Cass Ballenger: “I want to talk about the ultimate in special interest money and soft money. Much has been written in the press about the…”

“I want to talk about the ultimate in special interest money and soft money. Much has been written in the press about the partisan politics surrounding the issue of mandatory union dues. And to be sure, there is a political aspect to this issue as there is to virtually every issue we deal with here in Congress. But, as the House considers the Worker Right to Know Act, which is included in this campaign finance reform bill, I believe it is important our colleagues understand that this issue involves a good deal more than partisan politics. It is not just about Democrats versus Republicans or labor versus management. And, it is not about union-bashing. When we get right down to it, this is an issue about basic fairness. For instance, is it fair that any union member should automatically have money deducted from his or her paycheck to pay for political candidates or causes with which they do not agree? Is it fair that a union member should have to battle his or her union in order to object to the union's spending of dues for political purposes? And, if he or she does object, is it fair that a union member be subjected to harassment from the union, or worse, the threat of losing his or her job? And, finally, is it fair that a union member should have to resign from his or her union and give up all rights to participate in important workplace matters, simply because he or she does not agree with union politics? I certainly do not think so, Mr.…”