The American Spectator : Make Way for Mini-Labor

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Make Way for Mini-Labor

By Ron Ross on 3.4.11 @ 6:07AM

And mini-Democrats too — if indeed the Democrat-Labor alliance is in a death spiral.

The Democrat party is an amalgam of special interest groups — environmentalists, trial lawyers, minorities, college professors, and labor unions, for example. All of these groups, however, are not equally crucial to the survival of the party. Far and away the most important, of course, is organized labor.

The British equivalent to our Democrat party is the Labour party. If there were truth in labeling, that would be the name of the Democrat party. Only the spelling would change.

The Democrat party has numerous reasons to be worried. Possibly the biggest is the degree to which it is dependent on organized labor for its continued success and possibly even its existence. Where would Democrats be without unions, and vice versa? As much as they trumpet the value of diversity, Democrats are dangerously under-diversified.

Only labor unions have the ability to automatically and involuntarily extract campaign funds from their members. Unions have become the equivalent to a guaranteed income for the Democrat party.

Automatic payroll deduction makes unions qualitatively different from any other Democrat support group. Republican governors are currently making great progress in rescinding automatic payroll deduction for public employees in several states.

There is little or no difference between the goals of labor unions and the Democrat party. Their political philosophies are indistinguishable. Both, for example, view people not as individuals but rather as members of groups, all of whom are to have equal incomes, regardless of effort or merit. Although both Democrats and unions would vigorously deny being socialists, both are strongly sympathetic to socialistic ideals.

Much of the most destructive legislation of the past eighty years has been the products of the unholy alliance between the Democrat party and organized labor. Besides being far and away the greatest source of campaign funds, unions have provided a dependable army of disciplined foot soldiers for the Democrat party.

Their alliance has been a major factor in the success of both. The unions rely on the Democrats to bend the rules in their favor — being exempted from anti-trust and restraint of trade regulations, for example. Everyone else and the economy end up worse off. Unions are rarely prosecuted for widespread corruption, threats of violence, and blatant intimidation. They have been allowed to play by a different set of rules.

Democrats need unions to deliver money and votes, unions need Democrats to deliver legislation that works in their interest. As both organized labor and the Democrat party decline in power, what each can deliver for the other will diminish. Each side of the symbiotic relationship must have power and vitality in order to keep the relationship working.

If the Democrat party finds itself in the minority for an extended period of time, it will be unable to deliver the legislation. The energy necessary to propel the system will peter out. In fact, it’s already begun. Democrats were unsuccessful in passing “card check” even when they had majorities in both the House and Senate. Unions are not happy about that.

Organized labor is 100 percent devoted to the Democrat party. Neither should be at all surprised that Republicans are now working to diminish the power of unions. It is only natural for Republicans to be seeking to weaken their opponents’ basic support apparatus. Someone should remind Democrats, “Live by the sword, die by the sword.”

Less than seven percent of private-sector workers now belong to unions. That is a number that probably scares the hell out of Democrats. Thirty-six percent of government workers are unionized. If public-sector history repeats private-sector trends, the implications are profound. As Washington Post columnist, Robert Samuelson, put it, “Big Labor became Little Labor. If public-sector unions fail, Little Labor could become Mini-Labor.” I would only add — and the once powerful Democrat party will become the Mini-Democrat party. It’s way too soon to know for sure, but for Democrats it could be that the party’s over.

About the Author

Ron Ross Ph.D. is an economist who lives in Arcata, California. He is the author of The Unbeatable Market. Reach him at rossecon@gmail.com.

Letter to the Editor View all comments (42) | Leave a comment Leave a comment

Kenny| 3.4.11 @ 6:51AM

Ron Ross is exactly right. Big Labor is the financial arm of the Democrat Party. Without the hundreds of millions of dollars that the unions supply Democrat candiadates each election cycle, the party would either wither away or reform itself to respectability.

And here's something union members should note. They money supports things like abortion rights and the radical homosexual agenda as well as provide a home for America-hating leftists.

ENOUGH ROPE| 3.4.11 @ 4:36PM

House Republicans should pass a resolution that urges states, especially states with Republican governors, to end the public school system and replace it with private school vouchers funded by current school taxes. States should limit cities to governmental departments that are essential, such as police, fire, water, streets, and a very few other essential services; public schools should not be one of them.

Government control of the monopolistic public schools systems enables the government to brainwash students with the government party line which opposes Judeo-Christian values, U.S. political, economic and cultural history, the U.S. Constitution, and the idea that our individual rights come from God--not from the state.

I am persuaded that the leftists who control the schools of education and public schools work to make our students, and thus our citizenry, ignorant and incompetent. Why? Ignorant and incompetent citizens can be duped easily.

It will take generations for the permanent underclass created by Liberals and Progressives to be educated about the truth that there is no free lunch, because socialism works until there is no one left with money to confiscate for redistribution.

Until the victims in the underclass learn that they have been duped by the Liberals and Progressives, the public school system monopoly must be replaced by private secular and religious schools that teach truth, goodness, beauty, virtue, wisdom, love of God, and love of neighbor. Starve the public schools of school taxes that should fund the private schools.

When the current thugs who rule the Senate and the Executive Branch are replaced by Conservatives and Republicans, then a law should be passed that grants the states the CHOICE to do all of the above. I say choice, because we must limit the Federal Government to the powers stated in the U.S. Constitution.

Do the above, and America will become once again a nation under God.

martin j smith| 3.4.11 @ 8:03AM

The teachers Unions are the Democrat Socialist Party or at least an organ of same. So why should a tax payer who is not a Socialist minded citizen want to support a union that virtually represents the antithesis of his or her interests. Non reason indeed.

saleboter| 3.4.11 @ 8:07AM

We can only hope. But they will not go down without a fight

Trotter| 3.4.11 @ 8:50AM

The first line of this article is absolutely dead on. The democrat party is nothing more than a collection of interest/"victim" groups with the sole intent of foisting upon America programs and bureaucracies that serve to accomplish nothing more than the promotion and expansion of said interest groups. That is why actual progress is in direct opposition to the survival of each interest group.

BTW, why do union members put up with fat-cat gasbags like Trumka who do nothing more than live the high life off of their dues?

JimH| 3.4.11 @ 9:04AM

The people running the unions support the Dems. The membership, in the private sector at least not so much. It is only because of the rules compelling membership, dues collection and the lack of member oversight on the political spending that gives the unions their power.

Brumby| 3.4.11 @ 9:19AM

I'm back. This writer makes sense, and I will show it to my mates for their thoughts. We have our own problems, but our pols never carry their fights over the water's edge. During supper we talked about your site, and don't be surprised if you get more readers from Godzone. Yanks are always a bit of a mystery to us, but you give us some good supper time fodder.

We have our own vexes, but you blokes seem determined to poke yourselves in the eye! How did your Obama ever get voted in? We can't believe anybody would vote for a nubbin like that. It would be like some abbo from the bush walked into parliament and took over without even givin his name! How did it happen?

I'll check tomorrow mornin. It's the weekend here and we're goin bushwalkin if our girl is better.

Cheers!

nofreelunch| 3.4.11 @ 11:00AM

Obama got elected because of the great number of Dupes in the US. There are two kinds of liberals. (1) Power seekers like Obama who without exception are liars, and (2) Dupes, who believe those lies.

Tony in Central PA| 3.4.11 @ 1:13PM

Obama's election is, in some ways, more depressing than his actions as President. He might be gone for good after 2012, but we'll still have the rubes who elected him voting for a living.

Frisbee| 3.4.11 @ 9:22PM

How did Ozybambias get elected? Big Media.

With the complicit big media spinning everything he said as so wonderful for so long, it's amazing he only got 52% of the vote. Actually, it's shamefully low.

There's also in the United States, the "stupid media". I am referring to "US" magazine and the like which poured vitriol over Sarah Palin, and next week gushed over Obama. Maybe you don't get "stupid media" down under. It explains the thinking of many stupid voters.

Citizen Jerry| 3.4.11 @ 10:15AM

Greetings to you, Brumby from the Heartland of America! Washington types call it "flyover country."

