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EDITORIAL
Out at recess
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Republican senators unanimously urged President Barack Obama last week not to use an Easter recess appointment to name a union lawyer to the National Labor Relations Board.
They worry Craig Becker, who has been a top lawyer for the Service Employees International Union and the AFL-CIO, would use the position to do an end-run around the reluctance of Congress to enact a "card-check" law, enacting by regulatory fiat sections of a proposal designed to allow labor unions to bypass secret-ballot workplace elections.
"His writings clearly indicate that he would use his position on the NLRB to institute far-reaching changes in labor law far exceeding the board's authority and bypassing the role of Congress," they wrote.
The GOP, led by Arizona Sen. John McCain, has blocked Mr. Becker's confirmation for months. Democrats could not muster 60 votes last month to move it forward.
Appointing him during a Senate recess would allow Mr. Becker to serve through next year without the Senate's OK.
Recess appointments are perfectly legal -- George W. Bush used the tactic numerous times. But the question here is not merely procedural; it's substantive.
In past writings, Mr. Becker reveals himself as a radical collectivist who questions the sanctity of private property, rails against "individualism" and argues that unions are necessary in order to combat the evils of "competition and contract."
At a time when the president should be bending over backward to reassure the nation's employers that he's not some Marxist out to further punish them, appointing a character of Mr. Becker's background is like handing the NLRB a pistol and saying, "Put them out of their misery."
The appointment would be reckless.
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But, but, but....it was procedural and not substantive!
Sure we Republicans used Reconciliation, Recess appointments and "Nuclear Options" hundreds of times but...but...but...
John F., you hit it on the mark. Fact: During the Reagan Administration, the national deficit quadrupled from $1 trillion to $4 trillion. And, Reagan didn't veto legislation so you can't claim it was that Democratic Congress.
Second, the last three years of Clinton Administration saw budget surpluses.
Third, Bush 43 doubled the deficit simply by refusing to pay for 2 wars and the prescription drug plan.
So, please all you Racist Expressors, I implore you to re-read your history. Because you haven't the foggiest idea of which you speak.
Bank bailouts and Wall Street bailouts were passed while GW Bush was still president. Ditto for the overwhelming portion of our $12 trillion debt.
Also, GW Bush made over 170 recess appointments.
Where was your complaining then?
@ John F
Are you insane? Please explain how Republicans or the Tea Party are responsible for; the failed stimulus package, cash for clunkers, GM take over, bank bail outs, Wall Street bail outs, communists in the White House, $12 trillion in debt, the possible loss of our credit rating, this disaster of a health care bill, Obama non vetted appointees, the coming illegal alien amnesty, Cap and Trade, card check. We ain't seen nuttin' yet.
Timmy!
Why should I go to East Germany to find losers when there are so many right here?
RH Schumann was writing from Bonn, and Bonn was the capitol of WEST Germany. Also, in case you didn't notice, Mr. Schumann holds American citizenship and voted Republican.
But don't let the facts get in the way of your lame little posts. They're always good for a laugh.
Samual asks, "Does anyone else feel like this is 1935 Germany? "
Yes, Sumual, somebody does.
Here's a comment from reader RH Schumann, from Bonn, in response to Frank Rich's column in this morning's NY Times:
"I grew up in Germany and was 12 years old at the end of WWII. After obtaining American citizenship I voted Republican for many years. But that was the party of Eisenhower and Rockefeller. Lincoln and Teddy Roosevelt would turn in their graves if they knew what has become of the Grand Old Party.
"The current Republican Party and especially the Tea Party crowd remind me all too much of what I experienced in my youth and indeed what happened in Germany prior to 1933.
"How sad."
http://community.nytimes.com/comments/www.nytimes.com/2010/03/28/opinion/28rich.html?sort=oldest&offset=2
Like I said he would, he did: Craig Becker has been appointed. The SEIU will get it's way. Get ready for more purple shirted thugs.