Governor Scott Walker Stripping Workers Rights
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No Compromise on the Budget Repair Bill
The state of Wisconsin is broke. Governor Scott Walker claims his Budget Repair Bill is the only answer to getting Wisconsin back on its feet. However, what he really is doing is taking away workers rights in collective bargaining, busting up the unions, taking 50% of the pensions from hard working teachers, nurses and other public employees.
The hard working people of Wisconsin are willing to accept the governor's bill as long as he does not take away their bargaining rights.
Fourteen Democrats are south of the border in Illinois to prolong the passing of this radical bill. With being the minority of the senate, this is the only way they can stand tall in backing up the American worker.
Wisconsin was the first state to have collective bargaining rights for union workers, passed in 1959. Now Wisconsin will be the first state to take it away. The entire nation is watching the outcome of what transpires, for what happens in this state is the beginning of the domino factor for the rest of the country.
In my article Politically Incorrect Gifts, I take on a non-partisan view, making fun of both parties. Reading this, I realize that the Republicans will think that I am attacking them. If the tables were turned and the governor of Wisconsin were a Democrat taking away citizens rights, I would be complaining about him equally.
Governor Walker is threatening to lay off 1,500 state workers if lawmakers do not pass the bill. By July with another 6,000 forced out of work over the next two years.
Here is a thought, Governor Scott Walker and the rest of the senators can cut their pay, start paying their fair share for health care and pensions. Look at the money the state of Wisconsin can save.
Being from the state of Wisconsin, I will gladly sign the recall of Scott Walker. However, we will have to wait an entire year to kick this governor out. A great deal of damage can happen in that time.
The Capital Building in Madison Wisconsin during a protest in February 2011
Are You a Politically Dummy?
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Important Articles to Read
- OpEdNews - Article: Koch Brothers "Prank" No Laughing Matter
The prank phone conversation revealed that Walker is contemplating firing workers for strictly political reasons. This could be a violation of state and federal laws. - Poll: Majority oppose stripping govt. workers bargaining rights CNN Political Ticker - CNN.com Blog
Washington (CNN) -- A majority of Americans say they oppose attempts to take away the collective bargaining rights of public unions, according to a new national poll. - Recall Petition | Scott Walker Watch
Governor Scott Walker has turned a death ear to the voices of the public land, narrow corporate loopholes, eminent domain seizures. Scott Walker, now governor, needs to be recalled as quickly as possible or Wisconsin is in for more perilous times. - Gov. Scott Walker Caused The Budget Problem In Wisconsin By Giving Tax Breaks To The Rich!
And now he wants the government workers to pay for it. Nothing like a little wealth redistribution the wrong way. Rich get richer, poor get shit on. This has to be the most blatant case of Republicans helping the rich and screwing the poor that weve - Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker Faces Backlash For Threatening Public Workers - Worldnews.com
WASHINGTON -- Public employees around the country have become the nation's scapegoats for the rough economy, with many Republican politicians in recent months criticizing them as privileged, overpaid and underworked -- unlike their private sector - Jon Stewart: \'Wisconsin Union Protest Is The Bizarro Tea Party\' (VIDEO)
"The Daily Show" returned Monday night to pick up on the Wisconsin union protests against Governor Scott Walker's controversial cost-cutting plan, leading Jon Stewart to believe that a "bizarro Tea Party" had been born. Walker said Monday he will not - Billionaire Koch brothers criticized for involvement in Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker\'s budget bill |
Read the bill: For more than two decades, Charles and David Koch have been quietly building the foundation for a conservative movement that critics say is at the center of the dispute between Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker and public employee unions.
100,000 Protest for Union Rights in Wisconsin
What the Governor Is Not Telling You
I know people who work for the state of Wisconsin. What Governor Scott Walker is not telling the public (according to a family member who works for the state), is there was a trade off, in exchange for higher wage increases, more money would be added to the employee's pension fund. So what the employee's don't get paid now will be in their pension. The truth is, the governor wants to dip into their hard-earned pension.