Good question on how our dear leader got voted in. It was all smoke and mirrors. People were tired of George Bush and Obama portrayed himself as the second coming -- and some people wanted to believe it.

But those of us who actually listened to what he was saying realized he was bad news. The Catholic Archbishop of Denver said that in democracies, we elect public servants, not messiahs. But too many people didn't want to hear that.

V8| 3.4.11 @ 10:17AM

Welcome back Brumby. Don't worry, if by Obama gets re-elected you Aussies may get lots more supper time conversation. Not to mention a influx of Yanks wanting to imigrate.

PhilTheCapitalistPig| 3.4.11 @ 10:26AM

lol.. this is true.

PhilTheCapitalistPig| 3.4.11 @ 10:26AM

Its about political freedom, ladies and gents. You're tax dollars support democrat candidates because your tax dollars pay public union dues. Not only are free men forced to contribute to private unions who don't support their interest, but we ALL support the democrats via public unions. I guess you could say, "We're all democrats now."

PhilTheCapitalistPig| 3.4.11 @ 10:29AM

I think Goldwater had it right when he proposed that only individuals be able to contribute to political campaigns.

Every so often I read "The Conscience of a Conservative" again just to brush up on what Liberty really means.

PhilTheCapitalistPig| 3.4.11 @ 10:31AM

That's right, Ron! The party is OVER! Time to tell the democrats, "You don't have to go home, but you can't stay here!"

Choey| 3.4.11 @ 11:45AM

I think the solution would be to simply make it illegal for any organization receiving taxpayer dollars to contribute to politicians' campaigns. The Democrats' screeching would be music to my ears..

Tony in Central PA| 3.4.11 @ 1:14PM

I'm going as Boss Trumpka to a Halloween party this year.

Oldefarte| 3.4.11 @ 1:30PM

Ron' excellent thesis can only be improved by the recognition of the inverse relationship between both unions and the Democratic Party to the economic revival of this country. As BIG Democrats become MINI-DEMOCRATS, this country's GDP, employment, financial properity will improve and thrive!!!!!!!

NC Patriot Gal| 3.4.11 @ 2:48PM

Hey Brumby...("Hey" is the Southern U.S.'s way of sayin' Hi!... I'm not yellin at ya...)
How did our current "fake" president and present occupant of Our Whitehouse get elected?
Many factors:
The traitorous lamestream media aided in a huge way. For every 20 of O'Creep-a-Zoid's radio ads, we heard ONE for McCain/Palin.
O'Idiot's HUGE BANKROLL from the DNC & the Unions, Soros, and rabid liberal-statists-progressives...(But I'm not bitter --)
O'Evil's use of instant messaging social tools, and an army of drooling lemming-like followers.
And, the ability to get people up off their couches and from cashing their welfare checks to vote for him, 'cuz well....He would be our first BLACK president. (Which he isn't really black--he's beige.)
It is heart rending to watch what is happening to our beloved country. The REAL American People are for the most part, referred to as 'average Americans'. We are good and gracious, generous and forgiving. We are also world-class entreprenuers and risk takers. The younger generations are totally un-schooled in history, which has been deliberately omitted from school ciriculums.
Yes, we are experiencing some dark times indeed, but "they" (the evil ones) cannot and will never be able to crush the American Spirit, as much as they are trying. And, this goes for the Radical-Islamist's trying to infiltrate and turn us (all) into Shariah-compliant slaves... Yeah, the politicians are giving them the rope to lower themselves down onto our turf...but we will HANG them with that rope. Stay tuned...

PhilTheCapitalistPig| 3.4.11 @ 4:27PM

"Yeah, the politicians are giving them the rope to lower themselves down onto our turf...but we will HANG them with that rope. Stay tuned..."

LOL.. I love that.. and its also a FACT!

MikeD| 3.4.11 @ 7:25PM

BRUMBY,
You can go on line and read other publications like this one. You could read the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Times, Heritage Society Newsletters, just to name a few. I've read some of your papers, from Sydney and Melbourne and they seem to be just as far left as our own papers.

I didn't know there were that many cruises leaving from Australian ports. Where did it go? I'm trying to get my wife to go on a cruise, but that might be a little too far away.

Now I'LL try my "Aussie"! "G'Day Mate"!

BRUMBY| 3.4.11 @ 7:34PM

MikeD,
Good try Mike, but don't do it again. It don't fit ya. It's about lunch time here, without rain for a bit. We've too much bloody wet this past year. Some crazy pom keeps tryin to push his drool about this globle warmin but it just don't cut it. We've been cold and drippy for months.

I took the missus on a cruise around Oz a couple o years back; left from Sydney and went back there a month later. Great time! Kids stayed with her mum. We met lots of Yanks, Kiwis, and a few Poms. Good folk in all. Read a book about it. Found it on line. See if I can remember where; if anybody cares. It was funny as hell!

Time for lunch. I'll be back in class here next week!

Cheers!

WhiskeyJim | 3.4.11 @ 8:48PM

Using the author's own reasoning, Progressive tax law is even more potentially structurally damaging than public labor feeding its own trough.

For when more than 50% of the population pays no taxes and receives benefits, how do you curtail the federal government? Prime de Toqueville.

Frisbee| 3.4.11 @ 9:13PM

Ron Ross wrote: "Both, for example, view people not as individuals but rather as members of groups...".

It's not just individuals, but families as well. For example, they are always talking about "working families". I mean, what the heck is a "working family" anyway? Are the kids working, or are they schooling*? Do both parents have to "work", or may one of them be raising the kids?

*I almost said "going to school". My kids school at home.

PolishKnight| 3.4.11 @ 11:36PM

"[Democrats and labor unions] for example, view people not as individuals but rather as members of groups, all of whom are to have equal incomes, regardless of effort or merit."

Not necessarily. Certainly they imply and even sell that idea to their members but the fact is that members of different groups will have different "equal" outcomes. For example, Obama versus Hillary Clinton...

What the Democrats REALLY sell isn't "equality" so much as their definition of such which is an "equal" share of non-members stuff without having to share theirs (what's yours is mine and what's mine is mine.) Democrats and socialists secretly find it amusing that they're robbing the chumps who continue to vote for them (non unionized, white males) who drink the democrat cool aid, but without the sweetener.

What drives those nuts? Good news appears to be that there are fewer of them around, like the shakers.

Indeed, the only working class white males left in the Democrat party are those in unions and even those secretly run off from time to time (since they know they are second class citizens to non-white male union members.) Take away that carrot and they're off the plantation, so to speak.

One of the many fundamental problems with socialism is that it never achieves so-called equality, fairness, or even empowering of workers since certain workers are going to need to be disenfranchised (screwed over) in order to please the other groups. At least as long as ballots are accurately counted. After that, all the real politics happen in the Kremlin irregardless of what people care about.

John Carnal| 3.5.11 @ 8:30PM

You bet the party is over. Once even one of the MBM (Make Believe Media) features one story that is truthful about this unholy alliance the big D will stand for dead.

Richard Baker| 3.6.11 @ 11:59AM

Originally from Virginia and Trumka advocates killings when it suits his agenda and is unapologetic about it. Even though he doesn't physically perform them, he's like Sharpton souping up the crowd at Freddie's Fashion Mart years ago in New York where the crowd went in and destroyed the store and killed the owner. The reason Trumka does this is because he feels safe in so doing. Wonder what his kids think of his murderous habits?

Richard Baker| 3.6.11 @ 12:30PM

For those of you who don't know what a "pom" is, I'll explain. Brumby, please check me on this. When the convicts who were sent to Australia arrived, they had the tattoo "Prisoner of Mother England", POME, put on them. This became changed into Pommie to describe the British among the Aussies and is NOT a term of endearment.

DonBaltimore| 3.6.11 @ 3:55PM

It is good to know that people as far away as Australia notice and care about the dumb situation we are in with Obama and the Democrats. We must solve this problem very soon or the American experiment will be over in a couple of generations. Let's work to get out of it and not do this to ourselves again.

