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Subscribe to RSSEd Schultz, host of "The Ed Show" on MSNBC, talks with Rachel Maddow about what's at stake in next Tuesday's recall election in Wisconsin.
Editor's note: A correction has been made to this story. Click here to view msnbc.com's corrections page.
Tuesday's recall election of Republican Gov. Scott Walker - a battle that has become a referendum on the future of public sector unions - is the most expensive in Wisconsin history. More than $63.5 million has been spent by candidates and independent groups, the overwhelming majority underwritten by out-of-state sources.
The record spending total was made possible thanks to the Citizens United U.S. Supreme Court decision, which had the effect of invalidating Wisconsin's century-old ban on independent expenditures by corporations and unions, and a state law that allows unlimited contributions to the incumbent in recall elections.
The amount spent since November 2011 trounces the state's previous record of $37.4 million, set during the 2010 gubernatorial campaign.
Wisconsin is ground zero in a national fight for unions, which have supported state-based legal and ballot campaigns to overturn laws restricting collective bargaining and automatic dues check offs.
In the first of two debates, Walker vowed to "stand up and take on the powerful special interests," suggesting that national unions have propped up his Democratic challenger, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett.
While Barrett has received about 26 percent of his $4 million in campaign donations from outside the Badger State, Walker has drawn nearly two-thirds of his $30.5 million contributions from out of state, according to campaign filings released May 29. Walker has outraised Barrett 7 ½ to 1 since late 2011, though Barrett didn't enter the race until March 20.
"It's big time," said Mike McCabe, director of the campaign finance watchdog Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, which compiled the numbers. "We have a level of outside interference in this election that the state has never seen before."
Jeffrey Phelps / AP
A supporter of Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, right, talks with a supporter of Democratic opponent Tom Barrett at a recall election rally on Friday in Milwaukee.
Union money pours inCampaign contributions tell only part of the story. National unions have kept Barrett's campaign alive by funding outside groups dedicated to defeating Walker.
More than a year since Walker limited collective bargaining rights for most public employees, the nation's three largest public unions -- the National Education Association (NEA), American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), and the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) -- have channeled at least $2 million from their treasuries and super PACs to two Wisconsin-based independent expenditure groups.
The American Federation of Teachers, United Food and Commercial Workers, Teamsters, and the United Autoworkers have all dipped into their D.C. treasuries for the Wisconsin recall as well.
The unions, however, have struggled to keep up with Walker's deep-pocketed, anti-union friends -- like billionaire casino owner Sheldon Adelson and the Republican Governors Association, which received a $1 million contribution from conservative billionaire David Koch in February.
On March 7, the NEA, the nation's largest union, transferred $3 million to its super PAC, the NEA Advocacy Fund. A week later, that super PAC sent $500,000 to the We Are Wisconsin Political Fund, a state-based independent expenditure group headed by the state AFL-CIO's president.
The fund has spent the money on direct mail, phone banking, canvassing and support for other pro-recall groups in the state. With access to unlimited corporate and union dollars, independent expenditure groups in Wisconsin may advocate for or against an opponent, but must disclose their donors and spending to the state's Government Accountability Board.
In early April, the SEIU sent two contributions totaling $500,000 to the We are Wisconsin PAC, which makes direct donations to candidates and parties.
The NEA and SEIU declined to comment for this story.
Union funds ground game
A third public sector union based in Washington, D.C., AFSCME, has set up a special account for the Wisconsin battles, which also include recall votes for four GOP state senators. Much of that money has gone to staff a vast, union-funded network of dozens of field offices in the state.
Two weeks before the primary, the national union wrote a $500,000 check to bolster We are Wisconsin, which has paid for union staff from Alaska to Massachusetts to assist with the ground game.
"This election is going to boil down to a turnout game," said AFSCME national spokesman Chris Fleming, whose union has funded campaign staff throughout the state.
Labor unions had heavily favored former Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk to challenge Walker.
"Let's face it, I wasn't their first choice," said Barrett in May's first debate. AFSCME, a major Falk funder, criticized Barrett during the Democratic primary for trying to wring concessions from Milwaukee public employees.
But when Falk lost to Barrett in the May 8 Democratic primary, national unions quickly shifted their support to Barrett -- who lost to Walker by 5 points in 2010.
We are Wisconsin and a second group, the Greater Wisconsin Committee, saw an infusion of union cash for Barrett's second attempt in May. We are Wisconsin got another $500,000 from the NEA' Advocacy Fund on May 7 -- making for a cool million from the teachers union super PAC in under two months.
The American Federation of Teachers also chipped in $350,000 in May.
We are Wisconsin has spread its wealth too, sending $1.3 million in May to the independent expenditure arm of Greater Wisconsin, a one-stop -political shop comprised of a 527, a (c)4, a PAC, and an independent expenditure fund.
In late May, Greater Wisconsin took a $500,000 donation from AFSCME and $900,000 more from the Democratic Governors Association to fuel a final online, radio, and TV ad push in the week ahead of the vote.
Walker's campaign did not return calls for comment, but the governor called Greater Wisconsin "a front group for all the union money coming in," during the first of two May debates.
Union leaders say the opposition to Walker is home grown.
"I would tell Walker to look in his backyard," says Fleming of AFSCME. "There were people from Eau Claire and Waukesha and Green Bay, putting together the largest demonstrations at the Capitol since the Vietnam War."
Super donors for Walker
Walker, meanwhile, has benefitted from the state's election finance rules that allowed his campaign to raise unlimited contributions from individuals after recall petitions were filed in November 2011. His challengers could take no more than $10,000 from individuals.
Through April, Walker's top three donors combined gave more than challenger Barrett's campaign had raised overall. Four of Walker's top seven donors are out-of-state billionaires, including former AmWay CEO and former Michigan gubernatorial candidate Dick DeVos, and casino magnate Sheldon Adelson, who each gave $250,000 to Walker.
Adelson has given $26.5 million to super PACs in the 2012 election -- most of it to Winning Our Future, a pro-Newt Gingrich super PAC - making him the most prolific super PAC contributor so far, according to a Center for Public Integrity report. Though he is known primarily for his support of Israel, Adelson also has an extensive history of bitter disputes with unions who want to organize at his exclusively non-union casinos.
When Citizens United came down, it didn't just nullify Wisconsin's 1905 ban on corporate campaign cash, it also plunged much of the state's campaign finance reporting into darkness.
"Because corporate and labor expenditures were previously illegal, there were no disclosure laws to regulate their spending," said McCabe. "There's been a precipitous drop off in transparency."
Since Citizens United, Wisconsin's Government Accountability Board requires independent expenditure groups to register as so-called "1.91 groups," named for the state rule that created them. Of the more than $63 million spent in the race, $22 million has come from these groups -- $16.3 million of it from Walker supporters -- according to the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign.
Similar to federal super PACs, 1.91 groups can raise and spend unlimited corporate or union dollars and urge voters to support or oppose a candidate. Also, like federal super PACs, they must report their donors -- except when they can avoid it.
The Republican Governors Association has spent roughly $4 million on campaign ads through its Right Direction Wisconsin PAC since April 23. But because the RGA's PAC is based out-of-state, it only has to disclose to state regulators its donations coming from inside Wisconsin, a glaring loophole.
Of its most recent $4 million outlay, the RGA raised only a little over $7,000 from inside the state.
The RGA does have to report donors to the IRS, and its 2012 first quarter filing reveals a $500,000 donation from the Chamber of Commerce and a $1 million February contribution from Koch.
McCabe says the 1.91 groups that are based in-state, like We Are Wisconsin and Greater Wisconsin, also have ways around disclosure rules. The nonprofit arms of these organizations don’t have to disclose donors, and can funnel unlimited money from undisclosed sources into independent expenditure funds — making the source of a lot of campaign cash “nearly impossible to track.”
‘Outrageous … wrong, but … legal’
For example, Greater Wisconsin transferred $191,000 from its political fund to its independent expenditure fund in early May. The money would be spent on ads supporting Barrett or opposing Walker. Because its political fund does not have to report donors, no one knows who paid for the ads — an end-around the state’s disclosure rules that parallels campaign financing tricks at the federal level.
Then there are issue ad groups which raise and spend unlimited funds, and do not register or disclose their spending. However, they are barred from urging voters to support or oppose a candidate.
The Campaign for Wisconsin Democracy gathers purchasing data from media outlets, and estimates about $8.5 million in issue ads have been bought during the recall.
The right-wing groups Americans for Prosperity and Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce, known as “Wisconsin’s Business Voice,” and the anti-union Center for Union Facts have made roughly 75 percent of those purchases. Greater Wisconsin has spent about $2 million, according to McCabe.
Despite the record fundraising numbers and the unprecedented degree of outside influence, neither Walker’s haul from out-of-state billionaires, nor the national union cash infusion breaks campaign finance law. In total, outside spending made by independent expenditure groups and issue ad organizations, totals $30.5 million in the recall election — well over half of which has been contributed by undisclosed sources, according to the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign.
“All the spending is outrageous and wrong, but it’s also legal,” says McCabe.
Capital versus people
McCabe says the unions better bank on a ground game, because they can’t compete long-term with corporations.
“I always thought it was foolhardy to play a capital-intensive game when the unions have people, and their adversaries have capital,” he says. “They just can’t keep up.”
The intense spending by outside groups has made a lot of Wisconsinites feel powerless.
Elena Barham is a West Madison High School senior who helped form the Students for Wisconsin PAC. So far, the group has raised about $30 from T-shirt sales.
“Our goal is not money-based,” said Barham, whose group has focused on voter registration among young voters. “It’s about showing that a grassroots effort could have an impact.”
Barham’s PAC produced a Web ad critical of Walker’s cuts to education and is canvassing in pivotal Dane County — where Barrett needs to win big to have a chance. At school, Barham has the difficult task of rallying enthusiasm.
“High school kids see all this big money and say, ‘I don’t have a million dollars,’” she said. “It’s hard to convince people of their political efficacy — it’s discouraging.”
The Center for Public Integrity is a nonprofit, independent investigative news outlet. To read more of CPI’s stories go to iwatchnews.org.
Leave a Comment:
It's the votes that count - money can't buy your souls - get out there and vote your hearts out don't let the Koch Brothers win
I agree...get out and vote..don't let the Union Thugs win!
More than $63.5 million has been spent by candidates and independent groups, the overwhelming majority underwritten by out-of-state sources.
It all will be worth it if Walker LEAVES. The Republicans thought that they were the only ones that could benefit from Super PACS. WRONG! The same law is good for everyone.
Of course money will buy the next person in every State and in the Presidency. In this case, however, is money well SPENT
When did Republican say they could only benefit from PACS??
Now, it's true democrats have been benefiting from unions for decades....it's gonna hurt real bad to lose all the money!
30,000+ Wisconsin Union workers no longer being raped for union dues. It's a great day for them and the rest of this great country!
I agree...get out and vote..don't let the Walker and the Koch Thugs win!
After having been in THREE unions, I'm hopeful that the good people of WI win by not allowing the whining, childish, gimme pigs in the union leadership win. Personally, whenever possible, I purchase non-union goods and services. It's not always possible, but a percentage of every dollar that spent on union goods and services goes directly into the coffers of Democrats such as Stinky (bo), Cheesey Chuck (you) Schumer, Dingy Harry, and Beads Pelosi. That's like buying herion and knowing the money goes to support terrorists.
I find it funny that there is all of this discussion about the money being spent when there was an obvious solution. No recall election - no issue. When you lose, take your lumps and go get 'em next time.
Jim, much too logical for the losers to understand. It's all about power.
Get out and vote!
Don't let the Koch-Head Bros hijak more politics to tip the scales in their favor.
Union thugs? Who brainwahed you. Those days are over and the corporate goon squads are back BUYING elections and politicians. Unions are just working people who decided enough is enough. That's what people cannot stand that there are still people willing to stand up for their rights and will NOT lay down to the crooks.
Wow all this Union hatred when Unions are one of th rewaons this is such a great Country. I guess everyone forgets all the benefits a Union has given non-union people. Unions are the reason that middle class America came into being. This hatred of Unions is stupid. Without the protection of Unions the average worker is going to become a modern day Serf. Just Saying!
Shame on Wisconsin. What a total waste of millions of dollars. Elections are held every four years and they should have waited to vote him out rather than waste all of this money. How many homeless, vets, special needs kids/adults, or a host of other good causes could have used this money? No common sense at all.
I wish the loser had to pony up the expense this has cost taxpayers. Vote in an election that will redefine politics in WI. Vote.
Unions are at the top of the list why companies move overseas for mfg. and services. The time has come for them to fold.
Slave labor wages are at the top of the list why companies move overseas for mfg. and services. Businesses exist for one reason to make a profit. Why pay some one in this country $10 an hour when the same labor can be done overseas for 50 cents a day? Moronic trade policies are the top reason jobs have left this country.
Yes, some companies move jobs to countries where they can use slaves; countries where the only way to quit your job is to kill yourself!
stevejc-42, you wrote:
I weep for you steve. It must be awful not being unable to start a business where YOU are the boss, or for YOU to find a workplace that is not controlled by filthy, vile, thieving union pigs. It must be awful having to live without any initiative or drive to improve yourself.
You don't sound at all like you're whining or childish like those nasty union leaders. No sir, steve, this is someone else's fault. You poor victim.
Cj, that would be 'cheap labor' is the reason companies are off-shoring. And that is also why there is less and less union influence - less unions. Big business $ influence now dwarfs them. Sounds like you would be happy for all workers benefits to go away and workers paid slave labor wages as in other countries. Be careful what you wish you and who it is that you hate.
America wants this lowlife scott Walker kicked out on his Butt, this dirtbag is nothing but a puppet for the Kocheads. We can do better than trash like this !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(Un)Patriotic...Apparently you have no idea what the American people want!
Just wait and see how long it takes Milwaukee and Madison to turn in the results on Election night...They want to see how many more votes need to be manufactured to overcome the totals in the rest of the State...
It is pure BS to put out vote totals from each county as they come in.... That drama is driven by the Press and Broadcast Media for ratings that want to be FIRST in predicting who the winner will be....Tally all the results and then announce the winner...
Thanks to the Citizens United U.S. Supreme Court decision (love those Judges, who took the everyday average citizens rights away), the citizens have lost all of their rights. This has been pushed for by the Republican Party, whose special interests lies with the big Corporations and wealthy elite. In this state the people have now become their slaves without a voice (except the firemen and policemen). Watch the thugs go after eliminating your minimum wage salaries and more of the benefits that you have been paying into for many years. Of course they'll keep on collecting the money regardless of whether you receive it or not, while more and more benefits with loopholes are provided to the wealthy elite.
