What is Happening in Wisconsin ?

~~~~~~~~~~ A CHANCE TO SHARE YOUR SENSE OF WHAT IS GOING ON IN WISCONSIN~~~~~~~~

This is an excellent opportunity to give voice to your ideas and opinions re the Wisconsin Stand-Off. The editorials and op-eds
we read in the New York Times and our daily papers are often articulate and well written. This is your chance to try your hand
at writing your own version of an editorial or an op-ed to respond to what has already been written. Share your thoughts; is this a
battle between political parties for control ? Are state governments with huge deficits looking to put an
end to having to negotiate with unionized government workers ? Some say this provides a golden opportunity for a Republican Governor
to eliminate strong union backing for the Democrats who will run for office in 2012 ? Is the Governor of Wisconsin doing something
you think is invaluable for the future of municipal and state governments across the US ?

What about those union workers, are they paid too much for the jobs they do ? Who are we talking about: prison guards, teachers,
firemen, police, the guys who repair the roads and keep the state house clean ? Why are some unions exempt from budget cuts and others not ?
What is at the heart of this debate ? Is it legal to ditch the collective bargaining process ? Is there a substantial difference between negotiating fair salaries and doing
away with the obligation to bring the workers to the table when making decisions that will impact their livelihoods ?
Submit your comments to me Gabriella in bitem format or you may send your views in the body of
an email. I will share what you send with our community.

Merit badges will be given to the pieces that are articulate and well presented, regardless of your political views. Gabriella



UPDATE: New York Times, March 12, 2011 Reports:

After nearly a month of angry demonstrations and procedural maneuvering in the State Capital (Wisconsin), Governor Scott
Walker won his battle on Thursday to cut bargaining for most governor workers in Wisconsin. But his victory, after the Senate
passed the bill, also carries risks for the state's Republicans who swept into office last November. Democratic-leaning voters
appeared energized by the battle over collective bargaining on a national stage. The fight has already spurred a list of potential
recall elections for state lawmakers this spring. Protestors are turning out for more demonstrations this weekend. "From a
policy perspective, this is terrible" said Mike Tate, the leader of the Democratic party in Wisconsin. "But, from a political
perspective, he could not have handed us a bigger gift', Mr. Tate said of the Governor. In the last 24 hours, the party has
received $360,000. in contributions and volunteers have streamed into offices where recall signatures are being collected.
The Republican-dominated Assembly voted mainly along party lines. 53-42 in favor of the bill. during a tense and bitter
proceeding.

ANOTHER VIEW FROM THE FRONT LINE 6/13/11
Asymmetrical

One day when I went by the Wisconsin State Capitol, they had a couple hundred people all around the building doing a call and
response. "REcall WALker!" they'd sing from one side of the building, then you'd hear "REcall WALker!" coming from the other
side, for hours and hours and hours.

For months, sidewalk stands and local stores have been selling anti-Walker tee shirts, pins and bumper stickers. On Madison's
east side, where I live, quite a few cars wear bumper stickers and many houses have a jumble of protest signs displayed in the
window. Yesterday I saw a guy jogging along with a "Recall Walker" bumpersticker plastered to his butt.

Two sides of the Capitol Square are now a tent village, complete with cantina and medical tent. It just appeared there one day,
tents and lawn chairs and everything, and looks like it's going to stay put for some time. Every time I bike by, there are people
out there making signs, playing music, or just shooting the breeze. Big signs proclaim the fifty or so tents "Walkerville."

An official recall can't take place until January, but it's clear no one's going to forget about it in the meantime.


From Karen AMERICA IS A REPUBLIC :

Workers?” What happened to employees, those who perform a task for which they are paid by their employer? And when they do not?
They are let go, fired, terminated.

Who is the employer of the teachers, congresspersons? The tax paying citizens of the state of Wisconsin. And who did the majority
of the taxpayers elect to be governor? The man who said he would balance the budget – which by law it must be. He is working to
do this.

And what happens when an employer does not have the money to pay his employees? He/she has to let someone go, reduce salaries
and benefits – make it all fit within his allocated funds.

So – support the governor. Fire the Democrat congresspersons who refuse to work. Reduce what has to be reduced to balance
the budget. And if teachers refuse to teach, find some who will, being sure they understand what kind of country they live in.

A republic - not a socialist state – not a communist nation. America is a republic with a constitution which limits government and
is meant to keep government from meddling in people's lives.

Every citizen has God given rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Benefits are not a right. Handouts are not a right. And
every state in the United States of America has the right to govern itself without federal intervention. Back off Obama! You overstep
when you give opinions from the White House on a state government issue.




From: The Music Man WHAT'S HAPPENING IN WISCONSIN

I'm unsure what's going on in Wisconsin at the moment - being fron the UK, it's hard to know and understand . Hwever, it seems
obvious that around the world governments are strapped for finances!... That's not to say that the politicians are - Lordy no!...
18 months ago they came out of an embarrassing predicament called the 'expenses row' they are allowed to charge their working expenses
to the government and be reimbursed for them - they'd claim for bird houses, mortgages on their main and second homes, renovations,
holidays etc etc...Some have been jailed for this corruption ! My point is: after the conservatives & liberal democrats went into office
they've been clamping down on all expenditure - except their own! Many of them own property exceding £1 million ..There was an article in
the press where surgeons were claiming £1.5 million in overtime payments per year ontop of their annual salary!!?...(per surgeon that is)
The government believed this was an excessive amount - the surgeons claimed it was right. Straight afterwards an item followed suggesting
that 2500 Council workers were to lose their jobs through the cut-backs caused by the government's new policy to save money and reduce
the nations debt!...The cost of this saving was £1.5 million??? I rationalised this as follows - 1 year overtime payment for one surgeon
could pay for 2500 workers livelyhoods...This happened just before Christmas ...the impact this action must have had upon these must
have been tragic! The fact that we live in such an elitist society where one person can generate that much in one year from overtime
payments alone, while workers struggle to generate the funds to buy the basics is beyond me? It makes sick to my stomach! And the
politicians in their ivory towers, with their swimming pools in their gardens and gyms paid for by corruption tell us 'we' must tighten our belts!!

