1st SD Mailbox: Another Union I.E. for Umberg

  Below is the second independent expenditure mailer from the Orange County Central Labor Council supporting Tom Umberg for the First District Supervisorial vacancy. I posted the other just a few minutes ago here.

Disclosures: I am not a union member. I have endorsed Carlos Bustamante.

This piece is a 8.5x17 (folded once), glossy mailer. Much of the text is identical to the previous mailer (although I am not sure which was mailed first). This one highlights the "Umberg Fair Share Plan" which would (according to the mailer) reduce gridlock, create a new park and, again, fight "new taxes." Other than a screened photo of an angry-looking "Hazel Barnes" at a gas pump which is included for no apparent reason (maybe she opposes taxes, too), it is a slick, polished mailer.

Comments

[reepforever]

Where's Californians United when we need them? Expect to see a lot of Demo IE money rolling soon. With Kermit out of the race, it will zero in on Carlos.

Ironically, Kermits withdrawal could work to Umberg's benefit. The Anglos in Westminster may find Umberg the most viable choice.

I live in the District and have seen the devestation that Californians United brought down on Umberg.

Why doesn't someone get their stuff and start banging on Umberg?

[Green Machine]

You can thank John Moorlach for this. He started a war with the unions and put them on the defensive. When they feel threatened you can be sure they will put significant resources into this battle. Of course why should he care, he's in a secure voting district.

[OC_Spock]

GM,

You have got to be kidding. The latest union war started a decade ago with the PLA and the airport payoff to the unions but Caod, Smith and Silva just along for the PLA ride. Stupid. Had any of them had just one ounce of spine, this would have been over then. Thinking the unions need an excuse to go after anyone with an R by their name is absurd.

[Green Machine]

Are you kidding me? Make no mistake about it, the PACs that are funded by the public employee unions have become more potent and involved in the past 2 years than ever before. Moorlach wrote an editorial in the Register about 2 years ago and has been waging war against them ever since. He drew the line in the sand at that time and the unions forced mandatory pac dues on their members to start building a warchest.

Certainly other events have contributed to the discord, but Moorlach has become a galvanizing force and others will pay the price for that.

[clprevatt]

GM:

"Mandatory PAC Dues?" Who told you that?

No such thing. Any union member can opt out of making contributions to their PACs. Most of us do not take that option because they know that creating a funding base to counter the lies and misdirection by opponents of "any government" (including employees) is necessary to secure our livelihood and the future of our families.

Public employees earn their pay and benefits. We aren't getting handouts here. We are dedicated to serving our community and strongly reject the efforts, of elected officials and candidates for elective office, to demonize our service, pay, and benefits for the purpose of their personal political gain.

We’re tired of the political BS, no matter what political party is involved. This is not a Republican or Democrat issue. If you don't want to believe me, Ask Another County Worker! To quote another poster “Union Thug” from January 13th:

"GM, you are so right. Many of us in the AOCDS/Fire community have been faithful Republicans over the years (and no, wise guys, not RINO's- just because OC GOP has decided county workers are the main issue in government doesn't mean it is so). Do I detest having to back a Democratic candidate? Yes. Will I do it to save my career from the anger and grandstanding of Moorlach and Norby? ABSOLUTELY! Will I and many others be forced to change party affiliations only because we hold the despicable title of AOCDS/Fire? How sad."

[Morning coffee]

The truth is, Moorlach *did* start this. I know many County employees, past and present, and they're outraged over what the County is doing..with good reason. OCEA didn't have the muscle to do this themselves, but Moorlach handed them AOCDS, *and* all their friends, on a platter, when he started the "thugs" war.

[Green Machine]

Chris,

I hate to bust your bubble, but AOCDS raised their members dues without their permission. AFTER raising their dues, they gave them the opportunity to "Opt Out". Nonetheless, it wouldn't have come to that if Moorlach hadn't started attacking them.

The leadership of AOCDS had the foresight to recognize the need to build a warchest and while I might disagree with some of their methods, I do see the bigger picture.

John Moorlach put them on notice that he intended to come after them. Subsequently they are backing politicians who are anti-Moorlach which has created a formidable obstacle for the Republican party. In essence, Republicans will no longer be considered a friend of public safety.

That bearded fellow in the mail piece looks like Moorlach! That's good.

[Frank Finn]

As clprevatt and Green Machine noted in earlier posts, Public Safety Employees have always been overwhelmingly conservative Republicans. I never understood why my association seemed to back Democrats more often than not when it was obvious the membership voted Republican. Then I started reading the blogs and saw just what contempt some of the right wing has for our openly negotiated contracts. They will stop at nothing to breech those contracts and leave us without the benefits in later life that we willingly sacrificed for today. Anyone who thinks we are overcompensated is more than welcome to suit up and jump on what you think is a gravy train. Just about all agencies have vacancies. (If being a cop is such a cake walk, why do you suppose that is?)

This attitude is increasingly driving us to support the associations and vote the other way since only Democratic politicians seem to value our service. I have never been a one issue voter, but when you threaten my family and livelihood, that overshadows the fact that I hold 99% conservative views. Party leadership had better open their eyes to this or we will continue to witness elections like the last one. Just a note, the Military which has also always been overwhelmingly Republican, now reports a growing inclination toward the Democratic Party. Wake up before Red County goes blue.

[Let's be Frank, Finn]

Frank Finn: Cry me a freakin' river!

Either you are conservative or you're not. Just because you suddenly feel YOUR ox is being gored, you sacrifice principle and let the ultra-liberal agenda saddle us with sky-high taxes and a damaged economy, not to mention gay marriage, homosexuality in school curricula and a welcome mat for illegal immigrants.

Don't worry Frank. If you get your way, the illegals will be outvoting us in a couple years anyway so our votes won't count. Thanks a heap, comrade!

[Frank Finn]

To Let’s be Frank, Finn. I might be inclined to take you seriously if you had the intestinal fortitude to stand behind your party line cool aid rant under your real name but as it is you only made my point. It is good self righteous blowhard zealots such as you that have hijacked the Party and are driving thinking people away. But you go ahead and consider yourself the “superior conservative” and see where it leaves you come election time. And if you really would silently stick to your “ideology” while they tried to take what you had worked for 25 years to accrue for your family, then you are not worthy of any respect at all. It’s real easy to have strict, unalterable values when you are not the one being targeted.

[Frank Finn]

Oh, and by the way. I believe Republicans had control of the Whitehouse, and both Houses of Congress for quite a few years. They should have addressed the illegal alien issue you refer to when they had the opportunity. But wait a minute, that would have negatively impacted all of the good conservative, multi millionaire CEOs who benefit from “cheap labor”. And the Republican president who I admit, I voted for twice wants to grant amnesty to. In politics there are no absolutes. You vote for the person you most agree with or who will do the least damage. That is what I will do in the future. If somebody I agree with on most issues wants to take my retirement away, you bet I will vote against him. The well being of my family is far more important to me than strict ideology.

[Let's be Frank, Finn]

Go to bed, Frank. If you can sleep.

[Frank Finn]

Sleep? How could I possibly sleep knowing that the future existence of the free world as we know it is totally dependent on my jettisoning my families planned and promised reward for putting up with years of missed holidays, weekends, meals, family events etc..and my marching in lock-step with some ideologue’s idea of what a good conservative should be. Actually I have to get going to work since after 25 years I get to work day shift, only getting called out in the middle of the night occasionally to handle fatal crashes. But save your tears I knew what I was signing on for.