Wis. governor says protests haven't swayed him

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

MADISON, Wis. (AP) - Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker says the two weeks of protests in the state capital haven't swayed his resolve to eliminate collective bargaining rights for most public employees.

Leaders of Wisconsin's largest public workers' unions have capitulated to Walker's demands for their members to cover more of their pension and health care benefits to help close Wisconsin's budget deficit.

But Walker said Sunday on NBC's "Meet the Press" that stripping the workers of collective bargaining rights is necessary to give the state the flexibility to get its finances in order


Read more: http://apnews.excite.com/article/20110227/D9LL70S00.html

---

FULL story at link.

[yourout]

1. We are not going to sway him but if we keep pushing...his own minions might revolt against him.

[MBS]

61. yes, that's the best hope.

To get enough Repub senators scared enough about the prospect of recall, or about their prospects for re-election in the regular cycle, so that at least 4 of them will side with the Dems on this crucial bill, as vote with the Dems on the long line of other scary bills (decimating the education budget, setting up a system so that he can appoint basically anyone he wants, without state-senate confirmation) that Walker has planned to follow this collective bargaining bill. The Dems and the unions really do have to win this one.

I heard that there are already recall petitions circulating for all eligible state senatorsyou have to be in office at least a year before you can be recalled; anyone just elected, including all members of the assembly and Scott Walker, as well as new senators, are ineligible until next year). Recall petitions are circulating for both Dem and Repub senators; but the Republicans should be more vulnerable to recall than the Dems.

[Name removed]

84. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[MadMaddie]

104. The thing is even if 4 Repugs say they will change their vote

they can't be trusted...

[spotbird]

109. Bingo!

Hard to know how to prevent premeditated fraud.

[valerief]

86. That's the hope!!! nt

[CoffeeCat]

2. I guess that's a signal to head to Wisconsin...

Walker is just trying to demoralize the protestors and make them feel
as if their efforts are meaningless. Walker is afraid. He knows this
movement is growing. The WORST possible thing that could happen to him
is that Wisconsin galvanizes the entire Democratic party and the nation.

We have been all waiting for a cause, in my opinion. So many people
are angry, disgusted and have been affected by how corporations have
destroyed this country. I'm not a member of any union, but I am sick
and tired of seeing the deleterious effects of the incestuous relationship
between our politicians and the corporate elite.

ENOUGH!

If Walker is unimpressed, I think that is a call for another 100,000 Americans
to head north and join these protesters.

Walker needs to be put in his place. If this protest turns into a national
movement, he'll look like a complete moron. He's three-quarters there after
that fake Koch phone call.

[JDPriestly]

71. This is the one issue of the two issues on which virtually all Democrats

(other than those in the White House maybe). (The other issues is Social Security.)

Republicans are just uniting us and making us stronger.

But this fight will take a long time and a lot of solidarity.

[Initech]

97. I agree, enough is enough!

These executives are out of control, and have been since Reagan. It's time we fight back and rightfully take back what's ours.

[Fire1]

That's what he's been saying but it's up to the Dem

senators and the unions to hang in there. He's waiting for them to slack off and give in. If they give in unions are DEAD.

[CoffeeCat]

3. I guess that's a signal to head to Wisconsin...

Walker is just trying to demoralize the protestors and make them feel
as if their efforts are meaningless. Walker is afraid. He knows this
movement is growing. The WORST possible thing that could happen to him
is that Wisconsin galvanizes the entire Democratic party and the nation.

We have been all waiting for a cause, in my opinion. So many people
are angry, disgusted and have been affected by how corporations have
destroyed this country. I'm not a member of any union, but I am sick
and tired of seeing the deleterious effects of the incestuous relationship
between our politicians and the corporate elite.

ENOUGH!

If Walker is unimpressed, I think that is a call for another 100,000 Americans
to head north and join these protesters.

Walker needs to be put in his place. If this protest turns into a national
movement, he'll look like a complete moron. He's three-quarters there after
that fake Koch phone call.