It's a world gone mad !

Is Wisconsin like the UK ?

Let's hope not ay...




From: Back with WDC friends! MY TAKE ON WISCONSIN

Even though staunchly progressive in creating many entitlement programs, this politician had a real problem with public service
unions. Here's what he had to say about it:

"... Meticulous attention should be paid to the special relationships and obligations of public servants to the public itself and to the
government. All Government employees should realize that the process of collective bargaining, as usually understood, cannot
be transplanted into the public service. It has its distinct and insurmountable limitations ... The very nature and purposes of
Government make it impossible for ... officials ... to bind the employer ... The employer is the whole people, who speak by means
of laws enacted by their representatives.

"Particularly, I want to emphasize my conviction that militant tactics have no place in the functions of any organization of
government employees. Upon employees in the federal service rests the obligation to serve the whole people ... This obligation
is paramount ... A strike of public employees manifests nothing less than an intent ... to prevent or obstruct ... Government ...
Such action, looking toward the paralysis of Government ... is unthinkable and intolerable."

It's obvious that Franklin Roosevelt, quoted there, clearly understood the problems that can arise when the taxpayer, and his or
her wallet, is affected by the bargaining power of strong public unions.

As public union members pay dues, those dues go to support certain political candidates (today, mostly democrats), who then lend
support back to the unions in securing higher wages through collective bargaining with the state. This process secures more and
more benefits for its members at the expense of the taxpayer. Whatever is negotiated, under threat of a strike, is passed on to the
taxpayer rather than the consumer, as it would be in the private sector.

This is a real problem. Unlike unions in the private sector, where a company pays its employees a wage commensurate to the
bottom line, wages and perks that can be negotiated through collective bargaining are based on what the company can afford,
short and long term, and not what the taxpayer can pay. A private company with union employees cannot give what it doesn't
have. Not the case with public unions.

I was a union member for many years (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers) and while a member strongly supported
the union in whatever it could negotiate in our behalf. But we all knew there were limits to those negotiations, based on how well
the company did in the marketplace.

My son is a non-union teacher in Chicago who works for a private company who accepts Chicago youth from the judicial system
and attempts to help them earn a GED while they are incarcerated by the company. The company operates like a private school
on lock-down. These kids are given one chance to make it, and if they don't, it's off to the Department of Corrections for them to deal
with it. This is a non-union facility, unlike the teacher's union he belonged to while working in the public school system. In this
non-union environment, teachers are still paid well, without collective bargaining, and receive the same benefits as union
teachers in the Chicago area.

The teachers union of which he was a member before was very helpful to him in many ways. It backed the teacher whenever
they needed support, and his salary as a teacher was relative to the locale and aligned with what other teachers were making there.
The perks were good, including the wages and health care he received.

In comparing the two jobs (union and non union), unions can be beneficial in many ways in support of their members.
Non union shops have their benefits too.

Problems arise when the union management makes the entire process political. It's when union politics and the muscle they
can muster with other unions, cause problems in state budgets and force taxpayers to pay higher taxes or the state to run greater
deficits. Collective bargaining for public employees forces the state to pay higher salaries than those in the private sector and makes
it difficult to maintain those levels while reducing debt, holding down taxes, and balancing the budget.

Wisconsin, Indiana, and Ohio are all currently trying to get their states back in better fiscal health by honoring the union contracts
with wage and other concessions, but trying to rein in those areas that can keep the state from repairing their budget ongoing.
Collective bargaining is the sticking point.

The governor of Wisconsin is asking the democrats to come back to the assembly where they can debate this issue further and
put it to a vote. Wisconsin, along with many others is in a terrible financial mess right now and needs to take whatever measures are
needed to turn that around and get back to operating the state in a more fiscally responsible fashion. Our state taxes here in Illinois
recently increased by 66%. Wisconsin is trying to do whatever they can to avoid that.




From: Tornado Day WISCONSIN

If you ask most people in this country, they are quick to disregard what is happening in Wisconsin because it doesn’t impact them
(I live in Tennessee). But we should all take notice. For some time, a silent war has been brewing between the rich and the unions,
with regular working taxpayers caught in the middle. I’ve thought more than once that the drive to win is greater than the drive to
do what is right. We live in a world where the majority worries only about their own needs. We’re losing what caused us to be great
at one time. We were and can be a tremendous force, but only when we come together for the common good. We’re living in a
world of ‘me’, and in that world, the only thing that matters is that we get what we want.

During the 1980s, the rich developed a strategy which changed our progressive tax system and shifted the burden to the middle class,
where it served to not only negatively impact the most people, but also to piss them off. Part of that same play was to get common
people to vote against their own financial interests by confusing religious doctrine and social issues with economic direction.

At the same time, collective bargaining groups representing public workers used their unified muscle to get health benefit packages
that the rest of us couldn't afford, while (as a general rule) the quality of public education in this country deteriorated. Pensions and
future benefits were guaranteed at levels we couldn’t hope to support because supporters of those same unions were put in charge of
negotiating state pension plans. In part, they were successful because of lazy politicians and a media that was afraid to report on a
problem that was growing uncontrollably, while the rest of us worried about stem cell research and unfaithful politicians.

This isn’t a problem that started last week or last month, my friends. It’s the reality that happened over the past forty years, while our
attention was diverted elsewhere. We just didn’t realize it because we thought we had lots of money. We didn’t care because we
didn’t have to care. We could afford to be oblivious and lazy. We could afford to believe that we didn’t have to work hard to earn a
living, to raise our children, to care for our country or our future.