Jonah Kaplan| 3.6.11 @ 6:00PM

Since taking office, Walker has made no attempt to bargain with state employees as required by law. Even before taking office, Walker worked to scuttle a tentative agreement between the state and union members. Despite the fact that state employee unions have publicly stated for weeks that they would agree to fiscal concessions the governor demanded, Scott Walker continues to demand that workers give up their most basic rights. Walker's approach was taken to a whole new level recently, when he threatened to issue up to 6,000 layoff notices to state employees if his demands to terminate their rights were not met. Had Walker complied with the law meeting his obligation to bargain in good faith, no layoffs would be required. And should Democratic Senators be arrested, or “detained” as called for by James Troupis, Scott Fitzgerald’s lawyer, then more litigation is sure to ensue.

Meanwhile, in our neighboring state to the south, 14 Democratic Senators remain in hiding, hiding in Illinois in order to avoid possible arrest here. Depending on which side of the public debate one is on, they are either on the lam, refusing to do their jobs, or are elected officials making a truly defensible and noble sacrifice in large part, because there is no practical alternative. Gov. Walker’s plan would eliminate virtually all public sector union collective bargaining, other than those over wage increases (with even that limited to increases in inflation. Critics of the Walker plan have argued that excessively generous pay and benefits negotiated by unions for state and local employees are not the primary reason for the state’s burgeoning deficit, but rather that the deficit has grown because the Great Recession. The standoff also has mobilized labor and the left on a national scale, with numerous rallies being held across the country in support of Wisconsin workers.

The struggle against the corporate-backed agenda of Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker continue unabated, as workers and community activists unite to stop the most serious challenge to the state’s democratic traditions ever. Wisconsin has become “ground zero” in the battle to retain collective bargaining rights and social programs. Elected in November, Walker’s reign has literally set off the greatest political battle in the state’s history, marked by unprecedented levels of protest, exceeding those in the Vietnam war era, calls for recall elections, charges of abuse of authority and serious questions of honesty and legality on the part of Walker and brothers Sen. Scott and Rep. Jeff Fitzgerald of Dodge County, believed to be the first to each control a state legislative house in U.S. history. The current battle is also geographic: Walker’s campaign funding came primarily from wealthy Milwaukee suburbs such as Glendale, River Hills, Shorewood, Elm Grove and others. However, much of the economic impact will be felt elsewhere.

The prolonged standoff in Wisconsin, which began Feb. 11, has galvanized labor and community activists who have raised numerous arguments against the Gov. Scott Walker's “budget repair” bill, which includes provisions elimination most collective bargaining rights for public employees in the state. Critics of the plan have argued that it is part of a larger, national assault on the Democratic Party and its aligned interest groups, particularly its most powerful ally, the Wisconsin Education Association Council (WEAC), the state teachers union. Other parts of the bill, including the prospective loss of mass transit funding because of the changes in collective bargaining, the impact of new provisions relating to Medicaid, and the development of a new public-private authority to replace the state Department of Commerce, have also raised serious questions of constitutionality and drawn considerable public criticism.

Collectively, the Republican trio have repeatedly engaged in conduct of questionable legality, including:\

• Ushered through a Senate resolution authorizing law enforcement to arrest Democratic Senators to compel their attendance, in clear violation of the state Constitution.

• Using state troopers to track down Democratic Senators in a labor dispute and engaged in outright cronyism, with Walker hiring the Fitzgerald brothers’ father to head the state troopers.

• Kept the state Capitol closed to protestors in violation of a court order.

• Been sued by state labor unions for failing to bargain in good faith in a labor dispute.

• Created the state’s most hostile political environment in decades, with recall petition drives planned for all eight recallable Senate Republicans as well as several aimed at Democratic Senators.

• Repeatedly engaged in lies and distortion to advance their agenda.

• Been sued for open records violations (Walker).

• Shamelessly threatened to lay off state workers in order to force the 14 AWOL Democratic Senators to return.

As noted, Walker and the Fitzgeralds are facing several lawsuits, including those filed by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (over the use of state troopers to track down AWOL Democratic lawmakers over a labor dispute), AFSCME and WSEU Council 24 (against Walker for failure to bargain in good faith), and the Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council and Isthmus (failure to Walker administration to respond timely to open records request). In addition, a 66-page legal memorandum outlining potential constitutional and other legal problems with Walker’s budget repair bill has surfaced, shedding further insights into the legal strategy against the plan. As noted, AFT-Wisconsin and the Wisconsin State Employees Union are in the process of filing unfair labor practice charges against Scott Walker for failing to negotiate in good faith with state workers.

Although the protests and general public debate over the proposal have for the most part been a relatively peaceful, there is no guarantee that this will continue indefinitely. As the prospects for reasonable compromise dim, the appeal of unreason grows. In response to Walker’s plan, tens of thousands of protestors have marched in and around the Capitol building to chants of "kill the bill" and "protect union rights." Although Walker has claimed that “almost all” of the protestors have come from outside Wisconsin, the Wisconsin version of Politifact and other observers have found this claim to be false. Senate Democrats, hiding in Illinois to prevent the Republican Senate here from raising the quorum needed to pass a fiscal bill such as the repair bill, have pledged that if troublesome provisions relating to ending collective bargaining, as well as Medicaid and transit are removed, the bill could be passed in hours.” However, she noted, the Republicans, led by Walker, appear at this point to continue to refuse to compromise.

Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker’s proposed plan to largely emasculate collective
bargaining, with nothing more than a single, marathon public hearing, is wrong, for a
number of reasons. Under the governor’s plan, most government workers - excluding police, firefighters and state troopers would have to pay half their pension costs and at least 12 percent of their health-care costs and would lose bargaining rights for anything other than pay, and that would be limited to inflation.

The proposal would save $300 million over the next two years to help reduce a $3.6
billion budget deficit. And he wanted it done within a week, with only one, 17-hour
public hearing. Like it or not, those are the facts. Now is not the time to wander blindly in the wilderness of the utopian.

State governments face budget deficits of $175 billion through 2013. Many believe state
tax revenue will not fully recover until the U.S. returns to full employment, which is not
likely for quite some time, if ever. Beyond their short-term fiscal problems, many states face pension and retiree healthcare costs that some experts contend are unsustainable.
States are curtailing retirement benefits for new employees, although many say it will
take much more to bring their long-term obligations in line.

Make no mistake about it. The unions are not simply an arm of the Democratic party.
Without them, the party will fall. We will not regret the judgment that the time has come to get serious.This is about taking away rights won over decades, in a matter or days, with little or no formal public discussion. The governor has already granted business
tax breaks and created health-care savings accounts that lower levels of already
problematic tax revenues. Public workers are being asked to pick up the tab. But there is
more to the story. The governor is proposing to sharply curtail the right to bargain collectively. An economic downturn that is not the workers’ fault, and a reversal in fiscal fortunes not their doing is being used to permanently end their ability to sit across the table from their employer and negotiate anything but pay, and then only at hold-harmless levels at best. This is what the long and very troubling recession has wrought. Almost everyone can see that capitalism has had better days.

And another thing to keep in mind is that, aside from the procedural problems we keep
finding out unpleasant things, such as the issue of the prospective loss of federal
transportation funding.

This is about political power, and who will yield it for years to come. Take away the union dues check-off, and you largely take away a political party, leaving the Republicans to conspire with their Tea Party allies over how to divide the spoils. This is their plan. They will not admit it, but this is their plan. No private employer can do what the governor proposes. For decades, Wisconsin has protected the rights of workers to collectively bargain with their employer on wages, benefits, workplace rules, and many other aspects of their employment. Public workers are not responsible for the state’s budget woes. The problem lies in China and India and Brazil, where they have learned from America how to beat America at its own capitalist game. We have no one to blame but ourselves and a world made smaller by time.

