I have a really good question here, in regards to the Right to Work Law that is being passed in Wisconsin:

Are the unions and the government responsible for protecting the workers from what they see as their shortsightedness? Or are the workers responsible for their own free choices?

In the end it’s about freedom and personal liberty. Let’s not curtail them.

Politicians are infamous for doing what they think is better for you the ignorant voter, as opposed to what voters want, of course. Gov. Scott Walker has tried to dance away from right-to-work legislation because of how divisive the Act 10 debate was. But he’s going to get it with the Senate scheduled to vote on the bill today.

I feel slightly different about the right-to-work issue (which is, let’s face it, a euphemism like the two sides of the abortion rights argument using “pro-choice” and “pro-life”) from public-sector unions only because, unlike with government unions, consumers can choose to buy products or services from businesses based on, if they choose, their union affiliation, or lack thereof.

However, it’s perfectly obvious, just like with public sector unions’ inability to stop Act 10 from becoming law, followed by their inability to punish those who got Act 10 into law, that private-sector unions have worn out their welcome with the American voter. Driving General Motors into bankruptcy (with a big assist from GM’s inept management), rampant corruption (one word: Teamsters), being more interested in increasing union officials’ salaries than with members, failing to grasp that businesses need to be profitable first and foremost, and diverting union dues into campaign contributions for politicians and candidates not necessarily supported by union members — it’s obvious that the problems with unions are the unions’ fault and no one else’s.

Four years ago during the Act 10 controversies unions tried to claim responsibility for every supposed worker benefit from coffee breaks to vacations. Which is laughable when you consider the number of people who contribute more to society than clock-punching union workers — they’re called “business owners,” who don’t get nights or weekends or holidays off.

The Act 10 debate also demonstrated some uncomfortable truths about unions, ranging from their managements’ six-figure salaries when their members are making considerably less, to the fact that in many small communities government workers are making more money than the people whose salaries pay their taxes. (For instance: The average Wisconsin teacher makes more money than the median Wisconsin family income.)

Regardless of that, there is one fundamental flaw with unions. They are essentially socialist in the concept that everyone should be treated equally, whether or not one employee works harder than others, or whether one employee needs different benefits than others. I want to have the ability to negotiate my own pay and benefits, because I know better than the union rep what I need in my own life. Most people seem to feel that way, based on declining union membership numbers.

The concept of needing to be in a union to have a job is a reprehensible violation of our First Amendment right of free association. No one who claims to value freedom can support the closed shop. (Which is why it was amusing to read someone replace “right to work” with “freedom” in the quotes of various Democrats who oppose right-to-work.)

Republicans have been accused of seeking political revenge by pushing right-to-work legislation through the Legislature. What a crazy thought — politicians vote for things their supporters support and vote against things their supporters oppose! (Although Barack Obama’s veto yesterday of the Keystone XL pipeline, when construction thereof would provide union jobs, is harder to understand.)

The best way for employees to get better salaries and working conditions is through competition for employees. In the 1990s jobs that required minimum-wage skills paid better than minimum wage because there was demand for those workers. If you don’t like how you’re treated at work, you leave.

I made a passing reference earlier today to how liberals hate markets. It’s hardly surprising because my guess is that giving employees a choice to join a union, or not, will result in employees’ not joining unions, similar to what has happened in Wisconsin since Act 10 became law.