Nationwide GOP Effort To Kill Unions Is Championed by Governor Scott Walker Of Wisconsin! Others To Follow His Lead!
76It Is Time To Fight Back!
Budget Crisis In Wisconsin Created By New Governor!
The new Republican governor of Wisconsin, Scott Walker, has created a fake budget crisis in an effort to destroy his political enemies, the state's employees' unions. Walker skated into the governor's office with a budget surplus of $121.4 million dollars according to the non-partisan Wisconsin Legislative Fiscal Bureau. He immediately spent that surplus and more, handing out tax cuts to businesses and the wealthiest Wisconsinites. So now, based on the unilateral actions of the GOP, tea-party leaning governor, state workers will be forced to pay for the fiscal irresponsibility of their newly elected King. And they will pay dearly.
The governor has presented a bill that would remove collective bargaining from the vocabulary of the state. He has blamed public employees and their unions for the budget crisis which did not exist until he created it and even though the right to collective bargaining has no budgetary effect, Walker has decreed that it must be eliminated. Collective bargaining costs nothing, but it protects the workers' rights to negotiate future benefits. If collective bargaining is gone, the only thing state workers will be allowed to negotiate is wages. Retirement benefits, health insurance, even sick and vacation days will be non-negotiable. The effects of this legislation will destroy unions in the state of Wisconsin.
To be fair, the firefighters, local police and state troopers' unions have been spared destruction in the state of Wisconsin. Is that because they are public safety employees? No. It is because they are the three unions in the state that supported Scott Walker's candidacy. Walker cannot get away with attacking the three unions that supported him, can he? Well, maybe not this year. But he will eventually forget that they helped him get elected, so sometime within the next four years, Scott Walker, if successful now, will attempt to destroy them, too. That is why the firefighters, state troopers and local police are supporting the other unions' right to exist. They have joined the protesters at the state capitol.
To be even fairer, this is not what Walker campaigned on. Killing labor unions in the state of Wisconsin was not one of the promises that Walker made during the election cycle. Walker's campaign promises focused on bringing 250,000 new jobs to the state and promising to bring 10,000 new businesses to the state. People ultimately get what they vote for. The voters in Wisconsin knew that Walker was a Republican and maybe even a Tea Party member. Knowing that both the GOP and the Tea Party hate unions should have been enough to make them consider their votes more cautiously, but that is now water under the bridge.
Kucinich Says Fight Back!
How Much Does The GOP Hate Labor Unions? Just Wait!
Most states in this country are in dire financial straits and the states that have Republican governors are blaming most of their financial problems on the state employees and their unions. Why? Because they know that unions do more than protect the employment interests of their members. Unions are currently two of the top ten special interest contributors to political elections (2010 elections) throughout the country and most, if not all unions, have historically supported Democratic candidates. If Republican governors can kill unions in their states, unions will no longer be able to wield any political clout. They will have zero influence in the outcome of any future elections. They will no longer be on the list. Reason enough to destroy the unions? If you are a Republican, yes! The destruction of unions will also be the death of the Democratic party.
Talk about a caliphate! This could very well be the beginning of the Great Republican Caliphate!
Who were the top ten spending Special Interest Groups in the 2010 Election Cycle and who did they spend their money supporting?
From the Center For Responsible Politics
Link To The Entire Article From Left And Right News!
The Citizens' United Decision Led To The Increase In Special Interest Spending!
Special interest groups became individuals with the Citizens' United decision. They will now decide all future elections in this country. They may not yet have the power to vote, but they have the power to spend whatever it takes to destroy their rivals. Thank you, Supreme Court! The $5.00 or $10.00 campaign donations made by even several million living, breathing individuals will never compare to or be able to compete with the corporate giant individuals birthed by the Supreme Court. Believe me, these corporate giant individuals have no birth certificates, but you won't see any birthers going after them. They have something better than a birth certificate, they have the permission of our government's judicial branch to buy elections. Added to the GOP union busting mission, this country could easily turn into a one party government.
Protest In Wisconsin May Determine The Fate Of This Nation!
It is ironic that this is happening in the state of Wisconsin. Wisconsin was the first state in the country to allow collective bargaining by local workers in 1959 and then again in 1967, became the first state to allow collective bargaining by state workers.
Where it began may be where it ends...
The Fight For Labor From Where It Began!
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Dear HSchneider,
Thank you for your comment. It is becoming increasingly difficult to defend traditional Democrat causes when the leaders of the party will not stand up and make themselves heard on the issues. I remember when Sarah Palin was introduced to the country and as I watched and listened to her, I realized that as her rhetoric regarding Barack Obama evolved into name calling and fear mongering (he pals around with terrorists), I knew it was the beginning of the disintegration of the political system I grew up loving. Then when the Supreme Court published the Citizens' United ruling, it was over. Your donation to a candidate, even mine, will not matter anymore. When big money comes into play, ordinary citizens can have no effect on what people hear or what people are led to believe. One lie told over and over again, presented in a glossy, Hollywood commercial will be believed, no matter how untrue.
