Police unions should not endorse political candidates

[NYCButterfinger]

They are now seen as an arm of the Republican Party.

Anything that has to do with law enforcement and the military should not be political.

Why do Republicans politicize and co-opt the law enforcement and military?

[beachbumbob]

1. police unions need to go away and real measures set in place that protect the citizens and the cops

and that starts with ending the police unions shielding their members from drug tests to lie detector tests. When citizens can place financial burden on the cops for what they do, the shit will end, not until then

[Squinch]

2. The unions are not the problem. The unions are just a reflection of the people who are united.

By all means, reform the police. But if you start calling for police unions to go away and you are playing into republican hands to end all unions.

And then you can say good bye to what's left of the middle class.

And PS. Beware of shit stirrers making "innocent" statements on DU that are designed to support right wing positions. They are very prevalent these days.

Why just yesterday there was one very "innocent" thread all about how terrible it is that Democrats are coming for the guns of the poor white guys and that's why the poor white guys won't vote for Democrats.

[beachbumbob]

13. police unions are the problem and they always will be unless their power is scaled back.

nothing to do with union agenda of either GOP or democrats. They simply have too much power and shield their people from accountability. I know our local police force union contract has no drug tests allowed of ANY type. This is clearly wrong. Then we have liability issues that need to be undone. Qualified immunity needs to go on all levels. Require individuals to carry liability insurance coverage and make them pay for it. People get away with stuff, why the fuck do we make it easier?

[forthemiddle]

3. Couldn't the same be said about teachers unions?

They also are their for the public good, and shouldn’t be politicized?

[WhiskeyGrinder]

4. How about other public service unions?

AFSCME, Teachers, some Teamsters, etc.?

[NYCButterfinger]

5. Police are government workers, they should not endorse anyone

[WhiskeyGrinder]

6. So are many AFSCME and Teamster workers.

AFSCME stands for American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.

[Omaha Steve]

8. AFSCME is one of the largest donors to the Democratic party and candidates

I'm a retired member of AFSCME Local 251.

AFSCME endorsed DUer duneece in her run for New Mexico’s Senate District 33.

OS

[NYCButterfinger]

12. Police unions are covering up for crooked cops

It's damaging race relations

[beachbumbob]

14. police unions do NOTHING to make situations better, if any do, please enlighten us

[WhiskeyGrinder]

15. Keeping them out of the political process will not stop them from doing that.

[Klaralven]

7. A much higher percentage of government workers are unionized than are private sector workers

Highlights from the 2019 data:

--The union membership rate of public-sector workers (33.6 percent) continued to be more than
five times higher than the rate of private-sector workers (6.2 percent). (See table 3.)

https://www.bls.gov/news.release/union2.nr0.htm

[Celerity]

10. police unions are criminal gangs with the power of the state backing them, RICO Act their arses

grind them to powder

[WhiskeyGrinder]

11. I want to be clear: Calling for decert, outlawing or depoliticizing of police unions can be applied

to any public-sector union. Take a look at Wisconsin if you want to see how that turns out. Find a different way to solve the problem you see. For me, it's full abolition of police.

[LanternWaste]

16. Yours seems little more than a slicked-up anti-union sentiment.

Do you apply your standards consistently, and believe teacher's unions (as they too are civil servants) should also be denied the opportunity to endorse a candidate?

Or are you simply applying your standard to one and only one union? If that's the case, what then is the objective (rather than sentimental) difference between all others union and this, the target of your daily ire?

[Blue_true]

17. Their endorsements mean very little these days. People KNOW that they will endorse the republican,

so their endorsement, with them standing in formation behind the Republican means about as much as used toilet paper.

[NYCButterfinger]

18. Are you sure about that? It may matter in MI, WI, etc

Blue collar areas where police are adored