Here’s a letter to the New York Times:
So McDonald’s informs its employees that “If the right people are elected, we will be able to continue with raises and benefits at or above the current levels. If others are elected, we will not” (“McDonald’s Workers Are Told Whom to Vote for,” Oct. 30). McDonald’s then names three candidates who it believes will promote policies that will improve the economy.
That’s it. McDonald’s workers were merely given their employer’s opinion. They were not – contrary to the title of your report – “told whom to vote for.” Indeed, given the secret ballot, any such command would have had as much teeth as a flounder has fur.
So why is McDonald’s facing possible criminal charges for this action?
Is it wrong for an employer to express an opinion to employees about which candidates are best for business? Are employees so stupid and paranoid that they cannot be trusted to be exposed to such opinions? If so, then let’s also criminalize the incessant barrage of such opinions – often phrased in tones far more apocalyptic than the one used by McDonald’s – coming from U.S. Presidents, members of Congress, and newspaper editorialists.
Sincerely,
Donald J. Boudreaux
