Jonsa Posted February 18, 2011 Report Posted February 18, 2011 Seems that one of the newly elected governor of Wisconsin first moves is to attempt to bust the various public employee unions under the guise of fiscal constraint. I could understand going to the unions in hard economic times and saying things like you need to contribute a little more to your pension plan or that we need to switch from a defined benefit program, or that you need to pay a little bit more for your medical insurance. That is at least a reasonable and even understanable negotiating position. But he went a helluva lot farther than that. He basically has proposed eliminating the collective bargaining process. He wants to restrict collective bargaining only to salaries and to further restrict salary increases only to inflation - effectively killing collective bargaining. Strangely, he is only "restricting" collective bargaining to those public employee unions that did not endorse him in the last election. Seems police state troopers and firefighters all keep their rights. Seems he wants to privatize as much of the state's services as possible including prisons. ONly in america can incarcerating criminals be a profit center. Now, Madison wisconsin looks like Cairo. thousands of protestors peacefully protesting and refusing to leave. the republicans are doing a great job of exploiting the economic conditions (that they had a huge hand in creating in the first place) to impose some of their more extreme ideological beleifs in the guise of combatting the financial crisis. Interestingly they seem to think that the "mandate" they were given to reduce spending and create jobs, means crushing unions, losing public sector jobs and reducing government revenue as much as possible. My My, what fascinating times. Quote
scouterjim Posted February 18, 2011 Report Posted February 18, 2011 The Republicans dislike ANYTHING that allows the people to "dictate" to employers. Profits are all they care about, and they don't care who gets hurt in the hunt for those profits. Look at all the things the GOP proposed budget cuts back on: Anything that helps the little guy. Quote I have captured the rare duct taped platypus.
bush_cheney2004 Posted February 18, 2011 Report Posted February 18, 2011 My My, what fascinating times. Yep...they also won the Super Bowl with collective bargaining! This is no big deal....there is no shortage of labour strife in American history. Quote Economics trumps Virtue.
Jonsa Posted February 18, 2011 Author Report Posted February 18, 2011 Yep...they also won the Super Bowl with collective bargaining! This is no big deal....there is no shortage of labour strife in American history. Its no big deal if he loses this fight. If he wins it becomes a very big deal. You'll see this in every republican controlled state. Busting the unions has massive political implications. Have you watched the coverage on FOX? Seems these unions are nothing but greedy bums out to destroy the country, why they're almost un-american!! The implications are indeed scary. Since Citizens united, There is huge money on the left - e.g. the oil billionaires et al. pouring money into Rove's various enterprises, but the only big money on the left is unions. Busting the unions, would clear the field. consider the implications of that in this era of "big money elections". all hail the Koch brothers! Quote
bush_cheney2004 Posted February 18, 2011 Report Posted February 18, 2011 (edited) Its no big deal if he loses this fight. If he wins it becomes a very big deal. You'll see this in every republican controlled state. So what...Republicans are elected too. No kidding. Busting the unions has massive political implications. Have you watched the coverage on FOX? Seems these unions are nothing but greedy bums out to destroy the country, why they're almost un-american!! Union membership is way down...look what happened to GM and Chrysler. The states can just go bankrupt and vacate all the pension obigations if they wish. The implications are indeed scary. How can it be scary in Canada? Since Citizens united, There is huge money on the left - e.g. the oil billionaires et al. pouring money into Rove's various enterprises, but the only big money on the left is unions. Busting the unions, would clear the field. consider the implications of that in this era of "big money elections". You forgot the trial lawyers. Edited February 18, 2011 by bush_cheney2004 Quote Economics trumps Virtue.
