We Are Wisconsin, Standing Together

I am from Michigan and I have been so afraid of what is going to happen in Wisconsin I can hardly bare to watch some of my fellow americans be ignored, and misrepresented by the GOP. This agenda of Governor Walker cannot be. this is taking our dignity away and in many cases because of the consessitions all ready sacrificed, and wages have been detramental.Thay have collectively negotiated their own wages and health care plans plus expenses on our dime !!!! I walk with the people of Wisconsin and pray for them and hope Governor Snyder does not stab us in the back like this. Gloria Shepherd

I really like this video Wisconsin! PLease keep fighting and do not give up. Democracy did not even happen just now in Wisconsin. It’s very sad that the governor is not even willing to work with the Unions, just a one way street for him and his right winger republicans. PLease keep fighting. My dad was in the Union and he worked very hard for every last dime until up to his retirement. My dad had a lot of medical bils when my mother was Ill with Lymphomas. Otherwise my dad woudl not have been able to pay for the thousands of dollars he had to put out of his pocket after my mother had died in 1989. I AM WITH ALL OF YOU HARD WORKING UNION MEMBERS AND MIDDLE CLASS!! PLEASE DO YOURSELVES A FAVOR AND RECALL THE GOVERNOR NOW!!!

Governor Scott Walker this is America your made in America,this is where you were educated by this Union Teacher as a little boy! Now your going to just throw them became a Governor? Your just as worse as Khadafy, Jeong Jung from North Korea and the dictator of Iran. “Your Stubborn as a mule” Don’t even know why they voted you as a Governor. Are you sure your an American?

The clock is now running for groups trying to collect enough signatures to trigger recall elections against seven Democratic senators, state officials said today.nnReid Magney, spokesman for the Government Accountability Board, said local groups have officially registered recall committees with his agency to try to recall Sen. Bob Wirch of Kenosha and Jim Holperin of Eagle River.nnIn addition, a Utah group, American Recall Coalition, has registered electronically to set up recall committees against Wirch and five other Senate Democrats – Lena Taylor of Milwaukee, Mark Miller of Monona, Julie Lassa of Stevens Point, Fred Risser of Madison and Dave Hansen of Green Bay.nnMagney said his office is still waiting to receive paper registrations from American Recall Coalition but that the out-of-state group may begin collecting signatures for the recall elections in those districts.nn”We thought we were going to have a quiet time after the election,” Magney said. “Apparently not.”nnThe only Democratic senator who is not currently the subject of a recall bid is Spencer Coggs of Milwaukee.

So far the angry teachers of Wisconsin have not yet won over the public. They have not convinced the majority that, in an age of staggering budget deficits, they u2014 or, indeed, public employees in general u2014 must as a veritable birthright enjoy salary, benefits, and pensions on average far more generous than those of their private-sector counterparts, who make up the majority of taxpayers.nnTeachers are right that the crisis transcends compensation. Yet why, others might ask, would teachersu2019 unions oppose merit pay? Why should someone who did not join the union still have to pay its dues? Why should the state have to collect the dues from employee paychecks on behalf of the union? Moreover, when these questions are posed amid a landscape of teachers skipping classes to protest, urging students to join them, and soliciting fraudulent doctorsu2019 notes to cover their cancellations of classes u2014 while their supporters in the legislature hide out to prevent a quorum and thereby subvert the democratic process reaffirmed last November u2014 the public becomes further estranged from their cause.http://www.nationalreview.com/articles/260659/teachers-and-others-victor-davis-hanson

Collective bargaining by unions takes place very differently in government than it does in the private sector. Private-sector unions have competitors and bargain over the profits they help create. The government earns no profits. Government unions have a legal monopoly and bargain for a greater share of tax dollars. Collective bargaining in government means that votersu2019 elected representatives must agree on tax and spending decisions with union representatives.nnCollective bargaining also politicizes the civil service. Government unions negotiate contract provisions that force workers to join and subsidize their fundraising. These subsidies have made them the top political spenders in the country. They use that money to lobby for higher taxes and protect their inflated compensation.nnAmerica can no longer afford these special-interest subsidies. State and local governments should:nn * Restore voter control over government spending by ending collective bargaining with government unions.n * Restore a nonpartisan civil service by ending subsidies for union fundraising and giving workers the choice of paying union dues. Voters should tell the government how to spend their money, not the other way around.nhttp://www.heritage.org/Research/Reports/2011/02/Time-to-Restore-Voter-Control-End-the-Government-Union-Monopoly

