Politicians bent the Constitution to “legalize” unions—raising prices, inflating taxes, and eroding self‑government for everyone.

Here’s why union power collides with America’s constitutional design—and how those choices show up as higher prices and taxes you feel right now.

In this video, Clifford Ribner lays out a step‑by‑step case: why collectivist union structures put the group above the person, how the Wagner Act (1935) and later public‑sector bargaining changed incentives inside government, and why those moves undermine the Guarantee Clause, separation of powers, and a free national market. The talk ends with a clear constitutional verdict and a practical look at costs.

Watch to learn:

• – What unions promise vs. what they deliver: who actually benefits from dues, bargaining power, and political spending.

• – How the Wagner Act transformed labor (1935) and why that matters for private‑sector markets.

• – Why public‑sector unions are different—and how negotiating with elected allies can distort budgets, hiring, and accountability.

• – The constitutional problem: how combining rulemaking, enforcement, and adjudication inside agencies clashes with the founders’ design.

• – Madison’s insight in Federalist 42: the Interstate Commerce Clause as a shield against state‑on‑state trade barriers—creating one national market.

• – Founding‑era warnings: the Declaration of Independence (Grievance 10) on swarms of officers; the English Bill of Rights (1689) against Star Chamber‑style power; Federalist 47 on concentrated power as “the very definition of tyranny.”

• – Where the costs land on you: higher taxes for pensions and payroll, compliance costs passed through to prices, slower projects and procurement, and reduced competition.

Why this matters now

The more government acts as both rule‑writer and judge, the less room there is for individual choice. In the labor arena, that power mix can raise operating costs and taxes—and those added costs don’t vanish. They show up in prices, fees, and reduced service. Understanding the constitutional guardrails isn’t academic; it’s how we keep real‑world costs in check.

Continue the conversation

If you care about the Constitution, individual liberty, and honest economics, this one’s for you. Share it with a friend, leave a comment, and visit CliffordRibner.com for more.