Wisconsin comes to Georgia on Wednesday
Georgia Tea Party Patriots said this evening that they’ll attempt to counter a rally by local unions to show support for public employees in Wisconsin – scheduled for 4 p.m. Wednesday on the front steps at the state Capitol.
Tea partyers are to gather catty-corner from the Capitol, on Courtland and MLK.
Writes Tea Party coordinator Debbie Dooley in an e-mail blast:
Folks, this is the start of the 2012 campaign. In contrast to Tea Party rallies in support of the rule of law and the constitution and election of folks who would vote as we desired, these rallies are against the duly elected representatives of the folks who turned the nation red in November. I’ll let you make up your own minds as to who may be behind that site…. “workers of the world?”…. We cannot let our elected government officials be intimidated by these ill informed people who will show up for these rallies. We must let them see that ‘the folks’ are here to support them in the difficult decisions we sent them to Atlanta, or Madison, or Nashville, or where ever to make.
As always, bring signs that are to the point; humor is usually the best way to make a point. No personalities, no politics, we are about citizen control of our government. Elections mean things. “No more $140,000 per year bus drivers” or “I can’t afford my health insurance AND yours” or “Tea for two means you pay too”. Come on, you can do better than that I am sure.
Here’s the thing. Tea partyers and union members may disagree on Wisconsin. But if they come early, there may be ground for agreement. At noon, a rally in support of Sunday sales of package sales of alcohol will be held on the same spot.
So far as we know, no beverages will be provided – at any of the events. Afterwards, you’re on your own.
- By Jim Galloway, Political Insider
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77 comments Add your comment
The Centrist
February 21st, 2011
8:52 pm
I wonder if those who are so against collective bargining (CB) would be willing to forego basic benefits that have been institutionalized over the years.
Buried in bull!@#$
February 21st, 2011
9:01 pm
All our jobs went to Mexico. The government is engaged in an absolutely Orwellian 1984 war in Afganistan. The wall street bankers bankrupted the federal government. The logical answer would be to attack the paychecks of teachers and firemen. Truth is stranger than fiction!
PP
February 21st, 2011
9:06 pm
I wonder why Ms. Dooley — whose organization supposedly supports the most fundamental rights of Americans (which, to my mind, includes free speech and therefore the right to criticize our elected officials) — believes that we exist to support those who have been elected to office? I’m sorry, but I refuse to blindly support the policies of my elected officials because I believe that such actions are the fastest way to destroy what remains of our democracy. Oh, and for the record Ms. Dooley, everyone who disagrees with you is not “uninformed”.
Judge Dawg
February 21st, 2011
9:09 pm
….these rallies are against the duly elected representatives of the folks who turned the nation red in November…….
Sorta like the Tea Party Rallies against the duly elected President ??
Tea Party …. hypocrite is they name….
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brandon
February 21st, 2011
9:25 pm
State leaders might just prove a point and start slashing benefits of our state employees. If I were the PAG and other orgs out there I’d ask these protesters to go somewhere else and not get a stink started in GA. We’re in a budget shortfall asl well and could cut millions by making our state employees become more like us normal folks!
Bill
February 21st, 2011
9:26 pm
Speaking of ill informed….. Go look in the mirror Ms. Dooley.
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Us vs Us
February 21st, 2011
9:31 pm
@brandon
State employees have seen their benefits cut multiple times since 2001 and furloughs in 2008-2009, where have you been? There have been multiple reductions in force since 2007 and a marked increase in workload starting in 2001, escalating drastically in 2007.
How have you “normal folks” pitched in over the last 11 years?
dolt.
Red
February 21st, 2011
9:34 pm
Add the hypocrisy of the unions and liberals – the same ones just a couple of years ago saying “We won. Get over it!” and how ‘evil’ and full of hate the Tea Party was for demonstrating in DC. Those same unions and liberals who used both of those lines and tactics are suddenly against them?
