Writes Citizen Dave, Dave Cieslewicz, the former mayor of Madison, Wisconsin). He's saying that from the left and right after assuring readers (at the lefty newspaper Isthmus) that he "hated how Gov. Scott Walker demonized schoolteachers and public employees during the Act 10 debate" — which is ludicrous, Scott Walker was demonized by the protesters, but he was completely restrained, almost to the point of dead silence, and didn't demonize anybody — but my point here is that Walker-hater Cieslewicz is sick of the way lefties talk about government workers and their unions.
I read that part and said: "He sounds like me." I was thinking particularly of a post of mine from March 15, 2011: "In the Wisconsin Capitol rotunda, protesters — not noticing the self-dramatization — sing about how they're standing up to 'goons and ginks and company finks' and how one day they'll 'be free.'"
I edited [the video] to heighten the absurdity of appropriating the civil rights song "We Shall Overcome" (about not being free) and that "Stickin' to the Union" song (about facing union-busting violence).AND: By the way, the singing group in my video called themselves "The Solidarity Singers," so Citizen Dave's saying "ban use of the word 'solidarity'" has got to feel like a direct affront.
The protests have been on behalf of well-paid people with excellent jobs — better jobs than the average Wisconsinite's. And the protesters got massive extra doses of freedom to express themselves in the state capitol for over a month, without any threats of violence or even arrest for the crimes they committed in full view of the police. I mean, I know they have their complaints, but they are not even the bottom sector of the Wisconsin economy. If there were to be a class struggle here, they would be taken aback to find themselves in the role they actually have in this economy: the oppressors!
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I wouldn't be at all surprised if the general public isn't getting fed up with the whining self-pity shown by so many members of taxpayer funded unions. I've even heard some grumbling about "outdated tactics and 'messaging'" from unionized university colleagues.
"but they are not even the bottom sector of the Wisconsin economy."
No, but teachers are now the bottom quintile of college students when in education programs. They used to be an upper level of student achievement, especially when women had fewer career choices 50 years ago.
Are they hunting for a noose for this former mayor? This is speech the Central Committee doesn't like to hear.
...like they were defending Pennsylvania coal miners in 1911 instead of office workers and teachers with very good benefits and fine working conditions in 2011.
If employees already enjoy, without a union, "very good benefits and fine working conditions," exactly how would a union be anything but a destructive imposition on them--and their employers?
Or Union "Brothers and Sisters". Nothing smacks of communism like those two terms.
Although there are a lot of smart, well educated people involved, they clearly lack perspective. There's a real world, they should check it out.
Reclaiming relevance is the unions biggest problem. I'm not sure how they can do that, especially public sector unions.
The economic argument is weak. Union members (all) are paid more than average and (now a few) way more than the costs of shipping jobs overseas. But God help us if unions disappear. You think the drop in standard of living is bad now? Just wait until there are no unions and there will be a new union movement!
Job security argument is impossible to make. Most union people resent the fact that some take advantage of the rules and alomost never work.
The only area where union membership has any attraction is safety. The main reason we are union is site safety concerns. Most contractors are considerat of safety but there have been a handfull of times when we had a stoppage because some asshole was being an asshole.
Union Leadership? Maybe in part...but a lot of the assholes protesting where not teachers, nor state workers, or even in a union. Madison is full of burned out 6o's losers that saw an opportunity to "get the band back together". Finally, no longer a bum on the street, or a taxi driver...now they had a purpose! They could once again be a star!
Also students, well, enough said.
And finally, all the Democrat Senate and Assembly members. Orange shirts. SOLIDARITY!
Pathetic.
"The protests have been on behalf of well-paid people with excellent jobs — better jobs than the average Wisconsinite's. And the protesters got massive extra doses of freedom to express themselves ..."
Self awareness was not their strong suit.
Why doesn't Cieslewicz just tell his friends "check your privilege"? I'm sure they'd understand that.
