Walmart Wars

Corporations must manage costs in ways that enable a long term competitive edge. It's in this context that Walmart's threat to withdraw plans to establish in DC is understandable. Walmart is concerned by the DC Council's intention to impose a $12.50 minimum wage requirement against them. The Council's political objective is clear. Walmart has always been deeply unpopular with left wing politicians - they see the business as willfully ignorant of worker interests. However, from my perspective, this issue speaks to a fundamental failing of liberal intransigents - they're more interested in their own ideology than they are in providing jobs and affordable products. In this case, 1,800 jobs would be created by Walmart. Yet, this obstructionism is nothing new, last year, New York Unions prevented Walmart from establishing in that city. I've always believed that modern Unions are an enemy to the common interest rather than an ally. They weaken the middle class, they damage job prospects and they exist to use monopoly power to enrich their select class of members. Theirs is a stunning arrogance - rewarding the few at the cost of the many.

Romney's opportunity

The Democrats are presenting Romney-Ryan with a huge electoral opportunity. With even greater glee than normal, the Democratic Party is currently engaged in a full scale effort to protect the avarice of big unions. In Chicago, after a week of ignoring the children of that city, the teachers strike continues. Continuing, even though Mayor 'Rahmbo' aka Mayor Dumbo is offering to shower the union with more money. In Wisconsin, after previously attempting to sabotage democracy in order to stop Gov. Walker's union law from taking effect, then trying to end Walker's term early, the Democrats are now relying on absurd petitions to the courts. In New York, the Democrat-Union alliance has proudly prevented poor New Yorkers from taking advantage of cheaper food and household goods (the store, its jobs and cheap prices will now go to Christie's New Jersey). As if these actions weren't enough, the Democratic campaign platform goes even further - declaring total, unrepentant support for the big union agenda. An agenda that rests on intimidation, theft and the restriction of free speech. 

GOP candidates across America should take notice. Alongside their support for the job killing union agenda, the Democrats broader economic position is equally vulnerable. The economy remains weak and Obama's economic record (and economic strategy) are  devoid of value. Americans do not like the kind of left-wing special interests fetishism currently being practised by the Democrats. They understand that these policies destroy jobs, weaken the economy and add seemingly endless amounts of debt to the federal accounts. There is now a clear path for Romney to take the electoral fight to the President. Romney must wage a campaign with absolute focus on the economy (and Obama's foreign policy weakness).

Democratic Platform and Unions

The release of the Democratic platform has largely been met with positive media reporting. Unfortunately, this reporting ignores how extreme the Democratic Party remains when it comes to the issues of Unions. In their new platform, Democrats unapologetically reject any restrictions on Union power. They "vigorously oppose" the "Right to Work", "Paycheck Protection" and "Save our Secret Ballot" measures. To me, it is stunning that alongside these measures the Democratic party tries to claim the mantle of middle class empowerment. Requiring Union membership to work a job, requiring un-consented paycheck deductions and denying private voting choice are illiberal and un-American policies. These steps deny low-middle income workers their constitutional rights to free speech and effectively steal money from their pockets. The Democratic rejection of secret balloting is an especially unpleasant example of the Democratic Party's apparent comfort with Union intimidation. I am proud that the Republican Party has leaders like Chris Christie, John Kasich and Paul Walker who are willing to stand up against these measures. As I have previously noted, Unions drive up living costs, reduce employment opportunities and destroy state budgets (just look at California and Illinois).

Far from being the ally of low-middle income Americans, Unions are our worst economic enemy. Sadly, the Democratic Party is owned by them.