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Don't forget the part where the governor goes on the air and warns of "dire consequences" if this bill isn't passed. This is literally the same script that got us the Iraq war and bank bailouts. The thing I'm happy about is that Wisconsinites aren't buying it this time.
So, to deal with the AWOL Senators, they have passed a measure where their paychecks are no longer deposited electronicly into their accounts, and they must pick them up, in person at the state capital. LOL. This is getting so juvenille now. Rumor has it, the senators are going to kidnap the elephant mascot from Walkers frat house, and feed it beer.
One argument I've been hearing, that i need to do some more research on, is the purposed defeciet Walker is trying to "fix" come this summer, is largly caused by the tax breaks he is giving large corporations and the wealthy within the state.
There's a deficit in the 2011-2013 budget before the tax breaks. The tax breaks do make it worse.
Just caught up with this thread. I love how yt posts links from The Economist and Snaieke uses Michele Malkin.
Maybe there should be a "grown-up" thread and a "kids-table" thread for issues like this?
Just caught up with this thread. I love how yt posts links from The Economist and Snaieke uses Michele Malkin.
Maybe there should be a "grown-up" thread and a "kids-table" thread for issues like this?
I know, right? He gets on my case about linking to HuffPo too much, which is understandable. Then goes and links to Michelle fucking Malkin in a credibility-vanishing post (well what little he had). Like, practice what you preach, brah. Oh wait, it's Snaieke we're talking about, where no hypocrisy is too grand.
The purpose behind that is to make the Dem senators come back. They can only pick up their checks during session... they needed 1 person for a quarum to vote so if 1 senator comes to get his check they have a quarum and can vote. I imagine this is more of a long game plan, you gotta think they're OK for a month or two before the money runs dry..
So, to deal with the AWOL Senators, they have passed a measure where their paychecks are no longer deposited electronicly into their accounts, and they must pick them up, in person at the state capital. LOL. This is getting so juvenille now. Rumor has it, the senators are going to kidnap the elephant mascot from Walkers frat house, and feed it beer.
One argument I've been hearing, that i need to do some more research on, is the purposed defeciet Walker is trying to "fix" come this summer, is largly caused by the tax breaks he is giving large corporations and the wealthy within the state.
Actually the purpose behind that was the links in it.. if you had clicked on it you'd see there was about 4-5 links all to places I was talking about like the newspaper, the institute that ran a story on the union a year ago (youtube video also) the teacher databases etc.. considering how glitchy this board has become for postings (note I've given up on moving the response to the bottom) I really didn't feel like fucking around with 4-5 links and a video.
Quote:
I know, right? He gets on my case about linking to HuffPo too much, which is understandable. Then goes and links to Michelle fucking Malkin in a credibility-vanishing post (well what little he had). Like, practice what you preach, brah. Oh wait, it's Snaieke we're talking about, where no hypocrisy is too grand.
I can't believe no one has linked to this yet. The great Buffalo Beast posted its prank phone call to Gov. Scott Walker this morning and its site went down either to massive traffic as this thing went viral, or dirty tricks by HBGary and their ilk. But anyway, none of the protesters, legislators or any other kind of representative for the people can get Walker to answer the phone, but the editor of the Beast gets through that same day by saying he's David Koch, energy industry billionaire, funder of Walker and other GOP governors, funder of ads against Walker's opponent, and possible future owner of Wisconsin's power plants:
Koch whore, Pt. 1, wherein Scott Walker fancies himself divinely poised to step into Ronald Reagan's halo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBnSv3a6Nh4
Koch whore, Pt. 2, wherein Scott Walker agrees when Koch says he has a vested interest in the "budget repair bill" (which also includes putting WI's heating, cooling and power plants up for sale or corp. management in the form of no bid contracts): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3a2pYGr7-k
This is a must-listen.
Actually the purpose behind that was the links in it.. if you had clicked on it you'd see there was about 4-5 links all to places I was talking about like the newspaper, the institute that ran a story on the union a year ago (youtube video also) the teacher databases etc.. considering how glitchy this board has become for postings (note I've given up on moving the response to the bottom) I really didn't feel like fucking around with 4-5 links and a video.