If the Democrats are so paralyzed that they are afraid to stand up, they will be extinct in a few short years.
The Free Trade agreements effectively ended private labor protections such as pension plans. As citizens, we allowed it to happen. Because of that, most workers today have never heard of a pension. So of course they feel that if they don't have retirement benefits, state and federal employees should not be entitled to them either.
Every day, there is something that reminds me of Martin Niemoller's Poem. Today, it is Wisconsin.
They came for the Communists, and I
didn't object - For I wasn't
a Communist;
They came for the Socialists, and I
didn't object - For I wasn't a Socialist;
They came for the labor leaders, and I
didn't object - For I wasn't a labor leader;
They came for the Jews, and I didn't
object - For I wasn't a Jew;
Then they came for me -
And there was no one left to object.
Martin Niemoller, German Protestant Pastor,
1892-1984
Nice little poem Ms. Barclay, but it doesn't fit here! Why is it any time you liberals feel you must bash Conservatives you play the Nazi/Race card? Not a very civil tone to use in your debate. Remember you libs brought it up post Arizona shooting!
Also your use of the term Caliphate is not proper in your article. By definition it has only one specific use and that is the office or dominion of a caliph, a caliph being a successor of Muhammad as temporal and spiritual head of Islam —used as a title. (Merriam-Webster)
I don't think this is what you meant, is it?
Have you ever heard of a metaphor? Maybe you haven't. Metaphors are, according to grammar basics:
Metaphors are comparisons that show how two things that are not alike in most ways are similar in one important way. Metaphors are a way to describe something. Unlike similes that use the words “as” or “like” to make a comparison, metaphors state that something is something else.
Hence, the phrase 'the Great Republican Caliphate'!
As for the poem by Martin Niemoller, it is commonly used to suggest that we should stand up for those who are being persecuted, even if we fear that we ourselves may be persecuted for doing so. While it does speak of the Jews, it also speaks of labor leaders, who are, in my opinion, along with their union members, being unfairly persecuted in Wisconsin. The poem can be used to illustrate the need for us as human beings to stand up for others and their rights. In fact, I did not compare Governor Walker to Hitler, I stated that he is the newly elected king.
Not every liberal in every situation automatically starts speaking of Hitler and the Nazis. If that is how you interpreted my use of the poem, you are wrong.
Hope this clears up any misunderstanding and answers any questions you may have...
I see all these union liberals marching against Walker when they should just be holding up signs that say screw the taxpayers we want our money! BTW, there was no surplus this is phony bullcrap just like Obamas budget going to cut the deficit, its phony math, They say lets raise something 4% instead of the 10% we wanted in next years budget, then tell the world we saved them 6%, this has to stop, Democrats and Republicans alike use this,
These people were stupid enough to elect people what want to take everything the middle class has worked for. Now they can see what they have done. These people will only help the rich.
Dear SusanJK,
You are right! I wonder how many of those firefighters and policemen, that are marching with the teachers, voted for Walker? Goes well with the old saying, "We hate government, until we need government!" Why do so many people vote against themselves and their interests? Probably because they listen to one or two things that the candidates say, like that one thing and their research goes no further. Susan, I couldn't agree with you more!
Dear American Romance,
We all, regardless of what political affiliation we claim, know that budgets must be cut. We agree. The differences we have (and if we sat and talked, might have none), is where and how to cut. and how best to do it.
The labor unions have agreed to pay cuts, increased health care and retirement contributions. That affects the budget and they are willing to do that. Walker wants their unions gone and by eliminating collective bargaining, which has no effect on the budget, effectively destroys the unions. There is the difference.
Union members are taxpayers, middle class taxpayers.
As far as the surplus, it was documented by the non-partisan Wisconsin Legislative Fiscal Bureau. I believe they are more credible in their math skills than either you or I. I believe them, not you and (for sure), not me as far as the math.
In the interest of discussion, though, let's say there was a deficit, then why in the world did Walker authorize a $140 million dollar(my number may not be exact) tax cut to business and the wealthiest of Wisconsinites? If he knew there was no money to pay for it, why did he do that? Spending money you don't have is wrong, we both agree. My conclusion is that he is only fiscally responsible when he wants to be.
...only help the rich? come on ladies, this old line is horrible and wrong, every time a Republican tries to help business grow the Democrats scream hes helping the rich and hurting the poor! without ever realizing the "rich" business is the one paying salaries to the poor! ..........ever got a job from a poor person? The majority is sick of Washington, the majority is on Walkers side! get used to it! business as usual is OVER!
American Romanace,
The Republicans did a fine job of growing business! Business overseas! Bush was in power for 8 years and grew the economy so well that right before he left office, the economy crashed! This country was losing 700,000 jobs per month during his final months in office. He truly helped business grow! The lowest tax rates in 50 years and business did not grow jobs in this country, just profits! The largest companies in this country paid no taxes! Exxon, AT&T, Citigroup and Bank of America. In 2010, corporate (that means business) profits were at the highest level ever, breaking all previous records, and still no jobs!
