Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn, a Democrat, is criticizing Wisconsin Republicans. Wisconsin’s governor says he’ll sign legislation to limit collective bargaining rights for some public workers. The bill passed the Assembly Thursday after Republicans used a procedural maneuver to approve the measure.
On Thursday, Quinn said the Republicans are trying to rough-house public unions.
“When somebody tries to take away your right to band together and organize, that’s not healthy,” Quinn said. “And it’s very bad. And I think what went on in Wisconsin yesterday is something that the governor there, really, should be ashamed of himself.”
* Quinn also talked about the Wisconsin situation on Fox Chicago. Watch…
* Meanwhile, Republican legislators in Indiana created a very clever music video lampooning the House Democrats who’ve fled their state for Urbana, Illinois. Have a look…
* Lyrics…
74 bring them home to the place they belong, Indiana, not Urbana, take them home 74.
Pat Bauer, lost his mind, took his caucus, ran across state lines.
Right to work, PLA’s, bunch other stuff, made them run away.
74 bring them home, to the place they belong, Indiana not Urbana take them home 74.
School reform, was our plea rather than debate it, they all chose to flee. When they come back, time will tell, if they don’t, they can go to (slap).
74 bring them home to the place they belong, Indiana, not Urbana, take them home 74.
Unemployment, who steps up? We got elected, stop acting like you won. When they show up, you know who, just like Noah’s ark they come back two by two.
74 bring them home to the place they belong, Indiana, not Urbana, take them home 74.
* Related…
* Indiana union workers come together, but parties remain far apart: House Minority Leader B. Patrick Bauer, a South Bend Democrat who stayed in Illinois during the rally, said whether this protest changes the debate is “up to the Republicans, whether they are moved.” But, he said, the rally “shows the public the strong, wide and deep support working people have” for the Democrats’ stand.
* In Illinois, reaction to Wisconsin union vote ranges from applause to ‘assault on working families’
First off, I wish Quinn would focus on the multibillion dollar deficit in his own state instead of armchair quarterbacking Wisconsin. I realize his is sucking up to the unions that he gave a big wet kiss to with the no layoff ageeement before the election, but looking outside the Illinois right now just highlights his cluelessness.
Second, how the heck can one of the architects of the lame duck tax increase– sold with jobs for ousted pols– possibly criticize Walker for procedural games?? Yes, the WI Rs are doing exactly what the IL Dems did. And both stink.
Maybe Quinn might want to resign as Gov of Illinois and move to Wisconsin where he can solve their problems. His job is to govern Illinois, not be a political pundit on tv shows an opine on issues not in his control or jurisdiction. Its not as if Illinois is the model of good government and fiscal responsibility.
===His job is to govern Illinois, not be a political pundit on tv shows===
While I agree that I’d like to see him tone down the act, governors are regulars on TV shows and are often asked about issues outside their direct control. So, take a breath, man.
- Small Town Liberal - Friday, Mar 11, 11 @ 10:08 am:
- not be a political pundit on tv shows an opine on issues not in his control or jurisdiction. -
Please, Walker and Christie have been doing just that ever since the tax increase. If they want to dish it out, they better be able to take it. Quinn is right, and he’s right to let people know where he stands.
Rich: I do agree with you about politicians being asked about issues beyond their control and apologize if my frustration came through in my post.Maybe in a naive way, I would like to see our officials rise to a higher level and deal with and address the problems they were elected to deal with.
Just remember where Quinn stands on any issue today will most likely change tomorrow. Quinn, Walker Christie and other Govs are trying to distract from the huge problems in their own states by pointing at the next guy and telling viewers look at what a bad job that guy is doing. It’s going to be a bumpy next few years for the whole country.
While we’re talking about governors, shame, and unions, if I were governor, I would be ashamed of using my office to lobby for the Teamsters, one month after accepting 75K from them in a campaign year.
Quinn should tone down the rhetoric, as should all the governors. It’s easy to see where these guys stand based on their policies alone. All this sniping back and forth might be good political theater, but serves no larger point.
- lake county democrat - Friday, Mar 11, 11 @ 10:33 am:
WRMN — Walker started it by making a direct pitch to Illinois businesses (read: employers) to leave our state and move to Wisco, so to me it’s fair game.
I think the GOP made a miscalculation: they won in 2010 in no small part due to an enthusiasm gap on the part of the left and keeping the quantum leap in corporate interest influence via Citizens United out of most voters minds. Time will tell.