That's no excuse, Snaieke. Instead of link-spamming (especially Michelle Malkin), it's better when you argue points in your own words.
yt, the prank was classic ... still seems like a big wasted opportunity. I would have made more incriminating comments (or tried them) towards the end of the call. He must have not imagined he was going to get him to talk so much in the first place.
I can't believe no one has linked to this yet. The great Buffalo Beast posted its prank phone call to Gov. Scott Walker this morning and its site went down either to massive traffic as this thing went viral, or dirty tricks by HBGary and their ilk. But anyway, none of the protesters, legislators or any other kind of representative for the people can get Walker to answer the phone, but the editor of the Beast gets through that same day by saying he's David Koch, energy industry billionaire, funder of Walker and other GOP governors, funder of ads against Walker's opponent, and possible future owner of Wisconsin's power plants:
Koch whore, Pt. 1, wherein Scott Walker fancies himself divinely poised to step into Ronald Reagan's halo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBnSv3a6Nh4
Koch whore, Pt. 2, wherein Scott Walker agrees when Koch says he has a vested interest in the "budget repair bill" (which also includes putting WI's heating, cooling and power plants up for sale or corp. management in the form of no bid contracts): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3a2pYGr7-k
This is a must-listen.
What I don't get is the reverse "class" envy Scott Walker displays in these calls. In part one he says something like " I spoke with all these people who've been laid off and the only ones not worried about the economy were the public employee union members" and "it's damn time they PAID!". WTF? First off, most of these people don't get a huge pension.....maybe the guys at the top but not the average Joe.
This whole question of the State/Local public pensions is really tough. On the one hand, when 40-60 cents out of every (State and local) tax dollar goes to pensions and no actual services, that is simply not sustainable. On the other hand, we're talking about cutting off people about to retire or already retired. And treating them like pariahs because they led a life of public service, for lower pay than they'd get in the private sector, in return for an assured pension. A pension we're going to yank out from under them.
I know, right? But I think he got amazing stuff out of Walker, especially about contemplating planting rioters in the crowd, agreeing about the whole "vested interest" thing (a potential felony), and his sickening obsequiousness at the offer of a trip to Cali on the Kochs' dime. Gross.
What I don't get is the reverse "class" envy Scott Walker displays in these calls. In part one he says something like " I spoke with all these people who've been laid off and the only ones not worried about the economy were the public employee union members" and "it's damn time they PAID!". WTF? First off, most of these people don't get a huge pension.....maybe the guys at the top but not the average Joe.
This whole question of the State/Local public pensions is really tough. On the one hand, when 40-60 cents out of every (State and local) tax dollar goes to pensions and no actual services, that is simply not sustainable. On the other hand, we're talking about cutting off people about to retire or already retired. And treating them like pariahs because they led a life of public service, for lower pay than they'd get in the private sector, in return for an assured pension. A pension we're going to yank out from under them.
Right, excellent points. I think the idea is that society as a whole should want private sector workers to have the possibility of attaining a healthy quality of life, a living wage, a pension. Instead, people like Scott Walker are trying to pit private sector workers against public sector workers for having some protections, when the fact is that, public or private, everyone at this echelon of the economy wants basically the same thing, but those in the echelon that Walker is working for (the Kochs) don't want these basic things -- they want it all, all the money, all the control, no rules, not having to pay for the resources they use up, not having to pay for the benefits of the society that allowed them to accumulate the wealth they have, etc. Yet somehow because of the long-running plan to rewrite the narrative, they can say the things they say out loud and seem like logical, normal humans, but to me, they sound about as evil as we've heard in this country in a long time.
I can't wait to see how Walker and the Republicans spin Walker's sucking up to the Koch Bros to make it look like some kind of liberal terrorist tactic. I wonder what Michele Malkin will think! By the way, calling people who protest their government "Flea Baggers" is pretty much disgusting. Great source, Snaieke!
Hey, here's a source for you and it's from FOX NEWS of all places. I'd like to see Malkin's head fucking explode to this.
Fox Video ...
(you have to CLICK on animated gifs? that sucks!)