The most recent polls state that 61% of Americans are in agreement with the workers in Wisconsin. If the polls don't agree with your conclusions, just disregard them and continue to believe what you do. You and Glenn, you and Rush---keep believing your unadulterated garbage! By the way, Rush and Glenn, even Hannity and Palin, they are all union members!
Keep drinking that tea! When you end up making third world wages and have no employee protections, blame yourself...
Again, why did Walker approve those tax cuts if he had no money?
Miss barclay, You are totally mis-informed. The democrats sent the jobs overseas because they want to tax all business to death! also because of the unions we can not compete with the rest of the world. 6-8 weeks vacation, 12 sic days, 5 personal days pay only 4-8% for medical insurance and 100% free pension. Everyone has family and friends in unions and you would be the biggest liar if you didnt agree that they play the system! my wife was a teacher for many years and quit because the way the school system works, they actually changed the policy on pregnancy leave because 2 teachers husband and wife took turns on maternity leave that was like 8 months off for the both of them! they pass students that should be left back because they would not get the state money! and what does this do to the kids? that is one of the reasons for a large drop out rate and our low internation score. The unions were good years ago and had a purpose, not anymore! they milked the system dry. enough is enough.
However, the truth is this. This is organized to stop Wisconsin from trying to balance it's budget and raise taxes. One must understand that the "STATE OF WISCONSIN " IS BY DEFINITION BANKRUPT. The Governor has no money ! He simply asked the Unions to pay into their retirement benefits package the same as most other American workers do ( as a matter of fact, not even as much, only 5.9%, most Americans pay 10% of their salaries for their 401k's ) and for that the Teachers walk out ?
The Unions for your information have broken Detroit, Pittsburgh, Cleveland and many other cities and states. The Unions are what caused General Motors to go under and seek Government bailout money. The Unions were invented ( go study your history on this one ) by a very nice fellow by the name of Carl Marx. Nine other states are about to do what is happening in Wisconsin. And more will follow. This is happening because of greed on the Unions part. They will not back off their demands and the tax payers are sick of it.
Their is your accuracy. The Unions will lose this one and Wisconsin will win. The Obama campaign people will go home beaten and bruised. It will be a great day for America....
Danny,
I will not argue with you. You are entitled to your opinion, regardless of what I or anyone else says, or how wrong I believe you are. You have made up your mind and that is fine. However, I do have two things to say to you:
First, we all agree that government budgets must become realistic. Cuts must be made. Pay for only the things that you have money for. Let's go even further and assume that you are right and that the state of Wisconsin is broke, so spending must be reined in. If that is true and the governor had no money to pay for it, then why did he give the $140 million tax cut to the wealthy and business? I keep asking the question and no one will answer. Again, if the governor had no money, why did he give the $140 million dollar tax cut?
Second, the union members have agreed to the pay freezes and cuts, the contributions to their retirement and pensions. What they have not agreed to is the dissolution of their unions by allowing an end to collective bargaining. Collective bargaining has no fiscal impact.
I don't want workers to be working in the sweat shops of the industrial revolution, and I don't want worker's rights so far advanced that they bankrupt the company they work for. I knew a GM union worker who made $56/hr to go to work and sleep on a cot in the corner all day. He had a large cardboard box set up like a small apartment inside his work area. He had a TV and a refrigerator inside the box. He spent 6 to 7 hours a day inside the box. He could not be fired and you wonder why GM went broke and why you cannot afford a new car anymore. Give me a break.
I also don't want greedy corporations screwing over their workers, making record profits while their workers have to buy their own hard hats and boots etc. That's BS too.
Lets get some ethics back on both sides of the fence aye?
- Harlan
I agree with you, Harlan. There are excesses that should be corrected, everywhere in government and even the private sector, but I find it difficult to believe that state government workers are the cause of the fiscal crisis we are in. I have seen too many statistics that contradict that view. Do I think there are union employees that game the system? I do, but I don't think that there are enough of those to justify destroying unions. I have never been a union member and have seen many private sector employees do the same thing. Yes, the GM worker should have been fired and there should have been some way to do that.
My son is a government employee. He maintains pump stations. That means that he works chest deep in raw sewage all day and when he is on call(for a full week once a month), he works all night and weekends, preventing sewage spills or cleaning them up. He has had to take college courses for this and continually pass state tests at each level of certification. He has been employed in this field for 14 years and makes $65,000.00 a year. His health care is paid for and his retirement, too. If he was married, he would have to pay for his spouse's insurance and for any kids' insurance, and it is not cheap. He can retire at 55, but by then, will have put in 35 years and probably have cancer or hepatitis from what he has been exposed to everyday. Most of the older workers that he has known have died within a couple of years of their retirement from cancer.
