I had a conversation with someone today who gave me hope for the coming election. As of lately the polls show the race tightening and though I know this coming election is merely an aside to the greater plan on God's list, the human in me still is concerned.

The person I spoke with, who will remain nameless, is a union steward in another office and has always been very "union", outspoken and confided that she has always voted a straight Democrat ticket...until this year.

The things that have contributed to her splitting her vote this year boil down to:

1. She doesn't trust Kerry
2. She thinks he will submit US security to the world for approval
3. She feels that if both Kerry and Edwards are capable of the underhanded attack they made on the Cheneys, what won't they stop at? Do they have any scruples? She thinks not.

I’m anxious to discover how this all plays out as we go into the coming two weeks.

On a different tangent of the subject, this individual has heard that Bill Burris, president of the 360,000 member APWU was incensed to learn of Kerry’s lagging in the polls and is working on a plan to bolster support in the membership. Of course my question was, “I thought there was supposed to be a disconnect between unions and direct political involvement?”

Apparently there are loopholes they can exploit, specifically Labor Political Action Committees and the new 527’s. In addition, they are working to limit choice among workers buy hiding the fact that a worker can withhold compulsory union dues that are used for political purposes. When it comes to union leadership, choice is only good if it is their choice.

According to Stop Political Abuse, unions constantly abuse the political system by illegally using dues, supply campaign literature to candidates, providing union-paid staff to campaign to conduct illegal campaign activities and more. They use this power to press their issues, both union oriented as well as social and political. And they are decidedly to the left of center. They have been described as indistinguishable in agenda and doctrine.

This all plays out in the negative for the membership. They are required to submit dues to a union in order to work, except in the few “Right to Work” states, to provide support to an organization that doesn’t necessarily represent them or their views. According to some studies, 40% of union membership will vote contrary to the wishes of union bosses in this election.

Perhaps some of these courageous souls will be able to make changes within their labor organization to provide the open government the left so loudly calls for elsewhere. After all, are not unions supposed to be representative of their members?

Be sure to visit Letters From Iraq