- Springfield Skeptic - Friday, Mar 11, 11 @ 10:36 am:
And on a lighter note, the Indiana Repubs song is a real hoot.
- Grandson of Man - Friday, Mar 11, 11 @ 10:41 am:
I was one of the sarcastic people here yesterday and got my due warning today in the blog, in the comments-off section. I probably went a bit overboard when I used a private firm Walker hired for security in Milwaukee or thereabout for sarcasm. I responded to someone who in my opinion lacked balance in criticism of public unions and political funding.
I still say that we all must strive for balance in some of these political wars. I know that as a public union member, we have to step up and contribute to help fix state budgets. I don’t want to be in a privileged political class. I just don’t agree that we have to be chopped down–especially when our opponents have vast resources of concentrated wealth, and their motives are in large part political, and when we agree in full to financial concessions. Privatizing state services to me doesn’t guarantee fixing ills like keeping bad teachers, because firms that contribute politically can be exempt from following rules. So it’s like the line in The Who song: “Meet the new boss, same as the old boss.”
In regards to Gov. Quinn, I agree with some of the posters here, that Walker and his colleagues have to take what they dish out.
When Quinn made his cozy deal with the unions, one could have claimed that he was involved in a callous quid pro quo deal.
The reality is that there needs to be a balance between all players in the system. When you consider that municipal employees (from a new 2011/2012 budget) are getting a 2% COLA and either a 4 or 5% step increase, one can question whether a balance exists.
Where were the hand wringers when Indiana limited collective bargaining 6 years ago? Was it Armageddon?
- grand old partisan - Friday, Mar 11, 11 @ 10:57 am:
== “When somebody tries to take away your right to band together and organize, that’s not healthy” ==
Actually, they very much still have that right. This legislation does not prohibit teachers and other public employees from banding together and saying “either we all get a raise or we all quit.” It does, of course, end the practice of using the government power to force individuals to join such a group if they don’t want to.
Recall Election? Be careful what you wish for.
If the Wisconsin Republicans prevail in a recall election, the public unions will be perceived as neutered….not necessarily the street “cred” they want as they battle in Indiana and Ohio.
I’ve seen it in our own small town. A social services union “took to the street” over contract negotiations. Initial public support for the union, turned to outright derision once the terms of their benefits (including up to 5 weeks vacation) was publicly revealed. The vacation days, combined with 12 paid holidays, sick days and personal days didn’t seem like the union was representing the “working man” anymore.
As a Republican, I’m all for a recall election. It helps to get the issues out on the table……..something I suspect the unions really don’t want to happen.
Just got home from Illinois,
lock the front door, oh boy.
Got to sit down take a rest on the porch.
Imagination sets in, State Police are comin.
Doo, doo, doo, lookin out my back door.
Gov Walkers doing cartwheels
David Koch’s wearin high heels
Look at all the protesters screamin on the lawn.
Workin class is gone, elitests are growin.
Doo, doo, doo, lookin out my back door.
etc.
And the Indiana Dems should sing
Indiana wants me, Lord
I can’t go back there.
Indiana wants me, Lord
I can’t go back there.
I wish I had you to talk to.
If a bill ever needed killin
That one did.
Maybe, just maybe, the WIGOP are doing what they think is the right thing all the while knowing that it might shorten their political careers. Maybe, just maybe, they are doing this because they love their state so much they are willing to sacrifice their seats in the GA. I know this might seem absurd and you’all might make derisive comments about how no politician works that way. And, maybe you’re right. But maybe, just maybe, you’re wrong.
Time will tell if WI can put its’ financial house in order. If the case can be made that this was possible in part due to what just happened then the GOP will reap those benefits. The water is quite muddy on that one, however.
- Grandson of Man - Friday, Mar 11, 11 @ 11:51 am:
I know this is not related, but I think we should have a moment of silence and reflection about the horrible earthquake in Japan. All of our squabbles are moot when Ma Nature unleashes something like this.
To me the big problem seems to be that the entire reality of a union has become so completely politicized. The unions are the largest financial contributors to Democratic political coffers. This reality in itself is what creates the problem. Questions: When Republicans gain control in a given state, why wouldn’t they look to weaken the unions? Seems that if they don’t, they are just allowing their opponents build their warchests right under their noses so that they can be more staunchly opposed in the next election cycle. Why do the unions need to be so partisan? Is this necessary if their true goal is the protect their members? (and if you say that it’s necessary because Republicans would never support the unions anyway, well then the unions should just assume they will be neutered when the ‘pubs take control in any given state) Shouldn’t the ideal of a true union be for a non-partisan organization that lobbies on behalf of its members for fair pay, benefits and working conditions? I don’t necessarily know the correct answers to these questions, but can’t get over the fact that unions are now viewed in a strictly political light and this seems inherently wrong to me.
