On January 21st, 2010 the Supreme Court of the United States voted 5-4 to allow unlimited spending by groups of people as protected by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. The focus of the main stream media's news coverage has been corporate spending, but it also opened the door for unions and non profits to financially support candidates at all levels of government.
The union movement in America is weak. In 2005 just 12.5% of American workers were union members. Stronger unions in the U.S. means stronger unions around the world. This Supreme Court decision may allow international unions to move money to unions in the United States of America so pro-worker candidates have a better chance to get their message heard. Union friendly governments and leaders, such as Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, who sits on near limitless oil reserves, could conceivably do the same.
It would not be deceitful to say in the United States of America, the candidate with the most money stands the best chance of getting elected. The United States is a nation of consumers. Pro-worker candidates elected to high office in the U.S. can make it harder on non-union shops world wide.
Unions gain strength in numbers. A pro-union U.S. government could help turn sweatshops into safe workplaces where those employed are paid a fair day's wage for a fair day's work.