Opinions please...

[ewagner]

How does this end?

Do the Repubs compromise?
Do the Dems stay out of state for ??????? how long?
Will Walker get his way?
Will they drag it out to see who can last the longest?
What's "plan B" for our side?

I love the protests but I don't know how this will end...


Thoughts??

[HereSince1628]

1. The Club for Growth will continue to encourage the R's

The R's have years of practice holding to a party line. So I expect the R senators to resist changing the bill.

My bet is the stalemate continues for some time and the side with the greatest resolve wins.

Which is why union and non-union members need to keep the pressure on protect full bargaining rights.

There is reason to think that the workers and their supporters can win this. But it is no slam dunk.

Wisconsinites are attracted to causes with strong positions. You can't get a much stronger position than the protection of UN recognized Human Rights to collectively bargain on salary and other compensation.

The union busting position is immoral, Wisconsin's largest religious group is Roman Catholic and the highest ranking Catholic official in the state has already come out on the side of the state unions.

[Viking12]

2. The only hope to break a the few Republicans necessary is to drag this out as long as possible.

I'm working today. However, if it's still going Monday I will be in Madison to keep the show of strength visible.

[ewagner]

3. Okay...but

are the protests alone enough pressure to sway 3 Repub senators?

and

do we have the "staying power"?

and

What if the unthinkable happens and this bill passes?
What then?

[Viking12]

4. I think the protests can be enough IF we can keep up the pressure.

However, it's a delicate balance and I'm not sure the show of massive numbers will continue. People have jobs, family, lives...and won't likely carry on long enough. The presence of K-12 teachers and the closing of schools cannot continue without serious backlash but their numbers are important to the demonstrations.

If the bill passes? Welcome to North Mississippi.

[ewagner]

6. Thanks

You have confirmed some of my fears.

....I'm thinking that if we can't outlast the Republicans; if they can wear us down with attrition; then we need to push the situation to a conclusion...but I don't see how to do it.

[nebenaube]

5. Brain Drain... n/t

[dembotoz]

7. walker has the votes and the power to fuck up any republican that caves

i do not see this ending well.

[ewagner]

8. Thanks

I have that same gnawing fear.

[mascarax]

9. Which Repub senators are targeted?

I thought I heard there was phone banking. Is it to call residents and ask them to contact their senators? (Answer probably in another thread, I know!)

I think "Plan B" is the Walker Recall. Which needs to happen no matter what. I am willing to go to WI and help get signatures in November.

[nebenaube]

21. Oh... we can collect signatures all summer...

[lutefisk]

10. If 100,000+ protest on Saturday, there might be hope...

If this weekend doesn't make a big impression, I think the powers that control Walker and the Republican legislators can just ride it out.

The weather on Saturday is forecast to be sunny and close to 40, which helps...

[54anickel]

11. Yes, and getting the attention focused on the power grab- the policy vs

fiscal items that don't even belong in a budget bill-that is taking place. This is unprecendented. 30% of this bill, by the Republican's own admission deal with policy vs fiscal issues. The are taking away the public's voice in in government.
This bill would easily pass if those over-reaching policy changes were taken out. This bill would be easily defeated by the Tea Partiers themselves if they were allowed to hear about this 30% in the media. This is hardly a partisan issue from the people's perspective, but that perspective is not getting any coverage.

[dragonlady]

12. And some of the fiscal items are bad too

What will Walker do when he gets more control over BadgerCare?

[AleksS]

17. I'm going, but I'm afraid it's not making

a big impression on anyone. Rep. Stone was at "Taste of Oak Creek" Thursday night, and he was yukking it up, laughing and joking with the other fat white old guys in attendance. Not even a hint of decorum. Shameful. It's all a joke to them. They know who they owe their offices to, and it ain't the people.

[mojowork_n]

13. I HATE to say this, but the absolute worst case would be

...some plain-brown-wrapper, undercover 5-oh types putting on black t-shirts and ski masks, doing something violent. In order to validate a physical crack-down.

What happens at a lot of larger protests.

[lutefisk]

14. On a related note- at least they haven't passed the concealed carry legislation yet...

I think hundreds of tea baggers showing up with their Sig-Sauers in Sonny Crockett holsters under their jackets would be a recipe for disaster.

:hi:

[undeterred]

15. Have some faith in Mayor Dave

He is totally on our side. He's been making sure local union contracts get signed. He's going to do everything in his power to make sure that violence does not break out in Madison.

[htuttle]

16. If there's anything this city knows how to do...

(other than gene splicing, teaching, getting in the Rose Bowl, etc...), it's hosting a good protest.

Don't worry. We got this. Having a rocking good time.

[undeterred]

18. Mayor Dave watched the Super Bowl with President Obama

I'm sure he's still got his phone number if he needs to ask for some help.

Edit: You forgot stem cells }(

[wislib]

19. Boycott Donors

Stand strong and make donors suffer

[Jimbo S]

20. I fear the worst, hope for the best

The bottom line is the Republicans have the votes. The only way compromise is reached is if enough pressure fome from the constituants. I can't get a feel for how the general public is feeling. The recent denouncing (a word?) by the State Patrol will some moderate people to come to our side. I haven't seen any polls yet.

[KILL THE WISE ONE]

22. The Governor will win Because the people of Wisconsin are too nice.

Without a scaffold and noose or guillotine, and a crowd chanting bring us the governor, all he has to do is out wait your ability to maintain a protest.