pinko Posted February 18, 2011 Report Posted February 18, 2011 So what...Republicans are elected too. No kidding. Union membership is way down...look what happened to GM and Chrysler. The states can just go bankrupt and vacate all the pension obigations if they wish. How can it be scary in Canada? You forgot the trial lawyers. I would suspect this Bush/Cheney creature is a right-to-work advocate. Quote
Yukon Jack Posted February 18, 2011 Report Posted February 18, 2011 One of the first things that Ronald Reagan did after being elected President was busting the air traffic controllers' union. After bringing home the 52 hostages held for 444 days, due to Jimmy Carter's incredibly incompetency. Congratulations, Governor Scott Walker! You are a real American hero! Quote
bush_cheney2004 Posted February 18, 2011 Report Posted February 18, 2011 One of the first things that Ronald Reagan did after being elected President was busting the air traffic controllers' union. Ah yes...I remember it well. PATCO thought it was untouchable, and President Reagan fired all their striking asses. They hadn't planned on that! Quote Economics trumps Virtue.
bush_cheney2004 Posted February 18, 2011 Report Posted February 18, 2011 I would suspect this Bush/Cheney creature is a right-to-work advocate. Correct...I don't need no commies telling me where/when I can work. Vote Union NO! Quote Economics trumps Virtue.
pinko Posted February 18, 2011 Report Posted February 18, 2011 Correct...I don't need no commies telling me where/when I can work. Vote Union NO! Not the least bit surprised, chump. Quote
bush_cheney2004 Posted February 18, 2011 Report Posted February 18, 2011 Not the least bit surprised, chump. I'd rather be a self employed chump than a commie! Quote Economics trumps Virtue.
Yukon Jack Posted February 18, 2011 Report Posted February 18, 2011 (edited) Firing the greedy air traffic controllers did not hurt Reagan's chances for re-election. Scott Walker should do the same. After all, how can a parent trust his/her child in the care of a liar, who calls in sick, but walk the picket line and yells inane slogans? Teaching is not a "JOB". It is a calling, a devotion, a dedication to the future of children and the country. If a 'teacher' can not make it on merit, if he/she needs a union thug bargaining on his/her behalf, he/she should not be a teacher. Furthermore, there should be no tenure for teachers on any level of education. Unless the country wants a generation of appropriately named Generation-X who sign their name with the twenty-forth letter of the alphabet because the so-called teachers failed to teach them anything else. Edited February 18, 2011 by Yukon Jack Quote
pinko Posted February 18, 2011 Report Posted February 18, 2011 Firing the greedy air traffic controllers did not hurt Reagan's chances for re-election. Scott Walker should do the same. After all, how can a parent trust his/her child in the care of a liar, who calls in sick, but walk the picket line and yells inane slogans? After all in most civilized countries collective bargining and freedom of association and expression are basic human rights. Quote
punked Posted February 18, 2011 Report Posted February 18, 2011 Firing the greedy air traffic controllers did not hurt Reagan's chances for re-election. Scott Walker should do the same. After all, how can a parent trust his/her child in the care of a liar, who calls in sick, but walk the picket line and yells inane slogans? Yah those Greedy Unions. Wait one minute, Wisconsin’s equivalent of the Congressional Budget Office — stated that Wisconsin is not in need of austerity proposals, and that the current budget shortfall is a direct result of the tax cut policies Walker put in place during his first days in office. Oh gotcha tax cuts for millionaires that is what you are for. Not for balanced budgets but tax cuts for millionaires. Walker can't do math. No wonder he spent 4 years in collage but then dropped out because it was to hard for him. He has a rock for a brain. Quote
pinko Posted February 18, 2011 Report Posted February 18, 2011 "He has a rock for a brain." A basic ingredient for Republican membership. Quote
punked Posted February 18, 2011 Report Posted February 18, 2011 I hear they started the recall of 8 republican senators today so I guess if they can get the signatures these Unions just have to keep the fight up for another 2 months than the Dems will control the Senate. Quote
