Kind of makes mincemeat out of he’s doing this for “fiscal” reasons. If Walker and the GOP think that the 70,000 won’t recall their backsides then they’re even dumber than even I think they are.

Thanks David for the updates.

Is it possible to get a Special Coverage Tab on the right of the FDL front page?

I am sending so many friends here it is becoming difficult to keep on directing them to the various stories on the collective bargaining legislation concerns.

Shorter Walker: “It’s a fiscal problem because I say it’s a fiscal problem (and I’m going to stay on the floor and keep beating my hands and feet against it until I get my way) /hissy fit whine

Petition recall is not enough.

PEOPLE OF WISCONSIN.

DEMAND A NEW ELECTION USING PAPER BALLOTS THAN CAN BE VERIFIED.

That’s an interesting development. I wonder how that will go down with the people of Wisconsin. I’m sure that it would stiffen the resolve of the folks in the rotunda.

What is going on in Ohio and Michigan, by the way?

Although I wish the best for the Wisconsin workers and demonstrators I don’t think they’re going to prevail. I think the entire anti-worker GOP infrastructure is going to support Walker 100%. This is the end game they’ve been working toward for at least three decades. If they lose here it could mean that they lose everywhere. If they win here, it could mean that they can’t be stopped in most other areas, esp. the rest of that 15 state group where they have complete control of state government.

Recall may be the only solution, and you can bet that it would be one nasty fight, with Cock Bros and other right-wing resources poured into the battle at an astounding level. ($50 mil? $100 mil? More?)

He’s got a real problem though. Now that he’s called it a fiscal problem trying to jam it into a non ficscal bill is going to make him look like the idiot he is. Furthermore, every single GOP person that votes for it might as well place a big ol pardon the euphemism, target on their backs for a recall.

The Koch brothers can only provide so much protection from the voting masses. I wonder how many GOP members are feelin’ lucky.

The GOP members who vote for it better hope they have some sweet payin’ lobbyist jobs ready and waiting because I’m pretty sure the thousands that have showed up to protest will be furious if they try to back door that provision.

The Koch brothers can only provide so much protection from the voting masses.

I’d like to think you’re right, but I’m not so sure. The Kochs, and their elite band of brothers and sisters, have poured a ton of money out there to dumb down the masses and brainwash us all to be compliant and silent. I’m not sure how many citizens, if push comes to shove, will really stand up against our wealthy overlords.

I certainly wish the protesters in WI all the best and encourage them to keep on fighting. It is definitely a big battle, this time, not a small skirmish, in the ongoing CLASS WARFARE.

Power to the People!!

Can the people of WI shout down the state government for a week?

Have they gotten a recall package ready yet?

You are dead wrong. Inconsistency never stopped the Thugs. They are nihilists heart and soul. The only thing that matters is power. The only thing they understand is power. That is why the demonstrations have to go on, and they have to be massive.

nothing motivates USA citizens like taking money out of their pockets

Gov. Walker stupid idea of attacking Unions is not the only reason 70,000 people came to Madison, and some of them probably use to be republicans.

the USA is in a Depression, some things you just don’t do in a depression.

USA citizens are pissed at Dems and Reps, Walker just open up a pandora box of HORROR!

Gov. Walker did not think this would happen, just like OBAMA did not think the Mid-East would go up in flames.

Gov. Walker is playing with FIRE, he has no idea, how badly this is going to end for him and his GOP peers.

nothing says Obama is a GOP member, like his complete silence on the Madison WI

I hope you’re right about US citizens actually “getting” this. The elites, esp the Kochs, have been paying big buck$$ for decades now to turn US citizens against the Unions, and more lately against gov’t workers, including teachers. The vitriol from some Republicans against Unions and gov’t employees is pretty high, so I wonder how much *real* support is out there. Plus, of course, the corp-owned rightwing media is doing its damndest to downplay all this. Time will tell.

I was heartened to learn that the Koch funded/Dick Armey organized Tea Party “protest” against the workers on Sat really didn’t pan out.

Power to the People!!

One thing that just hit me: how might redistricting impact the recall survival prospects of GOP incumbents at the state level? If the Repug legislature gets to gerrymander enough boundaries, they might pass this bill and still survive either a recall or voter backlash in 2012.

Anybody with specific knowledge of WI have anything insightful to add on this?

PeasP,

He has to serve for a year before a recall can be effected.