And where was the outcry over the posters with hate speech and targets painted over pictures of Walker? I guess Obama’s kumbaya sppech after Giffords being shot and the outcry over Palin’s website was short lived. Hypocrisy knows no bounds. “Do as I say…not as I do” seems to be the way the Left in this country thinks.
By all means. Come here and demonstrate. Remind America how detrimental unions are especially in this country. Remind America how while the rest of us tighten our belts and pinch pennies in a down economy, self-serving unions care less and want the rest of us to pay for their benefits.
Public servants are servants of the public. Teachers, if you do not like the fact that the elected leaders of the people have control over your pay, find another profession. We are not here to serve and fatten you up. You serve the people. With the economy being the way it is, I am sure more than willing people are out there to take your place.
Amazing
February 21st, 2011
9:37 pm
The same Republicans who last week complained the President was not being forceful in supporting the democracy in Egypt are now fighting to restrict the rights of Americans to engage in negotiating a collective bargaining agreement. Gov. Walker is attempting to institute a new form of Jim Crow laws by exempting police and firefighter unions. He is in effect segregating the workplace to keep the other unions from exercising their rights and power.
There is nothing wrong with Gov. Walker attempting to take prudent steps to address the budget issues by requiring workers to contribute more toward their medical and pension costs. However, he is stepping over the line in his attempt to restrict the unions ability to engage in collective bargining. He may win the battle but he and the Tea Party will pay severely in the long run. His actions cross the line of reasonableness.
RGB
February 21st, 2011
9:54 pm
What is Amazing is that some people don’t understand the basic issues of Wisconsin.
Comparing Egypt to Wisconsin is evidence of someone in search of a defense of unionized state workers where none exists.
Wisconsin state workers have certain protections as provided under state law and don’t have any constitutional right to engage in collective bargaining–nor should they.
Wisconsin teachers had better hope that Governor Walker wins this one, because if he doesn’t their pensions will be ultimately worth squat–which is what these folks who abandon the school children deserve.
What should a lying Wisconsin teacher tell a student who cheats on a test?
Knott Hannity
February 21st, 2011
10:02 pm
OK I don’t agree with Debbie and the Tea Party on very many issues, but if you read her message about bringing signs w/humor, no focus on personalities, and citizen control of government…you ought to give her some credit. She wants the folks that stand with her to know what she expects as reasonable decorum in the public arena to really get her TP message across. And I happen to know that she does not believe “we exist to support those who have been elected to office”. She very candidly calls out the Republican elected officials who embarrass Georgia. I don’t think I’ll stop by her rally but I may be at both the Sunday Sales and Labor rallies, but I still say give her a break.
Coweta Cheetah
February 21st, 2011
10:04 pm
Good strategy. The unions and the left are losing badly in Wisconsin and Ohio, so logically the best move would be to double down on failure in a right-to-work state such as Georgia. Oh, and great idea agitating for the teacher’s union in a state that ranks 50th in SAT performance.The mind reels at the stupidity of the left. I guess they want to get laid off.
BTW, unionistas, this is not Greece or Egypt. Taxpayers here have guns. Keep thuggin, and you may get a glimpse of them. No one cares about teachers except teachers. And no one cares about state employees except state employees. They should have been canned long ago for doing nothing and being ugly and stupid. These mild compromises are decades overdue.
Reality
February 21st, 2011
10:11 pm
@Galloway -
I cannot believe that any respectable journalist would perpetuate the MYTH that there are these unions in Georgia. There are not and you should be very ashamed and embarrassed that you wrote this!
@Coweta Cheetah -
Your comment is a PERFECT representation for your ’cause.’ Nothing more needs to be said! LOL!!
janet
February 21st, 2011
10:21 pm
Coweta Cheetah- did I read a threat of the use of guns on anyone who attends the rally in support of the unions? I sure hope not because the police might have to be notified of your intent to injure people with a weapon.
mike
February 21st, 2011
10:22 pm
I liked the comment about the bus driver. However why not provide some facts or maybe because he is a bus driver then other folks can determine how much he should make. Get rid of the unions is great also. Maybe next we should eliminate child labor laws, women rights, safe working conditions. The goobers of this state care more about guns than education. Keep the people uneducated and unionize the police and we will be back in the 40s and 50s as far as individual rights. Two months in office and the people of Georgia are paying for a rescue helicopter that benefits only the people in Tennessee. What is next folks?
