Remember, Scott Walker did not attack or weaken all public employee unions. … Only public employee unions made up largely of Democrats (teachers). The public employee unions made up chiefly of Republicans (police and firefighters) he left alone. The unions were prepared to make concessions, but Walker denied them even the right to choose. We talk about checks and balances. There was a time when unions (as flawed as they were) provided some check and balance on the power of concentrated money. But Divide and Rule is an ancient maxim now perfected in labor relations. Unions are now definitely weaker than they have been in a century, and the law (i.e. the government) is now the only protection the working man has left. Maybe that will be enough to prevent a return to the abusive practices that the unions were created to correct. But the decline, and immanent fall, of the unions in the US, makes me think of a community that, discovering corruption in the police force and fire department, and noting that there hasn’t been a major crime or fire lately, decides to disband both as no longer necessary.Or to disband the military after a few years of peace. But who knows? Maybe Wisconsin will soon find that teachers no longer want to work there, or maybe the US will soon find even fewer able young people to go into teaching, and as teachers become less able, the GOP will be able to more easily justify treating them like dirt.
You bring this up EVERY TIME. And I prove you wrong EVERY TIME. If your bias didn’t blind you, you would see Obma created 4 million jobs while the “jobs jobs jobs” house republicans have done nothing. You CONservatives need a new talking point
Saving the state millions while short changing the teachers. That’s okay it seems. The Unions too were willing to compromise with Scott ’s demands but he would have none of it. (He and the other Republicans want the Unions gutted and weak—-all of them.)
They were not short changed, just brought down a notch. The unions only wanted to compromise so they could keep running the insurance scam. All of what unions, this only effected the teachers union.
Another uncomfortable factoid. San Jose California and San Diego had ballot initiatives to cut the pensions of both currently active members and those already retired.It passed by 70% in San Jose and 67% in San Diego. Pensions will be cut.They interviewed a retired fireman who was livid about the vote. I worked 20 years and now they are going to cut my pension. It is not fair.He was asked what his pension was this year. My pension is $98,0000/year.That is why California and Greece are bankrupt.
‘toon might also represent the feelings of Mitt’s neighbors in La Jolla. It seem his little “addition” to the cottage from 3,000 sq ft, to 11,000 sq ft, is going to block their view of the ocean.
Exact same thing happened in Illinois but this time by the Democrats.
Smart move by both parties when you have the power. I loved what the Republicans did. See what the Democrats did several times in California. I think we may be on the same side of this issue. My point was pride not accusatory.
Pensions are delayed compensation. They are NOT hand-outs, or unearned benefits. Cutting the pensions of people who have worked for the public for decades is welshing on a debt, nothing more. But welshing on debts and evading responsibility is what Conservatives are all about. Why should we be surprised?
Justice22 almost 12 years ago
Well Done, Mr. Toles.
Doughfoot almost 12 years ago
Remember, Scott Walker did not attack or weaken all public employee unions. … Only public employee unions made up largely of Democrats (teachers). The public employee unions made up chiefly of Republicans (police and firefighters) he left alone. The unions were prepared to make concessions, but Walker denied them even the right to choose. We talk about checks and balances. There was a time when unions (as flawed as they were) provided some check and balance on the power of concentrated money. But Divide and Rule is an ancient maxim now perfected in labor relations. Unions are now definitely weaker than they have been in a century, and the law (i.e. the government) is now the only protection the working man has left. Maybe that will be enough to prevent a return to the abusive practices that the unions were created to correct. But the decline, and immanent fall, of the unions in the US, makes me think of a community that, discovering corruption in the police force and fire department, and noting that there hasn’t been a major crime or fire lately, decides to disband both as no longer necessary.Or to disband the military after a few years of peace. But who knows? Maybe Wisconsin will soon find that teachers no longer want to work there, or maybe the US will soon find even fewer able young people to go into teaching, and as teachers become less able, the GOP will be able to more easily justify treating them like dirt.
piobaire almost 12 years ago
Well said, Doughfoot!
walruscarver2000 almost 12 years ago
Col. Potter of MASH also like the smell of horse dung. Glad you’re not alone.
MurphyHerself almost 12 years ago
Where are the jobs he promised as a “job creator”?
Heavy B almost 12 years ago
Where are all the jobs that walker promised? Wisconsin is 50th in job creation.
TELawrence almost 12 years ago
And so we go back to the Gilded Age of dire poverty, Robber Barons, and rampant pollution.
joe vignone almost 12 years ago
Say goodbye to vacations, health care, overtime, good pay, but, hey, enjoy the view!
Heavy B almost 12 years ago
You bring this up EVERY TIME. And I prove you wrong EVERY TIME. If your bias didn’t blind you, you would see Obma created 4 million jobs while the “jobs jobs jobs” house republicans have done nothing. You CONservatives need a new talking point
Nebulous Premium Member almost 12 years ago
How much do you value your children’s education?Why are you unwilling to pay the teachers for educating your children?
josefw almost 12 years ago
Saving the state millions while short changing the teachers. That’s okay it seems. The Unions too were willing to compromise with Scott ’s demands but he would have none of it. (He and the other Republicans want the Unions gutted and weak—-all of them.)
They were not short changed, just brought down a notch. The unions only wanted to compromise so they could keep running the insurance scam. All of what unions, this only effected the teachers union.
Libertarian1 almost 12 years ago
Another uncomfortable factoid. San Jose California and San Diego had ballot initiatives to cut the pensions of both currently active members and those already retired.It passed by 70% in San Jose and 67% in San Diego. Pensions will be cut.They interviewed a retired fireman who was livid about the vote. I worked 20 years and now they are going to cut my pension. It is not fair.He was asked what his pension was this year. My pension is $98,0000/year.That is why California and Greece are bankrupt.
Dtroutma almost 12 years ago
‘toon might also represent the feelings of Mitt’s neighbors in La Jolla. It seem his little “addition” to the cottage from 3,000 sq ft, to 11,000 sq ft, is going to block their view of the ocean.
Libertarian1 almost 12 years ago
Exact same thing happened in Illinois but this time by the Democrats.
Smart move by both parties when you have the power. I loved what the Republicans did. See what the Democrats did several times in California. I think we may be on the same side of this issue. My point was pride not accusatory.
Heavy B almost 12 years ago
You didn’t read my last post, did you?
Doughfoot almost 12 years ago
Pensions are delayed compensation. They are NOT hand-outs, or unearned benefits. Cutting the pensions of people who have worked for the public for decades is welshing on a debt, nothing more. But welshing on debts and evading responsibility is what Conservatives are all about. Why should we be surprised?
josefw almost 12 years ago
Are you talking about Teacher’s, Union workers in general or Social Security recipiants? Your question kind of went off course.
Is this the type of POP quiz you give your students?
josefw almost 12 years ago
I never called them uppity and you never answered my question.
You said: (He and the other Republicans want the Unions gutted and weak—-all of them.)
I asked what “ALL of them Unions” are you referring to?
Please respond…