[Loki]

67. Indict him.

Maybe then he will understand we mean business. He's has committed indictable offenses and investigations should start immediately.

[L. Coyote]

96. This is why he does not sway:

[Kolesar]

4. Three Republican "senators" from NE Ohio said that they won't vote for Kasich's plan

to eliminate collective bargaining.

[glinda]

27. If they are not lying.

[Imajika]

32. Is that anywhere near enough to stop Kasich's agenda?

Last I checked it is going to take a lot more than that to derail the union busting package moving forward in Ohio.

[Ikonoklast]

78. They would commit political suicide if they supported busting the unions, and they know it.

Especially in NE OH.

[opihimoimoi]

5. He clearly shows signs of not being a Peoples GOV...more like a dictator..ala MOUSSOLINI

ARROGANT AND A BULLY

He is Unacceptable...

A HUGH MISTAKE

[Name removed]

21. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[BanzaiBonnie]

22. Calling forth badger spirit

Cunning badger of the forest,
Guide me to wisdom, truth and light.
All injustices against me,
Wipe the slate and set them right.

[opihimoimoi]

70. Calling forth more astute voters to deny Fauxers like Walker into high offrice

[JDPriestly]

25. The bill is just one big power grab. Instead of a republic or a democracy

it would install a dictatorship by the governor with regard to much of the government's work.

I suppose that is, ultimately, what the Tea-Baggers want when they say "less government."

Democracy involves a lot of work by a lot of people. It takes money -- to buy the time and energy -- to make democracy work. A guy like Walker figures he can save all that money if he just does it all himself.

The provision that would allow the governor to pretty much establish a budget without working with the unions -- Gaddhafi and Mubarak would have recognized that one.

The provision that allows the governor and the department he appoints to give away certain utilities to his cronies and campaign donors -- Gaddhafi and Mubarak would have recognized that one also.

[opihimoimoi]

72. His lack of knowledge in the role of Big Chief is ASTOUNDING...in some places, he wears but1 feather

[pansypoo53219]

26. he is more like

Kaddafi. more delusional. more full of himself.

[opihimoimoi]

73. I concur... :o)

[CLANG]

51. More like Napoleon - and Madison is his Waterloo.

[opihimoimoi]

74. Both had/has lunaresque craniums

[Buenaventura]

69. the italian people solved their moussolini problem - perhaps the

people of wisconsin should follow the italian example

[opihimoimoi]

75. I can only wish....LOL

[midnight]

6. Scott Walker is a Koch head and cannot be swayed by anything his handlers won't let him be swayed by

The Wisconsin people, on the other-hand, are swaying away from this koch head...

[Faygo Kid]

12. +1

[midnight]

7. double post

[deutsey]

8. They didn't sway Mubarak either until the very end

[RBInMaine]

9. Here's a thought: CAMPAIGN FOR DEMOCRATS IN 2012.

[starroute]

44. We've been campaign for Democratics our entire lifetimes

Hasn't done much good as far as I can see.

"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results..."

[Raine]

91. Agreed. nt

[MadMaddie]

105. Walker won his election by 123,000 votes

So what does that mean?

<snip>
Seventy percent of Wisconsin voters turned out in 2008. In 2010, only 50 percent of voters turned out state-wide
<snip>

http://faithfulprogressive.blogspot.com/2011/02/how-scott-walker-won-low-voter-turnout.html

So let's talk about it, the lack of Democratic voter turnout resulted in Scott Walker and other walking disasters.

[Lorien]

107. The lack of Democratic leadership lead to the lack of Democratic turnout

people need someone to vote FOR, not simply someone to vote AGAINST.

[MadMaddie]

108. This is true

however; it still does not justify not voting does it? My black parents were on those voting lines in the 60's and they didn't use an excuse for not being in the streets for their rights. Those marchers were marching for all of us.........to vote.