He has a job that to me, is awful. I could never do it and most people cannot. They throw up or pass out on their first day because it is so disgusting. They never come back.
He is also an employee representative on the union board that handles employee grievances. It is an unpaid position and he has seen many union employees get fired when they deserve it.
As far as corporations screwing their employees, in my experience, many get too greedy. I understand that they supply jobs, but not ONE of our labor laws that protects workers has come about because of any corporation fighting for it. The 5 day work week, the minimum wage, overtime pay, FMLA, disability benefits, child labor laws, even unemployment compensation are all due to unions.
Ethics? I agree. Fair pay for a fair day's work? I am with you! I believe that if unions are destroyed, workers (you and me) will be treated like we live in a third world country. I also believe that without unions, we will become a one party country now that corporations are treated like people in regards to campaign contributions.
Harlan, Thank you for being so respectful and civil. We need a more civil discourse on every single subject. Do I get tired of being called horrible names because of my opinions? Yes. Thank you for not doing that. I read your profile before responding to your comment and something you said struck me:
"In my mature years I have come to realize that I have something to say. I have no pretenses that I have any special wisdom to share, but I do believe we live in a world full of hypocrisy and selfishness. Surely, some of it is my own.
I tend to get passionate about certain things, and often choose my words carefully. I do care about people's feelings. I would never intentionally offend anyone."
Beautifully said and I will go read some of your writing. I am sincerely interested in what you have to say and believe that you may just have some wisdom that I could benefit from.
Jillian,
Thank you, I look forward to sharing ideas in the future.
- Best
- Harlan
To compel a man to furnish contributions of money for the propagation of opinions which he disbelieves is sinful and tyrannical.
----Thomas Jefferson
That is exactly what forced public employee union membership does for individual members and taxpayers
First, simply don't apply for or accept a job that will require union membership. That way, you won't be forced. You will be also be free from any union protections that membership affords you.
Second, quit paying your taxes, because part of your tax money will go to not only propagating, but paying for things you don't believe in.
I couldn't help read one of the comments here about the Democrats developing a spine. The Democrats have fought as much as they can but they are not dictators as in Scott Walker's case. Walker said that he would listen but not negotiate. The 14 Democrats did the only thing they could do to prolong the passing of the so called Budget Repair Bill by leaving the state. Now a petition starting in Utah is trying to recall 8 of these senators.
When you are the few minority and the Republican own the assembly and senate, your voice will not be heard.
Not everyone who is in a union is getting paid a high salary. The average salary for teachers in Wisconsin is $45,000. But many teachers starting out will make around $22,000 and will stay around that income bracket for years before moving up. These are union workers.
I have a family member who works for the state government. An agreement with his union was a trade off. Instead of getting the larger pay increases that money would go into health care and their pensions. This is something Scott Walker doesn't tell the public.
Walker is doing the right thing. He is not destroying anyone, he just does what he has to do. Unions are evil in their basis, from the very beginning. Anyway, he is NOT destroying them.
Teachers nowadays are just mostly the highest paid babysitters, no more no less.
Maybe what's going on now, will bring them to do their jobs better. I don't intend to offend teachers individually, it is mostly the system that made public schools so low in educational levels.
Walker for a President!
Dear Sandy,
You are from Wisconsin and I value your input! Teachers making $22,000.00 per year? What are the teachers thinking? Wanting better wages? How dare they? If this is how little Scott Walker values the children in Wisconsin, he is ignorant and a poor excuse for a 'leader'. I commend the Wisconsin 14! If the governor will not negotiate with everyone, they have no reason to stay in the state. If that is the only way that their disapproval can be noticed, they did what they had to do!
As far as a petition stemming from Utah? Just who is behind that one?
Dear Walker for the President,
Unions are evil in their basis? Teachers are the highest paid babysitters? Maybe they will do their jobs better? Were you dropped on your head too many times as an infant? Are you sure that you are not David Koch masquerading as someone else?
Your comments offend all teachers, both individually and collectively! And they offend me!
Finally, I come back to the same question that I have asked repeatedly. If Walker had no money, why did he authorize a $140 million tax cut to the wealthiest of Wisconsinites? That tax cut by itself put his budget into deficit.
Well, I offended you, you offended me, we are even. :-) You are a teacher, aren't you? Do you talk like this to your students too, when they express their opinion which is out of your protocol?
Maybe yes, I was dropped on my head, my eyes opened and now I can see more clearly than the crowd.
In WI, being a teacher means being a Democrat. They have to talk, act and teach like Democrats. If some individuals dare to voice their different opinion, they are under threat to lose their teaching job (I am talking about public schools), so many are just mimicking.
Long years ago Obey gave to our small town school a good chunk- 1 million dollars (buttering them to vote for him). My daughter-in-law was a teacher there. They didn't know how to spend it, so they organized photo classes for teachers...
