11:56 AM Eastern - Thursday, September 24, 2009

Rep. Joe "You Lie!" Wilson: New Face of Corporate Opposition to the Employee Free Choice Act

youliecap.jpgSouth Carolina Rep. Joe Wilson is really embracing his newfound stardom as Heckler-in-Chief.

So what's Wilson's latest outburst? Slamming the Employee Free Choice Act to a corporate group fighting the bill.

Here's what Wilson said:

I am opposed to the misnamed Employee Free Choice Act because it all but eliminates an employee's right to a secret ballot and would require the government to step in between an employer and their employees to impose binding arbitration. It would be a clear detriment to job creation and a roadblock to reform.

I believe this legislation is bad for employers and employees alike and should be put aside altogether.

I have heard from individuals in the Second Congressional District who believe we need to protect the rights of our employees and that includes the right to a secret ballot. They understand how this legislation would damage job creation and hurt an economic recovery.

To his credit, the transcript appears to reflect Wilson's ability to keep his cool and not shout during the interviewer's questioning. That said, Wilson couldn't be more wrong on the issues (not that you're surprised about that).

First, even the Wall Street Journal knows the Employee Free Choice Act doesn't take away the secret ballot. It's a thoroughly debunked falsehood to which Wilson desperately clings, much like his incorrect, inappropriate initial outburst in Congress.

Second, South Carolina stands to greatly benefit from the Employee Free Choice Act: in just one year, $130 million would flow into the state's economy to benefit more than 50,000 working men and women.

But just as Wilson stands in the way of health insurance reform, he's opposed to leveling the playing field for South Carolinians struggling in our economy against corporate greed.

When will Joe Wilson wake up and realize it'll be best for South Carolina and the rest of the country if he returns to his back bench seat and just stays quiet? The stakes are big in Congress, and Wilson's wrongheaded deceptions have no place.

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