The Poster Boy Rethug, Walker, and his bunch of thugs, from the latest I've heard have been engaged in a telephone ""Directed Denial of Service" attack. In this, they used a bunch of auto-dialers along with a plethora of friends to "swamp" the trunks of the Barrett campaign offices, ultimately causing the Barrett phone system to crash. Is this the new form of a "Political Mofia"?? If this is the form of Government that you want, then stop your complaining and let the Ultra Rich and Corporations run your daily lives with pennies for wages while they become even greater "Fat Cats" with all the benefits that have been taken from your working wallets. Otherwise, get out and vote to take our country back form the fat cats.
I find it interesting that the libs get all up in arms and declare that Obama hasnt had time to fix the economy even though he has been president for almost 4 yrs.
While Walker hasnt even been gov for 18 months yet the libs are declaring he is ruining WI, which will never recover from his term and etc. My question is how can Walker be ruining the economy, when according to you a politician needs at least 4 yrs to just settle down, before he can get to work? So according to the libs, everything negatively affecting WI should be Doyles fault until the 4th year..
SECRET GOP 16-trillion-bailouts to BANKS.That's reason why American feels the pain in the ass@ now!
http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/news/?id=9e2a4ea8-6e73-4be2-a753-62060dcbb3c3
http://www.forbes.com/sites/traceygreenstein/2011/09/20/the-feds-16-trillion-bailouts-under-reported/
Stupid stupid people. No wonder this country is broke. You are willing to waste money to recall someone you voted for in the first place. The unions and political parties are laughing their @sses off with the money they got out of your pockets.
You would think the country of freedom who police's the world for democracy could figure out an accurate voting system. Each State has their own weird method as I have voted in different States. Florida made a massive mistake and we ended up with a dufass named Bush Jr. Now Wisconsin had to spend millions and lots of wasted time. How many other US States are flawed??
Maybe we should paint everyones face Orange who votes that takes a month to wear off so were are sure? The stakes are too high and changes need to be implemented before Novenmber....
Isn't it strange how a State has all the big bucks to blow on campaigns, and yet complain that they don't have the money to pay their State bills??? The same goes for all the States. Of they course the Republicans have the money to BUY what they want, which does not include any of the workers benefits. And now they don't want them to have health insurance either. That would mean less fat cash in their deep greedy pockets. Take our country back from the elite 2% and get out there to vote with a clear head not fogged up by the Koch Brothers.
The Koch Thugs are playing with fire, their day will come !!!!!!!!!!!!!
I think it is interesting how the media writes reports about excessive spending by both parties during an election. The absurd part about it is that the money is going to them! The media doesn't want to slow the money, because it means less advertising.
An Independent Thinker ...(#1.27).."Isn't it strange how a State has all the big bucks to blow on campaigns,..."
Wisconsin is being forced to spend this $17 Million Dollars because the Temper-Tantrum Cry-baby Bullies in the Union didn't get their way....
That State money could have fed a lot of hungry children....Why do Dems and Unions want Children to go Hungry ???...Wasn't that the Battle Cry of the Wisconsin Teachers..."We're fighting to keep our free benefits to help the Children " ????
Have you noticed....Act 10 has barely gotten mention in the Recall Campaign by the Dems...The Reason they started the recall petitions....It's a loser for them...the Financial Reforms are working and they know the people of Wisconsin know it too.....Barrett, not the choice candidate of the Unions...She lost in a Shellacking.....can only take a page out of the Obama Playbook, not run on issues.....attack your Opponent.
GOP Scotus said " Corporation is People" The idea is to Screw-up the Middle Class to bears all the Private Corporation debt.
The list of institutions that received the most money from the Federal Reserve can be found on page 131 of the GAO Audit and are as follows Bailouts..
Socialism in America at it's Best !
Citigroup: $2.5 trillion ($2,500,000,000,000)
Morgan Stanley: $2.04 trillion ($2,040,000,000,000)
Merrill Lynch: $1.949 trillion ($1,949,000,000,000)
Bank of America: $1.344 trillion ($1,344,000,000,000)
Barclays PLC (United Kingdom): $868 billion ($868,000,000,000)
Bear Sterns: $853 billion ($853,000,000,000)
Goldman Sachs: $814 billion ($814,000,000,000)
Royal Bank of Scotland (UK): $541 billion ($541,000,000,000)
JP Morgan Chase: $391 billion ($391,000,000,000)
Deutsche Bank (Germany): $354 billion ($354,000,000,000)
UBS (Switzerland): $287 billion ($287,000,000,000)
Credit Suisse (Switzerland): $262 billion ($262,000,000,000)
Lehman Brothers: $183 billion ($183,000,000,000)
Bank of Scotland (United Kingdom): $181 billion ($181,000,000,000)
BNP Paribas (France): $175 billion ($175,000,000,000)
and many many more including banks in Belgium of all places
View the 266-page GAO audit of the Federal Reserve(July 21st, 2011): http://www.scribd.com/doc/60553686/GAO-Fed-Investigation
Source: http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-696
FULL PDF on GAO server: http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d11696.pdf
Walker is all about lining the pockets of his corrupt friends like the Koch Tea Baggers, ("Remember the phone call") Scott is taking one giant leap for the 1% !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Every foolish act by a Republican carries a huge price tag.
A recall costs $ 63 million,
Wall Street bankers led to a recession caoting the world trilllions of dollars, but
justice is PRICELESS.
Scott Walker DID NOT campaign on removing collective bargaining rights! HE NEVER MENTIONED IT while a candidate. He is NOT just some altruistic guy who was trying to balance the state budget. He came in with a secret agenda to destroy unions. He considers a union employee who's just trying to keep his pension from getting stolen and his job from being outsourced as "the enemy". He has collected over 31 million $$ for his recall election. That's not coming from grandmas and soccer moms sending him 10 dollars each, people. Apparently sugardaddy billionaires (Koch brothers) are just fine with him but union members are communists in his book.
Then you have this woman Diane Hendricks from the "divide and conquer" video. She is worth almost 3 BILLION dollars but yet she is still not a happy person. What would make her happy? To see the chance for a middle class lifestyle taken away from most of the public by getting rid of all unions, public and private. It is also noteworthy that this woman somehow paid no state income tax last year. How do us commoners get that deal? It's no coincidence that these millionaires/billionaires will get even richer when they can pay everyone minimum wage with zero benefits (and get nice tax breaks while doing so). These people have no morality at all.
All unions are is a fund raising arm of the democratic party. A person might have more respect for the NEA if they members were producing an education that was not second class. We are not even in the top 5 nations in regards to education.
pigotry: How quickly you forget. That $63 million is because of the dems and the unions. They lost the election and they simply cannot accept it. They are the ones who petitioned for the recall. This may become the new norm from the left. Time will tell.
To Mike in Delray (post #1.30)
Your manipulated comments show how brainwashed you are without the ability to think clearly. What would you know about another State when your own State Gov., Scott, and his aides bought the election with street gutter campaign tactics. Oh and let's not forget that the brainwashed people elected Scott as the Gov. even though the self-righteous, honorable man's company (FL Hospitals while serving as the CEO) was found guilty of the highest Medicare Fraud in the history of the U.S. at that time and was required to pay a very hefty fine. His business run company was stealing from the Govt. funds, and yet you voted for him anyways in spite of knowing about this well before the elections. Any everyday type person would be thrown into jail immediately. Yet, this Gov. was elected by those with a lack of thinking. Oh, and one more thing about your honorable Gov., instead of helping the homeless children living on your city streets, Scott has gone out of his way to cut Medicaid way back for the sick children/adults, and allows cities (LIKE ORLANDO) to pass laws not allowing people or private organizations to feed the homeless adults and children (even when the funds were not coming out of the State or City funds. How convenient for you to forget those little things accomplished by your own Republican Tea Party thugs. And how hypocritical of you to mention that money from the campaign funds could be used in WI to feed the homeless children when your very own State has been taking the food away from the homeless (to include a large group of Veterans, cutting back on unemployment benefits, and cutting back Medicaid funds from the heavily hit people in this recession. Yet, Scott, has the money to allow for outrageous campaign funding expenses and providing more exemptions along with money to Big Businesses (not the small businesses). Did you forget that FL has one of the highest unemployment rates in the U.S.??? The Unions had nothing to do with that either. So stop you manipulated whining! We've had more than enough of the Republican Corporate Elitism all for their greedy selves. Companies go overseas to avoid paying taxes to our Govt., and yet still get the loophole exemptions. Try thinking about that for a change instead of blaming the Unions or Obama for everything.
More than $63.5 million has been spent by candidates and independent groups, the overwhelming majority underwritten by out-of-state sources.
Now we know what "union dues" are really spent on! Why do they need other states to get involved? The people voted for Walker! Elections are supposed to be what the people want. Other states need to BUTT OUT!!
Every foolish act by a Democrat carries a huge price tag.
A recall costs $ 63 million.
Do you know how stupid you sound when you cry about corporation money going to elections, when EVERYBODY knows the unions bought Obama's election!? The unions have spent billions of money they stole from the blood sweat and tears of average workers. They have become a corporation for profit now, they could care less about the workers. And don't let Rachel Madcow fool you, the Dems are worried as hell about this election, that's why she is trying to spin it. Wasted money on this recall and all the money spent when they trashed the capital is a freakin joke. Just like when the dem leaders ran and hid when it was time to make tough decisions. Go Scott Walker!
Go Wisconsin!
rainwashed (post 1.9)
Union thugs? Who brainwashed YOU to think reading the news part of "brainwashing?" How about the "union thugs" who took over the port in Longview, WA last September or the union thugs who abandoned their schools, calling out sick and having doctors sign phony sick slips in a mockery of medical ethics during the protests in Madison, WI.
Here Rainwashed, read this and "wash" your mind:
http://ironicsurrealism.com/2011/09/08/hundreds-of-union-thugs-storm-port-hold-security-guards-hostage/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjFbMDp5Pg8
The corrupt union influence over the public sector is decimating our municipalities. I don't have an issue with a union negotiating raises and working conditions with a private sector company. If their demands are too greed, they company just might fold, so there are checks and balances. Not so with municipalities. To meet union "collective bargaining" agreement, they simply increase taxes or cut other programs to feed the bloated union appetite. The unions help electt officials who then turn around and bestow benefits on the unions, without regard for the taxpayer. Since governments have no "profit and loss" motive, and make no money, Unions should have no right to effect payment, since anything they "negotiate" must be taken from taxpayers.
.
Scott Walker = Koch Bros = evil.
An Independent Thinker...(#1.37)...I thought this was a Vine about Wisconsin ???....I commented about Wisconsin and you want to talk about Florida...Plenty of other Vines for that. Try to stay focused on what everyone else is discussing...
Hey Fed....
I just want to put out a warning to WI dems, you were told to make sure you win this recall election, well it looks like that isnt going to happen. After this is all over I wouldnt be surprised if you get tossed under bus and then eaten by the DNC, after all they have a national election to think about..
Even now Obama and the DNC are refusing to give Barrett any money even though he went to both of them begging for money.. Just something to think about :)
So after all is said and done, the good people of Wisconsin will likely elect Walker over Barrett by about the same margin as last time.
All that money and time and effort by the unions - wasted.
The GOP TeaBaggers was started by Timothy McVeigh, this act of madness was supported by the Koch Looters !!!!!!!!!
While Barrett has received about 26 percent of his $4 million in campaign donations from outside the Badger State, Walker has drawn nearly two-thirds of his $30.5 million contributions from out of state, according to campaign filings released May 29. Walker has outraised Barrett 7 ½ to 1 since late 2011, though Barrett didn't enter the race until March 20.
That's all you need to know. Thanks to a corrupt, Conservative bloc on the Supreme Court and the legalization of bribery through Citizens United, the wealthy elites now are fully empowered to buy our political process. Democrats will pull out all the stops on GOTV, but it's still entirely likely Wisconsin will become a new subsidiary of Koch Industries.
We should be ashamed of what we're allowing to happen to our representative democracy, that jewel which has been handed down to us over the generations.
Barbara Adams Jackson
progressive radicalism can't buy the people hearts apparently.
Brainwashed - 1.8
Union thugs? Who brainwahed you.
Thuggary is the union negotiating a contract that requires the state to use of a pension company they set up and charging the state 3 times the going rate for the service.
IRESPOND-2315268..
that is your opinion regarding money well spent....my opinion is that you are nuts
cjsez -
Actually this depends upon which business it is. Some are taxes, some are regulations, some are wages - whichever they deem to be the expense they cannot overcome. In Ohio, We had a democrat candidate for the House in 2010 who admitted that the one thing industries cannot over come is the excessive regulations they must follow in the US vs elsewhere. Remember, it is easier to blame the unions than government. Business has a tendency to avoid criticizing government directly. They don't want to be investigated, fined, or regulated any further.
GE who lobbied for outlawing incandescent lights to make the CFL profitable moved the production to China because it takes twice the labor to produce the CFL.
2011 Hershey moved all chocolate production to Mexico. Union wages was deemed to be the last straw.
@Really?
....your ridiculous logic works BOTH ways you know.
You said, "if a liberal doesn't want a gun then no one should be allowed to buy a gun but if a conservative doesn't want a gun the they just won't buy one"
Fair enough....if a liberal doesn't want an abortion they just don't get one, but if a conservative doesn't want an abortion then no one should be allowed to get one.
See? It works both ways. I don't affiliate myself with either philosophy. The "truth" in any given situation is usually closer to the middle than it is to either extreme. Also, people shouldn't have to just move from a place if they don't like the way things are, they can just vote.
I absolutely agree with you about how ridiculous it is to attempt legislating a damn toy in a happy meal. But the reason any young girl should be able to decide for themself about an abortion is that many "parents" are perfectly willing to allow that girl to destroy her life so that they have no guilt about being "bad parents" and no stigma attatched to the abortion. They will not consider what happens when that girl is unable to get an education and provide for that child.
...here's an idea. Cram sex education down the throats of these teenagers? Make condoms available EVERYWHERE a teenager turns? I know, i know..."but then they have no consequences for their actions, no accountability". Moronic argument, that. If so called conservatives are REALLY against abortion...if they really think it's the most horrific thing...then sex education and birth control at every corner are just common sense. That "precious" little life you're soooo concerned about protecting from ending?? Your "concern" for that life ends the moment the child is born doesn't it? At that instant you don't want to aid in feeding, clothing, or educating it do you? Is it suddenly NOT precious?
I would be appalled if my daughter, when she found herself pregnant, had had an abortion. BUT that would have also been NONE OF MY CONCERN.
You be careful mr "Really?" when you start spouting bull@!$%#...you may start to sound like a liberal.
Really?
Not really. They feel they are the only ones who should be running everything. They have no problem doing or saying whatever it takes to get the power back.
The first thing to do is accuse the other side of exactly what they are or will be doing so the attention is on the others and not them.
Second thing. Demand everything and more than you want, then compromise means you make progress to what you want.
Third thing. Find ways to present facts in a way that look awful good and emotionally compelling to prove your and even if they are actually proven wrong, never back down.
