada.”

I certainly don’t think BHO is smart enough to be behind any of this, he’s nothing more than a figurehead, empty suit, place holder. If he were the mastermind he’d do a better job selling his snake oil. He’s an epic fail if I ever saw one.

[Fiddlstix]

The Purple People Beaters
Click Above For Link To The Thread


Click The Pic

The Purple People Beater (sung to the tune of The Purple People Eater)

Well I saw the thing comin’ out of the left
It wore a union label, and yelled a threat
I commenced to shakin’ and I said “ooh-eee”
It looks like a purple beater to me

It was a S E I U union purple people beater
(S E I U union purple people beater)
A democrat, left-wing, union purple people beater
Sure looks strange to me

Well he came into town and he came up to me
I said Mr. Purple People Beater, don’t beat me
I heard him say in a voice so gruff
I wouldn’t beat you cuz you’re too tough

It was a S E I U union purple people beater
(S E I U union purple people beater)
A democrat, left-wing, union purple people beater
Sure looks strange to me

I said Mr. Purple People Beater, what’s your line
He said it’s beatin’ honest people and it sure is fine
But that’s not the reason that I came to land
I wanna beat people for Obama my man

Well bless my soul, pipe and club, union purple people beater
Weather underground, union purple people beater
(S E I U)
Union purple people beater
Sure looks strange to me

And then he swung his fists knocking people to the ground
He started to fight, kicking people around
He sung a crazy ditty as he swung his fists
Singing boop boop aboopa lopa lum bam boom

Well bless my soul, pipe and club, union purple people beater
Weather underground, union purple people beater
(S E I U)
Union purple people beater
Sure looks strange to me

And then he went on his way, and then what do ya know
I saw him last night on a TV show
He was fighting it out, a’really knockin’ em dead
Pushing down old ladys and kickin’ them in the the head

(clarinet solo)

Tequila


Posted By FReeper: Brookhaven

Click Here For:
The Original Purple People Eater

[MsLady]

I don't think Obama is dumb by any means, but, there is no way he could come up with these kinds of bills this fast. He's most definitely not running the show.

The thing that bothers me the most is how many in congress are willing to just sign something they haven't even read.

[guitarplayer1953]

The same people who wrote the patriot act.

[freekitty]

But, but if the Unions are going to be put on the good plan that Congress thinks it is too; why would they care?

[SunkenCiv]

Why unions are "Astroturfing" health-care town halls