* Some of the rhetoric by speakers at yesterday’s big “Save Our State” rally was pretty heated…
“We are going to be there this afternoon, and we are going to find you (lawmakers),” [Henry Bayer, director of AFSCME Council 31] told the crowd while pointing at the Capitol. “And if you try to leave town without doing your job, we are going to chase you. And when you come back home, we will be there.
“We will keep delivering this message till the job is done … until there is a responsible budget.”
But things went pretty smoothly yesterday and the protesters all seemed very well behaved, even if there was some doubt about the crowd estimates…
The secretary of state’s office agreed with rally organizers that about 15,000 people were at Wednesday’s event.
Well, OK. Perhaps it was the location of the gathering, but I think a previous rally — on June 2, 1981 — was bigger. In that rally, the largest I had ever seen, just about the entire east lawn of the Statehouse was a sea of people. Folks were even in the trees. The State Journal-Register estimated that crowd at 5,000 to 15,000.
There was no doubt, however, that the protesters were mad as heck. Carol Marin had a spot-on analysis…
But this protest is a sign of what the recent Pew poll shows….almost 80% of voters are fed up with government, regardless of party affiliation.
Yep. It seems like everbody’s angry.
* Then there was this…
Maria Whelan, executive director of the child-welfare group Action for Children, told the sign-waving crowd that its voice was louder than anti-tax rallies involving the Tea Party despite getting less attention in the media.
“Isn’t it interesting that when 300 people who call themselves … the Tea Party show up, they’re on the cover of the New York Times? They’re on national television. And when 15,000-plus people show up demanding a responsible budget, we’re nothing?” she said.
Actually, they got a lot of attention yesterday. Most of the state’s big media was there to cover the event. And that coverage was generally favorable, although the opposition was afforded equal treatment…
“I like having [the rally participants] come here because there is not better way for me to explain my position on what’s going in this building and the way I think this state works its way out of its fiscal mess than to talk one-on-one individually with those people,” said Sen. Dale Righter, a Mattoon Republican.
Righter said many of his constituents were at the rally but the message of chants such as “Raise our taxes” did not echo the opinions of the majority of the people he represents. “I don’t know that that kind of theater is necessarily representative of most the people in my district.”
Righter’s district includes Eastern Illinois University, among other facilities. Until the past few years, he was considered a Downstate moderate. No longer.
* At one point, protesters were asked to turn around and face the Statehouse to shout “Raise my taxes!”…
“Raise my taxes! Raise my taxes! Raise my taxes!” they chanted, lined up shoulder to shoulder for a few hundred yards stretching a street in front of the Capitol.
Chuck Sweeny responds…
The state should raise their taxes, and anyone else who wants to volunteer to pay more money to this state.
As for me, I prefer not to pay more to a corrupt government that can’t or won’t get its fiscal house in order BEFORE making the case for more money.
So, anyone who wants to donate more money, call the Department of Revenue and tell them you’d like to make an extra donation on top of the income tax you already gave.
* In related news, the Sun-Times likes a new budget proposal by Gov. Pat Quinn…
…we’re intrigued by a bill Quinn floated Tuesday to work around the Legislature. Though the particulars are in flux, Quinn’s “Emergency Budget Act” would give him new powers for one year to make some unilateral budget decisions, with an eye toward finding an additional $400 million in budget cuts, according to Quinn’s budget director.
The bill would, for example, let Quinn override the law that gives retired state employees free health care — rather than wait for legislators to reverse the law. It also would let him roll back some entitlement programs if revenue falls short. Options include increasing co-pays or reducing benefits.
Given the General Assembly’s profound unwillingness to do what’s necessary to balance the budget, we’re open to Quinn’s idea.
* If you missed our videos from yesterday’s event, just click here.
Thoughts on all this?
- Really?? - Thursday, Apr 22, 10 @ 10:11 am:
The “Emergency Budget Act” is definitely interesting. How many legislators in an election year would vote for a bill that essentially lets all of their constituents know that they don’t want to do thier job, but want to let the Governor do everything for them?
- Steve - Thursday, Apr 22, 10 @ 10:12 am:
When the government workers yell “raise my taxes” , why not cut their wages and benefits? Aren’t government workers altruistic?
- Outside Chicago - Thursday, Apr 22, 10 @ 10:12 am:
I attended a “Save our State” event in downstate Illinois, earlier in the month. The IEA organized the event so that area educators could interact with state reps. and senators on the idea of a tax increase.