BigDoggie, nobody endorses candidates who are against them. But, there is a point when the money, influence etc. various interests have creates the types of candidates who run. That goes for lots of different sorts of groups, including big business. And after the USSCt unleashed the big biz cash, it’s a bit much to ask unions to neuter themselves.
- paddyrollingstone - Friday, Mar 11, 11 @ 12:31 pm:
DuPage Dan: Maybe, just maybe, the WIGOP are doing what they think is the right thing all the while knowing that it might shorten their political careers. Maybe, just maybe, they are doing this because they love their state so much they are willing to sacrifice their seats in the GA. I know this might seem absurd and you’all might make derisive comments about how no politician works that way. And, maybe you’re right. But maybe, just maybe, you’re wrong.
“If we win this battle, and the money is not there under the auspices of the unions, certainly what you’re going to find is President Obama is going to have a much more difficult time getting elected and winning the state of Wisconsin.”
– Wisconsin Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald (R), quoted by the Wisconsin Journal-Sentinel, admitting what’s really driving the controversy in his state.
According to the US Supreme Court’s oft ignored Beck decision, unions are not supposed to spend union dues for political purposes contrary to the wishes of their individual union members. Not that the decision has ever been implemented in a meaningful way.
If individual members had a say so in how their unions allocated political action funds, there might be more balance in terms of campaign contributions. As it stands now, union money is overwhelming used to benefit Democrats owing to union leaders. The wishes of the rank and file are not consulted too much.
This is a generalization and there will be exceptions, but it is the real reason that Madison, Wisconsin became a battle ground.
It was great that Walker signed that bill in private without any press or public hoopla. If he keep the focus on doing the right thing and not scoring political victories Walker will be reelected. Walker showed a lot of class by not gloating over his victory. More politicians should be that way.
There are a couple of hundred merit comp state employees who have filed petitions to unionize, and the governor is opposing those petitions. What will he say about their fundamental right to unionize if they call him to be a witness at their hearings?
So the guy who got elected kissing the ring of my union leaders is ashamed of the guy who got elected promising not to kiss it?
Wow. Out of which of the union pockets was Quinn issuing this statement, and did he clear it first with my union bosses?
Quinn wouldn’t understand what it is like not to be owned by my union. Walker never got a similar offer so naturally he had no interest in being owned by my union. Walker is owned by others instead.
“BigDoggie, nobody endorses candidates who are against them. But, there is a point when the money, influence etc. various interests have creates the types of candidates who run. That goes for lots of different sorts of groups, including big business. And after the USSCt unleashed the big biz cash, it’s a bit much to ask unions to neuter themselves.”
I agree with this, especially after Sen. Fitzgerald boldly said on a news show that union-stripping is politically motivated, to weaken Obama’s chance of winning Wisconsin in the next election (something like that). So it’s not solely fiscal, and that apparently included decoupling the bill and voting on collective bargaining separately, and possibly illegally.
===“If we win this battle, and the money is not there under the auspices of the unions, certainly what you’re going to find is President Obama is going to have a much more difficult time getting elected and winning the state of Wisconsin.”
– Wisconsin Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald (R)===
If that’s really what this was about, then the brothers Fitzgerald are dumber than I thought. Even without the support of WI AFSCME, Obama is going to raise close to $1 billion for his next campaign.
So this bill might put WI AFSCME on the sidelines, but by doing this, it practically guarantees Obama will raise more money from progressives elsewhere, and nothing in the bill can prohibit rank and file members from sending in a donation and volunteering.
Like most bad generals, Fitzgerald is fighting the last war. I guess I should be grateful that by enacting this horrible bill, the GOP in Wisconsin have re-energized the progressive movement in America. The pendulum swings back and forth.
I have no confidence in anything Quinn says, after he has reneged on every major campaign promise he made to get my vote. Public employees should not have unions - they have a public monopoly on their positions, and their employers do not spend their own money on their salaries and benefits. Very different from the private sector. State governments everywhere will have to shrink and do less. deal with it!
