Elected Officials

[lroberts]

Yellow belly is the term that comes to my mind when I think of those idiots leaving like they did. Tell you what....common sense tells me if they left like they did, they must have known they were either wrong in the past about some of teir actions, or they didn't want to face all of the thousands of people right outside their door who had been strong supporters of theirs or, they knew they were getting ready to watch their careers fade or who knows what they were running from. At any rate a man doesn't run, does he? He stands up, stands his ground or admits his wrong doing or whatever the case may be. Anytime I've ever seen a man running I figured he must have done something really bad or was flat out wrong.

Yellow belly wimps!

You obviously know nothing about politics.....the man who is the Rep. Speaker of the House right now led a group of Rep. that did this several years ago. It is in the Constitution that they can do this.....had nothing to do with something they did or didn't do. Save your name calling for something you are informed on!

[RoadToad]

Two things:
1) What's going on in WI has nothing to do with balancing their budget. The unions have already made the financial concessions being asked for, so that's a non-issue. What it's about is eliminating the Democratic Party's biggest power base, the unions. It's a power-grab.
2) Regardless of #1 and whether or not you agree with the legislation, what those senators are doing is just plain wrong. I personally disagree with this piece of legislation, but I disagree even more strongly with the tactics being used to block it. If you feel passionately that a piece of legislation is wrong, you seek to undo it once it's passed, you don't paralyze your government so that it can't be passed in the first place.

[Chubminnow]

You obviously know nothing about politics.....the man who is the Rep. Speaker of the House right now led a group of Rep. that did this several years ago. It is in the Constitution that they can do this.....had nothing to do with something they did or didn't do. Save your name calling for something you are informed on!

You're correct...I know very little if anything at all about politics...I know right is right and left is wrong (ok, just kidding, sort of) but I do have common sense and I know what "appears" to be lame behavior when I see it. I also know how far it would get me if I walked out on my own job and they had to have the law come looking for me. Guess that's the difference between politicians and regular everyday worker's.

I still say they oughta fire'm all! It's NOT a left verses right thing with me on this issue or who did what several years ago. I really don't care who did what several years ago...AND...whatever someone did several years ago doesn't make it ok today...For me personally, party afiliation doesn't make a hill of beans difference what so ever in regards to this particular fiasco.

If it's wrote in the constitution that they can put this type of behaviour into place then so be it, but it doesn't sound right to me. I guess it is what it is.

The economy is STILL struggling and more money needs to be cut fella's...more GOVERNMENT money needs to be cut. The unions have had their cuts like everyone else I'm sure. There is hardly anyone in this country that hasn't felt or isn't going to feel the effects of this recession, ESPECIALLY once gas goes over 4 to 5 bucks per gallon.

[GeoFisher]

If it were Republicans fighting for something you thought was right would you feel differently???

I thought it was CHEAP when Dems did it in Texas a few years ago, and it is CHEAP now.

http://slapblog.com/?p=9730

Unfortunate that elected officials don't do their job. They should be hunted down and found guilty of whatever the state can charge them with.

Later,

Geo

[GeoFisher]

Two things:
1) What's going on in WI has nothing to do with balancing their budget. The unions have already made the financial concessions being asked for, so that's a non-issue. What it's about is eliminating the Democratic Party's biggest power base, the unions. It's a power-grab.
2) Regardless of #1 and whether or not you agree with the legislation, what those senators are doing is just plain wrong. I personally disagree with this piece of legislation, but I disagree even more strongly with the tactics being used to block it. If you feel passionately that a piece of legislation is wrong, you seek to undo it once it's passed, you don't paralyze your government so that it can't be passed in the first place.

I think it is more than a power grab. Even if the unions give up concessions, with the next contract they will have every OPPORTUNITY to SCREW the taxpayers. UNLESS the union is busted. Not about power....it is really about fairness. Be VALUABLE and you will be paid what you're worth. You said it a couple nights ago.....you provide a value for your company. When you or I no longer provide that value.......we're GONE. That is how it should be.

Later,

Geo

[Chubminnow]

You provide a value for your company. When you or I no longer provide that value.......we're GONE. That is how it should be.

That's how it's been for me the past 31+ years.

