Wisconsin governor calls on Democrats to come home

[steve2470]

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/02/21/us-wisconsin-protests-idUSTRE71H3UZ20110221

Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker on Monday called for the return of the 14 Democratic state senators who left the state last week to avoid voting on a bill that that severely curbs state workers' bargaining rights.

"They've got to come to Wisconsin, do the job that they were elected to do, do the job that they're paid to do," Walker said in an interview on ABC's "Good Morning America."

"If they want to do that, we will sit down and talk to them. But the bottom line is we can't negotiate over a budget because we are broke and we need the money."

Walker said the state is trying to balance its budget, projected to have a $3.6 billion deficit over the next several years. "There really is no room to negotiate," he said.

[liberal N proud]

1. They are doing the job they were elected to do

Stopping fascism.

[Hannah Bell]

3. +100.

[BadgerKid]

24. And representing the PEOPLE.

[spanone]

2. wis gov says, come back and do exactly as i say.

[Joanne98]

4. BOO!

[gratuitous]

5. Is Walker willing to negotiate or not?

He's talking out of both faces at the same time, so it's difficult to ascertain what he means. If I was a Wisconsin Senate Democrat, I'd want the promise of negotiations in writing. From both the governor AND the Majority Leader.

[CLANG]

15. WTF you talkin bout willis?

Walker said the state is trying to balance its budget, projected to have a $3.6 billion deficit over the next several years. "There really is no room to negotiate," he said.

[gratuitous]

22. One comment was he would sit down and talk with folks

I don't trust him any further than I could throw the Bradley Center, but there are two messages being sent. If he's unwilling even to talk, let alone negotiate in good faith, the Senate Democrats should stay put.

[CLANG]

27. He can tell whatever lies he want's to, but the minute one dem senator hits the floor

they can raise the original bill for a vote, and we are screwed. And the one dem senator's political career is over just like Walkers.

[Smarmie Doofus]

28. They can "talk" on the phone. Or on skype.

He's full of shit.

[HereSince1628]

6. hahah! NO! They really DON'T HAVE TO DO THAT SCOTT

you perverse son of a baptist minister and jealous of the attention he paid to his congregation instead of YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[AndyTiedye]

7. This is the Wisconsin Version of the Filibuster

When we do it, the media is all over us.
When the Republicans filibuster us, it's just fine with them.

[Shiver]

8. John Erpenbach, one of the fourteen,

is my state senator, and I say he is doing EXACTLY the job I voted him to do!

[CLANG]

17. Me too - to a tee!

[City Lights]

9. Scut Farkas Mubarak has spoken!

Do as I say, or else!

:puke:

[CLANG]

18. The great and powerful OZ has spoken!

Another imposter (don't look behind the curtain), although vastly more intelligent, educated, and rational than our Wizard of ASS.

[Ikonoklast]

10. Sucks being a dictator no one listens to, ain't it Scotty boy?

FAIL.

[white_wolf]

11. I'm reminded of the scene in star wars

where the Emperor told all the Jedi to come back and everything was fine, it didn't end well for the Jedi.

[Danger Mouse]

12. Walker can go fuck himself.

[Tatiana]

13. So basically 'Hosni' Walker still hasn't changed his mind after a week of protests.

The Wisconsin 14 should remain in Illinois. We'll take good care of them until the dictator is ready to honestly negotiate.

[CLANG]

19. I keep wondering how they are paying the hotel bills, etc.

Is there some kind of collection set up somewhere to support the WI 14 for their out of pocket expenses?

[FBaggins]

25. Would that be legal?

You can't just give money to a state legislator.

Maybe the party can pay for it out of campaign funds.

[CLANG]

26. I don't see why it would be illegal.

I am a private citizen so I can give them whatever I want unless it is a campaign contribution, but this would be humanitarian in nature. I could be wrong tho.

[FBaggins]

29. A direct cash gift to a politician (or in-kind) and you can't see why it might be illegal?

You understand why there's a limit on campaign contributions but not direct gifts?

I'm sure that the Koch brothers would love for you to be correct... but I can't see how it could be done. Chap 19 (GENERAL DUTIES OF PUBLIC OFFICIALS) paragraph 56(4) would seem to forbid it. There's also a prohibition against furnishing anything of pecuniary value to a state official under 13.625

[CLANG]

31. There has to be some legal way to do it.

Or maybe just do it illegally.

[FBaggins]

33. Ouch.

As I said... I think that it might be possible for the party to pay for it.

I'd really rather not even consider the possibility of doing something illegal.

[CLANG]

34. Don't worry, Agent Mike has a holiday today.

[Tatiana]

30. It's got to be the party.

I received an email from my own union asking for donations to the party (it didn't specify to help support the WI 14, but that's what I assumed the request was for).

[FBaggins]

32. I think so too... but I don't know that that's why you were asked.

This is one of the unavoidable parts of our political system. When there's a big fight going on, the fundraisers see an opening to ask for cash. I'm sure that the NRA started a fundraising push within hours of Rep Giffords' shooting.

[Boswell]

14. if it was good enough for Abe Lincoln

it is as valid now for the dems to take this action

[undeterred]

16. He's lonely and he misses them.

Maybe I'll wander over to the Capitol and pay him a visit.

[Ellipsis]

20. .

http://www4.pictures.zimbio.com/bg/Lassie+Come+Home+k-E_NbX-Mb0l.jpg

[BrotherLove]

21. 2008-2010 Didn't the Republican congress always vote no, even on their own stuff?? So Scott FU

[Viking12]

23. WI people call on the WI 14 to stand strong!