Maybe Walker is right! Look at this - Senator Steans has introduced SB1614 Amendment 1 which states that DHS/DDD will develop a pilot program of State-operated community-based group homes! Included in the text of the proposal - (d) Staffing. The State-operated community-based group
homes shall be staffed by Department employees whose
compensation and rights shall be governed by existing
collective bargaining agreements.”.
This while current community based group homes have had cuts, no increases, etc., etc., for a number of years.
The text of the proposal states that the current homes pay low wages, have high turnover, and uses those reasons as basis for the proposal.
So again, we cannot afford to fund the current operators at rates which allow higher wages and benefits but we can open new homes staffed by workers who will be paid government rates and benefits. This at a time when current operators are additionally faced with 6% rate cuts next fiscal year.
Do you think the unions have any influence in Illinois?
It is outrageous how this state law has been spun nationally as a battle over the US. That is one of the reasons it needed to be ended. We have too many political operators attempting to play games with this.
The White House is messing with this and has been since it first started. A federal government which does not offer federal employees anything resembling what a state government offers it’s employees has no business getting involved in this on many levels.
I want the national sniping here to end. Everyone not living in Wisconsin needs to back off and leave these people alone to work out their own issues. I don’t care which political party did what.
When legislators walk out because they are losing a vote their patrons demand that they win, then let their patrons do the fighting for them on the streets, this does not remove the basic fact that this is a legislative issue best resolved legislatively. The moment this folks walked out is the moment they lost control over everything, including common sense, respect and professionalism.
If you remove the issue here, one can better understand why legislators do not throw their political futures into the streets for their political patrons to fight. This was never a street fight. It was always about the boring tasks of legislating.
This is one of those moments when you just want to throw everyone out of the bar who isn’t a regular there and tell them to crawl back under the rocks they came from.
If Governor Quinn even after passing through his tax increase is still unable to fashion a balanced budget why is he out criticizing Scott Walker for taking steps he believes are required to balance the budget in Wisconsin? Instead of constantly acting like a clown why not adhere to the actions of his fellow Democrat in NY and actually offer some meaningful reductions and balance the Illinois budget
“It is outrageous how this state law has been spun as a battle over the US.”
I agree. Yet even though my sympathies tend to be on the conservative side, and the pro-union side seems to have gotten a pass from the MSM on a LOT of incivility, intimidation, and dereliction of duty that would have made national headlines if the Tea Party or similar groups had engaged in it… still, it’s obvious to me that leftists were NOT the only people who “messed with” what should have been a local issue. The Tea Party, AFP, etc. may not have had busloads of demonstrators on the ground in Madison but they certainly did their part to blow up what should have been a local/state issue into an apocalyptic cultural battle as well. There was way too much playing to a national audience on BOTH sides going on here.
“There was way too much playing to a national audience on BOTH sides going on here.”
This is the also the case because it’s playing out in other states, with like-mindedness by Republican governors and legislatures. This has become a national issue. At this point, I can’t see it any other way but as a concerted effort. I don’t know much about other states beside Wisconsin, but I would not be surprised if their motives are the same, to de-fund and weaken the Democratic Party.
- Fed Up State Employee (on vacation) - Friday, Mar 11, 11 @ 3:16 pm:
I’m sorry Grandson of Man, but I have to say this….”Duh!”
–I am an Illinoisan and have no interest following Illinois businesses to their new locations in other parts of the country or globe.–
Any facts, at all, ever? In recent days, haven’t you been talking about businesses relocating to North Dakota, Mississippi, California, New York — anything to back that up?
–The White House is messing with this and has been since it first started.–
Not even Fox News is buying that. Here’s Megyn Kelly with a member of the Fitzgerald junta.
- Anonymous - Friday, Mar 11, 11 @ 9:48 am:
First off, I wish Quinn would focus on the multibillion dollar deficit in his own state instead of armchair quarterbacking Wisconsin. I realize his is sucking up to the unions that he gave a big wet kiss to with the no layoff ageeement before the election, but looking outside the Illinois right now just highlights his cluelessness.
Second, how the heck can one of the architects of the lame duck tax increase– sold with jobs for ousted pols– possibly criticize Walker for procedural games?? Yes, the WI Rs are doing exactly what the IL Dems did. And both stink.
- wordslinger - Friday, Mar 11, 11 @ 10:00 am:
Let Quinn have his fun with Walker, who took the first shots with his business-poaching tough talk.
In other news, Walker took congratulatory phone calls yesterday from David Koch, Henry Ford and Czar Nicholas II for his continued anti-union efforts.
