tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post5663309861421461168..comments2024-03-29T09:00:17.689-05:00Comments on Althouse: "What the Democrats don't like isn't dictatorship, it is democracy."Ann Althousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01630636239933008807noreply@blogger.comBlogger214125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-26137117968553153452011-02-18T13:45:28.966-06:002011-02-18T13:45:28.966-06:00I am retired from the military. I am also retired ...I am retired from the military. I am also retired from teaching. Teacher unions are not allowed in my state. However, teaching was the most stressful of the two. In the military, my boss said, do what I want you to do, and I will write a good report and get you promoted. In education, my boss said, control your classroom or I will write you up, but if parents complain about it I will write you up for that too—or words to the same effect. In other words, I had no control over the outcome of my efforts. BTW, nobody cared if the students learned anything—parents or administrators. What does this mean? Teachers in Wisconsin are acting the way they are because they are in a dysfunctional system. It needs to be closed and replaced.ken in txhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14345764031059905578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-83273262297510580932011-02-18T13:16:51.923-06:002011-02-18T13:16:51.923-06:00By the way does anybody know how to trademark an i...By the way does anybody know how to trademark an insult?<br /><br />Maybe I can make some money on "douchenozzle."Trooper Yorkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01978703998566102194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-18865972580453997322011-02-18T13:15:41.946-06:002011-02-18T13:15:41.946-06:00Roachy if you don't think a bishop can be a do...Roachy if you don't think a bishop can be a douchenozzle then you haven't met as many bishops as I have.<br /><br />Being a douchenozzle is almost how they get promoted. The real men of faith are parish priests who get screwed over by the biships anyway.<br /><br />Youse guys are really reaching.Trooper Yorkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01978703998566102194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-49063996605865792092011-02-18T11:27:52.199-06:002011-02-18T11:27:52.199-06:00It's called compound interest. When you owe a ...<i>It's called compound interest. When you owe a debt they charge an interest rate. As you continue not to pay, that interest is compounded. If you at least make the interest payment, the amount you owe stays the same. But if you don't make the payment (say because you are short on cash by about $3 billion), then the amount you owe increases. Eventually, you can end up with some really big numbers.</i><br /><br />This never bothered Reagan or Bush jr. Why is it an issue now?former law studenthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15196697206046544350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-68311800054762866292011-02-18T11:17:31.601-06:002011-02-18T11:17:31.601-06:00"Wisconsin teachers on average are paid aroun..."<i>Wisconsin teachers on average are paid around $49k with $25.5k in benefits. They have, on average, 15.6 years of experience. Wisconsin routinely ranks in the top 10 in the U.S. for education quality, though usually behind Minnesota (to our eternal shame). <br /><br />You think this is unreasonable?</i>"<br /><br />It's unreasonable if the state can't afford that amount and there is no mechanism in place to adjust that number to match reality.<br /><br />What part of "we don't have the money" is so hard to understand? I could go to a car lot tommorow and find a car for sale that should cost $40,000 but for some reason is marked down $20,000. Is that an unreasonable price? No, it's a great price. But if I only have $4500, it's <i>more than I can afford</i>.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-48341744041306881232011-02-18T11:16:00.320-06:002011-02-18T11:16:00.320-06:00Ann: I have NEW pictures of the protesters in Mad...Ann: I have NEW pictures of the protesters in Madison. It clearly shows they are ORCS.<br /><br />http://templeofmut.wordpress.com/2011/02/18/aragorn-walker-battles-union-orcs/Mutnodjmethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13972774431017958277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-69951746797279004862011-02-18T10:46:49.690-06:002011-02-18T10:46:49.690-06:00This despite the fact that the compensation of man...<i>This despite the fact that the compensation of many public sector workers does not come from State funds. </i><br /><br />It doesn't? Are they being paid by the Federal government?<br /><br /><i>Again, I think you are making things up.</i><br /><br />If public workers are paying more into thier benefit packages then bully for them.Hoosier Daddyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12872965118921894534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-34516420111565248622011-02-18T10:34:22.335-06:002011-02-18T10:34:22.335-06:00"Another douchenozzle heard from!"
