Japan Today
world

Protesters across U.S. decry anti-union efforts in Wisconsin

50 Comments

The requested article has expired, and is no longer available. Any related articles, and user comments are shown below.

© Copyright 2011 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

50 Comments
Login to comment

the "protesters" desecrated a war memorial inside the capitol building. The majority of the American public oppose paying the pensions these ppl design for themselves. This new entitlement class needs to take a good long look at the job description for a public servant.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

VIVA LA HUELGA!! This was the cry of the Farm workers union organized by Cesar Chavez in Arizona, California etc...so I say to my union brothers out in Wisconsin VIVA LA HUELGA!! Meaning, long live the STRIKE!!!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Once again we see the Republicans simply refuse to listen to the people and represent a very small portion of the nation and only those with vested interests. What's most amusing are posters who come on here and suggest the protesters are some weird result of socialism or some equally inane 'argument' but in reality you have the Republicans trying to quash what it is to be an American. They want more money, and they want to limit the rights of those who will pay it while giving themselves more power.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

"The right to collectively bargain is an American right"

These public employees continue to fail to realize that they are servants of the taxpayers, who pay their salaries. If they want more, let them apply for jobs with private companies or start their own businesses.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Does being a public employee disqualify someone from the rights that every other American has? The U.S. constitution said "no" to that question when I read it. They don't want more money. They agreed to pay cuts. The budget problem in Wisconsin is due to the Republican regime giving massive tax breaks to its friends. That's why the state doesn't have enough money. These are not people who are getting rich. They make less than average wages for people with their level of education. But the public workers are not protesting pay cuts. They are protesting the unnecessary, unconscionable, and unilateral abrogation of their right to collective bargaining. I'd really rather that my kids' teachers, the people who will pull them out of burning buildings, and the people who try to stop lunatics from shooting them be well-paid. But if they aren't well-paid, I would at least want them to have the same right to bargain that I do.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I can't really understand why the Koch brothers are so determined to bleed out the American middle class. They're already filthy rich. How much further can their greed take them?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

If they want more, let them apply for jobs with private companies or start their own businesses.

Not a bad idea. Why don't we get rid of the public service entirely and privatize the lot, then workers will be allowed to bargain for more with their own employers and the government can concentrate on more important things. This would also reduce the cost burden on government as they won't have to pay for schools and prisons and such, so it should result in lower taxes for all.

Of course, the tax savings will quickly be swallowed up by much greater school fees, as everyone will have to pay private school rates, and those who can't afford it would have to have their kids simply miss out on education altogether (unless a charity or religious group pick up the slack).

We could even get UNICEF or World Vision in to look after the new permanent underclass so people in other countries would be able to sponsor an poor child in America. It really could work, as long you yourself never go through a rough patch in life and end up with the "poor people".

0 ( +0 / -0 )

These public employees continue to fail to realize that they are servants of the taxpayers, who pay their salaries.

No offense intended sarge, but that is nonsense. They are the people who do the jobs that are unprofitable for the private sector to do. Whether their union does a good job for them or is just an organized crime racket, that is another question. But the money they are paid by the "taxpayer" all comes from the same place that the "taxpayer" gets it from. It all comes from government spending. And excessive government spending, to support "banks" that have blown all their noney, that is the whole problem.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I can't really understand why the Koch brothers are so determined to bleed out the American middle class?????

TO CONTROL!!!!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

WISCONSIN woes,guess wisconsin people have to move,to more jobs states.

This has been the way,to solve economic woes,since 1800s in America.

Look at how many people working in Chaos Libya,now leaving it.

Wherever there is work/jobs,people will go.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Why don't we get rid of the public service entirely and privatize the lot...

Do you really for a privatizing public service? The objective of public service is to SERVE for the best interest for community.

What would happen if we go for a private police system?

You: "Hello, someone is breaking into my place. I think he has a gun. Help me quick!"

The machine:" If this is an emergency, then press "1", if not, please press "2". Your calls are very important to us. In order to improve quality of our service, your calls are recorded. Thank you, we will be connecting to our representatives, please wait."

Dispatcher: "Hello, thank you for calling. How can I assist you today?"

You: "Someone is breaking into my place, and he has a gun. Help me quick!!"

Dispatcher: "Sir, you are behind in payment. Please pay off the balance, so we can send you a help. Do you wanna use a visa or a master card? No sir, we do not accept a personal check over the phone."

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Bradley Whitfield was the celebrity of note at Saturday's protest? What, was Ed Begley, Jr. unavailable? The star wattage is blinding. Rumor has it that Ed Asner will make an appearance. The unions have miscalculated on this one. Collective bargaining rights have no place in government employment. Even FDR warned against this. For union employees at private employers, fine. But the unions have helped drive many States and local governments towards bankruptcy with ridiculous wage and benefit packages. Does anyone really think that these State public employees are sacrificing anything with their public employment? Federal employees do not have collective bargaining rights on wages and benefits. Why should they?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

The unions have miscalculated on this one.....