- WRMNpolitics - Friday, Mar 11, 11 @ 10:04 am:
Maybe Quinn might want to resign as Gov of Illinois and move to Wisconsin where he can solve their problems. His job is to govern Illinois, not be a political pundit on tv shows an opine on issues not in his control or jurisdiction. Its not as if Illinois is the model of good government and fiscal responsibility.
- Cheryl44 - Friday, Mar 11, 11 @ 10:05 am:
I agree with Governor Quinn.
- Rich Miller - Friday, Mar 11, 11 @ 10:07 am:
===His job is to govern Illinois, not be a political pundit on tv shows===
While I agree that I’d like to see him tone down the act, governors are regulars on TV shows and are often asked about issues outside their direct control. So, take a breath, man.
- Small Town Liberal - Friday, Mar 11, 11 @ 10:08 am:
- not be a political pundit on tv shows an opine on issues not in his control or jurisdiction. -
Please, Walker and Christie have been doing just that ever since the tax increase. If they want to dish it out, they better be able to take it. Quinn is right, and he’s right to let people know where he stands.
- Rich Miller - Friday, Mar 11, 11 @ 10:10 am:
STL, you could’ve said the same thing without the vitriol. Tone it down.
- WRMNpolitics - Friday, Mar 11, 11 @ 10:22 am:
Rich: I do agree with you about politicians being asked about issues beyond their control and apologize if my frustration came through in my post.Maybe in a naive way, I would like to see our officials rise to a higher level and deal with and address the problems they were elected to deal with.
- Fed up - Friday, Mar 11, 11 @ 10:22 am:
STL
Just remember where Quinn stands on any issue today will most likely change tomorrow. Quinn, Walker Christie and other Govs are trying to distract from the huge problems in their own states by pointing at the next guy and telling viewers look at what a bad job that guy is doing. It’s going to be a bumpy next few years for the whole country.
- Rule of Law - Friday, Mar 11, 11 @ 10:30 am:
While we’re talking about governors, shame, and unions, if I were governor, I would be ashamed of using my office to lobby for the Teamsters, one month after accepting 75K from them in a campaign year.
Quinn should tone down the rhetoric, as should all the governors. It’s easy to see where these guys stand based on their policies alone. All this sniping back and forth might be good political theater, but serves no larger point.
- lake county democrat - Friday, Mar 11, 11 @ 10:33 am:
WRMN — Walker started it by making a direct pitch to Illinois businesses (read: employers) to leave our state and move to Wisco, so to me it’s fair game.
I think the GOP made a miscalculation: they won in 2010 in no small part due to an enthusiasm gap on the part of the left and keeping the quantum leap in corporate interest influence via Citizens United out of most voters minds. Time will tell.
- Springfield Skeptic - Friday, Mar 11, 11 @ 10:36 am:
And on a lighter note, the Indiana Repubs song is a real hoot.
- Grandson of Man - Friday, Mar 11, 11 @ 10:41 am:
I was one of the sarcastic people here yesterday and got my due warning today in the blog, in the comments-off section. I probably went a bit overboard when I used a private firm Walker hired for security in Milwaukee or thereabout for sarcasm. I responded to someone who in my opinion lacked balance in criticism of public unions and political funding.
I still say that we all must strive for balance in some of these political wars. I know that as a public union member, we have to step up and contribute to help fix state budgets. I don’t want to be in a privileged political class. I just don’t agree that we have to be chopped down–especially when our opponents have vast resources of concentrated wealth, and their motives are in large part political, and when we agree in full to financial concessions. Privatizing state services to me doesn’t guarantee fixing ills like keeping bad teachers, because firms that contribute politically can be exempt from following rules. So it’s like the line in The Who song: “Meet the new boss, same as the old boss.”
In regards to Gov. Quinn, I agree with some of the posters here, that Walker and his colleagues have to take what they dish out.
- Plutocrat03 - Friday, Mar 11, 11 @ 10:42 am:
Its all a matter of perspective.
When Quinn made his cozy deal with the unions, one could have claimed that he was involved in a callous quid pro quo deal.
The reality is that there needs to be a balance between all players in the system. When you consider that municipal employees (from a new 2011/2012 budget) are getting a 2% COLA and either a 4 or 5% step increase, one can question whether a balance exists.
Where were the hand wringers when Indiana limited collective bargaining 6 years ago? Was it Armageddon?
