Democrats to pay back Unions via tax exemption?

We've all heard the saying that "elections have consequences". Ever since the November 2008 election, I think Americans have seen that play out time and time again.

It's no surprise that the Democrats are bought and paid for in large part by the labor unions--or more precisely, the money the Union bosses pilfer from the workers. Now it looks like the Dems are going to sing for their supper-- exempting Unions from the proposed taxes to be levied on some health benefits paid by employers.

I'm always amazed that for the party that claims to be the champions of fairness and equality, their proposals are the most unfair to most Americans. Everything that this party does by way of supporting their special interest groups--be they the enviro-whack jobs, unions like the AFL/CIO or the NEA--or supporting programs like affirmative action or, most recently "cap and trade"--the Democrats seem hellbent on destroying America and the free market system.

I can't believe some of the rationale that's being given by supporters of this. Even if I tried to say some of this, I just can't do it with a straight face:

• Gerald Shea (AFL/CIO lobbyist) says things like this are "common thing when there is a big change in federal law".

So we should just accept Union exemption from anything that might cost them something through legislation? How do I get on-board with that so that when Obama raises my taxes, I can be exempt?

• Anna Burger (Service Employees International Union) says "workers have often traded salary increases for better benefits in agreements."

Clever play on words there I think. Where have you ever heard of a large collective bargaining agreement where there were not significant wage rate increases? One could perhaps say there would have been perhaps a larger increase without the benefits portion...but that to me is just the process of negotiation.

I think the quote from an actual retired CWA union worker really sums it up best though. Sandra Carter says “…I can’t afford the taxes I pay now…Why should I get taxed on a benefit that keeps me a functioning person?” Yes, Ms. Carter…we’d all like to know ‘why’.

Unions’ Health Benefits May Avoid Tax Under Proposal