Some are too young, too biased, or too shallow-minded to even stop and consider why we have unions or why they became necessary in the first place. If you believe that corporations would never again prioritize profit over fair compensation, fair working conditions, or workplace safety, then it is YOU who are sipping from the wrong cup.
jack 533 - 1.31
All those companies listed (except the foreign based banks) - gave 2/3's and higher of their 2008 & 2010 donations to democrats and Barak Obama.
Looks to me that the GOP Scotus didn't do the GOP much of a favor does it?
BTW: if those bailouts don't occur, our financial system would have collapsed.
Best election Walker could buy.
Really?
I see it as a beauracracy Fed with a leans that varies according to which party, but mostly leaning to the left.
hold the presses on that big sale! i am hopeing that was 30 thou, but reading on i realised, nope, no dice. points a direction of things. kids usually ride on what their parents think. i live and work in Wi. im in the trades, and have recieved better pay outside of union, doing the same job. I also didnt have to cough up dues. i found, again being in another union (not by choice) only cost the company, and taxpayers MORE money, than its worth.
i have worked at higher paying non union jobs, doing the same work. if you are fired from any normal job other than teacher cop or so on, you dont get time off with pay (even tho you supposedly can), you 99.9% of the time are still out of a job when all is said and done.
what hurts the union most, is the clock number issue, and no mandatory union involvement to obtain work in certain places. i wouldnt pay dues if i wasnt forced, i feel my standing with the company i work for would be better off actually without a union. union does more to hold me back, than it does to promote me just by making issues that dont exsist. my pov is all.... but add in forced raises, and so on... you dont really question why a sucked dry buisness locks its doors do you? the only reason we have a government now is because we cant import one from China or India.
TruDat
Ahhh. I see the democrats are trotting out the big lie! I guess if you are going to tell a lie tell a whopper. There are campaign newsletters, newpaper accounts, etc that say differently.
http://www.wiba.com/pages/vicki.html?article=9441669
http://www.npr.org/2011/02/23/133995779/weekly-standard-why-so-surprised-about-walker
The problem for democrats about lying these days, is there are plenty of alternate sources who are standing up more and more to the BS.
You libitards always seem to have purposeful selective ignorance about what you regurgitate. You dimwit democrats have amnesia when it come to "NEW WORLD ORDER "SORE-ASS" spending part of his billions and oblunder's goon squad intimidating voters at poll sites with clubs and whiny teachers union feeling they are picked on because finally have to be equatable to the taxpayes (who we really should buy a package of "Depends" so they can afford to change their diapers once in a while) and the union thugs that want $50"s an hour to put a screw on a auto in an assembly line. This comment is coming from a retired public school teacher that just lost $177's per month on my pension check.
No surprize here. The union slugs never cared about spending "other peoples money".
It seems that there are those Corporate Republican supporters who are very uneducated relating to unions and why they where established in the first place. Those who are against the unions should educate themselves on the history of unions and if you still feel they should be crushed by the greedy corporate America then you are promoting that we as working class Americans don't deserve to have a voice or deserve to get a living wage. For all those who is a working class Republicans had better take a long hard look at what their party are saying and what they intend to do if elected because if you really working class you will see that every bill and law they have and will propose is against the working class and to limit our rights and silence our voice. Their attacks are against all Americans who earn less than a million per year, they have attacked, women's choice, seniors, education, the disabled, vets, kids, all races that aren't white, deregulation ( they want the financial corporations to do what they want ), infrastructure rebuilding, I could go on but if you really want the truth do some research and also read what is in the Paul Ryan Budget and the Romney budget. America first, not Corporations and know matter what the supreme courts says, corporations are not people.
Dumb America
Brought to you by either/or Democrat and Republican idiotheads.
Because it is more important to scream and s**t like an infant than actually listen to someone who disagrees with you.
I don't care if there are unions or not. Its more important about the stupidity of people who must insist on their own point of view instead of get what they want.
Here's a hint if you are one of those people: You never vote for a member of the other party over the career of your entire voting history, and you get on Newsvine and waste your time yelling at people who vote for the other party.
Really, the only thing that isn't a waste of time is yelling at both of you red faced nutjobs on either side who can't think for yourselves and actually look at an opposing party candidate.
I'm rooting for the average American to lose all their money at this point. Because then we'll see what they really care about. Of course, it's going to be hard to give up being fat with no money as the national pastime.
I hate free trade as much as you do but isnt it funny that all the free trade treaties are signed by dem presidents? We have the worlds biggest and richest economy, we could have foreign powers jumping though hoops to gain acess to it. Yet we are the ones jumping to the tune of the Chinese, who still dont let our companies do business in China, well maybe a little after they sign over all their prints and copyrights..
Unions gave you weekends, minimum wages, vacations. Big Business like the Koch Bros. want to take all that away. Hate unions if you want, but if it werent for unions we would still have child labor and you wouldnt have a minimum wage. Think about how it will be to have to work 20 hours a day for a dollar an hour. Keep voting for these righties and you wont have to think about it, it will become reality.
Why do public employees need union proiection from us, the people?
What happened to the idea of democracy? Does the opinion of the majority no longer matter?
hww all Unions are is Legalized Mobsters..... They are really nothing but a batch of Legal Crooks..... At one time being a Union Member was very respected but with the BS they do now days there is no way I would become one.....
Its funny how union leadership, the public unions and the dems. Didnt care when the private companies were taking the hacksaw to union contracts, cutting wages and everything else. Now that the public employees are being forced to pay a little to their insurance. Everyone is making a big deal about it, sorry but the average union worker doesnt care, they have already been on the chopping block and they see it as the public employees turn..
I also see that libs are screaming at police and firefighters for buying steaks in Cali, so sad.. I guess they think the firefighters wages would do better good going to the welfare office..
It's a pity that the citizens of Wisconsin can't decide this for themselves. All this outside pressure and influence is just making a bad situation worse.
Public employee unions have become a problem in many parts of the country. Unlike the private sector, a government entity can only adjust their "business model" so much and still provide the functions and services that they are required to by law. The only options are to control labor costs or to raise taxes.
As a retired Police Officer, I may not like the loss of bargaining rights but I can intellectually understand the obvious need for it. Too many public unions have pushed too hard for too long and now many of the taxpayers have had enough. Sometimes, it is best to take a good deal and leave it at that rather than trying to squeeze a little harder.
This is a new low for MSDNC!
They publish this screed, written by the George Soros-funded Center for Public Integrity, which quotes "facts" provided by the George Soros-funded Wisconsin Democracy Campaign.
Talk about a snake eating its own tail! Of course, they leave out the most pertinent details.
It was the Left that made this a national fight. It was out-of-state union interests and the National Democratic Party organizations that FIRST started pouring money into Wisconsin. The Republicans just responded in kind.
Maybe if the Lefties had been smart enough to do their homework, they'd have realized that, when you target someone for recall, THERE ARE NO FUND-RAISING LIMITS on that individual. However, the limits DO apply to any challengers. The Citizens United case had NOTHING to do with that.
Walker's opponent, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, basically called Walker a liar, claiming that the job numbers Walker cited for Wisconsin were fabricated. Unfortunately for Barrett, the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development has announced that the Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics has confirmed Walker's claims of job growth.
It seems that when Barrett was calling Walker a liar, he must have been looking in a mirror.
Meanwhile, Moody's Investors Service is saying good things about Wisconsin's financial condition. They report that the state budget closed a $3.4 billion gap and improved the state's ability to meet its future obligations.
Walker's policies have improved Wisconsin's fiscal health. The voters know it and the polls reflect that fact. The Leftists knew all along that the result of this recall election will have national implications. Now, they're whining about the situation that THEY created.
hww all
Unionscorporate CEOs are is Legalized Mobsters..... They are really nothing but a batch of Legal Crooks..... At one time being aUnion MemberCEO was very respected but with the BS they do now days they belong in prison.There fixed it for you, and now it makes sense. You are welcome.
This is not about breaking any union in Wisconsin. Gov. Walker gave the Teachers Union everything they wanted out of the Taxpayers pocket. That was his job. With the exception of collective bargaining which amounted to nothing more than the raises could not excede the cost of living. And they (the Teacher's Union and a bunch of out of state Union's,mine included) have gone ballistic with greed! But that was what Gov. Walker was elected to do. That was his duty. Think about it,the Teacher's got their raise,they are gauranteed a job but the future raises are to be in accord with the cost of living. Anybody here not felt a money crunch lately? Food,Gasoline,taxes,health insurance prices are through the roof ! Even if the price of goods stay the same you get smaller portions,8lb potatoes,4lb sugar, 14oz instead of a pound,etc. What the hell were they afraid of? How much did they think they were entitled to? I'd like to know what their current raise was? Walker had an obligation to the taxpayers of Wis to balance the budget. That's what he was elected to do. The problem is the teacher's are in fact educated and they know how to work the system. They are merely saying,"you either pay us or we're gonna blow 62 million tax dollars,win or loose"!And guess what they are all Democrats! Illinois is all Democrat and we're broke,although our newly elected Gov Quinn managed to make 2000 additional patronage hires. The Governor race here was the closest in decades 20-30K votes. There are a lot of Illinois Union "thugs" currently roaming the Wisconsin countryside. Look for a lot of "Chicago Style" ballot stuffing and election rigging in this recall,these people are professional liars.This is not about the breaking of a union its about the money. It's not about fighting for the kids it's about the money. It's about the money and a continuation of the gravy train enjoyed by goverment employees. To All ILLINOIS UNION PEOPLE WORKING FOR GOV. WALKERS RECALL," USE PLENTY OF 'DEEP WOOD'S OFF',I DON'T WANT THE MOSQUITO'S GETTING SICK FROM BITING YOU"!
The problem here is half these people posting don't know a damn thing about WI and Walker and his puppets have down to our wonderful state. They have divided us family member against family member, neighbor against neighbor, all in the name of divide and conquer. Speaking about divide and conquer, Tom Barrett asked Walker straight out(2 times) would he veto a bill for right to work state, as usual Walker spun it around in circles, anyone in WI who thinks he would veto it are just plain fools, so remember that when you go vote, he has lied to many times, and will continue to do so.
Why would anyone want to vote for someone who most likely will be charge in the John Doe, oh yeah don't forget the bid rigging he is being investigated in as well. It is just a matter of time, and hope if he is charged and found guilty he should be sent to prison. Just think if Walker wins the election, but gets charged he will be out of office, and then we will have that ding bat Rebecca Klefish as our new Gov, god help us all!
Hey Scotty, the Koch babies will make sure your comfortable while serving your prison term.
I'm not sure exactly what all that meant. It was a difficult read. Normally, when I see words like "libtard" I read no further and click "Ignore This Author." However, this one seems to beg a response, if for no other reason as to offer the retired teacher some respectful advice. If you do not want to see your pension affected, do not vote those in office who would do your pension harm. If it weren't for the work of unions, you would have no pension to begin with. So many do not even realize that.
Using capitalized words in quotes like "NEW WORLD ORDER" makes me believe that you have been watching Fox News or listening to the likes of Rush Limbaugh, Mike Huckaby, or Glenn Beck. As our world becomes more interconnected, changes in monetary policy, diplomacy, and government are inevitable. Such evolving can be frightening, especially to those who wish to cling to old paradigms and antiquated ideologies, compounded with a 24 hour propaganda network designed to misinform and rewrite history in order to cause people to vote against their own best interest. No wonder people are at each other's throats.
You rave against a working man actually performing work, making a living wage of $50 an hour, yet you seem to have no problem with the higher-ups making millions and millions more, the same higher-ups who likely caused your pension to be cut.
I do feel for your situation. I remember my teachers from school and I have nothing but fond memories for most of them. I owe them much for where I am today.
The bottom line is, things in this country only stand to get worse until we get some real cooperation among the opposing political parties in Washington. Electing people who vow to obstruct and who believe compromise is a bad thing is not the way to achieve this end. If you do not know which party I am referring to, then we return to my previous assertion that you have been getting your information from those whose views are not pro-democracy, but rather pro-oligarchy.
Apparently you haven't been paying attention to elections for the last how many years. Money buys you an election. Every elected official has money, which they use to buy an election, and smear who runs against them.
@cmbmsquick
Corporation are also one of the reasons this is such a great country. Where is your outrage over the hatred directed at them? They create jobs, unions don't; they create the products we all want and need, unions don't; they create wealth that everyone benefits from, unions don't.
While unions have done much for the average worker in the past their positive impact on the nation as a whole comes no where close to the positive impact corporations have.
One one side, you have people like the Koch brothers, who don't think twice about throwing $400,000,000 at campaigns, but not a single cent towards job creation. And yet some people wonder why we want to tax them more.
Thanks union pee pant crybabies for making us spend all this money on the recall. What are you going to do when Walker wins the election Tuesday? I know, why don't you hold your breath until you pass out. At least I won't have to listen to you. RECALL SANTA! I didn't get what I wanted for Christmas. CRY BABIES!
Its a sad day when union thugs take away our freedom of speech!
My name is Dave Willoughby. I am the one in the video. (and pictured above)
http://liberty.com/content/marine-arrested-pro-walker-democrat-rally
Without being told what I had done, I was handcuffed and escorted off premise. Placed in a squad car and taken to a police station. I asked if I should have my rights read to me and was told "You're not being arrested." My personal property was taken from me, I was fingerprinted, mug shot taken and locked in a dark jail cell (lights off) still handcuffed.
I sat in that jail cell, looking out of a meshed wire window, at a large American flag flying in the background. Where am I? How can this be happening? What did I do wrong? I prayed for strength.
When I swore the oath to protect and defend the Constitution, I never realized until recently, how vulnerable our precious freedoms actually are.
I did nothing wrong. There were literally hundreds of cameras at this event. I challenge all media to find one shred of evidence, which would support the actions of the Milwaukee PD officers.
Does Mayor Barrett approve?
Dave Willoughby
Yes unions used to be good, but then some of them found themself under the control of the mafia. While they are not anymore, the greed stuck with them. No most unions in the country are corrupt. Think of it in fantasy terms, the empire of the world started as a rebelion agaisnt some tyrants, but, while fighting the enimy(lol, fail) they became it.
John B, Des Moines, IA
No it's not all you need to know, it's just all you're being told. What they left out is that most of the democratic money that was coming in from outside the state went to the union backed candidate, Kathleen Falk. She didn't even make it out of the primary. The money flooding to Barrett now is a last ditch effort by the unions to save some face in the hope that most of the country won't realize they've already lost.
@Jeff P-14
Care to make a wager? I'll bet the Koch brothers have created more jobs than every single union in the country combined.
They employ 50k people directly in this country and an independent economic research firm concluded their support of local businesses across the country create an additional 150k jobs. That's a hell of a lot of jobs which makes me wonder just exactly what people like you are bitching about. Once the libs decide someone is "evil" then nothing could ever satisfy those who buy into the rhetoric huh?