Rick
February 21st, 2011
10:31 pm
Us vs Us, your answer is high taxes from EVERYONE to pay your salary.
RL
February 21st, 2011
10:34 pm
The Great and Glorious State of Georgia
Tax breaks for corporations.
Taxing each bite of food the poor take.
Sherman is smiling at you from hell.
sam
February 21st, 2011
10:36 pm
These Tea Party losers really make me sick. Their opinions are basically bought and paid for by wealthy Republican billionaires like the Koch Brothers. Either that, or they’ve been brainwashed and manipulated by FOX News to think that we should be giving everything to the top 2% of the wealthy and they shouldn’t have to pay any taxes. The middle class is being gutted by the Republican Party for the sake of saving the top 2%. It makes me sick. Interesting that those Tea Party idiots protesting in Wisconsin over the weekend wouldn’t have even been able to take a weekend off if it weren’t for unions fighting for a 5 day work week. It’s also interesting how the Tea Party idiots were silent for the 8 years that Bush was spending like a drunken sailor in Iraq on a war that had nothing to do with 9/11, had nothing to do with WMD’s, had nothing to do with Al Qaeda, basically had nothing to do with anything. Billions spent over there on a meaningless war. Looking at the Middle East today with all the protests, Iraq would have thrown out Saddamn on his own eventually without Bush intervening like an idiot. This country has been decimated by the Republicans, who are intent on preserving rights for only the top 2% of Americans. Apparently, the other 98% of us can go to hell.
jim
February 21st, 2011
10:41 pm
collective bargaining is only an excuse to let public servants walk out on their jobs and hold taxpayers hostage. the governor probably needs to compromise to a point, but i think that people are better off in a right-to-work state. i’ve lived in new england and seen the extreme waste and bloat that the unions bring to that area. unions had a time and place, but that time has long gone. wisconsin only serves as a wake up to call to the hard work americans have in front of us to minimalize the negative effect of unions.
Atlantaallen
February 21st, 2011
10:44 pm
If you can show me a bus driver working for the state of Georgia making a six figure salary I will eat the tires on the bus. I am libertarian and believe strongly in limited government, but comparing state employees in Georgia to federal employees or union employees in other states is apples to oranges. Georgia has cut and cut for years. State employees have taken substantial pay cuts in the form of furloughs and increased premiums for benefits. Hiring freezes have eliminated much of the waste and forced anyone trying to fill a seat and draw a check to get busy. It would be great (and might approach actual journalism) if the AJC would do a factual comparison of the salary and benefits of federal employees, workers in WI and other union states and those of Georgia state employees.
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jim
February 21st, 2011
10:55 pm
sam, lol…and you forgot to mention that 9/11 was an inside job, aliens abducted Michael Jackson, and the Loch Ness monster was seen at Sonic with bigfoot. Those of us that are educated dont support the “2%”, rather we support their rights to free enterprise. I’m personally unemployed, working odds jobs and NOT collecting UE benefits, and STILL say that everyone has the right to work hard and be successful (I hope my hard work pays off for me). How dare you and your ilk think you can put a number on success and suggest that anyone over that number is a detriment to America. Spend less time throwing darts and try bettering yourself without letting your bitterness of a failed life consume you.
Steveo
February 21st, 2011
10:56 pm
Union employees are scum of the earth. Overpaid employees who don’t want to do an honest day’s work.
Steveo
February 21st, 2011
10:57 pm
Oh, and sam is a retard. Sorry, mentally challenged.
lester maddox
February 21st, 2011
11:03 pm
Enter your comments here
Steveo
February 21st, 2011
11:08 pm
Lester? the segregationist, Democrat governor from Georgia? I thought you were dead?