If Walker succeeds in undermining WEAC, AFT-Wisconsin, and the rest, forget about
things like the public interest and free and fair elections. Hope as you will, you won’t
have them anymore, and if it comes to pass, don’t blame us. We told you so, right here
and now. Like it or not, my dear fellow electors of Wisconsin, if this goes through as
planned, WMC will be laughing all the way to the ballot box, because they will rule, like
corporatist oligarchs in South America, and you will not have the Wisconsin you once
knew. Trust me. I know them all too well to think that they would let the opposition
survive this. Most have had privileges that you have not 0 think they’re going to pass
this one up?

The jobs that teachers have are “at risk” in the sense that, in the absence of
virtually all of the collective bargaining rights that they currently have, their jobs will
change dramatically. Although they would retain other civil service protections, it
remains to be seen how effective they will actually be in practice. As for whether school
funding will be cut, the administration is expected to be announcing unprecedented
reductions in aid to local governments, including schools, in a matter of days.

“The Will of the People”
On Feb. 18, State Sen. Mary Lazich (R-New Berlin) issued the following statement in
reaction to Senate Democrats’ decision to abscond to Illinois and to fail to show up to
work for the second consecutive day. “By failing to show up for work for a second day,
Democrats have shown a true lack of regard for Wisconsin taxpayers, the institution of
state government and their fellow elected officials. Running away to Illinois is not only
childish, it's also an affront to the will of the people. “

Republicans regained the governorship and took control of both
houses of the Legislature in November 2010. But the notion that “the will of the people”
is for a half-century of settled law in the realm of collective bargaining to be swept away
in a week, with only a single, 17-hour public hearing is a little hard to swallow. The
unions do not want to see this happen, of course, but to the extent that the issue is out
there, it needs to be discussed at some length. As some of you may know, we in this state
take pride in our educational institutions, particularly the world-renowned University of
Wisconsin-Madison.

As State Sen. Mark Miller (D-Monona) has indicated, in a Feb. 18 letter to Gov. Walker,
public employees across the state “made very clear their willingness to cooperatively
accept additional pension and health insurance concessions in order to do their part to
help Wisconsin close a 2011 budget gap, and to assist in reducing the state's deficit going
forward.” The point is that millions of taxpayers who spoke in November had not been given the slightest indication, in the gubernatorial or any other campaign, that collective bargaining rights were going to be largely eliminated four months later. If they had, some, and perhaps many, would have voted differently. While some may feel “let down” if the bill should somehow fail to pass
,
This is why there are 80,000 people traipsing around the Capitol, many of them talking
about recalling Gov. Walker in January 2012. It is not entirely clear that those who
supported Walker in his campaign will feel the same level of angst if collective
bargaining remains intact. Either way, some will be let down – the difference is that if it
does pass, hundreds of thousands of people will find themselves in a completely
different work environment, all because of a proposal that came out of the blue, with the
expectation that it pass a week later, with little or no genuine or thoughtful discussion in
legislative hearings. We spend months in this state reviewing issues like nanotechnology
and single-use plastics in order to come up with a bill to make changes in the law
regarding these topics. But undermining collective bargaining should only take a week,
with a single hearing? .

The Tea Party’s Wisconsin Patriot Coalition has weighed in on its reaction to teacher
sick-outs and the students who have accompanied them. “Nearly every child with whom
WPC members spoke at the Capitol this week wrongly believed that their teachers’ jobs
were at risk, that school funding would be cut, or that favorite courses or programs
would be eliminated. No such measures are currently on the table. Yet, those are the
battles these children think they are helping to fight. Where did they get these false
impressions if not directly from their teachers and, indirectly, from the unions that
represent those teachers? The jobs that teachers have are “at risk” in the sense that, in the absence of virtually all of the collective bargaining rights that they currently have, their jobs will change dramatically. Although they would retain other civil service protections, it remains to be seen how effective they will actually be in practice. As for whether school
funding will be cut, the administration is expected to be announcing unprecedented
reductions in aid to local governments, including schools, in a matter of days.
Sick-Outs “Fully Merit” Job Termination
The Patriot Coalition has also charged that “engaging in “sick-outs” in order to protest at
the State Capitol is lying and a breach of contract. Encouraging students to be complicit
in such behavior in an effort to get one’s own way is exploitative, particularly when the
reasons for that protest are not truthfully communicated. It likewise fully merits
termination of employment.”

Sen. Fitzgerald is trying to command police action against the Republicans’ political enemies. A resolution calling for the arrest and detention of 14 Democratic Senators if they do not show up at the Capitol today is “insanely wrong” and an “unreasonable abuse of police power,” according to James Palmer, executive director of the Wisconsin Professional Police Association (WPPA), the union representing Wisconsin State Patrol officers, Capitol Police officers and nearly 11,000 active and retired law enforcement offices in the state. Republican Senators on Mar. 3 approved a resolution instructing police to compel the Democrats “with or without force” to go to the Capitol by 4 p.m. Palmer said: “Politics aside, encouraging the forcible detention of duly elected lawmakers because they won’t allow you to dictate with a free hand is an unreasonable abuse of police power,” Palmer said. “Due to the fact that Wisconsin officers lack any jurisdiction across state lines, does Senator Fitzgerald intend to establish a ‘lawmaker border patrol? The thought of using law enforcement officers to exercise force in order to achieve a political objective is insanely wrong and Wisconsin sorely needs reasonable solutions and not potentially dangerous political theatrics.”

Although the most controversial aspect of the Walker administration has been the proposal to largely end collective bargaining, other actions have been called into question, on numerous grounds, including those of the constitutionality of various proposals and the legality of actions involving the state troopers. As several observers have noted, there was a certain irony in charges of cronyism arising at a time when Walker was challenging public-sector union which was designed, at least in part, to address problems arising from political patronage. Walker recently named to serve as superintendent, or head of the Wisconsin State Patrol (WSP), the state’s police force, longtime law enforcement official Stephen “Steve” Fitzgerald, 68, father of Sen. Scott Fitzgerald (R-Juneau), the Senate Majority Leader and his younger brother, Rep. Jeff Fitzgerald (R-Horicon), the Assembly Speaker. Fitzgerald began his law enforcement career with the Chicago Police Department. In 1974, he became the chief of police in the village of Hustiford in Dodge County, and in 1979, he joined the Dodge County sheriff's department as a detective.

First elected Dodge County Sheriff in 1988, Fitzgerald served as sheriff for 14 years before being appointed a U.S. Marshal by former President George W. Bush in 2002. Charges of cronyism emerged in response to the appointment. Democratic Party of Wisconsin Research Director Graeme Zielinski said the appointment called into question "whether best practices were followed," and argued that with the two Fitzgerald sons controlling each house of the Legislature, respectively, "there's just a lot of power concentrated with very few people." Steve Fitzgerald assumed the $105,678-a-year position on Feb. 14, the day Gov. Walker introduced the budget repair bill. Three days later, the troopers were called out to the home of Democratic State Sen. Mark Miller of Monona, the Senate minority leader. CREW, A Washington, D.C.-based government watchdog group has filed lawsuits in connection with this and a subsequent incident in which troopers were again called to the homes of Senate Democrats. And at least one sign was ominous, reflecting a view held by some that the governor and his allies may be in for some surprises in the near future: “See You in Prison, Boys,” read a Department of Corrections employee’s sign. Resistance to Walker Through Social Networking

Labor advocates argue that collective bargaining preserves stability: Wisconsin’s long-standing tradition of allowing public sector workers to be represented by unions has worked for the state since the 1930s, and created greater consistency in the relationship between labor and management. This bill is about politics, not policy: Walker’s real purpose is to destroy labor unions and the freedom of collective bargaining. His actions are partisan attacks we always see – people in power want to spend time punishing their enemies instead of serving th e public. This new proposal would also put services across the state at risk because the states’s collective bargaining law has helped to stabilize services by cutting down on the number of strikes and labor disputes.

Organizations in the Fight Against Walker.

