The Blog

The Secret Ballot: What is it Good For?

3:26 PM, Mar 18, 2009 • By MATTHEW CONTINETTI
Single Page Print Larger Text Smaller Text Alerts

Absolutely nothing, says union boss James Hoffa: "Since when is the secret ballot a basic tenet of democracy?"

Answer: since the early nineteenth century. But who's counting?

Hoffa criticizes the secret ballot because he supports card-check, which would unionize workplaces once a majority of workers sign a card in support of a union. President Obama supports card-check. Last week legislation was introduced into Congress that would make it the law of the land.

But it's nowhere near a done deal. Two Blue Dog congressmen, Dan Boren and Travis Childers, both announced recently that they oppose the legislation.

On the Senate side, The Hill reports that the fight may come down to four senators up for reelection in 2010: Arlen Specter (PA), Blanche Lincoln (AK), Michael Bennet (CO), and Harry Reid (NV).

Keep an eye on this quartet. Their votes will have far-reaching consequences for the American economy and workplace democracy.

More by Matthew Continetti