🚀 go-pugleaf

Hello Merlin.

>> You write: "Tell it to the Teamsters."

The AFL-CIO already knows.

>> You write: "You've pretty much got it backwards.  It is the line officers
who are union members, and the chiefs who are anti-union because the union
wants to interfere with decisions on raises, promotions, policies, etc. If
the unions that represent police (as distinct from groups like the IACP,
which represent chiefs) are pro-gun-control, it's not because they reflect
the views of the chiefs.  In my ciy, the police association and its
president are often at severe odds with the chief and the mayor."

Like the FOP, IACP is a political animal. It curries favor the the party
that represents them. It is generally true that the Chief of Police will be
at odds with the FOP, but strangely they agree upon gun control, even if the
vast majority of rank and file police officers don't. I already know why the
FOP marches lockstep with gun-control activists - the are in bed with the
Democratic Party. It is much less clear why the IACP is generally in favor
of gun control, except that a great many city managers, mayors, and city
councilmen favor gun control, whereas the Chief of Police reports to them.

>> You ask: "Who elects those union and association executives, anyway??"

Rank and file union members, of course. However, gun control is not an issue
that plays any part of the election process. With the local, it is all about
pay raises, benefits, and job security, spiced liberally with insider
politics. This I am quite familiar with. In addition, many local union
presidents use their position as a starting point to launch their own public
political careers.

>> You state: "If you live in a state where unions have more power than
(other) lobbyists, you are just about unique"

Hardly. The AFL-CIO collected (e.g., embezzled) 15� per paycheck (where
union dues were collected) from each and every union member, nationwide, for
almost an entire year in order to raise $35 million for the Democratic
Party. Very few lobbies can match this level of fundraising for campaign
contributions.

Cordially,

George T. Kramer

"Don't Tread On Me!"