I'm going to be enormously generous and say that maybe half of this world wide campaign for the regression of worker's rights comes from genuine budgetary concerns. The rest is just a shock doctrine attack in order to boost the bottom line of big business and revenge. Striking while the iron is hot, when the people are dazed and confused.
http://www.cnn.com/2011/OPINION/02/24/wolraich.wisconsin.lawmakers/index.html?hpt=T2
I figured this goes without saying, but I'm posting it anyway.
Yeah the bill will probably get passed but not before people had a chance to find out what Walker tried to ram through in the middle of the night. It also helped kill similar bills in other states so it was worth delaying if only for that. Are the Tea Party folks seeing a trend in what causes the people they elected take up and who those bills ultimately help? Surely there has to be some buyer's remorse going on a little bit right?
Even if it passes, the bill is so riddled with questionable BS the challenges in court will be immediate and powerful. Also, GOP state senators are going to face recall elections and by fumbling the ball so dramatically on this could very well be thrown out. There are also going to be myriad ethics complaints against Walker himself--including using the police for political gains and in labor disputes and "considering" planting troublemakers in the crowd. He is far from out of the woods.
But to what Stelios said, what cannot and should not be understated is the importance of the Beast's phony phone call to Scott Walker. What these GOP officials are telling the people is that their budgetary issues are a local matter. Anyone who really does feel that state budget shortfalls like Wisconsin's have to do with pensions and salaries of public workers might want to pay attention to the conversation Walker had with the person he believed was David Koch. The tone of Walker's voice really was that of an employee trying to impress his employer, and the sense really was that what Walker was doing was part of a coordinated effort GOP officials are enacting at the behest of outside corporate interests.
Hey, here's a source for you and it's from FOX NEWS of all places.
That's awesome. From the rare occasions I actually watch Fox News (i.e. when I don't have access to the remote control so I can change the fucking channel, like at the barber shop yesterday), I tend to come away thinking Shepard Smith is the only one over there with anything like a conscience. I'm kind of amazed that he still has a job there.
Shepherd gets to stay around so FOX can say "Fair and Balanced". That and he has incriminating photos.
I can't wait to see how Walker and the Republicans spin Walker's sucking up to the Koch Bros to make it look like some kind of liberal terrorist tactic. I wonder what Michele Malkin will think! By the way, calling people who protest their government "Flea Baggers" is pretty much disgusting. Great source, Snaieke!
Hey, here's a source for you and it's from FOX NEWS of all places. I'd like to see Malkin's head fucking explode to this.
That clip is beyond shocking and humorous. I have a feeling this commentary will never be spoken of in the vicinity of Fox and thereabouts ever again.
But Shep Smith had me with his emotional reaction to Katrina, his narration of the dog being rescued from a canal and now this.
I get the feeling that Shep is the type of guy who can only put up with so much bullshit. After holding it in after a while, he can't help but release the truth (or a variant of the truth) every now and again. And good for him for it, I guess, I just wish he would do it more often.
So, this just happened.
"Shortly after 1:00 a.m., after more than 60 hours of debate on this, the Republicans quickly called for the vote, which ended all debate. Some of the Democrats were so taken aback by what had happened, they didn't get a chance to vote.
The vote happened so fast, within seconds, that the bill pass with Republican voting for it, but while they were voting, Democrats kept yelling, "No! No! You can't do this!"'
You see my American friends, this is the time when you take to the streets, start burning shit down and flipping police cars over. This is the way worker's rights have been won and sadly this is how you'll have to fight to retain them. Fucking strike. Shut shit down. None of that picket line nonsense. Put some fear into these bastards' diet. Stay like you are now and watch yourselves lose fight after fight after fight.
Show some fucking class solidarity already, it's not every man for himself.
"SHAME! SHAME! SHAME!" Wow! That was incredible!!! To watch the GOP senators in suits gathering their stuff and shrinking out of there as the people chanted "shame" was such an emblematic moment of this whole situation. I can't even believe this is happening in America!
I heard John Nichols on Thom Hartmann this morning, and he said not only was the vote rushed but the GOP changed a ton of rules at the last minute to steamroll over the amendments process and sneak this vote in while Dems were taking a break. He described it as anarchy. It's just incredible!