66% of Americans are for Wisconsin union side. 33% pf Americans are for the Governor.

61% of Americans are for "Compromise" 34& of Americans are for "Standoff"

It is a very mixing view of American general public view in US. It is too early to say.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Union supporters organized rallies from New York to Washington state in a show of solidarity.....

Are these "supporters" also protesting the teacher layoffs recently proposed by the Democrat majorities in New York City and Rhode Island or are they just following the orders of BarackObama dot com to attack Republican governments?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

globalwatcher - I can't really understand why the Koch brothers are so determined to bleed out the American middle class?????

TO CONTROL!!!!

That is the same reason George Soros has been supporting the progressive movement of hopey changey tax hikes.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

globalwatcher - 66% of Americans are for Wisconsin union side. 33% pf Americans are for the Governor.

61% of Americans are for "Compromise" 34% of Americans are for "Standoff"

It is a very mixing view of American general public view in US. It is too early to say.

Poll results without knowing the poll question is useless.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

arrestpaul, LOL, hopey changey tax hikes.... you have made me laugh in tears!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

warnerbro - Does being a public employee disqualify someone from the rights that every other American has? The U.S. constitution said "no" to that question when I read it.

Exactly what "rights" are you referring to and where, exactly, in the U.S. Constitution are these "rights" written?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

GJDailleult - They are the people who do the jobs that are unprofitable for the private sector to do. Whether their union does a good job for them or is just an organized crime racket, that is another question. But the money they are paid by the "taxpayer" all comes from the same place that the "taxpayer" gets it from. It all comes from government spending.

Hahahaha, "It all comes from government spending". What an absurd statement and completely false. Private business pays private business workers.

The GOVERNMENT union leadership is using taxpayer money, filtered thru their government union members, to insure the election of their own bosses (ie. the elected representatives). The pension funds of government unions are bankrupting the States. The taxpayers of Wisconsin kicked out the free-spending Democrats and are demanding fiscal responsibility from their newly elected officials. They don't expect their State to be run by government union officials.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Poll results without knowing the poll question is useless.

Well,arrestpaul, they did not call me and ask these questions in person. But this was done by the Gallup poll and they have been well respected reflecting a general view of Americans. They have a pretty good system slicing US demography in place.

If you are denying the Gallup, then what is your tool to measure the public opinion? Anything better than the Gallup that I do not know about?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Exactly what "rights" are you referring to and where, exactly, in the U.S. Constitution are these "rights" written?

Go to Association of Association. Please let me know.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

arrestpaul, I meant Association of Assembly.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

globalwatcher - they did not call me and ask these questions in person. But this was done by the Gallup poll and they have been well respected reflecting a general view of Americans. They have a pretty good system slicing US demography in place.

I'm not questioning Gallup, I'm questioning your post. Posting poll results without posting the exact poll question asked is useless. Gallup askes many "specific" questions and reports both the question asked and the responses recieved. Do you know what "specific" question was asked?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I meant Association of Assembly, arrestpaul.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

You may want to get that info from CNN, CNBC, FOX, CBS, Washington Post, NY Times. They may be able to tell you.

Do you have a better tool other than Gallup? Please let me know. I am very curious, arrestpaul.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

globalwatcher - Go to Association of Association. Please let me know.

Let you know what? Is someone preventing these college students, out-of-state protestors and teachers union members from assembling? Are they being prevented from expressing their point of view?

The Wagnor Act (remember that?) rejected the idea that government union officials should have more influence over elected officials than the taxpayers. By the people, for the people not by the government union officials for the government union members.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Please find due process and let me know your interpretation, arrestpuaul.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

globalwatcher - You may want to get that info from CNN, CNBC, FOX, CBS, Washington Post, NY Times. They may be able to tell you.

YOU are the one who posted the results here. I don't know what question/result you were posting. Are you saying that you don't know what specific question(s) were asked or even if these are actual Gallup results?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Yes, you are correct, arrestpaul. These are THE verdicts. You can get these info from the media listed above. Take it or leave it.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

globalwatcher - Please find due process and let me know your interpretation

"Due process"? What are you talking about now? What legal rights, in your opinion, are being denied? You still haven't explained exactly what "right" you are referring to? The free-spending Democrat State legislators created the bill that allowed government unions to use taxpayer money to influence elections and the newly elected State legislators can change that bill. Who is being denied due process?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

globalwatcher - Yes, you are correct, arrestpaul. These are THE verdicts. You can get these info from the media listed above. Take it or leave it.

I chose to leave it because it's useless as you presented it.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

The constitution of United States of America guarantees "individual" rights. And it is interconnected to many public policy and Acts.