Some..."Another douchenozzle heard from!"<br /><br />Somehow, Roach, I suspect you'd not be as respectful of the good Archbishop if he were talking about gay marriage or abortion. But hey, any port in a storm, right?Christopher in MAhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06833020990663388610noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-6109989027359222922011-02-18T10:29:05.220-06:002011-02-18T10:29:05.220-06:00TM: We'll see. I'm glad there was SOME rec...TM: We'll see. I'm glad there was SOME recognition of the state of things by WEAC last week, but they should have acted much sooner (years ago) to avoid this.<br /><br />As I've stated before here, I agree with you that the bargaining rights piece could have been handled separately, and initially thought it should have been. But after 3 days of illegal striking, I'm ok with all the public union busting I can get right now.Calypso Factohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01455217189407301218noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-28217419458003769542011-02-18T10:15:09.260-06:002011-02-18T10:15:09.260-06:00"2c" is actually one of the biggest prob...<i>"2c" is actually one of the biggest problems with school budgets right now, TM.</i><br /><br />@Calypso<br /><br />I agree that if a highly paid senior teacher is not good, that it is a needless drain on the system. But isn't this addressed by the new merit pay and performance evaluation systems being set up? Pay becomes linked to quality rather than seniority over time.Triangle Manhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02287119175364820011noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-84762284202724648802011-02-18T10:12:47.099-06:002011-02-18T10:12:47.099-06:00The unions have a moral obligation to our children...The unions have a moral obligation to our children and to the people who pay their salary and benefits.Joe Biden, America's Putinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05802605309593881825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-2963890076709758772011-02-18T10:12:35.554-06:002011-02-18T10:12:35.554-06:00It's called compound interest. When you owe a ...<i>It's called compound interest. When you owe a debt they charge an interest rate</i><br /><br />Nonsense. The budget concerns are not related to debt, but future deficits.Triangle Manhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02287119175364820011noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-10403796661880598382011-02-18T10:09:57.131-06:002011-02-18T10:09:57.131-06:00I just want to know, why the taxpayer should be fo...<i>I just want to know, why the taxpayer should be forced to contribute more of their wages to public worker wages and benefits ensure that public workers don't have to. </i><br /><br />In Wisconsin, the public sector workers are contributing an additional 8% of their compensation in perpetuity to help the State budget. This despite the fact that the compensation of many public sector workers does not come from State funds. The taxpayers, including the tens of thousands of public sector workers who also pay taxes, will be getting some small additional tax breaks this year.<br /><br />Again, I think you are making things up.Triangle Manhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02287119175364820011noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-19137316053354945852011-02-18T10:08:46.171-06:002011-02-18T10:08:46.171-06:00What's the rush anyway?
It's called comp...<i>What's the rush anyway? </i><br /><br />It's called compound interest. When you owe a debt they charge an interest rate. As you continue not to pay, that interest is compounded. If you at least make the interest payment, the amount you owe stays the same. But if you don't make the payment (say because you are short on cash by about $3 billion), then the amount you owe increases. Eventually, you can end up with some really big numbers.<br /><br />Again, Garage, I know that the teachers are calling in sick on you; but I'm always here to school you.Lelandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09531159384688653131noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-7400635989391489772011-02-18T10:08:31.474-06:002011-02-18T10:08:31.474-06:00What about the savings when some union pissant doe...What about the savings when some union pissant doesn't prevent people in the community from *volunteering* to work in the library or monitor the lunch room?<br /><br />Stuff like that? You know, that actually lets community members participate in their own community?Sofa Kinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07659133819240484346noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-11205366566343094912011-02-18T10:07:53.653-06:002011-02-18T10:07:53.653-06:00I am not a civilian public worker because I don...I am not a civilian public worker because I don't associate with criminal organizations like unions.SGT Tedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00184808889760136366noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-80397012841271162112011-02-18T10:07:28.634-06:002011-02-18T10:07:28.634-06:00"2c" is actually one of the biggest prob..."2c" is actually one of the biggest problems with school budgets right now, TM. Early retirement was implemented as a cost effective way to cull the most expensive staff, but retirement health care benefit costs (who gets those, btw??) now FAR outweigh the salary savings. Yet WEAC now won't give up the "right" to early retirement.Calypso Factohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01455217189407301218noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-24911417220430917502011-02-18T10:05:39.459-06:002011-02-18T10:05:39.459-06:00Milwaukee Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki on Wednesd...<i>Milwaukee Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki on Wednesday said in a letter to lawmakers that workers should not be "marginalized" ... He said in the letter there is a "moral obligation each of us has to respect the legitimate rights of workers.” Another douchenozzle heard from!</i><br /><br />Where's the Liberal Outrage at this blatent attempt at Christian Rule? What happened to the calls for separation of Church and State? Why is this X-tian fascist trying to impose his religion on the People of WI?!!!!!eleventy!<br /><br />Oh this is SOOO easy! Toss me another softball please!SGT Tedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00184808889760136366noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-79038610824060945042011-02-18T10:05:20.529-06:002011-02-18T10:05:20.529-06:00...workers should not be "marginalized" ...<i>...workers should not be "marginalized" ... He said in the letter there is a "moral obligation each of us has to respect the legitimate rights of workers.”</i><br /><br />I agree with the Archbishop. Public sector employees are paid directly from the wages of workers. I would think that the workers who, you know, are actually paying the wages of those other workers, have a certain, moral authority on the matter.<br /><br />I suspect that RV, like many others, don't fully understand where the money to pay public sector employees originates.Hoosier Daddyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12872965118921894534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-82285064412007799042011-02-18T10:04:36.752-06:002011-02-18T10:04:36.752-06:00WEAC.