Boycotts of businesses that supported Walker’s gubernatorial campaign has surfaced on the Internet and stung several business owners. Websites have posted lists of businesses whose executives or owners contributed to Walker’s successful 2010 campaign, including the Koch brothers (Georgia Pacific and other products), M & I Bank, Johnsonville Sausage, Sargento Cheese, Kwik Trip, Metcalfe’s Market and others. No one is claiming credit for launching a boycott, including one labor union with a link on a pro-boycott website and another union mentioned in media coverage of a possible boycott. Some executives and owners of some business gave to both Walker and Democratic candidate Tom Barrett as a way of hedging their bets in the election.

The following are the major protest groups that have formed beyond the traditional alliances between unions (national, state and local) and progressive political organizations, particularly those such as Organizing for America, MoveOn, and the SEIU.

Wisconsin Wave of Resistance Movement

The Wisconsin Wave of Resistance, a umbrella group of union officials, student, business and community leaders, opposed to state fiscal hyper-austerity and corporatization, has announced plans to oversee the campaign against Walker and his chief business ally, Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce (WMC Wisconsin Wave’s next protests will come this Wednesday against Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce (WMC) at the corporate lobby group’s statewide conference in Madison. The Wisconsin Wave describes itself as a non-partisan democracy movement initiated by over 100 Wisconsin leaders, with hundreds more signing on every day,”moving forward together to overcome the agenda of Walker and his extraction industry backers, and to create for Wisconsin the positive economic and political future all of us deserve.” A formal call for the Wisconsin Wave has been initiated by over 100 signators. That list, as well as the call, is on the website - http://wisconsinwave.org/

According to Wisconsin Wave, the threat to the state’s democratic traditions posed by Walker and the Fitzgerald brothers is unprecedented:

“Today, Wisconsin’s democratic tradition faces the greatest threat it has ever known. Gov. Scott Walker, operating at the direction of Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce, is using the financial crisis caused by Wall Street speculators as an excuse to impose devastating cuts to public services. The WMC agenda is shameless. They intend to shift the tax burden even further away from major corporations and onto the rest of us. Their agenda is undemocratic. They would protect themselves from voters by lowering Wisconsin’s voting rights guarantees to those of Alabama and Mississippi. Their agenda is heartless. It has no place in it for the needs of Wisconsin’s youth, our poor, our disabled, or our unemployed at this time when their needs are greatest. The WMC-Walker agenda would destroy everything that once made Wisconsin great: a robust educational system; safe, high-paying jobs; and a clean environment available for enjoyment by all people.”

The group has issued the following statement regarding its agenda:

• Our state government must guarantee a fully funded public sector including education, health care, human services, transportation, public safety, and vital regulatory agencies.
• Taxes on large corporations and wealthy individuals should be returned to reasonable levels in order to solve the state’s fiscal crisis.
• The state must respect the rights of workers to organize unions and bargain collectively.
• Initial budget priorities must be established through public participation instead of closed-door meetings between public officials and special-interest lobbyists.
• Voting rights must be expanded, not limited, to ensure that every Wisconsinite can take part in our democracy.
• Wisconsin deserves government of, by and for the people, not the corporate elite; corporations have no constitutional rights and may not buy our elections or government.

Defend Wisconsin

A website being used to help organize protests against Gov. Scott Walker in Wisconsin was temporarily blocked from the Capitol Building in Madison, according to reports. The site, http://www.defendwisconsin.org/, was inaccessible from the building on Monday and into Tuesday morning. Personsattempting to access the internet from a free wifi connection labeled “guest,” you cannot access the site defendwisconsin.org. The site has been used to provide updates on what is happening, where you can volunteer, and where supplies and goods are needed to support protesters. Administrators of the website were notified on Monday that the page is being blocked .

Recall the Republican 8

According to state Democratic Chair Mike Tate, citizens across the state have begun recall efforts against “key Republican Senators who have stood with Scott Walker and pushed his partisan power grab that will strip thousands of middle class teachers, nurses, librarians and other workers of their right to collective bargaining. And we learned just last night that their disastrous budget that will cut millions from our schools and universities. In 60 days you can take Wisconsin back by recalling the Republican Senators who have decided to push Scott Walker’s divisive attack on the rights of workers and his assault on schools, universities and local communities. Make no mistake, these Republican Senators are vulnerable to recall f or their radical partisan overreach.

“(Fond du Lac Republican) Sen. Randy Hopper won his last election by just 184 votes. And Alberta Darling won her last race by only 1,007. By recalling just three of the eight Senators we are targeting, we can regain control of the Senate. Walker’s Republican allies in the Senate have stood by for days while Walker has refused to negotiate on his partisan power grab disguised as a budget repair bill. Walker and his allies had no intention of listening to the people. That’s why Republicans unplugged the state legislative hotline for the first time in years. Yesterday we saw the Republicans for who they are. A party so indebted to the Koch brothers and big business that they will raise taxes on our poorest families by $41 million dollars and push our schools and communities to the breaking point. Republican Senators have applauded even as Walker proposes to end the state’s decades old recycling program, showing that they will do anything in their power to harm our environment.”

There's been much rhetoric put forth concerning the need for "shared sacrifice" and "belt tightening" to meet the state's budget demands. Wisconsin still needs to manage a $3.6 billion deficit in the 2011-2013 budget cycle, but rather than trying to meet that challenge by attacking middle-class workers and by gutting spending the state would be better served by a balanced plan that makes spending cuts where they would be prudent, and raises revenues in ways that reduce inequality and are least damaging to the most vulnerable.

True to form, Walker made good on his threats on Mar. 4, noting that he had sent layoff notices to union leaders, and “while these notices start the process needed to layoff state employees, if the Senate Democrats come back to Wisconsin, these notices may be able to be rescinded and layoffs avoided. Without Senate action within 15 days, individual employees may begin to receive potential termination notifications. GOP candidates reaped from the Citizens United ruling, which cleared the way for Republican operatives to spend hundreds of millions on federal and state races.

The Republican Governors Association, having collected a $1 million check from billionaire right-wingers Charles and David Koch and smaller contributions from other corporate interests, invested at least $3.4 million in electing Walker. Walker’s debt to the Koch brothers, whose PAC donated $43,000 to his campaign, was highlighted in the governor’s budget repair bill, including a potential no-bid contract on the state’s heating plans.

In addition to attacking unions outlined a plan to restructure state government so Walker could sell off power plants in no-bid deals to firms like Koch Industries, while restructuring state health-insurance programs so that tens of thousands of Wisconsinites could be stranded with no access to care.

Walker is using thousands of Wisconsin families as pawns in his game of political chess. Instead of working with our employees, he’s threatening workers’ livelihoods and our economy in a continuing effort to extort Democratic legislators to do his bidding. The Wall Street Journal and Politifact found Walker’s claim that Wisconsin is ‘broke’ to be false. Nurses, teachers, firefighters, and other public workers should not be threatened by
Walker, who is endangering our state’s reputation and tarnishing our legacy. The governor is using human beings as political pawns – threatening layoffs if his divisive political agenda is not passed on his decried timeline. This is behavior one expects from a playground bully, not the governor of the State of Wisconsin.

In a Feb. 13 editorial in The Capital Times, which suggested Walker was acting as a “dictator” argued that the goal of the Walker plan was “destroying public employee unions, which demand fair treatment of workers and hold governors of both parties to account when they seek to undermine public services and public education.” At every level, Walker’s proposal “sows the seeds of political, social and economic instability” adding that “the economic threat may well be the most significant -- especially at a time when Wisconsin needs to create jobs, as opposed to political fights” in the state.
Following only a single, 17-hour public hearing before the Joint Finance Committee, members of the Wisconsin Assembly passed the bill following a controversial, hastily-taken vote. Democratic leaders in the Assembly have vowed to sue over the vote, arguing that it failed to follow legislative procedure.

The powerful magnates who ruled Wisconsin’s Republican Party today have been supplanted by a figures from outside the state, most notably the Koch brothers from Kansas and others in Washington pushing a national agenda, aimed at the Midwest, that would scale back union bargaining rights and, in the process, severely weaken the union organizations as political forces, and through that, the Demcratic party. The obstacles are formidable but not insurmountable. The rank-and-file union members who've organized themselves to come to Madison for protests several times since February 15 can certainly organize in their workplaces to show a union presence on the job, from union buttons and T-shirts to

The 14 Senate Democrats have been absent, thereby stalling the ability of the Senate to reach a quorum needed to approve Gov. Scott Walker’s budget repair bill, which would revoke the collective bargaining rights of public employees in Wisconsin. The unions have promised to make the concessions Walker says are needed to balance the budget, but Walker and Fitzgerald are refusing to compromise.

