For anyone who still thinks the inspiring actions in Wisconsin, Ohio and Indiana are just about public employees in those states, here's a moving dose of reality.
People in every walk of life and every part of the country -- even other countries -- are expressing heartfelt gratitude to the 14 Democratic state senators who left Wisconsin Feb. 17 rather than allow Gov. Scott Walker to pass a sham budget bill taking from state and local workers the right to bargain for good middle-class jobs.
Gov. Walker and state Republicans may be sending them $100-a-day fines and arrest warrants, but take a look at some Facebook and phone messages real people are sending the brave Wisconsin 14:
- "I've got 20 plus years in in Department of Corrections and I myself have walked through the halls of hell literally... I've dealt with escapes, fire, suicides, Jeffrey Dahmer... In my opinion, the 14 of you are clearly as big American heroes as those who are dying in the war overseas right now."
- "Today I will start tithing 1 percent every day of my daily income for your re-election campaigns!"
- "I was taught to either stand for something or fall for anything... Thank you for setting a great example!"
- "My parents in northern Illinois would be glad to feed you a home-cooked meal -- just drop me a note and I'll put you in touch."
- "History will look back on you not only as heroes of the American working class but also as patriots in the purest form as inspired by the founding fathers of this country."
- "Keep up the good work, and if you need $100 -- any one of you -- I am, definitely, willing to sacrifice Benjamin Franklin to keep you guys out of state until this situation is over."
- "As a social worker in Wisconsin barely able to pay my own bills on my income, I want to say Thank You to all of you... I see first-hand what happens when services are cut and people are unable to get the services they need--the stress, the homelessness, the inability to get mental health or health services in general and the revolving door of our horrible "justice" system. It's horrible. Please keep up the fight."
- "I have never taken a stand before but now I do, with all 14 of you!"
- "You are what democracy is all about!"
- "Thank you, thank you, thank you! Please know how much the citizens of Wisconsin understand your sacrifices in leaving your homes, families and constituents to do the right thing and stop this ridiculous budget 'repair' bill. You give us hope!"
- "Thank you all for the guts you have shown throughout this time. I believe the story of the Wisconsin 14 will go down in history."
- "Muchas gracias."
- "Thank you all from Canada. We believe in free collective bargaining. It is a human right and courageous folks like you and the protesters make us all proud!"
- "Thank you from your neighbors in Minnesota who were only 8,500 votes away from being in the same situation had we not elected Mark Dayton."
- "I have never been more proud of a group of men and women..."
- "You are the heroes of the whole nation. This is not only about middle-class union workers, it is about all of us."
- "Finally, politicians who stand for something they truly believe in."
- "I'm a little choked up here because I realize the sacrifice that you are making. They put the pressure on you. They're trying to turn the screws on you. I appreciate your courage. Your vision... And the backbone that you're showing."
- "Sorry you're away from your families, but because of your efforts we all hopefully have better family lives."
- "You are on the right side of history."
- "I'm down at the capitol right now. I am a retiree. I've been here every day at least twice a day. I have other things to do... like our 14 senators do. But this is the most important thing that's happened in Wisconsin in my life. I'll be 70 in September... God bless and keep you always."
Let me add my thanks and my admiration for the Wisconsin state legislators -- and those from Indiana -- who have left home and are living out of suitcases for weeks to do the people's work.
"Perhaps the biggest result of collective bargaining in government is the bargain between the union and their political candidates. We will supply the money and manpower you need to get elected, and you give us what we want at contract time. The effective result is that contract negotiations are between union bosses and politicians supported financially by the union."
"Do the Harley-Davidson unions financially support management negotiators? Of course not! Yet, government union money flows to politicians who have the power to enhance government union wages, working conditions and benefits. This isn't bargaining; it's purchasing. And it's why government unions are not in the public interest."
source: http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/comments/article/20110226/ADV06/102260405/Letter-Unions-don-t-belong-public-sector
and you know this...so stop already.
what a bunch of GIMMEE's GIMMEE's, hope you all lose your benefits.