The reps were pretty straight forward with the teachers. They said there’s little chance of the bill being passed.
Rather, the bigger problem is in the increase in entitlement spending in the state. In particular, Medicaid spending by the state has increased from 27% of our state budget, to more than 47% of our state budget in the last seven years. In another 10 years, it’s expected to rise to 65% of the state budget.
The biggest round of applause was given to the speaker that said, “We are spending too much money on illegal aliens. We’ve got to stop spending money on people that are not citizens of this state.”
I don’t think yesterday’s rally changed any minds. It only entrenched opinions.
- Living in Oklahoma - Thursday, Apr 22, 10 @ 10:13 am:
Chanting Raise my taxes…..
sigh…..whatever.
- Cindy Lou - Thursday, Apr 22, 10 @ 10:20 am:
I believe Henry may have been suggesting we’ll visit their home offices. Last year while trying to meet with some of them, they dodged our attempts to schedule.
We did get some coverage last night on MSNBC on the Maddox show, if I paid attention (was only half doing so) it was the Gov from PA she was speaking with while shots from the rally played in the background.
Don’t know why anyone would expect they’d be disorderly down there. Motivated and loud, but why would anyone think they would not behave, such actions would void any attempts of being taken seriously.
The only thing I heard was the retirees had to leave the viewing gallery , and they were polite.
- Anon - Thursday, Apr 22, 10 @ 10:27 am:
It was interesting to see some national coverage of the event. In a piece about liberal protests, Rachel Maddow spent a few minutes on the IL protest.
- OneMan - Thursday, Apr 22, 10 @ 10:30 am:
I was there with a different group and someone from the governors office spoke to us and pushed his ’surcharge’.
At least some in our group were not sold on the idea at all. They asked some rather pointed questions about how the money would be for education and some other stuff.
I was the guy who pointed out how the ’surcharge’ was an income tax increase.
- Mongo - Thursday, Apr 22, 10 @ 10:30 am:
Steve and some other posters do nothing but contribute to the madness. The rally yesterday was not influential.
Instead of posting something that sticks it to the “government workers” (who by the way are comprised mostly of secretaries, laborers, human service staff, public safety staffs…not execs and administrators) it would be nice to read a suggestion about how to solve a problem.
For example, pension reform specifics?
For example, public safety reform specifics?
For example, Medicare and Medicaid reform specifics?
For example, health care reform specifics?
And since so many people remain unemployed, how would you address support and health care and housing for them?
Sorry Rich I might be a bit off topic here…
- cassandra - Thursday, Apr 22, 10 @ 10:37 am:
I understand that the state Senate has nixed eliminating free senior rides for all, which is kind of the canary in the mine shaft for me. There actually seemed to be some fairly widespread support for going back to half-price for seniors. Certainly, I don’t think seniors should be the only ones who “sacrifice” in order to get us out of the huge budget mess the Democrats have developed over the past seven years. But I could see the point of those who championed the changeback.
This decision does suggest to me that legislative appetite for an income tax increase really is nonexistent, as we’ve been hearing. If they can’t even bring themselves to cut free senior rides….
As to the “emergency budget powers” how would that work if Brady wins in November. Would he be wielding the ax come mid-Jan. Now that would be
an interested prospect. Would our Pat do all the cutting upfront or would he hold off until he’s sure he’s the one.
.
- wordslinger - Thursday, Apr 22, 10 @ 10:43 am:
Well, at least everyone can agree that they’re angry.
Why doesn’t everyone just count to ten now and get over it? Like the Jedi said, it only leads to the dark side. It’s a useless waste of time.
- Chicago Dem - Thursday, Apr 22, 10 @ 10:47 am:
So what was the event in ‘81 that drew such a large crowd?
- just sayin' - Thursday, Apr 22, 10 @ 10:51 am:
“Raise my taxes.” Easy for them to say. They pay their taxes with money they get from our taxes.
- OneMan - Thursday, Apr 22, 10 @ 10:55 am:
I don’t think it was 15,000 people.
Also the guy from a local school district with the video camera while they were asking a rep questions was a classy touch.
Yeah be combative, that’s the ticket.
- Pelon - Thursday, Apr 22, 10 @ 10:56 am:
If the AFSCME and IEA leadership is so angry, whay aren’t they supporting the Green Party? Why aren’t the Tea Party protestors supporting the Libertarians?
