As for the questioning:
In addition to questions about the state’s budget, Mr. Walker faced questions on his ties to the Koch brothers, his staffing decisions and whether his policies were designed to sabotage President Barack Obama‘s re-election efforts.Walker did a good job of standing his ground as Democratic committee members recited protester talking points. More than once he cited the fact that federal government employees don't have collective bargaining rights and quipped that he wondered why the protesters weren't there in the nation's capitol.
In one heated exchange, Rep. Bruce Braley (D., Iowa), pressed Mr. Walker to denounce undisclosed outside money and asked the Oversight Committee look into “cronyism” and whether it influences state finances.
Mr. Walker said he attended the hearing to discuss state debt, adding “You want to do a political stunt, go ahead.”
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whether his policies were designed to sabotage President Barack Obama‘s re-election efforts.
No, Obama's policies are doing that all own their own...
What's with this obsession with the Kochs? We have businessmen who employ tens of thousands of Americans in their unionized factories. And the Democrats want to destroy them.
Can I apologize on behalf of Iowa for Brailey?
A state government with a fiduciary responsibility first and foremost to taxpayers. What an outrageous concept. No wonder so many think this guy is the Devil incarnate.
In one heated exchange, Rep. Bruce Braley (D., Iowa), pressed Mr. Walker to denounce undisclosed outside money and asked the Oversight Committee look into “cronyism” and whether it influences state finances.
It's amazing how comedy writes itself doesn't it?
wv -hokym how appropos
I see Governor Palin is coming to Madison on Saturday. I wish I could be there just to watch the left's heads explode.
I continue to struggle with the use of the Koch strawman from a party that has had public and financial support (either direct or for "like-minded" organizations) from such wealthy individuals as George Soros and Warren Buffett.
Is the Republican party struggling with the right counter-message?
We support the free speech rights of all individuals. Therefore we respect the right of wealthy individual such as Charles Koch and George Soros, to contribute to those causes and candidates of their choosing
I wish I could be there just to watch the left's heads explode.
It's pronounced, s'plode. They're wrong about so much else, why allow them a properly spelled demise?
Wow $609 million compared to Obama's trillions. Did garage even take math?
We support the free speech rights of all individuals. Therefore we respect the right of wealthy former Nazis such as George Soros to contribute to those liberal fascist causes and candidates of their choosing
there, fixed it for you
If President Obama had any real ideas on governing, and had the ability to articulate them as well as Governor Walker does, he'd be a dangerous dude indeed.
Yes, Walker did a "good job".
I thought he looked especially good when Dennis Kucinich got him to admit that stripping public workers of CB rights will save the Wisconsin taxpayer zero dollars.
What is so wrong with wanting my children and grandchildren to have a better life than I had? What is so wrong with letting my children and grandchildren keep their hard earned wages? What is so wrong with wanting to give this great nation to my children and grandchildren like it was given to me?
What is wrong is handing my children and grandchildren the bill.
that stripping public workers of CB rights will save the Wisconsin taxpayer zero dollars.
Who do the psu's bargain against when they do collective so? Save the taxpayer zero dollars? Now, maybe, because those contracts are in place. When re-negotiation comes up, will that zero sum still hold true?
I thought he looked especially good when Dennis Kucinich got him to admit that stripping public workers of CB rights will save the Wisconsin taxpayer zero dollars.
If true, it would necessarily follow that stripping CB rights will cost the public workers exactly zero dollars.
Plus, they don't have to pay union dues anymore.
Wait 'til all these outraged public workers realize that Walker just gave them a raise!
Frankly I think that appearing before the kabuki/noh theater that is a congressional "hearing" is something that the governor would be smart enough to avoid
When Iowans lose their ag subsidies watch those farms boys howl--cant come soon enough
Wait 'til all these outraged public workers realize that Walker just gave them a raise
With contributions to pension and health care going up, how do you figure?
With contributions to pension and health care going up, how do you figure?
Those were going up anyway, were they not? The union offered it up to protect CB and involuntary dues.
State debt is not an appropriate subject matter for a Congressional hearing. Is federalism that far gone, that Congress wants to talk about state gov't?
With contributions to pension and health care going up, how do you figure?
Well, if employee contributions to pension and health care are going up, then the state must have saved some money, right? Can't have it both ways.
"Well, if employee contributions to pension and health care are going up, then the state must have saved some money, right? Can't have it both ways."
Yes, the unions agreed to the financial concessions shortly after Walker's budget repair bill rollout. So, with that, the states saves money.
Scott Walker would like to take away CB rights. That would include things like patient/nurse ratios, class sizes, equipment for police and FF...
Believe it or not, many people (myself included) are happy to shell out $30-$50 per month in union dues in order to have a collective voice; especially (for me) as it relates to safe patient care, appropriate class sizes, etc.
Again, the increased contribution for pension and healthcare were never really an issue as the unions agreed to those almost immediately.
Scott Walker admitted that taking away CB rights isn't a fiscal issue. Period.
Collective Bargaining is NOT a right, it is a privilege. If it were a right every employee would want it, and it wouldn't be restricted to only union employees. Please stop using the improper verbage.
Scott Walker would like to take away CB rights.
You don't have the "right" to collectively bargain.
That would include things like patient/nurse ratios, class sizes, equipment for police and FF.
Go ahead an negotiate those with your municipality.
