What Secrets?
This story (“Laundry Works,” SVNews, Sept. 15) exists because the South Bay AFL-CIO Labor Council’s Committee on Political Education (COPE) files public reports detailing the contributions it receives and the expenditures it makes. The reports are required by law so that the public knows where COPE and all the many Political Action Committees (PACs) get their money and where they spend it. These are the records that the story refers to as its source; although by not describing their purpose, a reader may get the impression that a secret has been uncovered.
COPE wants the public to know what it is doing, too. It represents the political interests of tens of thousands of working people who hold it accountable. A reader might, however, get the impression from this story that there is something sinister about working people who join together in their own self-interest instead of the constitutionally protected right that it is.
There is nothing secret or illegal about this activity. Neither is there anything secret or illegal about gambling establishments contributing to PACs. A reader might get that impression, however, because the story discusses COPE’s activities in a vacuum, as if they are unique.
Jody Meacham | South Bay Labor Council
So Old, It’s New
San Jose has long had a reputation for clean politics. It changed when labor began to raise big bucks from developers in 2006 for the ethically challenged Cindy Chavez, who as mayor would have opened up Coyote Valley. Chuck Reed got it right in your story. Bay 101 is just playing the sleazy game that developers have being playing with Labor for a long time. This is a new story, but it’s also an old story. Congrats on uncovering it.
Almaden 007 | San Jose
Franks-a-Lot
I’d like to thank Metro for voting me the Best Bacon Dogs in the 2010 best of edition.
FYI: As of last Friday Sept. 17, 2010, my lunchtime hot dog cart, on Santa Clara Street, is on winter break until next spring, but I’m still selling bacon dogs at the Temple nightclub on Friday and Saturday nights.
Bill Carlson | www.billdogs.com
