Corporations, right-wing foundations and conservative lobbying groups are introducing legislation and ballot initiatives in all 50 states designed to limit working families' participation in the political process by imposing burdensome restrictions on unions. But these initiatives have only one purpose, and that's to knock working families off the political playing field so corporations can have it to themselves. Unions are being singled out. The initiatives single out unions by imposing tight controls and burdensome regulations that wouldn't apply to anyone else. They would silence the voice of working families, without limiting political spending by businesses or other special interest groups such as the Chamber of Commerce and the National Manufacturing Association.
Corporations already outspend unions.
And the disparity is growing. In 1996, corporations spent 19 times more than unions did. New restrictions on unions' participation in the political process will further tilt the balance of power in favor of corporations. This is a concerted effort to retaliate against organized labor. Proponents of the initiatives would have us believe that they're intended to protect the interests of working Americans.