Public schools in WI are very well equipped, the mandatory program is much better than in some other states. Still, the majority of public school students are rather low educated, unless their families are watching the process. Of course, it vary from town to town. But don't put the teaches as guiltless sufferers, the insulted and humiliated. They are in much better position that many other workers. Even those who make only (!!!) $$22,000 a year, are in better position (look at their 3 month fully paid vacation in summer time, health insurance without deductibles, etc). My wife making same $$22,000 as a hard working production worker does not have all this. Plus she is monitoring our grandson's school process, many times explaining to him what he didn't understand in school, to help him do his homework... and he is a very well behaved and smart kid.
Anyway.
What I want to point out is that Walker is NOT doing anything wrong or bad. Some of the people in their comments above tried to put it straight. Just listen and hear!
Have a nice day.
OK, dear Jillian Barclay. I understand that you are filtering the comments and most likely you will not approve my previous comment. But just for your own education- please, read this article from your site: http://hubpages.com/hub/WISCONSIN-TEACHER-UNION-AN
And you don't have to approve this comment. I understand that it is against the site policy to post links. It's ok with me. I just would like you to read something more than your opinion to which you are entitled.
Good luck.
Dear Walker For President,
First, I am listening to Morning Joe right now and Joe Sacrborough (R), who clearly states that he is NOT a friend to unions, says that he cannot understand why Walker will not allow all parties to come to the table to negotiate. Scarborough talks about when the union members gave concessions on the benefits, retirement and health care, then the budget crisis should have been over, but Walker is now using the budget issue to further his own objective: breaking the unions in his state. He points out that talking (which Walker refuses to do) to each other is what makes this country different than those who just take up arms when they disagree. He has just gone further to state, "The concept of telling people that they cannot come together to negotiate with a government kinda seems unAmerican to me."
I agree. Walker is acting more like a dictator than a governor. This has clearly gone beyond the budget.
I have not filtered any of your comments. Further, I read the hub you suggested I read. I believe that it is extremist, just as Walker is.
Two final things:
1) Your wife is doing a hard job, actually more than just one hard job. She is working for low wages on a production line and I am sure (probably same age group as me) that it is taking a physical toll on her. She could obviously NOT support herself and your grandson on those wages. She is also, in her later years, obviously rearing another child (I may be wrong, but that is what I gather) and that is a huge responsibility! Thank goodness that you and your wife are there for your grandbaby! I have two grandchildren and would give my life to help them, if need be! I actually like them more than I like my kids-think that is just a grandparent thing...I love my kids, but with my grandkids, it is something so much more!
What I don't understand is this? Your wife works for less than she is worth. Why not believe that her pay and benefit level should go up, rather than suggest that everyone should work for lower wages? With your frame of mind, when does the downward pay level end?
2)The final thing I will say is this and it is the same thing that I have been saying from the beginning. Walker came in with a budget surplus. He immediately authorized a $140 million dollar tax cut to the wealthiest Wisconsinites. That tax cut threw the budget into a deficit. If he didn't have the money, why did he spend money that he did not have?
I almost lost this article. I'm glad I found it again.
You got a wrong impression. I am NOT for all being equally poor, but on the contrary, I am for people who want to be wealthy. Otherwise, it is a socialistic mentality.
My wife earns $12/hour and it is not bad on the general scale of wages. She earns her income in an honest way. It was her choice to get this job and abandon her self-business, so that she has to spend more time with the grandson, improving and adding to what he didn't receive from his public school. Actually, we are thinking about home-schooling him.
I am for a wealthy society, but in a way of free market and entrepreneurship.
Unions were a fair thing at the beginning of their history, but they were twisted into a corrupted politicized organization.
Please, be honest and brave. This is what Walker is doing (from a news article):
Walker Explodes Union Lies on 'Meet the Press'
By Newsmax Wires
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker says he won't cave in to union and Democratic demands that he compromise on his effort to curb employee benefit programs. He also vows he won't "kick the can down the street" when it comes to dealing with his state's fiscal woes.
Appearing Sunday on NBC's "Meet the Press" with David Gregory, Walker laid out his plan to save his state from fiscal bankruptcy while destroying several false claims about his legislation, which Senate Democrats are delaying by refusing to appear for a final vote.
Among the significant issues covered during his "Meet the Press" interview, Walker:
Denied he is destroying public employee unions.
His proposed law still allows public employee unions to exist and engage in collective bargaining for their wages. The state denies the unions the use of collective bargaining to seek pension and health benefits.
Claimed that unions are not acting in good faith.
Public employee unions have been claiming they will accept cutbacks in their benefits, but Walker says they can't be trusted and have been rushing through contracts that give their members extravagant benefit packages.
Walker told Gregory: "We [have] seen that actions speak louder than words. For us to balance the $3.6 billion deficit we have — but not only now, but to ensure we can continue to do that in the future so our kids don't inherit these same dire consequences — we've got to have assurances. And over the past two weeks, even after they made those promises, we've seen local union after local union rush to their school boards, their city councils, their technical school boards and rush through contracts in the past two weeks that had no contributions to the pension and no contribution to health care. And, in fact, in one case in Janesville, they actually were pushing through a pay increase. Actions do speak louder than words."
