Ed will speak with a Wisconsin teacher about the serious damage Gov. Walker might cause to her family and many others.
Coming up on Tuesday ...
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Sat Feb 19, 2011 12:01 AM EST
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Governor Walker and his republican party aren't focused on balancing a budget. They are focused on lowering all the american working class to Chinese wages. If republicans succeed in busting the unions; ALL american workers will suffer. It will be a dominio effect. Union wages keep our nonunion wages competitive. If union workers take pay and benefit cuts, then all of us nonunion workers will also receive less wages and benefits. I live in Virginia where unions have been broken up and the dominio effects are for real. I pray that every citizen in Wisconsin stands up for the working class and every other state gets involved. The working class is what keeps trhe economy strong...they spend money! The rich invest their money and get tax loopholes for it. The poor depend on entitlements that the working class pay taxes for. If 100,000 citizens in Wisconsin had to take a $40 a week paycut, that would mean $400,000 annually less taxes paid. If the rich and poor aren't paying, then how the hell would paycuts balance the budget??? Governor Walker...The union-workers are taxpayers!!!!! If you lower wages and benefits, you will collect less taxes from every Wisconsin citizen, because it will be a dominio effect for every employer to cut wages!! (Economics 101)
Walker's supporters needs to wake up. All Walker has done is make it more "Business friendly" for his bosses the Koch brothers who have cut over 2000 jobs nationwide while increasing their networth by 11 billion to be 42 billion currently. Of course they are the primary financers of the Tea Party and are both in the top 10 of richest Americans. David Koch is now the richest man in New York City.
Koch Industries pretends that it thrives from the "free market," and that the government only inhibits its growth. But in reality, as Koch slashed jobs, the company exploited government contracts, public forests, public land, narrow corporate loopholes, eminent domain seizures of private land, and has demanded taxpayer bailouts for its refineries. Yet still they donate millions to the museums and art centers in New York. Koch Industries owns Brawny paper towels, Dixie cups, Georgia-Pacific lumber, Stainmaster carpet, and Lycra, among other products.
Because Koch Industries gets rich burning fossil fuels, the Koch brothers are the largest funders of climate change denying organizations and "libertarian" nonprofits in the world. Koch political donations have helped the company escape serious prosecution for emitting cancer-causing chemicals as well.
And Walker's all for the taxpayers here in Wisconsin. You mean his rich campaign funders. It's just a smoke screen. Rich get richer thanks to Walker and the Tea Party. He is nothing more than their bitch and they will discard of him as soon as they get what they want. They want Wisconsin because because we support Obama, we are a battleground state. Before they can take Wisconsin they need to break the unions. They hate Obama and anything that he stands for and want their Palin in as president so they can reap more profits and power.
Hey FOX why don't you report the truth, Let me guess, they own you too.
Hey Walker and his supporters...Karma's a bitch, remember that.
Wisconsin is #2. Walker does not appreciate education. He dropped out of Marquette university and like the protest poster reads, "100% of teachers are better educated than Scott Walker."
I do not think this is a conspiracy to kill jobs and unions. It is just a tighten your belt bill. It is a two year concession. It must be revisited as indicated in the bill.
I too have sacrificed and it is not fun to have to change your life style. I make it work though. The good news is that teachers will not be required to join the union. Teachers will also NOT be required to pay the dues if they opt out. This is a little give and take.
There is an option to find part time/seasonal work while on summer vacation. Again not fun but maybe necessary to make up the difference for the additional contribution to your health care and pension.
The tax payers can not support this any longer that is just how it is.
For the teachers, what are the kids doing that rely on a meal from school as their main meal of the day doing, while the schools are closed due to protesting? Is it possible to protest after school/work?
mms://71.87.25.133/IVOD/PRS/PRS_110211_gov_budget.wmv
If the above comment wants everyone to tighten their belts? Where are the rich tightening their belts? Why did Walmart get over 100 million in tax breaks? If a Mom and Pop store start to go out of business will Walker give the small business store a tax break also? I think not.
Walker likes the chinese, model worker live on $2 a day
So, this is the Republican answer to "where are the jobs?"