Until third parties start picking up support, I’ll have a hard time believing that any of this “anger” has much substance.
- Squideshi - Thursday, Apr 22, 10 @ 10:58 am:
==So, anyone who wants to donate more money, call the Department of Revenue and tell them you’d like to make an extra donation on top of the income tax you already gave.==
Every time I see this Republican meme, I involuntarily yawn a little bit. I guess people like Sweeny have no idea how taxes work, or he’s just playing dumb. Taxes aren’t voluntary. A voluntary system would not work. EVERYONE–including Sweeny–must pay their fair share for the societal benefits that they receive.
- jaded voter - Thursday, Apr 22, 10 @ 11:01 am:
unfocused anger is meaningless.
Citizen anger only means something when they vote out clowns, hacks, deadbeats and insiders and replace them with individuals who goal is PUBLIC service.
That time was the primary back in Feb. that time is passed…for now
- Pete Granata - Thursday, Apr 22, 10 @ 11:06 am:
If Quinn persists in sticking it to “my good friends in AFSCME” retirees with the override of negotiated health care, Sen Brady start picking out the curtins for your new office.
- dupage dan - Thursday, Apr 22, 10 @ 11:08 am:
Pelon, I am angry enough to make sure a candidate wins in Nov. A vote for any 3rd party candidate is a wasted vote. I don’t mean to say that the candidate has no value, just that 3rd party candidates have so little chance to win election in our established 2 party system that the angry 3rd party vote would do nothing to assuage the fury. Change is in the air, and it ain’t gonna be pretty for the dems.
- Hank - Thursday, Apr 22, 10 @ 11:14 am:
Patience people, patience. Taxes will be raised right after the election. You are wasting your breath between now and then
- Amalia - Thursday, Apr 22, 10 @ 11:18 am:
I think Maria Whelan is right.
- Nick Adams - Thursday, Apr 22, 10 @ 11:18 am:
So what about the lack of any Republican plan. All the experts here ready to annoint Brady should remember that no one knows what he would do. That has a lot to do with who the anger was pointed toward.
Brady is using the Pete Fitzgerald plan to get elected-stay away from the media, campaign before those who support him and not being specific. Will the press let him get away with it?
- Squideshi - Thursday, Apr 22, 10 @ 11:29 am:
==A vote for any 3rd party candidate is a wasted vote.==
A vote for someone whom you don’t personally believe is the best candidate is a wasted vote.
- Bill - Thursday, Apr 22, 10 @ 11:36 am:
Squid,
Your idealism is admirable. I’m glad that that Bull Moose attitude still exists in America. If Whitney wasn’t such a pinko, I just might go that way.
- Responsa - Thursday, Apr 22, 10 @ 11:45 am:
Anecdotal but true: I have received no less than four emails from friends living in other states who read or heard about the SOS rally and the “Raise My Taxes” chants. When you add this on top of the Blago phenomenon, the country really is laughing at us.
- Brennan - Thursday, Apr 22, 10 @ 12:17 pm:
FYI: You can voluntarily pay more taxes right now.
Raise your taxes? You don’t need a bill for that. You can raise your taxes all by yourself.
Make the check payable to the “Illinois Department of Revenue” and mail it to…
Illinois Department of Revenue
Springfield, IL 62726-0001
You do not have to write your SS# on the check. It doesn’t require any additional note. Just write the check for as much as you want your taxes raised.
Stop pontificating. Start acting.
- TaxMeMore - Thursday, Apr 22, 10 @ 12:41 pm:
dupage dan, are you a WHIG or a hypocrite? The Republican Party wouldn’t exist if human beings weren’t open minded enough to consider what real change looks like.
- dupage dan - Thursday, Apr 22, 10 @ 12:42 pm:
Squideshi, Please vote 3rd party or stay home. That way you make sure you don’t have a stick in the fire. There was a time long ago where I only voted for people I agreed with totally. It only meant that I didn’t see the inside of a polling booth. Talk about the ultimate wasted vote.
- Squideshi - Thursday, Apr 22, 10 @ 12:47 pm:
==Your idealism is admirable. I’m glad that that Bull Moose attitude still exists in America. If Whitney wasn’t such a pinko, I just might go that way.==
Pinko? What are you, stuck in the 1950’s?