Republicans Have D.U.M.B. (Show it Proudly)
More Political and Dumb Gifts
- The Domino Factor for Wisconsin
With what is going on now with the state of Wisconsin, this is something that will be the start of the domino factor for all the states across America. We will be taking a giant step backwards with arrogant, non-compromising officials in politics. - 3Drose - Wide selection of personalized products
Light Switch Covers, Desk Clocks, Wall Clocks, T-Shirts, Sweatshirts, Mouse Pads, Porcelain Collector Plates and more. Type in Dumb Quotes Sandy Mertens in the search box to see more D.U.M.B. products.
Find a Cure for Dumb (Give This to Someone Who Believes in Walker)
Koch Brothers Behind WI Governor Walker's Union Busting
Facts About Walker and Koch Brothers
The main contributors to Scott Walker's election campaign were the Koch brothers. David Koch and his brother Charles have given millions of dollars to support Americans for Prosperity, which has launched a $320,000 ad campaign supporting Walker.
In 2009, the Koch bothers slashed jobs across the country, including 25% of the workforce in Green Bay, WI. The Koch brothers, Charles and David's net worth increase by $11 Billion the same year.
Koch brothers started a website called Stand With Walker. Stating in the website that not only should we end collective bargaining rights for public employees but also private employees. They are promoting this radical drive to move across this country.
Governor Walker gave huge tax breaks to big business while asking the average worker to sacrifice.
Within Governor Walker's, budget bill he has written in the right to sell off Wisconsin power plants with no bid contracts. This again means big businesses will prosper.
Koch Whore: Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (1 of 2)
Highlights of the Beast
Ian Murphy of the Buffalo Beast website posed as David Koch on a taped phone conversation. For twenty minutes, Scott Walker believed he was talking to his friend Koch. Watch the videos and read part of the conversation on The Beast.
In Walker's conversation, he states that if unions were paying the 14 senators their food and lodging it would be an infringement on the ethnic code. (Senator Dave Hansen told the press that they are paying for this out of their own pockets. Senator Hansen has more integrity in his little finger that Governor Walker has in his entire body in my opinion).
Walker: I’ve got layoff notices ready…
Koch(aka Murphy): Beautiful; beautiful. Gotta crush that union.
Walker: [bragging about how he doesn't budge]…I would be willing to sit down and talk to him, the assembly Democrat leader, plus the other two Republican leaders—talk, not negotiate and listen to what they have to say if they will in turn—but I’ll only do it if all 14 of them will come back and sit down in the state assembly…legally, we believe, once they’ve gone into session, they don’t physically have to be there.
Koch (aka Murphy): We’ll back you any way we can. What we were thinking about the crowd was, uh, was planting some troublemakers.
Walker: You know, well, the only problem with that —because we thought about that. The problem—the, my only gut reaction to that is right now the lawmakers I’ve talked to have just completely had it with them, the public is not really fond of this…[explains that planting troublemakers may not work.]
Voicing My Opinion
Publically I like to stay non-partisan, not wanting an angry mob hunting me down. However, an injustice is taking place right at this moment, not only to the state of Wisconsin, but also to the entire United States. This article is not about Republicans or Democrats. Though it is a known fact that the majority of Republicans are union busters and Democrats are for the unions. This is about not taking our rights away as citizens.
If the tables were turn, this would look more like an Anti-Democrat article. We need our public officials who been voted in to do the right thing for the people. It is my opinion that Governor Scott Walker wants to take from the poor and give to the rich.
The Democrats who left the state in protest, allowed time for the teachers, nurses, fire fighters and all public workers for their voices to be heard. Even though Walker chooses to ignore their pleas.