THIS is how we will compete in the world, by driving wages down to third world levels? Destroy the rights of workers to protect themselves?
Way to go Repub*tards. Have another cigar with your Wall Street buddies.
Democrats and Independents: It's critical that you remember this during the next and subsequent elections. You cannot trust these people, they are 'way too "bought" and have no honor.
Republicans: You are not going to like the world that results from this and other ultra-conservative moves. Your money will be worth less and less as the economy slows, and it's continuing to do so, and as more cash is stolen out of the pockets of working Americans. The wealthy, your politicians among them, put their money to work outside of the US wherever they can get better returns. The more this happens the less there is to go around in the economy here. I can't believe you don't see what's happening. Get your minds out of neutral, and turn the channel away from Fox, there are ugly things being done in your name and by your Grand Old Party.
Our money is already worthless; noticed the price of gasoline and groceries lately. The administration is printing money like its going out of style. Dems have had fiscal control for the past 6 years and have driven the national debt through the roof. Now that a few republicans are trying to put a stop to the out of control spending you blame them for the situation. Really?
union backer if we reduce the pension plans and get rid of collective bargaining we will prosper not the other away around. unions are in this for themselves that is it in a nut shell. If after 50 years of this why aren't we all better off Huh!!! All of your protesting is not going to get you know where. We have negotiated with unions and see where it has taken us today BROKE!!!!!!!!! You are a trillion % wrong ( Since we talk in trillions these days.)and are to damn stupid to admit it. I hope the Gov fires all you people and hires new ones. And we are not lowering the middle class we are fixing a nation!!!
Ed from Maryland, do you honestly think if all the unions were busted, your employer is going to give you a raise? Just the opposite buddy, they wont have to compete and can hire you at the lowest wage they are required to pay. The Koch brothers know this, you apparently dont.
He also apparently KNOW how to spell. "Get you 'know where', really? Is his state one of the bottom feeders?
He in all probability had a Union teacher who was more concerned about his own health care and pension plan than the students.
Ed from Maryland, I thought you tea-party types didnt like overreach by Government, but I guess that only applies to you and no one else. Apparently you also dont mind that the Governor and his high-paid political appointees, who are also State employees and make way more than any average public employee, arent giving up one penny of their pay or benefits. That looks to me like support of a Goverment leader, which I also didnt think you tea-party types went for. I also didnt think the tea-party supported corporations but apparently you do because you havent voiced your dislike of the Gov giving his big business cronies $117 million in tax cuts. Just what does the tea-party really stand for...at this point no one really knows, because it changes minute by minute and it really does appear to be rather hypocritical. If granting tax cuts to millionaires created jobs, why didnt that work during the 8 year Bush rule? Instead we lost jobs and are still paying for it.
Sam, for one I am not a tea party member, 2nd I for one like others believe we pay enough allready for taxes and that the governments should run there budgets off the money they allready recieve. Its called cost controll . Businesses that succeed make a profit, ones that don't fail that is the true amercan way. If you think the states and higher gov need more money then please donate all your money to them and I will applaud you. Otherwise do not spend other peoples money that you did not earn to champion your views use your own damn money. Have your union people take up collections from there own and donate to the gov we will notice. Do not be a hypokrite and fight for higher taxes on other peoples dime!! Live within your means!
Ed from Maryland, I fully agree that states should live within their means and that can be done if leaders are willing to take cuts themselves, stop voting themselves pay raises in every year, stop handing overpaid contracts to their friends, stop giving tax cuts to big business that have mega-profits and pay the bills they promise to pay. Its called budgeting. I still dont see an answer from you on why you think its OK for the governor and his appointees to not take the same cuts they are asking others to take....Im still waiting....because the way I view it is the Gov cant stand in front of a news camera and sing the budget woe song unless he is also willing to take the same hits he expects of everyone else. As long as you and others dont stand up and demand they do the same, you have no case. At least Im not supporting the corporate greed you like to support, and am not in bed with the Governor you seem to think can do no wrong. If it werent for your inability to spell, I would be thinking you are one of his appointees.