- grand old partisan - Friday, Mar 11, 11 @ 10:57 am:
== “When somebody tries to take away your right to band together and organize, that’s not healthy” ==
Actually, they very much still have that right. This legislation does not prohibit teachers and other public employees from banding together and saying “either we all get a raise or we all quit.” It does, of course, end the practice of using the government power to force individuals to join such a group if they don’t want to.
- OneMan - Friday, Mar 11, 11 @ 10:58 am:
The Indiana song is better than any ‘wanted’ poster concept, thats for sure…
- Downstate - Friday, Mar 11, 11 @ 11:00 am:
Recall Election? Be careful what you wish for.
If the Wisconsin Republicans prevail in a recall election, the public unions will be perceived as neutered….not necessarily the street “cred” they want as they battle in Indiana and Ohio.
I’ve seen it in our own small town. A social services union “took to the street” over contract negotiations. Initial public support for the union, turned to outright derision once the terms of their benefits (including up to 5 weeks vacation) was publicly revealed. The vacation days, combined with 12 paid holidays, sick days and personal days didn’t seem like the union was representing the “working man” anymore.
As a Republican, I’m all for a recall election. It helps to get the issues out on the table……..something I suspect the unions really don’t want to happen.
- Irish - Friday, Mar 11, 11 @ 11:01 am:
Maybe the Wis. Dems should sing
this song by CCR
Just got home from Illinois,
lock the front door, oh boy.
Got to sit down take a rest on the porch.
Imagination sets in, State Police are comin.
Doo, doo, doo, lookin out my back door.
Gov Walkers doing cartwheels
David Koch’s wearin high heels
Look at all the protesters screamin on the lawn.
Workin class is gone, elitests are growin.
Doo, doo, doo, lookin out my back door.
etc.
And the Indiana Dems should sing
Indiana wants me, Lord
I can’t go back there.
Indiana wants me, Lord
I can’t go back there.
I wish I had you to talk to.
If a bill ever needed killin
That one did.
No one has the right.
To hurt the workin man
etc.
Maybe VM could finish them.
- dupage dan - Friday, Mar 11, 11 @ 11:39 am:
Maybe, just maybe, the WIGOP are doing what they think is the right thing all the while knowing that it might shorten their political careers. Maybe, just maybe, they are doing this because they love their state so much they are willing to sacrifice their seats in the GA. I know this might seem absurd and you’all might make derisive comments about how no politician works that way. And, maybe you’re right. But maybe, just maybe, you’re wrong.
Time will tell if WI can put its’ financial house in order. If the case can be made that this was possible in part due to what just happened then the GOP will reap those benefits. The water is quite muddy on that one, however.
- Grandson of Man - Friday, Mar 11, 11 @ 11:51 am:
I know this is not related, but I think we should have a moment of silence and reflection about the horrible earthquake in Japan. All of our squabbles are moot when Ma Nature unleashes something like this.
- BigDoggie - Friday, Mar 11, 11 @ 11:55 am:
To me the big problem seems to be that the entire reality of a union has become so completely politicized. The unions are the largest financial contributors to Democratic political coffers. This reality in itself is what creates the problem. Questions: When Republicans gain control in a given state, why wouldn’t they look to weaken the unions? Seems that if they don’t, they are just allowing their opponents build their warchests right under their noses so that they can be more staunchly opposed in the next election cycle. Why do the unions need to be so partisan? Is this necessary if their true goal is the protect their members? (and if you say that it’s necessary because Republicans would never support the unions anyway, well then the unions should just assume they will be neutered when the ‘pubs take control in any given state) Shouldn’t the ideal of a true union be for a non-partisan organization that lobbies on behalf of its members for fair pay, benefits and working conditions? I don’t necessarily know the correct answers to these questions, but can’t get over the fact that unions are now viewed in a strictly political light and this seems inherently wrong to me.
- Rich Miller - Friday, Mar 11, 11 @ 11:58 am:
BigDoggie, nobody endorses candidates who are against them. But, there is a point when the money, influence etc. various interests have creates the types of candidates who run. That goes for lots of different sorts of groups, including big business. And after the USSCt unleashed the big biz cash, it’s a bit much to ask unions to neuter themselves.
- Honest Abe - Friday, Mar 11, 11 @ 12:07 pm:
That was an amusing music video parody.
- paddyrollingstone - Friday, Mar 11, 11 @ 12:31 pm:
DuPage Dan: Maybe, just maybe, the WIGOP are doing what they think is the right thing all the while knowing that it might shorten their political careers. Maybe, just maybe, they are doing this because they love their state so much they are willing to sacrifice their seats in the GA. I know this might seem absurd and you’all might make derisive comments about how no politician works that way. And, maybe you’re right. But maybe, just maybe, you’re wrong.