OedipusTax
February 21st, 2011
11:18 pm
Look at Wisconsin. And Michigan, and Ohio. Rust belt, closing half of their schools, losing a large number of their graduates, population and electoral votes. Find out anything those private or public unions are for, and chances are, the best thing for Georgia is to do precisely the opposite. I moved from the north years ago, and the last thing I want to do is support the policies that have turned northern cities into depressed, deserted areas.
Working Schmuck
February 21st, 2011
11:28 pm
Let me get this straight. Tea-loving Americans support my freedom SO MUCH that they want to take away my right to meet with other people in my profession for the purpose of deciding a standard wage and benefit package that we think we deserve. In the name of Freedom, the Tea-Party defenders of freedom want to REMOVE our right to come together and express the terms of our own contracts. Oh yeah, that just has FREEDOM tattooed all the frig over it!
Steveo
February 21st, 2011
11:32 pm
you have the right to meet with people in your profession and determine what wage you get to earn? That’s freedom? Schmuck is pretty accurate.
Steveo
February 21st, 2011
11:38 pm
I deserve 10 million dollars and to hell with all you tea-loving Americans!!!
Steveo
February 21st, 2011
11:42 pm
Outta here. Gotta get some rest since I work for a living. Sleep well Working Schmuck.
Working Schmuck
February 21st, 2011
11:49 pm
Steaverino thinks contracts are only supposed to go one way. Kind of like the one his wife’s lawyer gave him: “She keeps everything, you take your tiny weener and leave quietly with nothing. Negotiations aren’t necessary.” Poor Steaverino. Don’t talk to him right now, his head is up his a33 studying law.
Marty Nelson
February 22nd, 2011
12:05 am
There will be a union protesst from 4-6 at the Georgia State Capital on the Washington Street side. Everyone who supports the people in Wisconsin, where the Governor took an almost $500 million surplus and gave it tax breaks to his supporters and businesses before all of this began…..to drive a hole in the budget. The Wi Governor is only about breaking the unions or anyone else who will speak up for the poor working stiffs. Remember it is the Koch Brothers who paid the way for the Tea Party and gave millions to the GOP Governors Association that want unions killed. Hope to see you there suppporting Unions. Remember unions gave you 40 hour workweeks, vacations, holidays, safe working conditions, no child labor laws, having employers list bad chemicals that you handle in the workplace, etc. etc. etc. Show up and support workers!
Allen
February 22nd, 2011
12:31 am
Ms. Dooley, praise to you for organizing a rally for “Sunday alcohol sales” — I’d like to see a million Georgians show up for that one . . . the other stuff, not so much. Too bad protests re: dissimilar issues are being organized as one.
Allen
February 22nd, 2011
12:33 am
P.S. – I am no fan of unions . . . but it looks as if Wisconsin may have gone too far . . . and, for that reason, cannot join . . . but would LOVE to attend a SUNDAY SALES rally. : )
Jason Griffin
February 22nd, 2011
1:03 am
Whether or not you agree with unions, the protesters in Wisconsin are hurting the cause of unions in all industries. Their attitude towards the taxpayer is quite simply disrespectful. More on my blog at http://www.jasongriffin.net/blog/2011/2/21/unions-hurt-their-cause-in-wisconsin.html
pre dawn
February 22nd, 2011
1:11 am
Where did everyone suddenly get this idea that teachers, firefighters, police officers, etc. are overpaid? We put a huge public trust in these folks and they’ve been seriously undercompensated for, well, forever. Sure, they may have benefits packages that sound nice, but the cash value of these packages still doesn’t quite make up for their low salaries.
Let’s not forget that the main reason for all of these state budget shortfalls is the recession – and that didn’t happen by itself. Folks who want to talk about “shared sacrifice” should go take a look at Wall Street bonuses and tax rates on hedge fund managers – where’s the “sacrifice” there?