No I agree All Gov officials should take the same cuts that is fair, I also conplained here in MD when they did the very same thing on there raises. But public sector jobs and the Government need private sector taxes in order to survive at all so calling out business for not paying more when they have to make a profit in order to grow and expand. without profit they go under and taxes are lost by all. So there has to be balance all around. Real talks everywhere need to take place.
Ed from Maryland, for once we agree on something, thank you. The employees in WI are willing to take the cuts being asked of them, in addition to the furlough days they have already been taking that no one talks about. But they arent willing to give up their bargaining rights and they shouldnt have to if this is really about budget problems. But if this is really about budget problems, the Gov should set an example and be willing to give up some of his pay and benefits but he's not. Have you seen any of the Senators offer up their salary and benefits? No. In regard to the tax cuts, those are going to companies who have already been reporting mega-profits. In times of budget crisis, companies who are reporting profits dont need tax cuts from states that are broke. Its time that everyone pay their share, including them.
If the unions are taken away, how will the private sector set pay scales? They currently have to compete with the unionized jobs, when they are gone; do they really think their corporate masters are going to pay them a higher scale out of the goodness of their hearts? Why didn't that work before unions?
I am increasingly amazed how some people can continue to vote and protest against their own best interests.
Also Ed from Maryland, collective bargaining is there for a reason. Employees cant vote themselves in a raise like your coveted Governor and Senators can. You must be trying to get a job under Walker, he'd love you.
Try dealing in the truth and facts rather than lies and hysteria...The plan is about reform: Wisconsin’s Budget Repair legislation is about enacting modest but critical – reforms to public sector entitlement programs that are long past due. The proposal takes on some of the most egregious violators of taxpayer dollars including public employee unions and public sector pensions. Ending public sector collective bargaining: The plan would end the practice of public sector union bosses strong-arming politicians for exorbitant benefits and absurd contract concessions. The plan rightly calls for an end to the ability of certain public sector unions to band together to pressure policymakers into unnecessary contract concessions. Respecting the taxpayer: When public sector workers – who are paid with taxpayers dollars – resort to bullying tactics to gain sweetheart contracts filled with plush benefits unheard of in the private sector the taxpayer loses every time. Respecting the public’s trust: When teachers choose not to teach purely to pad their already lavish contracts with taxpayer dollars they are violating a sacred public trust. Using students and their parents as leverage in contract disputes is a tried and true practice of teachers unions that must end. Stopping out-of-control benefit costs in the public sector: The proposal would prevent unions from forcing extravagant pension and health benefits on the state that only serve to further cripple state budget. Also, the plan would make the commonsense change that public sector wage increases could not exceed a cap based on the consumer price index (CPI) unless approved by voters. Also, some contracts would be limited to one year and wage rates would be frozen until the new contract is settled. The public vs. private sector: In Wisconsin, private sector workers make 74% of their state-level public sector counterparts. This is the 48th worst pay differential in the nation and clearly shows that the public sector employee unions aren’t hurting for better pay or benefits. Paying a fair share: The plan also would help ease the tremendous financial burden placed on the state by its bloated pension plan by finally requiring some public workers to pay their fair share into the program. Overall, public employees would fund 50 percent of the annual pension payment a total that would require a modest contribution of 5.8 percent of 2011’s salary. More needed reforms: The plan also makes much needed reforms to other problems complicating Wisconsin’s fiscal future. Among them, restructuring the state’s debt burden will help reduce debt service costs by $165 million in fiscal year 2010-11.
As a private employee I fund my pension and my employer makes a small 3% contribution. I also pay 20% of my health insurance premium and I am thrilled because I have paid 50% to 100% at previous jobs. If I threw a temper tantrum, stomped my feet and refused to do my job like the protesters I would be out the door and my company would have no problem filling my position. These so called teachers should be ashamed. I heard a teacher screaming that she was protesting to protect the children from losing 8 hour workdays and weekends. How condescending that she would think the rest of us would buy in to such rubbish. She needs to be in the unemployment line along with her fellow protesters and the cowardly Senators who refuse to do the job they were elected for. We may not be as loud but there are many more people who think like me and support Walker. We are tired of giving our hard earned money to the government to support those with sweetheart deals. The truth will win despite nonsensical noise being made by the protesters demanding all or nothing. They would be much smarter to negotiate or they just might end up with a well deserved nothing. Oh and Ed quit using these people to try and get ratings. Try to be a real journalist and deal in facts for once. Signed a Walker supporter from the broke State of California!