And we did have money, but it was money that came as a result of many other events. Following WWII, as the ‘last man standing’,
America became wealthy in rebuilding the world. We had a steady and committed workforce, as well as industry strength and
natural resources. We viewed ourselves as some type of ‘golden child’. Not only did we believe we had earned our abundance and
deserved the rewards; but we believed it would surely last forever. Ever meet a really good liar? They don’t even know they’re lying.
You tell something enough and before you know it, it becomes the only truth you know. We started believing our own propaganda.
We fed the lies with more lies, believing ourselves a privileged people. While, in fact, it was nothing but bigotry disguised as superiority.
NOTE: Bigotry is usually disguised and almost always self-serving.

And what do you think was happening while we were busy patting ourselves on the back? The Indians learned how to write
software code. The Koreans perfected their ability to build automobiles; and the Chinese realized that not only could they build a good
computer, but they could build almost anything. All that time we’d spent blowing our own horn was wasted as smart people all over
the world realized that we weren’t that ‘golden’ after all. Why? Because they had one thing that gave them the edge; they had people
willing to work harder than us. Yep, we had become fat and lazy.

A little late in the game, we realized we weren’t exceptional at all. Not only that, but we realized that spending all of our money on gizmos
and gadgets, bigger and bigger (and bigger) things wasn’t such a grand idea. For the first time in many generations, America realized
there was some real competition in the world, and whether we wanted to or not, we could no longer afford to be lazy.

As a rule, when there is money to be had, smart people will figure a way to take it away from those who aren't paying attention. And,
so, the wealthiest Americans unraveled the laws that were meant to protect the ‘regular Joe’ citizen, and picked the pockets of the rest
of us. The rich were convincing and progressed with the collusion of Democrats who thought they could defy the laws of economics so
people with crappy jobs could buy nice homes.

Rather than question the sanity of decisions, most decided it was easier to coast along, sucking down foreign oil and spending money
on things we couldn’t afford instead of investing in a future sure to arrive.

Well, the future is here.

As a nation, we have to realize we don’t have that wealth. Some are still naïve enough to think that all you have to do is print more money,
but most (at last) see clearly our predicament. Unfortunately, there are still plenty of rich people with the ability to buy politicians that further
their interest with no real concern for the rest of us.

And the war rages on.

The rich would truly have us believe they are ‘one of us’. They claim we can no longer afford posh union benefits, while they send their kids
to private schools and gut the public education system. They buy discount health insurance through their corporations, and seek to abolish
Medicaid.

Conversely, teachers unions claim (falsely) there is no way to measure classroom performance, claim (rightly) that parents are as responsible
as teachers for results in the classroom, and (wrongly) that all teachers are good teachers. We’re told that their pensions and health
insurance and vacation days have no impact on budgets when 80 percent of education expense is for personnel.

Neither side is interested in the fact that we need to fix public education. Only by doing that again can we achieve the results we need to
compete effectively in the world and thereby increase the standard of living for our children.

One of the great accomplishments of America from its earliest days was that seminal notion that ours was to be the "land of opportunity."
What that notion describes, quite simply, is the concept of hope. That hope was never an opportunity only available to the upper class.

Like it or not, education and healthcare are part of that equation. The rich take aim at public education for many reasons (some well deserved),
but one exists at the very core of their criticisms. Public-sector unions are the last power center standing in the way of their desire to not only
rule the world, but to own it. Although unintended, they ignore the probable consequences that loom ahead - the destruction of hope, of opportunity,
and with it the probability of revolution.

Unions are equally at fault with their ‘we-are-all-equally-deserving’ agenda. Not only does that philosophy protect the lazy, but it stifles
creativity and leadership. Almost without exception, when everyone is treated the same regardless of performance, the best performers adjust
down to the level of the poor performers. It never works the other way. As with any bureaucracy, they've become more interested in preserving
their pantry of perks than with working with outside thinkers to improve public education.

That said, unions may be the last group powerful enough to stand up to the strength of the privileged. And while those two groups struggle
for power, the middle class suffers as the standard of living in America declines.

I don’t believe that any one side is totally right. Yes, someone has to be responsible enough to see that there is no money in the bank. We
need to fix public education, but giving teachers more money or better benefits doesn’t insure the children will have a better education. And
they’ll need one because at some point, someone will have to make the hard choices about budgets. Those who refuse to see that (because
their attention is diverted with the view of a child without a teacher) are even more short-sighted than the wealthy in their belief that public
education doesn’t matter. Although unions have abused the public trust and fostered socialized mediocrity, they are still necessary to
prevent the rich from killing America through the destruction of hope.

If you know me at all, you know I believe that love can solve almost any problem. Some would say that’s a poet’s dream, but I don’t think
so. Even in this situation, the most important thing is not only forgotten, but when remembered, is being used as a weapon. Our love for
our children should be bigger than the need for personal power. Our love for our country should move us to be better managers of our money,
our resources, and our votes. Our love for our way of life (and desire to insure it for future generations) should be enough that we put aside
our notions of what is best for a small group of people, at least long enough to discuss real solutions. Our country was founded on democracy
and fairness, and thrived by making the ‘American dream’ a reality. The only 'hope' for our future is not in the assurance that one group or
another will ‘win’, but in working together toward the common goal of making this country GREAT again.

I pray we have the love needed to be good again.




From: Magoo WHO IS TO BLAME ?

I think it is quite ironic that we blame everyone but those who are responsible. The politicians in both major parties are 100% responsible
for this economic debacle. I wouldn't have a real problem taking the rich, turning them upside down, and shaking every coin out of
their pockets, but I don't believe it is their fault we're broke. I honestly believe we could take every dime from the wealthy and a few years
later we would want more. Again, the politicians from both parties have spent like the proverbial 'drunken soldiers'. A lot of them want to
stay in office so they buy votes any way they can with no regard for fiscal responsibility. I have worked in various governmental
agencies and have seen incredible waste. These agencies have budgets and if they don't spend the money then the next year their
budgets will be reduced, so they literally buy things they don't need, nationwide into the billions (or maybe even into the trillions over
a few years). I can't believe there isn't a better way. I don't blame the unions and I don't blame the rich. I think our political system is
a monster out of control. We need to make the politicians more accountable!