[lroberts]

I think it is more than a power grab. Even if the unions give up concessions, with the next contract they will have every OPPORTUNITY to SCREW the taxpayers. UNLESS the union is busted. Not about power....it is really about fairness. Be VALUABLE and you will be paid what you're worth. You said it a couple nights ago.....you provide a value for your company. When you or I no longer provide that value.......we're GONE. That is how it should be.

Later,

Geo

You say "the union" must be busted.....which one??? All of them??? Do you really want the government and the rich/powerful to be able to control everyone like that???

[Hlleonard]

You say "the union" must be busted.....which one??? All of them??? Do you really want the government and the rich/powerful to be able to control everyone like that???

-- There are a lot of people who believe unions are evil and detrimental to the country ...The Corporations have done a great job of butchering the unions over the last several years, I know several people who are working for 10 dollars an hour who are anti-union ...These folks don't seem to be capable of seeing that their lifestyle has been reduced while the rattle snakes at the top have enjoyed a boon to their financial standing since the unions have become weaker ...If the wage earners in this country get pushed to the point of allowing the unions to start regaining strength again then we will start seeing improvements to our economy and the living standards of work-a-day people ...Unions do have some of the bad qualities several of the posters continually point out but the truth of the matter is they are good for the economy in general.

[DJD]

-- There are a lot of people who believe unions are evil and detrimental to the country ...The Corporations have done a great job of butchering the unions over the last several years, I know several people who are working for 10 dollars an hour who are anti-union ...These folks don't seem to be capable of seeing that their lifestyle has been reduced while the rattle snakes at the top have enjoyed a boon to their financial standing since the unions have become weaker ...If the wage earners in this country get pushed to the point of allowing the unions to start regaining strength again then we will start seeing improvements to our economy and the living standards of work-a-day people ...Unions do have some of the bad qualities several of the posters continually point out but the truth of the matter is they are good for the economy in general.

With all due respect I just can't see how they are good or productive for the economy. The case in Wisconson isn't about big Corporations and Unions it's about tax payers and Unions....at least thats what I see.

Unions have always been a very small part of the working force. So I don't see how they had much impact on the economic downfall. To me that was failed policies by self serving do-gooders in Washington. Spending more than we have is always a problem and ignoring problems the way those fartknockers do is never the way either.

I actually agree that the unions had a time when they were needed but to me that was back when options for employment were few and work place standards sukked! Coal miners, auto/truck, manufacture, steel and others benefited but to me thats done. We now have so many gubment agencies that can shut a work place down in a heartbeat and prolly have 10 money grubbing lawyers for every person in this country to represent them.

Business owners are held to so many restrictions now that you can't verbally, mentally, financially or even hint of abuse on an employee. Plus if you even get close to discrimination either by pay, race, religion, sex or position your guilty until you can prove otherwise. Just try and fire someone without just cause and see what the labor department and lawyers will do to you.

I'm just asking what real benefit they serve and can it be done better without them?

[lroberts]

With all due respect I just can't see how they are good or productive for the economy. The case in Wisconson isn't about big Corporations and Unions it's about tax payers and Unions....at least thats what I see.

Unions have always been a very small part of the working force. So I don't see how they had much impact on the economic downfall. To me that was failed policies by self serving do-gooders in Washington. Spending more than we have is always a problem and ignoring problems the way those fartknockers do is never the way either.

I actually agree that the unions had a time when they were needed but to me that was back when options for employment were few and work place standards sukked! Coal miners, auto/truck, manufacture, steel and others benefited but to me thats done. We now have so many gubment agencies that can shut a work place down in a heartbeat and prolly have 10 money grubbing lawyers for every person in this country to represent them.

Business owners are held to so many restrictions now that you can't verbally, mentally, financially or even hint of abuse on an employee. Plus if you even get close to discrimination either by pay, race, religion, sex or position your guilty until you can prove otherwise. Just try and fire someone without just cause and see what the labor department and lawyers will do to you.

I'm just asking what real benefit they serve and can it be done better without them?

