The Right To Work issue will be all over the news in then next week. It is expected that Speaker O’Brien will attempt to override the Governor’s Veto of Right To Work (HB 474) on Wednesday. Not only is the the Veto override possible the Speaker using his position to open the NH House Floor to people who would not normally be allowed to speak. The Speaker has invited the Republican Primary Candidates to speak at the State House on Wednesday as well. I think I can even guess what will be said, Because they have all said it before!
Governor Romney will say: “If I were a voter, I’d encourage state representatives, state senators and the governor to do whatever is necessary to make New Hampshire a right-to-work state to create more jobs for the people of New Hampshire.” (1) Even though he never once pushed the idea of Right To Work as Governor of Massachusetts. Governor Romney has already pledged to pass legislation that would inhibit Unions from contributing to political campaigns (3).
Governor Perry will say: “Right to Work is not an anti-union bill, it is a pro-jobs bill. . . . And our friends who have chosen to be in unions, they’ll have more access to more jobs.” (3). Even though Right To Work does not create jobs, it has nothing with do job creation, and it will not allow Union members more access to jobs.
Congressman Paul will say: “Passing a National Right to Work law . . . will help shrink Big Government,” Paul wrote, followed by “I was very happy to see that the New Hampshire General Court is still battling for passage of a state Right to Work law (and) my hope is Right to Work will become reality in New Hampshire…” How is an anti-union bill going to shrink the Government. Simple, less Unions to protect the workers and that means it is easier to fire workers. Then after you fire all the workers you will have a smaller government.
Congresswoman Bachmann will say something like; I supported a National Right To Work bill before and I will do it again! (Bachmann supports RTW).
I will also bet that at least one of the GOP Candidates will say: (The Bureau of Labor Statistics says) “Right to Work states gained 3.6 million jobs during the past decade, while the other 28 lost 900,000 jobs.” (4)
What they are not telling you is that “More people might be working, opponents say, but they are working for lower wages and fewer benefits. According to an Economic Policy Institute paper from February, wages in states with Right to Work laws are 3.2 percent lower than in those without – even when adjusted for jobs and costs of living – and the rates of employer-sponsored health insurance and pension plans are lower as well (by 2.6 and 4.8 percentage points, respectively)(4).”
While I may not have any real clairvoyant skills I can read the writing on the wall. Speaker Bill O’Brien is bringing in the “Big Guns” to try to pass his anti-union anti-worker bill. By bringing in these people O’Brien will hopefully do two things: Inspire the other GOP members by making the feel in “ah” of the big boys and girls of the party. O’Briens hope is that these big names can sway the members of the GOP who are against HB 474. His other hope is that the House Democrats will be so disgusted with the GOP propaganda durning the session that they will leave (even temporarily) so he can call the vote.
I do not for a second think that the New Hampshire State Democrats are going to fall for these obvious games the Speaker is pulling. If you are one of the State Reps who oppose Right To Work, STAY STRONG! BE DILIGENT! Know that what you are doing is the best thing for New Hampshire. One last thing, BRING LOTS OF TUMS. My stomach is churning just thinking about it!