Update: Friday 25, 2011
At 1 am on 2/25/2011, the State Assembly passed the Budget Repair Bill. After 61 straight hours they quickly halted the debate. 28 members did not register their votes in time. 4 GOP and all minority Democrats voted no.
Now it will go to the State Senate. It will be stalled until at least one of the 14 Democrats return from Illinois.
Update March 9, 2011
It is a sad day in Wisconsin. This governor has lied to the people and never offered a compromise to the Democrats (another lie) and the hard working people of Wisconsin. One Democrat, Senator Tim Cullen left the flock Wed. believing Walker was willing to listen and take the collective bargaining out of the bill. He lied to Senator Cullen and the people by announcing it to the public that they took it out of his so-called Repair Bill. Then to find out that they added the collective bargaining issue to a separate bill and passed it moments after Senator Cullen had entered the building. Shame on these money hungry Republicans and the Hitler who governs this state.
The copyright to this entire article is owned by Sandy Mertens (sandyspider). Permission to republish this article in print or online must be granted by the author in writing. (You can, however, freely use the opening introduction and photo with a link to the article here on HubPages to read the remainder of the article.)
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Fay, you are so right. We need to take back our rights.
Sandy, the Republicans want to destroy union power and thereby increase corporate power. I have no doubt that once the only game in town is the banksters, that we will have more lending schemes that will hurt the average man on the street.
Gary, it is a shame that too many people see and hear what they want to hear when voting in a politician. This is not they way to save our state.
I do hope this stand up and be heard protest movement is on the rise and keeps growing, it's just what we need to do to end the insanity and greed from the powers that be who need not be. Stop Governor from taking away the workers rights. Enough is enough! :) Katie
Katie, I am glad you agree. We have to wait a year to recall Governor Walker. Not that I am taking political sides here…but after a year is done with and all the damage he will succeeded to do, those Republicans who voted him in will say, "Damn Democrats!" See the mess they made."
Glad you created this article rights are so important!!!!!!!!!
people need to read the transcripts of the him and a reporter impersonating David Koch. he clearly is bought and paid for.
unions have made the middle class in the country and without them,the middle class disappears.
Sandy, I have to agree with you on this one! I also live here and wish that instead of yelling at each other that people would sit down and listen. Whatever happen to fair government? I am so close to writing a letter to the governor but I think I would be just wasting my time.. I will be tweeting your Hub and posting it on my FB page!!!
Oh one more thing be sure to check out the photos my son took in Madison during one of the demonstrations! http://www.associatedcontent.com/slideshow/78628/p
Thanks for commenting Lisa, Stacie and craftdrawer.
Craftdrawer I added your son's photo page in the links above.
Hi Sandy, it is always a delicate balance when it comes to workers rights v stimulating a business, but there always has to be a bedrock of rights for workers that cannot be taken away. People need to be given a good wage for a good day's work and forward thinking employers add even more incentives and benefits
CMHypno, too bad it doesn't work that way. Employers in the state of Wisconsin have the upper hand. For non-union employees, they can do pretty much what they want.
Sandy, I couldn't agree with you more, except there is nothing dumb about what they are doing. They are smart and aware, but also, in my point of view, cruel and bullying.
In the end, this goes back to the stupidity of the American voting public. These characters didn't elect themselves. Americans did. What were the people of Wisconsin (and Ohio, Indiana, etc.) thinking? Or is the more appropriate question, not thinking?
Hi Sandy, I am learning so much from both sides of an issue and it is so confusing, however enough is enough as Katie so eloquently said, and there is no middle class left am sorry to say, this country is going down fast and this was planned by the powers that be. Rate up, love & peace darski
We really needed more people in Wisconsin to vote for Governor. Or there may be more Republicans than Democrats in our state. However, Walker should not take from the people who teach our children and save lives everyday. This is not moral!! What he should be worrying about is producing more jobs in our horrible economic crisis. He does not care about anyone but himself and that is why he supposedly needs a new vehicle for transporting his family. Well I say, buy a van. He wont have another term, for sure.
