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13,000 protest Governor's plan to change collective bargaining for public employees

scooterbug44 avatar
scooterbug44SoWal Expert
9,806 views
Schools are closed because 40% of the teachers called in sick, the Governor is threatening to call out the National Guard, protesters spent the night sleeping in the Capitol building, the Super Bowl Champs are taking sides, and the police have shut down the streets around the governor's house (in a different city) due to hundreds of protesters.

This is going to be interesting to watch - mass civil disobedience, plus the parallels between this governor and Florida's Scott are interesting. (He turned down high speed rail money, is offering tax breaks to get businesses to relocate, wants to sell off state assets, appointed someone in construction to streamline the DNR, isn't taking a salary etc.)

Thousands descend on Wis. Capitol in protest - Politics - More politics - msnbc.com

MADISON, Wis. ? Thousands of people descended on the Wisconsin state Capitol for a second day of powerful protests Wednesday as key votes approached on Republican Gov. Scott Walker's plan to strip away the collective bargaining rights of public employees.

While other states have proposed bills curtailing labor rights, Wisconsin's measure is the boldest step by a new Republican governor and Legislature to solve budget problems by confronting organized labor. It would end collective bargaining, except over wages less than the Consumer Price Index, for all state, county and local workers except for police, firefighters and the state patrol.

Walker's plan would make workers pay half the costs of their pensions and at least 12.6 percent of their health care premiums. State employees' costs would go up by an average of 8 percent. The changes would save the state $30 million by June 30 and $300 million over the next two years to address a $3.6 billion budget shortfall. Unions could still represent workers, but could not seek pay increases above the Consumer Price Index unless approved by a public referendum. Unions also could not force employees to pay dues and would have to hold annual votes to stay organized. Local police, firefighters and state troopers would retain their collective bargaining rights.

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225
LuciferSam avatar
LuciferSamBanned
#177
They passed everything but a budget appropriation, basically the entire bill. Democrats would have had a chance to speak about the bill but unfortunately they were all on vacation in Chicago.


Breaking: Wisconsin Senate GOP to split off collective bargaining bill from budget, pass it separately? Update: Senate passes collective bargaining bill; Update: ?Affront to democracy,? says ? runaway Dem; Update: Capitol livestream

According to HotAir, the unionsts are now ramsacking the capitol building. Welcome to our new new age of civility.

They had to separate the bill from anything fiscal in order to cast the vote without a quorum. That's a clear admission that this had absolutely nothing to do with their "concerns" about the state's financial situation.

It would have made no difference if the Democrats had been present. The Republican Union busters had absolutely no intention of engaging in negotiation. The result would have been the same, and it would have been a show of weakness on the part of the democrats. At least this has shown, to anybody who didn't already know, the true colors of the Republicans. The democrats had absolutely nothing to gain by being present.

You would think by this time the Republicans would have at least one person who would show some semblance of fitness for the 2012 presidential election. That is obviously not the case and these shenanigans do nothing other than set back their efforts. They only have about 18 months to show that these tactics have had a positive effect on the state of the nation. This make as much sense as Newt Gingrich claiming that his love of country was the reason why he felt the need to cheat on his dying wife.

Edited

30ashopper avatar
30ashopperSoWal Insider
#179
The Republican Union busters had absolutely no intention of engaging in negotiation.

The bill was up for debate for over three weeks. The democrats were AWOL for the entire time. Debate involves two parties being present. Your party bowed out of the discussion, so your party lost. Who's fault is that? The party that was there waiting?

Edited

30ashopper avatar
30ashopperSoWal Insider
#180
..and in response to this "outrage" the unionists throw bricks through windows and smash doors.
AndrewG avatar
AndrewGBeach Fanatic
#181
Nothing worse than watching grownups act like babies.
30ashopper avatar
30ashopperSoWal Insider
#182
Nothing worse than watching grownups act like babies.

Democrats aren't known for their ability to involve themselves in adult conversations. It?s always more of an emotional response. :roll:
LuciferSam avatar
LuciferSamBanned
#183
The bill was up for debate for over three weeks. The democrats were AWOL for the entire time. Debate involves two parties being present. Your party bowed out of the discussion, so your party lost. Who's fault is that? The party that was there waiting?

Tthe end result of the bill would have been no different if the Democrats had been present. There would have been no discussion. It would have immediately gone to a vote under the false premises of trying to balance the Wisconsin budget. The republicans left no room for discussion or negotiation. By fleeing the state and not simply rolling over, the democrats forced national discussion and forced the whole country to see the ulterior motives of the republicans.
30ashopper avatar
30ashopperSoWal Insider
#184
Tthe end result of the bill would have been no different if the Democrats had been present. There would have been no discussion.

Democracy is not a hostage you hold until you get your way.

Edited

beachmouse avatar
beachmouseBeach Fanatic
#185
But American democracy has traditionally had a strong respect for the rights of ideological minorities and minority parties. And this has totally vanished from polite American society in the past year.
GoodWitch58Beach Fanatic
#186
But American democracy has traditionally had a strong respect for the rights of ideological minorities and minority parties. And this has totally vanished from polite American society in the past year.

I agree. I think this is the most serious crisis we have right now. When those who are elected to govern, continue instead, to push ideology to the detriment of society, it is a crisis.

I find it hard to believe that decent citizens who have conservative views, really want to see what is happening to our education system; to our public servants; and to our environment, our elderly, our retired citizens and the middle class in general.

What I don't understand is why the above portion of our society has become the enemy of the right--and why many, otherwise reasonable people, are going along with it.
AndrewG avatar
AndrewGBeach Fanatic
#187
They have organized and negotiated far better terms than can be supported. The private sector is what drives gov't spending thus gov't jobs and salaries. If you kill private sector jobs it trickles into forcing gov't cuts.
LuciferSam avatar
LuciferSamBanned
#188
Democracy is not a hostage you hold until you get your way.

We're not a democracy, we are a constitutional republic, hence the will of the people can and should be overridden if it is in violation of basic human rights.
AndrewG avatar
AndrewGBeach Fanatic
#189
Collective Bargaining isn't a basic human right. For the love of God.

There should never be an authority that trumps the will of the people. Go start your own Country if you really believe that.

Edited

30ashopper avatar
30ashopperSoWal Insider
#190
We're not a democracy, we are a constitutional republic, hence the will of the people can and should be overridden if it is in violation of basic human rights.

You think civil service employees in Wisconsin have a "basic human right" to collectively bully taxpayers into providing Cadillac health plans? :roll: Ok, now I see the disconnect in this discussion.

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