My Career Threatened.....Because of the 2012 Election?

Today was just another typical day. I went to work early this morning and planned to get off around noon so that I could put a new power-steering hose on my "daily-driver".

It is also payday. I went up to the accounting office to grab my pay-stub and went about my business. But after the paychecks were handed out to my employees, I was informed that the envelopes contained an extra surprise.

This pamphlet, distributed by the Job Creator Solutions Group (Herman Cain), tells the reader the differences between Obama and Romney. Well, see for yourself.

VOTING IS AN IMPORTANT WAY FOR YOU TO NOT ONLY DO YOUR CIVIC DUTY, BUT TO PROTECT YOUR JOB. WE KNOW AND RESPECT THAT VOTING IS A PRIVATE AND PERSONAL CHOICE. THIS ISSUES GUIDE SIMPLY PROVIDES BASIC CONCEPTS YOU MAY WANT TO CONSIDER WHEN YOU VOTE.

As you can tell, this is a pro-Romney pamphlet. It is deliberately positive for Romney and negative towards Obama.
Of course, this is nothing that should surprise the average ATS reader, but the fact that it showed up in my paycheck is very concerning.

I consider this propaganda! It is using key words and phrases to suggest, without doing so in a way to cause legal matters, that Romney is the man to vote for or you may potentially not be able to protect your job. I know that it does not specifically say that, but as a student of propaganda....I knew what this was immediately. Also, we have heard other cases of business owners making threats against their employees in much more drastic ways. Now it has made it's way from the headlines to my pocketbook.

So my question to ATS: Is this what it has finally come down to? Do I really have to worry about the safety of my job if I don't vote for Romney? What if I do not support either candidate? Will my job still be under the hammer if Obama is elected?

This entire election, and the way we conduct ourselves in America, has quickly become a circus of threats, low-blows and intelligence-insulting shenanigans that belongs in the humorous skits of the likes of Monty Python and not our workplace!

I do my job to the best of my abilities for the betterment of the business and to feed my family. My political views will not and have not changed that. But it seems that my job is now being threatened indirectly by politics!

Thanks.....

I really appreciate that the damned Republicans have stooped this low! All that I have done for this company and all that I continue to do is trivialized by the propaganda and ineptness of a bunch of propagandists.

Job Creator Solutions

More and more employers seem to be doing this the pay period before the election.

You have the Citizens United ruling to thank for this.

What's so hypocrtical is that many of those same employers who are saying "Vote Romney" actually got stimulus money from the Obama administration that Romney was against.

Romney gave a big speech today in which he bashed Obama about his economic policy, but that speech was given at a company which also received stimulus money under Obama.

reply to post by sheepslayer247


Nothing to promote Obama? Just Romney?

Is it a company thing that is pushing Romney or was the pamphlet just there?

Scare tactics at it's worse, regardless......

Just shrug it off. Obviously, employers who are not currently on the hook for insurance will vote appropriately. This is just a scam to get more votes to help your employer's bottom line.

See if you can contact Human Resources about the pamphlet. You might be surprised how willing they are to listen to your concerns.

I swear these elections are more hilarious than watching those guys on Jersey Shore make complete fools of themselves.

And no, I don't watch Jersey Shore or "reality" tv

Inaccurate nonsense to boot! This document is hoping to sway people who do not bother learning the TRUTH into the policies of these candidates with an actual understanding of how the policies WILL effect folks in actuality.

In addition, this country has WITNESSED Romney's plan already. Under him and Ryan, NONE OF US will have a JOB!!

The super wealthy are just BITTERLY PISSED off that Obama may have them pay a little for the better of the country. Those poor babies!

This will amount to them having to live with settling for one less luxury option on their personal jets each time they buy a newer model for themselves. Poor super wealthy people! Cry me a river.

I call their BLUFF!

Wow you guys live in another world. Then again, I've never stayed long in highly political workplaces, unions in Aus tend to bring back memories of having to borrow food off relatives when they did a stop work on the company my dad worked at when I was a kid, for about a month. No way to get to work, no work, no pay.

But outright political banging on in your payslip?

What happens if you say "None of your business!" if they ask who you voted for? I know it's kind of the norm over there to wear your allegiance on your sleeve, but .. just so crazy..

Sometimes I think I know how the US works. And then I'm reminded that it's not at all how to works. I rekon I'd get utterly lost if I found myself in the US.