I think cutting to make budget is a fair thing to do as long as the politicians are willing to do the same for themselves. But to take away their right to bargain is Un-American...The rich are making us fight amongst ourselves...we need to equalize the wealth in this country by making the wealthy pay more taxes...this tax cut to the wealthy was ridiculous...the middle class is turning into poverty level!
Thanks for commenting everyone. My family didn't vote for any arrogant dictator (not that I am mentioning any names here). We seen the wolf for what he is. But, yes you are right David. It is the stupidity of the American people who voted this way. It is sad that this has happen across the country. It is a sad time for Wisconsin and the rest of the country.
Hey, very nice Hub, Sandyspider. You have some great resources on here. Thanks.
Hi, Sandy! I am not from Wisconsin, but agree with everything you have said! People all over the country are following this and many of us believe that Wisconsin voters had no idea that this man would try to become a dictator. Knowing a little bit of Wisconsin's amazing labor history, I am sure that the courageous people in your state will recall this puppet of the Koch Brothers. What are you going to do when he sells off your power plants to the brothers for pennies on the dollar?
Very Nice Sandy, I am a union member in New york and the one thing I want to see is the entire Wisconsin budget.That means everything including Walker's compensation.I'm sure I could find places to cut also.We could start with lawmakers base pay,I really don't want to hear the best and the brightest argument because its called "Public Service" for a reason and I would actually rather see a plumber, a doctor and a accountant in there instead of lawyers anyway.The union members have already taken a haircut and now it's everyone else's turn if they are really serious.This country is on the verge of a second revolution ,it's just that the corporations and the government don't realize it yet.I may not see it but I know my kid's will.My older son said to me "Dad there are middle aged people with degree's doing the entry level jobs I'm qualified for". Wonderful,the middle class is the largest segment of our population and if I can quote Gerald Celente "When people have lost everything, they lose it".
Jillian, I believe those who didn't vote for Walker knew that type of person he really is. The others have chosen to "see no evil" "hear no evil" and were brainwashed. It is sad to think that the Koch brothers might be the one's buying our power plants.
Moderndayslave, your name sums up what this country has become to the working class. Soon there will be the Rich Class and the Poor Class.
First, I will state up front I am one of those nasty tea party people. I have two questions?
Where exactly does the right to collective bargaining come from?
An how can you justify elected officials fleeing their state and their duty because they disagree? Along with that, had the republican legislators done the same would we even be having this discussion?
imjustmusing, glad to see an opposing point of view here. Here are my answers to your two questions.
Where exactly does the right to collective bargaining come from?
In 1959, the State of Wisconsin was the first to pass the collective bargaining law for public employees in the United States, and the first law of any kind that granted teachers anywhere the right to organize into unions.
Once unions are taken about from public employees, the private ones will follow. Unions help an employee get respect for their hard days work. Allow them health benefits and a decent wage.
Not all workers belong to unions. But strip away employees rights will bring back the sweatshops. An employer can work the employee for endless hours, low pay, no health benefits and so on. This is only the start.
The senators were justified in what they did with leaving the state!
If you listen to the conversation Governor Walker had with (the fake) Mr. Koch, he wasn't going to negotiate anyway. It was my way or the highway. The Democrats knew this. He hasn't listened to what any of the protestors or the opposing Democrats has said. This means he wants to run it like a dictator. It was a bold and courageous move on the senators' part to leave the state to show that they back the working people and let their voices be heard that fall on deaf ears.
During the hours of reviewing the amendments presented for this bill, these were thrown out and then abruptly stopped at 1 am Friday morning to vote. It looked like the Republicans were clued in on this beforehand. A total surprise to the Democrats of the State Assembly and were given 2 seconds to vote. Everything after that was not counted. This in itself seems like a violation. This is not the right of fair representation of the people in a democracy. Read your constitution.
