Gross:
Romney, speaking on a call to the very conservative National Federation of Independent Business, tells a group of business owners that they should “make it very clear” how they feel about the candidates. The audio,discovered by In These Times, also captures Romney telling the business owners to “pass… along to your employees” how their jobs might be effected by who wins in November:
I hope you make it very clear to your employees what you believe is in the best interest of your enterprise and therefore their job and their future in the upcoming elections. And whether you agree with me or you agree with President Obama, or whatever your political view, I hope — I hope you pass those along to your employees. Nothing illegal about you talking to your employees about what you believe is best for the business, because I think that will figure into their election decision, their voting decision and of course doing that with your family and your kids as well.
(Thanks: Annie-Rose Strasser)
How is this any different from the unions telling its members who they have to vote for?
It isn’t.
It’s wrong for whoever does it. But the Republican Party seems to be trying to win this election by every backhanded way, rather than by presenting details on any of the plans or beliefs they are espousing, i.e., redistributing in their favor, pushing voter I.D. laws so “Romney can win Pennsylvania”, and now the presidential candidate himself telling companies to tell their employees who to vote for.
Unions lack the power to fire employees. That is a major difference.
I would assume employees would want their employer to prosper. I don’t see a problem with an employer talking about how election choices affect the current business environment. Of course, everyone’s free to make their own choice in the voting booth, but an employer has the right to tell her/his staff which candidates will help/hinder business. As an employee, I would want to know what my boss thinks. As an employer, I want my staff to understand how their choices affect their jobs. Why is this gross?
Its not gross in any way to convey to ones employees the consequences of voting from reason instead of emotion.
Even when we have two bad choices, its does not mean that one can not better than the other. What any country needs to prosper is cheap energy.
When the price of oil is high,it affects the cost of everything we purchase with small exceptions.
Does seem like voter intimidation to me. As well as hypocritical. This employer made it thru the turmoil of the economic collapse and became profitable in the Obama administration but if he doesnt get his way he will pack his toys and go home ? Seems to set yourself up for lawsuits as well. One could make an unjust termination case here possibly.
Unjust termination case? on what grounds? Since when is an employer or small business owner obligated to keep employees when it is no longer in his or his family’s best interest?
Guy did not threaten anybody. He is stating a business fact that if his taxes continue to increase, it is no longer worth his risk and his effort to maintain his business and he will be letting employees go. His employees can still vote for whomever they may please (unlike the unions which give you a mandatory slate to vote for and quiz you afterwards).
Kelly, who says an employer will tell employees to vote for Romney? I can assure you, not all employers feel that way. Romney himself states in the quote posted here, “And whether you agree with me or you agree with President Obama, or whatever your political view, I hope — I hope you pass those along to your employees.”
I see nothing wrong with an employer telling his or her staff what role politics plays in their business future. And believe me, things like taxes, regulations, credit availability and the market as a whole definitely affect business. Some businesses will benefit from a Romney presidency – others will benefit more from an Obama presidency. Your comment suggests that you believe Romney would most positively affect businesses, which makes me wonder – are you voting for Romney? Because business isn’t some abstract construct – it is how people get paid. We all need some form of income. Even if you sell handcrafted hemp t-shirts on the streets of Happy Valley, you’re still engaging in business.
Also, in PA, you can be terminated for ANY reason. The employer doesn’t need a reason. We are in an “employment at will” state, which means either the employee or employer can terminate the working relationship for any reason, AS LONG AS it’s not an illegal reason. You’ll have to go elsewhere for your unjust termination case.
Yes that is true if you are not a member of a union.
My girlfriend told me of her ex husbands union job in Pa.
He could stay home as much as he pleased and miss work and he could not be fired because of the union contract.
Tell what that does to the productivity of a company under such restraints??
Finally; free political speech in the workplace! Now that it’s OK for employers to subtly threaten employees with unemployment if they don’t toe the master’s line, I guess it’s quid pro quo for employees to remind bosses that WE produce the goods & services, not them. No good or service ever came from Bossy Pinchyface’s money sitting in investment accounts; only workers produce them. But then, it’s only “class warfare” when workers fight back; otherwise, it’s called “business as usual;!