Explained that the law helps local governments curb union demands.
Walker said: "This bill precisely helps local governments, and it's effective once it passes. In fact, we're, we're facing a $3.6 billion deficit. Like nearly every other state across the country, we're going to have to cut more than a billion dollars from our schools and local governments. You know, in New York and California, where there are Democrats for governors, they're doing that. The difference here is, with this budget repair bill, we give those schools and local governments more — almost a billion and a half dollars worth of savings. So the savings they get from our budget repair bill exceed the amount."
Said public employee unions are making unusual demands on taxpayers.
Walker said: "In Wisconsin, a great example of that is, we have, in many of our school districts, a requirement through collective bargaining contracts that they have to buy their health insurance from a company that's owned by our state teacher's union, WA Trust. Because of that, it costs them up to $68 million more than if they could just buy it from the state employee healthcare plan. Those are real costs about putting real money in the classroom instead of into these collective bargaining agreements."
Pointed out his new plan is consistent with how the federal government handles many employees.
Walker explained: "Well, our proposal is less restrictive than the federal government is today. Under Barack Obama, he presides over a federal government where most federal employees do not have collective bargaining for, for benefits, nor for pay. So what we're asking for is something less restrictive than what the federal government has."
Explained why police and firemen are exempt from his new law.
Walker said: "We saw two weeks ago, when this debate first started, teachers here in Madison walked off the job for three days. Now, that was an inconvenience for a lot of parents. I know I've got two public — kids in public school. Anytime you have a disturbance like that, it's an inconvenience. But that, contrasted to the fact that even if there was one jurisdiction across the state where firefighters or police officers weren't on the job in full force, I can't afford to have a fire or crime committed where there's a gap in service. And it ultimately just boils down to public safety."
Walker concluded by telling Gregory that he stands by his statement, "This is our moment, this is our time to change the course of history."
Walker told Gregory: "It's one of those where, for year after year after year, not just the last governor, but governors before, legislatures before, have kicked the can. They've taken one-time fixes to push the budget problems off into the future. We can't do that. We're broke. Like nearly every other state across the country, we're broke. And it's about time somebody stood up and told the truth in this state and said, 'Here's our problem. Here's the solution,' and acted on it. Because, if we don't, we fail to make a commitment to the future. Our children will face even more dire consequences than what we face today."
You and I may just as well become pen pals, my friend! We will never agree on this subject, perhaps we should call it a stalemate, and proceed to other topics where we may agree or again, disagree.
I saw the interview on Meet the Press. I watched it twice and I was not swayed by what Walker had to say, so there we are...I also read the text of Walker's Budget Repair bill.
I stand by everything I have said, as do you, but I do owe you an apology. I am sorry that I asked how many times you were dropped on your head as an infant. It was disrespectful and added nothing to the conversation. Again, I apologize! Thank you for reading my article and for your many comments.
This is a great read indeed. Take out the democrats main contributors, unions, "pesky kids", and environmental conservationists, aka, normal rational people. Scott Walker may have just decided how short his term will be indeed. Union busting affects blue caller workers on both sides. 1/3 of the voters are democrats in Wisconsin, another 1/3 are independents.
So it makes sense that Scott Walker's approval rating is in the 30 percentile. Balancing the budget on the back of the middle-class, the very group that the economy relies on, is a plan for failure. Teachers are not living large, they are struggling to make ends meet, while using alot of their own money to give their students the best learning experience. Often paying for field trips out of their own pockets. This is despicable.
"their newly elected King" - This is the perfect wording. Newly empowered republicans have the king complex. Maybe Walker should take it easy for awhile as a freshman governor, learn the job first, get some experience, and then push for some changes.
Thank you, Totugaa!
The funding Walker receives from the Koch brothers and Karl Rove's Crossroads GPS may prevent him from taking any time to sit back and learn the job. They want results when they buy politicians!
Attacks on teachers? I just don't understand it--actually, I might! Public education is the only area in this country that has not yet been corporatized. I believe the ultimate goal of attacking teachers may just coincide with the desire of corporate America to take over education and control what is taught in schools, and by whom.
Finally some sanity on the issue.
there are too many tea party morons on this site that write tripe ridden hubs that sound like they got their education out of a package of fortune cookies!
Dear Sir Slave,
Thank you for suggesting that I am sane! So many seem to have a different point of view, as you can see by some of the other comments!
As for fortune cookies, that is also where they got their advanced degrees!
Thank you for your support of my hub. I tried to make it as factual as possible.
its hard not to think that some these tea partiers wern't dropped on their heads as you suggested(and later retracted) above.
some of them think that this is a communist country since 1/20/09.
some of them are obviously convinced that cutting people's pay and taking away their collective bargaining rights is somehow GOOD for them. lets hope the backlash turns out to be a full blown movement right back at the Koch brothers.