The battle in Wisconsin – as well as in states such as Indiana and Ohio – has prompted
unions and their backers in a number of states to organize rallies in support in states across the nation, and particularly in the Midwest. But because of its historical traditions (the birthplace of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, or AFSCME, in 1932 and long-time progressive sympathies, the Badger State is seen as by far the most important battleground. The logic is not hard to follow: if the unions can be beaten here, they might well be beaten throughout the Midwest, and perhaps the nation.
The Walker plan has brought into the public arena a long-time, but largely unstated, conservative dream of reducing the power of public employee union. Most observers believe the current dispute will influence the 2012 Republican nominating process.

A Rasmussen survey of Wisconsin voters shows that just 39% favor weakening collective bargaining rights and 52% are opposed. At the same time, 44% support a 10% pay cut for all state workers. Thirty-eight percent (38%) are opposed. That’s partly because 27% of Wisconsin voters believe state workers are paid too much and 16% believe they are paid too little.

In addition to curtailing collective bargaining for public employees, the Walker proposal would require public employees to cover 12.6 percent of their health insurance costs and contribute 5.8 percent of their pay toward their pensions. The bill would also end the automatic deduction of union dues from workers' paychecks, potentially crippling unions financially. Unions would also have to re-certify their status as a bargaining unit each year, opening the way for the state to withdraw recognition from unions over time

State Sen. Dale Schultz, elected to the Assembly in 1982 and the Senate in 1991, had offered a compromise amendment that would reinstate full collective bargaining rights in 2013, but so far, Walker has shown no interest in a compromise. With the absence of the Senate's 14 minority Democrats, who presumably would be members of the Senate most likely to support the amendment, Schultz said recently that there was no point in pursuing it.

Walker, elected on Nov. 3 by a 52-46 margin over Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett with considerable support from Wisconsin Tea Party activists, has contended Wisconsin’s deficit, estimated at $136.7 million for the current state fiscal year, and $3.6 billion for the 2011-13 state biennium, means that the state can no longer afford to provide the level of salaries and benefits that state employees have had in past years.

Similar arguments have been made regarding employees of local governments, including school districts, counties and municipalities. Walker has argued that removing most collective bargaining rights for these employees represents the “tools” these governments need to contend with the loss of an estimated $1 billion in state aids, as set forth in his March 1 state budget address. Local officials, in response, have claimed that they did not request the changes in collective bargaining that Walker is seeking, and some have gone on record in opposition to the plan.

Many who side with the governor regard public employees in general as a sort of privileged, and resented, caste, a feeling intensified by the difficulties of a long, and difficult recession. In a now-infamous prank call, Walker, believing he was talking by telephone with billionaire supporter David Koch, likened his tough stance against the state unions to President Ronald Reagan's firing of the striking air traffic controllers in 1981. Reagan's action encouraged many private-sector employers to take on unions and break strikes by hiring permanent replacements, actions that industry had tended to shy away from over the previous several decades The principal long-term result of Reagan’s action was a sharp and still-continuing decline in work stoppages and a dramatic shift in the employer-labor balance of power

Thus far, there has been only one organized public demonstration in support of the Walker plan. On Feb. 19, a contingent of Tea Party activists, estimated at between 1,500 and 2,000, turned out at the Capitol to counter the anti-Walker demonstrations. The group was mostly contained to one side of the Capitol and largely drowned out by the throngs of union activists who continued to chant against the bill. In general, although generally motions ran high whenever pro-union demonstrators encountered the right-wingers, the demonstrations were peaceful.

Gov. Walker’s claim has been that the state is "broke," there is nothing to negotiate and the only solution is to mandate massive reductions in public employee compensation and to abolish their collective bargaining rights. Walker also has been accused by some of “ginning up” the state budget crisis by deliberately misrepresenting the state’s fiscal condition in an effort to promote his plans. Walker’s budget repair bill comes less than a month after the state's fiscal bureau, the Wisconsin equivalent of the Congressional Budget Office, concluded that Wisconsin isn't even in need of austerity measures, and could conclude the fiscal year with a surplus. In fact, they say that the current budget shortfall is a direct result of tax cut policies Walker enacted in his first days in office. According to the Legislative Fiscal Bureau, "more than half" of the new shortfall comes from three of Walker's initiatives: $25 million for an economic development fund for job creation, which still holds $73 million because of anemic job growth; $48 million for private health savings accounts; and $67 million for a tax incentive plan that benefits employers, but at levels too low to spur hiring.

In a Nov. 10 press release, issued one week after the election, Walker estimated that the state’s deficit was then $2.7 billion, adding that “no idea” for addressing the deficit is “off the table.” Walker also asked state employees, as well as citizens, to offer his transition office suggestions for saving money. “Balancing our state’s $2.7 billion budget deficit will require all Wisconsinites to work together on ideas for reforming state government and saving money,” Walker said. “No idea is off the table. I encourage all citizens and state employees in particular to offer their thoughts.” Walker is using the relatively modest fiscal strain facing Wisconsin as a pretext to roll back basic worker rights and undermine public employee unions as a political force. Moreover, beyond this indefensible demonization of public employees as the primary cause of the state's budgetary shortfall, Walker's plan makes no macroeconomic sense.

When the plan was introduced, moderate Republican Sen. Luther Olsen ( R-Ripon), who has served for years on the Assembly Education Committee, expressed concern: "The concept is pretty radical,” Olsen says of the Walker proposal. “It affects a lot of good working people." Even Scott Fitzgerald conceded that his members has a lot of "good questions" for Walker's staff.

Although Walker’s plan has support within the state’s business community, some business leaders have come out against it. In a Feb. 18 statement, Jennifer Alexander, president of the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce, said that while the Chamber supports effort to develop policies to address the state budget deficit and to improve job creation in a sluggish economy, “that support ends at the adversarial way elected officials are approaching it. Public policy issues of this magnitude should not be rushed through the legislative process. Given this state's long history of collective bargaining, policy changes of this magnitude should be thoroughly debated for an adequate period of time, in good faith by both sides, with all potential consequences considered. Currently, that is not happening.”

The bill would also force an estimated 65,000 people off the Medicaid rolls and scale back BadgerCare, the health care program for low-income children. The budget repair bill contains a provision would give the Department of Health Services the ability to rewrite Medicaid policy with virtually no input from the Legislature or the public. Decisions made by an unelected state official could supersede state statutes relating to Medicaid services for more than 1.1 million Wisconsin residents, including the elderly, people with disabilities, and working families. The changes could affect policies such as eligibility, premiums, and services. The budget adjustment bill delegates broad, unprecedented powers to the Department of Health Services to make changes relating to Medicaid and BadgerCare Plus eligibility, services, cost-sharing, enrollment procedures, and provider reimbursement. Those policy choices, now the responsibility of state legislators and the Governor, would be handed over to an unelected official, the DHS Secretary, who could make the decisions behind closed doors. Under the bill, the legislative responsibilities being delegated to DHS could be exercised by the agency by rulemaking, including emergency rule. In contrast to current law, which sets short time frames for emergency rules, these rules could remain in effect until 2015. Concerns about the extraordinary powers being granted to an administrative agency, a clear violation of separation of powers, have been raised by many advocacy groups. Those concerns are echoed by the words of the attorney in the nonpartisan Legislative Reference Bureau who drafted the Medicaid provisions. The drafter's note for the bill warns that “the request would allow DHS to change any Medical Assistance law, for any reason, at any time, and potentially without notice or public hearing.” The latest version of the bill does not remedy any of those problems.