“If we win this battle, and the money is not there under the auspices of the unions, certainly what you’re going to find is President Obama is going to have a much more difficult time getting elected and winning the state of Wisconsin.”
– Wisconsin Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald (R), quoted by the Wisconsin Journal-Sentinel, admitting what’s really driving the controversy in his state.
- Esquire - Friday, Mar 11, 11 @ 12:46 pm:
According to the US Supreme Court’s oft ignored Beck decision, unions are not supposed to spend union dues for political purposes contrary to the wishes of their individual union members. Not that the decision has ever been implemented in a meaningful way.
If individual members had a say so in how their unions allocated political action funds, there might be more balance in terms of campaign contributions. As it stands now, union money is overwhelming used to benefit Democrats owing to union leaders. The wishes of the rank and file are not consulted too much.
This is a generalization and there will be exceptions, but it is the real reason that Madison, Wisconsin became a battle ground.
- Bill - Friday, Mar 11, 11 @ 1:14 pm:
Has VanillaMan moved to Indiana?
- Meanderthal - Friday, Mar 11, 11 @ 1:20 pm:
It was great that Walker signed that bill in private without any press or public hoopla. If he keep the focus on doing the right thing and not scoring political victories Walker will be reelected. Walker showed a lot of class by not gloating over his victory. More politicians should be that way.
- Pat Robertson - Friday, Mar 11, 11 @ 1:23 pm:
There are a couple of hundred merit comp state employees who have filed petitions to unionize, and the governor is opposing those petitions. What will he say about their fundamental right to unionize if they call him to be a witness at their hearings?
- VanillaMan - Friday, Mar 11, 11 @ 1:33 pm:
So the guy who got elected kissing the ring of my union leaders is ashamed of the guy who got elected promising not to kiss it?
Wow. Out of which of the union pockets was Quinn issuing this statement, and did he clear it first with my union bosses?
Quinn wouldn’t understand what it is like not to be owned by my union. Walker never got a similar offer so naturally he had no interest in being owned by my union. Walker is owned by others instead.
What Quinn ought to do is shut up.
- VanillaMan - Friday, Mar 11, 11 @ 1:35 pm:
I am an Illinoisan and have no interest following Illinois businesses to their new locations in other parts of the country or globe.
- Grandson of Man - Friday, Mar 11, 11 @ 1:36 pm:
“BigDoggie, nobody endorses candidates who are against them. But, there is a point when the money, influence etc. various interests have creates the types of candidates who run. That goes for lots of different sorts of groups, including big business. And after the USSCt unleashed the big biz cash, it’s a bit much to ask unions to neuter themselves.”
I agree with this, especially after Sen. Fitzgerald boldly said on a news show that union-stripping is politically motivated, to weaken Obama’s chance of winning Wisconsin in the next election (something like that). So it’s not solely fiscal, and that apparently included decoupling the bill and voting on collective bargaining separately, and possibly illegally.
- 47th Ward - Friday, Mar 11, 11 @ 1:45 pm:
===“If we win this battle, and the money is not there under the auspices of the unions, certainly what you’re going to find is President Obama is going to have a much more difficult time getting elected and winning the state of Wisconsin.”
– Wisconsin Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald (R)===
If that’s really what this was about, then the brothers Fitzgerald are dumber than I thought. Even without the support of WI AFSCME, Obama is going to raise close to $1 billion for his next campaign.
So this bill might put WI AFSCME on the sidelines, but by doing this, it practically guarantees Obama will raise more money from progressives elsewhere, and nothing in the bill can prohibit rank and file members from sending in a donation and volunteering.
Like most bad generals, Fitzgerald is fighting the last war. I guess I should be grateful that by enacting this horrible bill, the GOP in Wisconsin have re-energized the progressive movement in America. The pendulum swings back and forth.
- formerpolitico - Friday, Mar 11, 11 @ 1:48 pm:
I have no confidence in anything Quinn says, after he has reneged on every major campaign promise he made to get my vote. Public employees should not have unions - they have a public monopoly on their positions, and their employers do not spend their own money on their salaries and benefits. Very different from the private sector. State governments everywhere will have to shrink and do less. deal with it!