Dear Sir Slave,
I am hopeful that there is an effective backlash at the polls! I also noticed, like you that in the final days of the 2008 campaign, that something different was happening that I had not seen before. I followed that election more closely than any other in my voting history and towards the end, Sarah Palin started the whole "he is not one of us" crap! So many at her rallies screamed "terrorist!" and she seemed to revel in it. That was the beginning. What a joke she is, but at the same time, she started what has become a rallying cry for the right.
I cried when I went to vote for Obama, because I was so happy to be part of history! I cried when he was sworn in! I have so much respect for this man, and I am so proud to call him my President! I don't agree with evrything he does, but I support him and will continue to do so. He is a helluva lot smarter than I am and he is a good man. Just think, if McCain had won, we would be in Libya right now and Palin would still be trying to figure out which state Libya is!
Sir Slave, that is a funny comment lol. Ignorance is bliss. The Tea Party is unsure what the protest is all about, when backed into a corner they answer "we are fighting for smaller government, and lower taxes" Well, our taxes are lower, are they just uninformed? They hate things being ran by the government, but forget where their medicare and social security comes from. They toss out the word socialism like its a part of pop culture vocabulary. Technically having speed limits is socialist, having to wear your seat belt could be considered socialism. Just because some things are better REGULATED doesn't mean it is communism. But it is my prediction as time goes on, the ignorant racist fear mongers will be the minority, and there will be plenty of room for us free thinkers like Jillian.
Collective Bargaining costs NOTHING!
Dear Tortugaa,
Thank you! Probably a free thinker because I grew up in the 60's and 70's and much to the chagrin of my parents (including the threats of imminent death from my father!), joined every 'radical' liberal movement I could and attended as many protests as I could get away with. But, I was also a straight A student and was offered two full scholarships, one to the University of Michigan and one to the University of Nebraska. Of course, the low point was when my father's top secret clearance was temporarily revoked because I attended protests and had contacted the Soviet embassy for information for a term paper. He really did want to kill me! Thank goodness my mom intervened! I have never changed my basic beliefs; that real people can change the world and that we are responsible to help anyone less fortunate.
Collective bargaining costs nothing! You are so right!
You are young, but you have wisdom that does not necessarily come with age. It comes from an innate sense of ethics and fair play. It is the mark of character and identifies an honorable man! As I said before, you are the future and have a huge responsibility!
When the Democrats returned to Wisconsin they were greeted as heroes. I believe these extreme conservatives that openly despise the middle class are awakening the sleeping giant. 2012 is should be a huge victory for Democrats if we simply don't forget. Besides, the GOP does not have anyone that stands out. Donald Trump sees that and may throw his hat in the ring. That is desperation.
When the Democrats returned to Wisconsin they were greeted as heroes. I believe these extreme conservatives that openly despise the middle class are awakening the sleeping giant. 2012 is should be a huge victory for Democrats if we simply don't forget. Besides, the GOP does not have anyone that stands out. Donald Trump sees that and may throw his hat in the ring. That is desperation.
Dear Terry,
You made me laugh with the comment regarding Donald Trump! He is a 'conservative' this year, but a few years ago, I seem to remember that he was trying to pass himself off as a Democrat. Opportunist Party, anyone?
We cannot forget because this is happening in every state, at every level. All of a sudden, everyone has forgotten that it was bankers, mortgage lenders and Wall Street that caused our economic problems. They still are! Our government seems to be too afraid to hold the real villians accountable. Our representatives are all being bought! Well, maybe not all, but many! Much easier to scapegoat public employees!
American Romance may praise the rich if he likes. Some may even want Walker for president. In a country as vast as the USA we do have room for this. We liberals have guaranteed that right. No one said because we have a democracy we can expect all the voters to be informed and not brain washed. What these two need is to eat more good Italian food and flood their fear laden amygdalas with some good marinara. Perhaps then they will see that fighting their neighbors in favor of those with corrupt power is what the Nazis did.
Dear Terry,
They say that conditions like anxiety and phobias are linked to abnormal functioning of the amygdala, so you are correct! Never really thought of that as being the cause or even that good marinara is the cure, but it sounds plausible!
It is a hard thing for me to come to terms with, that with all the problems we as a country have seen in just the last 10 years, that we now have to deal with so much hatred. I agree with Fay Paxton, we have all forgotten who caused our financial problems and continue to do so.
Kudos to you for this superb article. Hope springs eternal. Perhaps what has happened in Wisconsin will galvanize the Democrats and they'll respond accordingly. It just blows my mind that anyone thinking or who has a sense of history cannot see what is going on. I guess all we can do is keep sounding the alarm and noone does it better than you.
Thank you, Fay! Have been following the election for Supreme Court justice in Wisconsin. Of course, the county clerk who made a deal to walk on election tampering mysteriously "found" 14,000 lost votes giving the Republican Prosser the lead...and not surprisingly, has no paper trail...