Hey now -- Public Union Heads need their jobs too! They have to fight the good fight for, um, whatever my dues are going for. Those dues are apparently just for convincing Union members to vote for the Union so the Union heads can keep their jobs as Union head.
Maybe they get to go to national meetings, or something, too.
That's the problem: Almost all Public Service unions do absolutely nothing for their members, until it's time for a vote for/against the union.
Embrace the new suck, progressives. That good paying union job people used to have? They've been replaced with a job driving a car around with a pink mustache on it making jack shit with no benefits. Move on! Walker won!
Something I penned back in the day...a good alternative for the ********* Singers today
Curious George said...
Sing this (to the melody of Solidarity Forever!)
We had the fall elections that we lost instead of won
So we grabbed our drums and bugles for some protestin’ fun
Yet our force was weaker than Walker’s awesome strength of one,
Damn our gravy train is gone.
Nothing lasts forever,
Nothing lasts forever,
Nothing lasts forever,
For our gravy train is gone.
The public finally realized that we are the greedy parasite,
Nobody bought this serfdom shit
once our compensation came to light
There’s always something left for us to organize and fight.
But our gravy train is gone.
Nothing lasts forever,
Nothing lasts forever,
Nothing lasts forever,
For our gravy train is gone.
Too bad the taxpayers can't form a union and strike by withholding tax payments.
SteveR said...
Although there are a lot of smart, well educated people involved, they clearly lack perspective. There's a real world, they should check it out.
They wouldn't like the real world. They'd actually have to work for a living. That will not do.
Dr Ray Stantz: Personally, I liked the university. They gave us money and facilities, we didn't have to produce anything! You've never been out of college! You don't know what it's like out there! I've *worked* in the private sector. They expect *results*.
"The protests have been on behalf of well-paid people with excellent jobs — "
Excellent perhaps in terms of the compensation and perks offered to the employees, maybe. In terms of creating a useful, valuable product like a usable education... meh.
Madison is full of burned out 6o's losers that saw an opportunity to "get the band back together". Finally, no longer a bum on the street, or a taxi driver...now they had a purpose! They could once again be a star!
Dane County is one of the very few counties attracting people and adding jobs.
Did you know since 2000 Dane County is responsible for over 100%+ of the state's net new jobs?
Take out Dane County and Wisconsin lost jobs. Not too bad for dirty hippies eh?
You still have a lock on racist right-wing radio jocks though, so you have that going for you.
That's the problem: Almost all Public Service unions do absolutely nothing for their members, until it's time for a vote for/against the union.
So let's kill unions because you're not in one and Scott Walker wants them out of the way so Republicans can win elections easier.
What, again, did you get out of the deal?
Garage,
None of those 60's hippy burnouts work for Epic and the other new tech companies scattered around the Beltline. Those working for Epic are young folks who are probably quite liberal in many ways and work way harder than those who had time to strut around the capitol. They don't give a damn about state employee unions or Fightin' Bob.
"garage mahal said...
Madison is full of burned out 6o's losers that saw an opportunity to "get the band back together". Finally, no longer a bum on the street, or a taxi driver...now they had a purpose! They could once again be a star!
Dane County is one of the very few counties attracting people and adding jobs.
Did you know since 2000 Dane County is responsible for over 100%+ of the state's net new jobs?
Take out Dane County and Wisconsin lost jobs. Not too bad for dirty hippies eh?"
How does any of this disprove my point? It doesn't.
And Dane County /= Madison Corky. None of these numbers are surprising though...with UW and state employees added to local government, you have a very high percentage of government workers that are immune to layoffs. Of course that immunity was brought about by Act 10 saving thousands and thousands of state worker jobs.
garage mahal said...
What, again, did you get out of the deal?
1. Lower taxes
2. No layoffs of city workers
3. No layoffs of teachers or programs
4. Improved economy and bsuiness climate
Robert Lafollette died in 1925. Maybe it's time the Left in Madison embraced someone current.
Someone must have done something laudable and noteworthy in the past 90 years (in a left-leaning liberal sense) that would resonate with young voters in a way that creaky old Progressive Bob Lafollette does not.
