Spector saves secret ballot for workers in Senate squeaker today — says he's squishy on the principle, though, and next time his vote goes to the side that 'makes me an offer I can't refuse'

“Card check” is name of a proposed law that would take the secret ballot away from the employees of an organization who are voting whether to unionize. Instead, the employees would vote publicly, or union representatives — the most dainty, petite, soft-spoken and compassionate ones, no doubt — would be sent around to beat up persuade laggards to sign their cards in favor of unionizing. I’m not even going to pretend I think workers would have more than just the one choice.

Did I miss a meeting? I know I’m brand new as a fiscal conservative, but I really thought the secret ballot was one of the few things that almost everyone in the U.S. supported. When did the secret ballot pass from being the cornerstone of our democratic republic to being anathema to our future because it stops labor union thugs from forcing people to join labor unions? DIS-EMPOWERING THUGS IS WHAT THE SECRET BALLOT IS SUPPOSED TO DO!!!

The whole concept of taking away the right to the secret ballot is a complete and utter outrage. It’s not possible to denounce it enough.

The secret ballot is what helps even the odds between bullies and the rest of us.

Why on earth do I feel I have to explain this to ANYONE?

The squeaker in the Senate was Sen. Arlen Specter’s (R, PA) announcement on the Senate floor this afternoon that he would vote against the Employee Free Choice Act/Card Check, which would take away the right to a secret ballot in votes on whether workers in a company should unionize. His was the swing vote.

Stacy McCain reports that Dave Weigel broke the story on Arlen’s vote today on Twitter. Michelle Malkin points out how Spector said he is open to taking away the secret ballot in the future. She also gives a link to the full text of Spector’s speech.

Memeorandum has the round-up here.