The best possible outcome for the corporate puppet scott walker will be if he is recalled. If he does win his recall election he and a large portion of his staff will all be facing federal indictments for corruption in the few weeks following. Walker's administration has been ripe with corruption since he was elected and there is a huge investigation presently occurring with many indictments about to be served including one with Walkers name on it. How embarrassing this is for the republicans and will be a win win for the people of Wisconsin who were duped by this corrupt corporate bastard and his cronies(koch thugs) and now suffer from voters remorse. Don't fret Wisconsin, you'll be rid of this parasite whether he wins this election or not.
Speaking of being duped and voters remorse........how many are sorry they voted for Barry?
GOP Scotus said " Corporation is People" The idea is to Screw-up the Middle Class to bears all the Private Corporation debt.
The list of institutions that received the most money from the Federal Reserve can be found on page 131 of the GAO Audit and are as follows Bailouts..
Socialism in America at it's Best !
Citigroup: $2.5 trillion ($2,500,000,000,000)
Morgan Stanley: $2.04 trillion ($2,040,000,000,000)
Merrill Lynch: $1.949 trillion ($1,949,000,000,000)
Bank of America: $1.344 trillion ($1,344,000,000,000)
Barclays PLC (United Kingdom): $868 billion ($868,000,000,000)
Bear Sterns: $853 billion ($853,000,000,000)
Goldman Sachs: $814 billion ($814,000,000,000)
Royal Bank of Scotland (UK): $541 billion ($541,000,000,000)
JP Morgan Chase: $391 billion ($391,000,000,000)
Deutsche Bank (Germany): $354 billion ($354,000,000,000)
UBS (Switzerland): $287 billion ($287,000,000,000)
Credit Suisse (Switzerland): $262 billion ($262,000,000,000)
Lehman Brothers: $183 billion ($183,000,000,000)
Bank of Scotland (United Kingdom): $181 billion ($181,000,000,000)
BNP Paribas (France): $175 billion ($175,000,000,000)
and many many more including banks in Belgium of all places
View the 266-page GAO audit of the Federal Reserve(July 21st, 2011): http://www.scribd.com/doc/60553686/GAO-Fed-InvestigationHYPERLINKhttp://www.scribd.com/doc/60553686/GAO-Fed-Investigation">http://www.scribd.com/doc/60553686/GAO-Fed-Investigation
Source: http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-696HYPERLINKhttp://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-696">http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-696
FULL PDF on GAO server: http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d11696.pdfHYPERLINKhttp://www.gao.gov/new.items/d11696.pdf">http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d11696.pdf
David Walker, jpeg, An Independent Thinker, Ron Sewiet, zportzman, you are all suspended for a day for violating rule # 1 of the Code of Honor.
go out there and vote tomorrow. it matters not who you vote for, but it is important to let them know that you voice count.
Yes, go out and vote, if you can. One untold story here is the work that has been going on to purge voter roles eliminating seniors, students, and minorities. Make it harder for them to register and to vote, because they may vote against your interests. How do you even know if your name is being purged???
I voted once, but because the democrats as usual are not good losers, nor do they respect the will of the people they are demanding we waste our time and the states money to vote again with the same results; in the end it will be as we voted the first time, Walker will still be Governor. Now as a resident of Wisconsin I feel that rather then have me pay with my taxes for this election since it was forced upon us against our will, the unions and other groups that have forced the issue should be given a bill and forced to reimburse the state for the money it is wasting on this senseless election. Then when it is all done to stop this nonsense the senate and house needs to pass a bill that a recall can only be used in cased of misconduct or illegal activity while in office (the original reason this bill was put in the constitution of the state) this way the democrats and unions can not again find loopholes to waste our money.
I thought Walker said Wisconsin was broke. Where is he coming up with the money to defend his a$$?
Well, since you asked...$17 million comes out of the taxpayers pockets...THANKS UNION GUYS!
The rest is just like any other election....contributions by supporters.
The democrats and union thugs have spent a ton... but at the end of the day... the Gov will win. What a waste of money on both sides.. all because Walker and many others realize how dangerous it is to let unions dictate to the State!
Thanks for staying in the fight Governor Walker! You will prevail because you are right!
Well, since you asked...$17 million comes out of the taxpayers pockets...THANKS Koch Thugs
UNION GUYS!The rest is just like any other election, thanks to citizens united,....contributions mostly by billionaires and corporate supporters.
I think the union thugs brought it up, so now the taxpayers have to pay.
Gov. Walker will win. What will the union thugs say then? Boo Hoo......? Probably not. My guess is they'll kick and scream and cry foul. Then they'll launch into their theme song. The lyrics are as follows.
gimme gimme gimme gimme gimme gimme gimme gimme, gimmegimmegimmegimmegimmegimmegimmegimme
gimme gimme gimme gimme gimme gimme gimme gimme, gimmegimmegimmegimmegimmegimmegimmegimme
gimme gimme gimme gimme gimme gimme gimme gimme, gimmegimmegimmegimmegimmegimmegimmegimme
Minan59, why would you blame the Koch brothers? They did not start the recall...see your local UNION THUG for an explanation.
From Krooks like KochDealers, Walmart Official Bribers, Karl Marx Rove, News Hacker Murdoch, LimpRush LimPbaugh, and all the other phony CON-Artistservative Anti Working American Group. Oh yeah plenty of Communist Red Chinese cash coming in to turn any state RED Communist Right to Work4less.
Also the same people bribing Romney is bribing Walker. Win or not Walker is going to jail. Did you notice how he was squiming like a Koch Addict at the last debate? He was sitting on the edge of his chair like someone going to the chair. You just look at the man and you can tell he's a pathetic liar, lying for those his yanking his chain. Divide and conquer Scotty, you have divided and you are conquered.
Also you have all of these RightWingNutHypocriteAntiAmerican Kool Aid and Koch Addicts spamming every Social Media outlet they can.
Remember how the used the Christians and their "family value$" bullhockey. They sold them out too.
Kick the Koch paid Bum Out !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Their puppet Walker is destroying the state. Worker rights are only a very small part of why he is being removed. Here are a few more reasons he is being recalled.
Minan59...copying and pasting from media matters doesn't make your lies more believable?
Scott Walker is a Loser and losers don't Win, put that in your pipe !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
jpeg and Really?! Methinks you guys are Koch Bros trollers? Anyone who wants to keep this Koch Bros' puppet is beyond comprehension! Corporate greed wants no regulations and treat you like slaves. Wesconsinites you need to vote Walker OUT - or he will make you pay in revenge. He is the true Hitler - in case you all don't know - Hitler got rid of Unions. GOOGLE IT! http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/history/mwh/germany/hitlerconsolidaterev_print.shtmlhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/history/mwh/germany/hitlerconsolidaterev_print.shtml
B.S. property taxes on both my properties went up.
They show that while Wisconsin’s unemployment rate is down to 6.9%, Wisconsin has lost more jobs since Walker took office than any other state.
http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/news/142860605.html#!page=17&pageSize=10&sort=newestfirst
To Really?-1739510 (Post 2:17):
Leave it to a Republican to not pay all his taxes. How could you have the time to understand the other side when you can't see beyond the fog of perfection with your own Party??
Walker made this a re-election, versus a discussion of his tactics to pass his brutal legislation.
Dems, its your own fault, you needed to stick to Walker's tactics.
Really?-1739510...If you don't like paying taxes why not move to a different country that has no taxes. Try Somalia, it is libertarian utopia, no taxes and a small government.
Really
Be careful with that one. Here in Ohio we were 5th in most created jobs (up from 50th) and I see that Wisconsin also made the list of job creators. We too, have enjoyed a nice drop in unemployment. However, deep in the numbers our workforce also shrank some. This is from some people stopping looking and some people leaving the state.
Kudos to Wisconsin for listening to Governor Walker instead of the Unions. Wisconsin is hiring teachers while Ohio is laying them off. Seems OHIOANS LISTENED TO THE UNIONS that they would lose teacher jobs if union lost their bargaining rights. The union conveniently forgot to tell the people the the school district were broke and going to have to lay off teachers because the teacher benefits are growing too fast and the enrollment is dropping.
IF the limited Union Bargaining rights would have been retained, very few teachers would be looking for work today in Ohio. BTW: it wasn't just the teachers getting layed off. 1 non-teaching school position is being eliminated for every 2 teacher positions eliminated.
Minan - the county real estate taxes are base on periodic assessments on your home. Right now, and more frequently than you realize, your property is overvalued. Overvaluing is a cheesy way to raise revenue. Really is only doing what he has every right to do.
When your market value went down, the locals DON'T lower the value of your home.
There are some states that have tax forgiveness. It's available to everyone, but not publicized. It's in their because the taxes are higher than they should be. Politicians don't want to be seen as bankrupting the citizens because of taxes, so these things are put in place in many levels of government.
You libitards always seem to have purposeful selective ignorance about what you regurgitate. You dimwit democrats have amnesia when it come to "NEW WORLD ORDER "SORE-ASS" spending part of his billions and oblunder's goon squad intimidating voters at poll sites with clubs and whiny teachers union feeling they are picked on because finally have to be equatable to the taxpayes (who we really should buy a package of "Depends" so they can afford to change their diapers once in a while) and the union thugs that want $50"s an hour to put a screw on a auto in an assembly line. This comment is coming from a retired public school teacher that just lost $177's per month on his pension check.
The dividing of the people by the ruling class is what this election is about.
The main theme is the idea of demonizing middle class workers and stripping their ability to earn a fair wage by the wealthiest few who look at people as being only something to use, abuse and throwaway.
At the end of the day the middle class will be stripped of not only their wealth but also of any input in the political process leaving them disenfranchised. This is the plan for candidates such as Governor Scott Walker to just divide and conquer the electorate to serve the interests of their wealthy masters only.
Ron,S/I doubt that you will do what I suggest,but with hope. You are against Unions,O.K. Are you against all unions? What about Manufacturers unions,Employers unions,Doctors unions,Lawyers unionsAccounting unions e.t.c.,or are you only against worker's unions. Why? Think fairly.
All unions are is a fund raising arm of the democratic party. A person might have more respect for the NEA if they members were producing an education that was not second class. We are not even in the top 5 nations in regards to education.
Illumination, what are you saying??
Describe fair? Should people in the public sector get more or make more from "you" the taxpayer for a job that is as hard or less as someone in the private sector (where the work load may be more with more hours)? Public servants? So I ask again, describe fair?
Divide and Conquer? Wealthy masters? Have you looked at a union lately? They have been doing a pretty good job of what you just described. Dividing for wealthy masters, however, I won't say conquering because we all see what you cannot fathom, the hypocrisy. A union will cut you off if the business is about to go down. They will save the top. Does that sound familiar to your description?
Rub of the Green..its interesting..you claim the unions have spent a ton on money for this election..yet//Walker has gottern 2/3s of his funds from outside the state....his funding from out side has been what...triple the funds the unions have put there. How about the private sector that is handing millions to walker..you say nothing about that..these funds are all from union busting persons that hate paying a living wage to those that have caused these wealthy few to have the wealth they have today. Statics show who has made the money over the years..and it is not union members, it is the wealthy few who live off the work of the middle class. It is those wealthy few who do not want to share the wealth created by the hard work the middle class does for all these companies that now sit on millions of dollars..I have yet to see any CEO lose a dime because of any union....
I do not believe you should be allowed to recall any elective official, just because you disagree with their politics.
If they have done something Illegal, then you impeach them. and legally remove them.
What is happening in Wisconsin can lead to more recalls. That means you could just get recalled because the opposing party gets enough signatures.
Scott Walker DID NOT campaign on removing collective bargaining rights! HE NEVER MENTIONED IT while a candidate. Check this link at politifact Wisconsin.
http://www.politifact.com/wisconsin/statements/2011/feb/22/scott-walker/wisconsin-gov-scott-walker-says-he-campaigned-his-/
He is NOT just some altruistic guy who was trying to balance the state budget. He came in with a secret agenda to destroy unions. He has collected over 31 million $$ for his recall election and you know that's not coming from grandmas and soccer moms sending him 10 dollars each. So sugardaddy billionaires (Koch brothers) are just fine with him but union members are communists in his book.
Then you have Diane Hendricks from the "divide and conquer" video. She is worth almost 3 BILLION dollars but yet she is still not a happy person. What would make her happy? To see the chance for a middle class lifestyle taken away from most of the public by getting rid of all unions, public and private. It is also noteworthy that this woman somehow paid no state income tax last year. How do us commoners get that deal? These millionaires/billionaires will get even richer when they can pay everyone minimum wage with zero benefits (and get nice tax breaks while doing so). These people have no morality at all.”
Whats hilarious is that the Democrat opposing Walker won the nomination by also acknowledging the disgusting and costly union greed and wanting to reduce it:
""Let's face it, I wasn't their first choice," said Barrett in May's first debate. AFSCME, a major Falk funder, criticized Barrett during the Democratic primary for trying to wring concessions from Milwaukee public employees.
But when Falk lost to Barrett in the May 8 Democratic primary, national unions quickly shifted their support to Barrett -- who lost to Walker by 5 points in 2010."
Seems that both parties know that the Unions are dinosaurs, but only one party is willing to overlook it and be bought by them with their money and votes... Democrat.
Io t is odd that much of the contribution is comming from outside of WI for this recall election... And as some have placed this on the unions, with Walker getting 2/3s of his money from outside the state (as some have said), a grain of salt has to be taken with this, because if too much is said, a bit of "pot calling kettle..." enters into it. I must admit that Scott Walker's campaign emailed me, asking for election monies, and I live in Jersey... However I got on the email list for donation requests, it has to be either due to my signing of certain unrelated petitions in the past, or my having been on certain email lists from the conservative (albeit I have also kept abreast of some of the liberal lists as well)... There is value in being aware of more then one side of the isle....
But that so many donations are comming out of the state, it also suggests that the issue (Scott Walker created with his move to collective barganining) has some far reaching consequences outside WI, and a lot of the country is discussing this/expecting the outcome to have some effect in their own respective states as well...
I do wish, more expensive or not, that we could have had as much success with a recall in Trenton, NJ, and specifically with Tony Mack. No matter how expensive it could be (and mostly from contributions and the like), it would have to pale in comparison to how much that crook (who arguably is little better then Jon Corzine was when it came to taking the money of the constituents) would avail himself of. And the police officer's pension plan, is one area Mack is showing sticky fingers wrt, even as he pushes many of the cops into forced early retirement to hide exactly where the money disappeared to. Never mind that the crime is on the rise, and if Tony Mack has his way, Trenton could get the reputation for crime (as well as gang related violence/homicides) that Camden, NJ already had... All in all, some politicians really should be recalled....
illumination fascination-3070427: You're exactly correct. Divide and conquer. It's the only way to control the masses.
There are none so blind as those who will not see.
Why waste all that time and money and have an election, the heck with the election, now it's who can raise the most bribe money wins. Just like a race set a time limit or money limit and who ever achieves either or both wins and donate all the money donated by both parties for health research or something use full and don't even bother having an election, seems it's just a waste of the voters time anyway.With the present system both candidates are so indebted to their donors, there is no way they can be biased to anything.