Yes we would be having this conversation if it were the Republican legislators that done the same.
imjustmusing, I think the "Right" of collective bargaining comes with the agreement of the "Contract" which is between two parties. This is how the modern society works.Just like I have a agreement to pay my credit card back or my taxes for that matter. I would love to reneg on both but,,,That would be wrong. I'm sure that there are parts of the collective bargaining contract that should be thrown out but only parts for example tenure for teachers or x amount of patrolmen have to go before a seargent can be fired.I don't know all of the facts but most likely along with the collective bargaining there is most likely a No-Strike clause also.you like that now don't you? This agreement was passed already they want to back out now? As far as the Dems getting out of dodge,that is how they held off a vote and I am not condoning this but it is how they defended their constituents wants. Now we all know that republicans are pro business and dems are pro labor. More of the middle class is labor and more business owners are republicans.The business owners want to pay less taxes and get away with as much as possible,for example regulations and labor costs.I see this every day at work.For everyone's info I am a Independent and a Libertarian.I have watched my own standard of living go backwards for the last 20 years, while the amount of money in the upper classes control has increased by I think I heard 20% or more. How about this all of those no good unionized workers stop paying their state taxes? We send out billions in foreign aid while this country falls apart.Let's start at the top and work from there, not from the base up, again.
Moderndayslave,
Well done. I believe collective bargaining is a good thing. But somethings like tenure should be thrown out. If a person isn't doing the job they were hired to do, then they should be terminated.
We all know that in general, Republicans are for big businesses and the rich. While Democrats are for unions, middle and the poor class.
Okay, so let me throw out another thought. Do you really believe that employers would take us back to the dark ages? I owned my own business and the last thing I would do would be to work my help 20 hours a day, etc. etc. Why? Because I know they would not be productive and therefore I would not make a profit.
If an employee were to do that, they would no longer be able to hire any employees because any potential employees would know what goes on at this establishment. The wise business owner would start a competing business with the first, treating his fairly and because it is a free market economy, he would succeed where the other would not.
While I will agree there was a time when unions were needed and useful, I also believe that the old ways would have eventually stopped for the reason I mentioned above. Unions treat everyone equal, the problem is they bring them all down to the lowest level. Regarding the teaching profession, we all know of cases I am sure, I believe Sandy, you said a relative was in the WI school system, ask them, where there are teachers who should not be teaching but have jobs because they are protected by the union. Is that the best for the children? Is that the best use of your tax dollars?
I am guilty, I've stolen this info from someone else. Just wanted to share without getting into discussion.
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Governor Walker Proposal For Reform:
1.Limit public bargaining power of negotiating employee benefit plans.
2.Public employees responsible for making 5.8% of pension plan.
3.Public employees responsible for making 12% of their health care cost of benefits.
4.Public employees would not be able to receive pay increases higher than that dictated by the Consumer Price Index.
5.Public employees would not be mandated to pay union dues and be part of the union if they chose.
The comparable nationwide employee health-care contribution is 20% for private industry, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The average employee contribution from take-home pay for retirement was 7.5% in 2009, according to the Employee Benefits Research Institute.
Governor Walker's proposal is not unfair no matter how you look at it!!
a thief, those demands do not seem to be union busting what so ever. I ask, why does everyone state that he wants to do away with collective bargaining then? There must be more to it than that.The unions have already taken a haircut is this it?
When a govt worker takes 20% more than a private sector worker and that same private sector worker is paying 100% of the union workers salary then something is seriously wrong! Collective bargaining is just the words used! In all reality people are being set free! They can choose to be in a union or choose to work! They can choose to have 80 dollars a month stolen from their check and given to the democrat party or they can choose to send money to the Republican party as will be their new freedom. Any of you out there cannot argue that a persons freedom is more valuable than collective bargaining. You libs have been brainwashed for too long! We conservatives are here to set you free!
imjustmusing, I am glad to know you are a fair businessman and look after your employees. There are business people who do treat there workers right. But take a look at some of the big corporations where employees are making minimum wage. The employees are given just short of fulltime hours in order for the employer to not have to offer employees health benefits. Some companies don't offer health benefits to employees that are working 40 hours a week or more. Poor working conditions do exist in America.
