From Barbara Meyer
Argyle
Gov. Walker is attempting to divide and conquer to reach his goal of destroying unions. He is trying to pit unionized workers against non-unionized, parents against teachers, public against private sector workers, the retired against those still working. His bullying tactics and his refusal to negotiate with Democratic legislators is rallying the masses in opposition. It is very evident that he is not showing the adult leadership we need in a governor.
I can understand how having schools closed because of teachers' absence is a hardship for families. But it was not the teachers who put into the "budget repair bill" to severely limit the collective bargaining rights of public employees. That's the part everyone wants removed from the bill, and no matter the state of the economy, those rights ought to be protected. The 8-hour work day, the 40-hour work week, paid vacation time, the end of child labor, pensions, workers' compensation for injuries on the job, minimum wage, the Family Medical Leave Act, OSHA protections, and many other benefits are ours because of the work done by the union movement in America. Collective bargaining is how agreements have been reached, leading to those improvements in the American workplace.
Gov. Walker tries to make people think that public workers are causing our financial deficits. They aren't. I'd like to have him eliminate the tax loopholes that are so skillfully used by the very wealthy and the large corporations to avoid paying their fair share. I have not heard him mention attempting to lessen the gigantic gap in wealth and earnings between the richest 1 percent and the rest of us. I find that a huge problem. It's not the intent of a true democracy that it be that way.
Argyle
Gov. Walker is attempting to divide and conquer to reach his goal of destroying unions. He is trying to pit unionized workers against non-unionized, parents against teachers, public against private sector workers, the retired against those still working. His bullying tactics and his refusal to negotiate with Democratic legislators is rallying the masses in opposition. It is very evident that he is not showing the adult leadership we need in a governor.
I can understand how having schools closed because of teachers' absence is a hardship for families. But it was not the teachers who put into the "budget repair bill" to severely limit the collective bargaining rights of public employees. That's the part everyone wants removed from the bill, and no matter the state of the economy, those rights ought to be protected. The 8-hour work day, the 40-hour work week, paid vacation time, the end of child labor, pensions, workers' compensation for injuries on the job, minimum wage, the Family Medical Leave Act, OSHA protections, and many other benefits are ours because of the work done by the union movement in America. Collective bargaining is how agreements have been reached, leading to those improvements in the American workplace.
Gov. Walker tries to make people think that public workers are causing our financial deficits. They aren't. I'd like to have him eliminate the tax loopholes that are so skillfully used by the very wealthy and the large corporations to avoid paying their fair share. I have not heard him mention attempting to lessen the gigantic gap in wealth and earnings between the richest 1 percent and the rest of us. I find that a huge problem. It's not the intent of a true democracy that it be that way.