Almost all of those things that you just stated happened because of unions protecting workers, and if unions are demolished many of those rights (not all) could disappear. Many people that are not part of a union have benefited from them in in a cursory way....whether it be monetarily or workplace safety or what have you. The states such as Wisconsin are saying that the unions helped cause this economic downturn and that the way to fix it is take their power away.......and downgrade wages of state workers. These people make up the middle class and have been the ones who have been most effected by the bad economy. So fix that problem by making it worse for them??? That doesn't make sense. Find someway to take away tax breaks away from companies that make billions or stop spending money on stupid earmarks that don't benefit the masses!

[Hlleonard]

With all due respect I just can't see how they are good or productive for the economy. The case in Wisconson isn't about big Corporations and Unions it's about tax payers and Unions....at least thats what I see.

Unions have always been a very small part of the working force. So I don't see how they had much impact on the economic downfall. To me that was failed policies by self serving do-gooders in Washington. Spending more than we have is always a problem and ignoring problems the way those fartknockers do is never the way either.

I actually agree that the unions had a time when they were needed but to me that was back when options for employment were few and work place standards sukked! Coal miners, auto/truck, manufacture, steel and others benefited but to me thats done. We now have so many gubment agencies that can shut a work place down in a heartbeat and prolly have 10 money grubbing lawyers for every person in this country to represent them.

Business owners are held to so many restrictions now that you can't verbally, mentally, financially or even hint of abuse on an employee. Plus if you even get close to discrimination either by pay, race, religion, sex or position your guilty until you can prove otherwise. Just try and fire someone without just cause and see what the labor department and lawyers will do to you.

I'm just asking what real benefit they serve and can it be done better without them?

I have to admit I know very little about the pay scale of the folks who work for the government and are paid by tax dollars so I will refrain from voicing an opinion about these folks ...I do agree that unions were not expressly responsible for the wages of most working folks, I do however believe that even non-union pay scale was affected by union wages in the past ...I believe most companies/corporations will pay the least wage or salary that they can get by with to get the job done ...There are a few of you fellas who post here that have been fortunate in that you have acquired the training/experience to earn a good living in your chosen career, not everybody has the ability or the will to do what you have done and I congratulate you but that doesn't strip the folks who choose to work in more mundane jobs of the right to earn a living without needing public assistance ...If employers voluntarily paid their employees a decent wage then unions would not be necessary and neither would illegals who have affected pay scales a great deal, Employers will pay an illegal half the wage to get a job done just because he can ...Most Americans don't wish to live 10 or 20 in a trailer or house the way these folks do, If a company owner or operator wants their work force to live that way then they are doing a great disservice to our way of life.

[DJD]

I have to admit I know very little about the pay scale of the folks who work for the government and are paid by tax dollars so I will refrain from voicing an opinion about these folks ...I do agree that unions were not expressly responsible for the wages of most working folks, I do however believe that even non-union pay scale was affected by union wages in the past ...I believe most companies/corporations will pay the least wage or salary that they can get by with to get the job done ...There are a few of you fellas who post here that have been fortunate in that you have acquired the training/experience to earn a good living in your chosen career, not everybody has the ability or the will to do what you have done and I congratulate you but that doesn't strip the folks who choose to work in more mundane jobs of the right to earn a living without needing public assistance ...If employers voluntarily paid their employees a decent wage then unions would not be necessary and neither would illegals who have affected pay scales a great deal, Employers will pay an illegal half the wage to get a job done just because he can ...Most Americans don't wish to live 10 or 20 in a trailer or house the way these folks do, If a company owner or operator wants their work force to live that way then they are doing a great disservice to our way of life.

You hit the nail on the head with illegals in the work force. Man that has a huge impact on construction. We have spots in town that have 15-20 mexicans hanging out in the mornings waiting for rides and anyone who wants cheap labor. I would guess they are illegal but I don't have proof.

We can thank our politicians for that...both parties and all levels of gubment!

I was handed a shovel when I first worked for an electrical contractor in Florida and that lasted about a month! Heck with that! I found my way to wiring emergency lights and trimming out buildings which lasted about a month and then I quit to start working with a systems contractor installing clocks, intercom, fire alarm and fiber.....best move I ever made!

This was back in the late 80's early 90's. I was making $5.75- $7 an hour. Man it was tough but we made it.