By the way June, Im also tired, tired of people like you bashing public employees and then at the same time, holding your hands out to take our money to keep your private businesses operating. Do me a favor, tell me which company you work for and I'll make sure I dont do business with that company...afterall cant have you being upset that Im using my union money at your business. Im tired of your private businesses getting constant tax cuts to keep you operating, tax cuts that I help pay for. So dont talk to me about paying for union employee wages, I pay for your private business to stay in business because you cant take care of yourself, the very thing you are accusing others of doing. Get over yourself.
Ditto!
On Friday’s Ed Show, Rush Limbaugh called the protesters in Madison, Wisconsin “freeloaders.” This is in response to his demeaning and derogatory words:
Dear Mr. Limbaugh,
When your house is burning, a freeloader will risk his life to put out the fire.
When you land in the hospital, a freeloader will try to save your life.
When your family members send their children to school, a lot of freeloaders will do their best to teach them.
We "freeloaders", as you call us, have already conceded to monetary concessions. We are fighting against the union busting tactics of our two-month-old governor. Our union gives us a voice, though not as incessant a voice as that of yourself, a multimillionaire who is heard day in and day out, hour after hour calling people names and being disrespectful.
And we are not un-American either. We workers protesting in Madison are as American as apple pie with a slice of Wisconsin cheddar cheese!
Sincerely,
Lori the so-called freeloading school aide who makes sure the children at her school are learning in a safe and caring environment
I don't like Rush at all, but I agree with his Freeloaders analogy. My mom was recently euthanized by a hospital - sedated into unconsciousness and left to die (against her will). When I called the police to try to stop them, the cop told me that he knows the law and that what was being done to my mom was not an assault but, rather, a 'civil' matter; and that I should go get an injunction.
LOL Rush calling public employees freeloaders? I guess he would know the true definition of freeloader now wouldnt he. His only agenda is hate.
Thanks for your comment, Lori. I work for a small municipality in WI. I do not belong to a union. This bill does not apply only to union workers - it applies to all public employees, both state and local. We are not Milwaukee or Madison. The public works employees of our city do belong to a union. They do not have lucrative contracts. The highest paid person in our public works department (these are the people who plow the snow, fix the streets, run the water plants that keep your drinking water safe, and the sewer plants that allow you to be able to flush your toilet, take a shower, and do your laundry) has been with the city for 35 years. He makes just under $19/hr. Sorry, June, but I don't think anyone could, in good conscience, say that he's overpaid. Tonight, he and hundreds of other municipal and state employees will be out on the roads in a snowstorm, clearing and sanding the roads, keeping them safe for you to drive on. Have you ever seen a private sector employee out there driving a plow? Nope. There are none. Oddly enough, the very people that the Gov left out of this whole debacle (the police) have the highest hourly wages, and have a higher pension percentage (by a full 5%) than general employees. Hmmmm... Our police officers do a fine job for our community, but so does every other employee. Is it true that when senators retire, they continue receiving their ending salary for the rest of their lives? How about the Gov? And how about the Gov's appointees. They're making in the range of $120K-$130K. What do their pensions look like? I'm asking because I don't know. I'm thinking that Walker maybe needs to take some advice from Michael Jackson and take a look at himself and change his ways.
Good post, I hope it educates some on here and they actually start to think for themselves. For too long, the people that make our lives safe and comfortable have remained invisible; thanks for putting some identity on them.
I have heard that the WI Unions did concede to contributing to their health care and pension plans after the bill was proposed. The problem is no such concessions were made during the 15 months of negotiations over the current contract.
I support my fellow Wisconsinites! Take a strong, united stand for your legal rights!!! God Help America, if we as a nation, place gun ownership approval and legality over the right to have collective bargaining!
Fear the time, when the strikes stop, while the great owners live, for every beaten strike is proof that the step is being taken.