The wealthy and powerful want all of us regular people to believe this is a zero-sum game – if you get more, I get less – the truth is, as long as we believe that, THEY get more. Don’t buy it, folks.
double
February 22nd, 2011
1:26 am
Well the Braves come here from wisconsin.I’m afraid this is only the start.
I-Teach
February 22nd, 2011
1:28 am
I am NOT overpaid; I apparently am doing a thankless job, that has cost me $600 out of my own pocket for consumable materials for my students (but I will get back a $250 credit).
We don’t have unions. We sign contracts that are only legally binding for US. Our county can then take that contract that says they will pay me for 190 days of work, and decide that they will cut it back to much LESS. Oh and yeah, we’re going to up your health insurance premiums and out of pockets.
I’ve lost nearly 6,000 in the last year. However, I’ve been doing MORE with much LESS, and more is expected-even if my kids aren’t sitting in front of me for the same number of days.
Georgia: until you do right by hard working people, and stop kow-towing to big business, you will continue your proud tradition of being ranked at the bottom of EVERYTHING.
UGA graduate
February 22nd, 2011
2:08 am
Gov. Perdue forced the Georgia Department of Community Health to limit insurance options to two Republican contributors, United Healthcare and Cigna. Blue Cross laid off many Georgia workers when it lost state contract and United processes claims in India. He also cut the state’s Technology Authority jobs and awarded an almost $900 million contract to IBM and AT&T, which sent those jobs to other countries and state.
Republicans plan to destroy this country by helping the rich and gutting the middle class. How many Wall Street bankers have been sent to prison? Only Bernie Madoff was stupid enough to get caught in a Ponzi scheme. The rest of the Wall Street frauds keep their money and avoid jail. Is this America?
lillianquon
February 22nd, 2011
2:32 am
The “Wise Health Insurance” is quite popular in California and New York. For example it offers the low income health plan. Also offers health insurance for individual with pre-exisiting conditions.
Rural Education
February 22nd, 2011
5:09 am
Once again for the uninitiated, there are no “teacher unions” in Georgia. We have no collective bargaining rights. I don’t understand bringing the anti-union message to one of the least unionized states in the country.
Marty Nelson
February 22nd, 2011
5:24 am
In 2004 Bush signed legislation to actually pay companies to take factories overseas. We have lost over 45,000 factories since then. In April 2004 Bush’s SEC pulled the strings loose on banking and told the banks they don’t have to keep money on hand to cover the loans they made. And how many Ga banks have failed. Rep Gingry formed the Bank of Elijay and was on the board until a month before it was seized and sold and how much did the FDIC cost us….but he is still in office. Go ahead – blame all your troubes on unions and the dems……One GOP senator said during the Bush years we NEVER paid for anything and never intended to…the war, tax breaks, medicare, any legislation so we could break the government. Go google “Bush signed legislation to pay companies to go overseas in 2004″ and “SEC Secret Meeting in 2004″. The facts are there. Bush signed the legislation in secret with NO ceremony doing so. It is not the fault of the Dems or unions. If you remember correctly the dems could not even hold a meeting at the US capital without the GOP turning out the lights and electricity in those rooms during Bush’s reign of terror. You can keep watching FOX or do your own homework and know the truth!
Please come support the unions and the working stiffs of this country who are made to pay for everything, and of course are considered the cause of all this financial trouble.
Logic 05
February 22nd, 2011
5:28 am
Attention,
This blog has been taken over by left wing loons.
Viet Vet
February 22nd, 2011
5:56 am
This blog has been taken over by patriotic Americans who love their country more than Republican party. It’s been taken over by patriots who do their own research rather than repeat the lies of the Republican propaganda machines at Fox News and talk radio. It’s been taken over by patriots who are outraged over stolen elections, looted treasuries, pointless and endless wars that kill and maim the best of our youth and only profit Republicans campaign contributors. Join us, feels good over here.
Is the Tea Party for Americans?
