May 4, 2012

"Wisconsin Recall Amnesia: Why aren't Democrats running against Scott Walker's union reforms?"

Asks the Wall Street Journal:
Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, the front-runner, has focused his campaigns on jobs, education, the environment and "making communities safer." One of Mr. Barrett's ads singles out "Walker's War on Women," with nary a mention of collective bargaining. Former Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk is heavily supported by union groups, but even her issues list makes only passing reference to collective bargaining.

The Governor's office has estimated that altogether the reforms have saved Badger State taxpayers more than $1 billion, including $65 million in changes in health-care plans, and some $543 million in local savings documented by media reports. According to the Wisconsin-based MacIver Institute, Mayor Barrett's city of Milwaukee saved $19 million on health-care costs as a direct result of Mr. Walker's reforms. Awkward turtle.
Wait. Pause. "Awkward turtle"? Is this an expression everyone's supposed to already know? Google says yes. It was the Urban Dictionary Urban Word of the Day 5 years ago.



Okay. Resume Wisconsin stuff. Blah blah blah. Walker reforms working...
All of this is making an impression on Wisconsin voters. According to a Marquette University Law School poll released Wednesday, only 12% of Wisconsin voters say "restoring collective bargaining rights" is their priority, which explains the Democratic decision to fight on other issues.
One of Barrett's other issues is civility. We need to restore civility in Wisconsin... because, you know the way Scott Walker caused everyone to become so uncouth.

31 comments:

ricpic said...

Walker's reforms are working, that's why.

bagoh20 said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Original Mike said...

Even garage knows the answer to this question.

Chuck66 said...

Well, its even more simple than that. The gov't union employees want all of their money restored. Its hard to convince enough real-work people to vote to recall a governor based on "so gov't employees can get more money". So they come up with a false cause.

I would at least be someone impressed if the Democrats would lay out a detailed plan on what they are going to go to attract private investment and employment in the state.

Carnifex said...

Garage to appear stating Wisconsin was the only state in the union to lose every job ever held, even in the past in 3..2..uh?...He's what?...Fishing!

Lucky bastard.


Okay...try this again...

C4 to appear claiming that...only the Jews profited from Walkers reforms....Yeah...That's the ticket.

Only Jews.

Irene said...

"One of Barrett's other issues is civility."

That's why he punctuates his "War on Women" ad with three pistol-like "Pows!"

Barry Dauphin said...

Yes, on NPR I heard an interview with Barrett claiming that Walker caused a civil war and that by electing Barrett that will end the civil war! That was so funny I doubt he actually believes it.

Chuck66 said...

Carnifex...it is not "Jews"...its "Zionists". But we will also except "Those greedy Jew businessmen Kochs".

Carnifex said...

@Chuck66

Well I had to pull something outta my ass to cover my ass. :-)

n.n said...

$15.7 trillion and counting. That is someone's explicit or implicit debt. Presumably reflecting a promise to compensate others for their provision of products and services. If we want them, then we must provide compensation. The issue we should be discussing is who will pay for it? There is no one who will work for "free", and it seems everyone wants a beachfront property in Hawaii.

Anyway, with annually over 10% of the economy supported by the accumulation of debt, this position is unsustainable.

edutcher said...

What ric said. Like our own Little Zero, the Demos can't run on the real issue, so they're screwed.

PS Awkward turtle. Sounds like something an emotionally constipated white guy like Zero would do.

In his mom jeans.

On the golf course.

After throwing like a girl.

David said...

It's interesting that in Ohio some similar reforms were overturned in a referendum by a considerable margin. What is the difference between the two states (or the reforms) that cause such a difference?

I'm asking because I haven't a clue.

Mel said...

Sen. Glen Grothman was on talk radio in Milwaukee today and said that Walker was in "serious trouble". I just about hurled.
If Walker loses and we have 3 years of Democrat rule, and voters wise up again and put another Republican in Madison, will there be another recall??? Will it ever end???

Carnifex said...

I will now demonstrate the Obama method of explaining the deficit.

Zero:"...and as such, we in order to get the American people back to work, in timely OH MY GOD! WHAT IS THAT!?"points towards the back of the room "...so you can clearly see that it was all the previous administrations fault."

Sorun said...

The Dem's rationale for the recall election is that Walker is a Republican.

edutcher said...

David said...

It's interesting that in Ohio some similar reforms were overturned in a referendum by a considerable margin.

Walker was more incremental.

Kasich, and if you've ever seen the guy (I say this as something of a fan), you know what I mean, is something of a hard charger. The unions also had a better base, especially in Cleveland and Akron.

traditionalguy said...

Barrett is using the advice marriage counsellors give men.

It says that if the wife (I.e., the Madison Liberals)is upset it does not matter what actually happened. ALL that matters is how she feels about it.

Barrett wants to seduce and marry the Madison liberals and he pledges to keep them feeling good nat any costs.

Walker just wants good divorce settlement negotiated and could care less how offended the Madison Liberals feel...and if they keep it up he will send David Prosser to choke them with more legal opinions.

Jason (the commenter) said...

"Awkward turtle"? Is this an expression everyone's supposed to already know? Google says yes.

