The power of the union is a staple of the United States. People in the same field can gather together to work for their rights, and this includes donating to candidates and campaigns.
This board does not endorse Proposition 32 because it unfairly singles out unions in an attempt to reform campaign finance.
It severely limits donations by unions and corporations to candidates, but does nothing to stop corporate donations to Super Political Action Committees ““ minimizing any impact the law could have. PACs are the primary avenue for corporations to lobby for their interests in Washington D.C.
The point of a union is to gather people of the same necessities and interests, who have the same needs because of their profession, and allow them to act as a whole. Without the ability to donate to campaigns, the power of unions would fall by the wayside.
Not only would the passage of this proposition unfairly paralyze unions, it would also cost $1 million to enforce every year.
Though the proposition would also stop government contractors from donating money to those who award their contracts ““ a positive move toward fairness ““ the bad outweighs the good in Proposition 32.
Stopping unions from giving to campaigns would create an imbalance in the political system ““ unions would have no voice and corporations, through Super PACs, would be able to speak for all to hear.