I would suggest investigating the potential for bribery charges against former Democratic State Senator Jeffery Plale, for voting against the Union contract in Doyle’s lame duck session after applying for work in the upcoming new Walker administration in November 2010.

$90K a year plus another avenue for an additional pension upon retirement enough for someone to screw the unions?

I agree! We have all been taught to think that people in the ME are less educated than us and therefore are just okay with dictatorships. Now, we are finding out the truth, that they are educated, sometimes more than us. Also, they are way smarter because they are not allowing religious identity or political identity take away from the facts that it is the people against their government.

We here in the US have been divided by constant onslaughts of the dividing principles. People cannot see past the hatred to understand that we have to stand together against the Fascists.

Well, you are correct on that investigation. I had no idea he had to serve a full one year before a recall could take place. Thanks for that information.

Can they also investigate Walker for his term on the Pension board?

People cannot see past the hatred to understand that we have to stand together against the Fascists.

The fascist elite has been very clever at dividing and conquering the USA. Until citizens actually wake up to the fact that it’s not minorities and poor people who are ripping them off, we’re going to be screwed by the rich and powerful, who, no doubt, have a good old laugh at the Tea Party types, who are so gullible and easily misled to vote against their own interests.

Have you seen this stand by the GB Packers in The Nation?

Maybe those oh-so-tough GOOPers who like to beat up on teachers and nurses would like to take on the front line?

Sniveling little weasels.

I’m usually pretty good when it comes to predicting. Inconsistency isn’t going to stop them. Self interest just may. There IS a difference. Those people haven’t been sitting around the WI capitol because there was nothing better to do with a weekend. Furthermore, I doubt while they’ve been there that they’ve failed to network in the process.

I hope the recall has started. Even though Walker can serve for one year before he can be removed from office it would be a perfect time for organizing and educating the public on the anti-democratic, anti-worker and anti-middle class nature of the Republicons.

One wonders if there is some obscure ol’ statute in Wisconsin law by which the governor could be prosecuted for his crony giveaway from the state treasury to enrich his benefactors. Are there no corruption laws?

what you can’t forget, is how the GOP won.

in 2008, progressives and unions all around the USA gave DC to Dems

a lot of us at the time did not know that we elected a TROJAN HORSE name OBAMA

don’t give Dick Armey and Koch brothers to much credit.

A lot of us hate to admit the fact we got CON by OBAMA and other phoney Dems.

a real DEM would have destroyed the GOP,

OBAMA brought the GOP back to life “this is a fact”

when one looks at Gov. Walker, Sarah Palin, etc. speak, one knows instantly these people did not graduate with honors, both lack any common sense.

the AMERICA you speak of no longer exist, the USA MIDDLE CLASS that was built with the help of UNIONS is dying. this middle class had GOP and DEM voters,

Gov. Walker made a huge mistake here! Do U think there are UNION free families in Wisconsin?

a DEPRESSION like the one taking place in the USA, BRINGS ALL TYPE OF PEOPLE TOGETHER! Gov. Walker is no FDR, because FDR saved the USA.

Some of them ‘were’ his supporteres. There were at least two groups that put out statement regretting their support of him. There is a reason he’s been putting out defensive statements on how this is a “fiscal issue” and how this isn’t about “union busting.”

Apparently the brainwashing in Wisconsin ain’t took(as evidenced by the thousands who showed up to protest on the first day). Koch was able to come up with 1100 shipped from outta town to “counter protest.” I’m sure I’m not the only one to notice these things. If I were those GOP senators I’d be thinking long and hard before playing games.

They know that they’re going to have to walk the same streets that the people they’ve just fucked over have houses on…or sleep in.

Sure a senator or congress critter might not give a shit, but if I was a state assemblyman I’d be worried about getting beaten to death with a cantelope at the local grocery store.

thanks for the info.

anyone that is living in the USA today, knows GOV. WALKER has made a huge mistake here.

this is not a Dem only depression, yes a lot of GOP voters are getting killed by this Depression.