From: Budroe is Blessed! DEMOCRACY, LIKE OLD FISH, SOMETIMES STINKS !

Democracy is an on-going experiment in the United States of America. It flourishes when those who abide in it's precepts are
attacked for defending it, or exercising it. Such is the case with the Wisconsin 14.

Who are the Wisconsin 14? Interesting question. Yet the answer is even more revealing.

These are the fourteen Wisconsin Democratic Senators who have left the State to avoid a bully. Attempting to, among other things,
bust the Public Employees, Teachers, Fire Fighters, and Police unions in his state, the Republican Governor Scott Walker has turned
what was a significant state surplus into a significant deficit. He now is, after continuing demonstrations, over crowded galleries,
outspoken and passionate opponents, on a personal mission. He, seemingly thinking himself a demigod, has declared a personal war
against the missing Senators. And, he's got some help.

A Utah group (?) is beginning action to force recall elections for each of the 14 Democratic Senators.

Governor Walker has today threatened to lay off those very unionized employees unless, and until, the 14 Senators return to Madison.

(It must be stated that one single Democratic Senator reporting to the Statehouse will give the Republican majority the authority to create
the legislation which will destroy the unions, pensions, and benefits of the affected employees.)

He has instructed the Senate Majority Leader to fine each Senator $100 per day of absence.

Trying to find significant allies, Governor Walker has solicited similar actions in the Governors of Ohio and Indiana, with additional appeals
not yet answered.

The Republican leadership in the Wisconsin Senate is withholding the paychecks of the Democratic Senators for an indeterminate time.
This action has the endorsement and support of Governor Walker.

Last Saturday, at statehouses across the country, many thousands of people gathered in quiet support of these fourteen Democratic
Senators. Many of were public employees, but many more of them were average working Americans who understand clearly what is
at risk by Governor Walker's folly. It is interesting, considering the history of Wisconsin with regards to Worker's Compensation
(first in the nation to have a comprehensive Worker Compensation Act), it's pioneering work historically with unionization, and it's
general support of working people in it's boundaries.

This is true democracy. It is ugly, and uncomfortable. Wisconsin is also the home of former Senator Joseph McCarthy, of anti-communism
fame. He had many supporters in his time, as well. He was wrong then. Governor Walker is not only disingenuous, but wrong now. He knows
it, yet cannot fashion a face-saving exit from his position. I heard on television today a sad story of a Medical Doctor who is now refusing to
accept, or treat patients who specially had medicaid, Medicare, or "Obamacare" (whatever THAT is!) because he just wasn't paid enough.
He is, in fact, retiring. The commentator bemoaned the fact that this is happening to many good members of the Middle Class in America.

Middle Class? Really?

And, there you have a sliver of truth to this entire problem. Destroy the middle class. Sound familiar?

There does come a point, I believe, when peaceable civil disobedience is an appropriate action in a democratic society. That so many
millions stand to lose more than they have already lost, only to prove a single point by an egomaniac with a wild hair up his butt over
unions is one of those moments. Those very workers are not "given" anything. They pay for it. They voluntarily reduce their weekly pay
envelopes to put their money into their own retirement, and to pay for their health benefits. Walker's actions would more than stop that.
The money would be taken from them, their retirements extinguished, and their benefits lost for all time. How is that "fair"? These
people are no drain on the state budget, other than their significantly above-average paychecks.

So, why should anyone care? Why should it be so important that I blog about it?

Because I am a citizen of these United States. Workers in America are, yet still again, under attack. By fellow Americans! This just simply
cannot be allowed to happen without at least a casual comment. Watch C-Span, and watch Utah Representative King do all within his own
personal power to eliminate the Affordable Healthcare Act, simply because it was a plan of the Obama Administration. Nothing more.
Watch as Hal Rodgers, one of the more embarrassing examples of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, bring forth a Budget Resolution that
would eliminate Planned Parenthood, castrate the ability of states to educate their youth, and put a "So Be It!" on the poor, infirm and
homeless of our nation. Have a day's worth of this, and you will wonder why one man, Senator Pence of Indiana, believes that he alone
can eliminate paid abortions because HE disagrees with them. Is this what we have become?

Corporations have the rights and designations of "person-hood". Yet, while they suddenly inherit the rights of citizenship, many thousands
face involuntary deportation because their parents came here illegally to work for minimum wage or less to feed their families, for employers
that couldn't be happier. Corporatism is very nearly ready to completely transform this nation into a non-capitalistic corporatocracy.
The rights of the people are subverted to the needs of the corporate entity.

Democracy is at stake here, and it becomes the responsibility of the people to preserve that democracy. As the Wisconsin 14 can attest,
it sometimes becomes not one option, but the ONLY option when so much is at stake.

It stinks! But, democracy sometimes does.





From: Jen d'Arque - Busy Bee WISCONSIN~A LIBERTARIAN'S VIEW

Before I get to the meat and potatoes of this issue, I would like to thank Gabriella for hosting this forum of free speech related to this
bizarre, yet hotly debated current American issue.

I'm a Libertarian in Southern California. I don't understand why there is anyone even living in Wisconsin in the first place. It is part of one
of my jobs to watch the weather and the economy week after week, month after month, year after year. From what I've seen, Wisconsin,
Minnesota and North Dakota are pretty much uninhabitable due to the severe, icy cold, miserable weather conditions there.

Yet, I see ads for Wisconsin dairy products. Really? How happy and productive can those cows be up there? Out of all of our lovely
continental United States, why the heck would anyone stick a bunch of cows in the frozen tundra of Wisconsin?

Do Wisconsians enjoy sliding all over the frozen asphalt every day in their cars?

I know the Green Bay Packers are up there, right next to the Minnesota Vikings, but goodness gracious, how enjoyable can life be up there?