So let's kill unions because you're not in one
Where did you get the idea that I'm not a Union Member?
Now, I'd like to not have to be represented by the Union that represents me, but that's different from not being a member of it.
Shorter garage: "Waaaaaaaahhhhhhhh..."
Here some of those awesome Dane County job creators garage talks about right here!
Wait, nope. Just local...or in some cases imported...Madison losers.
I wonder what Walker voters are most proud of?
Largest budgets in state history? 4.8 billion in new debt? 717 million dollar shortfall in next biennial budget? 9th out of 10th in the Midwest in job growth? Forced ultrasounds? Non-stop criminal investigations? Hi-cap wells depleting your water source? More manure spraying? Dynamiting a 22 mile long hole in the Penokee Hills for an open pit taconite mine? A bitterly divided state where neighbors no longer speak to each other?
Oh, homeowners are getting a $2.00/week property tax break?
Wow, you're an easy date Wisco!
AND: By the way, the singing group in my video called themselves "The Solidarity Singers," so Citizen Dave's saying "ban use of the word 'solidarity'" has got to feel like a direct affront.
Minor quibble: They don't call themselves anything. It's the Solidarity Sing Along. It's an event, not a group.
Where did you get the idea that I'm not a Union Member?
I thought faculty wasn't unionized.
Did you know since 2000 Dane County is responsible for over 100%+ of the state's net new jobs?
Take out Dane County and Wisconsin lost jobs. Not too bad for dirty hippies eh?
It's actually an indictment. Again. Think real hard as to why this is so.
"MadisonMan said...
That's the problem: Almost all Public Service unions do absolutely nothing for their members, until it's time for a vote for/against the union."
Which explains why so many public employees and teachers have left.
"garage mahal said...
Embrace the new suck, progressives. That good paying union job people used to have? They've been replaced with a job driving a car around with a pink mustache on it making jack shit with no benefits. Move on! Walker won!"
What public union jobs have been eliminated Corky?
Curious George wrote "Finally, no longer a bum on the street, or a taxi driver...now they had a purpose!" I somehow managed to misread that as "now they had a puppet!"
So all of this fight was over $2 in property taxes per household?
Or is garage once again fudging to make his arguments sound stronger than they are.
Not all privileges are equal. A heterosexual orientation is some kind unearned privilege. A tenured civil service job goes only to the worthy and all contingent perks come as the result of virtue and hard work........It seems to me that the left's definition of privilege is extremely self serving. White college athletes such as the Duke Lacrosse team are considered pampered and indulged. Black college athletes are considered exploited and underpaid......I think it's possible that both team owners and professional athletes live in a bubble of entitlement and deference, but the bubble of the athlete is somewhat more elastic and forgiving.
Longer garage: "Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhh"
MadisonMan: "Where did you get the idea that I'm not a Union Member?"
garage has been conditioned by his political betters not to think but to accept caricatures.
Therefore, if you do not "fit" into one of his preconceived categories, his already severely limited capability for discourse explodes.
This happened a short while back where I asserted he was union sycophant and garage responded that he "had never belonged to a union" in his life.
This is the level of logical reasoning that the majority of the dem base possess.
And, since the left has been so successful at growing this base for political purposes, we are basically doomed over the long term. Potentially within the next full generation.
"tim in vermont said...
So all of this fight was over $2 in property taxes per household?
Or is garage once again fudging to make his arguments sound stronger than they are."
Fudging? No. It's bullshit.
Yet another razor sharp, red-hot smoking take Drago. What can I say other than that your owns of me are legendary.
I think JFK's biggest mistake (BIGGER than Bay of Pigs in the real world) was Executive Order 10988
he was completely restrained, almost to the point of dead silence, and didn't demonize anybody
Bullshit. Here is just one of the many examples of Scott Walker attacking public workers.
And since we now know that the Governor was coordinating advertising with other outside groups, all the nasty stuff they said about public workers also lands at his feet.
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