Comments on MOMENT OF CLARITY: Recall Your Mom

All I can say is our property taxes went down sign...

2012-01-30T15:52:46.056-06:00

All I can say is our property taxes went down significantly this year, our school saved ~$500k from NOT being forced to use the union insurance company AND we didn't have to lay off any teachers or cut any programs. OH - and did I mention, our school districts can now pay teacher's based on merit/performance - not just time served. Please help me understand what's wrong with that????

@ Anonymous, Copy and paste the link into your a...

2012-01-29T12:19:04.663-06:00

@ Anonymous,
Copy and paste the link into your address bar. It's a PDF file. It will work.

troy the only problem with that theory is that cor...

2012-01-22T23:34:06.593-06:00

troy the only problem with that theory is that corporate profits are at an all time high while wages remain stagnant. Without proper labor representation management will always give to themselves first and we have seen the results of that with the shrinking of the middle class while the most affluent exponentially increase their political and financial standing.

Amen Dr. Amen!!

2012-01-21T17:17:10.099-06:00

Amen Dr. Amen!!

Collective bargaining may have been a necessity in...

2012-01-21T12:21:06.263-06:00

Collective bargaining may have been a necessity in King's day. Now, not only is it not necessary, but it's destructive. Why? Because the unions and the politicians who "negotiate", sleep in the same bed. Well, that bed has become very messy. Walker is the "mom" (not being sexist here, just extending the theme of the post) who decided finally it was time to clean that bed. So, let's be grown up for a minute. 1. Walker did NOT lie about his intentions. 2. It had to be done as the burden on the tax payer (i.e. working stiff) was unsustainable.We need more Walker's in this country or the debt will eventually make this country irrelevant. And at that point, the union workers won't be looking at a 3% or 6% hit to their compensation, but will be looking at the unemployment line.

If, heaven forbid, Governor Walker is defeated, I ...

2012-01-20T10:55:31.594-06:00

If, heaven forbid, Governor Walker is defeated, I for one, as a tax-paying citizen of Wisconsin, will be looking for the first opportunity to leave this great state. My hope will be that all tax-paying citizens will leave the state, and the union workers can basically work to pay taxes to themselves and the other losers in this state who don't work and pay taxes.
Let the last union worker to leave the state turn out the lights.

@Edgedistance: Your link does not appear to work?...

2012-01-20T09:36:14.265-06:00

@Edgedistance:

Your link does not appear to work? would like to read it.

I am, no, the majority of Wisconsin is, sick and t...

2012-01-19T20:23:00.208-06:00

I am, no, the majority of Wisconsin is, sick and tired of the constant whining of the public sector unions. As a union leader you know you have no usefulness any longer but you strive to invent some relevance. You appeal to the mindless followers who think yelling "shame" or standing outside beating a drum is a positive contribution. It's not. You and your followers self pity is apparent to all. The real middle class are the folks who work every day (without the negotiated 15 minute union brake every 2 hours) who pay for their own retirement and their own health insurance. Grow up, move out of your parents basement, be thankful for the job you have and if you don't like your job or your employer, then do what every American does, find another job.

well he's had the gold n union spoon for a lon...

2012-01-19T17:55:40.535-06:00

well he's had the gold n union spoon for a long time forgive him for soon he will pay like we do...i would be mad too if people stopped giv en me free money too.. ha ha

Dr. Tim, Nicely done. One thing though, everytim...

2012-01-19T08:27:43.998-06:00

Dr. Tim,

Nicely done. One thing though, everytime I bring up the KKK and the democratic party, the liberals always claim the parties switched platforms.

Dennis,
Here is another piece of evidence that Gov. Walker did not lie to get elected. This is a newsletter from WEAC. Wake up and stop with the lies.

http://www.weac.org/LUC/newsletters/October%20Lakewood%20Lookout.pdf

I am a public school teacher in Wisconsin. Scott ...

2012-01-19T06:32:38.920-06:00

I am a public school teacher in Wisconsin. Scott Walker gave me the right, for the first time, to choose whether or not I want to belong to a union.

Anyone who thought he courted the union vote is wrong. My union, which is no longer my union, campaigned against him and campaigned hard. In fact, in the over 20 years I was in the union, they never backed a Republican candidate.

I have to contribute a small amount to my health insurance and pension now. My health insurance is $33 LESS than my union dues were each month. It's a small price for me to pay to help the families I teach. Many of the taxpayers, my students' parents, are having a difficult time providing for their families. I can't condone raising their taxes so I can continue to pay nothing for Cadillac insurance and nothing toward my pension. The benefit package the union bargained for is unsustainable.

I have seen the behavior Tim described first hand. It is shameful, especially coming from teachers. We teach our students that being rude and disrespectful is wrong. We teach them to respect differences in opinion, religion, etc. I guess now it is do as I say, not as I do.

I am proud to be a teacher, but ashamed to see the way some of my colleagues are acting.

The only thing the union people care about with re...