And the little screaming fact that sounds through all history: repression works only to strengthen and knit the repressed.
Two men are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one willl lift up his fellow, but woe to him that is alone when he falleth, for he hath not another to help him out.
If you who own the things people must have, could understand this, you might would know, but that you cannot know, for the quality of owning freezes you into the 'I' and cuts you off from the 'WE'.
Quotes taken from 'The Grapes of Wrath' by John Steinbeck. I read this book when I was only 15 years old. The lessons from this book resonate today, with the divide growing between the rich and the poor.
The book tells the tale of the poor and down trodden during the great depression, looking beyond that, it tells of man and society as a whole, and our ability to work better as a UNION. We cannot let government take away that citizen right. And if we do, then the nation is at the start of a subsiding to a dictative, fascist government party.
Since you brought up how people are treated in China... In China they don't tax people's homes (to pay teachers) or threaten to take them if the owners can't pay a constantly increasing repetitive tax (as is levied here to pay the teachers). In China they pay 2% when they buy or sell a house - and that's it.
When hearing about how they tax shelter here, people in China have commented that they would be revolting in the streets if their government taxed them that way
As far as the poor teacher who thinks 'her' family is being hurt, I'll reiterate what teachers told me when I had to forgo having my own children because their tax took every penny I was able to earn that year - 'your protesting is hurting my family; move if you can't afford to live in the community'.
Terry: At some point people have to ban together and FIGHT to preserve what they have. Even though the union system isn't perfect, I can't point to just as many inadequacies in non-union, "AT WILL" environments too. I would love to hear you repeat comments like this to your children's bus drivers, at a parent-teacher conference, to your postman/woman, to your gas/electric meter reader, local police station, to a local fire fighter, OR a manufacturing employee such as a tool and die maker, machinist, electrician, etc. These people are your neighbors. They live in our community and share the same position we all face against the ultra-rich - bottom of the barrel. Are you defending the actions of the governor or taking out your hatred of unions on your fellow middle-class members?
June, and you also get to collect social security that we all pay for, most public employees dont qualify for ss because they pay into a group plan They also fund a porton of their retirement as well. Apparently you havent read all the facts, the employees are willing to take the cuts the Gov wants, what is he doing to share in the debt? I see people like you posting and wonder why you support over-paid leaders not offering their salaries and pensions to the chopping blocks as well all the while they bellyache about budget crisis. The employees have said they will accept those financial terms, not the collective bargaining rights. The Governor and the Legislator can vote in their own salary and pension packages, employees cant do that. If you dont like the packages the employees end up with, go talk to the leaders who agree to them and then later on renege on their promise to pay. If I operated my business or even my personal finances that way, I would be in jail.
First, no one pays for anyone else's SS unless they die before they getting to collect anything for themselves or pay in but never acquire enough SS credits to receive any payments back.
There may be some Federal employees who don't get SS, and instead get paid under a different Federal benefit plan, but every teacher and state worker I have ever known collects SS in addition to their state pension and their continued virtually free health care. So what are you talking about. Are we at the fiction stage already?
Run for president ED!!!
got my vote.
terry7, Please provide hospital name and doctor names and dates to verify this story. sounds very much fabricated and inflammatory.. My dad just died and he wished to not suffer or burden us or the 'system' as his life was over. Bravery at it's finest. A WW2 highly decorated wounded hero. Up to the end. He knew what was important and what was sentiment.. He chose to go in dignity. I made the decision for him, proudly.
I guess Gov. Walker could prove he is not union busting by agreeing to keep Collective bargaining and working out a plan for reducing union members benefits for the short term and for all government officials including himself. I guess those tax breaks he gave to corporations are OK with the folks who agree with his despicable tactics. Show me the proof ,right wing, that tax breaks to corporations or top 1% ever created jobs as that has been tested and proved wrong. Get real, as his budget was balanced until he gave his big tax bonuses. Citizens United decision got him elected to try his hand at the destruction of the middle class and that my friends is his TOTAL motivation.