Collective bargaining by unions takes place very differently in government than it does in the private sector. Private-sector unions have competitors and bargain over the profits they help create. The government earns no profits. Government unions have a legal monopoly and bargain for a greater share of tax dollars. Collective bargaining in government means that votersu2019 elected representatives must agree on tax and spending decisions with union representatives.nnCollective bargaining also politicizes the civil service. Government unions negotiate contract provisions that force workers to join and subsidize their fundraising. These subsidies have made them the top political spenders in the country. They use that money to lobby for higher taxes and protect their inflated compensation.nnAmerica can no longer afford these special-interest subsidies. State and local governments should:nn * Restore voter control over government spending by ending collective bargaining with government unions.n * Restore a nonpartisan civil service by ending subsidies for union fundraising and giving workers the choice of paying union dues. Voters should tell the government how to spend their money, not the other way around.n

Government-employee unions now spend more than any other outside group on U.S. elections. Of the five largest spenders in the 2010 election cycle outside of political parties, three were unions that represent government employees. AFSCME took the top spot, spending $91 million to elect its membersu2019 bosses. That total dwarfed the Chamber of Commerceu2019s $75 million, and the $65 million raised by Republican Party-allied groups. As Larry Scanlon, head of AFSCMEu2019s political operation said: u201cWeu2019re the big dog, but we donu2019t like to brag.u201d[19] This spending gives government unions significant political power.nnGovernment unions use this power to campaign for higher taxes and more government employeesu2014 in order to increase union membership and the amount of money flowing to the union from dues. They are the driving force behind most campaigns to raise taxes and prevent budget cuts.[20] They attempt to make government expansion the path of least political resistance. If politicians refuse to support this agenda, government unions will use their power to defeat them.nnAt times they state this openly. A Service Employees International Union (SEIU) representative told California legislators that u201cWe helped to get you into office, and we got a good memory. And come November, if you donu2019t back our program, weu2019ll help get you out of office.u201d[21] Collective bargaining has thoroughly politicized the civil service in many states. Increasinglyu2014and contrary to basic democratic principlesu2014it is union leaders, not elected officials, who essentially decide how much taxes people pay, and how the government will spend those taxes.

Restoring Voter Control and a Nonpartisan Civil Service. Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker has proposed restoring votersu2019 control over their elected government. He proposes eliminating negotiations over government benefits and work rules, and requires voters to approve any wage increases beyond inflation. These changes allow Governor Walker to reduce the generosity of government health and pension benefits to close Wisconsinu2019s budget gap.nnWalker also proposes significant steps to restore a nonpartisan civil service: He would allow government employees in Wisconsin to keep their jobs without paying union dues. Unions would have to demonstrate support among employees in an annual secret-ballot vote in order to remain recognized as the employeesu2019 bargaining representative. The state government would also end collection of union dues through its payroll system. The changes would remove the special privileges that inflate government unionsu2019 political clout.nnOther states should follow Wisconsinu2019s lead and cease collective bargaining with government unions. Government collective bargaining raises the cost of public services, politicizes the civil service, and directs tax dollars to special interests. The arguments in favor of collective bargaining do not apply to government: The government earns no profits and has a monopoly on its services. Government unions bargain to get more money from taxpayers. This does not serve the publicu2019s interests. Elected representatives, not unions, should have the final say on government policy.nnStates should also stop subsidizing union politicking. The law should not force government employees to hand over hundreds of dollars a year to unions, and should not subsidize union fundraising. Stopping this would go a long way toward restoring a nonpartisan civil service. American government should once again serve the needs of the people.nnu2014James Sherk is Senior Policy Analyst in Labor Economics in the Center for Data Analysis at The Heritage Foundation.

Wisconsin I am with you. You must feel so betrayed by this governor. He did not run on an agenda to “crush the unions’. He ran on fiscal responsibility. This is NOT fiscal responsibility. It is union busting. As a public servant his is supposed to serve everyone, not just his rich friends. He has been exposed for the unethical immoral man that he is and should be ashamed of himself. You have done this country proud with your peaceful demonstrations and willingness to accept concessions. I will pray for your success in this endeavor. You are right, don’t ever stop fighting, PA is with you.

Walker should be recalled for his unethical behavior. It is amazing that he has been exposed and is not being recalled.

