Politicscale: A 1 to10 scale of where you are IN REALITY with Tea Party as a 1 and Far Left Extreamest s a 10. Independent is a 5. I'm a 7 that calls himself an Independent, but in reality I'm not.
One of my better friends is a "6" on the Politicscale and after waying all the facts of what walker SAID he was going to do - voted for Walker.
Adubya writes: I just want to set the record straight.
I am not a "left winger" or a "liberal" or whatever else you want to call me. In fact, I voted for Scott Walker because I thought he was the best chance for creating more jobs for Wisconsin.
I'm a moderate at best. I have voted Democrat, Republican and Independent over my lifetime. I vote based on the choices placed before me and who I think will do what is best for the entire country or state, not just me.
I believe in the rights of the citizens and I believe in being fiscally responsible.
That is why I regret my vote. Had Walker mentioned that his main plan was to kick back $140 million to those that got him elected and turn around and attempt to take away the collective bargaining rights of the people that take care of us, I never would have voted for him.
Busting unions is the fastest way to destroy the Democratic party and while I'm sure the radical right wing would love that, it would destroy this country that I love.
You just can't make this stuff up!
This comes from The President of The Illinois Senate Democrat Web page and is hilarious!
“I must say, I really did not expect Governor Walker to work this hard to make Illinois look so good. Once again, I’d like to thank Governor Walker for his ongoing efforts to market Illinois as a great place to live and work,” Cullerton said. “First he let everyone know how much lower our tax rates are than his, now he's focusing on how much more stable Illinois is than the chaotic Wisconsin he's created. I can’t wait to hear how he’ll help us next.”
The Illinois Senate President issued his comments upon learning that Wisconsin Senate Democrats had sought refuge in Illinois in an effort to get the Wisconsin governor to reconsider his heavy-handed ultimatums and efforts to strip public sector employees of workplace rights and protections.
Cullerton welcomed his Wisconsin colleagues to Illinois and hoped they’d enjoy their stay in stable, low-tax Illinois, where even with the recent tax increases the rates are lower than in Wisconsin. The Senate President also thanked Walker for the added and unexpected economic boost.
“He’s even helping our tourism. What can’t Governor Walker do for Illinois?” said Cullerton.
Since his election, Walker has worked tirelessly to bring jobs to Illinois and promote its economic stability.
“When Scott Walker promised to create 250,000 jobs, I mistakenly assumed he meant in Wisconsin,” Cullerton said. “He’s certainly turning out to be a great neighbor.”
In November, Walker pulled the plug on a federally funded high-speed rail project. Now, some of the federal funding is instead coming to Illinois to aid high-speed rail here.
Soon after the announcement, Wisconsin-based train maker Talgo Inc announced it was looking to leave Wisconsin and is considering re-locating to Illinois.
Although this wouldn’t be possible without Gov. Walker’s efforts, Cullerton said there are other factors at play.
Illinois has a strong shot at being Talgo’s new home because Illinois is investing in high-speed rail as part of a nearly $31 billion program to maintain and modernize the state’s roads, bridges, schools, hospitals and other infrastructure. The program was approved with bipartisan support and unified backing from business and labor in 2009.
Cullerton suggested Wisconsin and Walker would be better served to follow a similar approach.
He pointed to the recent negotiated changes to McCormick Place union work rules as a great example of a union, business and political success. Those changes reduced convention costs, eliminated bureaucratic red tape and resulted in increased convention business, which translates into more union work.
During the recent blizzard, Illinois state workers teamed up with the National Guard to keep 16,000 miles of Illinois highways clear and assist more than 4,000 motorists. Recently, state public health workers responded to pandemics and food-borne illness outbreaks. And state prison guards daily secure the worst criminals in the state in overcrowded prisons.
As much as the Senate President appreciates Walker's ongoing efforts to make Illinois a better place to live and do business, Senator Cullerton again extended his offer to assist in avoiding economic meltdown in Wisconsin that could potentially ripple through Illinois and the Midwest.
“A lot of Illinoisans are drawn to Wisconsin’s cheese and vacation spots,” said Cullerton. “It’d be terribly unsettling if Governor Walker couldn’t resolve this chaos.”
Read the rest here!
Illinois Senate President continues to thank Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker for marketing effort
A letter from a teacher and artist
I was born in WI & proud to see the many museums & galleries that showed art throughout Milw. The work was avant guard & a better selection than what i could find in FL at the time. Art criticism aside, the point that all the union folks & those that support them are up in arms are trying to save is bargaining rights.