February 22nd, 2011
6:49 am
I thought the Tea Party was for greater citizen rights. I thought they were for taking back our government from politicians who sold us out to the big monied interests that recked our economy.
Is the Tea Party really against citizens fighting back?
Is the Tea Party really in favor of the Wisconsin governor’s arrogant use of his power?
Is the Tea Party for citizens actively challenging their political leaders or is the Tea Party a fruadulent organization?
Selah
February 22nd, 2011
6:58 am
As we all knew the talk about civil speech after Gabrielle Gifford’s shooting was just a tactic. Liberals never mean such ideas unless it applies to every one but them.
VietVet
February 22nd, 2011
7:22 am
@ Selah. I haven’t seen any uncivil posts here, no personal attacks or taunts, unless you believe it is uncivil to confront lies with truth and expose deceit and hypocrisy. I don’t. I believe the devil is the father of lies and that the truth shall set you free. Asking tough questions, using facts not emotions,and standing up to bullying is also not uncivil, but rather the obligation of all true patriots. So, if “your” side is losing an arguement, stop complaining and put up your facts and make your best case. And if you can’t find actual factual data to refute what you object to, then maybe you’re being played by “your” side.
another Viet Vet
February 22nd, 2011
7:27 am
I agree that budgets should not be balanced on the backs of gov’t employees, but I also agree that gov’t employees should not be allowed to belong to unions.
khc
February 22nd, 2011
7:31 am
uga graduate is correct….while govt should tighten its belt too, most of blame for the deep recession was wall st…..fannie and freddie played a part…and we also need to fix a health care system that costs too much given the results and is a large part of state and national budgets…the blame here is the system design and greedy corporate america
while govt needs a kick in the britches, so does big corporate america. you tea party folks are just one click from being outsourced yourselves and you don’t realize it……soon your children will be facing jobs that pay little more than the folks in the rest of the world and big business will replace big govt as your nemisis and guess what you can’t vote them out
cs
February 22nd, 2011
7:32 am
When labor is at stake, the tea party, the gop and I part ways. I know of no better way to turn red states blue than for government to go on the warpath against labor. Too be sure there are many areas for compromise, but the republican party didnt get the name the stupid party for nothing. Keep bashing common workers and get your arses handed to you in elections down the road.
Bill
February 22nd, 2011
7:40 am
Don’t think for a minute that this is about the budget. Wisconsin state employees immediately agreed to all of the governor’s financial demands.
Taking away the right to collectively bargain will not balance the budget.
Taking away mandatory union dues will not balance the budget, but it will give the republicans a significant fund raising advantage.
This is not about good governance, it is about political advantage
lynnie gal
February 22nd, 2011
7:42 am
The teaparty, is funded by billionaires like the Koch brothers who, of course, are working to disempower unions for their own self-interest. The republicans, supported by the rich who then get payback in the form of massive tax breaks, are using the diversion trick–demonize middle class workers to keep the focus off the bankers, hedge fund executives and wall street traders who are raking in billions in bonuses and sopped up federal tax dollars to save them, thus starving programs for the middle class and the poor. This is called an Oligarchy.
Bill
February 22nd, 2011
7:45 am
I find it interesting that so many people have the perception that government jobs are some sort of gravy train. Traditionally, government jobs have paid less than comparable jobs in the private sector. This lower pay was offset by relative security (that seems to be gone), and good benefits including retirement. If those benefits were too generous to be sustainable, they should be renegotiated. A sustainable system is in everyone’s interest. Wisconsin’s governor seems much more interested in breaking unions and gaining political advantage than he has in the sustainability of the system.
khc
February 22nd, 2011
7:59 am
the gov of state of wisconsin does not even have degree…but he takes his orders from corporate master, where he was a salesman for a while….c student in college….the koch brothers playing him like a banjo…..
repubs smart in blaming govt for all the problems, but the corporate world full of nardellis…..lot of tea party folks are stupid enough to fall for this propaganda….but on the trajectory we are heading, these same tea party folks will be calling for decent living wages in 20 years
Brain
February 22nd, 2011
8:56 am
Yes, Debbie…..Let’s remind these folks in Wisconsin who’s allowed to intimidate elected officials and who is not. Intimidation is the Tea Party’s job , by damn!