I am a teacher from Wisconsin. Thanks for all the support! We will continue to fight for what’s right. Our govenor will not take away our rights, we have given all we can. We will not give in to big business.

I am

My Mom was born in Green Bay, Wisconsin and witnessed first hand the forming of the unions to protect people in the workplace and give them good pay. She’s rolling in her grave I’m sure at what’s going on here. Gov Walker and company wants to turn us all back into citizens with no rights, expected to obey anything that’s told us or face severe consequences. I’m a union member in another state and am grateful for what they’ve done for me and my family. Keep fighting out there,nfolks!! Keep fighting until the last,until those imbeciles listen. Don’t lose hope and don’t give up.nON WISCONSIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Gloria, Snyder is trying to dismantle the unions. He said something to the effect that he knows better than to try, but he is doing it. It’s just not “in your face” like Walker has done. Please join the protest in Lansing tomorrow (Saturday) at noon.

What is your point? Who cares about your Karl Rove talking points or what you think personally? Are you not aware of what is going on with the actual war that has been waged on all workers? Are you just not informed about the stagnant wages over the past 30 years (since Reagan), even though productivity and corporate profits have gone through the roof. nWhat about the stark contrast between the rich and poor, where the CEOs are making 300% more than the average worker.nAbout those “Union Bosses” talking point; the guys that are the Union Presidents actually have been in the workers positions and worked their way up and got…DEMOCRATICALLY ELECTED to their current position by the members of said Union. Too bad that’ll never happen with CEOs like they used to do back in the day when they did work their way up through the company.

we do not need unions the only one’s who want it are untalented worker’s who want the same pay as the talented workers why should a forklift driver make the same pay as a maintenance worker

the auto workers got a bailout they would not take a pay cut during hard times no one bailed out the mill’s down south nafta should be a equal traid agreement unions are just a way for idiots to get the same pay as the skilled labor workers wake up america.this is why we cannot compete with other country’s

I would inpeach the ass hole, he wanted to plant trouble makers in the crowd its onthe internet . is anybody going to say any about that he s a peice of shit and some one gave him the votes republicans are no good they only want two kinds of class thats the rich and poor , and thats what you get when you elect a repulican ,/ piece of shit , you don t get a governor but a dicktator…………n

That is honestly the most idiotic thing I’ve heard. Okay, not THE most idiotic, but pretty adorable.nJohn, nice broad brush stroke. Try speaking with some sense of reality.nHonestly, it’s comments like yours that make me realize how easy the Republicans have it to convince you to vote for them. Wow.

With Walker so egar to cut pensions for gov. workers, is he cutting his pension and that of congress, and judges who retire with golden parachutes of taxpayer money? Is he sharing the budget balancing on the backs of congress as well? If no he needs to step down and let a real leader whos fair and equal take over.

With Gov. Walker so egar to cut pensions of gov. workers, is he also cutting his pension and the pensions of congress and judges that retire with golden parachutes of taxpayer money? He has shown he is not fit to govern and should be recalled immediately. Wisconsin I salute you for standing strong against such dictatorship in the making. How in the world did you let your state gov. be so much Republican after all they have done to stop progress and take us back to the dark ages. I hope this serves as a lesson to all of us.

“cease collective bargaining with government unions”? I guess Glenn Beck could easily show us on a chalk board how: “Government collective bargaining raises the cost of public services, politicizes the civil service, and directs tax dollars to special interests.”, but can someone please shed some light on how the lopsided “Citizens United” Supreme Court decision makes any sense? I mean…really…Corporations (FOREIGN or domestic) are allowed to anonymously funnel unlimited money to buy off politicians or to run attack ads against politicians that might stand up to them. BTW, can you believe that Fox News is partially owned (30%?) by a Saudi Prince??!! I wonder who’s interest they are interested in serving? Could it be…Big Oil? At least we now know who Scott Walker answers to (David Koch).

Keep the faith. I am with you. a nurse from new jersey

only one word. WISCONSIN. says it all. I have you in my prayers and wish I could be there in person.

Where were the “angry teachers of Wisconsin”? Maybe Fox showed a different crowd from the one in Madison that everyone else is seeing. nnWell, at least Scott Walker is open about going after the middle class workers. In Florida, I’ve heard that Governor (Rick Scott) is sneaking through the bits and pieces of Senate Bill 6; which was vetoed by the past Republican Gov. due to pressure from parents, teachers and average Floridians; one part at a time as to avoid notice, along with opening for profit charter schools with taxpayer money.