Unions do help a teacher keep their tenure. But it is not impossible for a teacher to lose his or her job if they are failing to make the grade, so to speak. My husband works in a non-union environment and they are always looking for ways to cut back on their hours. The health benefits are constantly changing to a lower grade. And he hasn't had a wage increase in years. The wages they pay their employees is not up to par and only certain types of people are eligible for moving up in the company.
a thief, Moderndayslave and American Romance, there is more to this Budget Repair Bill There are 124 pages. On the news it was said that one part gives the right for police offices to profile a person at traffic stops. Another is selling the power plants to the private sector. But that is getting off the subject of workers here.
The unions have already said that they will pay more into the health benefits and their retirement fund. They agreed to everything that the Governor asked for, except they want to keep the collective bargaining. Because this way the Governor can not get into the employee's pension fund, like other large corporate businesses have done, thus leaving the employees high and dry.
Has Scott Walker said anything about cutting his wages and the legislators and their health benefit package?
Just keep listening to Rush. He has brainwashed you.
Taken from the bill except where is has ( )
Certain home care and child care providers have the right to collectively bargain over wages, hours, and conditions of employment. This bill eliminates the rights of these employees to collectively bargain.
Notwithstanding, the department may sell any state?owned heating, cooling, and power plant or may contract with a private entity for the operation of any such plant, with or without solicitation of bids, for any amount that the department determines to be in the best interest of the state. (This means the Koch brothers can pay pennies on the dollar.)
Sandy, You mention your husband has not had a raise in years, same here (I sold my business for reasons which will become clear in a minute) It's not important what he does, but there are probably fairly good reasons. His company probably has to deal with high taxes, high workers comp insurance rates, the rising cost of fuel and unnecessary and expansive regulations. The costs of running a business, which can't be controlled, cause companies to cut where they can, if these other costs could be controlled businesses would be able to raise wages and provide benefits. Please read my hub which attemots to explain this http://hubpages.com/hub/In-a-free-market-unions-ar
By the way, government entities do not have to deal with these costs, which is one of the reason those in the private sector get angry.
As far as healthcare, I live in Massachusetts. Now that I have government controlled healthcare, my premiums have gone way up and I get less for my money. Completion is quashed which is always bad. Because I know have to pay for those who either can't or are unwilling to work and contribute, I pay more and get less.
It is good to be able to have a rational discussion with someone on these issues
imjustmusing, I know we will just keep going back on this. We both have our own views on this and that's fine.
Yes, health insurance and everything else continues to rise and my husband pays more than his fair share. The truth is that where he works, they keep downgrading the insurance while a large amount continues to be taken out of his check.
I know what you are going to say on this. But the truth is, not all businesses are fair to their employees. Putting aside insurance and benefits, this company that he works for would still not give out a raise. They want to keep their employees below what they are worth. And only certain type of people are allowed for advancement. There is no negotiations.
You claim and I do believe that you are a fair business owner to his employees. But not all employers are fair like you.
As for the teachers, state public workers, they agreed to the terms the governor ask for with paying their fair share. They even agreed to controlling their wages. They agreed to everything except the bargaining rights.
Neither of us are going to budge either way, but I would love to read your hub.
And the fact that we are each allowed to have our own opinions and views is what makes this country great.
Imjustmusing, it would be boring it we all thought alike!