Alright, this seems to be an issue about Republicans v. Democrats, although I'm not sure why. D_Fish Rocks the RS World! (49) expressed a
very well-written pro-republican statement, and Budroe is an Adventurer! (83) expressed a thorough pro-Democrat viewpoint.

Thanks to each of them, and televised world news clips, I understand that there are union workers who are upset, the democrat legislators have
left the state, and the state of Wisconsin is broke. Those things are clear.

If this happened in California, then it would be pretty big, but I don't understand that there might be more than a few thousand brave frozen souls
that live in the state of Wisconsin in the first place.

I can't help but wonder if all of this strange new unrest is related to Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Yemen and other middle east countries that are
suddenly clamoring for change, although, once they overthrow their leader, they're uncertain what to do with their new found freedom.

It seems like everyone is suddenly screaming for something, some kind of change. I think that if everyone just calmed down a bit, set their
pitchforks and torches to the side and 'thought' about things more clearly, there would be lucid decisions.

Now, the Unions pay better, right? I don't understand how that affects the average taxpayer. Either a corporation chooses to use the union employees
or they don't. Either way, how does it affect everyone else? Is there proof that the unions influence or pay for Democrat legislators? If there is, then
there is probably proof that non-union corporations do the same for Republican representatives and legislators. Corruption cuts both ways.

Non-union corporations outsource their employment or hire thousands of illegal immigrants in order to underpay and make billions. Unions seem to
hire American citizens and offer medical benefits and pensions as an incentive to work hard for many years in a certain trade.

Remember, Mexico has no unions, and look at how many of their citizens are coming here for jobs.

How does the state of Wisconsin become broke because some companies or corporations use union workers? Aren't the corporations separate
from the state? The state receives a nice chunk of the employee's income via taxes with every paycheck. I don't get it.

Either I'm missing something, or the specifics are just not being spelled out. For decades, Wisconsin was just peachy keen with union and
non-union workers. Why, all of a sudden, is this such an issue? What happened?

If the Democratic legislators left Wisconsin, obviously there is something horribly wrong with the state. Goodness, if all Democratic legislators
left California, well, first of all, we'd be out a Governor, but everything else would fail.

I think that by leaving the state, the Wisconsin Democratic legislators are bravely makng a non-violent statement.

If the solution is to rid Wisconsin of all unions, which, as far as I know, are groups that demand fair labor practices for the American citizen worker,
well, I hope you know how to speak Spanish!

If anyone thinks that we should just turn over our workforce to immigrants, here legally or not, then you should either just shoot yourself before the
coming drug cartels do, or move to Canada.

Honestly, the solution is that we allow the unions to exist, but that their pay rates not be so exorbitant. I don't know if you know this, but union workers
are not only taxed like every other American, but they have 'dues' deducted from their checks which eventually cover their tiny pensions and medical
plans. The American taxpayer does not pay anything because someone is working for a union. The union worker pays for their own benefits.

Now, if you mean a toilet seat made by an American union worker costs $12.95, and a similar one made in Mexico costs $7.50 - - yes - that's true.
First of all, you get what you pay for. Second of all, I'd rather pay a little more for the work of a fellow American than some undocumented foreigner.

In my Libertarian point of view, each state should be able to handle their own fiscal crisis. We don't need Federal help or interference.

Protestors should not be shot like they are in Libya. They should not be arrested like they were in Egypt. They should not be financially penalized like
the Wisconsin Democrats who've left their own state in disgust.





From Asymmetrical : THE WISCONSIN LABOR PROTESTS OF 2011: A VIEW FROM THE MIDDLE

I walked to work yesterday. Even when I was still a couple miles out from downtown, there were people walking that way and
waiting for buses to get tothe Capitol Square. This is pretty unusual in the midwest in February, but parking and traffic downtown
are a mess right now. Hoards of people have been marching, walking, or meandering down State Street, which runs between
the University of Wisconsin and the state capitol building. (The store I work at is just off State Street.) Through traffic has been
patient about crossing, with many drivers honking in support of the marchers. But with the mild weather we've been having, most
people who actually want to attend the protests are leaving their cars at home.

This was my third day of checking out the protests on my way to work. Wednesday the whole thing seemed spontaneous, and
most of the marchers with signs were either teachers, fire fighters, or university workers. A few kids were downtown, mostly
the young children of striking (OK, "sick-out-ing") teachers. I also saw a few skateboard punx liberated from East High, coming to
check out the excitement. But mostly it was people like our upstairs neighbors TAA (a teaching assistants' union), who were
well informed about the politics of the situation and had been preparing for days. In the week since Governor Walker announced
his budget repair bill, TAA had assembled hordes of sign makers and organizers, who took over our upstairs meeting room
coordinating their part of the rally. As a union, they're extremely serious about this whole thing.

By Friday, there were a lot more families up on the Square, and everything was more convivial. I passed a table set up by
one union that was passing out free hot dogs and sodas. Everyone was in red shirts and jackets, as if this were a Badger
home game. By this time, school was out for the third day in a row in Madison, and other towns were also striking
(enough white-washing), with their local union affiliates sending buses of protesters to add to the crowd. By this time, a lot of
people had funny signs, and some were in costumes. I was in a hurry, since I had to stop at the bank on my way to work, and
had to zig-zag my way through crowds of stroller-pushing activists, and a guy dressed up as some kind of golden Liberty statue
who was being interviewed by a local radio station.

By Saturday, I was ready to take a closer look. So I checked out the articles about the protests in my Kindle edition
of the New York Times, read a bunch of Facebook posts from all over the country, and headed out the door. By the time I got
up to the Square, I was part of a stream of people. Police manning the barricades directed us to the proper areas for
Tea Party and Union.

