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I KNOW you don't know what you're talking about. State workers have the right to collectively bargain through legislation--at some point, the Wisconsin General Assembly granted them those rights--that's how they get to negotiate a contract with the state to begin with. When the contract expires, the state has to negotiate a new one--they can't just say "buh bye." Contract differences for public employees are settled in most states through binding arbitration (a neutral arbitrator, kind of like a "judge" makes a binding ruling based on facts presented from both sides) but in some states they can strike. Negotiations are a two way street--if there's no money, the unions aren't going to get it, but contracts cover a whole bunch more than financial issues (like worker safety). All of it is negotiated.
They're trying to take away the rights of employees to bargain on almost every matter that impacts their employment in Wisconsin--that's why this is going on in the general assembly.
well your 2 way street is here. there is no more money get it. this is a state issue not a fed issue. WI cannot borrow money from china like obama can
They left because they do not have enough votes to stop the legislation. If they show up, a vote will be cast and the Repugs will win. That is why they have left. They are using the tools they have to stop this legislation, nothing more.
No--they left to give the Governor and the General Assembly time to hear from their constituents on this issue. This bill was introduced last Friday, and the R's were trying to push it through with no public debate THIS WEEK--and it would have taken effect IMMEDIATELY. That's why the Dem's left so the vote couldn't be held. They can't stay away forever, but they can stay away long enough to make sure that the R's understand that it's not just public workers who are FURIOUS over this.
well your 2 way street is here. there is no more money get it. this is a state issue not a fed issue. WI cannot borrow money from china like obama can
Wisconsin had a budget suplus of 120 million in January, until the Governor gave big business 140 million in tax cuts last month. Now, they're using the budget shortfall they just created as an excuse--not to cut worker pay or benefits (although they're doing that too)--but to completely remove the unions ability to bargain.
This has nothing to do with a budget shortfall. Sorry--I know you don't want to believe it, but that's why 25,000 people a day are protesting in Wisconsin. They could care less if public workers get their wages cut, but they do care about the R's purposefully cutting unions so they can't fund democratic campaigns.
No--they left to give the Governor and the General Assembly time to hear from their constituents on this issue. This bill was introduced last Friday, and the R's were trying to push it through with no public debate THIS WEEK--and it would have taken effect IMMEDIATELY. That's why the Dem's left so the vote couldn't be held. They can't stay away forever, but they can stay away long enough to make sure that the R's understand that it's not just public workers who are FURIOUS over this.
Sorry, these are union thugs, organized by obama's OFA and the DNC. The middle class anger was bright and shiny in Nov of 2010, when voters went to the polls and elected these officials, who ran on just what they are doing now.
25,000 a day? I thought all of you normally rant how the unions don't have any members?
Do you understand why they have a budget shortfall? In January, they had a 120 million budget SURPLUS in Wisconsin, and then the governor gave 140 million away in tax breaks to big companies. Now, he's not only trying to take the SHORTFALL HE CREATED out on the public workers, but he's also included provisions that would completely shut the unions down--they would no longer have the right to collectively bargain. He's refusing to even meet with the unions to discuss ways that they could cut the budget to make it work for everyone
None of this is about a budget shortfall. He did this intentionally--it's about breaking unions, because they tend to give their financial contributions to democrats. Unions support democrats because they tend to support policies that benefit middle class families and small business. Those donations are raised from INDIVIDUAL UNION MEMBERS who voluntarily contribute to Union political action committees. In the last election, out of the top 10 major contributors, 7 were corporate funders to republicans, and 3 were labor unions. That's why you're seeing up to 15,000 people a day in Madison protesting. It's spreading to every major city across Wisconsin, and beginning to start nationally.
Do you want to live in a country where the only candidates with the funding it takes to win an election are those funded by big business? I can't believe some of you in the tea party, even if you disagree with the democratic party, wouldn't see this as outrageous. I was a republican for 30 years of my life, but I grew up in a family of teachers, and I have a strong sense of fairness. This is wrong. Lots of people think it's wrong, and they're taking to the streets to make their point.
The R party has gone too far this time, and I'm ashamed of them. They accomplished one thing though--they've stirred up mass anger that isn't going to go away any time soon.
Ugh the tax breaks are to make the business climate more conducive to success, which will attract companies to the state and thus they can pay revenue to the state. It may be a lesser rate but the quantity will make up for that. Way to spin things.
Actually, teachers are probably a tiny part of the group there. I don't think you get it. People who don't work for government, but who 1) tend to vote democratic, or 2) believe in fairness, along with government workers, are showing up by the tens of thousands on a daily basis to raise h*ll about this. You thought the tea party was a big deal? As I said, the R's finally crossed a line and it's blowing up in their faces.
Yeah, some of the teachers are even bringing the students to the protest to add to their numbers.
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