I say that the GOP nominate Scott Walker and David Koch for 2012!

Nice grammar and punctuation dude. This is precisely why we need the unions! If nothing else but to hire more teachers! Thanks for the laugh though…

This is a pathetic rally for a cause that was lost a long time ago. The truth is the taxpayers are suffering. The truth is the general populous is suffering from an over bureaucratic organized labor force. Even FDR said “organized labor cannot exist in the public sector.” nnPlease believe this, “This legislation will pass in its entirety!!” When it does it will be a victory for the tax payers and even the state workers themselves. They will no longer be dependent on their union leaders. The state workers will begin to feel the empowerment of improving ones one life.

It’s time for all Americans who have watched wall st completely defraud the American ppl and get away with it to come out and support each other and discuss how we can over come this new American dictator class of ppl who want it all for themselves…nnAmericans need to fight to raise our standard of living,, not give in to these oligarchs and industry hawks who want us to believe we have no ther choice but to receive less..

yeah…Wisconsin is so oppressed, just like Eygpt.

people seriously need to think about who they vote for.. they say onething and do another. walker was one of those people who walked all over the people who voted and trusted him.. americans remember when u vote next year who u will vote out. Godbless you all we stand united…

While Washington is bemoaning our country’s student’s dismal test scores and touting Finland up as an example of a successful system, they somehow ignore the fact and forget to mention that Finland’s teachers are 100% unionized. Our country is becoming more and more an oligarchy. This movement is transcending party lines. Who did our president meet with a few weeks back to discuss the future of our country? The founders of google and Facebook. n While it is politically correct to demonize unions, unions paved the way for millions of workers in our country to receive fair wage and working conditions, defying the power elite. As the 20th century opened, over 1/2 million children under the age of 15 worked 60 hours a week in mines, factories and mills. Union leader Mother Jones organized a children’s march to see President Roosevelt, who refused to see them. However, the protest called attention to the children’s crusade, ultimately resulting in child labor laws.n More recently, beginning in 2007, 300 Filipino teachers were imported to Louisiana, having paid thousands of dollars to a third party company to help them obtain jobs. They also had to forfeit a percentage of their salaries to the company; in essence, they were indentured servants. Other teachers hearing of their plight directed them to the Louisiana Federation of Teachers who filed a complaint on their behalf, exposing the arrangement.n My message: continue to make your voices heard! You belong to a great tradition upon which the future of our democracy depends. Unless we speak out, there will be no one to counter the rich and power in our country. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COURAGE.

While Washington is bemoaning our country’s student’s dismal test scores and touting Finland up as an example of a successful system, they somehow ignore the fact and forget to mention that Finland’s teachers are 100% unionized. Our country is becoming more and more an oligarchy. This movement is transcending party lines. Who did our president meet with a few weeks back to discuss the future of our country? The founders of google and Facebook. n While it is politically correct to demonize unions, unions paved the way for millions of workers in our country to receive fair wage and working conditions, defying the power elite. As the 20th century opened, over 1/2 million children under the age of 15 worked 60 hours a week in mines, factories and mills. Union leader Mother Jones organized a children’s march to see President Roosevelt, who refused to see them. However, the protest called attention to the children’s crusade, ultimately resulting in child labor laws.n More recently, beginning in 2007, 300 Filipino teachers were imported to Louisiana, having paid thousands of dollars to a third party company to help them obtain jobs. They also had to forfeit a percentage of their salaries to the company; in essence, they were indentured servants. Other teachers hearing of their plight directed them to the Louisiana Federation of Teachers who filed a complaint on their behalf, exposing the arrangement.n My message: continue to make your voices heard! You belong to a great tradition upon which the future of our democracy depends. Unless we speak out, there will be no one to counter the rich and power in our country. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COURAGE.

The one person who should be leading this march is more interested in sanctions against Libia than sanctions against Wisconsin. Obama has the power to disrupt what is going on not only there but overall let me hear him say I’ll give you cuts no more federal money back for states that ———. Congress holds the purse but the president writes the checks.

Unions were good many years back but are ruining or running this country today.

The governor is looking out for the MAJORITY of the people not a chosen few. Unions need to get a grip on reality.

Stand up and fight now or there will be no one to stand up and fight when they come for your job.