==FYI: You can voluntarily pay more taxes right now.==
Yawn. Another person who doesn’t understand the nature of taxes. If you want a voluntary tax system, go live somewhere that has an anarchist collective. Oh wait, that’s nowhere.
==Squideshi, Please vote 3rd party or stay home. That way you make sure you don’t have a stick in the fire. There was a time long ago where I only voted for people I agreed with totally. It only meant that I didn’t see the inside of a polling booth. Talk about the ultimate wasted vote.==
Don’t worry. I’m planning to vote for Whitney.
- Bill - Thursday, Apr 22, 10 @ 12:50 pm:
==Pinko? What are you, stuck in the 1950’s?==
No, but I am trying to get back there.
- Brennan - Thursday, Apr 22, 10 @ 12:58 pm:
=Another person who doesn’t understand the nature of taxes.=
Very well. Allow me to rephrase. You can voluntarily increase revenues for the state by contributing any amount you wish to the state.
- Cheryl44 - Thursday, Apr 22, 10 @ 1:15 pm:
I generally end up owing the state something like $1.42 when I do my taxes in January. I think it costs them more to process that check than what the check is worth. A couple of years ago I sent them $5 for that $1.42 I owed. I got the difference back from the state. I’m quite sure that cost more to process than the $1.42. So no, you can’t raise your own taxes.
- VanillaMan - Thursday, Apr 22, 10 @ 1:16 pm:
I’m weary of the old political comment that voters who make it plain that they are unwilling to be taxed at a higher rate, should come up with an alternative to the higher tax.
If a politician does this, fine, they are fair game. It is their job to decide who pays, how much, and to where the money should go. But it is ridiculous to use this same response when it comes to voters.
Just as you only get one vote and have to select one candidate, you can only tell the executive and legislative branches, “yes” or “no” regarding this issue. Suggestions are always welcomed, but it is not the duty of voters to come up with suggestions. It is the responsibility of the elected officials instead.
When a vocal group presents suggestions to be considered by the legislature or executive branches, it is not the responsiblity of those opposing the vocal group to explain any further than “yes” or “no”. The current situation doesn’t require the change being demanded by the vocal group - so “no” by voters is sufficient.
So, “raise my taxes” is an opinion coming from a vocal group making a suggestion to the GA and Governor. Nothing more. This is different from what the Tea Parties are doing, because they are just saying, “no!”, without suggesting alternatives to the changes being forced upon them. They are giving Congress and the President a simple statement. It is Congress’ responsibility to listen and create changes that meet with more acceptance, not the Tea Party’s.
________________________________________________
That said, I went down to the Capital yesterday and saw a remarkably well done staged event. You couldn’t have staged it better. Signs were ready-made with slogans that have been pre-approved for public consumption by The Signage Committees who ensured the appropriate spin from each message. Each sign had a new clean wooden handle, properly spaced and balanced for easy carrying, as designed by the Wooden Handle For Signs Committee.
Trash receptacles were conveniently placed, clean, and large enough for their planned purposes, thanks to the Trash Receptacle Committee working with the companies who collected the trash.
Protestors were suitably color coordinated with their own colored signage, thanks to the Color Coordinating Committee. They looked like a bunch of sincere people, wearing new bright white New Balance footwear and comfy cotton slacks to coordinate with their colored t-shirts, thanks to the Preparatory Committees For Comfy Protests.
The t-shirts had slogans printed neatly upon them on front and back with statements, logos and slogans that have been pre-approved by the Committees For Sloganed T-Shirts.
Bladders were taken into consideration, and clean, well maintained and empty portable toilets wrapped around street blocks. They were all the same shape, size and lined neatly up like giant Lego blocks, thanks to the Safe and Clean Pooping and Peeing SubCommittee of the Sanitation Committee.
The protestors gathered like Wal-Mart shoppers on Christmas Eve, but with fewer tattoos and even fewer pajama pants. Assembled in lines and neatly in block patterns, the protestors looked like they could have been protesting the Rose Bowl Parade’s Heidi Fleiss float of condoms.
City-block sized tents appeared on the fringes of the staged areas. Hundreds of folding chairs neatly lined up under them as though an Assembly of God “Save Your Soul” mass baptism was scheduled. Under the tents were arranged large tables surrounded by neat folding chairs that were washed and dried by the Committee For Washing And Drying Folding Chairs.