In addition, Walker’s budget repair bill also could jeopardize an estimated $46.6 million in mass transit funding because of federal requirements that mass transit systems have collective bargaining protections to transit workers. As noted by the Legislative Fiscal Bureau, the state received $73.9 million in federal transit funding in 2010. Approximately $22.5 million of this funding was for the Milwaukee urbanized area. Other nonspecific funds may also go to Milwaukee urbanized area. In addition, in 2010, shared-ride tax systems received $4.8 million in federal transit aid. Therefore, $27.3 million in the state's federal transit aid would not likely be affected by the changes in (the budget repair bill). However, the remaining $46.6 million to Tier A-1, Tier B, and Tier C bus systems could potentially be withheld from state transit systems under the federal 13(c) provisions as a result of the changes to municipal collective bargaining under (the bill), unless further actions are taken. Most bus transit systems in Wisconsin are staffed by unionized transit workers. In addition, a few of the Tier C shared-ride taxi systems may involve unionized workers. According to information from the U.S. Department of Labor, the proposed changes in collective bargaining rights included under (the budget repair bill) could impact the ability of unionized transit systems in the state to receive existing federal transit aid, unless actions are taken to protect the collective bargaining rights of their employees. If the federal Department of Labor makes the determination that the changes in local transit worker collective bargaining rights resulting from the collective bargaining changes under (the budget repair bill) affect the continuation of collective bargaining rights, and protection of transit employees' wages, working conditions, pension benefits, seniority, vacation, sick and personal leave, travel passes, and other conditions of employment, the Federal Transit Authority could not provide federal transit funding under these provision.

Religious leaders have joined as never before in opposition to Walker’s plan. The following are statements from Wisconsin clergy regarding Walker’s plan:

Interfaith Coalition for Worker Justice of South Central Wisconsin, Inc.

“As people of faith, we oppose Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker’s plan to deny collective bargaining rights for public employees. Our religious traditions are very clear that workers, as human beings that have inherent dignity, have the right to form associations to improve their conditions at work. Statements issued by the following Christian denominations-- Roman Catholic, African Methodist Episcopal Zion, American Baptist, Christian Methodist Episcopal, Disciples of Christ, Episcopal, Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, Presbyterian Church U.S.A., United Church of Christ, and United Methodist Church-- along with the Central Conference of American Rabbis, Union of Reform Judaism, Council on American Islamic Relations, Muslim American Freedom Foundation, the Unitarian Universalist Church and others, support the right of workers to organize and bargain with their employers over wages, benefits, and a voice on the job. Teachers, public health workers, county/municipal employees and all people who provide vital services to our communities are under attack, falsely blamed for budget problems caused by the unemployment crisis and the drop in state revenues as businesses have closed, fewer people pay taxes, and consumers spend less. Wholesale attacks on public servants will only worsen this situation. Therefore we urge our legislators and Governor Walker to stop this bill and stand for genuine efforts to create jobs, improve standards, and respect all people who work and contribute to their families and communities.”

Rev. David Moyer, Conference Minister, Wisconsin Conference, United Church of Christ
“Dear friends and partners in the ministry of the Gospel. Grace, mercy, and peace be with you. In a time of conflict and danger for his community, the prophet Isaiah offered an invitation from God to the people: “Come, let us reason together.” (Isaiah 1:18)
“These are words to take to heart in Wisconsin these days, as divisions in our common life are causing confusion and pain. We are all aware of the difficult economic circumstances facing our state. Many of our families and many United Church of Christ congregations find they have to make difficult choices. Our leaders face hard decisions about balancing a budget while continuing to provide essential services and preserve jobs that support families and build a healthy society. We all know that sacrifices will have to be made. The question is how decisions will be made and if those who will be faced with the greater burden of these sacrifices will be given the respect that offers them a place at the table as decisions are made. “Come, let us reason together” is not a strategy that avoids decisions but is an essential framework of a democratic society and is consistent with the moral and ethical principles that come out of our Christian faith. The right to negotiate is at the core of Wisconsin’s history, and tough economic times are not a moment to turn away from these essential rights that provide for fair and just decision making. When all come to the table and reason in good faith, better decisions are made. When people who are affected help make decisions, they have a greater stake in the outcome and provide a voice of support for decisions, even ones that may not be in their immediate self-interest. Basic human dignity is preserved.

“As members of our congregations, let us remember that it is our neighbors and fellow church members and friends, and often our own families that are affected by the current attempt to remove essential rights and alter a long history of work for justice.
”
Archbishop Jerome Listecki, President of the Wisconsin Roman Catholic Conference

“The church is well aware that difficult economic times call for hard choices and financial responsibility to further the common good. Our own dioceses and parishes have not been immune to the effects of the current economic difficulties. But hard times do not nullify the moral obligation each of us has to respect the legitimate rights of workers. It does not follow from this that every claim made by workers or their representatives is valid. Every union, like every other economic actor, is called to work for the common good, to make sacrifices when required and to adjust to new economic realities.”

The Rev. Steven A. Miller, Episcopal Bishop of Milwaukee

“Over the last few days we have witnessed freedom and democracy at work around the world. I am pleased to report to you that our friends in our former companion diocese of Egypt are safe and that the missionaries of The Episcopal Church serving in Egypt are continuing their ministry in that place. I know you will join me in continuing to hold the people of Egypt and the rest of the Middle East in your prayers. This past week we have also seen democracy at work in Wisconsin as thousands gathered in Madison in response to the Governor’s Budget Bill. Regardless of our individual positions on the bill before the Legislature and what steps are necessary to build a stronger and better Wisconsin, I believe we can all agree that our baptismal vow to “respect the dignity of every human being” is not served by a majority simply pushing through legislation because they have the votes necessary to do so. As Christians, it is our duty and call to make sure that everyone has a place at the table and every voice has the opportunity to be heard. Respecting the dignity of every human being requires taking the time to have honest and faithful conversation that respects the rights and freedoms of all. We also are called to speak on behalf of the sick, the poor, the elderly, orphans, widows, and all those who live in the margins of our society. Matthew in his Gospel reminds us that in serving these we are serving the Lord Jesus himself. It would be a sin to balance our state budget on the backs of those who have the least. “As your bishop I ask you to do two things. First, contact your representatives and invite them to true leadership by taking the time to listen to the voices of all and provide a guarantee that the voices of all will be heard in the future. Secondly, pray for elected officials daily, by name. Leading is a difficult task that requires the prayer support of many. I know that I could not lead this diocese without the prayers of each of you. May God continue to bless us his people that we may be a witness to the world.”

Rev. Bruce Burnside, Bishop of the South-Central Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church

“The breathtaking debate taking place in our legislature and throughout the public forum concerning the Governor’s proposal to address budget issues in the State of Wisconsin not only presents major implications for collective bargaining and workers’ rights, it also significantly affects Medical Assistance programs for the most vulnerable individuals and families in the state of Wisconsin. The Church has a voice in this debate.”

The John Knox Presbytery

“As Christians, we are well aware that difficult economic times call for hard choices on the part of our elected representatives. The State of Wisconsin, like many states, is facing significant financial challenges and difficult decisions in balancing its budget. The decision to reduce or eliminate the state’s projected budget deficit, however, does not nullify the moral obligation of the elected leaders of Wisconsin to respect the legitimate rights of workers, including public employees, to organize and collectively bargain. Therefore, The Presbytery of John Knox, meeting on February 19, 2011 in Muscoda, Wisconsin, calls upon Governor Scott Walker and Wisconsin’s other elected representatives to enter into good-faith negotiations with Wisconsin’s public employee unions to deal with Wisconsin’s current budget issues and to respect the rights of all workers to collectively bargain for wages and benefits. We encourage peaceful dialog and discussion to reach consensus for the benefit of all the people of Wisconsin. Further, we call upon Presbyterians to continue to monitor the state budget process in Madison and to join with other Christians of good will in advocating and praying for a just resolution to Wisconsin’s current budget issues.”