What war John? I have been working and staying above the poverty line with private sector, non-union jobs for over 40 years while raising two kids. I work hard, control my spending and save for the future. While not wealthy by any stretch, I think I have planned for my retirement and just hope that America doesn’t implode before I can 10 years from now. Seems to me the only “war” in this country is being waged against hard working taxpayers by indoctrinated progressives like you. There will always be a “stark contrast” between the rich and poor. It has been with mankind throughout history. Your Marxist theory will never change that fact. Marxism has failed every time it has been tried. It’s human nature that there will always be those on top, those in the middle and those at the bottom of the economy. There is NO utopia John. Wake up.

I know this is gonna step on toes, but I gotta say “what is up is with state and federal employees whining about loosing benefits”??? This chaps my butt. Those of us in the private sector have given up jobs, benefits, had pay reductions/cut, etc since the economic crash in 2008, and still are. Those of us fortunate enough to even have a job are working stupid hours just to keep it. I just flipped on the TV here in NC and see people protesting and making the statement that state and federal workers shouldn’t have to give up benefits as part of the efforts to get the state and federal budget deficits in check????????? Really??? Are you above reproach, just because you’re paid via the money that’s milked out of the rest of us??? Those of us living in the real world have been giving until we bleed for 3 years, be happy if you just get to keep your job, even at reduced benefits and pay!!nnI know people personally who have made the comments like “I’m glad I’ve got a state job, we don’t have to worry about this stuff”. Wake up. Gov’t can’t continue to bleed the rest of us dry just so you can get your full benefits, work your 40hr weeks and get paid for OT (some while riding around in gov’t vehicles), and have such duplicity in many jobs.nnTo top it all off, unions are a thing of the past, and bleed businesses and the economy dry with higher wages and demands that force the companies that hire people to close and move elsewhere. nnStop your whining and protesting, go to your jobs and actually DO WORK for your pay, and give to the system with cuts and reductions like the rest of us have, to try and get the country out of this freakin’ mess WE’RE ALL IN!!!!! You’re no better than the rest of us.

Why do the little people always pick on the little people; what about the richest people in this Country that hold most of the wealth .. I think our energies would be well spent going after them. Its the plan of the rich to hold down middle and poor class. Lets support Wisconsin, unions, teachers and community. It is the right thing to do. Blessings to all Wisconsonites.

You really think the middle class is who should be attacked here? You should start with the Senators and Congressmen who get millions of dollars from lobbyists Like Koch Industries,Halerburton,etc… If the Unions are dismantled there will be NO middle class it will be rich and poor!!Think about this if the public and private sector unions are broken,Where is the voice gonna come from?Do you realize that the 40 hr. work wk. was created by the UNIONS Benefits Pay scale so you can get ahead in life a little better,Work place conditions!! All are what the does!! If you compare Union vs Non-union you can see how they help!So listen Big business always agrees to the contracts it’s not like it’s only decided by the UNIONS… Think about this if you dont have the union wages to set the bar for the middle class, Say it’s gone The wages are not only going to drop for the union jobs but for the Salary employees above them and the workers who’s wages are compared or equal will drop..Watch and see!! The union’s help all wages in the middle class and the upper middle class…So be careful what you wish for!!!

if it’s about ending subsidies we can’t afford, then why do we start with the American worker and not with the tens of billions of dollars in subsidies the Oil Companies receive from the government who are also making hundreds of billions in profits? Why is it no Republican or Conservative or Tea Party person wants to talk about those special interests?

If you take the 10 biggest political contributors, Unions only account for 3 spots, and none are in the top 3. the 7 remaining all belong to Republican groups, the largest being a Karl Rove political group. n

Somebody please help me understand: Have I been dreaming over the last 10 years or was the deficit created by the Bush Administration (republicans) a figment of my imagination? Did I really hear Bush say: “We’re spending money like ‘drunken sailors’”? Or was that President Clinton…maybe it was President Obama!nnThe point that I’d like to keep reminding people is: President Clinton left office with a balanced budget!!!!!

I work for the federal government and I agree with YOU. I see so much waste and people making more and more money. I have worked for the Feds for over 20 years and have watched more and more high paying positions created. The Union, AFGE, is a joke and the president gets paid a federal salary but ONLY performs union work and all I see is the union protecting workers who SHOULD be fired.nn

Correction, Barbara. Clinton left office with a surplus – he was paying down previous debt.

It would be nice if that would work, but it won’t. That is the system in Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia,etc. Workers are subject to political whim.