The first corner of the Square I came to was the Tea Party's enclave. There weren't as many of them as I was expecting, maybe
500 or 1000. A few had anti-union signs, like one that showed a bunch of pigs at a trough, captioned "Feeding Time is Over." But
mostly, the protesters here seemed like state residents who wanted a balanced budget passed. They liked chanting: "Go Scott Go"
(Governor Scott Walker, that is) and "Pay your share!" Not a terribly angry bunch, and what anger they displayed went mostly
against the senators who took off to force a postponement of any voting on the budget bill. Predictably, one guy had a sign that
said "Where are the 14 girlie men?" Others claimed they wanted the absent senators to be arrested, or worse.

At one point a woman who sounded like she was getting over a cold started that fixture of protests everywhere, the call
and response: "What do we want?" "Pass the bill!" "When do we want it?" "Now!" She joked about her hoarse voice, but no
one else would pick up the "call" part of it, so she kept on yelling.

My favorite sign, conservative division: "Sorry I couldn't be here yesterday, but I had to work."

Coming out and rounding the corner, "Kill the bill!" rapidly replaced "Pass the bill!" Now that I was out of the Tea crowd, I could
almost see their speaker, who ended his speech about how neither party was really listening to the people with a well-received
"God bless Wisconsin."

Outside of Tea Land, the people looked about the same but the costumes and signs got more creative. Alongside the
mass-produced Teacher's union signs, people carried clever home-made ones with slogans like "Stop the Badger Despair Bill"
(the real one being named the "Budget Repair Bill"). Just as I was wondering about the significance of the father and son Darth
Vaders and the guy dressed up like a banana, a parade of sorts came by--a bagpipe band, followed by firefighters with helmets
perched way up where they were easy to see, followed by lots and lots of teachers and other rank-and-file state employees and
kids. Alongside them was a line of neon-vested police officers--ostensibly as security, but it they looked more like part of the
march. Police and fire unions are solidly behind the anti-bill protesters, even though the bill exempts them.

A huge, thick line of people was waiting to get into the Capitol building. I didn't join them because I didn't want to get
stuck in there. I had to grab some lunch before work, and couldn't afford to run late.

By Saturday, everyone seemed hyper-aware of the fact that people are paying attention to the protests. Everywhere, I heard
people discussing all the national coverage, and I saw the most loud-mouthed and outrageously dressed protesters hogging the
cameras and getting lots of applause. People from all over the state and beyond crowded every side of the Capitol Building,
as well as the entire length of State Street.

I stood for a few minutes at the top of the Capitol steps, looking out over the top of the live band in mid-set and towards work, and
made a guess that this would be another busy day at the shop. Because with all these teachers and others coming to town, our
business is booming. Our little store is making all kinds of sales to teachers and others in town for the protests, and doing record
business for the middle of February. I doubt it's what Governor Walker has in mind about "putting Wisconsin back to work," but
I doubt he'd object, and neither do we!

Favorite sign, liberal division: "Wisconsin is not open for business--it's closed for repairs."

As I edged past the band and onto State Street, I overheard one man telling others about some doctors who would write a
"sick" note for anyone who wanted one. Much as I despise this sort of shenanigans, I understand that people are afraid of losing
their jobs, especially if the unions are weakened. From what I've seen, if the bill were just about asking state workers to pay more
towards their pensions and medical care, this wouldn't be happening. People would grumble, but looking over their shoulders at
taxpayers like me who are lucky to be able to get any insurance at any price, they'd probably go along with cuts. It's the idea of
dismantling their union and the protection it gives them that brings workers out in such numbers.

Chin's wasn't crowded at all, so I got my Thai tofu stir-fry without incident and made it to work. The shop was crowded all day.
Periodically, we'd go check out the action outside. At one point Union cab ran a parade of yellow taxis for the entire length of
State Street. That was cool.

And yes, sales were excellent. We had such a great day that I had to keep the shop open late, and missed my usual bus,
which can make things complicated on a weekend night. I walked back up past the Capitol to the bus stop, minus iPod for once.
The restaurants and streets were still crowded, though the Square was mostly empty now. Some organizers walked behind me,
chatting about how glad they were to have come to town. "We made enough contacts and talked to enough people that it was definitely
worth the trip." Outside the Irish bar, a bunch of smokers were haggling good-naturedly about who was really "from here" and who
wasn't. Near the bus stop, a bunch of cops stood on the sidewalk, laughing and joking and comparing notes about their day.
Things were winding down, and snow was in the forecast.

When the bus finally arrived, a group of three people ran up to get on it with those of us who'd been waiting. Two guys and
a woman, all very, very drunk. They started up a conversation in the back of the bus with a guy from the United Arab Emirates,
which for some reason they thought was part of India. Each of them was blathering about how much Native American they had
in them. Then the woman told him how she'd come to town today because "I just love a good protest," and started chanting,
"Hell no, we won't go!"

Which, of course, doesn't have much to do with collective bargaining. But then neither does a lot of the rest of this. From
what I saw, both sides more or less want the same thing--a budget that's fair to everyone, and that won't drag our states finances
down the tubes. We just have differing ideas about how that's to be done. What we need is discussion of the issues with everyone
at the table, including the unions. We need our legislators and teachers to get back to work.

It's not good government for the governor to make unilateral changes to union protection and disguise it as a simple budget matter,
nor is it good government when our state senators flee in order to postpone the inevitable. Posturing is what it is, feeding the camera
with sound bites and funny pictures and scare tactics. (Governor Walker called in the National Guard for a prison workers' strike
that seems to have existed nowhere but in his mind.) When people know the world is watching, everyone becomes a performer.




From: SHEA TOMORROW IS A NEW DAY

Isn't it interesting that the discussion at hand revolves around some very basic concepts of person-hood, and the rights inherent. The
time has come to pay the Piper, and the tax payer whom burden the cost despise the thought. Tomorrow is here, and the reality of fiscal
responsibility is upon us. The constituents put into office the politician who said the budget would be balanced, with that commitment,
comes the frank reality that spending must be cut. No one wants the onus to effect them, but when talk of balancing the budget, and
the extreme need to do so is broached, the cry is always "Yes, Indeed we should take action immediately ." The time to manifest
results critical to the infrastructure has arrived. Tomorrow is here.

