And no one is required to contribute to Planned Parenthood or the NRA in order to get or keep a job. When unions deduct dues out of workers' paychecks, they are acting on their legal authority to represent workers in labor-employer relations. Within that narrow field, it may be true that labor leaders have a mandate to act in the best interests of their members. The mere idea recalls the paternalism of certain corporations early this century, when some workers were compelled to purchase all their necessities from the company for which they worked. In this and other ways, American law today favors the rights of groups over the rights of individuals.
Nothing is more contrary to the American democratic tradition.