Stelios, I love the sentiment and I do think we desperately need some class solidarity but I think in the US we have to stick with Dr. King's model. Violence would only stain this uprising ... I mean, unless certain elements on the right getting their wet dream of national guardsmen firing on protesters. I don't think the people of Wisconsin are losing this fight -- I think Walker is and he knows it, which is why he's ratcheting things up trying to shove this thing through. The longer people have to contemplate it, the more odious it reveals itself to be and the more his support and approval takes a hit.
I hope you're right.
I know, me too. :/
I just can't believe this is legal.
1. Proof of the governor basically taking orders from the Koch Brothers (who are known for trying to shut down unions, which would financially hinder the democratic party).
2. Admission of doing something sneaky (similar to what transpired) in that taped phone call.
3. Sneaky shit going down, shutting out democrats in the political process.
I'd really love someone with real information (not Michele Malkin links) to come in and try to defend these actions. In a rational, reasonable way, not that "unions are EEEEEEEEEvil" meme again and again.
I think I ought to point out that the prank phone call actually does the opposite of prove that Walker is taking orders from the Kochs. He apparently doesn't even know what they sound like, it's mighty hard to conclude that he's taking "orders" from them. Does he have their interests at heart? Absolutely, but only by default. They share ideology.
Wow, this falsehood has managed to be the linchpin of the GOP governors' arguments for weeks. Turns out in Wisconsin it's all deferred payment.
The Wisconsin Lie Exposed – Taxpayers Actually Contribute Nothing To Public Employee Pensions
Pulitzer Prize winning tax reporter, David Cay Johnston, has written a brilliant piece for tax.com exposing the truth about who really pays for the pension and benefits for public employees in Wisconsin.
Gov. Scott Walker says he wants state workers covered by collective bargaining agreements to “contribute more” to their pension and health insurance plans. Accepting Gov. Walker’ s assertions as fact, and failing to check, creates the impression that somehow the workers are getting something extra, a gift from taxpayers. They are not. Out of every dollar that funds Wisconsin’ s pension and health insurance plans for state workers, 100 cents comes from the state workers.
How can this be possible?
Simple. The pension plan is the direct result of deferred compensation- money that employees would have been paid as cash salary but choose, instead, to have placed in the state operated pension fund where the money can be professionally invested (at a lower cost of management) for the future.
Read the rest here: http://blogs.forbes.com/rickungar/2011/02/25/the-wisconsin-lie-exposed-taxpayers-actually-contribute-nothing-to-public-employee-pensions/
I think I ought to point out that the prank phone call actually does the opposite of prove that Walker is taking orders from the Kochs. He apparently doesn't even know what they sound like, it's mighty hard to conclude that he's taking "orders" from them. Does he have their interests at heart? Absolutely, but only by default. They share ideology.
Do you really think this? Do you think if Snaieke called Walker's office he'd get through and get 20 minutes on the phone with the governor, including a preview of all their secret strategies to push the bill through, and highlights of all they're doing to forward "the cause" etc. because they share ideologies?
Wow, this falsehood has managed to be the linchpin of the GOP governors' arguments for weeks. Turns out in Wisconsin it's all deferred payment.
The Wisconsin Lie Exposed – Taxpayers Actually Contribute Nothing To Public Employee Pensions
Pulitzer Prize winning tax reporter, David Cay Johnston, has written a brilliant piece for tax.com exposing the truth about who really pays for the pension and benefits for public employees in Wisconsin.
Gov. Scott Walker says he wants state workers covered by collective bargaining agreements to “contribute more” to their pension and health insurance plans. Accepting Gov. Walker’ s assertions as fact, and failing to check, creates the impression that somehow the workers are getting something extra, a gift from taxpayers. They are not. Out of every dollar that funds Wisconsin’ s pension and health insurance plans for state workers, 100 cents comes from the state workers.
How can this be possible?
Simple. The pension plan is the direct result of deferred compensation- money that employees would have been paid as cash salary but choose, instead, to have placed in the state operated pension fund where the money can be professionally invested (at a lower cost of management) for the future.
Read the rest here: http://blogs.forbes.com/rickungar/2011/02/25/the-wisconsin-lie-exposed-taxpayers-actually-contribute-nothing-to-public-employee-pensions/
Just a heads up yt...99.9999999999% of all pensions contains 2 components: employee and employer contribution.
