A Tennessee politician — a self-proclaimed pro-business conservative — is doing something that simply boggles the mind.

He is trying to use government muscle to coerce a major automaker from allowing its workers to unionize.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2014/02/12/sen-bob-corker-cant-stand-the-united-auto-workers-an-annotated-interview/

The politician is U.S. Sen. Bob Corker, a Republican and a former mayor of Chattanooga, Tenn. The automaker is Volkswagen, which years ago built a huge auto assembly plant in that fine city. The United Auto Workers is now trying to get a toehold in the plant by unionizing its 1,500 employees. The company says it won’t fight the idea. The autoworkers appear ready to join the UAW.

A business is entitled to conduct its affairs as it sees fit, according to many conservative Republicans. Except, apparently, when it involves the introduction of unions that historically have favored Democratic politicians.

So, enter Sen. Corker, the aforementioned pro-business conservative. He doesn’t want the UAW involved. To make his point, Corker is threatening to deny Volkswagen tax incentives that go normally to businesses seeking to expand. The threat is meant to dissuade the employees from voting to join the union.

What gives here? Is Corker a true conservative or has he become a closet — dare I say it — socialist who believes in government interference in private businesses’ affairs? Which is it, senator?

This interference is unconscionable.