This is what I don't get. Why are the governor and the networks (even MSNBC) still denying that union members are willing to give all the financial concessions he's asking for? Walker keeps telling the Dems that they have to come back if they want to discuss this issue, but we all know that there will be no discussion. He's said that in so many words. It's very sad, but the Dems have no other choice but to stay out of WI until the Gov comes clean, tells the truth, and negotiates fairly with everyone.
ProudtobeaPE59, I have to agree with you on your point (even though I am otherwise on the other side from you). There seems to be a discrepancy as to the truth with regard to this issue. I think it is true that the state want's to do away with collective bargaining. But then it is collective bargaining that has enabled to the unions to get what they have for their people.
Ordinarily there is nothing wrong with a worker trying to get as much as they can. But a problem arises with public workers inasmuch as the money that pays their benefits is sometimes taken from people who have less, and under threat of taking their homes etc.
Something needs to be done to change the tax funding system. I also agree that is is disingenuous that none of the politicians are offering to put their benefits on the chopping block. How come? The president has proposed cutting energy assistance, for the poor, in half. But where are the similar cuts (as a percentage of income) to those with the highest government salaries? That doesn't seem right at all.
Ed!!!! This is the beginning from the right wing to destroy public schools . At"'Fox and Fear" (catchy huh?), they are already introducing their new assaults. I'm in reno and its starting here too! Thanks for your voice!!! I salute labor!!!
Terry7-- "virtually free health care"? Yes, and WHO pays for their virtually free health care? Tell me what state you are talking about-- I'd love to move where I could get free health care.
Amen Susie! Sign me up, too!
Susie: Anytime the issue of health care comes up (with respect to public workers), the argument is often made that their health care is not free and that the workers pay for it. But it is hardly ever mentioned exactly how much they pay for it (as a portion of it's real cost).
For example: If a public worker pays $25 a month towards a policy that otherwise costs upwards of $400 (to maybe $1000) - then that is 'virtually free' IMHO.
The same thing goes for teachers. They'll mention their salaries but never talk about how much the state contributes to their health care or pensions, or that the even have those benefits; or of the days and hours they are required to actually work compared to the average worker (pubic or private).
I have many family members who are retired public employees and they all get 'virtually free' health care and pensions (which people like me pay for but receive none themselves).
If everything that is being argued in defense of public employees is valid, then perhaps everyone should become a public employee. Would that not solve everything, and if not then why not.
Susie, what do you mean? Do you have some real examples of what public workers pay towards any heath care coverage they receive in WI.
I'd like to know that too! Not to mention the fact that the "free" healthcare benefits often come with higher co-pays and deductibles; it's just the shared cost of premiums that some people pay less for. Why wouldn't we want to see other fellow Americans get the same level of benefits instead of trying to bring each other down to lower levels of benefits? It's a backwards mentality if you ask me.
Terry7, did you revolt against Health Care Reform. Especially, Medicare for All? Don't lecture me about the details of insurance, I am a health insurance sales agent. I know first hand the abuses of the industry.
We had a perfect chance to change the status quo, but the "tea hags" (bought and paid for by FAUX News) out shouted anyone with a differing opinion. Here in AZ they came with loaded guns.
NOW we hear about how awful it is not to have affordable insurance and evil if someone else does? GAG ME!
Ed, Ed, Ed!!!
Keep up the great work and thank you so much for exposing this for what it really is: a Koch Industries "get richer" scheme. As soon as the unions lose, the Koch boys will steam roll the country. It's the RIGHT time for people to wake up and we all put forth efforts to stop the greed that's ripping this country apart. How much is enough?? How much more do the Koch boys want?
The Koch brothers will also buy the public power plants that Walker is trying to put up for sale with no bid contracts.
ask21, The comment about my mom is not fabricated and I am working on proceeding legally for her sake and that of others who might run into a similar situation. I am sorry for your loss and I agree there are instances where people who are suffering and want to die should be allowed that choice. But that isn't what happened to my mom. If it was, why would I have resorted to calling the state and local police (all of whom refused to be involved or protect her). Here's a web site that explains some of how euthanasia (voluntary and involuntary) is accomplished.
hospicepatients.org/euth-center.html
One way doctors get around being accused of euthanasia by asserting that the patient is in pain, whereby they are allowed to 'treat' the pain by sedating the patient into unconsciousness. And although such 'treatment' also hastens the patient's death, they are able to claim that was not the intent of the sedation.