The concern over pensions revolves around the fact that benefits are guaranteed for life...so if a state worker contributes $100k to their pension, but they are entitled to $250k worth of benefits because they live a decade longer than the average person, the additional $150k is paid by you and I. Thats the really nice thing about a pension - if you outlive the money you actually saved, someone else picks up the tab.
Pensions are essentially just annuities. They work the exact same way.
Methinks the author of this blog knows this but cares not to share it.
Do you really think this? Do you think if Snaieke called Walker's office he'd get through and get 20 minutes on the phone with the governor, including a preview of all their secret strategies to push the bill through, and highlights of all they're doing to forward "the cause" etc. because they share ideologies?
I'm not saying it isn't cronyism, I'm just saying it falls short of the collusion some are portraying it as. We need to pick and choose our battles or we're no better than them.
I'm not saying it isn't cronyism, I'm just saying it falls short of the collusion some are portraying it as. We need to pick and choose our battles or we're no better than them.
Uh, no. Did you listen to the prank call? Walker sounds like a sniveling Dark Vader taking orders from Emperor fucking Palpetine. And the conclusion I'm "portraying" is such an obvious one that commentators on Fox News can't even stomach it. Give me a break.
I'm not saying it isn't cronyism, I'm just saying it falls short of the collusion some are portraying it as. We need to pick and choose our battles or we're no better than them.
I agree with you, although I'd argue that asking questions about the relationship between GOP governors and the Koch brothers who funded them generously is a far cry from Glenn Beck saying that somehow the protests in Wisconsin are the result of black ops (or whatever he's saying--I have no idea). All of my posts about this phone call revolve around the idea that some of what Walker has packed into this bill and some of his plans on using police to corral Dem senators, etc. warrant serious investigation, which the former WI district attorney has called for.
I think what's revealing about both the existence and the tone of the phone call is that a) Dem legislators can't get him on the phone, union representatives can't get him on the phone, reporters can't get him on the phone, his constituents can't get him on the phone yet a prankster pretending to be David Koch gets him on the phone in a matter of hours; b) discussing state business with an out of state billionaire with a vested interest in this legislation (on two levels--as an owner of various concerns in the state of WI, he obviously wants tax cuts and to suppress the rights of workers; and as an energy industry magnate he has an interest in the public utilities Walker wants to put up for sale sans bids); and c) some of his comments in terms of how he sees this situation (no where does he mention the budget deficit but goes on and on about his fantasies of being the next union-busting Ronald Reagan), his lack of concern for public safety, and the dirty tricks he plans to employ to get his way.
Just a heads up yt...99.9999999999% of all pensions contains 2 components: employee and employer contribution.
The concern over pensions revolves around the fact that benefits are guaranteed for life...so if a state worker contributes $100k to their pension, but they are entitled to $250k worth of benefits because they live a decade longer than the average person, the additional $150k is paid by you and I. Thats the really nice thing about a pension - if you outlive the money you actually saved, someone else picks up the tab.
Pensions are essentially just annuities. They work the exact same way.
Methinks the author of this blog knows this but cares not to share it.
Wisconsin's pension is fully funded for the next 30 years, the Closer. So I don't think the Forbes blogger has a hidden agenda here; he's just dealing with the reality of what Walker and other GOP talking heads are saying. Chris Christie had some gross sound bite about it being enjoyed by them but paid for by us. In Wisconsin as in many states, public workers take cuts in pay to guarantee that that pension will be there. How much savings do you think that represents in terms of back pay? I'm not asking because I know the answer but because it's a question that big business and its friends in the GOP and on Fox don't even want asked.
Uh, no. Did you listen to the prank call? Walker sounds like a sniveling Dark Vader taking orders from Emperor fucking Palpetine. And the conclusion I'm "portraying" is such an obvious one that commentators on Fox News can't even stomach it. Give me a break.
