Rally to support Wisconsin workers 2/24 at USW HQ (bankruptcy, salary)

[BrianTH]

By the way, the stickiness of private compensation is even more obvious if you look at nominal (not inflation-adjusted) compensation:

[Aqua Teen Carl]

Man, what a ridiculous mess of a thread. This can be a prime example of two thing:

1. Our massive media propaganda machine works. It's amazing how I hear anti-union talking points picked right out of a right wing talk radio show.

2. People will fight against their own interests to no end.

We're in the middle of a class warfare. Everyone posting in this thread is on the losing side of that war. Stop bickering amongst one another and use that energy against the real people who are screwing us over: greedy corporations and political power mongers.

It's easy to see how the middle class is disappearing and gap between the ultra rich and poor grows.

[Retiredcoach]

I have been following the international news closely the past few months with the uprising of the populaces against the governments of Libya and Egypt. When I turned the news on today, its still about the same old issues, but only this time, the protests are centered in Wisconsin. Gadaffi is proclaiming himself the savior of his people (a future martyr?) trying to garner the support of the long-silent majority while pandering to the whims of his ridiculously wealthy "circle of close allies". It matters little to him that there is a nonexistent middle class in his state (Freudian slip... country), unemployment is still at record levels and a livable wage is a pipe-dream for most of his citizens. What is most important to him, however, is to assert his power, crush the spirit of those who challenge him, and savor the spoils of his wealthiest of proteges. Oh wait, am I confusing a Libyan dictatorship (where compromise is the dirtiest of words) with the Wisconsin-brand of democracy, or are they one in the same?

Yes, the cost of collective bargaining in the public sector has gotten way out of touch with the current state of our national and state economies. So, cut employee costs through the proper channels, reduce the outlays, and let's move to the most pressing issues.... finding a means for the average American to find meaningful jobs that will insure that their families can be something more than servants to the wealthy.

On a side note, for all of those defending the "principals" of Governor Walker, you owe it to yourself to examine his real motivations.....

Gov. Scott Walker Pranked by Reporter Posing as David Koch, Billionaire Conservative Activist - ABC News

[ossewa]

Just got in the door from work and very happy because 1. my new Grado headphones arrived and 2. lots of excellent posts!

I'd like to thank everyone for the interesting and well thought-out (generally) comments.

I'll come back to this subject tonight in more detail, but for now, have you heard this?!?
Walker's Office Confirms Governor Fell For 'Koch' Prank Call (AUDIO) | TPMMuckraker

Scroll down to listen...

[Sideblinded]

Wisconsin got Blagojeviched on the right.

[Aqua Teen Carl]

Originally Posted by Retiredcoach

I have been following the international news closely the past few months with the uprising of the populaces against the governments of Libya and Egypt. When I turned the news on today, its still about the same old issues, but only this time, the protests are centered in Wisconsin. Gadaffi is proclaiming himself the savior of his people (a future martyr?) trying to garner the support of the long-silent majority while pandering to the whims of his ridiculously wealthy "circle of close allies". It matters little to him that there is a nonexistent middle class in his state (Freudian slip... country), unemployment is still at record levels and a livable wage is a pipe-dream for most of his citizens. What is most important to him, however, is to assert his power, crush the spirit of those who challenge him, and savor the spoils of his wealthiest of proteges. Oh wait, am I confusing a Libyan dictatorship (where compromise is the dirtiest of words) with the Wisconsin-brand of democracy, or are they one in the same?

Yes, the cost of collective bargaining in the public sector has gotten way out of touch with the current state of our national and state economies. So, cut employee costs through the proper channels, reduce the outlays, and let's move to the most pressing issues.... finding a means for the average American to find meaningful jobs that will insure that their families can be something more than servants to the wealthy.

On a side note, for all of those defending the "principals" of Governor Walker, you owe it to yourself to examine his real motivations.....

Gov. Scott Walker Pranked by Reporter Posing as David Koch, Billionaire Conservative Activist - ABC News

Great post. I was just going to post this phone call.

Walker considered putting plants in with the protesters, a tactic that obviously isn't new or groundbreaking to him. Additionally this phone call really show who's boss here. Koch and his money are obviously taking priority over the will of the people in a country that labels itself as a democracy.

This is a rare glimpse into the war room of our class warfare. So while people are furious at average Joe's who want livable wages and a pension to enjoy their golden years with, they are completely silent on the real enemy at hand.

[Sideblinded]

Originally Posted by Sideblinded

Do you REALLY want this in PA?

A Secret Deal Between Gov. Walker And Koch Brothers Buried In State Budget? - Rick Ungar - The Policy Page - Forbes

Read carefully...No bid? Selling public utilities... Hmm

Now read this.

[docarbuckle]

Why did the leaders in Wisconsin not mess with the police and state troopers? Lets see who is going to protect their fat political butts. Just what did they give up? First class health care? Fat pensions? Perks? Great salaries?Just what did they sacrifice?

[caroline2]

Great audio clip, as it proves how the union talking point about the Koch brothers is pure bunk. Walker is totally Kochs' puppet... except that he has no idea what their voices sound like and his office has no protocol for handling theur calls, doesn't know what numbers they'd be calling from....QED!!

[Sideblinded]

Nice try, 20 minute phone call, his IQ is showing.

Stephen Cobert had the best line making fun of Walker last night. " ‎Any good dentist doesn't just fill your cavity. He hunts down and strangles Willy Wonka."