Sometimes you have to take a few steps back to see the whole picture.

On Monday, the widely respected National Review published an article about a Washington ballot initiative that puts into chilling perspective an issue state residents may yet be struggling to get their heads around.

Headlined, “In Washington State, Unions Advance a Ballot Measure to Keep Members in the Dark,” the article delivers a blistering review of I-1501, a SEIU dues-protection measure masquerading as a crackdown on identity theft.

“To look into the facts is to discover that I-1501’s intent has nothing to do with protecting citizens,” writes author Austin Yack, “and everything to do with altering the Public Records Act to prevent the Freedom Foundation, a conservative think tank, from obtaining the membership list of the SEIU – and, specifically, from obtaining the names of members who serve as home care providers and informing them of their constitutional right to opt out of paying union fees.”

If passed, the article notes,  proponents of the “Seniors and Vulnerable Individuals’ Safety and Financial Crimes Prevention Act” say it would will increase criminal penalties for targeting seniors and vulnerable individuals in acts of identity theft and consumer fraud and will prohibit the release of any public records that may facilitate such crimes.

“But it would accomplish neither objective,” Yack writes. “The measure’s sole sponsor, the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), is brazenly attempting to deceive voters and misuse the statewide initiative process.”

The article also includes several quotes from Freedom Foundation Executive Vice President Brian Minnich, who observes, “”The whole thing is just insidious. How in the world could you come up with a ballot title like that?”

A better question would be, “Who in the world would vote for a measure like that?”

And the simple answer is, well-intentioned people who just don’t take the time to make sure they’re not being lied to by SEIU 775.

The article can be read here.