Hope you will be able to find a "due process" clause in the constitution, so you will be able to understand why the protesters have been calling Gov. Walker's action is unethical. This is very complicating issue, that is all I am saying. It is not a streight cut.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

globalwatcher - The constitution of United States of America guarantees "individual" rights. And it is interconnected to many public policy and Acts.

Hope you will be able to find a "due process" clause in the constitution, so you will be able to understand why the protesters have been calling Gov. Walker's action is unethical. This is very complicating issue, that is all I am saying. It is not a streight cut.

It's the U.S. Bill of Rights that guarantees "certain inalienable rights" of the individual. Federal statutes DO NOT allow government unions. The only statutes that allow Wisconsin government union leadership to use Wisconsin taxpayers money to finance the campaigns of their favorite Wisconsin legislators is the statutes created by the Wisconson legislature. The Wisconsin legislature has the authority to change those statutes.

That's why the BarakObama dot com supporters are calling Walker's action "unethical" and NOT illegal.

How do you think "due process" applies?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Union supporters organized rallies from New York to Washington state the BarakObama dot com supporters are calling Walker's action "unethical" and NOT illegal

What makes you think all these union supporters are for Obama?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

A " due process" has a long history in US civil rights movement. This clause was interepreted as an endorsement of the Bill of Rights that the Federal government can override states decision to discriminate. Since 1960, this interepretation has been applied to many areas in law beyond the discrimination.

arrestpaul, there are many books have been written, and you would enjoy reading them. You seems to be very comprehensive critical thinker on the JT.

Thank you for doing some research on this matter with me. You are very interesting to read.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Good job Gov Walker and bill supporters. It's about time the union mafia is broken.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Private business pays private business workers.

So what you are saying is that the private sector pays its workers with private sector money which is then taken from them in taxes and given to public sector workers, and this process causes the States to go bankrupt.

You really have no idea where the money comes from in the first place do you. You see no connection between out of control government spending and all the millionaires and billionaires that have appeared out of nowhere the last 30 years. You see nothing weird in the fact that the "powerful unions who are wrecking America" have not taken a cut in any of the money, and that salary levels have not budged in 30 years. You are no doubt too young to have sat down with your Dad to watch "Wall Street Week" on PBS, where Louis Rukheyser was given 30 minutes a week to beg people to pay attention to this boring place called "Wall Street", or have laughed in the movie Frost/Nixon when Nixon jumps up and down because he is going to paid $250,000, shouting "I am going to be a rich man!!!".

The only economic policy of the USA and other rich countries since 1980 has been to increase the money supply through the issuance of government debt in order to buy off the citizens. That is where ALL the money comes from. Now that the Ponzi scheme has blown up, the fraudsters are desperately trying to keep things going, and some of them have come up with the crackpot idea that they can do that by attacking unions and promoting the delusional idea the problems are all in how the system is operated. No, the problem is that the system is now inoperable.

The problem is also not that the elites have plans, elites always have plans. The problem is that the plans now are insane. If you think things are ugly now with the attacks on unions and the middle class, just wait until the rich start firing on each other. Because that is where things are headed.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I forgot to add that it was not only to buy off the citizens, it was also, needless to say, to make those with access to the taps VERY,VERY RICH. Rich in paper and numbers in a bank account that is. They now think that if they take away other peoples' money and numbers by weakening unions, and cutting salaries and spending, they will be to keep theirs.

But that ain't the way things work. The con-men have forgot what the con is.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

ohh, it's the "millionaires' and billionaires'" fault.

The unions are bankrupting the states. Their elitist feelings of entitlement are just delusional.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

globalwatcher - A "due process" has a long history in US civil rights movement. This clause was interepreted as an endorsement of the Bill of Rights that the Federal government can override states decision to discriminate. Since 1960, this interepretation has been applied to many areas in law beyond the discrimination.

The legal definition of "due process" is that it's an established course for judicial proceedings or other governmental activities designed to safeguard the legal rights of the individual. In short, it means you can sue someone, including the government (in specific cases) for an injury. The injury could be physical, mental, financial and some other stuff. Legally speaking, there has to be an "injury".

You will also be required by the court to prove that you have some legal standing to file suit. For instance, if your neighbors dog bites you, a complete stranger to me, I can't sue your neighbor for damages but you can. It's your leg. You have legal standing (and a slight limp). However, if I can prove to the court that you are vital to my business and your disability is costing me money or loss of business, I would then have a legal standing to sue your neighbor also.

Congress has created several "protected classes" in the U.S. specific to anti-discrimination laws. Age, color, disabilty, familial status (having children), race, religion, sex (equal pay), veterans and a few others that don't apply in all jurisdictions.

Put this all together and you'll find that teachers and government unions are not protected classes and they have no legal standing to file suit against the law makers, who were elected by the majority, to make laws.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

1980 has been to increase the money supply through the issuance of government debt in order to buy off the citizens.