Wow. I've seen it before in news articles and such but... wow. It is propaganda and it is also mostly lies. I understnd why you're so pissed off. Luckily (hopefully) your employer has no way of knowing who you vote for. You may want to slap a Romney button on your shirt while working though. Ugh... sorry this happened to you.

reply to post by sheepslayer247


You ought to collect as many of these pamphlets as you can from co-workers and stuff up the company toilets with them.

That's where they belong, anyway.

Also, then you might have a real reason for having to worry about your job.

reply to post by snarky412
reply to post by babybunnies


I work for a family-owned business. It is a large operation that franchises through a national corporation, but remains in the hands of one family.

They are good people! They treat me well and I have given them my all for that. But they are also very politically active. I have even assisted them in events for the GOP in the past.

Needless to say, there is no HR department. I have no one to discuss my concerns without taking it to the source.

Every now and then I run across a thread like this, that forcefully reminds me that I'm on a conspiracy site.

Of course it's a pro-Romney pamphlet. Of course, it's propaganda. I didn't see anything significantly false in it, though. And you think it's "very concerning" that you got an election pamphlet in your pay envelope?

Is it concerning to you because you think you will lose your job if you vote Obama? How in the world could that possibly happen? Now, if Obama wins, your employer might have to cut back or go out of business, but that's got nothing to do with how you vote.

As you say, there's nothing illegal about it. Certainly employers can express their opinions, on matters related to the business, to their employees.

What do you mean, Republicans have stooped this low? You know, or should know, that you will not be fired, nor will any harm of any sort come to you if you vote for Obama. Your employer wants to grow and add employees, and he will if Washington's policies don't get in the way.

All that I have done for this company and all that I continue to do is trivialized by the propaganda and ineptness of a bunch of propagandists.

Your years of work at the company have had their importance reduced by receiving a campaign flyer from "inept propagandists?" If that's all it takes to diminish your value . . .

Take a deep breath, you'll be fine.

Originally posted by sheepslayer247

So my question to ATS: Is this what it has finally come down to? Do I really have to worry about the safety of my job if I don't vote for Romney? What if I do not support either candidate? Will my job still be under the hammer if Obama is elected?


I really appreciate that the damned Republicans have stooped this low! All that I have done for this company and all that I continue to do is trivialized by the propaganda and ineptness of a bunch of propagandists.

Dems do this too. Lots of union and left side supporting groups giving out the pamphlets. Some even go in a check to insure everyone gets a piece of the action. The Republicans are stooping just as low as the Democrats I guess. Lots of extra spots being filled at Kinko's to keep up with it all.

Your job is not in danger if you vote for Obama or if you vote for Romney. The MIB won't call your boss with a naughty or nice list after you drop your ballot as you are aware. Too many people will be busy screaming voter fraud to even care. I'll bet half of the states will be employing thousands of vote counters to review each voters registration and count hanging chads or whatever.

You may still lose your job but wait! There's more!.
Obama is exporting jobs at a rate that is even faster than some of Romney's old Bain buddies did.
I understand people make good money teaching English in other countries. Lots of room for Americans to get rich just teaching basic grammar.

That reminds me, I saw about 30 sets of 90' windmill blades three different days this week coming in on the train from the seaport. Factory fresh from China. We aren't making many of them here even though we import and use the most inefficient ones on the market. They are always broken down so field techs are in demand to keep the crappy things repaired.

Another piece of good news is that we will likely double the numbers of minimum wage workers now that the insurance cost fixing bill is taking effect soon. Their hours will be limited to 19 a week but there will be a whole lot more of them. At least the ones who don't qualify for unemployment or welfare will be doing them.

Lot's of construction will be available after the elections as there are loads of Dems who are swearing they will riot if Romney wins.
We'll also need more cops, firefighters, demolition crews and street sweepers to clean it up. More doctors and nurses I'm sure.

Probably will be special liaison jobs to escort the UN representatives around who are going to make sure the Obama Regime allows fair and proper elections to the citizens. Except for Texas where we'll need a few more cops to arrest them.

Nope,
Sounds like there will be plenty of jobs.
Not to worry.

looks like you had better vote for romney.