Give ME a break. I did listen to the call. It's disturbing for all of the reasons that yt listed, but I cannot and will not infer the kind of collusion that you are alleging. That's irresponsible. There's enough that's damning about that conversation without inferring things it does not support. Walker is in bed with conservative corporate interests, of that there is no doubt. But if he were taking orders, as you suggest, then he would know the Kochs well enough to not be fooled by that cheesy impersonation completely devoid of personality. Here's what Dave Koch really sounds like: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqhXNzQhG1c
Wisconsin's pension is fully funded for the next 30 years, the Closer. So I don't think the Forbes blogger has a hidden agenda here; he's just dealing with the reality of what Walker and other GOP talking heads are saying. Chris Christie had some gross sound bite about it being enjoyed by them but paid for by us. In Wisconsin as in many states, public workers take cuts in pay to guarantee that that pension will be there. How much savings do you think that represents in terms of back pay? I'm not asking because I know the answer but because it's a question that big business and its friends in the GOP and on Fox don't even want asked.
I understand the concessions given by public employees in exchange for a pension with a lifetime benefit. My point is that as people live longer, pensions begin paying out more money than they collected from the employee.
I dont have the specific financials regarding the Wisconsin pension, so if you could point me in the direction of where you found the 30 year statistic that would be good to know. If their pension is indeed fully funded thats great news, but it doesnt change the fact that the blogger is about as disingenuous as you can get. He knows full well there are two sides to every pension.
"Some states are doing a far better job than others of managing this bill coming due. States such as Florida, Idaho, New York, North Carolina and Wisconsin all entered the current recession with fully funded pensions." From here: http://downloads.pewcenteronthestates.org/The_Trillion_Dollar_Gap_final.pdf via here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/22/wisconsin-pension-fund-among-healthiest-us_n_826709.html
But what I keep asking and what nobody (other than Matt Taibbi) ever, ever talks about is the huge chunk of change those geniuses on Wall St. lifted out of these state economies. How do we get that money back? If a pension fund in, say, California bought into a AAA-rated investment only to learn after the fall that it was stuffed full of rotten cabbage, what are the consequences? All this while the property taxes plummet because all of the houses are in foreclosure and the state taxes plummet because everyone has been laid off. Look at this conversation we're having about pension funds. Each pension represents one person's life. Then consider the billions these bankers paid themselves after mounting this incredible heist--each bonus check represents probably a thousand lifetime pensions that these governors are dicking over. How do the states get remunerated for the 1/3 or 1/2 value in some states that these fraud schemes lifted?
Give ME a break. I did listen to the call. It's disturbing for all of the reasons that yt listed, but I cannot and will not infer the kind of collusion that you are alleging. That's irresponsible. There's enough that's damning about that conversation without inferring things it does not support. Walker is in bed with conservative corporate interests, of that there is no doubt. But if he were taking orders, as you suggest, then he would know the Kochs well enough to not be fooled by that cheesy impersonation completely devoid of personality. Here's what Dave Koch really sounds like: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqhXNzQhG1c
This is such a ridiculous argument. "He'd recognize their voices." As if he'd need to be talking to them regularly to be in bed with them or something...come on. I guess I admit, we don't have hard scientific quantifiable fact that Walker isn't working for the Koch's. Sure. But just because he doesn't recognize their voices doesn't mean anything at all and has no bearing on this argument whatsoever. You're thinking of this in a very limited way. Soft eyes, grasshopper.
I see what you did there, nice straw man.
Here are some of the comments of the former AG:
“There clearly are potential ethics violations, and there are potential election law violations and there are a lot of what look to me like labor law violations,” said Peg Lautenschlager, a Democrat who served as Wisconsin’s attorney general after serving for many years as a U.S. attorney. “I think that the ethics violations are something the (state) Government Accountability Board should look into because they are considerable. He is on tape talking with someone who he thinks is the funder of an independent political action committee to purchase advertising to benefit Republican legislators who are nervous about taking votes on legislation he sees as critical to his political success.”
Lautenschlager, a former legislator who has known Walker for many years and who has worked with many of the unions involved in the current dispute, says: “One of the things I find most problematic in all of this is the governor’s casual talk about using outside troublemakers to stir up trouble on the streets, and the fact that he only dismissed the idea because it might cause a political problem for him.”
On the tape, Walker is asked about “planting some troublemakers” to incite the crowds at what have been peaceful protests.
...
