Got a mailing from “www.stopthedeception.org,” which, like the Clear Skies Initiative, the Healthy
Forest Act and the USA Patriot Act, effects the opposite of its name
Promoting deception, this postcard says the “so-called
‘living wage’ is only bait.” The deceivers note the “ordinance is 10 pages long and includes a clause you don’t know about.” If there
is only one troublesome clause, how relevant is it that the ordinance is 10 pages long?
Of course, we know about that clause,
which was introduced after it became clear that unscrupulous businesses in Santa Fe would do whatever they could to keep their employees
from knowing their rights.
The fearful flyer claims the clause would allow:
• Complete
strangers to enter your child’s school. [mjh: ie, child molesters]
• Special interest groups to invade your
privacy in doctor’s offices or hospitals.
• Protesters and organizers to invade private property, badger
customers and bring business to a complete standstill.
Nothing should cost us our constitutional rights, because
our liberties are priceless.
What’s priceless is how many scoundrels
wrap themselves in the flag. Nothing like turning this into a constitutional issue. Clever to frighten even those who might
benefit from the increase with such nonsense. mjh
PS: a quick Google
Search shows I’m a bit late to the party on the “Coalition to Exhort Ballot Deception”, as SWOP
calls it.
Apparently unwilling or unable to counter the merits of
a raised minimum wage, the Chamber and its cohorts have decided to attack a provision that would allow information on the rules to be
discussed with employees on sidewalks and other public areas of businesses.
The Alibi has a thorough and
interesting article on the issue and the deceptions.
Twisting the Debate
The most telling
aspect of the debate over Albuquerque’s proposed living wage ordinance, up for referendum early next month, is how little honest public
debate is actually taking place — By Joseph Crumb
Here’s a bit from the Chamber of
Cheapskates:
“The reason the coalition exists is to preserve the property rights of all Americans.”
— Sherman McCorkle, cochair of the Coalition to Expose Ballot Deception [mjh: cue swelling “America the Beautiful” as tears fill my
eyes; these guys are oblivious to just how self-righteous they’ve become.]
http://www.abqchamber.com/ctebd/ctebd9-2-05.html
Members (to
date) of the Coalition to Expose Ballot Deception:
* Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce
* Economic Forum
*
Albuquerque Economic Development
* Building Owners and Managers Association of New Mexico
* Greater Albuquerque Innkeepers
Association
* Association of Commerce and Industry
* Associated Builders and Contractors
* New Mexico Grocers
Association
Think it Can’t Pass?…
According to recent polls, a large number of Albuquerqueans would vote in favor in
this ordinance based on the language on the ballot and from what they’ve heard in the news or by word of mouth.
But when they
were asked if they were willing to vote for this ordinance after hearing of the deceptive and freedom-violating clauses
tucked in the 10 pages of text, a significant number said “NO” to this ordinance.
The deception lies in
the fact that those who signed the petitions circulated to place the so-called “living wage” ordinance on the ballot did not know that
other significant and damaging language is also in the proposal and will become law if the proposal is passed. Additionally, voters will
not know that this issue which affects their safety, privacy and security is part of the proposed ordinance. Neither the petitions nor
the ballot language reference the “public access” component of the ordinance. [mjh: how would the Chamber like to see a 10 page bill
presented on the ballot?]