Mike Bouchard and Right-to-Work Legislation
Principled or pragmatic, either way it's a good move
It must be acknowledged that there is more than a whiff of political calculation in Mike Bouchard’s embrace of right-to-work. The Oakland County sheriff and GOP gubernatorial contender trails in most of the independent polls. Embracing RTW gives him a way to distinguish himself from the rest of the field and generate enthusiasm among grass-roots conservative leaders and tea party activists who are paying closer and closer attention to the role that unions have played in Michigan’s economic struggles. Polls have consistently shown that a majority of Michigan voters support right-to-work in principle (that includes union households — check out question 20 here) and most of his primary competitors have at least left the door open for RTW as well. So why not embrace a potentially winning issue and see if you can ride it into the governor’s mansion?
And if Bouchard’s decision to support right-to-work involves political opportunism, well, the same could be said of the Emancipation Proclamation. That doesn’t make right-to-work a bad idea, and it doesn’t reflect poorly on Bouchard for raising it at the time and in the manner that he has.
Freeing Michigan workers from the obligation of supporting a union movement that has become more and more damaging to workers' real interests, making union officials more accountable to the actual people they represent, attracting employers back into the state — this is a worthwhile effort and whether Bouchard is acting out of principle or pragmatism, one can only hope that more gubernatorial candidates follow his lead.
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Beanerml is correct...
...Sheriff Bouchard is consistent, in that he has supported Right-to-Work legislation all along. I do not consider this statement as political bandstanding. Political bandstanding would be like using your office to advance your campaign, such as filing a lawsuit to support Arizona's immigration law just weeks before the primary.
How can unions be held accountable? Lets look at the results of another state, South Carolina is nearly tied in the un-employment percetages. South Carolina is a right-to-work state and conservetive rubublicans not only control the Governors seat but control the house and senate there as well......Hmmm iteresting, it's easy to point the finger and avoid the real problems!!!
Correction to bouchard article
If you look at Sheriff Bouchards "bluprint for propersity" he clearly stated his opinion for right to work all along Of course all candidates try to set themselves apart from the others closer voting day. But he has published his stance on this since day 1. Mike Cox I feel is using the filing of lawsuit to his advantage and is benefiting by free national advertising what is your opinion on that?