Originally Posted by
GunshipGuy
Here's a question for ALPA PAC supporters who say don't think about the actual politicians who get PAC money, think about the fact that they're said to be pro-labor, and therefore pro-pilot. Is the argument that no matter how much we may personally disagree with the politicians who positions on all other matters, we should be OK with that to the point that we put all those other concerns out of our mind because we're told they're the politician who is supposedly more likely to be in our corner? So hypothetical: What if the pro-labor, pro-pilot politician was a communist? Is that something you as an ALPA PAC contributor is willing to accept because you think concerns about your individual job override all other issues facing our country?
^^^This is a good example of the biggest reason (excuse???) I hear guys give as to why they won't support the PAC. I have to believe it too, because I can't believe there are any Delts pilots out there that can't afford to shell out a cup of coffee twice a month - especially when 1/2 of all Mesa pilots contribute to the PAC, and we all know how underpaid they are...
Back to GG's point...I'm not asking anyone to sacrifice their personal beliefs/politics. I'm certainly not willing to do so. However, it's naive (not direct at GG) to believe than ANY politician is aligned with all of one's principles. Once you can accept that, it becomes a matter of recognizing that it takes money (and the threat of not being re-elected) to have any influence in DC. That is where the term pilot partisan comes in - Carl's conspiracy theory notwithstanding.
The PAC's entire purpose is to provide us with a voice. No voice = the opposing viewpoint goes uncontested. Like it or not, we sometimes/frequently have to engage with politicians that we may personally disagree with, yet that wield enormous power over issues that will directly affect our industry/careers.
They WILL sell us out if we don't lobby for our interests.
When I donate to the PAC I do so to support the Government Affairs pilots that are lobbying on my behalf. I am not doing so to support the "far left" or the "communists." I'm merely purchasing access. Whether you like that or not, it is the way the game is played. I still have a (hopefully) long career ahead, and can't sit idly by and watch our own government sell away our industry/careers.
If you're under 55, your career will be negatively affected by politicians that will sell your job if we don't constantly push back. $5 a month does not make you a communist
The link again, since we're on a new page:
https://www.alpa.org/AlpaLogin/tabid...2fDefault.aspx