Again, the increased contribution for pension and healthcare were never really an issue as the unions agreed to those almost immediately.
Funny how they didn't do that last year, huh?
Hey Lukedog - you are so full of it! There are numerous examples of unions NOT going along with the concessions that would be required under the new collective bargaining bill. The teachers unions in Madison is one prime example. There are 424 school districts, 72 counties and over 1000 municipalities in Wisconsin and they all belong to various unions, the Teamsters, SEIU, AFSME, WEA, etc so how could they all agree to something when they all have different contracts?You are a moron and now the rest of the world knows you are a moron for spouting that kind of crap.
many people (myself included) are happy to shell out $30-$50 per month in union dues in order to have a collective voice; especially (for me) as it relates to safe patient care, appropriate class sizes,
How in the hell is class size a bargaining issue?
Thank you for reiterating how insane the old system was.
Mr. Walker said he attended the hearing to discuss state debt, adding “You want to do a political stunt, go ahead.”
Oh, how I loved this. He isn't the slightest bit intimidated by these leftist goons.
A real man is governor of Wisconsin.
Scott Walker admitted that taking away CB rights isn't a fiscal issue.
The idea that collective bargaining has no fiscal impact is ridiculous. You mention class size requirements. Is there no fiscal component to maintaining specific class sizes? What about requirements that force communities to purchase teacher health plans through specific high priced providers? I'm guessing that it's more difficult to find a CB "right" that doesn't have a fiscal impact.
"What's with this obsession with the Kochs? We have businessmen who employ tens of thousands of Americans in their unionized factories. And the Democrats want to destroy them."
Like George Soros? In other news, Pots call Kettles dirty!
Lukedog: Yes, the unions agreed to the financial concessions shortly after Walker's budget repair bill rollout.
Thats a lie.
No one with the authority to negotiate agreed to any financial concessions. And if I'm wrong, it should be easy for you to provide evidence to the contrary. So either put up or shut up with this stale talking point...
Believe it or not, many people (myself included) are happy to shell out $30-$50 per month in union dues in order to have a collective voice
Thats nice. Still doesn't give you the right to force people to donate to your corrupt democrat pols. But thanks for playing. Here's the boxed version of the game for you to take home with you.
Scott Walker would like to take away CB rights. That would include things like patient/nurse ratios
The ability to force more union nurses to be hired, even though the public doesn't want them.
class sizes
The ability to force more union teachers to be hired, even though the public doesn't want them.
equipment for police and FF...
I.e., access to equipment beyond what the public wants police and firefighters to have.
I'm not seeing how the public benefits from government workers' collective bargaining rights.
God, I hope Lukedog isn't a teacher.....but u unfortunately he/she probably is.
Walker never admitted anything to nut bag Kucinich, as he wasn't allowed to finish his statement. Does the act of taking away collective bargaining from a teacher save the state money? No. Does the fact that the unions can't control contract negotiations in the future save the state money, yes. No taxpayer paid Cadillac insurance plans, no taxpayer paid union dues, no extravagant pension benefits paid by the taxpayer, no unions behind keeping bad teachers at the taxpayer's expense, and on and on, and on......
Gov. Walker gave his 5 minute statement without a teleprompter or notes. He's a polished public speaker.
@lukedog: Scott Walker admitted that taking away CB rights isn't a fiscal issue. Period.
I support Walker's elimination of collective bargaining regardless of its effect on salaries or expenditures, though I doubt very much this will be a wash in the long run.
Compulsory unionism should be abolished on its own merits, as it is tyranny to force people to belong to any clique or club to hold a job with a public employer, especially an organization as politically biased as a trade union.
And I will cheerfully admit that I support this action in the hope of financially bleeding the Democratic party white. Politics ain't beanbag. Your whining is music to my ears.
Most teachers only work about 165 days a year. They have most holidays off, and most of the summer months. They strike for the flimsiest of reasons and pimp their child charges with weeping and wailing for "The children." Ask the districts substitute teachers which days they work the most and I would bet it is Friday and Monday, sometimes both for the same teacher. With their logic they won't be happy until class size is one-on-one.
The heroic firefighters get paid well, have excellent benefits and usually are on 24 hours and off 48. Many of them have second jobs on their days off. The police make extra money in OT at various courthouse proceedings which augments their generous pay and benefits.
If any of these groups don't like the conditions then they can choose work elsewhere. I would remind them that there are others who would gladly step up and work for their pay and benefits.
I recall a few years ago the dock workers went on strike for some insane reason. I counseled them that did they really expect sympathy from the public that their pay in excess of $150K was insufficient?
Quality has no fear of time. Provide a quality product or service and the rewards will follow. If not, be proud that you did your job as best you could. Pride is it's own reward. But that is the difference between personal responsibility and whining in an echo chamber of like-minded fools forever seeking affirmation of a valueless lifestyle. That is why they hate people like Gov. Walker who says what he means as compared to Obama who says what you want to hear.
Compare the demeanor, dignity, veracity and courage of Governor Walker's speech with President Obama's budget speech of April 13. Now substitute Rep. Ryan for Gov. Walker and make the same comparison. Real and courageous leadership exists on the Republican side. Damn, I am proud of my home state Wisconsin.
Walker testimony. Great stuff.
http://www.c-span.org/Events/Oversight-Committee-Looks-into-States-Approach-to-Budget-Debts/10737420883-1/
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