I think it appalling the rich have billions of dollars while the other 98 percent of us fight for every bloody penny. And that's the thing,
we in the capitalist system are genetically bread on money. It's an overcoming drive, even religious ferverment for many . For those
who get so immersed into greed, and the lust of want, attaining love for life, and the joy of giving, and serving our brothers, and sisters
is lost. Whatever your mode of thought may be, we all live together while you think your thought and everyone else is thinking theirs;
its when we mold our thoughts together that we accomplish amazing things. Haven't we evolved from our primal self engrandenment?
Haven't we learned from the lessons of our past, to work with one another in the spirit of success? Instead of dog eat dog, and the
confrontational paradigm where there are only winners and losers.

It is critical for us all to understand that there is, and always has been a difference between need, and want. Yet, most do not grasp the
concept, or refuse outright to honour the principle's of fellowship, and responsibility to society and neighbour .

Excessive want (greed) is the driving force behind decisions that enslave our race. (I know it sounds a bit rich, but true none the less.)
The rich have been getting obscenely wealthy while the middle class is vanishing into the murky muddy water of the poverty class; the
working poor.

Banks, bankers, money managers, and brokers, have been given license to steal without recourse. It amazes me the hundred of billions of
dollars given to recover from the melt down. Still having not resolved the basic problem; licensed theft.

I ponder my own financial circumstance, feeling weak in the heart, hows that for the power of the almighty dollar? That's with a roof over
my head, and with shoes & hat to match. Needs and wants; lets shift our paradigm to supplying the needs of ourselves, and of our
neighbours, making sure the wants don't overcome our aptitude toward the needs, and nurturing of the whole.

The events in Wisconsin are so large in effect that we all should pay attention, and participate in the molding of response. That's what
freedom is about.

I personally thought the Piper played well, and as responsible loving persons, we must insure the future is in good shape for those to come.

Swallow the pill, and pay the Piper; tomorrow is a new day.




From:Dayo Moarzjasac UNION MEMBERSHIP WAS NEVER INTENDED TO MAKE WORKERS FIREPROOF


Wisconsin is just one place that the widespread sickness infecting the minds and hearts of our people is revealing itself.

Before I state my case, I would like to tell the reader who I am and the experiences of my 70 years of my life which have
formed the opinions that I hold.

One of my earliest memories, at age 5, was hiding next to the wall under my bed listening to the hail of glass and shotgun
pellets falling onto the hardwood floor. The goons outside had been employed by a mining company to stop the Union at what
ever cost. My father was outspoken on issues of safety, fresh air, and general issues of the health and welfare of the workers
underground, when he returned from POW prison in Germany. To say that he loved this country is an understatement. I
could write a book about him and still leave things unsaid. I can shorten that into he was a good man, and his work ethic is
one of the things he passed on to me that I prize to this day. I heard him preparing a speech titled "Expectations in the
Workplace, a fair day's pay for a fair day;s work." He strongly made his point that workers had a rightful expectation that
their employer would provide the safest workplace possible. That an employer should provide proper training to workers to
keep them safe and productive. His thoughts do not sound very controversial by today's standards. A few holdouts still think
of their employees as bodies, and the quality of their goods and services reflect exactly that exact value, a product can be
worthless and it matters not to you if you are just a body.

Nuff about that. When I think of Dad, i sometimes go on a bit. Life and my Father taught me many things

I remember the Sheriff standing in our kitchen telling my father, "You wouldn't have to worry about this beautiful family if you
could learn to keep your mouth shut." If the absolute truth were told about the motivations of the uniformed man with shiny
boots whose department was totally financed by taxes from the Mine, perhaps was that what he said was one of those
good old boy attempts at helping .It revealed so much.

Dad moved us to a safer place. His basic beliefs had not changed, but he found himself in the odd position of being a union
idealist working for the Department of Defense. His time as negotiator sometimes gave him moral fits, He had strong concept
of right and wrong.

After Dad retired I remember sitting at a picnic table sipping a brew and eating BBQ Ribs and potatoe salad. He started a very
good lesson for me that day. I was still in the Navy home on leave for the fourth of july.

"All of my life I have tried to keep the peace, to work out deals where everyone wins. And you know nothing ever works out
quite like you envisioned it. Now things have reached a point where people want to do the least they can for the most they
can get. Most workers do not care if the work gets done properly or not. Yet they want top dollar for every second they are on
the premises, whether they are killing time, or doing something productive. People seem to have lost their pride in what they do.
In the process they devaluate their worth and don't realize it." "Then there are those who do too much, the union is quick to
send some around to let you know not to do outsanding work that "PRETTY SOON IF YOU KEEP DOING THIS THEY WILL
EXPECT IT FROM EVERYONE, and honestly I do not want to work that hard."

"Union membership was never supposed to make people fire proof. To allow people to skate by just by showing up.
Reasonable expectations should apply equally."

The ills of our system are directly traceable to the "seven deadly sins" I remember a great example from the Bible. It tells of a
benevolent owner of a vinyard who sent out for more workers three times during the day. At the end of the day the benevolent
man paid all the pickers the same whetherr they had started early or late. Now comes the good part. Keeping our word.
Complainers were asked did you not recieve exactly what you were promised? Why are you angry because the man is generous?

Perhaps next time you complainers will arrive late in the day, who knows? Be happy with a fair day's pay for a fair day's labor.

I think expectations are awry on all parts. You must give before you deserve to recieve. We must carefully re-examine our
definitions of value.

Perhaps the most painful admission to our nation is we can not feed, clothe, educate, protect, and house everyone in the world.

There just isn't enough paper to print that much money with no regard for real value. Is any one putting anything into the bank
to cover all the checks that are being written.

I think I have said all this simply to say. Think! Open your mind to include others expectations otherwise no real negotiation
can take place.

May God have mercy on us all.