Gov. Walker acts like it is 1950? he has no clue the huge mistake he just made by attacking unions in this DEPRESSION.

someone should tell Gov. Walker to watch the movie “Company Men.”

yes some Country Club members got wiped in this Depression and Stab in the back by people like the Koch Brothers

Important: Something that has been overlooked in the Wisconsin situation related to the Koch Brothers. The bill gives the Koch Brothers no-bid contracts and gives thethe right to buy up utilitity

From the EconomicPolicyJournal.com and Rortybomb

Rotrybomb identifies what may be a huge benefit for the Koch Brothers in the Governor Walker’s “Budget Repair Bill”: No-Bid Energy Assets Firesales. Huh, just by coincidence the Koch Brothers are the largest private controllers of energy in the world.

the department may sell any state−owned heating, cooling, and power plant or may contract with a private entity for the operation of any such plant, with or without solicitation of bids, for any amount that the department determines to be in the best interest of the state.

As I state above, I doubt the breaking up of unions isn’t in the interest of the Kochs, but this new find in the budget “repair” bill, makes it clear that this isn’t about the promotion of free markets, though it is packaged that way. It really is about the special interest edge. In this case it provides for energy buyers, such as the Kochs, to grab assets without having to actually bid against others for them. This isn’t a play coming from the books of Mises, Hayek and Rothbrad. It’s a play coming out of the playbook of the Russian oligarchs who used the confusion of the collapse of the Soviet Union, under the guise of privatization, to grab as much of the wealth of Russia as they could before anyone noticed what was going on.

don’t give Dick Armey and Koch brothers to much credit.

I hear you, and I was one of those progressives who was somewhat (not totally) CONNED by Obama, but really: who funded Obama to be the Trojan Horse that he is? How did Obama get into that position? The race came down to pretty much Barry O or Hilary C – both rightwing NeoCon/Lib Republicans. How did that happen? I say: bc of money from the Kochs and their band of elitist brothers and sisters. It was all planned.

sure, the progressives and unions, etc, all turned out and voted for Barry Zero, and he truly “won” (not some ballot box trickery). But how did he get there in the first place, and how did he end up such a CON?

and don’t forget the big old “choice” of putting Palin on the GOP ticket. That was done very very deliberately to get the vote out from the “left” wing side… in order to VOTE IN Obama.

I would say that David Koch rubbed his little hands together with glee when his “candidate” Barack Hussein Obama was lawfully voted in as POTUS … by a bunch of Dem and progressive voters, no less.

Just saying… I think Obama was Koch’s candidate and choice all along.

if I was a state assemblyman I’d be worried about getting beaten to death with a cantelope at the local grocery store.

Gee, wouldn’t that be a tragedy?

(No jury would convict.)

There are Solidarity gathering all over the country.

I hope you’re correct. I did hear that the Koch-funded, Dick Armey-organized Tea Bagger astro-turfed “counter protest” pretty much fizzled out. Of course, nationally most citizens will remain uninformed about that, but some pols in WI did notice. Whether they think Koch’s billion$$$$ will protest them is what this comes down to.

Time will tell. I wish the protesters all the best in this battle of the CLASS WARFARE.

Power to the People!!

a cantelope??? snort…

RIGHT ON!!!! Thanks for letting us know about that. I hope the word goes out, and there’s good turn-out… not that the corporate-owned facist media will report on these rallies fairly and objectively. still… good news; love it.

Power to the People!!

The GOP making such a play while the Democrats are out of town can only strengthen the position of the Dems. Considering Democrats don’t have the votes to stop it, far better to force the GOP to own it 100%. Nothing would do that more than having them cram it through in the face of all those protesters with zero debate tacked into a totally unrelated bill.

If that’s the GOP strong move … the Democrats are in a better position than I thought. That would push public opinion in the direction of the Unions … which will be crucial to supporting a municipal strike were that the next step.

This is just the opening skirmish … some folks are acting like this battle is the whole war. Democrats have GOT to get over pissing themselves every time someone says bad things about them on the Teevees. Anyone who sticks with the fight is GOING to be vilified and crucified before this is all said and done – and smeared with more than one bullshit poll.

Centrists who worship these easy-to-manipulate polls have already lost this battle. Time to kick them to the curb and start fighting for real. They will whine bloody murder every step of the way until we win. Then they will wrap themselves in the victory and pretend like they were with the people all along – just like centrists always do. Ignore them. They are the biggest danger to Labor and the middle class at the moment as they sap strength from within and always advocate ceding the battle. A battle never fought is a battle always lost. Fuck the centrists. Fight.

Thanks Dave, as per usual, you’re all over the latest moves.

The Dems could counter-attack on de-criminalizing marijuana, but that might hurt the tenuous support the protesters are now getting from law enforcement unions.