IF there were not Democratic folks to vote for then we need to take it upon ourselves to find candidates that fit our needs.

[Lorien]

106. Yep. I'll campaign for whoever supports progressive/ liberal positions on the issues

and that may not be a Dem-or it may be a challenger to an incumbent Dem.

[eowyn_of_rohan]

53. Yup- been there, done that.

As long as we have e-voting through which election results are easily manipulated, we're screwed.

[Faygo Kid]

10. Bought and paid for by the Koch brothers, and set for life. He has nothing to lose.

This is all just a joyous game to him; he definitely has no moral compass, and nothing to lose.

[xchrom]

11. he won't either -- unless serious recall efforts get under way re: republican state senators. nt

[glinda]

28. Recalls are the key. Quickly. Also finding charges that can be brought

against Walker. If not charges or investigations at the very least finding more stuff on him.

[Angry Dragon]

13. walker is declaring that the state can determine

the bargaining rights of ANY Wisconsin citizen. That would include any private person going for a job anyplace.
Everyone has the same rights, so if he can determine what the state workers can bargain for then he can determine what every worker can bargain for, not just for state workers.

[elocs]

14. The protests won't sway him and never will. From his viewpoint he will lose face if he negociates.

That won't happen, at least from him, so our best hope here for the moment is from the state senate republicans.

Wisconsin is the front now for this war. The battle here might be lost for the time being, but not because we backed down-we cannot. But Wisconsin has lit a beacon that is spreading across the country and even our potential loss here will result in victories elsewhere. We can only keep fighting the fight because, if not, then all is lost.

One of my favorite scenes from The Lord of the Rings flicks, the beacons are lit:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6LGJ7evrAg

[old guy]

56. Exactly.

He has painted himself into a corner with his rhetoric. He will have to be defeated in the Senate as he can no longer surrender or even compromise. I believe this was his plan all along, but he didn't anticipate this much opposition and has no plan B.

[no_hypocrisy]

15. And God hardened Pharoah's heart . . . . .

[LeFleur1]

16. Wisconsin Voters

I wonder how many misguided Wisconsin voters are having nightmares about what they've done.
If the people had known what this ditz was about, would they have voted for him? He certainly does not believe the will of the people should prevail...except in his election. Did anyone check out the vote counting there? It's hard to believe people would actually elect this corporate bought and paid for, deceitful person.

[elocs]

81. It's not what they've done, it's what they didn't do, specifically Democrats,

who did not bother to get out and vote because they weren't motivated or they were disenchanted or something. Only 60% of those who voted for Obama turned out to vote here in 2010. Somehow though 90% of Republicans who voted for McCain managed to vote last November.

So Democratic voters were unhappy and did not vote, the Democratic governor Doyle was unpopular with nearly everyone, and there was a Republican electoral wave on a national level. I live hear and I have no doubts about the accuracy of our voting machines or how the votes are counted.

Bottom line: if 20% of those who had voted for Obama had voted for Barrett, then Walker would have lost and we would not be having this discussion.

[Melinda]

17. When will this SOB be recalled? I mean, really. K&R, eom

[Myrina]

48. 1 year to the day after he's sworn in. WI Constitution.

n/t

[RufusTFirefly]

18. Anyone representing the unions on MTP as well?

Just asking. Didn't see the show, although I think I know the answer.

[truth2power]

42. I think Trumpka was on. I had the TV on but wasn't watching. n/t

[moobu2]

19. Republicans just love a good dictator type. nt

[Drale]

20. He is a fool and will pay for it in the end

[SoapBox]

23. I have the "sway" fors ya Gov. Hosni...it's called RECALL!

...and a good swift kick in the a$$.

[Plucketeer]

24. Ah yes......

the old "Whistling Past the Graveyard" manuver. Sorry Walker, this is effectively the end of your public service ca-rear. Yeah - act resolute and decisive, so's you can tell your grandkiddies how Grampa fought the evil Wisconsinites!

