2nd Chance In A Lifetime

After Justice Scalia died and the Friedrichs case was decided by a 4-4 vote of the remaining Supreme Court justices, I lamented that "Friedrichs is probably the last time in my life I'll get a chance to be free of forced unionism as a teacher, and now that chance has suffered a body blow."  I was quite invested in Friedrichs, being a signatory to not one but two amicus briefs in that case.

I'm glad to have been mistaken; in February the Supreme Court will hear another case, Janus, that many believe will end forced unionism in this country.  And, as with Friedrichs, I'm a signatory to an amicus brief.

Social studies lesson:  there are many ways you can influence our government, students.  You can vote.  You can write letters to the editor of the paper, you can write your congressman and senator.  You can start an organization or a non-profit.  You can also try to influence the Supreme Court.  All that stuff you learn in civics/government class?  It's real.

Larry Sand, president of the California Teachers Empowerment Network, wrote:

Two months from today, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments in the Janus v AFSCME case, with a decision scheduled to be announced in June. If successful, it would free public employees in 22 states from having to pay any money to a union as a condition of employment.

Many union leaders are beside themselves with the thought that their days of collecting forced dues payments may well be numbered. And in an attempt to convince anyone who will listen to them, the lies and whines are flowing like raw sewage. Perhaps Numero Uno on the BS meter is Mr. Eric Heins, president of the California Teachers Association. In the current issue of California Educator, the union’s magazine, Heins spews some whoppers that would make Richard Nixon and Bill Clinton blush.

Larry isn't one to pull any punches, go read the whole thing if you're so inclined.

And in what can only be described as a major turnaround for the US government, the US Justice Department now opposes forced unionism and its associated agency fee payments to unions:

The Department of Justice is recommending that the Supreme Court rule that public sector employees cannot be forced to contribute dues to unions, even when they're not members.

The decision to submit an amicus brief supporting the employee in Janus v. American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, Council 31 reverses the Justice Department's previous position under President Barack Obama.

Second time in my life.  Two months from today.  This is for all the marbles.