OT, terrific reporting today from those DFH’s at Electrical Engineering Times:

Apple reveals increasing child labor problem

Slightly off-topic, but it’s worth a thought…
I couldn’t help but notice the lack of any personal and public connection between Obama and Russ Feingold while both are speaking out against the Wisconsin GOP’s actions. Two stubborn, charismatic men. One pushed aside by his party in favor of the other’s fresh new face.

I once actively worked to make Russ our Presidential nominee. Now, there’s not much doubt to me over who would have been the better leader these past two years.

Obama may have one chance, and one chance only, to win a landslide in 2012 (and probably 2016), and win back all that Obama’s blown.
Get Biden to step the hell down – and make Russ the new VP.
A tough move on Obama’s part, but a real change that would give a little hope back to Americans. Think he has the guts??

“I don’t think the GOP wants a standalone bill taking away people’s collective bargaining rights.” — You’re kidding, right? We want it any way we can get it. It’s essential to solving the fiscal problem.

The fiscal problem was caused by billionaire bankers, not union teachers making $45k a year. Nice try.

Heh, they’re “threatening” to pass a bill that requires ID at the polls if the Dems don’t come back.

I think that’s LOL funny considering the last court ruling struck down ID unless the state was going to pay for IDs. Go ahead Republidummy’s waste your time. It’ll be one day more to gather signaturea for your recall.

Do you want it at expense of the GOP controlled seats and at the expense of Walker looking like a total idiot?

Go ahead and overplay that hand. Those people in Wisconsin don’t seem serious or anything LOLOL

“The fiscal problem was caused by billionaire bankers, not union teachers making $45k a year.” — Your problem is going to be that not many people believe that. Voters are strongly associating the looming budget crisis with above-market pay (and especially benefits) to termination-proof public sector workers. I agree with them, of course, but my point is that it’s not a fringe view. It’s widespread, and therefore is showing up in the election results. Public sector unions are looking like the fat cats here. And not because of the occasional example you can throw out of a teacher making $45K a year, which no one takes seriously as a representative case.

but but but but “shared sacrifice” bahahahahahahahaha

I’m sorry I couldn’t even say that with a straight face.

You see the Koch brothers and his ilk get to “sacrifice” by taking on the state power plants and reaping tax cuts so it’s only fair.

(rolling eyes)

The facts are on the Dems side. I wonder if all those wisconsin citizens are aware of that no bid deal-io. If not I’m hoping some folks hit ol Scotty with it on the editorial pages.

In what alternate universe do you believe people are unaware of the bank bailouts and foreclosure crisis? The GOP may think Wisconsin folks are stupid but that little “counter protest” shows you ain’t got nuttin’

You can say whatever you want; doesn’t make it true.

I was a bit off, it’s $49K. From WI States own 2010 Report here:

http://dpi.state.wi.us/lbstat/newasr.html

In the middle of the page there is a 2010 Excel file for 2010 teacher salaries.

So if everyone believes in the tooth fairy and the Easter Bunny I guess that makes them real, huh?

All those people with “above-market pay (and especially benefits)” are required to have a bachelors degree to start, I’m guessing they are required to have a masters degree within a few years (as is the case in many states), plus maintain certification with on-going education classes during the summers. Most of them are probably spending a few hundred to a couple of thousand dollars each year for supplies for their classrooms out of their own pockets due to budget cutbacks that have been going for years.

And I would imagine a whole lot of the Tea Party crowd might not be all that happy to be reminded of the role of the banks. If I recall correctly, that was one of the big reasons used to defeat incumbents across the nation last year – especially those who had voted for bank bailouts. So they might want to know that the Kochs are in league with the bankers.

I guess we’ll see. Naturally I hope the voters are more appalled by the unions than by the governor, especially since he’s carrying out exactly the program they elected him to pursue. But the public can be fickle, so maybe I’ll be proved wrong.

I think I’d like to see a measure disqualifying the public sector workers from collective bargaining once they make a penny over some limit — maybe Kelly’s $45K. That way, everyone could concentrate on the underpaid minions, who would mostly be bargaining about issues like safety and working conditions, for which the public (even evil me!) has a great deal of sympathy. But not too much harm could be done to the local budgets in the process.

I have read that this bill has a whole LOT MORE than is being reported.

One provision is the right of the Walker and the Fitzgeralds to sell off any of Wisconsin’s common wealth to crony capitalists without competitive bidding.

Whole sections of Wisconsin’s public land and resources could disappear during the next four years.

