Wisconsin Recall

[Leatherneck 693]

It will be interesting to learn if their intent is to follow Wisconsin verbatim, or if they believe they can keep both the baby and the water.

I doubt it's verbatim, maybe you don't understand the significance of liberal San Jose voting to reform pensions -- that is huge for that city.

What's interesting is when you give people a choice they'll take it, 28,785 union members (out of 63,000+) opted out of having dues deducted in WI.

Public employee pension reform is in the air now.

[JohnR! 5,495]

I doubt it's verbatim, ...

I doubt it too. Maybe they can teach the rest of the country that oftentimes meeting halfway is not a bad idea and that democracy is more often than not about compromises.

[JohnR! 5,495]

maybe you don't understand the significance of liberal San Jose voting to reform pensions -- that is huge for that city.

I do not think that I do indeed. Are only liberals going to vote, or will conservatives and independents be invited to the ballot as well? How can you differentiate one group from the others? I would think that a city the size of San Jose would have a representative cross section of the political spectrum. But then again, what would I know about anything in South Bay?

[Leatherneck 693]

I doubt it too. Maybe they can teach the rest of the country that oftentimes meeting halfway is not a bad idea and that democracy is more often than not about compromises.

The problem with that, liberals/progressives/statist are not interested in compromise or meeting halfway. The union leadership has already lawyered-up.

[JohnR! 5,495]

The problem with that, liberals/progressives/statist are not interested in compromise or meeting halfway.

In that case they should follow Wisconsin verbatim. Walker did not compromise or met anyone halfway there, ergo, he must be a liberal/progressive/statist[sic], as you say yourself..

Edited June 7, 2012 by Gegel

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

They do, but who do they need protection from? The government?

Why not? Isn't that what our second amendment crowd claims as the very rationale for that amendment?

[Leatherneck 693]

I do not think that I do indeed. Are only liberals going to vote, or will conservatives and independents be invited to the ballot as well? How can you differentiate one group from the others? I would think that a city the size of San Jose would have a representative cross section of the political spectrum. But then again, what would I know about anything in South Bay?

All registered voters are eligible to vote, regardless of political affiliation. The city of San Jose is overwhemling left politically. San Jose is some $245 million in the tank with unfunded pension liabilities, the pension/salary reform will help shift the cost to the employees, rather than the tax payers.

Total Cash Compensation

Total Cash Compensation

[Leatherneck 693]

Why not? Isn't that what our second amendment crowd claims as the very rationale for that amendment?

On one hand, the same folks that argue for more big govt, also pooh-pooh those that want less govt and suggest "move to Somalia" if you don't like big govt." Yet, support public employee unions (feeding at the public trough) and suggest the employees that work for govt need protection from govt.

So the group working for govt needs protection from govt, the taxpayers forced to pay for big govt and its employees bloated salaries/pensions should keeping do so and those opposed to big govt can move to Somalia. Got it!

Edited June 7, 2012 by Leatherneck

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

On one hand, the same folks that argue for more big govt, also pooh-pooh those that want less govt and suggest "move to Somalia" if you don't like big govt." Yet, support public employee unions (feeding at the public trough) and suggest the employees that work for govt need protection from govt.

So the group working for govt needs protection from govt, the taxpayers forced to pay for big govt and its employees bloated salaries/pensions should keeping do so and those opposed to big govt can move to Somalia. Got it!

Good. Enjoy the trip.

[Leatherneck 693]

In that case they should follow Wisconsin verbatim. Walker did not compromise or met anyone halfway there, ergo, he must be a liberal/progressive/statist[sic], as you say yourself..

No, the reform sandwich public employee unions must now eat in WI., is the result of union leadership not compromising or meeting half way. It's very typical for unions to "stand their ground," no pun intended.

Look at the city San Jose employee salaries. Pay particular attention to "Total Cash compensation" and "Sick and Vacation Payouts." Some of those folks make more money selling back vacation and sick days than many taxpayers paying their salaries make in one year.

Edited June 7, 2012 by Leatherneck

[Leatherneck 693]

Good. Enjoy the trip.

When you can't address the issue -- then deflection is a good ploy.

[mawilson 2,133]

Why not? Isn't that what our second amendment crowd claims as the very rationale for that amendment?

Yes, but you're not part of the "second amendment crowd". You think we don't need guns to protect

ourselves from the government; then why do we need public unions to protect ourselves from the government?

[Leatherneck 693]

Yes, but you're not part of the "second amendment crowd". You think we don't need guns to protect

ourselves from the government; then why do we need public unions to protect ourselves from the government?

Thank you!

Edited June 8, 2012 by Leatherneck

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Yes, but you're not part of the "second amendment crowd". You think we don't need guns to protect ourselves from the government; then why do we need public unions to protect ourselves from the government?

Well, count me in with the first amendment crowd. I like that better than them guns.

When you can't address the issue -- then deflection is a good ploy.

What issue was there to address?

[JohnR! 5,495]

No, the reform sandwich public employee unions must now eat in WI., is the result of union leadership not compromising or meeting half way. It's very typical for unions to "stand their ground," no pun intended.

Look at the city San Jose employee salaries. Pay particular attention to "Total Cash compensation" and "Sick and Vacation Payouts." Some of those folks make more money selling back vacation and sick days than many taxpayers paying their salaries make in one year.

But all the same, Walker's idea was not to negotiate with them for he did not compromise either, which is my point that he is no better than those sitting across the table from him. It does not surprise me nor should it. He is a politician after all.

Yes, it is true some employees make a lot of money selling back their sick time and vacation. Before you engage in class warfare complaining about those who make a lot of money, you need to look at the reasons these people are getting that money in the first place. Are they forsaking their vacation and gong to work? I think it would be rather unwise to make any calls without looking into the reasons for these disbursements, before anyone makes a call. Maybe it is not their compensation that needs revising, so much as the policies under which they are deriving their salaries and the possibility of abuses.