Editorial: Appearance of conflict a concern

Posted by Clarence Punla
a resident of Menlo Park: Stanford Hills
on Nov 6, 2008 at 7:18 pm

What about the Chamber of Commerce that endorses and donates money and asks council members to vote according to the interests of small businesses or large corporations seeking to do business within city limits? What about non-profit advocacy groups and community groups that want to elect politicians who share their mission and values? What about a resident who is sick and tired of potholes on his street and donates money to a politician who promises to fund much needed road repairs? What about a mother who wants the city council to approve more funding for the neighborhood park? Labor unions like any other organization or individual have interests. It just so happens that this labor union represents the good folks who provide the city's services, services the residents rely on! These union members give their hard-earned dollars to effect change, change that benefit members, residents, clients, and the community collectively! I would rather have a city council be influenced by a labor union that represents hard-working families than a special interest group that represents corporations like Wal-mart. All politicians should give raises to their employees, and all workers should have a labor union - even mine! How can I form a union, anyway?