“He essentially parallels what he’s going to do to organized labor with what Ronald Reagan did to the air traffic controllers,” said Lautenschlager, referencing the former president’s firing of striking controllers in 1981. “By doing that at this time, when the contracts for state employees are still in effect, it looks as if he’s signaling a willingness to commit an unfair labor practice violation by refusing to negotiate.”
Lautenschlager noted a body of labor law that prevents employers from using threats of layoffs as a negotiating tactic with unionized workers.
Regarding another part of the conversation, where the caller posing as David Koch promises to bring the governor to California as a reward when and if the budget repair bill passes, the former attorney general noted the tenor of the conversation.
“Scott: Once you crush these bastards I’ll fly you out to Cali and really show you a good time,” says the caller identified as David Koch.
Walker replies: “All right, that would be outstanding.”
“When an elected official in Wisconsin is offered a trip somewhere to have a good time, and he responds by saying ‘that would be outstanding,' ” said Lautenchlager, “it certainly sounds like something ethics investigators should look into.”
The rest of the interview is here: http://host.madison.com/ct/news/opinion/column/john_nichols/article_0657a7e5-a7ca-59df-abf0-3222b8c8ef98.html?nstrack=sid:334184|met:100300|cat:0|order:5
The issue with the prank phone call isn't to what degree Walker obeys Koch. It's the fact that nowhere in that tape does Walker mention balancing the budget or fixing WI's money troubles. It's all about union-busting and waging a political PR war against Democrats. There may or may not be an ethics violation there, but it's weaker tea than the case against Blago, to be sure.
Governor Walker and 18 Senators just comitted political suicide. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/09/wisconsin-gop-plan-advance-anti-union_n_833796
The only good thing that comes out of this is that there's no political cover for these guys. I mean the only way the Senate could pass the collective bargaining repeal was if it was a non-fiscal part of the bill. I tell you, I've never seen corporate sponsorship of government more naked than it is right now and the people are noticing. Looks like the Dems will be back in power by 2012 if this keeps up.
I agree. What they did was appalling. It's also Walker's admission that he lied about the fiscal impact of that part of the bill. It's worse for the state senators because they are invisible except in a bad context. Walker's got his eye on the presidency and guaranteed bankrolling from the Kochs. He doesn't appear to give two $#!%s about what the people of his state want or care about. What a hollow person.
Your country is fucked.
Living in Wisconsin, I'm just ashamed of so many people. The hatred I've seen spewed towards teachers is sickening. Can't even count how many times I've heard people call them lazy, overpaid, anti-American scumbags. It's really sad.
I have many friends who work in the public sector who are effected by this. They were willing to do everything Walker asked, except the Collective Bargaining. Walker said all the collective bargaining did was "hurt" public workers because the union would allow them to get laid off, and of course, when Walker wasn't getting his way, he himself threatened lay offs.
Here's the letter he wrote the workers earlier this year.
Governor Scott Walker
State of Wisconsin
Thank you for your service to your state and your fellow citizens. I know that you have worked hard during this economic downturn to ensure that our citizens continue to receive great service, despite our state having fewer and fewer resources. I, like all Wisconsinites, am grateful for your professionalism and commitment to public service.
Like almost every state across the nation, our state faces some very serious and undeniable financial challenges. Over the last three months, I have worked diligently to review the status of our state finances and to put forward a plan that balances our budget now and will create stability in future budgets.
Many of you are aware of the immediate challenges facing our state. In the current fiscal year which ends on June 30, 2011, we face a budget deficit of $136.7 million. We also owe more than $200 million to the Injured Patients and Families Compensation Fund. Failure to immediately address this shortfall could result in the state being unable to pay for health services to thousands of children and families in Wisconsin’s BadgerCare program.
Looking to the future, our challenges are even greater. Over the next two years, the State of Wisconsin faces a biennial budget deficit of $3.6 billion.
While some of these financial challenges may be attributed to the slowing of our economy, the reality is that these problems were exacerbated by poor budgeting decisions approved and promoted by past elected leaders, Republicans and Democrats alike. By relying on the use of one-time money, segregated fund raids, and increases in taxes and fees, past leaders have focused on short term solutions without looking toward the future.
