Victor Fazio: “Several weeks ago, Congress overwhelmingly rejected a bid by right-wing foundations and corporate interests that would…”

“Several weeks ago, Congress overwhelmingly rejected a bid by right-wing foundations and corporate interests that would have tilted the political balance in America. By an overwhelming bipartisan vote, the House defeated a bill that included language similar to the Proposition 226 ballot initiative in California. Funded by extreme out-of-state interest groups and large corporate donors, this California initiative is part of a national campaign by ultraconservative groups. Their goal: to weaken the role of working men and women who oppose their right-wing views on issues such as the Patient Protection Act, or HMO reform, increasing the minimum wage, and reforming social security. This attempt to dilute the political power of union members, sometimes called 'paycheck protection' but more aptly named 'paycheck deception', failed in Congress; and it should fail in California as well. Despite the rhetoric we heard on the floor last night, big business already outspends labor by an 11-1 margin. Prop 226 would likely give big business even greater political advantage. Fellow Californians, vote no on Prop 226 on June 2.”