Amen to your comment, GJD. You hit the nail on this one.

Instead of admitting their own failures of fiscal/monetary policies, the riches and politicians (R and TP) are shifting all blames to unions and hard working Americans as always. These politicians controlled by Koch brothers and other riches are using these hard working Americans as a scapegoat. I see it, GJD the way you see it.

The solidarity in many states for Wisconsin union members are saying "NO MORE JOSE".

0 ( +0 / -0 )

GJDailleult - So what you are saying is that the private sector pays its workers with private sector money which is then taken from them in taxes and given to public sector workers, and this process causes the States to go bankrupt.

Yes and no. The increasing size of State government loans and the increasing size of State government union employee pensions plus the increasing costs of State government union benefits is helping drive States closer to bankruptcy. States can only raise taxes to meet their obligations.

The majority of taxpaying voters expect their elected representatives to cut the deficit and control government costs NOW before new taxes and tax rates suck their wallets dry.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

The unions are bankrupting the states

Man and Paul, you are entitled to your opinions about unions, you are not entitled to intentionally reverse cause and effect. States can't afford union benefits because they are bankrupt, not union benefits bankrupted the States.

"It is well enough that people of the nation do not understand our banking and monetary system, for if they did, I believe there would be a revolution before tomorrow morning. " Henry Ford, 1927. The US financial system could be cleaned up and all this worry about states going bankrupt could be tidied up in a few weeks. The way how to do it is understood. The reason it is not done is that doing so would expose the system as a fraud, and even the thickest individual would be able to see it. So instead you get union skapegoating, and those new taxes you worry about, and you will be getting them even if every union in the USA disappears.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

arrestpaul, if I understand your writing correctly, your interpretation of due process is backward.

Its Due Process Clause prohibits state and local governments from depriving persons of life, liberty, or property without certain steps being taken to ensure fairness. This clause has been used to make most of the Bill of Rights applicable to the states, as well as to recognize substantive and procedural rights.

arrestpaul, you've got a good point on your comment too. Instead of blaming each other, we all have to be progressive on the solution to the problem.

In my state (right to work), the public employees are paying more for their benefits instead of raising tax. This seems to be the only solution to Wisconsin dispute. But I would not give up my rights if I were in Wisconsin.

I hope you understand the "Right to Work" is.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

those new taxes you worry about, and you will be getting them even if every union in the USA disappears.

Let's try it and see! Let's break up these union racketeers.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I used to be a member of a union. It was required to be a member at that company. It sucked ( the union ). It wasn't good for either the workers or the company. So I have a bad impression of unions.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

GJDailleult - you are entitled to your opinions about unions, you are not entitled to intentionally reverse cause and effect. States can't afford union benefits because they are bankrupt, not union benefits bankrupted the States.

I happen to be in favor of unions. I'm not in favor of GOVERNMENT employee unions. Government union leadership have been using taxpayer money to elect the very representatives that decide how much the State should compensate government union members, taxpayers be damned. It's 2011 and the taxpayers are now expecting more fiscal responsibility from their elected representatives. The taxpayers are in charge, NOT the government union leadership.

Government union benefits are ONE cause for the ever increasing debt of the State. Suggesting that taxpayers and their elected representatives should ignore that fact is absurd.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

globalwatcher - if I understand your writing correctly, your interpretation of due process is backward.

-Its Due Process Clause prohibits state and local governments from depriving persons of life, liberty, or property without certain steps being taken to ensure fairness. This clause has been used to make most of the Bill of Rights applicable to the states, as well as to recognize substantive and procedural rights.

You haven't explained how you think "due process" applies to your self-imagined U.S. Constitutional "right" of government union employees to override the will of the Wisconsin voting taxpayers. Are suggesting that the government unions should sue the State for passing State laws?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Government union benefits are ONE cause for the ever increasing debt of the State. Suggesting that taxpayers and their elected representatives should ignore that fact is absurd.

Only because the states promised the pensions, then spent the tax money collected to cover those pensions on other things.

Government union leadership have been using taxpayer money to elect the very representatives that decide how much the State should compensate government union members, taxpayers be damned

Replace "Government union leadership" with "Multinational corporate leadership" and "compensate government union members" with "gut the corporate tax code and waive regulations" and you have found the reason we are even discussing the pensions of public employees.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

ohh, it's the "millionaires' and billionaires'" fault.

Well, only those who supported the gutting of America's formerly progressive tax system. Warren Buffett and Bill Gates think differently.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Login to leave a comment

Facebook users

Use your Facebook account to login or register with JapanToday. By doing so, you will also receive an email inviting you to receive our news alerts.

Facebook Connect

Login with your JapanToday account

User registration

Articles, Offers & Useful Resources

A mix of what's trending on our other sites