The Wisconsin Cheese Showdown

[Torie]

Amazing, this all in a state that has a surplus.

The media says it is minus 3.5 billion.

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

Amazing, this all in a state that has a surplus.

The media says it is minus 3.5 billion.

Where the hell did they get those numbers? Anyways:

You must be logged in to read this quote.

http://host.madison.com/ct/news/opinion/editorial/article_61064e9a-27b0-5f28-b6d1-a57c8b2aaaf6.html064e9a-27b0-5f28-b6d1-a57c8b2aaaf6.html

[krazen1211]

Amazing, this all in a state that has a surplus.

The media says it is minus 3.5 billion.

Where the hell did they get those numbers? Anyways:

You must be logged in to read this quote.

http://host.madison.com/ct/news/opinion/editorial/article_61064e9a-27b0-5f28-b6d1-a57c8b2aaaf6.html064e9a-27b0-5f28-b6d1-a57c8b2aaaf6.html

The so called 'surplus' is the current fiscal year (2010). The deficit is for fiscal year 2011 and 2012 under existing policy, which obviously Walker is changing.

[Torie]

... I really don't see why do people that spend workdays picking their noses and surfing the interwebz need to unionize anyway.

The rich aren't unionized, fellows; as you point out they don't need to be.  We're discussing public servants here.

How about major league baseball players?

Or movie stars.

Or "fire fighters aka 90% of the time paramedic parasites" in all too many zip codes in CA. Making 300K-600K is "rich" isn't it?

[krazen1211]

What does taking away the rights of unions to collect dues have to do with the deficit? What does having to have a yearly vote to keep your union together have to do with the deficit? This moron overreached and it's sad Republicans here can't see that. I also don't like public employee unions, but this bill goes above and beyond just taking away plush benefits from them. Keep the unions in line, but don't take away people's rights to form them.

Removing the tax-deductibility of dues raises revenue and lowers the deficit.

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

... I really don't see why do people that spend workdays picking their noses and surfing the interwebz need to unionize anyway.

The rich aren't unionized, fellows; as you point out they don't need to be.  We're discussing public servants here.

How about major league baseball players?

Or movie stars.

Or "fire fighters aka 90% of the time paramedic parasites" in all too many zip codes in CA. Making 300K-600K is "rich" isn't it?

Walker isn't going after those.

[Lief 🗽]

Here's a pretty clear run-down of what's actually being proposed by the governor: http://voices.washingtonpost.com/ezra-klein/2011/02/what_is_actually_being_propose.html

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So ultimately this bill has nothing to do with the budget deficit (which is probably entirely Walker's fault for passing tax cuts for the rich and a healthcare bill pushed by conservative), and really just the Republicans use a (probably made-up) crisis to destroy public unions in the state.

[Lief 🗽]

Oh, and Russ Feingold apparently joined the protest today: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/18/russ-feingold-wisconsin-protests_n_825325.html

[krazen1211]

Here's a pretty clear run-down of what's actually being proposed by the governor: http://voices.washingtonpost.com/ezra-klein/2011/02/what_is_actually_being_propose.html

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So ultimately this bill has nothing to do with the budget deficit (which is probably entirely Walker's fault for passing tax cuts for the rich and a healthcare bill pushed by conservative), and really just the Republicans use a (probably made-up) crisis to destroy public unions in the state.

Yet another liberal ignoring the 2011 and 2012 FY deficits...

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

This thread is ridiculous. How many times are the two different fiscal cycles (with drastically different account balances) going to get conflated and mixed up before it is pounded into the thick skulls of our liberal friends, who are busy trying to pretend as if the progressive lala land of Wisconsin was in perfect condition financially until Scott "Hosni Hitler Mussolini" Walker got his groper nasties on the budget?

A tax credit for employement is an unnecessary tax cut for big business now? I thought unemployment was a big problem that Boehner was ignoring to handle abortion or Healthcare or whatever the latest complaint is from Pelosi? Is unemployment not a big issue now? Didn't Obama pass similar such tax credits in his various "jobs" bills? Measures which he will be damned sure to take credit for helping to turn the economy around.

[Swing low, sweet chariot. Comin' for to carry me home.]

wow, the Dems are forcing a losing hand.  here's to hoping they keep upping the ante

[Tender Branson]

We Ask America Poll:

As you may know, Gov. Scott Walker has proposed a plan to limit the pay of government workers and teachers, increase their share of the cost of benefits, and strip some public-employ unions of much of their power. We’d like to know if APPROVE or DISAPPROVE of Gov. Walker’s plan.