2012-01-18T22:49:53.087-06:00

The only thing the union people care about with regards to MLK day is that they get there holiday pay and double time for working the holiday !! I for one have heard all the noise from the lib's in Madistan that I can stand !! I hope Falk is your choice !! She will bring out the repubs in droves !!

To Anonymous at the bottom: Bravo comrade...spoken...

2012-01-18T21:24:54.498-06:00

To Anonymous at the bottom: Bravo comrade...spoken like a true communist. From those according to his ability, to those according to his needs, right? When I had a job not making as much money as I wanted or needed, I found another job, rather than whining that I needed more of my neighbors money to survive. How about that approach, anonymous? Takes a little work, but you have plenty of time to write long blogs, so puts some of that energy into improving your lot in life instead of bemoaning your condition, and blaming others.
To Dennis, Scott Walker is cleaning things up. I'm sure you are aware of the prior $30,000 health insurance premium cost, offered by an insurance company, owned by the union? And that before Walker, an offer was on the table to charge union members just a fraction of that cost..but they refused because they felt waiting for a Barrett Governorship would be in their favor. Things didn't work out that way, and now workers must pay a fraction of that cost, and collective bargaining is gone, and that cost has nose-dived. Amazing what a little competition can do for cost. I pay $450/month for health insurance, and have a $5000 deductible. Still feel slighted? Stop whining and be productive.
Go Walker, and Tim, keep up the excellent work!

But, isn't blind ignorance of the human condit...

2012-01-18T19:38:04.663-06:00

But, isn't blind ignorance of the human condition outside the scope of a white protestant christian right-wing base? At least that's what the talking heads appear to be spouting as of late. Why should public workers be denied the same rights as private?

Are you seriously willing to tell me that an electrician working for the department of public works should be paid just a minor stipend more than a kid flipping burgers at a McDonald?

Or perhaps you would prefer that there is no public service district.

For example, a neighborhood traffic light breaks.

We'll have the poor pay private contractors when their light falls from service.

If they have no money, I suppose that little plot of land will have to learn to live without the safety and the normalcy that the light provides.

That seems a little inhumane in the 'worlds greatest nation', doesn't it?

Unless of course there is a public service which the people collectively pay an electrician an honest wage, through taxes, that can perform the work.

But then, how does one determine the wage of that public servant? Do you tie that wage to the median electrician's wage for a private enterprise? What about non-pay related perks?

Serving a community with a service that requires skill should not be rewarded by receiving inferior benefits than one in a private enterprise.

Otherwise, why would one want to serve?

Patriotism is dead. Those on the right and the left cling to blind nationalism, and the difference is paramount.

You cannot build a great structure with no support.

Depending on a national service (DOL) to determine the appropriate rights for workers in a specific area is absurd, even against the base of a classically right-looking voting base.

Walker is slime, no, that is to kind. Slime can be useful.

Hell, I'd have voted for him again if he made a few simple changes.

His non-partisan policy is a travesty to our democratic republic.

Madison's the focal point of a much larger struggle. Hopefully some of you will throw down the wraps of avarice that blind you to your brothers suffering.

nobody protested when i had a paycut or when i had...

2012-01-18T18:09:12.579-06:00

nobody protested when i had a paycut or when i had to pay for my insurance or when i lost vacation day. where were u? im waitng. there is protesting then there is throwing a fit cause u didnt get your way. u obviously cannot tell the difference. my 8 year old daughter can. maybe she could show u the difference sometime. on second thought i wouldnt want u anywhere near her. really led lighting u have got to be kidding me.

^ my sentiments exactly. Unions served a purpose ...

2012-01-18T13:21:00.021-06:00

^ my sentiments exactly. Unions served a purpose 40-69 years ago. Now we have the US Dept of Labor and federal labor laws, minimum wage, overtime laws and the like. Unions have out-lived their purpose.

And which is the party of the "Southern Strat...

2012-01-18T13:15:33.480-06:00

And which is the party of the "Southern Strategy" from 1968 to the present? Way to distort history.

See Cynthia's reply at 1030 am and follow the ...

2012-01-18T11:22:12.082-06:00

See Cynthia's reply at 1030 am and follow the link. Being lied to and being moronically uninformed are completely separate things Dennis.

WEAC knew, AND PUBLISHED, Walkers intentions toward collective bargaining. Just because you didn't know that doesn't mean you were lies to, it means you werent informed. It's okay, blind ignorance is expected of the Left.

Speaking of being lied to during an election- cutting the deficit in half, lambasting Bush for adding $5T over 8 years to it (as opposed to adding $6T over 3 years), repealing the Patriot Act, closing GitMo, and... and... and... All things promised by Obama, and all lies. Should we recall him? Oh, we can't. We can only impeach him for committing a crime in office or complete dereliction of duty. And yet I'd bet crucial body parts that you're going to vote for him in November.

Walker delivered in his promises, and his reward is having to re-run because a bunch of whiny petulant babies no longer get their way. Please. Not elected "fair and square?" You're embarrassing yourself.

