CNBC's Erin Burnett Compares EFCA to Ahmadinejad

On Tuesday, CNBC's Erin Burnett made a broad comparison between the Employee Free Choice Act and what's going on in Iran. Hearing this, one might think, "Surely she said something like, "The Employee Free Choice Act, if passed, will allow would-be union members the opportunity to organize without the sort of brutal crackdowns and authoritarian intimidation associated with Iran's ruling mullahs and crazypants dictators." No. This is not at all what happened!

Instead, Burnett compared the lack of a "secret ballot" in Iran to the Employee Free Choice Act, which would allow unions to form via signed cards. Yes, on CNBC, "card check" equals creeping Ahmadinejadism. This is the sort of perspective that can only be taken by those at a safe remove from the concerns of both American workers and Iranian reformers. Burnett got attaboys from the sage genius Jim Cramer for her heroic observation. As you'll see, their primary concern with the Iranian election is how it will effect the price of oil. I hope that the pro-reform protesters spare a thought for that as they are getting their heads beaten in, because, priorities!

[WATCH]

Of course, traditionally, trade unionists fight dictatorships. Sen. John McCain, sizing up the events in Iran, recently compared it to the fight for democracy in Poland. Well, while we're talking analogies, here's a fun fact: The fight for democracy in Poland was led by a trade unionist named Lech Walesa.

As you might expect, the Service Employees International Union has condemned Burnett's statements, citing "irresponsible journalism" and "reckless reporting." I think "appalling lack of perspective" covers it just as well.

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Comments

[Poorsarah]

03:07 AM on 06/30/2009

The Employee Free Choice Act Does not take away the secret ballot or any other method The EFCA allows the workers to have the freedom to choose to form a good union without employer threats/intimidation. There is no shame in having the right to bargain for fair/livable wages and affordable health coverage. Plus, passing the EFCA is a necessary step in the right direction to strengthen the middle class; which will strengthen our economy.

[jalowe1957]

11:44 AM on 06/18/2009

So Erin Burnett equates the "card check" from the Employee Free Choice Act with "creeping Ahmadinejadism."

Is this woman functionally illiterate by virtue of her fuzzy mathematics?

And I thought fuzzy math went the way of whole language and bilingual education straight to the scrap heap of education fads.

[BigBagel]

11:16 PM on 06/17/2009

Why is eliminating the secret ballot good for workers? Someone please explain.

[BillyPilgram57]

07:31 AM on 06/18/2009

If you only had a brain.

[Ryoki]

09:15 AM on 06/18/2009

It won't eliminate it. It would mean the workers decide if they want secret ballot or card check. Now the employer decides.It's that simple.

[dbg2]

09:07 PM on 06/17/2009

Look at the facts since 1948 unions drove up wages for 99% of the US population. By 1970 1% of the population "only" held 12% of the wealth. When Reagan busted the FAA union the gains made by average Americans began to reverse. Now the upper 1% hold 40% of the wealth ... and we are all happy and better off, right Erin. Clock's ticking.

[dbg2]

08:36 PM on 06/17/2009

"Burnett began her career in 1998 as an financial analyst for Goldman Sachs in their investment banking division, where she worked on mergers and acquisitions and corporate finance." Wkipedia

Enough said.

[spinns17]

05:36 PM on 06/17/2009

these people are just wall streets mouthpiece.

[LMPE]

01:49 PM on 06/17/2009

Hey Jon Stewart! You've got another person to tear up!

Did John McCain care to mention that Lech Walesa was a union leader?

[dbg2]

08:52 PM on 06/17/2009

I think Jon did her already. Then again who hasn't.

[the964kid]

12:38 PM on 06/17/2009

I've heard her say stuff sillier than this. There's lots of precedent for non-secret ballots in elections - just ask anyone who voted in a caucus last year. This is hyperbole to compare card check to voting in Iran & Ahmadinejad. These are nothing more than scare tactics, which people like Burnett have to use when they cannot win an argument on the factual merits.

[bigironal25]

11:37 AM on 06/17/2009

Isn't this dim light bulb a member of the Screen Actors Guild?If she is ,doesn't she.like all these NON UNION creeps on the "news" programs, have excellent benefits, such as , great health insurance,pension, and other perks? What a hypocrite!