[PatrynXX]

29. Well if he's hellbent on distroying Wisconsin, those protesters aren't going away

To use what Egypt did. A general strike should do it right?? That might hurt his bottom ass. Already stuck his foot down his throat. Looks like it had gorilla glue on it before hand. :(

Clearly a newbie... I'm a stubborn son of a bitch too. Get it from my dad who is also a stubborn tea back son of a bitch :( Been at an impasse for over 2 years

[AsahinaKimi]

30. I figured he would be stubborn

The guy thinks he is the next RONALD REAGAN, but hes arrogant. It will be his undoing. He will fail.
Whats needed is to SHUT DOWN the State of Wisconsin. NO ONE works.. let him stew in that.

[nolabear]

31. Stripping the workers of collective bargaining rights necessary...

to give the state the flexibility to get its finances in order.

How does that work? Does money suddenly appear? Do they lay people off (his threat if it's not passed), or do they reduce pay? Do they hire non-union workers who work for less? Really, what is he pretending the gain is?

[liberal N proud]

40. No one have even come close to explaining that

They just start with the same rhetoric saying they have to do it, never saying why.

[ekelly]

45. I've been wondering the same thing.

What, exactly, will they do with that "flexibility"?

I think we all have an idea of what they will do, but I'd like to hear it from the mouths of people who support the bill.
I haven't heard a single person in the media ask for specifics.

Here's the question I want asked:
"If you manage to gain passage of this bill, which will give the state the flexibility you say it needs, what options will be available to the state that would otherwise not be available with collective bargaining intact?"

Answer THAT, Walker!

[Mr Generic Other]

87. he needs to destroy public sector unions

so that when he sells the utilities to the koch bros. they won't have to deal with anyone who expects union wages or has bargaining rights.
this is an integral part of the deal walker made with the devil.

[HughBeaumont]

63. It's kind of like ALL of their positions on pretty much EVERYthing they believe in, really.

Like, for instance, how stagnating the wages of the middle, working and poor classes helps the short AND long term economy.

Or how companies can STILL attest that laying people off is a great short term strategy when all evidence points to the exact opposite?

Or where the money to run this country will come from if we continue with costly vanity wars and not taxing the non-hiring rich?

Belief and faith are when someone else is doing the thinking for you. This isn't a damned GAME. "Faith Based" is killing the planet and it's people.

[prolesunited]

33. Of course not

He's not accountable to the people, only his corporate masters.

[HopeHoops]

34. Yo, Walker - FUCK YOU, ASSHOLE!

That just needed sayin'.

[47of74]

103. Amen to that

[young_at_heart]

35. This statement is a window into his autocratic personality

"My way or the highway" type of people are rigid and unable to have empathy. They obviously do not make good leaders.

[Highway61]

36. The son of a bitch

Qaddafi still isn't swayed either, but just see what happens.

My money is on the people of Wisconsin. They are NOT going to go away. I'm so damn proud of them. IMO this is not just about collective bargaining, it's about the American people having had enough of the bullshit.

[polichick]

37. We'll thank him for all the Dem wins in 2012. nt

[liberal N proud]

38. Only need to sway the Republican Senators

There is a better chance to change the minds of a few of them because they all are not bought by the Koch's
Focus on the most vulnerable in their districts and work from there.

[KansDem]

39. Then send in the troops...

...like we did when Hitler wasn't swayed.

[ProfessionalLeftist]

41. Were there any UNION leaders on the Sunday talk shows? Any workers? Democrats?

I'm guessing not.

[SpankMe]

43. If the tables were turned...

If this was a Democratic governor standing pat on a progressive issue with 100k+ Tea Partiers protesting and 61% polling against what he was doing, the right wing would already have started a recall claiming he's subverting the will of the people.

Why are we not doing this to Walker?

[Roland99]

46. Same with fake christian Rick Scott here in FL. One-dimensional puppets of the rabid right

[Myrina]

47. ... its totally NOT about 'getting finances in order' and he knows it.