Brilliant piece that summarizes for the COUNTRY wh...

2012-01-18T10:03:02.221-06:00

Brilliant piece that summarizes for the COUNTRY what the Thugs devolve to. Public Unions working for the greater good and ME getting the same basic "rights" that I have in the private sector; not even an argument. Where do we send the bill for this recall charade?

I find it laughable that the uninformed left doesn...

2012-01-18T09:16:37.429-06:00

I find it laughable that the uninformed left doesn't understand the difference between public sector unions and private sector.

In the private sector the 2 sides, provider and payer, come to an agreement.

In the public sector the payer(taxpayer) has no say in the terms of the agreement. Rather the Unions deal with the politicians they put in office with money extracted from the union workers.

George Meany and FDR both were against public sector unionization for that reason.

Statements equating Public unions with private are meaningless until the payer has a say.

Robert I like your comments. Lets spend another ni...

2012-01-18T09:06:09.502-06:00

Robert I like your comments. Lets spend another nine million and put another person in office that puts our state back in a deficit again. People do not realize that if Walker did not take away some of those rights our teaches would have thrown a bigger fit and striked. Why because they have to pay their fair share like the rest of us. Then what would have happened with all of our students. My wife works at a daycare where we live and has been in daycare for 22 years. Kids that come to the daycare where tshirts with a hand in the shape of Wisconsin state on the shirt Teach me how to Protest is written on it. These are teacher's kids here from where i Live. Great message to be sendingto kids.These kids range in age from 1 to 6. A lot of these peole are your typical cry babies that want everything and give nothing. Walker has done a great job for this state and will keep doing so.People wake up and get your facts straight. I have 5 kids from age of 17 to 6 and not one of the schools my kids go to have lost anything. They have actually gained back programs they did not have before. Between my wife and i who both work fulltime we make about 50k per year so we are not rich by anymeans. I and my family are for Walker and what he has done. Shame on all of you for putting in your junk for comments that are untrue.

@Jeff: If by "limited jobs" you mean li...

2012-01-18T08:10:02.768-06:00

@Jeff: If by "limited jobs" you mean limited government jobs, then I'm all in favor.

2 points you missed. 1. Better to behave political...

2012-01-18T07:41:57.307-06:00

2 points you missed. 1. Better to behave politically inappropriately for all to see than hide behind closed doors. 2. Like Walmart, Wisconsin is open for business and rolling back prices to create limited jobs in your community. Many educators I've talked with express the same concern, its not what they lost its HOW it was taken. Walker acted like a "Maverick" without realizing he wasn't in the untamed west.

I am so thankful for your writings Dr. Tim. Don&#...

2012-01-18T07:20:10.245-06:00

I am so thankful for your writings Dr. Tim. Don't ever stop. Yours is a place I come to in the morning over my first sips of coffee to right my mind before venturing out into the socialist republic of Madison.

Comparing what MLK did before he died to today'...

2012-01-18T01:32:51.004-06:00

Comparing what MLK did before he died to today's Union workers is a slap in the face of civil-rights workers from the 60s. Today's cry-baby Unionists don't know what real work is...5 people to watch the low man on the pole shovel hotmix into a half-water-filled pothole takes about $120.00+ worth of average talent? Supervisors for supervisors and no one gets the grass cut? How much talent does it take to drive a truck 10-20 mph below the posted speed limit? I've got relatives that do that now, leaving the blinker on for miles on end and they only get a SS check. Heck, even during a snow-squal, watching a plow drive on the shoulder of the road spreading salt was nothing short of insane...and some of you Union-stooges have the guts to defend that type of idiotic behavior? And you claim you had "rights" pulled from you?? No where in the WISCONSIN State Constitution does is same "rights" for collective bargaining. It doesn't even refer to "collective bargaining" at all. "Collective Bargaining" is nothing more than an AGREEMENT, which is nothing more than a "contract" between two entities that can be rescinded when one party feels he/she is getting screwed over. Well...the WI. taxpayer agrees that it's time to quit bending over and letting some liberal-minded, favor-sucking judge or two decide to let the taxpayers twist in the wind. The taxpayers have been silent too long and last year, THEY decided that poor service, indiferent attitudes and overly-priced talent needs to be shown the door. Now the cry-babies at the top of the pile are panicking at the sight of their ill-gotten skimmings are being taken back away from them and all the lower-eggs in the shops are being told it's Walker's fault. So, Mr. Tearle, if you want to pipe the tune that your Masters encourage you to pipe, go for it. Then, when the day finally comes and you can open your eyes and see what a "slave" you've been for all these years, maybe you'll be able to take home a better paycheck, have more of an insurance plan and think clearer instead of marching to that "drum beat" you're being told to follow. Sometimes, the view does change when you get out from behind the dogs leading your pack. And the side benefit? The air is a bit clearer and not so "flatulently" tainted, either. Enjoy the clarity...if you dare.