It’s going to be tough for humorless half-wits to created edgy, funny signs, Debster. You might want a lower bar for your crowd.
Brain
February 22nd, 2011
9:01 am
Bill, your first point was spot on. Your second point? Not so much. The unfortunate thing this issue has done is to conflate teachers, cops and firefighters with bureaucrats in the DOT, etc. They ARE on a gravy train and the that train needs to be run off the tracks asap.
I have zero problem with the financial demands the Wisconsin Gov made of the teachers’ union. In principle, I believe the teachers’ union to be largely a force of evil, rather than good. However, I have tremendous disdain for the intellectual dishonesty being exhibited here by the Governor of WIsconsin. You are absolutely right: This is ALL about creating a political advantage for republicans on Wisconsin tickets in years to come. I find that repugnant.
HL
February 22nd, 2011
9:18 am
The life and death of the middle class.
Class Warfare indeed. 80% of americans share 7% of the liquid wealth. Bring on the fair tax which is nothing more that a sales tax and maybe then our share of the liquid wealth will drop to 5%.
td
February 22nd, 2011
9:34 am
UGA graduate
February 22nd, 2011
2:08 am
Republicans plan to destroy this country by helping the rich and gutting the middle class. How many Wall Street bankers have been sent to prison? Only Bernie Madoff was stupid enough to get caught in a Ponzi scheme. The rest of the Wall Street frauds keep their money and avoid jail. Is this America?
You should check your facts on this one. Wall street overwhemingly supported Obama in the last election. You can not blame all the on the Republicans. They are both very guilty of these crimes.
Bill
February 22nd, 2011
10:10 am
Brain,
I think it is wrong and very unfair to try to paint this in terms of good and evil. We do way too much of that. I also have no problem with the monetary demand the governor made, and neither do the employees.
Regarding the employees of DOT, etc. If there is a problem, and I am not saying there is not, it is the fault of the management of these functions, and the top managers are appointed by the officials we elect. I don’t think it is fair to blame it on the working stiffs at DOT, or anywhere else. Many of the people at DOT for example, are filling potholes. This is not their fault.
As an aside, I would like to point out that although the Wis. governor wants to break the union, placing the blame on them is wrong for a number of reasons. State employees in states where collective bargaining is allowed make about 5% more than in states where it is not. This does not account for the deficit. Further, states where employees cannot bargain collectively have larger deficits than the ones where they can.
It is not unreasonable to ask state employees to shoulder part of the burden. It is also not unreasonable to ask everyone else to shoulder part of it (taxes). I would particularly like to ask those who have weathered the recession with little effect to kick in some more.
TrishaDishaWarEagle
February 22nd, 2011
10:12 am
anyone who cries “wall street bankers” is automatically blocked out by my brain.
VietVet
February 22nd, 2011
10:27 am
Anyone who watched in 2008 as Paulson, Bush and the Democratic controlled Congress bailed out the hedge funds, AIG, to-big-to-fail banks, and Wall Street brokerage firms with taxpayer money and didn’t get angry doesn’t have brain.
khc
February 22nd, 2011
10:45 am
td, wall st bet on obama, but that does not remove the fact these blanktards were not responsible for the deep recession ….and fannie and freddie
but chamber of commerce is four square for repubs
broaden your horizons and read matt tiabbi’s accounts….if you read the cat food commission and read the entire piece with the repub dissent and you factor everything in you have to agree wall st had a big big contribution to the collapse…
ROBOCOP
February 22nd, 2011
12:26 pm
Everybody out there who works in a nonunion private business or governmnet agency, who works a 40-hour week, who can get health care, eye care, dental care for you and your family, a pension and a certain number of paid holidays and vacation days off, raise your right hand. Then thank the American labor movement in this country because they were the ones who got those benefits for you.