Scott walker proposes selling off state property without bid nor legislative approval. Scott Walker proposes eliminating bargaining rights to pay for a $136M tax cut he gave the wealthy. WI was balanced until he took office, and gave the store away to industry. True.

Angry old white guy here. You are blaming others. Look at us, then countries like Costa Rica, Denmark, Sweden, and Finland. They are able to take care of thier citizens, provide jobs and training, all with very active unions. Sounds like another angry white old guy blaming others.

Nice claim. Is it true? Got proof? If you do, you should present it.

Yes they have! The protesters in Madison are 75-80% wisconsin residents. Most are non-union. How do I know? I’m in Madison, and have been there daily. You can tell a cheesehead from a mile away, trust me.

Indiana Teachers are with you Wisconsin! Keep Fighting!

The good news out of Wisconsin is that public school students’ test scores skyrocketed last week, mystifying educators. The bad news is many student-teacher love affairs were hard-hit without access to janitors’ closets and locker rooms.nnDemocrats are acting as if Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker’s demand that public sector employees give up collective bargaining would have George Washington rolling in his grave (a clear violation of Gravediggers’ Local 803 regulations concerning the rolling of the dead).nnIn fact, government employees should never, ever be allowed to organize.nnThe need for a union comes down to this question: Do you have a boss who wants you to work harder for less money? In the private sector, the answer is yes. In the public sector, the answer is a big, fat NO.nnGovernment unions have nothing in common with private sector unions because they don’t have hostile management on the other side of the bargaining table. To the contrary, the “bosses” of government employees are co-conspirators with them in bilking the taxpayers.http://www.anncoulter.com/

The good news out of Wisconsin is that public school students’ test scores skyrocketed last week, mystifying educators. The bad news is many student-teacher love affairs were hard-hit without access to janitors’ closets and locker rooms.nnDemocrats are acting as if Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker’s demand that public sector employees give up collective bargaining would have George Washington rolling in his grave (a clear violation of Gravediggers’ Local 803 regulations concerning the rolling of the dead).nnIn fact, government employees should never, ever be allowed to organize.nnThe need for a union comes down to this question: Do you have a boss who wants you to work harder for less money? In the private sector, the answer is yes. In the public sector, the answer is a big, fat NO.nnGovernment unions have nothing in common with private sector unions because they don’t have hostile management on the other side of the bargaining table. To the contrary, the “bosses” of government employees are co-conspirators with them in bilking the taxpayers.nnFar from being careful stewards of the taxpayers’ money, politicians are on the same side of the bargaining table as government employees — against the taxpayers, who aren’t allowed to be part of the negotiation. This is why the head of New York’s largest public union in the mid-’70s, Victor Gotbaum, gloated, “We have the ability to elect our own boss.”nnDemocratic politicians don’t think of themselves as “management.” They don’t respond to union demands for more money by saying, “Are you kidding me?” They say, “Great — get me a raise too!”nnDemocrats buy the votes of government workers with generous pay packages and benefits — paid for by someone else — and then expect a kickback from the unions in the form of hefty campaign donations, rent-a-mobs and questionable union political activity when they run for re-election.nnIn 2006, 10,000 public employees staged a rally outside the New Jersey State House to protest the mere discussion of a cut to their gold-plated salaries and benefits. Then-Gov. Jon Corzine leapt onto the stage shouting: “We will fight for a fair contract!”nnOnly later, someone noticed: Wait — isn’t he management? (It takes a special kind of courage to promise 10,000 crazed union agitators that you’ll fight to get them more money.)nnService Employees International Union officials openly threaten California legislators. At a 2009 legislative hearing, an SEIU member sneered into a microphone: “We helped to getchu into office, and we gotta good memory. Come November, if you don’t back our program, we’ll getchu out of office.”nnIt used to be widely understood that collective bargaining has no place in government employment. In 1937, the American president beloved by liberals, FDR, warned that collective bargaining “cannot be transplanted into the public service.” George Meany, head of the AFL-CIO for a quarter century, said unions were not appropriate for civil servants. As recently as 1978, the vast majority of states prohibited unionization of government employees.nnAnytime there is the slightest suggestion that perhaps in the middle of a deep recession, public school teachers should pay 1.5 percent of their salaries toward their extravagant health care plans for their entire families, suddenly we get television ads of hard-working men doing dangerous jobs on docks and in foundries while being abused by their greedy capitalist overseers.nnThe unions must be desperately hoping that no one will notice … Wait a minute! WE’RE TALKING ABOUT TEACHERS! This isn’t the Discovery Channel’s “Dirty Jobs” — it’s Mrs. Cooper’s seventh-grade “values clarification” class.nnWith heavy union dues, labor has plenty of money to pay for propaganda and to threaten and bribe politicians.nnOn his first day in office, the Republican governor of Indiana, Mitch Daniels, signed an executive order denying public sector employees the right to bargain collectively — something that had been granted, naturally, by a Democratic governor.nnAs a result, Indiana government employees instantly got to take home an extra thousand dollars that no longer went to union dues — and good employees started getting raises, while bad employees got cashiered.nnBut government workers think the job of everyone else in the economy is to protect their high salaries, crazy work rules and obscene pensions. They self-righteously lecture us about public service, the children, a “living wage” — all in the service of squeezing more money from the taxpayer to fund their breathtakingly selfish job arrangements.nnThere’s never a recession if you work for the government. The counties with the highest per capita income aren’t near New York City or Los Angeles — they’re in the Washington, D.C., area — a one-company town where the company is the government. The three counties with the highest incomes in the entire country are all suburbs of Washington. Eleven of the 25 counties with the highest incomes are near Washington.nnFor decades now, the Democrats have had a good gig buying the votes of government workers with outrageous salaries, benefits and work rules — and then sticking productive earners with the bill. But, now, we’re out of money, no matter how long Wisconsin Democrats hide out in Illinois.nnCOPYRIGHT 2011 ANN COULTERnDISTRIBUTED BY UNIVERSAL UCLICKn1130 Walnut, Kansas City, MO 64106nn