- Anon - Anon - Friday, Mar 11, 11 @ 1:53 pm:
Maybe Walker is right! Look at this - Senator Steans has introduced SB1614 Amendment 1 which states that DHS/DDD will develop a pilot program of State-operated community-based group homes! Included in the text of the proposal - (d) Staffing. The State-operated community-based group
homes shall be staffed by Department employees whose
compensation and rights shall be governed by existing
collective bargaining agreements.”.
This while current community based group homes have had cuts, no increases, etc., etc., for a number of years.
The text of the proposal states that the current homes pay low wages, have high turnover, and uses those reasons as basis for the proposal.
So again, we cannot afford to fund the current operators at rates which allow higher wages and benefits but we can open new homes staffed by workers who will be paid government rates and benefits. This at a time when current operators are additionally faced with 6% rate cuts next fiscal year.
Do you think the unions have any influence in Illinois?
- VanillaMan - Friday, Mar 11, 11 @ 1:54 pm:
It is outrageous how this state law has been spun nationally as a battle over the US. That is one of the reasons it needed to be ended. We have too many political operators attempting to play games with this.
The White House is messing with this and has been since it first started. A federal government which does not offer federal employees anything resembling what a state government offers it’s employees has no business getting involved in this on many levels.
I want the national sniping here to end. Everyone not living in Wisconsin needs to back off and leave these people alone to work out their own issues. I don’t care which political party did what.
When legislators walk out because they are losing a vote their patrons demand that they win, then let their patrons do the fighting for them on the streets, this does not remove the basic fact that this is a legislative issue best resolved legislatively. The moment this folks walked out is the moment they lost control over everything, including common sense, respect and professionalism.
If you remove the issue here, one can better understand why legislators do not throw their political futures into the streets for their political patrons to fight. This was never a street fight. It was always about the boring tasks of legislating.
This is one of those moments when you just want to throw everyone out of the bar who isn’t a regular there and tell them to crawl back under the rocks they came from.
- Sue - Friday, Mar 11, 11 @ 2:24 pm:
If Governor Quinn even after passing through his tax increase is still unable to fashion a balanced budget why is he out criticizing Scott Walker for taking steps he believes are required to balance the budget in Wisconsin? Instead of constantly acting like a clown why not adhere to the actions of his fellow Democrat in NY and actually offer some meaningful reductions and balance the Illinois budget
- Secret Square - Friday, Mar 11, 11 @ 2:30 pm:
“It is outrageous how this state law has been spun as a battle over the US.”
I agree. Yet even though my sympathies tend to be on the conservative side, and the pro-union side seems to have gotten a pass from the MSM on a LOT of incivility, intimidation, and dereliction of duty that would have made national headlines if the Tea Party or similar groups had engaged in it… still, it’s obvious to me that leftists were NOT the only people who “messed with” what should have been a local issue. The Tea Party, AFP, etc. may not have had busloads of demonstrators on the ground in Madison but they certainly did their part to blow up what should have been a local/state issue into an apocalyptic cultural battle as well. There was way too much playing to a national audience on BOTH sides going on here.
- Grandson of Man - Friday, Mar 11, 11 @ 2:55 pm:
“There was way too much playing to a national audience on BOTH sides going on here.”
This is the also the case because it’s playing out in other states, with like-mindedness by Republican governors and legislatures. This has become a national issue. At this point, I can’t see it any other way but as a concerted effort. I don’t know much about other states beside Wisconsin, but I would not be surprised if their motives are the same, to de-fund and weaken the Democratic Party.
- Fed Up State Employee (on vacation) - Friday, Mar 11, 11 @ 3:16 pm:
I’m sorry Grandson of Man, but I have to say this….”Duh!”
- wordslinger - Friday, Mar 11, 11 @ 3:27 pm:
–I am an Illinoisan and have no interest following Illinois businesses to their new locations in other parts of the country or globe.–
Any facts, at all, ever? In recent days, haven’t you been talking about businesses relocating to North Dakota, Mississippi, California, New York — anything to back that up?
–The White House is messing with this and has been since it first started.–
Not even Fox News is buying that. Here’s Megyn Kelly with a member of the Fitzgerald junta.
http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/03/megyn-kelly-grills-wi-goper-on-claim-white-house-is-behind-recalls-video.php
- wordslinger - Friday, Mar 11, 11 @ 3:37 pm:
–”It is outrageous how this state law has been spun as a battle over the US.”–
If it troubles you, change the channel.
- Grandson of Man - Friday, Mar 11, 11 @ 3:42 pm:
“I’m sorry Grandson of Man, but I have to say this….”Duh!””
I’m the first to agree with you.