Big Public Labor Union Spends Big for Dems, Against GOP
In 2010, AFSCME reported spending $13 million independently on the elections, the sixth-most of any outside group and second-most of any labor union that cycle. About 80 percent of the union’s independent expenditures went toward opposing Republican congressional candidates while the other 20 percent was spent supporting Democrats.
By Adam Wollner at OpenSecrets.org
Lee Saunderswas chosen to succeed outgoing President Gerry McEntee, who had held the position since 1981. Under his watch, AFSCME — the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees — was one of the nation’s most politically active labor unions. In 2010, AFSCME reported spending $13 million independently on the elections, the sixth-most of any outside group and second-most of any labor union that cycle. About 80 percent of the union’s independent expenditures went toward opposing Republican congressional candidates while the other 20 percent was spent supporting Democrats.
Saunders will look to provide a much-needed boost for organized labor following a devastating defeat in the Wisconsin gubernatorial recall election and an increasingly unfavorable overall political landscape. On top of that, the Supreme Court dealt a big blow to public employee unions with a decision on Thursday. Nevertheless, unions will also be asked to help pick up the fundraising slack of Democratic super PACs, who have been vastly outpaced by conservative outside groups this cycle.
Editor’s note:
In June 2010 we pointed out data from OpenSecrets.org that shows how Democrats are owned by big labor unions.
Consider:
The best government money can buy -top 20 public sector union paid politicians
This is a list of the 20 legislators who have received the most funds from public sector unions. Now you see why unions which make up only 12% of the work force get 100% of the favors from Democrats.
Hoyer, Steny H (D-MD) $1,017,978
Kildee, Dale E (D-MI) $608,789
Obey, David R (D-WI) $574,400
Pomeroy, Earl (D-ND) $551,706
Ackerman, Gary (D-NY) $537,400
Frost, Martin (D-TX) $534,761
Levin, Sander (D-MI) $519,975
DeLauro, Rosa L (D-CT) $505,050
Slaughter, Louise M (D-NY) $500,270
Waxman, Henry A (D-CA) $494,415
Rangel, Charles B (D-NY) $493,150
Bonior, David E (D-MI) $491,466
Pelosi, Nancy (D-CA) $488,500
Evans, Lane (D-IL) $486,240
Abercrombie, Neil (D-HI) $482,680
Edwards, Chet (D-TX) $479,506
Pallone, Frank Jr (D-NJ) $470,600
Hill, Baron (D-IN) $445,750
Gephardt, Richard A (D) $444,800
Lampson, Nick (D-TX) $434,400
And remember all the money from public sector unions comes from tax payers who pay the salaries of the union workers whose dues are then confiscated by the unions for buying politicians to support the unions.
What happens when you count just industrial unions?
Gephardt, Richard A (D) $559,409
Bonior, David E (D-MI) $553,420
Green, Gene (D-TX) $551,750
Strickland, Ted (D-OH) $508,894
Levin, Sander (D-MI) $501,214
Holden, Tim (D-PA) $496,425
Brown, Sherrod (D-OH) $493,056
Kildee, Dale E (D-MI) $491,312
Costello, Jerry F (D-IL) $473,700
Abercrombie, Neil (D-HI) $464,710
Visclosky, Pete (D-IN) $462,800
Frost, Martin (D-TX) $461,198
Kaptur, Marcy (D-OH) $458,310
Obey, David R (D-WI) $452,900
Pomeroy, Earl (D-ND) $449,662
Thompson, Bennie G (D-MS) $448,314
Lampson, Nick (D-TX) $446,100
Evans, Lane (D-IL) $444,710
Stupak, Bart (D-MI) $443,000
Gordon, Bart (D-TN) $442,250
Gee, do we see a pattern here? How about when you just count building trade unions?
Abercrombie, Neil (D-HI) $585,900
Pallone, Frank Jr (D-NJ) $555,575
Holden, Tim (D-PA) $514,169
Gephardt, Richard A (D) $504,579
Levin, Sander (D-MI) $485,015
Miller, George (D-CA) $460,000
Hoyer, Steny H (D-MD) $455,720
Obey, David R (D-WI) $447,750
Hill, Baron (D-IN) $446,550
Sanchez, Loretta (D-CA) $445,400
Andrews, Robert E (D-NJ) $433,623
Evans, Lane (D-IL) $432,000
Kildee, Dale E (D-MI) $424,671
Visclosky, Pete (D-IN) $419,990
LoBiondo, Frank A (R-NJ) $419,799
Pelosi, Nancy (D-CA) $411,450
Payne, Donald M (D-NJ) $407,160
Bonior, David E (D-MI) $403,420
Boswell, Leonard L (D-IA) $402,050
Edwards, Chet (D-TX) $400,150
I’ll let you do the math but as you can see your supposed representatives in congress are bought and paid for by unions. I’ll bet if you sit down and check, the legislators with the most union contributions are from the most bankrupt states. This is ‘progressive’ government at its finest.
Source for these figures is opensecrets.org. Its a great eye opening web site to spend a little time on. See who is buying your legislator.
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