No compromise. Kill the bill.

Texas is doing so FABULOUSLY well as a right to work state. Greater debt and less services than WI.

You just keep spouting your fantasies. Nobody elected Walker to bust Unions. Provide a link for that claim.

“Hilary C – both rightwing NeoCon/Lib Republicans”- NO NO NO – NOT TRUE – BUT SOLD BY OBAMA TO WIN PRIMARY.

Hillary beginning in the earlier 70′s was liberal left progressive -and in 1993 fought for single payer – the only voice in the Democratic Party that went out on a limb for it.

Yes she wants to work with business – it would stupid to not want to work with them.

But the lie you have bought is the one Obama put out – and a lot of those angry with Bill plus the ones that say “I’d vote for a women just not this one” ate up the excuse to vote for Barry.

Oh don’t worry – she will not run again. Indeed Obama today put a shot across the bow – showing her the power he has by chasing the folks that bundled contributions for her (as if his bundling was pure).

Obama plays down and dirty – another good character “flaw” – but he got her out of the Senate so she couldn’t force the issue on the public option – he is very good at making good on his promises to the rich and corporate of no public option – as he promises us the opposite.

But as the Book Salon “Eric Alterman, Kabuki Democracy: The System vs. Barack Obama” poor Obama just has no way to control the situation and the pre-emptive surrender to the GOP was beyond his control, and we must re-elect him because the GOP are worse, and it is our fault for not changing the atmosphere/working situation if a second Obama term is not an even larger sellout to the GOP.

It is the system that has tarred our noble hero – or at least tarred the guy no worse than Hillary would have been – and that is our fault.

In sum – sorry but I reject the idea that those that supported Hillary were supporting a rich and corporate servant – by mistake, or knowingly.

texas99

Why must you make conservatives look so bad?

Focus on the all jobs outsourced to among other monstrosities, child labor. Conservatives are against child labor.

After that read
Nomi Prins, former managing partner at Goldman Sachs. Then you can tell us when Wall Street will return the $8 trillion in loans, guarantees, and capital injections that Hank Paulson gave them in 2008.

The trust fund for Social Security is around $2.6 trillion.

I have no idea what any of that has to do with budget-busting public sector unions. But I do know that the voting public has developed a deep revulsion for them. It’s not helping that they’re protesting this week while drawing public paychecks, and getting fake notes from doctors for their absence. It’s ugly.

YOU may have a revulsion. You don’t speak for the public.

with budget-busting public sector unions

Have to say, you do have your talking points memorized – even when they are total bullshit

Hey, 99 –

The question you should be asking is, “Why don’t private sector workers have better pay and similar benefits?”

The answer most likely is: they would — if they had a strong union, and their job hadn’t been outsourced overseas by a big corporation that got a tax break for doing so.

The decrease over the past 30 years in the number of private sector workers who are represented by unions is directly tied to the declining in real purchasing power by the middle and lower class. In terms of actual buying power after adjusting for inflation, wages have been stagnant since 1979, while during the same period costs have soared — and not just on health care but food, fuel, cars, insurance, etc. The only things that have gone down in price are cheap foreign-made electronics and a few small appliances.

Kelly –

Are we okay? My apology from a couple of weeks ago straighten things out?

We must be. I’ve totally forgotten what it would ever have been about. [don't remind me!]

Watch out. They say that the first thing to go is the memory, then the sex drive.

Or was that first the sex drive and then the memory?

Thank You!! I’ve been saying all along that Hillary would have beat the hell out of the gop on health care. She had a score to settle from 94 when they treated her so disgracefully. Do you guys think that Hillary would be running around humping the gop’s leg like a puppy they way orahma does?

Taft-Hartley must go!! It’s time to repeal that monstrosity, long overdue!

Most Americans are brain dead retards, what’s new?

budget busting public sector- ahhhhh nice to know that you got the Rupert Murdoch memos.

You know what I’ve noticed- Republicans can’t do math at all- or read a CBO report. That’s why they keep passing BUDGET BUSTING TAX CUTS that don’t stimulate the economy.

How can we solve the budget problem?

Government funded ayn rand book burnings and exiling the starfuckers death cultists to galts gulch where they can kill each other off where parasites try to use other parasites as hosts.

Mideastern terrorists? No that’s not the existential ideological threat from insane religious extremist members of a death cult that we face.

We have to start treating ayn randinism the same way we treat whackos in caves building bombs.