However — It is positively *NAUSIATING* to see always “The democrats….”, “The republicans….”, “The liberal…”, What ever happened to …. THE PEOPLE? Novel concept huh?

The real problem today in politics is that it really isn’t about the people being represented any longer — rather that the politicians can remain relevant. Politicians are public servants — not Diva’s– and the sooner that we get back to this–the sooner the country will be back on the road to its original greatness.

It would behoove politicians to remember that they are answerable to the people that voted for them, not the unions or any other special interests. Futhermore spending one’s time looking at the possibility that the other got some advantage they didn’t get is kind of kind of well…. you decide yourself.

In the words of Yogi Berra, “This is like deja vu all over again.”

Personally, I believe you to be an honest and moral man and thank you for serving Plymouth.

As far as right to work, it looks like we agree. I hope that union and corporate interests are put aside and that legislation is crafted that puts Hoosiers to work…

Happy Holidays,

–Ryan Ripley

As a Plymouth city councilman I am very interested in making sure that Indiana, Marshall County and the City of Plymouth are as competitive as they possibly can be in attracting new business/jobs. I happen to believe that Indiana becoming a RTW state will enhance our chances just as I believe that lower tax rates and better infrastructure (roads, bridges, etc) will also be an advantage .

Governor Daniels also came out in support of Indiana becoming a RTW state and he stated that “right to work says only that NO worker can be forced to pay union dues in order to keep a job. Lack of that simple freedom to choose costs some workers money they’d rather keep, but it also costs something even larger; countless middle-class jobs that would come to Indiana if only we provided right to work protection. The vital right to organize is totally unaffected; every right to work state has significant union presence, and some have higher rates of unionization than Indiana presently does.

As Speaker Bosma stated, ” Democracy depends on open and honest debate-and votes on tough issues-even if we disagree”. Fear of debate should not cause some legislative participants to make themselves scarce to avoid the debate.

As to Mr. Ripley’s final comment, I want to be clear that my part ownership in Michiana Contracting has little to do with my stance on RTW or had any bearing on my asking WTCA to print Speaker Bosma’s comments. Michiana Contracting is an open shop contractor that bids for work against union contractors on a regular basis. Michiana also works as a subcontractor for numerous union contractors on a regular basis. Michiana has many long time employees (25+ years) that have been at one time a part of a union, but now appreciate and believe in the wages, benefits, incentives and work ethic that Michiana has been able to offer them. For Mr Ripley to suggest that I was trying to hide something is unfair, but I have to remember comments like that are his way of doing things, just as he has distorted my comments and others in the past.

Again my only motive was to provide both sides, have the debate and let the chips fall where thy may. I want Plymouth Indiana to be as competitve as it can possibly be in trying to get Hoosiers back to work. That is where “my focus” (as you mentioned earlier) is Mr Ripley.

Mike Delp

I’m worried that this topic is more political. In the state of Indiana less than 10% of the workforce is represented by a union. Is it fair that there are laws in place to overtly favor unions when so few works are members?

It is no secret that unions get Democrats elected and that weakening unions is a goal of the GOP for that very reason.

In any case, I hope that Democrats and Republicans are able to craft legislation that is best for the state and just not for a particular party. If they drop the labels (such as “right to work” ) and focus on laws that put Hoosiers to work we will all benefit.

As a side note, Councilman Delp should disclose that his business (Michiana Contracting) regularly bids against union shops and “right to work” legislation could have a positive impact on his business.