I am not a member of a labor union.

I don't want to be a member of a labor union.

When i joined a teacher organization, I chose one that is not a union.

After all, we've seen how union bosses consistently take member dollars to use for political purposes opposed by the bulk of their members.

Which is why I am outraged by this piece of legislation introduced by Rep. Brad Sherman, Democrat from California, designed to take away my right to make the choice to tell unions and their bosses to bugger off.

Today, Congressman Brad Sherman announced the introduction of dramatic legislation that would eliminate so-called “right-to-work” laws, which was applauded by AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka. Sherman has a strong record of supporting working men and women and earned a 100% rating from the AFL-CIO.

Right-to-work laws require unions to represent non dues-paying employees, thereby undermining the basic premise and promise of union membership and creating free riders – people who are exempt from paying their fair share. Right-to-work laws create different standards for union membership in different states. This results not only in confusion over the regulation of union membership, but also places a higher cost on worker representation in labor rights states.

* * *

“I do not believe that there should be a right to be treated unfairly or to endure unnecessary restrictions. Right-to-work laws strip unions of their legitimate ability to collect dues, even when the worker is covered by a union-negotiated collective bargaining agreement. This forces unions to use their time and members’ dues to provide benefits to free riders who are exempt from paying their fair share,” said Congressman Brad Sherman. “These laws are harmful to states like California, which allows labor unions to organize, because now we have to compete with the race to the bottom as our companies have to compete with those where the workers would like better wages, working conditions and benefits but are unable to organize to get them.”

“With the introduction of legislation banning so-called right-to-work, Congressman Sherman has once again demonstrated his strong commitment to working families,” said Richard Trumka, president of the AFL-CIO. “Right-to-work laws undermine the economy and weaken workers’ ability to bargain for better working conditions, which translates into lower pay and fewer benefits for everyone.”

Frankly, I'm appalled by the notion put forth by Sherman that a union has a right to a share of my paycheck if I am allowed to work. I fail to see any difference between that premise and the notion that I have to give weekly protection money to Don Vito Corleone to keep my job. In neither case do I want the "service" offered to and forced upon me. And let's be honest -- it is demonstrable historical fact that many American labor unions operated using the same principles as the Mafia (and were often arms of the mafia, for that matter). I reject the premise that government can force me to pay such protection money as a condition of earning a living.

I dropped the following note to Congressman:

Congressman, it is my FREE CHOICE to refuse to join a union and my FREE CHOICE to refuse to give one penny of my earnings to a corrupt organization that will spend MY MONEY in a manner that is contrary to my religious and political beliefs.... If you believe in freedom for workers, you will instead introduce legislation that grants workers TRUE FREEDOM by making the entire United States into a RIGHT-TO-WORK NATION where no American is forced to turn give money to an organization they do not wish to join and which they do not wish to have represent them in any fashion in return for the privilege of earning a living. Anything else is antithetical to the entire notion of LIBERTY.

Congressman Brad Sherman is a tool of the labor unions. Scratch that --
Congressman Brad Sherman is simply a tool. And now he is being used as a burglary tool to steal my money for use to aid his political party at the expense of mine.