While these decisions may have appeared to be the easiest solution, or the path of least resistance, the bills for these decisions have come due and the path to long term financial solvency for our state requires shared sacrifices from everyone.
Today, I am introducing a Budget Repair Bill to address our current fiscal year deficit of $136.7 million. Later this month, I will introduce my 2011-2013 Biennial Budget proposal to address the pending $3.6 billion deficit.
The Budget Repair Bill will include a number of reform measures focused on bringing government employee benefits closer to the private sector, including:
· Pension Contributions – Currently, state, school district and municipal employees who are members of the Wisconsin Retirement System contribute very little toward their pensions. The bill requires that WRS employees, including myself and my cabinet officers, as well as employees of the City and County of Milwaukee, contribute 50 percent of their monthly pension contributions. This amount is estimated to be 5.8 percent of salary for 2011, which is about the national average for private sector employees.
· Health Insurance Contributions – Currently, state employees pay approximately 6 percent of annual health insurance premiums. This bill requires that state employees, again including myself and my cabinet officers, pay at least 12 percent of monthly premiums, which is still less than half of what the private sector pays. In addition, the bill directs the Group Insurance Board to implement changes to health insurance plan designs to further reduce premiums by 5 percent and will implement health risk assessments for all state employees beginning on January 1, 2012. Local employers participating in the Public Employers Group Health insurance program operated by the state will be prohibited from paying more than 88 percent of the lowest cost plan.
· Collective Bargaining – Given the above changes, the bill also makes various changes to limit collective bargaining to the base pay rate. Total increases cannot exceed the Consumer Price Index (CPI) unless approved by a referendum. Contracts will be limited to one year and wages will be frozen until the new contract is settled. Collective bargaining units will have to take annual votes to maintain certification as a union. Employers will be prohibited from collecting union dues and members of collective bargaining units will not be required to pay dues. These changes take effect upon the expiration of existing contracts. Local police and fire employees and State Patrol Troopers and Inspectors are exempted from these changes.
Collectively, these changes will result in savings of approximately $30 million in the remaining few months of the current fiscal year.
In the days ahead, some may attempt to misrepresent these reform measures, spreading inaccurate or misleading information. To ensure that you know the facts, I would like to proactively address these issues.
Furloughs – Over the last several years, state employees have been required to take furloughs resulting in an across the board pay cut of approximately 3 percent. The Budget Repair Bill and my 2011-2013 Biennial Budget proposal will not include additional furlough days for state employees.
Layoffs – Without the pension and health care reforms described above, saving $30 million over the last three months of the current fiscal year would require laying-off more than 1,500 state government employees. By implementing these reforms, the provisions contained in both my Budget Repair Bill and my 2011-13 Biennial Budget proposal are focused on avoiding layoffs for state employees.
Wisconsin’s Civil Service System –The Budget Repair Bill and my 2011-2013 Biennial Budget proposal will not include any provisions to alter or modify the main tenets of Wisconsin’s Civil Service System, one of the strongest in the nation. The grievance and dispute resolution systems currently in place, as well as all employee protections, will remain.
Vacation and Sick Leave Policy – Recent news stories have suggested that I am considering altering the state’s vacation or sick leave policy. The Budget Repair Bill and my 2011-13 Biennial Budget proposal will not include any provisions to alter or modify state employees’ vacation or sick leave policy. In addition, benefits currently accrued by any state employees will not be altered in any way.
Last week in my State of the State Address, I shared my belief that government employees are among some of the most honest, hard working, dedicated, professional workers in this state. I sincerely believe that.
We all recognize that these are historic times that require us to rethink how government operates. I ask that we continue to work together to do what is necessary to bring the state’s spending in line with our taxpayers’ ability to pay.
Wisconsin’s state employees are second to none in our nation. Our citizens expect great service, and you have delivered. I know you will continue to deliver top-notch programs for Wisconsin’s taxpayers. Thank you again for your service to our state.
Sincerely,
Governor Scott Walker
So it seems this quick vote might not hold up, as they didn't get the required 24 hours notice for a public meeting. Should be interesting to see where this goes
He also managed to sneak in the privatizing power plants provision, and evidently the Koch brothers are already advertising for managers. Wow. A boot stamping on a human face forever.
