Ben Smith's latest letter - 9/28/2012

Associate Editor of this publication, Ben Smith,
has sent the following letter to the hard copy
news outlets in the Iron River region. Although
your humble correspondent disagrees with many
of his viewpoints, we give voice to them here on the
basis that our publication is as non-partisan as we
are able to make it and will endeavor to provide
for the dissemination of all viewpoints including
those I personally disagree with.Ben was appointed
associate editor for this publication with my full
knowledge of his political leanings because to do
otherwise would be a head-in-the-sand approach
to life.

To augment Mr. Smith’s viewpoint we publish,
without adding further political comment here,
the contents of the proposed constitutional
amendment.

==================================

To the Editor:

Yesterday I received a campaign flyer from
a group called " Protecting Michigan Taxpayers"
asking me to vote NO on Prop. 2.  They cited
several letters as their reasons for opposing it  
It turns out the letters were from the Mich. Atty.
Gen. and are only ONE MAN'S OPINION until
they are upheld by a court of law.  This group is
located in Grand Rapids, Mich. @ 10 Monroe
Center, Suite 201.

Members of my family lived through the times of
the "Sit in strikes at Briggs Manufacturing" in the
Detroit area and the lockouts at other plants in
manufacturing areas, and the confrontations at
the "River Rouge Bridge" when the Michigan
Nat'l Guard was called out to disperse the strikers!

I encourage everyone to think carefully about the
purpose behind Prop 2.   All the people of Iron
County have to do is look at their neighbors in
Wisconsin where their Govenor attemped to
balance the State budget on the backs of working
men and women!
                                          Ben Smith
                                   
====================================

The proposed constitutional amendment appears on
the proof ballot at:

http://tinyurl.com/8p5f8rd

===================================

A PROPOSAL TO AMEND THE STATE
CONSTITUTION REGARDING COLLECTIVE
BARGAINING

This proposal would:

- Grant public and private employees the constitutional
right to organize and bargain collectively through labor
unions.

- Invalidate existing or future state or local laws that limit
the ability to join unions and bargain collectively, and to
negotiate and enforce collective bargaining agreements,
including employees’ financial support of their labor
unions. Laws may be enacted to prohibit public
employees from striking.

- Override state laws that regulate hours and conditions
of employment to the extent that those laws conflict with
collective bargaining agreements.

- Define “employer” as a person or entity employing one
or more employees.

Should this proposal be approved?

====================================

Please review the ramifications and choose well when
voting on every issue.

Bill Vajk