It was an impressive event. It took hours for the hundreds of workers to disassemble the entire event. How many protestors showed up? Um - more than you’d find at the free concert at the State Fair, but fewer than you’d see at a Michel Buble concert - although the type of folks you saw at the protest, probably would have loved to have seen Michel Buble too.
Well - that’s VanillaMan’s take on things yesterday. According to the Committee of Statistics On Protestors, the ratio of dollars per protestor was mighty high, so with that kind of effort - it is NO wonder they were all demanding that our taxes go up to pay for it all.
- Captain Flume - Thursday, Apr 22, 10 @ 1:19 pm:
More jobs would mean more tax revenue. And more jobs would certainly make everyone less angry. Job creation does not happen with legislation, it happens with imagination and effort. Maybe anger ought to be directed where the profits are.
- fed up - Thursday, Apr 22, 10 @ 2:16 pm:
“We are going to be there this afternoon, and we are going to find you (lawmakers),” [Henry Bayer, director of AFSCME Council 31] told the crowd while pointing at the Capitol. “And if you try to leave town without doing your job, we are going to chase you. And when you come back home, we will be there.
Wow if some “nut” from the tea party said that everyone would be up in arms about it being a threat. Yeah its threats and talk that will lead to violence when one side says silly things but its no big deal if a group like the unions which are known for violence and criminal behavior say it.
- Squideshi - Thursday, Apr 22, 10 @ 2:48 pm:
==Very well. Allow me to rephrase. You can voluntarily increase revenues for the state by contributing any amount you wish to the state.==
No thanks. I would rather that everyone, including you, pay their fair share for the benefits that they receive.
- Pelon - Thursday, Apr 22, 10 @ 3:15 pm:
“No thanks. I would rather that everyone, including you, pay their fair share for the benefits that they receive.”
Almost no taxpayer pays their “fair share” for the benefits they receive. The vast majority of the middle class and below pay far less than what they receive back in benefits. Affluent taxpayers pay more.
- steve schnorf - Thursday, Apr 22, 10 @ 3:20 pm:
Sweeney and others seem to be angry at the people they elected, assuming Sweeney voted, unlike the roughly 90% of Illinoisans over age 18 who didn’t bother in our recent primary. Maybe if you don’t play in the game you don’t get to b___h about the rules.
- Conservative Veteran - Thursday, Apr 22, 10 @ 3:22 pm:
Captain Flume, I disagree, since you said that job creation does not happen with legislation. Usually, when tax rates are decreased, the rich have more money to invest, causing them to expand their businesses, creating jobs for poor people.
- RJW - Thursday, Apr 22, 10 @ 3:54 pm:
“Emergency” budget powers scare the crap out of me. All that power in one person’s hands? I don’t think so.
- lincolnlover - Thursday, Apr 22, 10 @ 4:02 pm:
I was at the rally yesterday and the whole “raise my taxes” thing is being blown out of all proportion. There were at least 5 different speakers and the only one who used that phrase spoke last. She was head of a non-union group of child care services people and not very many people were chanting with her. The people who were marching probably do believe that the state needs a tax increase as part of a plan to resolve the budget. But, the reason I was there is that I am tired of the GA members not doing their job. Consequently, when AFSCME chanted “DON’T GO HOME WITHOUT PASSING A RESPONSIBLE AND FAIR BUDGET”, I yelled along with my brothers and sisters. Even if you don’t support a tax increase, you should be yelling at your representatives too. Tell them loudly and clearly that you expect them to do the job they were elected to do: DON’T GO HOME WITHOUT PASSING A RESPONSIBLE AND FAIR BUDGET! I personally think that should be a combination of cuts and tax increases, but if we don’t hold them accountable and let them off the hook again, then we are ALL just as responsible for the further debt hole this state will sink into.
- Loop Lady - Thursday, Apr 22, 10 @ 4:19 pm:
Read the last sentence of Rich’s blog, memorize it, and don’t forget it at the voting booth this November…
- truthteller - Thursday, Apr 22, 10 @ 4:36 pm:
Since the legislature is reluctant to raise taxes, why don’t legislators give Quinn emergency powers to raise taxes? Perhaps they are afraid they would be accused of raising taxes.
That being the case, shouldn’t they be responsible for the cuts if they give him the power to make them?