Yes Sandpiper we all need to stop sitting in front of the tube, move ourself into the rally's and fight for our rights, that is what I have to say...As a senior I know what's it's like to have my rights taken away, they have taken our yearly cost of living increases for two years now...go girl, love this hub, rate up up peace & love darski
Thanks Darlene. What many people don't realize this bill will cut $900 for school funding, $500 for Medicaid, sell our power plants for pennies on the dollar, tax cuts for large businesses, privatize some public universities so they are even more unfordable for the average person, besides the union busting.
I'm a little late on the comment, but this is still important none the less. I'm glad there are elected officials still out there, that will do the right thing, even if it becomes between them and their pay check. This is a petty attempt at taking out unions once and for all, to profit the big business, and not the employee. Since the union groups donate money to democratic campaigns, it sort of kills two birds with one stone. I talked to my step dad about this, and he says union workers are just lazy. I just can't understand the way his mind works.
Tortugaa, too bad your dad thinks the way he does. My husband doesn't have a union where he works, but he has worked where they did have a union. And what you dad said, can't be further from the truth.
We do know first hand that once the companies have had their union taken away, they will restructure as they call it and hire back people at lower wages and poor benefits.
It is a shame that Governor Walker of Wisconsin will stand up and lie to the people that he has been trying to negotiate with the Senators who left the state.
The sin of the left is not understanding where money comes from and how to use it. Why do we have nationwide debt, both personally and publicly? We don't have a grasp on budgeting. Now, while both political parties have played a part in these shenanigans, conservative politicians like Walker will bring things under control.
Sandy, how many conclusions do you plan to jump to in your life time? I stopped counting in this article and the comments that follow. As County Exec, Walker gave himself a pay-cut and now as Governor his pension and benefits will cost HIM a bit more too.
This thing about "rights" is absurd. Rights will be intact. It's impossible to take away RIGHTS in the US. Federal workers don't have collective bargaining, most states don't have collective bargaining. It's prudent not to allow bureaucrats in a union to negotiate with bureaucrats of the state because they are often on the same team. It's silly that people don't see this.
Mr. Illogical, You should wake up. Quit listening to Rush and the Republican Fox news. You are one of the blind following the blind. Remember Hitler what he did.
Hi, Sandy. I'm a fellow Wisconsinite.
In my conversations with others in our state, the supporters of Walker have not blasted Unions in general. They are unhappy with 'Public Employee Unions', not with private employer unions.
Why? As noted above, public employees often end up negotiating with themselves. How? They send loads of money into the coffers of elected officials, usually - but certainly not always - democratic politicians. These same politicians are both sympathetic to the unions and are nervous about doing anything to offend their generous donor.
As Franklin Roosevelt said, when public employee unions negotiate with the public officials they help to elect, the only party who is NOT at the bargaining table is ... the taxpayer.
I find it risible that the public employee unions are purposely broadening this argument to include ALL unions and union members. This increases the quantity of the offended union members, of course, so that helps the public unions.
Jeff, what do you think big business does?
They buy their politicians. How else do you think these guys like Governor Walker get elected. Do you think they can pay for this by themselves? These politicians (mainly Republicans) pass the laws to benefit big business.
The unions gave you the working benefits that you have today. Even if you are non-union.
All they want to do is take away the government employees
pension fund to use that to pay the debt off and give big businesses tax breaks by using that money. Other states have done this and their pension plans are bankrupt.
Sandy -
The first and third largest political donors in Wisconsin last year were Unions. I don't pretend that businesses don't tend to support Republicans - they do. But, most of the top ten donors in Wisconsin are Unions and liberal-left organizations, so I'm not overly worried that "workers' rights" aren't getting a fair hearing among Wisconsin politicians.
As I said before, I have no problem with private enterprise unions. Most people I know have no desire to hamstrung or harm the private business unions. But I, and a million Wisconites like me, are tired of being ripped off by the cozy relationship between unionized public servants and financially-dependent elected politicians.
You speak frequently and regretfully of your husband working in a non-union business. Fine. This is America, so he can stay where is (apparently unhappily) employed, or he can seek employment elsewhere, or he can help to organize a union at his place of employment (this is perfectly legal, as you know), or he can quit and start his own business.