So they *say.* Do you just blindly believe...<i>WEAC.<br /><br /></i>So they *say.* Do you just blindly believe whatever they tell you? When have they ever *actually* agreed to these measures in actual negotiations? Wasn't just a few months ago that Milwaukee teachers were threatening labor action so they could get Viagra coverage?<br /><br />Ignore what people or corporations *say.* Pay attention to what they *do.*Sofa Kinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07659133819240484346noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-23236928917367238212011-02-18T10:02:56.201-06:002011-02-18T10:02:56.201-06:00@Maguro
Governor Walker was able to effectively e...@Maguro<br /><br />Governor Walker was able to effectively enact permanent compensation cuts of 7-8% across the board without any negotiation. As Governor, he could also eliminate programs and services, with associated layoffs, without negotiating with the unions. Your guess is as good as mine as to what he could have accomplished with negotiations.<br /><br />I think "2c", replacing highly paid senior workers with junior workers at lower pay, would be impossible with unions in place. Probably an unnecessarily shitty thing to do given the other options available.Triangle Manhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02287119175364820011noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-91869744231009893642011-02-18T10:01:52.718-06:002011-02-18T10:01:52.718-06:00"moral obligation each of us has to respect t..."moral obligation each of us has to respect the legitimate rights of workers."<br /><br />You're easily gulled by pretty words, aren't you? The very model of a modern Liberal.Lincolntfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04620264736967842427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-71666947048688626942011-02-18T10:01:29.070-06:002011-02-18T10:01:29.070-06:00I know the National Guard, as far as organizationa...I know the National Guard, as far as organizational skills goes, could very well do it with less money, because, when OUR budgets were cut, we saluted and complied with the will of the people and reduced spending to meet our budget goals. <br /><br />It wasn't easy but we made it happen. Staffing was reduced across the board, uneccessary but nice programs were reduced or eliminated. We met the manning requirements simply by not filling positions when they came open. The rest of us doubled or tripled up on our duties but we managed to accomplish our missions.<br /><br />What we didn't do was take to the streets or act like the taxpayers owed us more money just because we wanted it. But then again, we don't have the divided loyalties because we don't have a union. <br /><br />As far as teaching goes, well, our primary mission and proven expertise is teaching. We call it training, but it's the same thing, just different pupils and different goals. Our success is proven by our ability to successfully acomplish our missions, even under enemy fire. <br /><br />See, the days of the functional retarded guy as cannon fodder are long over. Liberals won't see that or admit it, because it flies in the face of their preferred narrative of soldiers as either morons duped into service, victims of warmongering neo-cons or rabid dog baby killers.<br /><br />Unions are private corporations and no public servant has any business supporting the union or a political party over the government job he is supposed to be performing.<br /><br />They should fire all the striking teachers for violating the Hatch Act. They should disband the public employee unions for the same reason.SGT Tedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00184808889760136366noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-39738188829154670812011-02-18T10:01:11.456-06:002011-02-18T10:01:11.456-06:00Milwaukee Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki on Wednesd...<em>Milwaukee Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki on Wednesday said in a letter to lawmakers that workers should not be "marginalized" ... He said in the letter there is a "moral obligation each of us has to respect the legitimate rights of workers.” Another douchenozzle heard from!</em><br /><br />Yea, respect the rights of our government overlords to higher pay, lifetime job security, free gold plated benefits and unlimited time off for protesting at the state capital.<br /><br />So, these guys must be <em>just like blacks in the Jim Crow south</em>, right?<br /><br />We shall overcome!<br /><br />Soak the rich! Soak the public employee unions. Make them redistribute their wealth to me!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-11781937757192631772011-02-18T10:00:34.460-06:002011-02-18T10:00:34.460-06:00Tell us, genius, which teacher's union has acc...<i>Tell us, genius, which teacher's union has accepted contributing more to their health care and pension.<br /><br /></i>WEAC. (I think that's the right acronym -- the state Teacher's union).MadisonManhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01212179466758420208noreply@blogger.com