Kshama Sawant, union front group push to ‘prosecute Amazon’
May 9, 2018, 6:44 AM
(AP)
Councilmember Kshama Sawant has officially jumped the shark and has become unhinged. What used to seem like a politician playing to her crowd, staying on brand, has morphed into the desperate, unhinged rantings of a bully desperate to hold onto the power and influence she once had.
Working in tandem with the union front group Working Washington, the claim is that Amazon should be prosecuted for “intimidating a public servant.”
The intimidation? Amazon pausing the expansion of their business in Seattle until they see if the ‘head tax’ passes.
RELATED: Zillow slams ‘head tax’
So, in other words, if you’re a business that doesn’t support council policy, you’re somehow intimidating politicians? This would be considered chilling and alarming if anyone took Sawant or the union front group seriously. But instead, it’ll be viewed for what it is: a reaction from ideological bullies who are becoming more and more irrelevant.
Sawant tweeted out the call from Working Washington, which claims in a letter:
“As you know, on May 2nd, a top Amazon executive stated the company was “putting a pause” on expansion in Seattle in an attempt to influence the city council to reject a proposed $0.26/hour tax on the largest companies in the city to address our housing and homelessness crisis. This was a clear threat by Amazon to do substantial harm to the business and financial condition of the city of Seattle if public officials did not act as they demanded.”
I can only assume this logic extends to the 100 businesses speaking out against the misguided head tax. I assume Dick’s Drive-In, Ethan Stowell Restaurants, and Rachel’s Ginger Beer writing editorials or appearing on radio shows to speak out may also be prosecuted. Alaska Air and Expedia: watch out! Sawant and her crazies are coming after you.
RELATED: 130 Seattle executives sign letter opposing head tax
This is, of course, laughable.
Using their logic, any business that tries to engage in protected political speech — or simply adjust their business model to mitigate the damage done by legislation — is guilty of “intimidation” somehow. Indeed, any union that walks off the job in protest, is also attempting to influence legislation or politicians.
We’ve reached peak parody at this point. Only, I don’t think Working Washington and Sawant realize they’re insane.
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