Doesn't matter which Party wins, you lose! Complete waist of money for absolutely nothing but banter for the Political Windbags. Very sad we've come to this....
I have never thought that Political Contributions should be allowed from Corporations, Unions, People Living OUtside the State etc.
Only Private Individuals who would be eligible to vote in an election should be allowed. Take out the money from these shadowy groups, corporations, PACs, Unions and OUt of State Millionaires. Get the money out. Let the people decide within their own state, jurisdictions etc. Walker getting 2/3 of his money from out of estate is obscene, and the other guy getting about 1/3 of his from out of state is only obscene to a lesser degree.
Montana’s Corrupt Practices Act (1912) – Still in place after Citizen’s United, with 22 other states waiting to join in to keep corporate money out of politics. Stand with Montana!
Look at the sign in the photo with "union thugs" -- What's with the out-of-date stereotype lies? Come on people, why get all chintzy about other people's benefits? Ask why not me too?!
American workers are NOT the reason for the Great Recession. Dirt bags like Scott Walker are using this LIE to destroy the Democratic Party, and other red state governors/legislations hope to destroy our two-party system as well. That's what this is about, along with the Teabagger Race to the Bottom, and Romney the corporate raider 's Social Darwinism of every man, woman, and child for his/herself.
Stand for labor, stand for yourself. Don't reward betrayal. Throw the Teapublicans out!
@Really and the other delusional conservatives making punk comments in here calling dems libtards I know for a fact that any of you cowards would never call me that to my face without getting the taste slapped out of your mouths. You people are lost you want to say that the unions send union thugs lmao u must be still living in the 60's and early 70's the only unions that are left these days are public sector unions the amount of private sector unions are about 5-10% around the country and you can tell because people are making peanuts these days having to work 2-3 jobs just to keep the lights on and put put food on the table, and that's not including having to pay for health insurance if they can afford it. You people act like public sector workers aren't tax payers also last time i checked i see my state, local and federal taxes come out of my check every two weeks and i pay at the end of every year so enough of that crap talk. You want to demonize teachers make them look like the the bad guys because you think they have some sweet contracts right, instead of being jealous of a person who busted their butt for 6-8 years to earn that degree you should be praising them. You think being a teacher is easy?? try it for a few days and get back to me. These radical gov's like Walker need to be all recalled they support the corporate greed that i ruining our country to this day all of us should want people to make a good living and contribute to society instead of this name calling bs. That being said Walker is on his out the door period!
Rightwingers, stop with the false equivalency. There's NO comparison. The money Walker is spending, most from outside the state from unknown sources, is something like 25 to 1 against Barrett. You also need to do some critical thinking and ask what "return on investment" is desired by campaign donors. Unions want to preserve good paying jobs here in the US. What do Big Business or Sugar Daddies who support Republicans want?
Millions of dollars being spent to recall someone simply because their candidate didn't win. Perhaps they would have won if they'd simply spent some of this money on the original campaign. What a waste.
Compare money that Unions have contributed to that of Chamber of Commerce, no comparison. Its like throwing rocks at a UZI Convention.
That said neither should be allowed to make direct contributions, it should be Private Citizens only, the voting public otherwise its only a matter of time before some radical division of our Party Systems gains control that we the people can't take back without arms. Think I'm crazy? You better read up, World History.
1POV while I don't like Recalls did you howl just as loud when they Recalled Grey Davis in California?
@TruePatriot-445959
"Something like"??? Really? You're going with that? Funny because the article clearly states it's 7.5 to 1, did you even read it or just jump to the comment section with your BS rhetoric? But hey I guess you're only off by a little better than 333%. And of course what the article doesn't mention is the millions the unions poured into THEIR CANDIDATE, Kathleen Falk, who couldn't even make it out of the democratic primary. The unions have ALREADY LOST, now, at the 11th hour, they're throwing their money behind Barrett in a last ditch effort to save face.
@kevinoffsite
In 2010 one single union, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, outspent the Chamber of Commerce all by themselves. Add in the contributions by other large unions and you seem to have gotten your analogy backwards. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303339504575566481761790288.html
I don't know what the numbers are this year but I have little doubt that unions have outspent the CoC easily. Perhaps you should get some facts for yourself before you make ridiculous assumptions.
Really?-1739510, you are suspended for a week for violating rule # 1 of the Code of Honor.
Let's hope Barrett wins!
All of that outside money coming in, their purpose, kill the unions & the middle class.
They don't realize, without the middle class America is toast...
Outside money from UNIONS last year.Unions are running short because WI. Members opped out.I'm middle class and unions are not.Who do you think can afford to support either candidates? UNIONS AND MILLIONAIRS.Get real. Obama is the same.Read more on who is supporting who, not just the REPUB's.
Barrett is nothing more than a political troll... using this fraudulent recall as a sprinboard to advance his career. He's going to find that getting into to bed with the unions was a big mistake!
Barrett was not the candidate of choice for unions in WI.
After the first two tries...you'd think he'd get the message that he's no one's choice!
Don't all of you Koch Worshipping TeaBeggers have some snakes to charm and brew up some snake oil to sell?
Walker and his CON-Artist Henchmen are outspending union 10 to 1. This recall is not about the union busting anyhow. It's about some crooked corporate puppet allowing corporations to scam MORE out of the taxpayers and wanting to pay LESS taxes then a 75 year old woman.
NOT a one of these state pension plans would be in trouble if it WERE NOT for the CRooKS on Wall Street stealing them blind.
As usual most of you people cannot handle the TRUTH!
Scott Walker is a empty suit and a rubber stamp for the Kocheads !!!!!!!!!!!
No jp, that would be this recall is not just about having a union. It is about worker's rights to a fair wage and decent living. The average wage in WI has been decreasing for years. Your fellow posters pint out that unions are almost gone in this country.
This is about the ever-increasing big business tactic of buying politicians and elections to ensure the status quo for the 1%. You know, those job creators - but no jobs. And yet, CEO pay was up over 24% last year and was up 6% last month alone in this country. Yet slim to none of the workers get a pension anymore, but name a CEO without a golden parachute for retirement.
And who is asked to pay a bigger burden now - the 99%. Spending was so bad in WI according to Walker, that he raised the budget. Gave more money to the wealthy and big business in the form of tax breaks at the expense of education and the 99%ers of WI. Dead last for job creation in WI last year.
JustSlapMe......Talking points are just that.....try using your own mind once in a while. This 1% - 99% crap was nothing more than a campaign gimmick. Why do you allow yourself to be used by the people pretending to care about you. Do you really think obama gives a damn about you?
Scott Walker endorsed that sick crazy nut Rick Santorum, what is that telling you !!!
Typical no facts and misdirection from jp. You've been duped by the GOP and can't defend or deny it.
JP needs help. He can not think for himself.
Obama doe not care is a stupid comment. Who does JP think shut down two wars, saved the Auto Industry and is doing a good job as President with NO help from the House or Senate.
The Supreme Court is the organization who is most responsible for BUSTING the Unions. The Courts Citizen United decision allowed the uncontrolled, unlimited contribution to Political Campaigns. Some will argue that the Unions could contribute massive amounts of funds to Campaigns therefore this no different. That is BULL. If a Union gives money it comes from indivual workers. Now the money can come from anybody or any place even overseas.
The Supreme Court destroyed the American Unions representation in Politics. This decision will contribute to the abolishment of the upper middle class ie long term Union workers.
And in other news, a report from the IRS shows over 35000 people earning over $2million paid no income taxes - a new high.
Yep, just can't tax those job creators.
The 1% is doing just fine in these times. The 99%, not so much.
Citizen United allows multinational conglomerates (foreigners) to have a say in our elections.
Vote for Barrett.
Eric, only if they are based in the US. Foreign contributions are very hard to track because so many companies may actually be a subsidiary of some foreign entity.
Corporations aren't the problem, but the majority owner of a corporation might be. With corporations being in the far minority, their ownly hope to have policies that don't put them out of business is to put large sums of money into PACs so their opinion is known.
I wouldn't put a lot of stock in their opinion though. in 2008, the overwhelmingly backed Barak Obama. In 2012 they appear to be repenting of 2008.
Carl you seem to be the more likely candidate for not being able to think or even connect the dots.
The 2008 SOFA agreemnet with Iraq defined our withdrawal timeline. Obama wanted it extended but Iraq said no.
As for afghanistan it was obama who added troops for the surge there and it is obama that wants to keep us there until 2024. If anything, viet nam should have reminded us all on what can happen when we tried to assist a corrupt government. Perhaps you missed this little gem posted by msnbc today...
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/47662955/ns/world_news-asia_pacific/
Looks like afghanistan will be playing lots of folks against each other.
Saved the auto industry? Perhaps...as both GM and chrysler still filed bankruptcy who really can say that without government underwriting they still couldn't have survived or that their suppliers couldn't have adjusted. After all, the japanese auto industry survived a tragic earthquake and tsunami.
Let's see chrysler has pretty much paid the taxpayers back but GM's repayment could take years. Obama provided bailout funding to go to the unions at the expense of the GM bondholders and share holders. Where was the balance here?
Just think of all those mom and pop 401k holders with GM and chrysler shares in their plans or even the private and public sector pension plan administrators trying to show a profit for all of their current and future retirees. Yep, obama sure was a friend of the poor and middle class.
BTW - Our country was set up as a republic with checks and balances. If as Potus, obama is incapable of working with congress doesn't that infer that that obama is incapable of being able to handle the job. Sure seems that prior to obama all POTUS's have had their share of executive-congressional conflict. Interesting on how obama goes out of the way to poke many in the eyes with his blame and excuses. Such a unifier, lol!
Its time for one and done.
@clo711
They don't realize that without the people who buy their products they'll be out of business? Really? You don't think they realize how important the middle class is to their own bottom line and the nation as a whole? Of course they do, they could not possibly be so stupid. YOU are the one who doesn't get it. You are the one buying into such ludicrous notions and ideas. Corporations NEED a strong middle class just to stay in business. The idea that they want to destroy the middle class is LAUGHABLE as are those who are foolish enough to believe it.
Whats hilarious is that the Democrat opposing Walker won the nomination by also acknowledging the disgusting and costly union greed and wanting to reduce it:
""Let's face it, I wasn't their first choice," said Barrett in May's first debate. AFSCME, a major Falk funder, criticized Barrett during the Democratic primary for trying to wring concessions from Milwaukee public employees.
But when Falk lost to Barrett in the May 8 Democratic primary, national unions quickly shifted their support to Barrett -- who lost to Walker by 5 points in 2010."
Seems that both parties know that the Unions are dinosaurs, but only one party is willing to overlook it and be owned by them for their money and votes... Democrat.
BIG waste of money.
Montana’s Corrupt Practices Act (1912) – Still in place after Citizen’s United, with 22 other states waiting to join in to keep corporate money out of politics. Stand with Montana!
Look at the sign in the photo with "union thugs" -- What's with the out-of-date stereotype lies? Come on people, why get all chintzy about other people's benefits? Ask why not me too?!
Linda-1982234 -- Uh, NO. The reason there is less money from unions is that unions have decreased over the years overall, and in Wisconsin, Walker has already been successful and reducing membership = less money. Regardless, unions could never generate the kind of money Republicans can now collect thanks to Citizen's United.
American workers are NOT the reason for the Great Recession. Dirt bags like Scott Walker are using this LIE to destroy the Democratic Party, and other red state governors/legislations hope to destroy our two-party system as well. That's what this is about, along with the Teabagger Race to the Bottom, and Romney the corporate raider 's Social Darwinism of every man, woman, and child for his/herself.
Rightwingers, stop with the false equivalency. There's NO comparison. The money Walker is spending, most from outside the state from unknown sources, is something like 25 to 1 against Barrett. You also need to do some critical thinking and ask what "return on investment" is desired by campaign donors. Unions want to preserve good paying jobs here in the US. What do Big Business or Sugar Daddies who support Republicans want?
Stand for labor, stand for yourself. Don't reward betrayal. Throw the Teapublicans out!
Let's see what unions are going to give us in the next ten years....
Products costs that will sway the trade imbalance even more toward imports
More school districts going backrupt
States going bankrupt
Inability to match the insane pension agreements
a continued deterioration of our roads and transit systems
......and what do they give us? Nothing...not a damn thing. Wages? Legislated through Minimum wage. Safety? OSHA, workers compensation. Vacations, breaks, time off? State labor laws....
@pjam09
Exactly. The unions have ALREADY LOST but you don't hear that being reported anywhere. Instead they just shift to option #2 in hopes that if he wins the American people won't realize how miserably the unions failed and how much of their members dues money they wasted.
ALL wages for workers, NON-UNION and UNION alike should be CAPPED at $2.50 per hour.
Michelle Bachmann-Republican MN, alluded to this when she called for repealing the federal minimum wage and 40 hour workweek/overtime pay protection.
High wages drive American corporations to China.
NON-UNION workers are AS GUILTY as UNION workers.
GEE!!!
43 mil is just a DROP IN THE BUCKET compared to the WORTH of what benefits that nearly only public unions enjoy. Shoot, even just compared to ONE benefit, pensions. Not to mention medical (and usually deductibles) paid for life. On top that, given out for just 25 YEARS service???
I myself can't afford that perk for my city workers anymore !!
Whether now(walker) or if/when you get YOUR man/woman in there, this issue WILL need to be addressed at some point. !!
And like many experts agree upon, this 'comparing' of public workers wages/benefits as opposed to companies of 500 or more workers, gives a VERY FALSE impression of TRUE comparisons.
When benefits get to the point of gross/excess, as in San Jose, where it's MANDATORY that benefits packages equal 90% of their gross wage, well, you do the math !!!
Now, while I look at things this way >> cuts SHOULD start at the TOP, we don't/won't see that. I'd love to see a potus start us out. But it's never gonna happen. No one likes cuts, especially to their benefits. But blue collar workers have been giving back for over 30 years now !
IT'S YOUR TURN ... take it like a man darnit !!
Isn't it laughable that scott walker and his cronies in the Wisconsin house conveniently changed the election donation laws? Making the incumbents donors able to make unlimited donations and the challengers donors can only donate up to 10,000 dollars each. Talk about buying elections. What an embarrassment scott walker has been for the great state of Wisconsin!!!!
bunch of idiots or trolls here, like duck tape, use that for your mouth.
reposting a closed comment that means more than some of you idiots:
Don't all of you Koch Worshipping TeaBeggers have some snakes to charm and brew up some snake oil to sell?
Walker and his CON-Artist Henchmen are outspending union 10 to 1. This recall is not about the union busting anyhow. It's about some crooked corporate puppet allowing corporations to scam MORE out of the taxpayers and wanting to pay LESS taxes then a 75 year old woman.
NOT a one of these state pension plans would be in trouble if it WERE NOT for the CRooKS on Wall Street stealing them blind.