The field of battle. I love it. I shall return when I have a bit more time. Government unions allied with Democratic politicians have a corrupt bargain between them. The Democratic politicians agree to more union pay and benefits and jobs. The unions get more members and more compulsory dues. The union thugs give a chunk of this money, coerced through the threat of force, from the taxpayer, back to the Democratic politicians. The cycle is complete. The cycle repeats. The only one left out is the taxpayer.
Until now.
Until the Tea parties began springing up all over the nation.
Until conservatives were elected and watched carefully.
And now we, the Taxpayers, are fighting back against the government unions, against the corrupt Democratic politicians, an against the Republicans in name only.
Will we win? Will the nation survive? Or will we lose the last, best hope of freedom for mankind? I do not know. But the fight will be long, and hard, with some sorrow and some great joy. If we win it will have been the best thing I have ever participated in. And if we lose, then I die, having done my best to save the nation for today, and for tomorrow. Win or lose the struggle is not in vain. It is a struggle worth having. It is a cause worth dying for.
You need to audition on Broadway! Read your above soliloquy!
Surely, you are talented enough to play Hamlet! Or, better yet, toddle on over to Fox---hear they need to replace the king of weep...
After reading your last paragraph, almost hesitated for a moment, Drama Star! But, you are going to lose your battle!
Hi Jillian,
Perhaps, this time, good will not triumph over evil. Evil always seems to gain the upper hand while good is still sleeping. But good is awake now, wary, watchful, and prepared. For a while Hitler prevailed over much of the rest of Europe and the Soviet Union. But in the end Hitler lost. Good (mixed with some bad) prevailed over evil. For a long while the Soviet Union prevailed over much of Europe. Then good, in the man of Ronald Reagan, declared that the evil empire must fall. And so it did, properly relegated to the ash heaps of history. The evil today is government unions. And corrupt politicians who party with the government unions. Evil may win for a while. You may win for a while. But eventually the taxpayer will win. Good will win. And once again it shall be morning in America.
Dear hide behind the name sn53Anon,
Your hero Reagan outspent the Soviet Union. Plain and simple so stop with the orgasmic rapture. He is the one that started this country on the road of Spend More and Tax Less and then choke the government into not providing the services you claim not to want.
Your Tea Party is already recognized by the most as being comprised of bigots that were turned loose from mental institutions as part of that Reagan era of cut services. Don't lecture me on Good and Evil you half baked twit. Education for children is good, unemployment is good, the right of the worker to stand up to corporate America is good, seniors having a safety net is good, health care for everyone is good.
Evil is ignoramus Tea Party freaks wrapping themselves in the flag and claiming to be for frugality and supporting more and more tax cuts for the super rich whose backside they love to kiss. Since you did zero while Bush was president and had your first rally 38 days after Obama took office, holding racist signs of Obama and protesting on things of which you knew nothing, I say you are a racist pure and simple. You may crawl back in your hole now and pee yourself.
Terry,
You never mince words! I am glad that you don't! Think sn(whatever he calls himself!)has taken a liking to me. My kids have always said that I am a weirdo magnet! Anyone with schizotypal personality disorder, and they always find their way to my side at any party. What luck!
Thanks, Terry! Enjoy your day! Give Pam a hug for me!
You speak on behalf of those that do not have lobbyists.
You speak honestly, intelligently, and courageously.
Please continue to do what you do best. Tell the brain dead, greedy, fear mongering bastards where they can shove it!
I will and you, too! Although, I am quickly becoming a fan of Sacky! She may be even more eloquent than you! Think she needs to have her own column in the NY Times!
I wonder what right wing people will think and who they would blame if they have an emergency and the 911 line gives abusy signal?
As long as the "job creators" (what a joke!) get their tax breaks I guess it will be all good.
Ms. Barclay, I too am a water wastewater operations guy and commend your family for protecting everyone from filth. We in the wastewater industry need benefits and tax breaks waaaaay more than any banker or right wing extremist!!
Dear Reasonable Person,
Thank you and I agree. I have said before that my son's coworkers who have retired are soon diagnosed with some type of cancer caused by everything that they are exposed to. They have ended up dying within a year or two of their retirement. I don't want this for my son, but this is the field he chose and he is proud of the job he does. You and he deserve the benefits that you work your butts off to get. People who complain about benefits and pensions should, instead, start complaining that they are not given benefits and a pension for their work. Forty or fifty years ago, almost everyone could retire with a pension and benefits, but private corporations discontinued them, without hearing a whimper or whine from employees.
The "job creators" are sitting on almost 3 trillion dollars. How much do they need before they actually create some jobs?
Is it just me or are the job creating bankrupt billionaire bankers pi$$ing down our (working class) backs and telling us it's raining?
HSchneider Level 6 Commenter 15 months ago
The Republicans now have unlimited public election spending and want to kill the main source for Democrats. That's the bottom line and they want to do it in Democratic leaning Wisconsin. I hope the unions keep their spine there and I hope the Democrats develop a spine.