The reference to losing your job is making the assumption that some candidate's policies will make it harder for your employer to stay in business. Your boss can't accompany you to the voting booth, and unless he shoves an advanced ballot in your face, he's not doing anything illegal. Grow a pair and vote for whoever you want.

reply to post by charles1952


It's not that I think that I will lose my job if Obama is elected. He has already served one term and I am still pluggin' away.

My concern is that the political environment and rhetoric has become so extreme that some people believe it is appropriate and necessary to include a piece of propaganda in my paycheck in an effort to subliminally suggest that my job is in jeopardy if a certain political candidate is elected.

Now, if Obama wins, your employer might have to cut back or go out of business, but that's got nothing to do with how you vote.

Do you see the contradiction Charles? If Obama wins, they may cut back or go out of business...but that has nothing to do with how I vote? What if I plan to vote for Obama (which I will not do)? Doesn't this pamphlet use scare tactics to imply exactly that?

What do you mean, Republicans have stooped this low?

Perhaps it is unfair to generalize. I should say the hardcore Right. Many Republicans I know do not believe Obama will be the end of job creation or America itself. But I hope you can see the tactics used in this pamphlet, since you agreed it is propaganda, and agree that it is a dastardly way to potentially influence someones vote by suggesting their job is at stake.

Take a deep breath, you'll be fine.

You're right. I am the type of person that will do whatever it takes to take care of my responsibilities and my family, regardless of politics and how other people view the world.

As always, a pleasure to converse with you Charles!

reply to post by badgerprints


I agree. I have seen the Unions, which I support for the most part, give pamphlets to their members, which I do not support.

If I find that to be underhanded, why would I support the Right doing the same? Fact is, I left a union job to undertake my current career and I believe the tactics just as abhorrent.

Originally posted by bjax9er
looks like you had better vote for romney.

I don't know if you're being humorous or not, but that is the exact suggestion I get form this pamphlet.

Vote for Romney......or else!

reply to post by sheepslayer247

Dear sheepslayer247,

May I begin on a personal note? Usually, when I see you in a thread discussing a topic you come across as, well, I won't use any vulgarities, shall we just say opinionated, aggressive, and immovable? Yet when I get the chance to speak (write?) to you, you are dignified, polite, and reasonable. I'm immensely grateful, because there is always a lot of valuable stuff in your head and I benefit when you share it with me. Ah well, another of life's mysteries.

My concern is that the political environment and rhetoric has become so extreme

I think you're quite right here, but I wonder why that is? I understand that both Obama and Romney supporters see it as the end of the world if their candidate loses, either through war, economic destruction, loss of freedoms, or whatever. I'm not sure that this is a permanent situation, at least I hope it isn't. Many have commented on the triviality and anger of the campaign.

Do you see the contradiction Charles? If Obama wins, they may cut back or go out of business...but that has nothing to do with how I vote?

Ok, I'll agree with you, but I was putting the emphasis on a much lower level. I was looking at your vote, and thinking your job was dependent on it. But I suppose that, multiplying your example by 100,000, an election in a swing state could be affected.

This pamphlet is one of many that you have received. I think you're saying that it carries more weight because it comes from your employer. My hope is that few, if any, are so frightened that they will cave on the basis of this piece of literature. I'm fairly sure I wouldn't, and It doesn't seem to me that your vote will be based on fear for your job.

But I hope you can see the tactics used in this pamphlet, since you agreed it is propaganda, and agree that it is a dastardly way to potentially influence someones vote by suggesting their job is at stake.

It's propaganda, all right, but I'm not sure about the dastardly. I've seen lots of suggestions that a vote for Romney will mean World War III.

But you know, I may be looking at this incorrectly. Perhaps I should ignore what it looks like objectively, and think about the impact on the individual, as you are doing. If it frightens large numbers of people into making an irrational decision about their vote, and the producers knew that it would, you might have a good case.

I still wish there was some way to ease your concerns and, at the same time, allow employers to say that Obama will be bad for our business.

With respect,
Charles1952

reply to post by sheepslayer247


Just a thought.

Maybe this pamphlet didn't come from your company, but rather someone in the payroll company that your company has hired to handle the payroll?

Lot's of payroll companies out there.

Maybe someone is stuffing additional pamphlets into the employees check envelope earning a little side cash.

reply to post by sheepslayer247

Needless to say, there is no HR department. I have no one to discuss my concerns without taking it to the source.

Well, I'm sure there's a trash can nearby some where, I bet......