As usual most of you people cannot handle the TRUTH!
Some of these crooks are supporting the President.
GOP Scotus said " Corporation is People" The idea is to Screw-up the Middle Class to bears all the Private Corporation debt.
The list of institutions that received the most money from the Federal Reserve can be found on page 131 of the GAO Audit and are as follows Bailouts..
Socialism in America at it's Best !
Citigroup: $2.5 trillion ($2,500,000,000,000)
Morgan Stanley: $2.04 trillion ($2,040,000,000,000)
Merrill Lynch: $1.949 trillion ($1,949,000,000,000)
Bank of America: $1.344 trillion ($1,344,000,000,000)
Barclays PLC (United Kingdom): $868 billion ($868,000,000,000)
Bear Sterns: $853 billion ($853,000,000,000)
Goldman Sachs: $814 billion ($814,000,000,000)
Royal Bank of Scotland (UK): $541 billion ($541,000,000,000)
JP Morgan Chase: $391 billion ($391,000,000,000)
Deutsche Bank (Germany): $354 billion ($354,000,000,000)
UBS (Switzerland): $287 billion ($287,000,000,000)
Credit Suisse (Switzerland): $262 billion ($262,000,000,000)
Lehman Brothers: $183 billion ($183,000,000,000)
Bank of Scotland (United Kingdom): $181 billion ($181,000,000,000)
BNP Paribas (France): $175 billion ($175,000,000,000)
and many many more including banks in Belgium of all places
View the 266-page GAO audit of the Federal Reserve(July 21st, 2011): http://www.scribd.com/doc/60553686/GAO-Fed-InvestigationHYPERLINKhttp://www.scribd.com/doc/60553686/GAO-Fed-Investigation">http://www.scribd.com/doc/60553686/GAO-Fed-Investigation
Source: http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-696HYPERLINKhttp://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-696">http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-696
FULL PDF on GAO server: http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d11696.pdfHYPERLINKhttp://www.gao.gov/new.items/d11696.pdf">http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d11696.pdf
On March 7, the NEA, the nation's largest union, transferred $3 million to its super PAC, the NEA Advocacy Fund. A week later, that super PAC sent $500,000 to the We Are Wisconsin Political Fund.
That $3,000,000 could of paid the salary of 60 teachers (at $50,000) for a full year!
Yes, that's exactly what the worshipers of Ayn Rand say consistently. Even their language...creators and moochers...speaks to that. The constant talk of how important it is to give more and more to the "job creators" says that. The plans to do everything from destroying public education to eliminating the minimum wage say that.
Wealthy elite Conservatives are so far out of touch that they've bought the propaganda declaring them to be the only people of importance. It's Leona Helmsley preaching "only the little people pay taxes" writ across a whole segment of our population.
Don't pretend it isn't that way, someone has already said it right here on this thread;
Unemployment benefits are WELFARE and those that suck off the unemployment t*t are MOOCHERS.
2 years straight on unemployment? I HOPE THEY NEVER FIND WORK AGAIN.
Move to Europe, Socialist LEPERS.
@John B, Des Moines, IA
I'll limit my response to this one statement since it alone is enough to prove you're a lemming and need not be taken seriously. Currently less than 4% of the workforce earn min wage or less and this includes people who earn additional compensation in the form of tips or commissions.-http://www.bls.gov/cps/minwage2009.htm
So let me ask you this simple question which no liberal has yet to answer for me. If the big corporations want to eliminate the minimum wage so they can pay us all slave wages why don't more of them pay the absolute minimum that they could now? hmm? Got an answer? No one spewing your drivel has yet. If they don't want to pay people even $7.25/hour why do they pay the VAST MAJORITY of people MORE than that now?
Out of curiosity, does Polly want a cracker?
My guess Backcountry is that they have to stay competitive. If you have a union job paying X with benefits and another business doing the same thing but paying a lower wage with few benefits where do you think the most skilled workers are going to be? Unions, while not perfect, have raised everyone's quality of life and without them there won't be a higher standard to be met.
While this recall has been expensive and disruptive I am so glad to see it happen and think it should happen in several other states...Texas being one. When a candidate wins and starts implementing his/her own agenda and not the platform they campaigned on we have some serious trust issues on a whole in our society. If you want a government ran by just a handful of behind the scenes men promoting only their own self-interest, disregarding the welfare of the majority keep Walker in. If you believe we still have a free society and want to maintain a certain quality of life with the hope of progressing send a strong message to the teahdist and vote him out on Tuesday.
In addition to what rico said I'd like to point out that talk of eliminating the minimum wage largely went away in the deepest part of the recession. The reason becomes obvious with a little thought, and advocates tabled the discussion temporarily in order to discourage people from thinking about it.
In recessionary periods the minimum wage is a prime mover in keeping incomes up. Without a minimum wage employers would look at long lines of job seekers and effectively hold a dutch auction to find out just how little money desperate people would take in an attempt to put food on the table.
Additionally, when the minimum wage increases it also tends to increase the wage levels for jobs paying somewhat more.
What happens when you drive wages down that dramatically? Fewer consumers are able to carry the economy, making the entire pie smaller. The economy weakens, becomes less resilient. When recessions occur they're deeper. When recoveries come they're less strong and provide increasingly less wage increase for the average worker.
That's the legacy from 30 years of dominance for Conservatives on the economic front. It's why the REAL legacy of Reagan is to destroy the vitality of the American middle class...and as a result the American economy.
The FYIGM crowd like Duck tape don't even see how they're damaging the nation they supposedly love.
When you say foreign contributions, I assume you know those are really corporate America, living in tax shelters outside of main USA (so they can have the money ready in case the elections look like not going the "right way"), that is why there is no record--foreigners outside the USA do not care about USA elections at all, which are mostly paid by rich people/organizatrions advertising on radio and TV- no real election here for 50 years!
You libitards always seem to have selected purposeful ignorance about what you regurgitate. You dimwit democrats have amnesia when it come to "NEW WORLD "SORE-ATS" spending part of his billions in Wisconsin and oblunder's goon squad may be intimidating Wisconsin voters this election at poll sites with clubs and whiny teachers union feeling they are picked on because finally have to be equatable to the taxpayes (who we really should buy a package of "Depends" so they can afford to change their diapers once in a while) and the union thugs that want $50"s an hour to put a screw on a auto in an assembly line. This comment is coming from a retired public school teacher that just lost $177's per month on his pension check.
@John B, Des Moines, IA
BULL SHT! Find me JUST ONE source to back up that claim. Did you read my post or the BLS link I posted? All most everyone makes more than min now, raising it another few cents wouldn't even affect the vast majority of people. The only people dramatically affected when min wage increases are the unskilled, poorly educated people who lose their jobs because the only work they can find is in the service industry which can't support the higher wages. Instead of hiring 6 people to bus tables, wash dishes, stock shelves, etc... you only hire 5. Any economist worth his salt will tell you the min wage accounts for as much as 1% of the unemployment rate. This 1% is entirely made up of people with few prospects who are just trying to get their foot in the door and prove they can be a valuable employee. You can't work your way up the ladder if you can't even get your foot on the bottom rung.
The primary purpose of the minimum wage is to garner votes for politicians from people who think with their hearts instead of their heads. It sounds like such a good thing, only when you actually take the time to honestly look at the effects do you realize it's not. Most people never bother, especially now when they are so willing to be conned into believing corporations (who rarely employ anyone at minimum wage) are evil.
btw- John you didn't answer my question. If the min wage is so important why does almost everyone make more than that now?
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203440104574402820278669840.html
http://www.seattlepi.com/local/opinion/article/High-minimum-wage-high-unemployment-1132951.php
@rico-3714896
Minus the union crap and you've hit the nail on the head. Less than 12% of the nation are unionized and a large portion of them are paid a salary, not nearly enough of a variable to control hourly wage levels in any significant way. There may be some exceptions in certain industries but the checkout gal at the department store isn't making 9 bucks an hour because of some union somewhere. They are because the department store down the road is paying $8.75 and they have to compete for the best employees.
It's called "spillover effect", backcountry, and profanity doesn't make it magically cease to exist;
http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1931493
Brainwashed-1971919, don't grenade troll. You are suspended for a day for violating rule # 1 of the Code of Honor.
Backcountry if history repeats itself we need to remember what the working conditions in this country were like prior to unions. If you aren't familiar with those conditions please research them. Unions, good or bad, raised every workers condition in a variety of ways.
I understand the concerns of some who bash unions for their abuses. I understand that the general public can't sustain the high salaries and benefits provided to government union workers. It would certainly help if the top 10% paid their fair share but I agree that most government workers need to pay in more than they currently are. I understand that union bosses need to show their tax returns and need to cap their salaries...just like CEO's of any major industry does.
The answer isn't to get rid of the unions though. The answer is to revamp unions. I think if unions were willing to do that a huge percentage of the public wouldn't think twice to ousting the likes of Scott Walker.
Typical democrates, spend spend spend!! It's not their money. As long as the democrates are reaping the benifits on the backs of the working middle class, they could give a rats ass!! Unions are nothing more than a boys club living off the the union members.
I sure appreciate my little pension I get from my union. It pays my water and internet bill. Not much but more than the dues I paid.
Imagine how much bigger your union pension would be if the fatcats running the union didn't spend all your money on political causes. That happened to my grandfather. He was promised a union pension. After 50 years working as a union man, you would think he would've gotten something. He got zero.
This doesn't sound like an honest post. It sounds made up and not real. If there was any truth to it the facts would be presented and I am sure the person would have recourse. The facts are that the middle class goes the same way the unions go. If the unions go down, the middle class goes down. Big Business, Big Government, and Big Unions and even Big Religion, all have their horror stories, but to think that some how workers will miraculously do better without unions is total ignorance of the facts. I was never a member of a union but I see the good that they have done. I've seen the bad, too. However, no matter how bad, it is nothing compared with the demise of our economy by Big Business, not government spending, that made bets by borrowing money that they couldn't pay back. Now, in place of accepting some responsibility and paying their fair share, they want to gut the state. How anyone could vote for Walker is a mystery. It would be like cutting your own throat.
Yeah right...11% of the workers dictate what the other 89% make.....no way in hell!
In the real world, you are paid for your worth and if you want better, you work for it.
Get off your fake high horse and stop defending the union thugs who care nothing for the people they steal from.
@ xcited1: Exactly! I bet you couldn't get Richard Trumpka to reveal to the public how much money he sucks from the union but I wouldn't be surprised if he's a millionaire. All for doing nothing. And then he alienated conservatives with his infamous "vote the SOB's out of office" speech.
I totally agree. Go WI. you had it right the first election. Stay the course keep Walker. Tell Big Ed to go to He*L
imnotlost....try billionaire. The average local union leaders make 6 figures.
It's middle INCOME, not middle CLASS!!!! Why would anybody want to fall for that democrat, socialist, liberal mantra of "classes"???? We don't have a class system here in the US. To the morons who say "uh huh! Just look at the rich people who won't give us their money, wahh wahh", go DO SOMETHNIG for yourself! LEARN a new skill!!! After being a member of three unions (two private, one public) and listening to the nonsense comging from the guys with "seniority", I obtained new skills on my own, left the union nonsense (including forced union dues), and WORKED (not "senioritied") my way to a 6 figure salary.
xcited1 That was my gaffe. I realized as soon as I posted that comment that it was little Jimmy Hoffa who gave that speech. Sorry!
@ jpeg: .......local union leaders get six figures.............
Depressing, isn't it?
Poor Dave must of been educated in a Private School with some minimum wage teacher fresh of the boat.
Union leaders make 6 figures? So what. Compare those to the Kochs and Waltons who are too greedy and cheap to pay their people decent living wages. Those crooks would rather spend millions to hijack the politicial process instead of every american exercising their Constitutional Rights of Voting.
Have you noticed this election cycle the hypocrite CONZ aren't using their Religious Front, Family Value$ LIES, etc. Nope the are "JaHob CreaHators" give me more more more & more tax cuts, subsidies, and bailouts we might create a job or two.
The Communist Red Chinese OWN the RePubliCommunist Party now. The same place the Kochs got their money from the Soviet Union when he was deported from America for being a crook.
The Walmart Waltons the got their money from slave labor in America and poisonous Chinese products the Brought Home to the USA.
AMERICA IS A UNION!
UNITED WE STAND DIVIDED WE BEG!
The GOP Secret Fed's $16 Trillion Bailout to BANKS .
http://www.forbes.com/sites/traceygreenstein/2011/09/20/the-feds-16-trillion-bailouts-under-reported/
The Koch Dirtbaggers should be in jail for supporting criminals like Scott Walker and his rotten crazy teabaggers !!!!!!!!!
imnotlost....yes it really is!
Brainwashed.....yup...after reading your post, I do believe your name is accurate.
I guess that's why the republicans have started a union called the Republican Governors Association.
Grandpa....and that would be different from the Democrat Governors Association how?
And, what exactly does it have to do with unions?
Go back to bed and get a few more hours......
The Repub-A-Con Governors Association Union of America !!!
Also all our States are a Union of the United States of America !!!
Unions have there place,
unfortunately they have decided it is on the back of the american taxpayer!
Obama must really be getting worried, all this union money going to WI and not being available to buy votes for his re-election.
40 hour work week = Socialist
overtime/1.5 times pay = Socialist
NON-UNION and UNION wage "DEMANDS" (hello, wages burden American business)
$5 an hour wage = Socialist
$10 an hour wage = Socialist
$15 an hour wage = communist
$20 an hour wage = communist
Any NON-UNION or UNION wage demand above $2.50 an hour = MARXIST
GOP Scotus said " Corporation is People" The idea is to Screw-up the Middle Class to bears all the Private Corporation debt.
The list of institutions that received the most money from the Federal Reserve can be found on page 131 of the GAO Audit and are as follows Bailouts..
Socialism in America at it's Best !
Citigroup: $2.5 trillion ($2,500,000,000,000)
Morgan Stanley: $2.04 trillion ($2,040,000,000,000)
Merrill Lynch: $1.949 trillion ($1,949,000,000,000)
Bank of America: $1.344 trillion ($1,344,000,000,000)
Barclays PLC (United Kingdom): $868 billion ($868,000,000,000)
Bear Sterns: $853 billion ($853,000,000,000)
Goldman Sachs: $814 billion ($814,000,000,000)
Royal Bank of Scotland (UK): $541 billion ($541,000,000,000)
JP Morgan Chase: $391 billion ($391,000,000,000)
Deutsche Bank (Germany): $354 billion ($354,000,000,000)
UBS (Switzerland): $287 billion ($287,000,000,000)
Credit Suisse (Switzerland): $262 billion ($262,000,000,000)
Lehman Brothers: $183 billion ($183,000,000,000)
Bank of Scotland (United Kingdom): $181 billion ($181,000,000,000)
BNP Paribas (France): $175 billion ($175,000,000,000)
and many many more including banks in Belgium of all places
View the 266-page GAO audit of the Federal Reserve(July 21st, 2011): http://www.scribd.com/doc/60553686/GAO-Fed-InvestigationHYPERLINKhttp://www.scribd.com/doc/60553686/GAO-Fed-Investigation">http://www.scribd.com/doc/60553686/GAO-Fed-Investigation
Source: http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-696HYPERLINKhttp://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-696">http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-696
FULL PDF on GAO server: http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d11696.pdfHYPERLINKhttp://www.gao.gov/new.items/d11696.pdf">http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d11696.pdf
If the unions lose the middle class will be doomed there will only be the very rich and the serfs. Unions with all the warts made the middle class. I see 12 hour days and 6 day work week. The good news is there will be no one to buy the goods. The middle class helped to make the upper class rich. The 1% needs a lesson in basic economics. Even Henry Ford realized he needed to pay enough for his employees to purchase his product. The amount of money Walker is getting from out of state is horrid.