In my mom's case they fabricated the element of pain by claiming my mom "was agitated' and by claiming that agitation is a 'sign of pain"; ergo she was in pain. But the only reason she was agitated was because they were imprisoning her in a bed and keeping her in place where she did not want to be and she wanted to go home.
As far as burdening the system, that is exactly what the hospital did by their action. Had they released her, and let her go home, there'd be no bill to the public.
But this is not the place or time for this story other than my point, which is this: Just because it's someone's job to provide service and protection - it does not mean they actually or always provide it; and arguments claiming that workers should be rewarded, without regard to cost, on the basis the good that their jobs are intended to provide, is also fallacious. Everyone and everyone's jobs are important and should be accorded the same consideration of worth and value. That is what is true and that is what is fare.
You could have checked her out, you didn't have to allow her to remain. I've had too many family members in the hospital to know they can't force you to stay if you or a relative will take action and take them home with you.
Fellow Americans, WAKE UP! Walker is a GOP pawn and fraud. A true leader does not need to enact law to over take decision-making powers to get things done. A real leader would be able to ensure that as many thumbprints as possible were on the final legislation passed. If he can't even embody the "collaborative spirit" with the people he leads, what makes you think he cares about the hard working people in the state of Wisconsin, union or non-union?
Governor Walker has been charged with the mission to set us against each other as a middle class. Union employees are a huge part of the middle class, and the only way to push through the Republican agenda to get more money in the pockets of big business, is to turn our sites away from greedy corporations and against each other.
For example, corporations are making more money than ever and paying fewer and fewer taxes. Don't believe me; see for yourself. What follows is a link to an article published in Forbes magazine showing what the top 25 US Corporations paid in taxes in 2009. Most notable I thought were the following:
Walmart: Sales = $401b, Taxes paid in the U.S. = $5.9b
General Electric: Sales = $157b, Taxes paid in the U.S. = ($-1.1b)
Chevron: Sales = $172b, Taxes paid in the U.S. = Just $200 out of $8b
Bank of America: Sales = $120b, Taxes paid in the U.S. = ($-1.9m)
Cardinal Health: Sales = $100b, Taxes paid in the U.S. = $500m
COSTCO was the only company to be highlighted as having the most refreshing and straigtforward financial statements. They are among the top 25 most profitable companies in the U.S. and interestingly enough, their WORKERS ARE UNION EMPLOYEES!
Executives at COSTCO get it. They know that treating people with dignity and respect is at the core of any compromise. Walker isn't interested in preserving his dignity or earning respect. WAKE UP my fellow Americans.
Sincerely,
Member United States Middle Class; that's all, nothing else....
UNION SUPPORTER: I'm with you. People are so blinded by their hatred of the union as an institution, that they don't see that a) much has changed, b) what they disdain most is really the case for big corporate executive, AND a million-fold higher in its affect. When union employees are laid off or paid less, that means less patronage of local businesses union & non-union alike. Union employees also earn higher wages sometimes because they've gone to school to acquire specialized skills the average person cannot do without formal training or don't want to do because of the nature of the work (tool & die makers, teachers, pipe fitters, electricians, magnet workers for the FRIB, utility worker, garbage collectors, Postal employees, etc.)
The Republican's want to cut the budget by lowering the pay of the average American worker. I think the cuts should come from the top. Start with the politicians. Cut the paychecks, no free healthcare for them, cut their pensions and eliminate all those free perks they get for being in Washington. Us taxpayers are fed up.
Sha1, I constantly repeat such comments to people when I think it will do some good to change the system. But I can't tell my children's buss driver or teacher, as I don't have any children. They both got aborted years ago when the school district took every penny I was able to earn that year - for other peoples children - while telling me that my children were not their concern and that they'd take my home if I didn't pay what they demanded. The head of the local teacher's union even complained to me that my protesting was hurting his children and that I and other should move if we can't afford to live in the community. Do you know what most teachers have said when I have said these things to them? They laughed! And please don't tell me about the police who make it possible for the schools to threaten to take people's homes and who refused to stop a hospital from drugging my mother and leaving her to die.