[olephart]

11:11 AM on 06/17/2009

The cheerleaders on CNBC led their audiences into the abyss. They consistently got it wrong. Why would any rational individual place any credence on their views on any subject? The story should read "Babbling airhead confuses EFCA with Iranian politics" or "Know nothing opens mouth confirming lack of knowledge".

[plumnelly]

12:30 PM on 06/17/2009

Why they're still on the air is confounding considering the incompetent information they distilled before the wall street fiasco's. Cheering triple AAA ratings for companies that were bankrupt and cheerleading for China ( Burnett asked if Americans realized if we don't import cheap poisonous toys from China parents will pay more ) when discovering toys and pet foods were poison. These two are a joke, period.

[yoli647]

11:10 AM on 06/17/2009

Both are a joke, I never listen to what they say.

[enoughalready13]

01:02 PM on 06/17/2009

Same here, I never watch them. She is a ditz and he is a clown. Actually, they would make a good side show at a circus. And Kudlow can ride the elephant in the main tent.

[pb28]

10:13 AM on 06/17/2009

Burnnet is not on TV because she is smart just attractive. She is a Wall St shill

[PiscesPrincess]

10:25 AM on 06/17/2009

actually, she is a very intelligent person. but being with Cramer is like getting a dose of cl.ap
She temporarily lost her mind.
she needs to leave that station and go elsewhere.

[plumnelly]

12:31 PM on 06/17/2009

If she's intelligent then she needs to have a dose of commons sense otherwise she's just another tool.

[Golfer59]

11:03 AM on 06/17/2009

CNBC is a freaking joke. They all shill for wall street and The Daily Show called them on it.

[plumnelly]

12:32 PM on 06/17/2009

Exactly.

[pb28]

10:13 AM on 06/17/2009

Burnnet is not on TV becasue she is smart just attractive. She is a Wall St schill

[booker52]

10:11 AM on 06/17/2009

Erin should stick to what she knows, that would fill the head of a pin. She knows nothing about the Employees Free Choice Act. Maybe if she read alot more on the topic she might have room to talk. Since her comments show she didn't, she should shut up.

[wdw505]

10:34 AM on 06/17/2009

however she was correct though

[BBackSoon]

12:36 PM on 06/17/2009

Not this time, scooter.

[dbg2]

08:53 PM on 06/17/2009

when?

[Logical Perspective]

10:04 AM on 06/17/2009

I feel like a kid in a candy store. With all of these blind, emotionally driven comments to discredit. There just isn't enough time in the day. Let's start with this card check fiasco. So your plan is to remove the secret ballot? How exactly does that benefit the worker? It makes it easier for workers to organize??? do you mean easier to target and pressure into joining the populism? Labor unions are far more akin to gustapo than corporations. A good company wants to reward its associates, that's how they remain successful, they don't need this gustapo pressure to retain good employees. Ballots are meant to be private so that people can't be pressured on either side. A secret ballot in no way inhibits labor organization. If you had it your way, presidential elections would no longer be secret either right? Everyone should be allowed to make their own decision without being pressured by either side. This is a basic civil right. I thought you guys were big supporters of civil rights.....or is that only when it serves your purpose?

[booker52]

10:21 AM on 06/17/2009

It doesn't remove the secret ballot, it just gives another choice. You haven't read up on this either, same goes for Erin.

[Logical Perspective]

10:25 AM on 06/17/2009

enlighten me friend....how does free choice help workers?

[Logical Perspective]

10:29 AM on 06/17/2009

.....and it does remove the secret ballot......card check enables organizers to identify who does and doesn't support unionization.

[Bzzzt]

11:02 AM on 06/17/2009

I love cra.zy analogies! Therefore, You are much like the pro-lifers using mur.der to advance their cause. This is not about the merits of EFCA, it is about reckless distortions by paid commentators.

[Logical Perspective]

01:29 PM on 06/17/2009

the parallel burnett is making is a simple & accurate one......EFCA enables unions to pressure workers....Iran's lack of an anonymous ballot enables others to pressure voters. While Linkins may be claiming commentators distort the situation, I am arguing that the analogy has its parallels.....and you want to talk about abortion now? Are you the authority on defining when life begins now? or is it Tiller?