Unless we stand together as proud Americans, and not allow the Bachman’s, Palin’s, and the Becks destroy our way of live, we will be in dire straights. I am tired of this TEA Party trying to take a hold of everything America stands. It;s about time for the real Americans and not puppets to take back control of our country

Does Wisconsin have a recall procedure?

I hve voted republican for 20 years starting with Reagan. That won’t be happening again. I am so tired of people on sites always referring to unions or union thugs. These are teachers, policemen, firemen, emt’s and other hard working middle class people. This was and is not about any budget shortfall but about getting payback to the Koch brothers. I have had my eyes opened and can’t wait for the next election. Especially, the next election for Governor in Wisconsin. That should be good.

Please consider picketing GOP WI legislators at thier homes and businesses. Secondary picketng works. If these GOP legislators are getting grief from an upset spouse, neighbors or business associates they will put pressure on Walker to negotiate

I suggest picketing outisde of the homes and businesses of the GOP WI Legislators. If there spouses, nighbors and business associates put pressure on them, they will ask Walker to settle this thing. Secondary picketng works.

Please tell me why public employess have a union. I help pay them. I think they should talk to me about their new contracts. Even FDR was against public unions. Get real people.

Brick by brick for the last thirty years, corrupt politicians from both parties have been busy laying the foundations of a third world net debtor nation for all but the rich elite.nnI knew back in the 1980s when Alan Greenspan first labeled salary and hourly wage increases as “inflationary” that the “Big Fix” was a done deal.nnNow it’s time for Phase II which I call the “Big Squeeze”, when the American middle class, working poor and elderly will be brought up short and made to pay for every dollar stolen by the Wall Street Gangster Bankers, Hedge Fund Crooks and Corporate Criminals who own our government. The only item these fat, sleek and greedy thugs have overlooked is the Will of the People!nnAnd accordingly, the People of Wisconsin have, without outside aid of any kind and with no news coverage to speak of, successfully and peacefully put the first chink in the armor of political arrogance and deceit and I congratulate them for their courage! Go Cheeseheads!nnFor the Republic!nnJohn GeorgenNorth Carolina

State workers in Wisconsin have had a pretty stacked deal for a long time. Lets use MATC faculty as an example. The JS ran an article this past year about professors who make 6 figure salaries. I don’t feel much sympathy for them. And besides, I’m a federal employee (army) and i don’t have a union. What gives?

State workers in Wisconsin have had a pretty stacked deal for a long time. Lets use MATC faculty as an example. The JS ran an article this past year about professors who make 6 figure salaries. I don’t feel much sympathy for them. And besides, I’m a federal employee (army) and i don’t have a union. What gives?