How small do you think the middle class is grannie?
11% of the workers are union.
89% are not.
Do you really believe the lies you are spreading?
Do you have any concept of labor laws?
Maybe you should take your own advice and learn how most of the country operates...WITHOUT UNIONS!
I'm middle INCOME, I'm NOT in a union, and I'm NOT a surf. I WAS in THREE unions, and they were nothing more than criminal enterprises.
Really here is what Unions have done for you. 8 hour work day, overtime pay, vacation pay, safe work environment, medical benefits and that is just the start.. People have forgot the struggles of the early 20th century when a group of men in detroit created a lock in to force the Automotive companies to listen to their demands that they would like to be treated like like human being while they slaved to make the owner filthy rich. Please your whole work life is because of the Unions, But you are too stupid to see that . I am tired of morons with no sense of history. Just Saying!
Grannie, any job can require a person to work that schedule now if that person is of the age of majority. The Federal Law only requires that that employee must be paid 1.5 times their hourly rate fo all hours worked over 40.
So what does having a union or not having a union have to do with this.
The Cokeheads want to take us back to the 20th century using clowns like Walker !!!!!!!!
AA, Federal law can be changed. The Republicans are dying to change the minimum wage law or take it out entirely! The 40 hour work week can be gone in a flash as well as overtime! It's all a matter of who is in charge. I do NOT trust the Republicans to be for anyone but the wealthy and corporations of this country, they've already shown they're not for the average American worker!!
Really Nora, could you provide a source besides media matters for your accusation?
What most every pro union poster doesn't realize is this is mostly centered around public unions. Why do you need a union when your employer is the government? This isn't sweatshops, and it's not the 1900's. With today's internet and the reporting news cycle poor working conditions do not go un-noticed.
Unions had there place, and they served a purpose. However what this is about is giving too much to PUBLIC unions who serve the people of WI directly, and forcing anyone who wants to work in a particular job to join a union regardless of if the want/support to or not.
This is strictly about money.
From Bloomberg.com on June 26, 2011, not exactly a liberal bastion of beliefs.
Ron Paul has also came out against the idea of a federal minimum wage.
BTW, I recognize that unions have often become too greedy and too much interested in short-term gain for their members at the expense of long-term company viability. But without unions as a counterbalance, what is to keep companies from shafting their workers? Clearly the market doesn't work, and laws only provide a basic guarantee--and even then there are efforts to weaken them. Without unions, there are no guarantees that businesses and even government in the name of the people won't shaft the workers, provide basic protections or stick the entire bill for health care and retirement benefits upon the people. In fact, public employees may need unions even more, largely because there is so much demand on the behalf of the public to keep costs down.
Why should she? You haven't supplied a single source for your right wing blather.
Here's the deal...why should ANY money from business or unions be allowed from out of state to influence Wisconsin elections? We might as well allow Ohio, Illinois, Michigan or New York voters to vote in the Wisconsin election.
Union are nothing more than organizations standing up for the rights of labor to share in the profits of increased productivity and protecting them from unreasonable demands of owners and to ensure safety in the workplace. How you can see that as a bad thing is beyond me.
Were there excesses by unions, sure, just as there are from the leadership of companies, but that is what should be dealt with, not trying to out and out destroy the unions. This whole anti-union tirade in these posts has nothing to do with the actual place of unions in the market, it's purely ideological babble by right wing trolls.
The Flip Flopper some call Mitt who wants to be President of the United States spelled "America" - "Amercia" What a Jerk, this Romney is a Joke !!!!!!!!!!
@culheath
Go one better, unless you live in WI, don't post.
This is a national conversation so that made zero sense...let alone had any utility other than demonstrating your troll credentials.
So you are against minimum wages then?
funny how all their policies hurt the poor and make it impossible to have the resources to raise a family - BUT on the other hand even thou you cant afford to have them ........... they want to force you to , by taking away birth control and family planning - so let the poor have all the children they want even thou theirs lives will be a struggle every step of the way - thats the plan keep the poor poor - only solution never have sex - and they know that will not happen and to the righties at the top jesus has nothing to do with it- its about power and money plain and simple and the jesus freaks are just pawns
I see culheath and patriotic american have crawled out of their holes today to enlighten us with their meaningless garble. Their presence in this and other discussions only demeans the efforts of serious posters. Time to utilize the ignore button on them and as a nation on the union thugs.
I do feel sorry for the many fine folks who have been wasting their hard earned money on union fees that get wasted in scams like this recall...
Whats hilarious is that the Democrat opposing Walker won the nomination by also acknowledging the disgusting and costly union greed and wanting to reduce it:
""Let's face it, I wasn't their first choice," said Barrett in May's first debate. AFSCME, a major Falk funder, criticized Barrett during the Democratic primary for trying to wring concessions from Milwaukee public employees.
But when Falk lost to Barrett in the May 8 Democratic primary, national unions quickly shifted their support to Barrett -- who lost to Walker by 5 points in 2010."
Seems that both parties know that the Unions are dinosaurs, but only one party is willing to overlook it and be owned by them for their money and votes... Democrat.
cmbmsquick...
Funny on how the dept of labor now gives ALL American workers those past union benefits. Why is it again that unions benefit the American worker? To have two bosses? To define that "that's not my job"? To force a worker to join a union through intimidation or trying to take away the right to determine union membership via secret ballot? To make it hard for the incompetents and underperformers to be booted out?
Culheath - what an inane comment about minimum wage (post 5.18)
What is the difference between a union deadbeat and an chimp? Nothing they both are bananas. The GOP has funded this special election but so has SIEU (Special Interests Employee Unions). Both are out of state. I am just surprised Eric Holder has not investigated Scott Walker after he must be a rascist, becuase he is white and GOP. Scott Walker is going to win then all of you libs can go whine but without any cheese....
Just keep spinning it, let see what happens when, not if Walker gets indicted, just a matter of time, I predict before the end of the year, hopefully sooner. The guy is a liar, cheat, and you all got sucked into his crap! If he gets re-elected, I can't wait to tell you I told you so. He is only for the wealthiest, and he has proven that over and over.
GOP Scotus said " Corporation is People" The idea is to Screw-up the Middle Class to bears all the Private Corporation debt.
The list of institutions that received the most money from the Federal Reserve can be found on page 131 of the GAO Audit and are as follows Bailouts..
Socialism in America at it's Best !
Citigroup: $2.5 trillion ($2,500,000,000,000)
Morgan Stanley: $2.04 trillion ($2,040,000,000,000)
Merrill Lynch: $1.949 trillion ($1,949,000,000,000)
Bank of America: $1.344 trillion ($1,344,000,000,000)
Barclays PLC (United Kingdom): $868 billion ($868,000,000,000)
Bear Sterns: $853 billion ($853,000,000,000)
Goldman Sachs: $814 billion ($814,000,000,000)
Royal Bank of Scotland (UK): $541 billion ($541,000,000,000)
JP Morgan Chase: $391 billion ($391,000,000,000)
Deutsche Bank (Germany): $354 billion ($354,000,000,000)
UBS (Switzerland): $287 billion ($287,000,000,000)
Credit Suisse (Switzerland): $262 billion ($262,000,000,000)
Lehman Brothers: $183 billion ($183,000,000,000)
Bank of Scotland (United Kingdom): $181 billion ($181,000,000,000)
BNP Paribas (France): $175 billion ($175,000,000,000)
and many many more including banks in Belgium of all places
View the 266-page GAO audit of the Federal Reserve(July 21st, 2011): http://www.scribd.com/doc/60553686/GAO-Fed-InvestigationHYPERLINKhttp://www.scribd.com/doc/60553686/GAO-Fed-Investigation">http://www.scribd.com/doc/60553686/GAO-Fed-Investigation
Source: http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-696HYPERLINKhttp://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-696">http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-696
FULL PDF on GAO server: http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d11696.pdfHYPERLINKhttp://www.gao.gov/new.items/d11696.pdf">http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d11696.pdf
Don't discuss the points raised, just attack personally. Typical.
Don't want to answer it, eh? Figures.
So it goes.
It would be very interesting to learn how much of this money actually, changes a voters choice. I would think,with this loud of an issue, that most people have made up their minds. So how much of $63 million 'pulls' in an undecided voter and also how much changes the vote already in someones head? I know...can't tell and probably never will. But that much money being spent....is interesting. And with Walker out-raising 7 1/2 to 1....he must be VERY afraid of something.
Actually, it's 2 to 1 and why would he be afraid of anything?
obama is out-raising Romney....does that mean he's afraid of something?
Anyway..the real winners...the media companies. The big loser's....the tax payers. Thanks again for the $17 million dollar bill UNION GUYS!
Hey jpeg, it's Obama is out-raising romney, your caps are off ?
JP can't do math in WI as over $30 million has been spent by Walker to $4 million spent by Barrett.
yet more lies from JustSlapMe.... better check you facts before posting or I'll tell your mommie on you! Newsvine has a CoH, I wish they also penalized the liars as well!
I do know that last week the DNC said they weren't going to dump any more $'s down on this recall. Too little, too late I'm afraid... what a waste! The unions are also taking a big hit in their pocket books.
@ Rub of the Green: maybe I mis-read your comment but most of it doesn't add up.
from May 21, 2012 http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/21/scott-walker-recall_n_1534518.html
There is also mention of a fund-rasing event on May 30, by the DNC. I haven't found anything indicating the DNC was holding back support. Tell me your sources...I'm interested to learn more.
Daveb- Walker is a Republican....... If he spends money, it is taxes, if they spend money revalling him, it is out of their pockets.
useless post!
Whit301....(#7)..."Walker is a Republican....... If he spends money, it is taxes"
What a croc.....The $17 million of taxpayer dollars is the cost to the State just to conduct the Recall Election....And that was brought on by the Sore-Loser Unions of Wisconsin....
The 1st. round of Temper-Tantum recalls in 2011 cost the taxpayers $1/2 Million Dollars...
jpeg -- You would think that.
jpeg is right. No way could Walker spend public funds to finance his campaign. The Dems are watching him like a cheetah watching an antelope. However, as Mike in Delray said, millions will be spent just to conduct the election, and the taxpayers will indeed pick up that tab. Whose fault is that?!!??!?
okie joe....you are right... gibberish would be a more accurate description.
Cap,
Work harder.
Have fewer kids.
Our big problem is we spent tomorrow's money yesterday.
Deal with it.
Unions served their purpose now they're just sucking the life out of America. Look what they did to the auto and steel industries and lets not forget public education.
Tell it to the police and fire unions that protect you, and oh yeah - the Packers are union also.
And are you trying to say the only reason those people do those jobs is because of a union?
You really have a poor opinion of the people that defend and protect you.
Slap. Those same cops and firemen would be cops and firemen if there were'nt unions. THey did not choose to becom C&F to join a union.
Walker 2016
That makes no sense since union membership is at an all time low. You need to find something else to blame.
Why is it that there is so much anti-union dribble on here? To you that are bashing unions. remember, "those who do not remember the past are bound to repeat it"
Take away the workers rights take away their freedoms. Unions good or bad, helped establish the rights we have today. Look around, states that have basically dismantled unions with their so-called "right to work" laws are some of the poorest in the nations.
Look at the income gap between the middle-income and the upper-income. Look at how the even in China, their jobs are starting to be outsourced to other countries for cheaper wages. Lower taxes do not mean more jobs. Higher taxes do no mean less jobs for corporations. More people with disposable income means more spending with leads to more jobs. Look at when this country was booming. Taxes were at their highest rates. Try watching the TED talk (independent analysis) on income inequality and see if you can still argue your points.
What will it take for you to wake up?
Unions were created by Communists and then taken over by organized crime.
Nowadays, they combine the WORST aspects of BOTH!!
Whats hilarious is that the Democrat opposing Walker won the nomination by also acknowledging the disgusting and costly union greed and wanting to reduce it:
""Let's face it, I wasn't their first choice," said Barrett in May's first debate. AFSCME, a major Falk funder, criticized Barrett during the Democratic primary for trying to wring concessions from Milwaukee public employees.
But when Falk lost to Barrett in the May 8 Democratic primary, national unions quickly shifted their support to Barrett -- who lost to Walker by 5 points in 2010."
Seems that both parties know that the Unions are dinosaurs, but only one party is willing to overlook it and be owned by them for their money and votes... Democrat.
Let's hope Walker wins!
Unions have corrupted government with their control over the election process. And, if you value the middle class, you must change the anti-business climate created by those same unions.
The 1 % only need about 500k - to one million $ slaves - to preserve thier "lifestyle".
Can we take away the computers from the ignorant yet?
Isn’t it Amazing, you always hear the Republicans and TeaBilly Politicians Threatening to Reduce or Stop Payment on Unemployment, Social Security, Medicare, Food Stamps, Military Pay and Benefits , Etc. But have you ever heard of them Threatening to Reduce or Stop any of Their Pay, Healthcare and all the other Special Perks they receive (Paid for by our Tax $$$$$$$).
Lets break this down in simple terms. Republican TeaBilly Conservative = Self Righteous Hypocrite.
Funny, I've never heard them threaten to stop any of those. Isn't it amazing how much power the Republicans have without controlling the Presidency or the Senate!
Really!!! Remember when Harry Reid, Stinky (bo), Pelosi and Schumer gave up Their Pay, Healthcare and all the other Special Perks they receive in support of the unions?? That was quite a thing they did there!
In simple terms - Walker will remain governor of WI.
You dimwit democrats have amnesia when it come to "NEW WORLD "SORE-ASS" spending part of his billions and oblunder's goon squad intimidating voters at poll sites with clubs and whiny teachers union feeling they are picked on because finally have to be equatable to the taxpayes (who we really should buy a package of "Depends" so they can afford to change their diapers once in a while) and the union thugs that want $50"s an hour to put a screw on a auto in an assembly line. This comment is coming from a retired public school teacher that just lost $177's per month on my pension check.
Ron-skewed logic-you lose $177 per month and so you support the end of your pension? You must be a fake and rather ignorant troll.