The only reason average tax payers work for a living without support and get treated like DOGS is because of the past 3 decades of political leadership allowing the Super rich executives to destroy the middle class even further...the average household income is $2500 less than it was 10 years ago.
Thanks Bush...Walker is simply paying back his rich constituents that put him in power. Not only is his bill pathetic the fact he isn't cutting benefits for law enforcement -cops and state troopers - while making the lives of teachers even worse is pretty horrific.
When most high school graduates can count back the change at the cash register we have a real problem. A problem created by the incompetent sponsorship of union's perpetuation of a broken system in order to feather their own nest.
"Fleeing the Scene" is a time tested parliamentary tactic which both the Dems and the Repubs have used in the past to avoid a quorum. Heck, even Abe Lincoln did it.
In this case, the Boy Wonder Walker has way overreached. He's thinking everything's peachy, since he's best buddies with the Koch boys, but he hasn't studied his history books either. He's allowed himself to become the front man for the Koch brothers and the other shadowy right wing groups with dirty money who will use him and then lose him.
Since Gov. Walker seems deaf to reason and he should not need to use the phone, the capitol phone numbers and web site are there for communication which I intend to do on the hour starting Monday morning. Perhaps Tuesday, the phones could be busy every ten minutes, B's 10 after, C's 20 min after and so on. Wed. those later in the alphabet - you know who you are - can chime in for a 5 minute interval. 3 minutes Thursday, 2 minutes Friday and every minute next week. Progressives need to let the Governor know what we think.
Progressives are not.
Maybe you all can stay home and not vote for President, your statement will be made, but the outcome will be your loss.
Can you honestly say that running and NOT standing up for that which you believe to be the best for the people who voted for you is ok? Really?
at you as he throws you another crumb?
*They support union collective bargaining rights - in all parts of the nation.
*Any kind of health care reform concerns came way down the bottom of all lists and lots concerned making it stronger by having single payer system, etc. Showed more American's now approve of health care law the further they got away from last year's vitriol from FOX, Limbaugh, and others, and saw implementation of key elements.
Most politicians of both parties were elected on campaign promise of improving the economy by providing JOB opportunities. Boehner and his ilk are killing 700,000 plus jobs with their budget cuts and more when the next go round of cuts are voted upon. "So be it" that jobs will be lost, is not the answer American's want, but that's Boehner's anwer.
Taking away collective bargaining rights, union jobs/any jobs, not providing new job opportunities for men/women; budget cuts hurting vets, reproductive rights, women, children, the elderly, etc. - hmmm - don't remember politicians running on ALL those planks, but all the TEA spokespeople and most Republicans seem to be saying ALL were their mandate.
But, "betcha" they'll be running away from them in next year's election.. Thank you Wisconsin, Indiana, Ohio Democrats for rejuvinating the the American ideals of "liberty and justice for all", "to form a more perfect union":), "provide for the common good", and we will reap those Democrats heroic efforts in 2012.
I gave up yearly higher salary increases to fund my health benefits and pension and put in large segment of my pay. I paid and continue to pay state. local. federal taxes and believe it is my obligation and HONOR to do so -as an American citizen But, I do resent Corps., wealthy not paying equal percentage. Screw'em all!
I believe in the future - do you? All I see is destruction of the middle class, education, the hopes and dreams of our children if you and TEAS and Republicans continue to sell our country out.
- John Boehner
http://www.newsmax.com/surveys/results/id/9?PROMO_CODE=BB8B-1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTWE4ce_yhw
Had Congressional Democrats pulled together in unity by supporting the president's agenda from the beginning and when we had a majority in the House, our nation would be light years ahead right now. Look at what just 14 State Democratic Legislaters are doing in unity then compare it to the powerful Congressional Dems dividing and falling all over themselves when they could have backed the president numerous times. I'm amazed at how much Obama-Biden have accomplished, but I know they could have realized more with support of Dems in Congress.
Couldn't help but think of that little ditty that says something like what a wonderful world it would be "if the good would just be clever and the clever be just to the good"