Obama Claims Unions Not a ‘Special Interest’

An article by Matt Cover points out some glaring inconsistencies in statements Obama said at the UAW’s National Community Action Program Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C.

The UAW is the United Auto Workers Union.

Obama says that unions like the UAW are not "special interest" groups !!

Obama quote:

“Since when are hard-working men and women who are putting in a hard day’s work every day, since when are they special interests?”

However, according to the Center for Responsive Politics’ Open Secrets website – which tracks lobbying and campaign spending data – organized labor is one of the all-time largest lobbying groups, spending $492 million on lobbying from 1998 to 2011.

In fact, labor unions spent more on lobbying in 2011 than they ever had before, spending $50 million according to Open Secrets.

Unions Not a ‘Special Interest’




The same author, in a separate article has some more choice quotes from The POTUS.

(CNSNews.com) – President Obama – in a speech to the United Auto Workers union – said that “trying to climb to the very top” was not what America is “about,” saying that it was “greed” and that in reality “we’re all in it together.”

and then He says:

“America’s not just looking out for yourself, it’s not just about greed, it’s not just about trying to climb to the very top and keep everybody else down,” Obama said at the UAW’s annual National Community Action Program Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C.

Obama to UAW: ‘Trying to Climb to the Very Top’ Is ‘Greed,’ Not What America’s ‘About’

oxymoronic ?

ironic ?



By the way, Obama never mentioned that the UAW actually owns the largest blocks of General Motors stock !!
(more than 160 million shares !!)

GM Major Stock Holders



What was Obama's point ??

I don't see the problem.
He's right, workers rights,safety & fair play
are not your typical special interest political money.
It's filled with lobbyist than I am definitely sure
do not have my best interest as an American worker.

The field is heavy on the with corporate interests
& light on the unions.

Are you a billionaire?
I think you are. It's the only way I can explain all these threads.
Oh wait holy sh** ! I just realized something ! Do you own casinos?!!
Or make money because of casinos exist?

Don't answer that btw. I don't want your information out in anyway.
I respect you because I can tell after reading so many threads
you are incredibly intelligent. And I hear out your views.
But I always always disagree with you politically. No biggie .
I bet I've given you stars in other forums.

It would be one thing if the unions actually represented the employees.

reply to post by sealing


The point is not whether or not unions have good and bad intentions for worker concerns.

The point is that Obama seems to pick and choose words to fit his agendas.

His statement that unions are not special interests is the problem.

His words may appease some groups and at the same time his words may offend others.

Worse yet, much may be misunderstood as well.

The union must be restrained by all of the same restrictions as other groups of lesser power are. Without this restraint favoritism would occur.

reply to post by sealing

I don't see the problem.
He's right, workers rights,safety & fair play
are not your typical special interest political money.
It's filled with lobbyist than I am definitely sure
do not have my best interest as an American worker.

Perhaps a good point.

But where exactly are the union lobbying efforts concerning workers rights,safety & fair play ?

The article did not mention any of that.

Maybe they continue to lobby OSHA ?

Have any of the labor laws changed ?