EDITORIAL: Don't upset the unions -- or else How far will they go to protect turf?

If you think this is bad, just wait until Card Check becomes law.

Excerpt: Two weeks ago, we described how the town of Flint, Mich., was hit with an arson wave on the day local officials were set to lay off a few dozen firefighters in an effort to close a municipal budget gap.

Flint's angry mayor made it clear he thought the spate of fires was anything but a coincidence.

Later, when city officials sought help from fire departments in surrounding suburbs, many refused to respond.

Then there's the story Friday out of New Jersey. The state faces a multimillion-dollar budget hole, and new Gov. Chris Christie has proposed reductions in salaries for public school teachers and other public-sector workers.

County Commissioner Steve Sisolak has been particularly vocal in advocating union concessions, especially among firefighters -- many of whom earn six-figure salaries and generous benefits. That apparently prompted Las Vegas firefighter Joy Sager to post on her Facebook page a note about wanting to "shoot Sisolak in the (groin)."

Sure, some of this may just be an expression of lighthearted frustration -- although the Flint fires indicate something far more nefarious. But it should also give taxpayers an idea of the risks inherent in upsetting the powerful public-sector unions -- and how important it is to support politicians come election time who are willing to accept those risks.

Read short article here.