And so does everyone else. :mad:

[Hissyspit]

49. Well, yes, of course.

And you can extend that to the entire farce going on in Congress and our Federal government right now.

[socialist_n_TN]

50. Keep it up Scotty. As long as this goes on..............

every DAY that this goes on, another worker (or 10) realizes exactly what "class war" IS. Just like the 60s/70s with students, you're going to radicalize a generation of WORKERS. Labor has known to be MILITANT in the past. There's no reason it won't happen again. All because of you.

If you think you've got trouble NOW, just wait till every worker has a bad attitude towards the WHOLE fucking SYSTEM that you represent.

[Little Star]

52. He's a dictator!

[IllinoisBirdWatcher]

54. Gaddafi not swayed by citizens. Nor was Mubarek for the first 17 days. n/t

[Populist_Prole]

77. My exact pbservation too.

The flame will be brightest just before it flickers out.

[1monster]

55. Any way he spins this, Scott Walker has committed political suicide. I doubt he ever (with honest

vote casting and vote counting) wins another political office.

[CLANG]

57. Dead man walking (politically speaking).

He's making quite a few enemies.

[shanti]

58. because he's on a mission

and won't be stopped unless forced to.

[MasonJar]

59. A definitive statement that he does not represent the people, just the Koch brothers.

[rasputin1952]

60. This clown thinks he was put in office by 95% of the electorate...

he's a damn fool, and pissing all over the very people that will tear him out of that seat after his year is up.

This idiot is an Autocrat, not only does he look like and sound like a complete moron...he's now going far out of his way to prove it!

He's been toast for quite some time, but he's so figgin' stupid, he doesn't realize he's now burnt to a crisp. Others that were following his lead backed off when it got warm, this fool self ignited!

[mistertrickster]

62. Right. This is not a surprise. Saul Alinsky said that the power structure will not yield

until yielding is less painful to them than not yielding.

Marches and rallies aren't that painful to the powers that be.

Here's my small idea for ratcheting up the pain:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x522804

[femrap]

64. I read in the Columbus, OH

Dispatch (Disgrace) today that King John Kasich called his boy in WI after he was phone punked and told him, "Don't worry about it. Just do what you want to do."

Just do what you want to do.....fucking bullies. They care for NO ONE but themselves and their bank accounts.

:mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :puke: :puke: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :nuke: :nuke: :nuke: :nuke:

[qanda]

65. I have been wondering something. Is what he trying to do legal?

Can someone tell me if this ever passes would it hold up to a legal challenge? Thanks.

[humbled_opinion]

82. Well it really depends on the language of

the law, if it somehow mirrors the The Civil Service Reform Act of 1978, which was implement by Jimmy Carter to codify the labor rights of federal employees then it would be perfectly legal. If it totally destorys the ability for federal workers to participate in a union which had some negotiating power then it would be illegal.

[qanda]

102. Thanks for the reply

I hope we never have to find out.

[Auntie Bush]

66. Why don't people realize

that if it wasn't for unions...NO ONE would receive the wages they get today? As union wages have increased...so has everyone elses. Why don't Democrats push this fact when people/pundits criticize how much union workers receive? Maybe if they did...even more protesters would flood his capital building and surroundings until he can't get anything else accomplished and the public turns on him and drives him out of office.

[SleeplessinSoCal]

68. Ask this: How many buildings and statues to Ronald Reagan are there compared with FDR?

There's been a gradual building of hatred of Unions by right wing talkers. At the same time a deification of Ronald Reagan. Reagan just polled #1 greatest American president over Lincoln and Washington. And every other president. That is one indication that many Americans don't know history.

[drokhole]

76. The accident of geography...

...seems to be all that separates Walker and Gaddafi, at this point.

[RedCloud]

79. His is crazy. Drunk on ideology. He already got his way.

[underpants]

80. I agree. He is entrenched in his position due to the Kock brothers money and his GOP street cred

Walker won't back down. It is going to take 3 Republican state senators to relent to end this.