Do you have a plan B ?

[sybylla]

23. Mass walkouts and law suits.

Just a guess, but I can see it ending no other way.

Labor has little to lose with a walkout - even those that have no right to strike like teachers.

And the rest will have to be settled with lawsuits. Just like Walker's firing of security employees in Milwaukee County, which ended up costing the county nothing and will now likely cost the county in back pay to the employees he wrongfully terminated.

No matter what, it won't be good for us in the short term. We need to stick together and fight this out as one.

[TxVietVet]

24. Here are some of the issue Gov. Wanker wants to institute and stop workers rights.

http://www.theawl.com/2011/02/wisconsins-war-on-unions-coming-soon-to-a-town-near-you


Monday, February 14th, 2011The Anti-Worker Party
27
Wisconsin's War on Unions: Coming Soon to a Town Near You
by Abe Sauer on February 14th, 2011
One doesn't need to go to the Middle East or Northern Africa to find a people-versus-government showdown. At this very moment in Wisconsin, one of the most important labor battles in decades is already going down at the state capital in Madison.

On one side is Tea Party Republican Governor Scott Walker and a GOP legislature hell-bent on making Wisconsin "open for business." On the other side are the state's labor unions, which Walker's latest budget aims to fully field dress, gut and strap down to the hood of his car, tongue hanging out and all. Across the state, Wisconsinites are organizing for protests and vigils, including, of course, the Purple People Eaters. Walker has—no shit—said that he will call in the National Guard if necessary. Here's a fast look at line items from Walker's just-released budget that, if successful, may soon find themselves in a legislature near you.
Walker's special session bill begins: "Under current law, municipal employees have the right to collectively bargain over wages, hours, and conditions of employment under the Municipal Employment Relations Act (MERA), and state employees have the right to collectively bargain over wages, hours, and conditions of employment under the State Employment Labor Relations Act (SELRA). This bill changes MERA and SELRA with respect to all employees…"

It continues, "This bill limits the right to collectively bargain for all employees who are not public safety employees…"

The highlights:

COLLECTIVE BARGAINING. Make various changes to limit collective bargaining for most public employees to wages. Total wage increases could not exceed a cap based on the CPI unless approved by referendum. Contracts would be limited to one year and wages would be frozen until a new contract is settled. Collective bargaining units are required to take annual votes to maintain certification as a union. Employers would be prohibited from collecting union dues and members of collective bargaining units would not be required to pay dues. Changes effective upon expiration of existing contracts. Law enforcement, fire employees and state troopers and inspectors would be exempt from the changes.

STATE EMPLOYEE ABSENCES AND OTHER WORK ACTIONS. Authorizes appointing agencies to terminate any employees that are absent for three days without approval of the employer or any employees participating in an organized action to stop or slow work if the governor has declared a state of emergency.

QUALITY HEALTH CARE AUTHORITY. Repeals the authority of home health care workers under the Medicaid program to collectively bargain.

CHILD CARE LABOR RELATIONS. Repeals the authority of family child care workers to collectively bargain with the state.

UW HOSPITALS AND CLINICS BOARD AND AUTHORITY. Repeals collective bargaining for UWHC employees. State positions currently employed by the UWHC are eliminated and incumbents are transferred to the UWHC Authority.

UW FACULTY AND ACADEMIC STAFF. Repeals authority of UW faculty and academic staff to collectively bargain.

Authorizes DOA to sell state heating plants, with the net proceeds deposited in the budget stabilization fund.

PENSION CONTRIBUTIONS. Require that employees of WRS employers and the City and County of Milwaukee contribute 50% of the annual pension payment. The payment amount for WRS employees is estimated to be 5.8% of salary in 2011.

HEALTH INSURANCE CONTRIBUTIONS. Requires state employees to pay at least 12.6% of the average cost of annual premiums



I don't know about most people, but paying 12.6% of the health premiums is a huge cut in salary. I see that Gov. Wanker didn't forget to screw Milwaukee County Employees again. He's like a bitch with a bad dose of clap. Keeps coming back to haunt you.

[wislib]

25. WORKER DEMANDS Pass around and yours

WORKER DEMANDS


1. MEDIAN WAGE MINIMUM TAX

For all earners over $ 250,000 regardless of deductions
you will pay the average state tax paid by median income
earners.

2. CHARITABLE DEDUCTION

25% tax applied to all charitable deductions over $ 50,000
Tax will be applied to social programs determined by the
Dept of Social Services or similar agency - we don't need
more dinners, dances, wine tastings, art shows and auctions
for you to wine, dine and show off your clothes & cars.

3. CORPORATE TAX BREAKS

You create the job, keep it here for five years and we'll talk.
Employers currently keeping their workers on the job are
done paying your way. You have a good business idea get
it financed just like worker's pay for their cars and homes.
SBA loans are permitted.

One more thing, you want state or local help top management
pay can not exceed 20 times the average worker pay.


4. MOVING JOBS BRIBES

Outlawed effective immediately. You want us to match
an offer from another state - TOUGH LUCK. Take your jobs
and good riddance. One more thing, management has to go
too! If all current in state management doesn't move to the
the same state where the jobs are going we will impose a
15% tax on the previous three years of net profit and you will
pay the FULL cost of three years unemployment for employees
left behind. Employers keeping jobs here will not be paying
increased unemployment rates due to your selfishness.

[Viking12]

26. Welcome to DU!

:hi: