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Republican Support Not Assured For Walker’s Plan.
MADISON, Wis. — There are indications that support among Republican legislators for Gov. Scott Walker’s plan to remove collective bargaining rights for public workers might be starting to crack.
State Sen. Dan Kapanke of La Crosse told The Associated Press on Wednesday that he didn’t know where Republicans stood on the proposal that drew more than 13,000 protesters to the state Capitol on Tuesday.
When asked about the position of Republicans, Kapanke said he didn’t know the answer.
His comments come after Republican leaders in both the Senate and Assembly said on Tuesday that there were enough votes to pass the bill.
A public hearing on the measure Tuesday lasted 17 hours, with hundreds of people spending the night in the Capitol.Over 30,000 people today, filling the Capitol:
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This is much bigger than Wisconsin. It is a National fight and Wisconsin is at the center right now. And it should continue until Walker is willing to compromise on parts of his bill.
I applaud protesters on both sides for remaining peaceful. Both sides are compassionate about their views and to see a gathering this large remain peaceful is great.
If this weather forecast holds… let’s see how many show up. I commend both sides also but feel it’s time for at least the teachers to get back to work on focus on what their jobs are… you’ve had plenty of time to protest, and if they still feel the need ~ there is plenty of time after the kids go home for the day, correct?
I would agree that it is time for them to get back into the classrooms. Concessions have been made by the union workers to pay for more of their health and pension benefits. Walker has no excuse to not take the collective bargaining rights off the table. Unless he is bought and paid for by some group that is pulling his strings.There is a question of Medicaid changes contained within the bill also. (BadgerCare, FamilyCare and SeniorCare)
Personally I don’t think Walker has educational background to take on that responsibility, and there is a question if it is even constitutional or not.
GTO Man wrote:
Quote:I would agree that it is time for them to get back into the classrooms. Concessions have been made by the union workers to pay for more of their health and pension benefits. Walker has no excuse to not take the collective bargaining rights off the table. Unless he is bought and paid for by some group that is pulling his strings.There is a question of Medicaid changes contained within the bill also. (BadgerCare, FamilyCare and SeniorCare)If concessions have been made, then why is the protesting still taking place? I don’t see the bargaining rights going away, but a pay increase freeze should be set into place.
As far as social programs for insurance like BadgerCare, etc, these should be redefined to support those who are operating small businesses that do not have employees other than the owner and there families.
Welfare should be non-existant, that would solve a lot of deficit problems.
The reason that protesting is still taking place is because his bill reduces the right for the union employees to collectively bargain for anything except base wages. The money issue is not the main reason for the protests in the first place, it is the collective bargaining rights. This is a movement that is happening in multiple states across the country. Funding is coming from billionaires like the Koch brothers.
The Koch brothers are behind the Tea Party, who I see brought out one of their intellectuals, ‘Joe the Plumber’, to speak at the rally yesterday in Madison. How embarrassing is it for ‘Joe the Plumber’ to be taken seriously by anyone in this country? No wonder many people in other parts of the world look upon this country and shake their heads in disbelief.
My union rep told me several days ago that the unions were willing to accept the increased cost of health benefits and pension contributions, to avoid having organized labor (the union) killed off completely or crippled so badly that it would die a natural death. His take on this was that the unions want to be around and functioning in four years to start the process of undoing what will be done under Gov Walker. Sort of like a Phoenix rising out of the ashes.
What is so hard for me to understand is that if the state has such a tight budget, how come there are no hiring freezes. It appears that many state departments are growing and expanding. Is this where our money actually going? Are we unknowingly and unwillingly funding new state jobs?
People from all over the world are donating to pay for food for the protesters, I like their choice of pizza.
Obviously something is going on with this Governor and his ideas. He is bringing out the best in people to voice their opposition to his ideas.
I for one do not want big money from across the country and around the world to influence who is elected in our state.
I am confused by a few things. I come from a blue collar union background. My Dad was a Teamster and I was in the URW when I worked for BF Goodrich Tire Co. I was a union official for a few years. We wanted our fair share of the profits that we helped generate. Without the union that probably would not have happened. Now we have President Obama and other Dems. who want to expand and grow the government by taking over more stuff, GM, healthcare etc. So if the left leaning people want bigger government why do they feel that they need protection from it?
PT50Man wrote:
Quote:I am confused by a few things. I come from a blue collar union background. My Dad was a Teamster and I was in the URW when I worked for BF Goodrich Tire Co. I was a union official for a few years. We wanted our fair share of the profits that we helped generate. Without the union that probably would not have happened. Now we have President Obama and other Dems. who want to expand and grow the government by taking over more stuff, GM, healthcare etc. So if the left leaning people want bigger government why do they feel that they need protection from it?This is the best question raised regarding this whole situation.
PT50MAN,
You ask:
Quote:why do they feel that they need protection from it?Quote:Without the union that probably would not have happened.That’s a mouthful. I couldn’t have said it better. I’ve never been a union member, but my Mom was, and my wife is. With your background, you understand better than most just how important unions have been in America.
Unions helped ensure that you got your “fair share” of the profits. As you wrote, without the union you would not have gotten a fair share. That’s all the union folks are asking for: to protect their union so as to ensure their fair share. Gov. Walker’s current bill will destroy their union.
Speaking as one of the “left leaning people”, I certainly do not support bigger government. I pay enough taxes already, thank you. But I can tell you why we occasionally need protection from the government. Because sometimes, an idea comes along which threatens one of our basic privileges, one which people fought and died for not too long ago.
THAT‘s why and when we need protection.
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