This is the cornerstone of our freedom of speech & workers rights. I belonged to the teachers union & was not forced to join or pay. It was a godsend for myself & other teachers when administration tried to get away with stuff that was unfair. As it is teachers work many hours overtime for free. We are stuck with all sorts of excuses for cramming 35 plus kids in our classes, doing all sorts of things beyond the call of duty. Thank God for the teachers union.
How folks can side with a group of political leaders that have consistently stripped our countries' workers of places of employment & allow businesses & taxes to leave the USA, trying to dismantle the unions who have stood for the collective workers & are the workers, give tax breaks to millionaires & billionares while the poorest of the elderly don;t even get a cost of living increase for years & years, etc.,etc. is so beyond my ability to comprehend.
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I see Al Jeezera TV English has shown up but there has been no reports if Walker will bomb the protesters as in Libya who is stealing our thunder.
As the USA Today says - if this Bill passes it will basically put Wisconsin under GOP control for decades.
People say it's not about the money, it's about Collective Bargaining but really, it's not about Collective Bargaining, it's about saving the two party system.
Unions represent labor and the Democratic Party is the labor party. If you crush Unions you crush the Democratic Party. Simple as that! America becomes a one Party system run by the rich who really could care less about the workers!
THAT is why this fight is so important!
On a side point - I have heard that Unions across the country are making plans for a General Labor strike across the US if this passes
Rod
Comments from a solid fiver...
ReplyDeletePEC says -"If you want to talk $$ - Public Servants make 5% less then private sector but get NO extras (no Christmas bonus, no cost of living adjustments no training and we work on inferior equipment and so forth)."
Are these the rights you are fighting for? 50 years of union dues in WI for less pay and poor working conditions?
It's safe to say that unions provided employees protection from private sector employers in their day. Would appear that they are not accomplishing that anymore. In your words private sector employers are being taking better care of employees than union shops.
Take your union dues and the 5% more you will make in the private sector and give it directly to the Democratic Party. Eliminate the middle man.
Just sayin...
UGG! - My dyslexia rears its ugly head again.
ReplyDeleteIt should say "In your words private sector employees are being taken better care of than employees that work in union shops.
I believe the point here is that most private companies are "for profit". While most Government is non profit service! If Walker wants to make snow plow drivers private and pay them $60 an hour - I say take the deal!
ReplyDeleteYou make good points but remember the right are typically the rich big business companies and can outspend the left with ease. If a party could ONLY spend what the people sent in - then that would be fair - but new laws put into effect as soon as the Republicans gained control said big business can now donate as much as they want for a party. A company now has the same rights as an individual!
So while the Democrats depend on workers $40 a month the Republicans depend on HUGE corporations sending in millions!
as for your point - Government workers make less because they have bargained over the years to have greater health care. Which will be taken away now it looks like.
Your blog hit the nail on the head today. Unfortunately none of this is about workers. Wish it was but it's about politics. Democrats vs. Republicans on the big stage. What's happening in WI has much bigger political implications than worker implications. Your union dues are nothing more than a mandatory political contribution. It would be nice if we could all be honest about that and just say it or just send the money to the party of you choice. Eliminate all the smoke and mirrors.
ReplyDeleteJoining a Union or the American Chamber of Commerce is nothing more than a political contribution to a Democrat or a Republican. It's getting to that point with everything be it AARP, AAA, NRA, WEAC, you pick your synonym they all have become nothing more than pac's in our giant political machine. Money, money, money to feed the monster. Wish that would change and get back to the people but I don't think it will.
Both parties will survive. Things ebb and flow. Obama was the best thing that ever happened to the right and now Walker will do the same for the left. It's been that way to 200 years and odds are pretty good it will keep going.
When you coming by for a beer?
I heard something very interesting today. Two-thirds of Wisconsin 8th graders can not read proficently even though they have the highest per pupil spending in the Midwest. So it is just fine for those 8th graders to be out 3 or 4 days!! Hopefully they were home catching up on their reading! Where I am from our school has been nominated to be best school in the state so we must be doing something right!!!!
ReplyDeleteWell - if they have gone 8 years and still can not read I don't think 4 days will really help that much - perhaps we need to fire all the current teachers for no reason.
ReplyDeleteAfter all - that can't really argue to anyone saying it's not right!