Selah
February 22nd, 2011
1:14 pm
Is “here” the only spot on our society? Have you seen the signs and listened to the Wisconsin “protestors” What aboutthe comparisons to Hitler? The mobbing of private homes?
Southside Shawty
February 22nd, 2011
3:39 pm
Wall Street bet on Obama because they knew ‘we the people’ were about to send the republicans pink slips. Not one Wall Street exec went to jail for basically ruining the economy, and instead we need to stick it to teachers, police officers, and firemen who traded low salaries for a decent pension when they retired. You people are useless.
khc
February 22nd, 2011
4:33 pm
tell that to the girl from the cow college
Bill Orvis White
February 22nd, 2011
4:54 pm
All over the country tea party patriots are organizing in a cohesive fashion that is modeled after the Honorable President Ronald Wilson Reagan’s vision for the party – which is a strong commitment to low/no taxe$, school vouchers in all 50 states, God in whatever public schools are left and in all public buildlings, dismantling of the secular Department of Education, expansion of our military and the eradication of the socialistic Environmental Protection Agency.
Mr. Reagan would be so proud of today’s tea partyers who are standing up the injustices of Big Government and ARE WINNING!
It’s hilarious what’s happening in Wisconsin! Tea party patriots are drowning out the socialistic union thug organizers! Even Hussein Obama is getting in on the act and he’s failing, thank the Lord! Governor Walker is staring down the agitators and it’s a fact that he won’t back down! These lazy Communist cheeseheads are going to have to take a pay reduction and skip the stupid collective bargaining or else the honorable governor will have to fire each and every one of their good-for-nothing butts. I pray that the latter will happen because these Godless souls need to pack their bags and go up to Canada or down to Cuba where they can suck off another’s government’s teet. I also pray that Governor Walker could get each of those Socialist-Democrats impeached.
It’s a fact that the tea party folk will outnumber the union thugs who know nothing about running a business. Union thugs intimidate and bully new hires to cough up their hard-earned dollar$ only to hand them over to the pimps and thieves who call all the shots for the rest of us. It’s high time to stare down these crooks and fight for the rights of the hard-working taxpayers – especially in these great southern states!
Amen,
Bill
lynnbo
February 22nd, 2011
7:44 pm
replace all government employees with illegal workers with no benefits. In Georgia, why should the people who are being destroyed by uncontrolled immigration give the benefit to Government workers of not having to compete and special job security. This would fix our budget problems and make this citizen not feel like the government is not an elitist maffia organization.
Another Gov Employee
February 23rd, 2011
10:51 am
Only 5 states do not have collective bargaining for educators (right-to-work) and have deemed it illegal. Their ranking on ACT/SAT scores:
South Carolina – 50th
North Carolina – 49th
Georgia – 48th
Texas – 47th
Virginia – 44th
Wisconsin currently ranks 2nd. Welcome to the race to the bottom.
Another Gov Employee
February 23rd, 2011
10:52 am
Lynnbo and Trisha the Plains Eagle confirm those statistics
Union to Siege the Gold Dome? — Peach Pundit
February 23rd, 2011
4:19 pm
[...] theory they are there now. Jim Galloway reported that the Unions would be staging a rally to support their Wisconsin brethren around 4:00 P.M. [...]
Joy McGraw
February 23rd, 2011
8:24 pm
Debbie Dooley always makes comments on what Tea Parties are doing but she has yet to ever show up at a protest. We’re not interested in what she has to say. Your opinion means nothing when you can’t even show up!
Innocent Public Worker
February 24th, 2011
10:23 am
Well, these tea party folks showed up with weapons. I saw a group with one rifle and one machine gun. Whoever thought it was a good idea to bring guns to a highly charged political rally should have their head examined and their guns taken away.
Bill
February 24th, 2011
11:35 am
VietVet, maybe you should look at this from yesterday’s rallies: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76kUf2g-8FY