I am not defending the actions of the WI Governor. Rather I'm trying make people aware of the injustices, that presently exist in our system, which give rise to people's discontent. Treating some people as second class citizens or making them slaves to suit the life styles of others is simply not right. But that is what happens in our society under the guise of democratic action.
If public workers were paid for by taxes on income, rather than (in part) by taxing things people need to live and survive, and have nothing to do with commerce, I'd be on your side.
Terry, I'm a parent of three children, wife of a union employee who works on behalf of the DOE, former school board member, daughter of a former small business owner and daughter of a parent who has done nothing but lived off of her life. I have managed union workers and non-union alike. These injustices you speak of are universal across bargaining unit lines. They are also in the vast MINORITY of the average, hard-working American union or not. It's hard, but we have to try and not brand an entire group or classification of workers, for the actions of a few.
Also, to your point, I agree that it is wrong to treat people as seond class citizens to suit their lifestyles, but you got one thing twisted; this is the REPUBLICAN agenda, not the democrats. Why don't you express this contempt and more for high-paid corporate executives or a governor so arrogant that he won't even consider a compromise or to listen to the people he represents? What's more belittling than that? Can you really ignore the fact that all Republicans promote have to do with benefits to people we will never even meet. Protestors work, live and serve in our communities right along side us. That ought to count for something greater than our individual experiences. I have faced many injustices recently - still do today, am I am not a union employee. I expose the behavior regularly, yet it is ignored. Still, I know that at the end of the day, I serve my customers. Shal I stand against this culture of silence, or continue to be a part of the change I want to see to correct these injustices? I choose the latter. Thanks for the dialogue.
Your story gets increasingly difficult to believe. You are living in a school district that you can't afford to pay the taxes in? How many of us have faced the same predicament. Our choice was to move into one we could afford. Blaming others for your choices is getting a little old.
Your parents were "murdered" by a hospice, you were "forced" to abort because you can't afford the taxes in the community you CHOOSE to live in.
If you don't have children, why are you continuing to live in a district that has a high rate of taxation to pay for their high performing schools?
Sorry, you aren't getting any sympathy here. I had children and lived where I could afford to raise them. We all make choices, and live with them; we don't blame others for them.
That is pathetic!
This is class warfare. When the middle class becomes the working poor, the working poor will become the destitute. I've already called off a home project and told the contractor "sorry." I'm calling the car dealership to save their money and stop sending me ads. I don't even know if I'll have a job at my school next year once my contract expires.
We should be looking for ways to help people succeed, not drive them down.
You're are so right. It is class warfare. Once everyone is working for 3rd world wages, who will they blame for the inability to balance their budgets then? What will the tax roles look like on that base?
I'm amazed at the circular thinking of these "educated" business people.
Now that they are clearly on the side of removing "representation" from "we the people"...can we now stop calling them the "Tea Party" !!!
George Washington called fake Tea Party mobs (Whiskey Rebellion, Shays Rebellion)....traitors! He said "The Tea Party was protesting the act of a King...with no representation....the Whiskey Tax was passed by a majority of Representatives in Virginia it is therefor "The law of the land"....he proceeded to march the militia to Pennsylvania where he put down the fake sloganeer Tea Party with bayonet and cannonball. Two were hung and many put on the gallows, nooses around their neck...drum rolls ....then pardoned....for being mislead about the law....and American Governments power!.....just like today!
The Headline should read: " Fake Tea Party shows it true hand.....Fascist King builders" removing "Representation" from the workers! How is that the Boston Tea Party???
It's like the Boston Tea Party patriots were getting paid by the coffee growers to throw the tea in the harbor....that never happened....it is now!
"Take our representation at your own peril !!!! " thats what the Greatest generation would have said.....you know the WWII vets who received "handouts" in the form of free college educations and Government subsidized housing! ...and built the greatest economic engine in the World.
Now the rich want it all!!!
I say enough talk....How did that last Civil War work out for your side ???