Yukon Jack Posted February 18, 2011 Report Posted February 18, 2011 (edited) I hear they started the recall of 8 republican senators today so I guess if they can get the signatures these Unions just have to keep the fight up for another 2 months than the Dems will control the Senate. And I hear that 14 Wisconsin State Democratic Senators (perhaps in a sudden attack of decency) decided that fleeing the state was easier than voting honestly. Edited February 18, 2011 by Yukon Jack Quote
Shady Posted February 18, 2011 Report Posted February 18, 2011 Public sector unions need to have their collective bargaining ended. Theyre not the same as private sector union which operate under the same economic realities that the rest of us operate under. Theyre basically monopolies. It's about time they came to an end. People have seen huge rises on their property taxes year after year. And in some cases lost their homes. All because these freeloaders don't want to pay for their health benefits and pensions like the rest of us do. It's pretty disgusting, especially in these economic times. That's why the vast majority of the public us on the side of Crisitie, Cuomo, Brown, and now Walker. Quote
Yukon Jack Posted February 18, 2011 Report Posted February 18, 2011 "He has a rock for a brain." A basic ingredient for Republican membership. And like all those who voted Scott Walker in and Russ Feingold out. Quote
bloodyminded Posted February 18, 2011 Report Posted February 18, 2011 While I agree that unions can be problematic, let's not forget that many employers are esentially tyrannies, Leninist-style. I note well that some who talk about "freedom" are actually only trying to justify their slack-jawed admiration of power. Quote As scarce as truth is, the supply has always been in excess of the demand. --Josh Billings
pinko Posted February 18, 2011 Report Posted February 18, 2011 (edited) Public sector unions need to have their collective bargaining ended. Theyre not the same as private sector union which operate under the same economic realities that the rest of us operate under. Theyre basically monopolies. It's about time they came to an end. People have seen huge rises on their property taxes year after year. And in some cases lost their homes. All because these freeloaders don't want to pay for their health benefits and pensions like the rest of us do. It's pretty disgusting, especially in these economic times. That's why the vast majority of the public us on the side of Crisitie, Cuomo, Brown, and now Walker. You are misinformed about property taxes. Your complaint rests with your city council. By the way your anti-union rant shows your animus and a small mind. Edited February 18, 2011 by pinko Quote
punked Posted February 18, 2011 Report Posted February 18, 2011 (edited) And I hear that 14 Wisconsin State Democratic Senators (perhaps in a sudden attack of decency) decided that fleeing the state was easier than voting honestly. Yeah I know tough isn't it? When the minority gets in the way of the majority wants? You'll have to ask the GOP if setting the Record for filibusters last year was awesome or not. BTW just for the record the previous Dem left the state with projected SURPLUS this year and rocks for brains Walker got into office and created an emergency. There is a run down of how it went down on the award winning talkingpointsmemo. http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/02/dems-closed-much-larger-budget-shortfall-in-wisconsin-without-destroying-worker-rights.php?ref=fpblg Edited February 18, 2011 by punked Quote
Yukon Jack Posted February 18, 2011 Report Posted February 18, 2011 To have meaningful discussion mutual respect is required. Respect for unionists is strictly a one-way street. They say: Respect me or I break your leg. Or slash your tires. Or picket your private residence. Or harass your family. Or: If you don't give me ten times my worth, I'll do all of the above. Quote
bush_cheney2004 Posted February 18, 2011 Report Posted February 18, 2011 ...Walker can't do math. No wonder he spent 4 years in collage but then dropped out because it was to hard for him. He has a rock for a brain. Then why did so many people vote for him? He said he was going to do this. Quote Economics trumps Virtue.
Yukon Jack Posted February 18, 2011 Report Posted February 18, 2011 (edited) Yeah I know tough isn't it? When the minority gets in the way of the majority wants? You'll have to ask the GOP if setting the Record for filibusters last year was awesome or not. Kind of like the 6-10% minority of gays getting in the way of the majority regarding just about every existing social value? Or for that matter the 12-18% of all workers who are unionized? Edited February 18, 2011 by Yukon Jack Quote
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