Bishop Linda Lee of the Wisconsin Conference of the United Methodist Church

“United Methodists state in our 2008 Book of Discipline the following: “We support the right of all public and private employees and employers to organize for collective bargaining into unions and other groups of their own choosing. Further, we support the right of both parties to protection in so doing and their responsibility to bargain in good faith within the framework of the public interest. In order that the rights of all members of the society may be maintained and promoted, we support innovative bargaining procedures that include representatives of the public interest in negotiation and settlement of labor-management contracts, including some that may lead to forms of judicial resolution of issues. We reject the use of violence by either party during collective bargaining or any labor/management disagreement. We likewise reject the permanent replacement of a worker who engages in a lawful strike. I share this with you because I understand the importance of balancing our state budget while continuing to provide the best services possible to our citizens. But because of my belief that far more is accomplished for the best interests of all those we serve when employers and employees work together, I am writing to ask you to reconsider your initiative which I believe would end the possibility for those who are government employees here in Wisconsin to negotiate settlement of labor and management disagreements.

Conclusion

National labor leaders have been unequivocal in arguing that Wisconsin stands at the epicenter of the struggle over public worker rights such as collective bargaining. As AFSCME union president Gerald McEntee put it succinctly, the state is “ground zero in the fight for labor rights in the United States.”

Struggles for solidarity and resistance to counter the unprecedented right-wing assault of Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker and his Republican allies on workers’ rights continue across the state. The battles began with Walker’s proposal to curtail most collective bargaining rights for nearly all public employee unions across the state, but has evolved to new levels with allegations of lying and improprieties and the unveiling of a draconian, Tea-Party inspired state budget that could result in the loss of hundreds of thousands of jobs. Walker’s extreme partisan agenda has already placed public employee union rights at risk and, with the release of the state budget, now is targeting children, families and communities. With organizations such as the Wisconsin Wave Resistance and Defend Wisconsin forming to advance the causes of worker’s rights and the battle against corporatization, the Democratic party is advocating that the principal political reaction should focus on recalling at least three Republican senators, thereby restoring the Senate to Democratic control.

The “constitutional crisis” that Sen. Scott Fitzgerald has raised as an issue is clearly, in the minds of most Wisconsin residents, not that of 14 missing Democratic Senators, but rather the continuing, flagrant abuse of power and misinformation spread by Walker and the Fitzgeralds. Never have three political figures generated so much litigation or accusations of misleading the public.

Madison-area progressives are organizing around an effort doing research using wisdc.org on businesses that contributed to Walker and are setting up a process to select 3 or 4 companies to target “These organizations are not reading our blog posts to find out they are in trouble. We have to let them know,” the group notes. Your “direct and associated political donations are a redirection of the value of my friends, family and associates patronage into political agendas which are contrary to Wisconsin's best interests,” the petition says. “Tell Johnsonville Foods that union men and women are not to be treated like chopped liver in Wisconsin, and deserve the right to collective bargaining.

jstwndring| 3.7.11 @ 1:37AM

Well, excuse me, but, public sector employees do NOT have some sort of inalienable right to a portion of my paycheck. I want public sector unions destroyed. I want them destroyed for financial reasons, AND I want them destroyed so I can watch the Democrat party go down in flames! Honest to God, we are at war with you! It looks like we finally have a Republican governor or two that realizes that, and is setting out to purposely weaken your party. It's about freaking time! I consider you Marxists masquerading as "Democrats" to be the single biggest threat to the continued autonomy, freedom, and survival of the Republic. You are an absolute threat to freedom-loving individuals everywhere and I want everyone to know it. I tell anyone and everyone that brings up the topic of politics about the sordid history of the DemocRat party. From your pro-slavery/pro-segregation days, to your re-branded, green-is-the-new-red, militant, psuedo-environmentist Marxism, I try to inform everyone willing to listen just what kind of tyranny the Democrat party represents--and has always represented in one form or another.

In short, I want the Democrat party to die a painful, pityful, agonizing death.

Clint| 3.7.11 @ 5:45AM

Jonah's just one more Government Union Parasite Leech.

Shove Off Creep.

Richard Baker| 3.6.11 @ 7:41PM

Jonah Kaplan/Wisconsin Solidarity:
Don't waste your time. Nobody here reads more than a couple of sentences of your screed anyway.

Jay Dee| 3.6.11 @ 7:43PM

Sorry Jonah you get no sympathy from me. When employees of a Union are paid by private citizens, IMHO you have no bargaining rights. If you want bargaining rights, get a job in the private sector and fight the Big Evil Corporations.

When public unions collective bargain with an elected official, the only one getting the shaft is the private citizens.

Take your garbage and go to the HuffPuffPo.

jstwndring| 3.7.11 @ 1:03AM

Yes! Exactly! Use vouchers to destroy the public school system, and with it, the teacher's union. Replace it all with private, non-standardized schools. It's time to do away with the DimocRat's Public Indoctrination Centers where they teach everyone to trust the State. Destroy the Collective!

jstwndring| 3.7.11 @ 12:57AM

Public sector employees shouldn't even be allowed to unionize since the taxpayer always ends up getting bullied into supporting them financially. All you public sector union types should have to find a union job in the private sector if you want to belong to a union. Zero sympathy. Down with public sector unions! Pay for your own damn pension funds you jackasses.

Johnf| 3.7.11 @ 11:54AM

I applaud Gov. Walker and others like Gov. Kasick. They are standing up for the private sector.. We The People "the private sector" have had it up to Our ears with taxes. It is so CORRUPT on the Democratic side with the Unions being able to tell the Democrats that they must withdrawal money from private sector paychecks to fund their CORRUPTION. becuase thats what it truely is... CORRUPTION.. Why should I, or anyone else fund someone elses benefits and pension plan, when they can have it taken out of their own paycheck. What is wrong with doing that to benefit Your own future.. It is truely unfair unamerican, unrepublic of Our nation to empower a bunch of CORRUPT THUGS SUCH AS UNION LEADERS AND POLITICIANS at thee expense of a normal everyday Americans wages.. By reducing Our cost of living to give someone else a better life is totally CORRUPT, totally wrong.. DEMOCRATS DO NOT REPRESENT AMERICA, DEMOCRATS REPRESENT EUROPEAN STYLE SOCIALISM....
I will say again and again.. THEY ARE CORRUPT.. I sincerely hope because of Obama and Reid and Pelosi's action against Americans these past few yearsthat Americans remember this iat the polls.. people are fed up with Democrats. And not to mention the IMMATURITY OF THOSE FLEEBAGGER DEMOCRATS IN WISCONSIN. They have totally neglected the tax payer in Wisconsin.. They only have one source to support and that is their CORRUPT UNIONS.. Forget about the everyday taxpayer in Wisconsin and America..
People VOTE OUT ALL DEMOCRATS ..
GOD BLESS AMERICA

Chappy4| 3.7.11 @ 8:24PM

As my dear departed mother-in-law would say, "From your mouth to God's ears!"

Timely Renewed | 3.7.11 @ 11:43PM

While the unions are the immediate source of leftists' power, the real underlying power of leftist government comes from the New Deal Supreme Court precedents which have vastly expanded the interstate commerce clause to increase the reach of federal power far beyond any original understanding of the constitutional scope of that clause.

Until this fundamental distortion of the Constitution is addressed, the leftists will always find other ways to expand federal power over every aspect of our national life even if the unions diminish. Remember they will still control the media and the schools, the most powerful propaganda tools in our society.

The only sure way to stop the innumerable ways in which the federal government has increased its power beyond the original scope of the Constitution, is to reverse those Supreme Court cases and restore the interstate commerce clause to its original limited meaning. Given how entrenched these Supreme Court precedents are, this will only be accomplished by a constitutional amendment restating the original, very limited scope of the interstate commerce clause. See http://www.timelyrenewed.com

العاب بنات | 4.11.12 @ 6:03PM

thank you

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Kenny| 3.4.11 @ 6:51AM

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jstwndring| 3.7.11 @ 1:03AM

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Johnf| 3.7.11 @ 11:54AM

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Timely Renewed | 3.7.11 @ 11:43PM

العاب بنات | 4.11.12 @ 6:03PM

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