The Conspiracy Fact

Not only did we get the attention
of Gingrich and Lott —
we provoked their anger as well.

By Gerald W. McEntee

Rarely are conspiracy theories proven to be true. Countless books, television shows and movies chronicle the conspiracy theories surrounding the assassination of JFK, the mysterious crash at Roswell, N.M., and the super secret "Area 51."

But there is one conspiracy which is pure fact — and unfortunately its target is working families.

The latest radical right-wing conspiracy is the so-called "Paycheck Protection Act" or, as I prefer to call it, the "Paycheck Deception Act." Simply put, this effort is specifically designed to silence working families by removing unions from the political process.

Foremost among the right-wing conspirators have been House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) and Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott (R-Miss.). These two and their loyal lieutenants have brought us ideas like the "Contract on America," gutting Medicare to give $270 billion in tax cuts to the wealthy, slashing funding for education and giving Big Business the right to raid pensions.

While Paycheck Deception varies from state to state (in some states it will be on a statewide ballot while in other states it is being considered by the legislature), basically it would bar unions from using members’ dues to speak up for workers at the White House, on Capitol Hill, in state capitols across the country and even at your city hall. Paycheck Deception would also make it illegal to communicate with you about how politicians stand on important issues.

And if our union wants to do these things, then we would have to get the annual, written approval from each of our members before spending one nickel.

By now you must be asking yourself the question, "Why are they targeting Labor unions?"

On Election Day 1996, record numbers of union households went to the polls — about one-quarter of all who voted — and supported pro-Labor candidates. As a result, Gingrich and the GOP actually lost seats in the House of Representatives and Lott didn’t get his filibuster-proof majority in the Senate. Labor achieved this victory even though we spent 11 times less than Big Business.

Not only did we get the attention of Gingrich and Lott — we provoked their anger as well. They figured that if they couldn’t beat organized Labor by outspending us, they needed to eliminate us altogether. So they went to work and cooked up this Paycheck Deception campaign.

As their scheme began to grow, so did their circle of conspirators. They brought in people like Grover Norquist, whose resumé includes political dirty tricks (remember the racist "Willie Horton" ad back in 1988?) and lobbying for foreign governments.

Once they had assembled their group, they set their conspiracy into motion.

Here’s how it works: They convince people all across the country that they have this worker-friendly concept called "Paycheck Protection." People think that it must be good because, after all, who doesn’t want their paycheck protected?

After they make it almost impossible for unions to speak out on important issues by making Paycheck Deception the law, they will begin to pass legislation. What will we be able to do about legislation that not only doesn’t raise the minimum wage, but eliminates it altogether? What about legislation that eliminates Social Security just about the time you are going to retire? Have you considered what your workplace would be like if your union had only a limited voice while Big Business pushed through legislation that not only revokes collective bargaining, but also gives government unlimited power to contract out jobs?

If you think this scenario could never happen, then think again.

Paycheck Deception has already passed in Washington state, is on the June ballot in California and has appeared in almost half of the state legislatures across this nation.

Sisters and Brothers, we must unite to defeat Paycheck Deception. If it is on the ballot in your state, make sure you go to the polls and vote against it. If it is being considered by your state legislature, call your representatives and tell them to vote against it. If it has not come to your state yet, get ready because it will. If radical right-wing conservatives manage to silence the ability of Labor unions to speak for working families, who will be left?