The Top 10 Poorest States in the U.S. are Republican States. Do you ever hear the Republicans talk about the Poor or Poverty in those States? The answer is “Never”. It just so happens most of those States are in the South and have “Right To Work Laws”. How’s that working out for ya?
And here is da Real Kicker: All those Republican Politicians in those States have Good Salaries, Health Care, Pension, Vacations, and all kinds of Special Perks……paid for by our “Tax $$$$”. Hmmmmm.
The most impoverished state is Mississippi, and it's followed by Arkansas, Tennessee, West Virginia, Louisiana, Montana, South Carolina, Kentucky, Alabama and North Carolina.
Lets break this down in Simple terms. Republican TeaBilly Conservative = Self Righteous Hypocrite.
Yes...we know...you post the same lies in every topic.
Here's a real fact for you...The top ten debt ridden states are democrat. Ain't that just a real kick in the butt.
jstda..... all lies. California is the #1 union controlled State and it's broke! lol
Broke mostly because of the onerous union contracts created by collective barganing agreements.
FDR the poster boy himself even warned us of the dangers of allowing State of Federal employees the right of collective bargaining!!! Unions are the cause of the may States economic problems right now! Open your eyes!
States are bankrupt because they are prevented from from raising revenue through taxes. Meanwhile Americans are among the least taxed populations on the planet and biggest whiners about being overtaxed. Go figure.
So do I here in FL and I don't find the taxes excessive at all.
I'll call you on that one...saying doesn't make something so...want to offer some proof?
I don't know and neither do you. The fact is that on a state or national level, Americans are taxed very little and it is the lack of revenue in each case that is causing the high deficits and NOT union demands or wages. Unions represent only 7% of labor in the US and obviously therefore cannot be blamed for the deficit problem.
I think an important question to ask is: what is the list of top debt-ridden states (with a source), and, more importantly, explanation (with sources) of how their status reflects the influence of democrat policies.
Just another Democrat doing what Democrats do...lie. Remember the Democratic Paridise California? It used to be the 5th largest economy in the world but then the Democrats and their union Buds took over...in 5 years it slipped to 7th and it will likely go bankrupt next year. The next time a Democrat tells you he will make things better if you just give him more tax money smack him right in the mouth, then go vote Republican.
I think culheath, patriotic american, jstafacts, and others post merely to stir up the sh$t... they obviously don't have facts or the truth when they post... you'd think they would get tired of being caught in lies and half truths. Kind of like the current President, eh?
Of course you think that, because you haven't disputed anything I've argued and it's far easier to troll and make personal assaults rather than deal with issues. No problem, people can see what you are doing. So it goes.
Gee, there's never been Republicans in control of California (can we say Wilson or Schwarzenegger, class?) and all these state budget hassles can't be blamed on Republican or Prop 13 tax policies and must be totally laid at the feet of Democrats.
You right wingers so silly.
The intelligence gap between the left and right is highlighted best with the birther nonsense. The right wing uses the least educated and most paranoid groups to exhibit their party's hate.
All Politicians are nothing more than Political Puppets. Every move they make is controlled by the Lobbyist, Special Interest, and the Self Righteous.
Half of all money raised by Politicians (Including Super PAC’S) should go towards the National Debt and Charity. Why don't we "Tax" the Millions of dollars that they collect for their Campaigns?
They should also pay for their own Security out of these Campaign Funds.
And more crap you post in every topic.....would you just care to answer once why you think people should be taxed twice?
I know mooshelle's vacation's are a little pricey, but being taxed once is bad enough.
Did you know that if you taxed Mitt Romney at 100%. And if you confiscated all of his wealth (approx 250 million), it would almost pay for Stinky (bo) and that fat bottomed media wh0re Moochelle's vacations. Almost.
Classic projection.
Classic troll disinformation and bigotry. It would be sad if it weren't just so silly.
Let's see, +30 million for Walker to $4 million for Barrett from outside the state. And labor unions make up what percent of the work force, oh yeah - about 16%. Unions having a major impact in WI, I don't think so. Even if they're tossing money in, it doesn't come close to Walker's TPER big business backing from the likes of the Koch bros.
If Walker wins, WI will be run by outside TPer influence like the Koch bros. and Walker's big business WI donor gal - who paid no taxes to the state of WI. Walker raised the budget in WI by giving billions away in tax breaks to big business at the expense of education and health-care for those most in need. Plus Walker had to use federal funding to balance WI's budget - taxpayers paid more in taxes to balance WI's budget, except for Walker's donor's as over two-thirds of WI's top corporations paid no income taxes to the state.
The 99%ers - students, minorities, women, the sick and disabled, and seniors take the biggest hit under Walker. And now Walker wants to sell off public land. What a guy.
RECALL WALKER WISCONSIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nice try fudging the figures.
You get an "F" for not even being creative about your lies.
Just slap me really needs someone to just slap him!
The democrats see the writing on the wall, it's the unions that are continuing to fund this major wasted of time. Walker has the support of the citizens of Wisconsin and will prevail, but at a cost the State can ill afford.... I feel sorry for the hard working folks in the unions that funded this travesty!
Slap..Move to California.
@ Pride
The union and MSNBC's Fat Eddie chose this fight and now it has backfired on them big time. Even their beloved President will not back them up. Was right next door in Illinois and would not even make an appearance or an honorable mention to the recall. Instead they sent a washed up, impeached has been EX President.
Go Walker.
Very nice, but truth be told, Walker is going to win.
Deal with it.
Losers don't Win and Scott is a loser !!!
This whole recall is sad, so sad. They have a Governor who is trying to reduce the state's deficit and this is how he is repaid. Just stop and consider what Gov. Walter could do for the state with the money that is being wasted on this recall.
Look at Tom Barret's record and tell me he'd be any better. What kind of shape is Milwaukee in during his tenure? He's got nothing going for him.
Wow thats a lot of money the unions decided to throw down the drain, life must be rough as an entitled cry baby, wasting $63mil because you cant always get what you want. Bigger spoiled brats than Paris Hilton.
That's better than - what Walker is doing, using tax money to save his a$$ !!!!
Yes PA (ironic name), its all walkers fault that unions and their members are greedy spoiled brats who will take everything at the taxpayers expense, the burden they already put on the taxpayers isnt enough, now they will cost the taxpayers more money to RE-ELECT a governor they had already decided they wanted there.
Selfish, greedy, a-hole, union pigs aka liberals
What are people thinking? this money is wasted. The union does not care...they just want to get rid of a good governor and put thier croonie in. Be care what you wish --it might be worse than what you have.
Are you "OK" ?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
Whats hilarious is that the Democrat opposing Walker won the nomination by also acknowledging the disgusting and costly union greed and wanting to reduce it:
""Let's face it, I wasn't their first choice," said Barrett in May's first debate. AFSCME, a major Falk funder, criticized Barrett during the Democratic primary for trying to wring concessions from Milwaukee public employees.
But when Falk lost to Barrett in the May 8 Democratic primary, national unions quickly shifted their support to Barrett -- who lost to Walker by 5 points in 2010."
Seems that both parties know that the Unions are dinosaurs, but only one party is willing to overlook it and be owned by them for their money and votes... Democrat.
Just think, with all the trillions spent by all these super pacs to keep Americans poor, all that money could have been spent to make this country shine. Even if no one voted, corporate America will decide on the presidency anyway.
All the money being spent is actually good for the people and the economy.
The only loss is the $17 million the tax payers will have to foot thanks to the childishness of the union thugs.
No worries. Should the unions lose the lapdog politicians will flee the state or the thugs will take over the capital...again. You see the rules are simply an inconvenience and in any event only apply to opponents. This slick gravy train can only continue, and nobody gets hurt, if you pay more and more taxes, do what we tell you and let the thugs shake you down. Like a street crime except it never ends. Bummer for the thugs that the sweet deal is coming to an end!
Most expensive and Totally UNESSCESSARY. Just like ALL these Useless Union THUGS.
The problem is .... there is TOO MUCH GREED and CORRUPTION on BOTH sides of the fence. Moral decision making is at an all time low!
Well...look at what's leading the country!
Better than the last fool tha gutted our nation.
Unions served a purpose 100 years ago. They worked to improve working conditions and safety. The union leaders actually worked, not got rich off the tit of the workers or bribes from the company so they could pay the majority less. We now have OSHA to ensure safe working conditions, federal labor laws to prevent working for less than the minimum wage. A person should be paid because of their skill and education, not because they strong armed a company. If a person has shills a company will willingly pay for them, but why should a company have to pay everyone the same if they don't work the same. You hear unions say that without them we would all be earning minimum wage. I say this is not true, companies will seek out and pay for exceptional people. Should we as taxpayers pay for teachers that cannot teach because the unions won't allow incompetents to be fired. Teachers unions have refused merit pay because they know most of their members don't really want to teach, they just want to get a paycheck for doing as little as possible. Many union jobs that require no skill, just doing basic assembly pay more than jobs like nurses, book keepers, or a lot of other associate or bachelors degree programs. As someone said before, Henry Ford paid his workers a good wage, there was no union forcing that, he wanted workers that would be happy in their work. Big business will not survive if they don't pay a fair wage because good workers will go elsewhere if they are not paid fairly. Most of the highest paid workers in this country are non union, and I am not talking about management. Companies make money from workers that want to work, not workers that want to do as little as they can to prevent being fired.
Unions still serve a purpose. How often has OSHA visited your place of business? They also prevent a person from being fired because someone doesn't like you. Or some from being promoted over others because someone does. And if Unions do not serve a purpose why did Walker only eliminate collective bargaining for some public unions and not all public sector unions?
drc....In the real world....Osha visits places of business after an accident happens (maybe) and anyone can sue for being fired without cause....and some people deserve to be promoted over others.
As for your 2nd part...because different unions have different contracts. The unions affected were raping the taxpayers in plain sight.
I have a great deal of empathy for those affected in WI. as my wife is a PS teacher here; however, this opinion piece should not be left in a place where someone may confuse it with an attempt to report news and facts.
Yup Really? you are correct...all they needed was a little help to get freed from the tyranny that stole from them every month.
In Las Vegas the Teachers Union got an arbitrator to give them all a big raise even though the school district is short of funds. When you increase pay, you either have to increase taxes or increase class size. Why not increase the pay as Unions want, for all public service employees? Triple pay for firemen and reduce the crew by a third, same with police. Do you feel safer with ten firefighters making $50k/yr or one making $500k/yr? Oh yea, the highest paid government employee is not the govenor, or senator of Nevada, its some firemen!
You people don't know what's going on in Wisconsin!!!! They are trying to bust "collective bargainin" or better yet they will probably try to "privative" it. Don't you get it - everything privatized - that means companies (who have to show a profit) will take over everything, education, firefighters, policeman, etc. THEY HAVE TO SHOW A PROFIT!!! therefore, someone will get "screwed" and it won't be the top CEOs. All you union haters do not realize that unions have not had any "real" power since the 50s. They negotiated in good faith with he car makers - even took pay cuts. Did that keep them in the U.S., no!!! You will all be on the company's dole eventually - I feel sorry for the next generation, because Republicans DO NOT CARE ABOUT JOBS (maybe minimum wage!!!!) What have they done since Obama came into office, all they have done was say NO, NO, NO to everything even if they were for it previously!!! Wake up, people, look at both sides!!!! Romney has had 25 years or private experience - which is totally different than the White House!!! He doesn't speak about his years as Governor of Mass! Why, he started Romneycare and there are about 90% Mass. citizens who now have health care, wonderful. But, at the same time Mass ranked 47th out of 50 in job creation. So you tell me what is his grand plan to get jobs here. We tried lowering taxes for the wealthy for 8 years, what happened - a grand recession. Why should we do that again?????
Unions have outlived their usefulness.
Cap -
We all know you are very good at copying and pasting, but do you have to copy and paste the same drivel and lies over and over?
You sound like a broken record!
I agree, unions have not been necessary for at least some 40 years or more with all the labor laws that have been put in place. Leave it to the leftist libs to try an oust a guy whose trying to fix a broken state because they can't have their precious little bankrupt entitlements, it's just gross... Oh, and by the way Mr. Walker, you are completely welcome here in Coruptfornia!!!
And then there's this CapKill fool. To bad birth control wasn't used in your case, you are complete f'n idiot who lacks American values including common sense and should really just sign yourself up for the next one way ticket to Norway or Russia! Please consider, I'm sure all of us here would donate to this cause...
Capitalismkillsbirthrates banned for comment spamming.
I'm hoping Walker loses, but inevitably it is up to the voters. I just hope people will ignore all the hype and vote the why they feel is right. Walker angered a lot of voters with his union busting tactics and I hope that people realise that who this hurts isn't wall-street but main-street. And just to clarify something, manufactures are not moving jobs overseas because of unions, but because they can pay 50 cents a day in labor costs. And there is no way the U.S. can compete with that unless we were willing to reduce our standard of living by creating shanty-town high rises. Are willing to drink toxin laced water. And enjoy a bright red atmosphere. The only reason the U.S. has been able to enjoy the standard of living it has is because workers joined together and demanded that the corporate overlords share the profits that were earned as a result of their efforts. And it is that corporate greed that is sending those companies overseas. But eventually even they will start to realize that when the U.S. worker can no longer afford to buy their products they will be no better off then those they disenfranchised.
Scott Walker DID NOT campaign on removing collective bargaining rights! HE NEVER MENTIONED IT while a candidate. He is NOT just some altruistic guy who was trying to balance the state budget. He came in with a secret agenda to destroy unions. He considers a union employee who's just trying to keep his pension from getting stolen and his job from being outsourced as "the enemy". He has collected over 31 million $$ for his recall election. That's not coming from grandmas and soccer moms sending him 10 dollars each, people. Apparently sugardaddy billionaires (Koch brothers) are just fine with him but union members are communists in his book.
Then you have this woman Diane Hendricks from the "divide and conquer" video. She is worth almost 3 BILLION dollars but yet she is still not a happy person. What would make her happy? To see the chance for a middle class lifestyle taken away from most of the public by getting rid of all unions, public and private. It is also noteworthy that this woman somehow paid no state income tax last year. How do us commoners get that deal? It's no coincidence that these millionaires/billionaires will get even richer when they can pay everyone minimum wage with zero benefits (and get nice tax breaks while doing so). These people have no morality at all.
Scott Walker is just a Puppet for the Koch Thugs !!!
you are completely clueless. Unions bankrupted virtually every major industry they were a major part of; steel, textiles, airlines, auto........etc. what the unions really did and people like you don't understand is they temporarily created a artificial middle class. They took people that were uneducated and unskilled and forced businesses and municipalities through the extortion and intimidation of 'collective bargaining" to provide them with benefits and pensions that were unsustainable. Now the reality of that is setting in and you long for the days of old that will absolutely never happen again.
American workers will now BOW to their new KINGS The Koch brothers and Greedy Tax Dodging Filthy RICH Corporations. Good Bye American Middle Class.