Walker knows that he has either a Senate run or a POTUS nomination in his future due to his being the pivot point on the 100 year rightwing effort to bust unions.

[Hardrada]

83. Take up another notch in civil disobedience then.

[Lastactiongyro]

85. Watch The Protest Live

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/afl-cio-2010-rally

[Jack Rabbit]

88. I'm sure the Koch Brother$ are making it worth his while to not be $wayed

!!

[jonthebru]

89. Politicians are based on ego, plain and simple.

This guy Walker will only capitulate if someone gets hurt or if he is embarrassed to an extreme level. The same with the rest of the repugthugs. People should be calling it what it is: Fascism, and this person, Walker and his corporate henchmen are indeed fascists. Maybe a "neo-fascist" considering his threat of calling out the National Guard to do government jobs in the case of a strike.

Fascism: a governmental system led by a dictator having complete power, forcibly suppressing opposition and criticism, regimenting all industry, commerce, etc., and emphasizing an aggressive nationalism and often racism.

Remind apathetic people that one of the first things Adolf Hitler did in Germany when he and his henchmen took over was get rid of the trade unions.

[SleeplessinSoCal]

93. And being hardliners. Or pig headed. Either works.

[Major Hogwash]

90. Who does Walker think he is, Blagojevich?

Oh, the stupid . . . it burns!!!!

[Raine]

92. Well of course not, since when would any elected politician

listen to what people have to say and act accordingly. :mad:

[Dyedinthewoolliberal]

94. You know what happens when a law is passed

the people REALLY DON'T LIKE, don't you Gov? :mad:
Collectively we are either going to change this course of action or we might as well bend over. It's like he's a dictator and he's going to do whatever the hell he wants to do! We cannot let this happen. However I'm at a loss as to a plan to sytmie him...........

[Nossida]

95. But of course it hasn't 'swayed' him.

you can bet his Corporate Sugar Daddies
have paid him very well. Why should he
let a simple thing like Right and Wrong
enter the equation? Capitalist Stooge.

[PACmenDotOrg]

98. Unions

Hey all,

I'm new to DU, but I want to share a link with you all. I wasn't sure where the appropriate place to post it would be, so here it goes:

www.whatthefuckhaveunionsdonesofar.com

it's a site I made, in conjunction with the PAC my friend and I are starting called People Against the Corporate Manipulation of Elections and News. I would like the union site to go viral, like the whatthefuckhasobamadonesofar site, so that more people become informed and proud of union accomplishments.

Thank you if you decide to share this link with others.

[plumbob]

99. Thank you! Nice work.

Gone to my contact list.

[yurbud]

100. great sig line

[yurbud]

101. the restaurant that didn't serve him had the right idea--what if he was unable to buy anything just

about anywhere?

If his limo pulled up to a gas station so he could take a piss, and the attendant couldn't find the key to the restroom?

If the janitor changed the lock to his office and forgot to give him the key?

If the computer techs changed his passwords and his secretary didn't take his dictation (or screwed it up in some critical way).

The guy needs to be locked out of his own state.

[deacon]

110. Walker united middle class workers, unions and democrats. Well done. :)

[M155Y_A1CH]

111. What a poor choice for leadership he turned out to be

A representative who refuses to represent his constituents.

He should be run out on a rail!

[4_TN_TITANS]

112. In other words, he's already cashed the check from the Kochs...

[newspeak]

113. hey Wisconsin!!!!

IF OR WHEN THE KOCH BROTHERS MOVE IN---just look how California was "enronized." Small businesses went out of business, people, especially the elderly couldn't afford their utilities. And then came the "fake" brown outs--I wonder how many people lost their lives over that. But, hey Enron bilked Californians and when Governor Davis pleaded with Little Boots to regulate his buddies, Little boots couldn't be bothered. After all, it's the free market baby and those sociopathic corporations (or the people behind them) can police themselves.