I read the description at the link and I still couldn't understand it. Fortunately, Google also provides a video.

I'll try introducing it into conversation when I want to seem five years ago.

Big Mike said...

We need to restore civility in Wisconsin... because, you know the way Scott Walker caused everyone to become so uncouth.

Yes, Ma'am, you got it. Everything will be so much more civil when Democrats are back in charge. It'll be over because Russ Feingold will say it's over.

Except maybe when those stinkin' rotten Tea Partiers show up again.

leslyn said...

I suppose that Walker should add a "civility bullshit" plank to his platform. That'll really charm them in Wisconsin.

leslyn said...

Glen Grothman is such a ninny he wouldn't know if HE was winning or losing if you pointed him at a Jumbotron.

leslyn said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

I heard when Walker first took over and asked the Unions to negotiate they walked away and called him a slavemaster. Then later they told the media they were willing to negotiate but Walker wasn't.

By the way did you know that Walker's reforms saved taxpayers over 1 billion dollars? I'm not sure I want to hang around if he's recalled after almost righting the ship.

SukieTawdry said...

If the Democrats aren't going to make the election about restoring full bargaining rights, mandatory dues and the rest of it, then what the heck is it about?? Without those issues, it's merely a do-over of '10. And a very expensive do-over at that. Wisconsin voters ought to kick their asses back to stone age.

leslyn said...

Unknown and Tawrdy:

The Dems are about restoring full bargaining rights. Not so much about the extra contributions. The unions already bargained extra contributions before Act 10. But before they could go into effect, Walker had the Dept of Admin nullify all the contracts. Act 10 added the union-busting provisions.

Of course, that doesn't include the Milwaukee police and firefighters, who endorsed Walker. They got a pass on everything, in Act 10. So did the State Patrol, but their union refused to endorse Walker this time around.

Wince said...

My mind immediately connected "Awkward Turtle" with "Inconvenient Truth", suggesting the answer to Althouse's question might be an inconvenient truth for Walker's challengers.

Carnifex said...

@leslyn

Don't be disingenuous. You know this has nothing to do with "bargaining rights", and everything to do with cutting off the illegal flow of union dues to democrat coffers. And yes illegal, the dues are not given to the unions voluntarily, so that is theft. period, dot, end of sentence.

And when the money goes to Dems who get elected, the Dems bargain in good faith against the unions. Sure they do.

The unions, and the Dems are scared pissless that they won't get their easy money anymore. Why you, someone who has to pay for their shenanigans, is defending them makes it look like you have some skin in that game.

So come clean Leslyn...which are you, union, or Dem?

I won't think less of you. In fact, I would respect you. Most Dems are too chicken to admit they have a monetary interest for fleecing tax payers.

Unknown said...

Les

"Full bargaining rights" so they can again dictate monopoly power for their abusive healthcare 30-percent above market rates tax vacuum scheme. Sure...my employer lets me tell it what company to use.

And by all means lets continue union protection for damaging and criminal teacher employees when they are caught for child porn or sexual contact with their students.

I didn't see are you denying that they called him a slavemaster?

leslyn said...

@Carnifex and Unknown:

1. I am both union and Dem. What's not to admit?
2. Related to unions, it has everything to do with bargaining rights. And don't spout "theft" at me. A closed shop is not a surprise. Neither are taxes.
3. Personally, I work in an open shop. I wish it were a closed shop so that everyone would bear a share of what it costs for their union protection and rights.
4. Unknown, your teacher examples are bad for your point. Such allegations get a teacher removed from students. What follows for public employees is due process. Look up the law.
5. "Slavemaster." Did NOT hear it before now, and I find it suspect. But also, if I spent my time railing against every possible *word* that might be objectionable in these posts I'd have no time to sleep at night. I'm not a word deconstructionist. It might be a popular hobby around here, but it's not mine.

BTW, good morning to you. I hope it is a lovely Saturday morning wherever you are.

leslyn said...

@Carnifex and Unknown:

1. I am both union and Dem. What's not to admit?
2. Related to unions, it has everything to do with bargaining rights. And don't spout "theft" at me. A closed shop is not a surprise. Neither are taxes.
3. Personally, I work in an open shop. I wish it were a closed shop so that everyone would bear a share of what it costs for their union protection and rights.
4. Unknown, your teacher examples are bad for your point. Such allegations get a teacher removed from students. What follows for public employees is due process. Look up the law.
5. "Slavemaster." Did NOT hear it before now, and I find it suspect. But also, if I spent my time railing against every possible *word* that might be objectionable in these posts I'd have no time to sleep at night. I'm not a word deconstructionist. It might be a popular hobby around here, but it's not mine.

BTW, good morning to you. I hope it is a lovely Saturday morning wherever you are.

Joe said...

les, this has nothing to do with bargaining rights. This has everything to do with money and the ability of unions leaders to extort it from employers. Hate to tell you this but your unions bosses don't give a shit about you. If their salaries were ever threatened, they'd toss you overboard in a heartbeat. When given the choice between retaining employes and increasing salary, while decreasing work, the vast majority of unions will take the former without hesitation.