[paisawalla]

Public unions are among the biggest spenders (directly and through donations) in general elections, the outcomes of which directly affect the negotiating postures of the organizations they staff.

[pessimizer]

Of course they are, and should be. They still aren't the only people that get to vote in elections, though.

[paisawalla]

Ah, you must believe then either that money has no influence on politics, or that it's right for public employees to vote themselves pay raises and benefits from the tax coffers. As a taxpayer, I find this latter situation to be an obvious and massive conflict of interest.