My Post-Union Election Update

I attended the first union meeting tonight since losing the election in December. As some of you already know, I lost by 13 votes. Too close for a few in my chapter apparently. Come to find out, the current officers decided to add a prerequisite for the president’s seat only. In order to run, a person must attend, and complete the Job Steward’s training. Yup, never mind the four-year degrees in English and Business. Just complete 16 hours of semi-brain washing from the punch drinkers in the C.S.E.A. that can’t tolerate a conservative’s views or ideas. Needles to say, that if more people like me were running the union for the past 25 years, we would not be in the mess we now find ourselves.

I can’t wait to inform every chapter member possible tomorrow about this “Event”. I figure it will open the eyes of those who chose not to vote in this past election. I also heard several times how some who did not vote for me, would have voted for me if I had taken the classes. Funny thing is, I completed the first level of training several years ago, but the Union decided to change the length of the courses, so I have to re-take the first stage again! So it looks like a win-win for me. Whether I take the courses or not, I will win.

My Stuff So Don’t Steal It

I have noticed that my post about my run for president of my local union is generating a lot of hits. Thanks to Word Press, I can trace many of these to my area. Which is awesome! Thing is, I know that there are a few people who dislike me, and my views so much, that they are willing to lie about me in every way. To these folks I will say once again;

“The re-printing of this letter is the sole property of John David Heaton III; aka The Conservative Hillbilly. It may not be re-printed or distributed without my permission. If you are a part of my anti-fan club, and try to screw with me or my material, I will kick your ass only in court, if you are lucky and I am in a good mood:)”

If, by chance, it is someone who works in my district, I will also contact the proper people in personnel.

What is amazing to me is the lack of civility and abundance of ignorance displayed by some who disagree with me. I can disagree with someone, but have a beer with them after all is said and done.

Rebuttal To CSEA’s President Alan D. Clark

Every month C.S.E.A. members receive a magazine entitled “FOCUS”. The reality is, it should be called “Out Of Focus”.

Let me start with the first few lines of his message. “In two weeks, the future of education and our rights to participate in political action will be decided.” Really, the “future of education.?” If this was the case, the C.S.E.A. would stop endorsing candidates that drive up the cost of doing business in California, and thus driving them out-of-state. And how are our “rights” going to be denied? We, as a union, won’t be forced to have our money spent on people and propositions that we do not agree with, and do our union more harm than good.

It gets better: “We have been working for months to educate our members and the public about what is at stake on Nov.6.” Translation, we have been blowing millions of dollars trying to convince people that raising taxes will help get us out of this financial mess. Sorry, taking more from the working population of California is a pay cut. And the C.S.E.A.’s top brass has been misleading its members for years. Once again, look at where we are and who has been in power in Sacramento for over thirty years?

Mr. Clark states; ” Proposition 30…stops $6 billion in cuts to education this year and stabilizes education funding for the next six years while our economy recovers.” Really? It raises our taxes this year, and for the next six years. Yup,the same plan that has brought us to the financial mess we are now in. How about asking Sacramento to cut spending, cut taxes, and bring companies to California? That’s right, the C.S.E.A does not support candidates and props that do these things.

O.K., now for more ridiculous claims by Mr. Clark; Prop 32…..,is a blatant attempt to silence our voices,strip us of our free speech rights, and if passed, will only be the beginning of attacks on collective bargaining, pensions and our rights as working men and women.” This is just too easy to disprove. How are our voices being “silenced”? They are not, each C.S.E.A member has the right to vote for, or against any person or prop. We have the right to give money to support any person or prop. We should not have our dues going to people and props that we disagree with Mr. Clark. Talk about silencing voices? The C.S.E.A.’s leadership “silences” the conservative voices quite well. As for collective bargaining? Read the words of F.D.R.:

“All Government employees should realize that the process of collective bargaining, as usually understood, cannot be transplanted into the public service. It has its distinct and insurmountable limitations when applied to public personnel management. The very nature and purposes of government make it impossible for administrative officials to represent fully or to bind the employer in mutual discussions with government employee organizations. The employer is the whole people, who speak by means of laws enacted by their representatives in Congress. Accordingly, administrative officials and employees alike are governed and guided, and in many instances restricted, by laws which establish policies, procedures, or rules in personnel matters. Particularly, I want to emphasize my conviction that militant tactics have no place in the functions of any organization of government employees. Upon employees in the Federal service rests the obligation to serve the whole people, whose interests and welfare require orderliness and continuity in the conduct of government activities. This obligation is paramount. Since their own services have to do with the functioning of the Government, a strike of public employees manifests nothing less than an intent on their part to prevent or obstruct the operations of Government until their demands are satisfied. Such action, looking toward the paralysis of Government by those who have sworn to support it, is unthinkable and intolerable.”
As for pensions and benefits? Folks who work in the private sector wish they had our deal! These pensions are guaranteed by the state, and this is one more reason public sector unions should not be able to collectively bargain for pensions and benefits. Don’t misunderstand me, people who are currently receiving these benefits, and pensions, should be left alone. Going forward, new public union employees need to use their money, not the states, to provide for their golden years. They can band together and do this without state money.
Finally, because I am tired of taking apart Mr. Clark’s and the C.S.E.A’s propaganda, I will end on this quote; ” This election is not about right or left, but Right and Wrong.” I just have to agree with this. The “Right” is right, and the “Left” is wrong.

I am finding growing support in my bid for my chapter’s presidency. Some of the people are seeing the hypocrisy and the lack of respect for rules and civility, and are coming to my support. I may, or may not win, but I have some folks questioning our union’s leadership. This is a start!