The problem in this country is that we are divided. If you are in a union, you must be a democrat because if you don’t support the union, you are a republican. Very simplistic thinking if you ask me. Both unions and corporations want the same thing, money and power. So how different are they? Not sure where either side is going here. Union numbers are dropping like a stone and corporate responsibility is non-existent. Maybe we need new laws and regulations to protect the individual worker so unions are no longer necessary and hold corporations accountable for their conduct, treatment of workers, and relentless pursuit of Wall Street profits. Can’t have either side dictating policy here when their individual motives are questionable. This is what the independent party sees.

And one more thing, what’s the difference between George Soros and the Koch Brothers? They are both super rich but one supports the democrat causes and the other the republicans. So again, both parties are equally guilty for what is going on here but neither will admit to it. Instead, we just keep ratcheting up the rhetoric until it’s impossible to come to a consensus. Aren’t we better than this?

Retired Army Woman! Right ON!!!!!!!nnNot just Unions to Stand Together, but ALL American People Stand Together and those who don’t want to be “FREE PEOPLE” should change Their thinking and behavior. nn>>>>America is Not about being Free to do Unjust things to people/animals/lands! <<<<<nnEvery Adult Should be Making at least $50,000. a year! nMeaning maybe some should not be making what millions, billions they make & I have the American right to say, and do, this! nn*Change is much needed, and it will be because we are Americans.*nnD~

Suppose September 11th had anything to do with an increase in spending at all?!? Suppose if he had spent more time from behind his desk, he would have spent more. Furthermore, his lack of funding in the defense of this nation could be debated as to bringing an increase in the threat level leading to Sep 11th. Kickin the can down the road…

I have read that a lot of senior citizens, as I am, were the ones who voted the Tea Party candidates in, because they didn’t want their property taxes raised. No one likes to pay taxes. But lets take a look at one of the biggest costs to state governments. Its Medicaid. If anyone thinks it is the poor families that can’t find a job that are driving up that bill think again. It is my generation with nursing home care. And the worse part is that a great many have made themselves artificially poor, by giving their assets to their families and then let the state pay for them. It costs approximately $40,000. to keep one senior citizen in a nursing home for one year. Stop being hypocrites about paying our state workers a fair wage.

Does the governor have to speak with union leaders? No. Should he? I don’t think so. The public middle class is being used against the private middle class and taxpayers are tired of paying for it. Furthermore, what about jamming through obamacare? President Obama was bent on getting it passed, dispite debate and so many polls showing the displeasure of taxpayers. It happened, and I understand the process. The unions and their supporters need to understand the process as well…you will be losing power very shortly. The taxpayers cannot afford you anymore and we’re tired of being pushed around. I don’t work for you so get off my pay stub. His dismateling of the unions is such a good thing for the citizens of Wisconsin, and soon many other states will step up to the plate. The unions deal on behalf of their members…at the cost of all tax payers. Get a real job and quit relying on my taxes.

You’ve got to be kidding me! Right? You throw an American public education as a GOOD thing?!? You obviously have the union kool aid on tap. Compare the US education system to other established countries of the world and we are way behind. I’m not faulting the teachers, but you should be standing up as well. My 11 year old daughter had a multiple choice spelling test last week…pathetic! You believe this type of junk?!? Hey, whatever happened to the “emergency funding” 29Billion teachers bailout last year? It obviously did’nt go to increased teaching ability.

Well we have an institution in the US where jobs, food, clothing and shelter are provided. PRISONS. I do not desire to give away my tax dollars, freedoms and liberties for a politician to decide who needs them. I live a humble life and I donate regularly…why should the government redistribute my earnings? n

Unions are the reason why NAFTA exists! Overpaid, benefit overreaching, lazy US workers have put the US in a periless position.nUnions drive up costs for everyone and are as guilty of crashing our economy as greedy Wall Streeters. The US has OSHA and Wage and Hour laws which include employee discrimination, so willsomeoneplease

Let me answer your question! Because the Right wing uses “Think Tanks” who spend millions on pschological mind control ads that spew negative talking points (emotional in nature) that divide us and conquer the ppl with little minds and no time to research the facts on most issues. Unlike the Democratic party who once in office actually try to do good works for the ppl. We are presently living a Civil War…..which we may not win unless we spread the truth to all who will listen and hopefully change enough minds to win! And the key to winning are the young ppl who will know the truth when they see it! Keep up the fight!!!

I graduated from a public school and look at the ability of me to type using correct grammar and spelling. Pretty amazing considering I went to a ‘terrible U.S. public school’.