Your husband need not stay in his low-pay, low-benefit, low-satisfaction job. This is still America.
Jeff,
It is a fact that Wisconsin has some of the worst laws when it comes to workers rights, in fact workers already have very little rights.
It would be nice for my husband to leave for another job. However, you may not have noticed that there are around 250,000 unemployed people in Wisconsin. With me included. There are no jobs out there.
He did organize a union at a different place years ago and it was successful. It takes a lot to start a union. One must be up to date on what is really going on. The reason that he is not working there, is the company that bought them out, singled him out because he was successful in organizing the union and they were afraid that he would do it there.
Would you like people digging into your pension plan? What about Social Security? The Republicans have been looking for ways to get rid of it. But they sure know how to put there hands in it.
I guess we'll agree to disagree about the whole Union thing.
This is your third allegation about Republicans wanting to get rid of Social Security and/or snoop around in our pension plans. Do you have any links to verify this? (This nasty allegation has been used by the Dems to scare Senior Citizens into voting for Dems, since the 1960s.) Since this is a damned serious allegation, perhaps you should write another Hub to flesh out this conspiracy theory about those 'Wascally Wepublicans'. I would really, truly enjoy reading it!
Jeff,
Go back to when Society Security was first voted on. Republicans tired to stop it. It is in congressional record. George Bush Jr. tried to change SS where you would be doing your own, within the stock market. We all know how the stock market is doing. Need more info, just look up congressional records.
You know this is what I have been screaming about for a year. We have Democrats and Republicans so attached to their politics they can't see across the road. As long as we are fighting each other they just do as they want and just no one will see our government, both sides, have given every dime ever put into social security or anything else to illegal immigrants, admitting to 50 million and almost all with a health plan, but us? They are thinking about it. It pleases them both that Americans are idiots and the ones there know they have it made for life so why worry about anyone else. We have just had it and who can believe a word either side says, they are all crooks. By now surely everyone has got to be seeing the writing on the wall. We are not far from doomsday.
Pollyannalana, I can not agree more. Both parties have played their games. One can not believe any of the commercials. I can't understand how they can legally lie in these Ads. America is falling apart. We do not have any say when it comes to what the politicians do.
Interesting deate indeed. I'm not that up on US politics so can't really make a comment. Just to say thanks for highlighting this. I am defintely for collective bargaining rights which protect the workers from exploitative employers. It is never enough to rely on the generosity of employers who too often are not generous.
Love and peace
Tony
Tony, you are so right. Too bad we have no voice.
I am a union guy. I believe anyone who is anti-union is also anti-worker. Workers need a voice. Gov. Walker is taking it away. I don't know whose pocket he is in but it is lined with silk not denim.
GNelson, The Cook Brother's were the main contributors to Gov. Walker's campaign. They own Georgia Pacific (toilet paper) among other things. Walker is all for the rich. Plain and simple!
Up and awesome - you go girl!
Thanks, RedElf.
Sandy, you're right - there is a good mix of comments here, though not quite as crazy as I might expect with such a controversial topic! :)
glassvisage, hubbers have been good and it wasn't that bad. There were some outside comments that were insulting and one that repeated one word spaced out for several lines (about 50 times or so) "Walker". There is no room for insults and spam.
Ah yes, thank goodness for the "approve comment" function :)
Fay Paxton 15 months ago
Thanks for this hub, Sandy. People aren't getting the whole story. The union already made concessions before and have agreed to more. This is about union busting plain and simple. What gets me is that middle class Americans think it is okay.
Perhaps you remember when Wall Street took all the big bonuses, the public was told there was nothing that could be done to stop the payments because they had a contract. Well the union workers have a contract too.
The idea that public workers have caused this economic void is ridiculous. People seem to forget that public workers pay taxes just like they do.
Up and awesome!