Well Tex, ALPA gives to politicians that support their cause. 98% of the time, that is Democrats. Alpa did not invent the system, they just participate. Alpa only gives PAC money to politicians, not dues money. As for getting their way, did you see the elections in November? Alpa also "got their way" by removing the "union strikes are terrorism clause" that some right wing whacko Republican tried to write into the bill that started this tread. Is it really so hard to believe that a Republican would try to outlaw a union strike or unions in general? Not if your paying attention. Oh, and BTW Alpa just helped stop the Bush administration's foreign ownership proposal. I guess ALPA "got their way" on that one too. The times are a changing.