"Say it ain't so, Joe"


RESPONSE FROM: Hannah-Paper Doll Gang Democracy at Work in Wisconsin


Whether your on this side, that side, or you have no opinion at all on the situation unfolding in Wisconsin, the bottom line is this:
the good citizens of Wisconsin voted Governor Walker into office. The majority have spoken, and for the minority to run and
hide is appalling! This is basic democracy at work.

What some declare as their rights are really privileges. We, the tax payers, pay their salaries, and we should get good value for our
hard-earned money. I, for one, am happy that they will be held accountable. Maybe, just maybe, we can go from being ranked
an appalling 18th in education, among all industrialized nations, once more states get on board the accountability train.

If I have to hear one more time how they only make an average of 50K a year, I'll scream! That's a lot of money, and to have the best
benefits on top of that, and the protection of the big labor unions, so they can't even be fired for what anyone else would be canned
for in a heartbeat! Give me a break; your rights, my dollars!

Professional left pro-union demonstrators, go home!

Wisconsin Citizen


RESPONSE FROM GWFrog

The lesson to be learned is really quite simple. If you do not like what a politician says he or she will do if elected,
DO NOT vote for that person. It may be that the political promises made are exactly what he or she will try to do, and
if you are opposed and cast you vote in the affirmative, you have nobody else to blame but yourself.


RESPONSE FROM Duke Stone

A well thought out and well voiced report of the current situation and your own views of what was called for and what was perhaps the crux
of the matter. Being from the south I tend to take a more jaded view of the good generated by unions in any sector but especially the public
sector simply because they use taxpayer money to fund the quality of life. This is like asking a hobo to pay for the coffee from my view
but can see the need to get your state moving again and I pray that the matter will find resolution soon.
Good writing and God bless, Duke Stone


RESPONSE FROM Princess Megan Rose 10 Years

Written with a good style and important facts.. The world is a mess. They are increasing the price of gas and groceries. Working
people should get enough raises to cover this. It wouldn't kill the rich to cut back and help the rest of the working people. Fire
Departments, police and medical health personnel should never be cut. They are vital to everyone's survival. Those of us who work
all our lives are entitled to Social Security benefits as well as unemployment. There should be a law that gas prices can only be
raised 10 cents every 2 or 3 months. If the United States would rebel like Egypt and the Middle East, maybe America 's government
would listen to the working class. Raising prices on cat food? No wonder America is abandoning their pets. This is sad. There should
be a law never to raise the price of needed animal products. What happened to the America we all know and love? I pray things will
work out. I don't vent very often but I hope that America takes a stand and the government are there for the people. It is past time for
the government to do the job that we elected them to do.

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RESPONSE FROM Budroe is Blessed!

That there are differing, and passionately held views on this particular subject is not surprising. That the offerings do not devolve
(generally) into name-calling and partisanship is to be highly regarded. This is, as even a cursory read will show, a very important
discussion to have. This, one of our very, very BEST writers, is guardian over "nice" without too much of a job to do.
(Sorry, Gabriella)

For those of our members who, regardless of age, are living in the United States, this is a front line issue which really demands
your attention. I highly and strongly recommend this work to you, and for your thoughts and words.


RESPONSE FROM Lonewolf - Catching up

I was surprised when I first read this because I had heard some of it on the news, but to find it here with such well thought out
responses to what is happening in Wisconsin made me think more on it and do research as to what was happening/happened.
Personally I believe everyone should pay attention to what is going on in the world no matter where you're from-- to each his
own I suppose. Thank you for bringing some current events to WDC for everyone to take part in.


ADDITIONAL OBSERVATION FROM: GYPSYROSE- Grateful 2 WDC

Have You Registered for Heaven?

There are no forms to fill out, nor I.D.'s that you must show
You may be living anywhere... or be living "on the go."
There is only one opposing candidate who'll try and block your vote
He's been doing this for years now, trying best to get your goat.

Registration is very simple, just follow the Golden Rule
"Do Unto Others - as you would have them do unto you."
Jesus lived the Golden Rule, He asks the same from you
Have you loved one another as He asked us all to do?

Live with heaven as your goal, God will pick you up when'ere you fall
Satan tempted Jesus too, yet He suffered and died for us all.
It's not about your net worth folks, or if your clothes are all worn out
Whether Republican or Democrat- neither party will give YOU clout.

To register for heaven, be forgiving every single day
When your time on earth is ended, it may be too late then to pray.
Registration for heaven is not bound by earthly laws
God's rules have always been the same, and they contain no flaws.

The Bible stands for truth, one of history's longtime tools
Do not follow politicians when they try to bend God's holy rules!
So as you register for heaven, search for light to understand
For "man" certainly has no power to give "eternal" life to man.

Whom you vote for is not as important as your registration today
That you will register for Heaven when you bow your head and pray.

Authors Note:
With some states changing voter registration laws, making it more difficult
for many to register to vote, I am disgusted with politicians today that are
trying to make the poor, and seniors with no photo id's, and those who
move away to attend schools and have had to change their addresses
or those have lost homes due to foreclosure and/or who rent and move
because of not being able to afford rent when they have lost jobs...and our
servicemen who must vote away from home, most of whom will vote Democrat,
will, with these restrictions, face challanges at the polls in the next election.

The League of Woman's Voters and other groups, who try and get out the vote
will be subject to felony charges and heavy fines if they do not conform perfectly
to new registration rules.

Little by little, we are loosing our Democracy. As we lose our voice in Washington,
laws continue to change as our citizens become complacant about what we can do t
o stop basic rights from being taken away. This has made me wonder about the
direction America is taking, and has inspired me to write the above poem that all
boils down to what really is important in life...our eternal future. It is in God's hands
and we should never forget this important fact: "DO UNTO OTHERS!" This is the
basic principle by which each one of us will be judged at the end of our life on earth.
This is what REALLY matters in God's eternal plan. His plan will NOT change
because we have changed our laws!






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