Could key republican senators in Wisconsin flip?

[zsdersw]

I totally disagree-there is no legislative difference between gutting civil service and gutting collective bargaining-all that is required is political motivation and a supermajority in both houses. I note that every time Walker raises the civil service statute argument he never ever promises he won't try to touch civil service.

I can easily see civil service becoming demonized as tenure for toll collectors, and forcing the government to carry lazy, unproductive workers and it is necessary to "reform" civil service to cut the deficit by allowing politicians to fire/demote all government workers at will. The huge increase in patronage power won't be mentioned.

It's common to believe the sky is falling. It's worth noting, though, that it never has.

 

[tk149]

At this point, anyone who flips on either side is committing political suicide.

 

[feralkid]

At this point, anyone who flips on either side is committing political suicide.

Republicans could safely distance themselves from Walker.


They know it's now the smart move.


It's already begun. Republicans know Walker pissed off too many people; he'll end up under the bus, on talk shows after his recall.

 

[sandorski]

Republicans could safely distance themselves from Walker.


They know it's now the smart move.


It's already begun. Republicans know Walker pissed off too many people; he'll end up under the bus, on talk shows after his recall.

Indeed. Republicans which are not are probably committing political suicide.

 

[zsdersw]

I've been seeing more pro-Walker ads on TV than pro-union.

 

[feralkid]

I've been seeing more pro-Walker ads on TV than pro-union.

Koch money.

 

[Ldir]

Koch money.

This. Walker denounced outside interests supporting the union but he is fine with outsiders running ads on his behalf. Fortunately the people are figuring out he is hyporcritical scum.

 

[CupCak3]

Balance is what we should be looking for in any equation. Unions has us in an imbalance of 3-5 trillion just on pension obligations. When will Americans wake up? Probably after it's too late and there will be no public school teachers.

Laugh? there are towns in CA right now that don't have cops or teachers because they are paying 75% of ever shrinking budget (because people are leaving) just in pension obligations.

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2058500&highlight=pensions

I blame the brunt of this on the local/state/federal/corporate leaders of the past. THEY are the ones who put us in this situation by agreeing to contracts and signing laws into affect. Do I believe that most unions have gotten greedy over time? HELL YES. Guess what... it was just as, if not greedier people who were negligent in their positions and allowed it to happen.

 

[ConstipatedVigilante]

yes--because lowering our wages to compete with China/India standards will certainly maintain our standard of living.

If you think this is about competing with India and China, you're sorely mistaken. These are public workers we're talking about. Teachers and administrative assistants. Lowering their salaries only helps the budget; it doesn't make use more competitive as a nation.

 

[Gardener]

Walker's tough talk is an attempt to keep his allies in the legislature in line, its that simple.

 

[sandorski]

I've been seeing more pro-Walker ads on TV than pro-union.

Meaningless. When Toyota, the Forest Industry, BP, or whomever else fucks up, suddenly the airwaves are filled with Ads extolling their virtues. It's called, Damage Control.

 

[zsdersw]

Meaningless. When Toyota, the Forest Industry, BP, or whomever else fucks up, suddenly the airwaves are filled with Ads extolling their virtues. It's called, Damage Control.

I wasn't claiming anything one way or another.. just reporting a fact.

 

[Zebo]

Walker et al would have a lot more street creed if they cut their Salary In Half!!!!

Budget problems are real, eventually none will get paid.

e.g.
Michigan order half of Detroit schools closed swelling classes to 60+
http://detnews.com/article/20110221/SCHOOLS/102210355/1409/Michigan-orders-DPS-to-make-huge-cuts

 

[CADsortaGUY]

I blame the brunt of this on the local/state/federal/corporate leaders of the past. THEY are the ones who put us in this situation by agreeing to contracts and signing laws into affect. Do I believe that most unions have gotten greedy over time? HELL YES. Guess what... it was just as, if not greedier people who were negligent in their positions and allowed it to happen.

Exactly, so NOW is the time for the correction to happen instead of letting it continue just because those who've taken for so long throw a tantrum.

 

[Zebo]

We are letting it continue by the very nature of our economy. Even if they take every concession. If you combine Federal, State, and Local Spending Government Spends $7.5 Trillion Dollars Per Year and almost half of that is debt.

If government is not PRINTING, borrowing and spending....We don't really have much of an economy. Well that can't continue forever, these are low noise level attempts to balance what they borrow and tax. You've have seen nothing compared to when borrowing stops or money becomes worthless.

tantrum? Imagine a world where everyone is armed with no money or food in their bellies and a entitlement mentality.