- wordslinger - Thursday, Apr 22, 10 @ 4:42 pm:
–==Pinko? What are you, stuck in the 1950’s?==
No, but I am trying to get back there.–
Bill, say hello to VMan.
- Loop Lady - Thursday, Apr 22, 10 @ 5:01 pm:
Is blogger “Brennan” Chuck Sweeny?….hmmm….Brennan’s diatribe in response to my post yesterday on this site sounds eerily similar to this column…
- Mongo - Thursday, Apr 22, 10 @ 5:49 pm:
Sorry, I just can’t let this one go unchallenged.
Pelon says “Almost no taxpayer pays their “fair share” for the benefits they receive. The vast majority of the middle class and below pay far less than what they receive back in benefits. Affluent taxpayers pay more.”
My goodness that’s a bunch of crud. When I think of the “affleunt” I think of protections and benefits from state and federal agencies that certainly few clerks and drivers and cabbies and fast food cooks get. And heck yes, add teachers here. Certainly some school administrators are “affluent” but I think virtually none of us would put teachers in the common-sense definition of “affluent”.
Pelon, I like logic. So please…give me some.
And no, stop now, I am not a teacher. In fact I work in the private sector.
- Leatherneck - Thursday, Apr 22, 10 @ 11:35 pm:
Was the ‘81 rally the ERA rally (one year before the amendment died)?
- JawsTaySun - Thursday, Apr 22, 10 @ 11:57 pm:
I was at the Save Our State rally yesterday which was sponsored by the Responsible Budget Coalition . I prayed with the participants. I chanted with the participants. I marched with the participants. I WAITED with the participants. And WAITED. And WAITED. And WAITED…
As the State Assembly continues to delay enacting a responsible budget, one of the largest Social Services organizations in the State of Illinois, Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (LSSI), continues to face major crises due to the delayed reimbursement for contracted services rendered. The continuing delayed reimbursement by the State of Illinois has caused LSSI to cut vital services and programs and take out line of credit loans that it would not otherwise need. Employees have been down-sized. Keep in mind that LSSI is just one organization that has performed contracted services for the State of Illinois and CONTINUES TO WAIT to be reimbursed. Now add to that several hundred other organizations and entities throughout the State of Illinois and you will begin to get a glimpse of the seriousness of the situation that these organizations and entities face through no fault of their own save expecting the State of Illinois to live up to its obligations.
The State of Illinois budget crisis and ensuing Social Service cuts are VERY REAL PROBLEMS that the general public does not seem to be taking seriously or has accepted that “THEY” will not be affected so why should “THEY” be concerned? The fact is that, unless a RESPONSIBLE BUDGET is enacted that addresses the VERY REAL Social Services needs that thousands upon thousands of their neighbors rely on each and every day, “THEY” will also be affected.
There are numerous examples of how cuts to Social Services have ALREADY begun to have an effect upon citizens of our state. Illinois has ALREADY reduced funding for early childhood education by 10 percent, which could cause as many as 10,000 children to lose eligibility. Illinois has ALREADY cut higher education operating funding and financial aid. Illinois has ALREADY reduced funding for child welfare, mental health, youth services, and other programs. Illinois has ALREADY announced plans to lay off state employees. Illinois has ALREADY announced more than $90 million in proposed cuts to the Department of Human Services that would leave the state without the infrastructure needed to start moving psychiatric patients from nursing homes to community housing. The list goes on and on and on!
In addition to having ALREADY made cuts in Social Services, many Social Service providers say they are considering making cuts in employee’s hours, implementing layoffs, and closing many neighborhood locations. “THEY” and YOU and ME and ALL CITIZENS OF ILLINOIS WILL BE AFFECTED!
To quote Illinois’ most famous citizen:
“The legitimate object of government is to do for a community of people, whatever they need to have done, but cannot do at all, or cannot so well do for themselves, in their separate and individual capacities.” - Abraham Lincoln
The solution?
ENACT A RESPONSIBLE BUDGET NOW!
- downstater II - Friday, Apr 23, 10 @ 5:51 am:
Old Henry is going to chasem’ down ? Sounds threatening ? Isn’t that sort of outward threat against the law ….especially toward an elected or gov’t official ? If a “tea-party guy” did that…it would be considered intolerable. The only thing AFSCME is ever worried about is ensuring the myriad of raises their contract holds & filling or stuffing more “high-dollar” jobs here & there. Attending a rally to raise their taxes …interesting !?