Labor unions, religious bodies and non-profits will hold an anti-war rally at the MN State Capitol. Participating groups include: MN ACORN, MN AFL-CIO, Mpls. and St. Paul central labor councils, SEIU, AFSCME, Catholic Archdioces Office for Social Justice, the Methodist Social Ministry Team, Sierra Club, Wellstone Action, TakeAction MN, Progressive Majority and more.

Reads like a "Who's Who" in the protest business.

As with most Americans, I treasure our free speech privileges. As with most Americans I like Choosing how I earn my living and I like even more keeping my earnings. I like being able to have opinions that as a general rule do not prevent me from getting promoted.

Why can people be forced to pay dues to an organization that supports candidates and positions that are abhorred by the member? There are restrictions in the private sector but the public sector (AFSCME and SEIU) and non-profits are pretty free to do what they wish with their members' dues and contributions. Perhaps it is time for union members who oppose the use of their required dues to support causes with which they disagree to let their unions know. As for non-profits, people can stop donating.

Being forced to contribute seems grossly unfair and unAmerican.