43% Approve
52% Disapprove

It was reported today that Democratic state senators have left the capitol in order to prevent a vote of Gov. Walker’s measures. Do you think that the Democratic state senators should return to the state capitol to vote on the issue?

56% Yes
36% No

http://weaskamerica.com/2011/02/18/weirdness-in-wisconsin/

[Franzl]

Wisconsin polarized as always.

[Smash255]

Amazing, this all in a state that has a surplus.

The media says it is minus 3.5 billion.

Where the hell did they get those numbers? Anyways:

You must be logged in to read this quote.

http://host.madison.com/ct/news/opinion/editorial/article_61064e9a-27b0-5f28-b6d1-a57c8b2aaaf6.html064e9a-27b0-5f28-b6d1-a57c8b2aaaf6.html

The so called 'surplus' is the current fiscal year (2010). The deficit is for fiscal year 2011 and 2012 under existing policy, which obviously Walker is changing.

Walker's policies he put forth as soon as he took over made the deficit much worse. 

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

Oh, and Russ Feingold apparently joined the protest today: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/18/russ-feingold-wisconsin-protests_n_825325.html

Russ Feingold is a good man.  Never before have I seen such an honorable man in politics.  While I disagree with him on most all of the issues, I take his presence here as a symbol that he truly agrees with the protestors.  If I were a Wisconsin voter, I honestly don't know if I could vote for the Republican over him.

[King]

I've heard rumors that the ghost of Robert LaFollette, Sr. has decided to come back from the dead to stand outside the gate of the Governor's Mansion and taunt the guards.

[Landslide Lyndon]

I've heard rumors that the ghost of Robert LaFollette, Sr. has decided to come back from the dead to stand outside the gate of the Governor's Mansion and taunt the guards.

Who's that LaFollette guy? Probably some Frenchie socialist that wants take away freedom from hard-working Amricuns.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

I bet that the vast majority of Walker-supporters out there think Joe McCarthy was one of the state's best Senators.

[opebo]

wow, the Dems are forcing a losing hand.  here's to hoping they keep upping the ante

Its far from certain it is a losing hand, jmfcst.  People are rapidly getting poorer, so leftism may have its day.

[opebo]

... calling in sick when you're not really sick is unnacceptable.  If I did that 3 days in a row and didn't bring in a doctor's note, I'd be fired.

That's terrible.  Where do you work, you poor man?  Some warehouse dock?

At my work I frequently leave for days at a time without telling anyone.  Just show up when I have classes or a meeting. 

[opebo]

... I really don't see why do people that spend workdays picking their noses and surfing the interwebz need to unionize anyway.

The rich aren't unionized, fellows; as you point out they don't need to be.  We're discussing public servants here.

How about major league baseball players?

Or movie stars.

Or "fire fighters aka 90% of the time paramedic parasites" in all too many zip codes in CA. Making 300K-600K is "rich" isn't it?

In the first place, your just repeating fictions, but regardless, only if your income is sourced from owning are you a rich, Torie.

[Torie]

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I am kind of hurt Opebo that you think I am just making things up, but if you would like me to email you the City of Glendale, California payroll list of those making over 100K per year of more (it is in the hundreds), and how much they were paid exclusive of pensions and benefits for which you tack on another 75%, let me know.

[Phony Moderate]

Good for them.

[Ban my account ffs!]

You must be logged in to read this quote.

I am kind of hurt Opebo that you think I am just making things up, but if you would like me to email you the City of Glendale, California payroll list of those making over 100K per year of more (it is in the hundreds), and how much exclusive of pensions and benefits for which you tack on another 75%, let me know.

I don't know what kind of super firefighters you people have in California... but ours do all the same work for the low price of $54,999.99 per year. (Taxes not included)...

[Torie]

You must be logged in to read this quote.

I am kind of hurt Opebo that you think I am just making things up, but if you would like me to email you the City of Glendale, California payroll list of those making over 100K per year of more (it is in the hundreds), and how much exclusive of pensions and benefits for which you tack on another 75%, let me know.

I don't know what kind of super firefighters you people have in California... but ours do all the same work for the low price of $54,999.99 per year. (Taxes not included)...

Overtime is part of it. They all call in sick (personal days) at the same time, so the place is "understaffed," and overtime needs to be paid. They take turns. They must have a spreadsheet to manage it all. Overtime is particularly toxic, because their bloated defined benefit plan compensation gets a steroidal boost from playing the overtime game. It is really quite a dirty little nest that they inhabit.