okkkk help me respond to ALG statement on Wi

[w8liftinglady]

from my paper's editorial page

http://www.thedailylight.com/articles/2011/02/27/opinion/doc4d69e419b54b9502388411.txt

FAIRFAX, Va. — Americans for Limited Government (ALG) President Bill Wilson issued the following statement condemning 14 Wisconsin State Senators for fleeing the state to avoid a vote on Governor Scott Walker’s proposal to end collective bargaining for public pension and health care benefits:

“The 14 Senate Democrats have engaged in a gutless move to flee their states rather than vote up or down on Governor Walker’s proposals to balance the budget. At a bare minimum, they shouldn’t be paid. But if a quorum cannot be reached to work on budget matters, which requires 20 members be present, then Senate Republicans will have to consider other options.

“The Wisconsin Senate, of course, could move forward with a quorum of 17 to pursue legislation minus any budget items. They should put a straight right-to-work law on the table, which would give all workers in the state the option of whether they want to join a union or not. They could move it to the floor and have it on the calendar, and then adjourn for a day. The delinquent 14 Senate Democrats would probably come scurrying back rather quickly to try to defeat the measure.

“But if they did not, Senate Republicans could be even more aggressive with more legislation: lower Medicaid eligibility requirements, saving the state tens of millions of dollars, roll back authorizations for entire departments, enact a sunset rule on all regulations issued by the state government, and require that all regulations that affect more than 50 people be approved by the state legislature. These are all items Senate Democrat would want to be there to try to stop.

“Ultimately, these 14 faithless senators need to get back to work on the budget. If Senate Republicans move aggressively, the ‘Delinquent 14’ can be made to meet their obligations.”

[MannyGoldstein]

1. Abe Lincoln once jumped out of a window

To avoid a quorum To stop a vote in the Illinois legislature.

Was Abe gutless?

The right hate history with a burning passion.

[hobbit709]

2. +1000

That's what I'd say.
If it was good enough for Abe, then it's good enough for anyone else.

[w8liftinglady]

4. awesome

[MannyGoldstein]

6. Reference:

http://nymag.com/daily/intel/2011/02/abraham_lincoln_jumped_out_of.html

I was hoping I remembered it correctly!

[edhopper]

3. The Republicans hold one third of the law making process

Congress/Senate/President. Yet they say that unless they get exactly what they want they will refuse to do any of their duties to keep the Government going. The will flee their responsibilities, unless the Senate and President agree to their demands.
Why do I think Mr. Wilson thinks that is heroic?

[gratuitous]

5. Gutless? How about honoring a signed contract?

The minority Democrats are courageously standing up for the principle of the binding nature of a signed contract. If Gov. Walker wants to change the contract the state has with its public employees, the mechanism in place is through collective bargaining. The workers have acceded to demands for lower wages, cuts in benefits, and reduction in force. Three-quarters of a loaf isn't enough for Gov. Walker and his wealthy puppet masters: they want it all, including the ability of public employees to negotiate their next contract. Stripping public employees of their constitutional rights won't balance the Wisconsin state budget, but it will get Gov. Walker a pat on the head from his fatcat overlords.

But if Bill Wilson is so brave, why doesn't he go to Wisconsin himself, and show us all what he consider real courage and guts instead of penning flamebait editorials from the comfort of his Beltway office, paid for by the same robber baron benefactors issuing fiats to Gov. Walker?