Good on Taylor. Meanwhile, Pearlstein makes a good point.
One old trick is to suggest a thought experiment that asks readers to consider the mirror image of what is going on. In this case, you’d be asked what the reaction would be from Republicans and business interests if a newly elected Democratic governor and legislature proposed to deal with a budget deficit by first raising unemployment benefits and then pushing through a big corporate tax increase for all but the Democratic-leaning tech sector. For good measure, the package would also contain a ban on corporations making political donations without getting the permission of each shareholder, lest they use their power to repeal the tax increase and push the budget out of balance.
This is analogous, of course, to what Gov. Scott Walker has proposed for dealing with Wisconsin’s budget gap: the tax breaks for businesses, the benefit cuts for all state employees except Republican-leaning police and firefighters, the automatic decertification of all public-sector unions and the stripping of their right to bargain anything but wages. Looking at Walker’s reflection in the political fun-house mirror makes it abundantly clear that the governor has a more ambitious agenda than merely closing a modest budget gap.
Ya think?



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this union thing, we need a new angle of discussion, something that plays against the republican meme;
“a union is a company marketing it’s product, do republicans think they have the right to prohibit a steel mill from bargaining to sell their steel?
do they think they have the right to tell wallmart “you have no right to bargain for the goods you sell, you will pay what the supplier wants you to pay
these republicans think what’s fine for business is not fine for people, they are corporatists and do thier bidding even when it means lowering the standard of living for americans”
there, turn their own rhetoric against them and go with it, watch their heads explodemundo
Nicely done! I bet they wouldn’t like that ruby slipper on their feet. Nope!
After a nearly two million casualties, trillions of dollars of debt, tens of thousands of PTSD cases, has a sigle positive thing been accomplished by the misadventures in Iraq and Afghanistan?
Answer: no. And yet, the wars continue so the president can be victorious in the next election.
a no-bid, no-recourse sale of the state university football stadium to anyone of the governor’s choosing.
Fixed it for ya, Rick.
I’m thinking he is gonna run on bringing the troops home.
Again!
perris, the Supreme Court has ruled that corporations are persons. If that logic holds water, shouldn’t unions be considered as persons as well, with all the same rights that apply to corporations?
Good morning all.
His drone attacks are continuinng. Will he bring the dead back as well?
I wonder if somewhere back in time there is a family connection between my family and WI State Sen Lena Taylor as my father’s older sister was also Lena Taylor.
Taylor is a quite common name but I don’t think Lena is an especially common name for folks (outside the known cousins who are named Lena in my family)
democrcynow: U.S. arms deals prohibited to states that violate human rights. Hmmmm. We’ll have to do something about that PDQ. Can’t let human rights interfere with commerce. That would violate corp rights.
Good Morning, e
I finally got around to reading the rest of the comments on yesterday’s swim. I just wanted to tell you that I appreciated your question/comment about some folks here who put down people who aren’t as knowledgeable about politics as some FDL pups are. I actually had a conversation yesterday with the same reasoning. Working with the poor and homeless is giving me quite a new perspective. I spent some time talking yesterday to a lady who lives in her car with her three dogs. Some guys who live in a homeless camp. Eye opening for me.
It’s quite a hit, being able to negotiate only wages (limitations there, absent a referendum), without fringe benefits or working conditions on the table. Does this set a template for other states to follow? Probably so.
This episode has also honed a focus on “Senate busting” methods to go hand in hand with union busting. There’s probably a checklist in the making, a rogue’s gallery or witches brew — which do you prefer?.
Years ago Texas Gov Perry thought up cancelling state-issued credit cards held by legislators fleeing to OK and NM. The consequences were untenable and they came home.
Now the WI Senate will require members absent for two days to get their pay by paper check on the floor in session. The Senator has to be there in person. Bye bye, no quorum.
Lacking direct deposit, and holding a dead gov’t credit card, a Senator would have to be independently wealthy or have a benefactor to help out. Maybe a union could donate some for expenses in IL — but to pay a mortgage or auto loan? Where is this going now?
SCOTUS has ruled that corporations have all of the rights of individuals with apparently none of the responsibilities. And that’s just the way people like the
DukeKoch brothers like it.I just read yesterday that the reason the US does not have full diplomatic relations with Libya is because Libya would not agree to buy arms from us. The quote to that effect was from Obama.
No big. Something tells me that won’t apply to Israel, (or any of our “allies” in the “war on terror”.
They wouldn’t be the same Koch brothers that are bribing Clarence Thomas, would they?
You might do a little genealogy research and see what you turn up.
Good morning, all. Won’t watch that video clip because I don’t want to start off the day with Lawrence O’D.
Thanks…well said.
Morning, Molly
If it helps, the Senator does most of the talking and she makes some very good points.
I’m trying to figure out if the rest of us will now have the same rights as corporations. Especially in regards to taxes. I mean I have some equipment here that has really depreciated. I also have two vehicles that should fall under an expense account.
Oh yeah, and the utilities are something else!
I guess I need to start an income and expense ledger for everything.
*g*
Also read Nickle & Dimed. I kinda know what goes on in the working poor bc I’ve been lucky enough to have cleaning women over the years. They have been, to a person, very responsible, well organized, highly efficient people, women I admire. But that also often puts them into the position of being the best functioning person in extended families who are beset with all kinds of problems of the poor: legal, medical, and just the normal slings & arrows of regular life when one is living on the edge. Under those circumstances, what to many would be a slight setback, can be catastrophic for the working poor.
Thus, the women who have worked for me have to interrupt their lives (and mine) to help the relative in trouble.
It’s heartbreaking & I find categorizing such people as sheeple is intolerable.
The people you are now working with are quite in another, even worse off, category & blessings to you for your efforts.
But I think all humans should be regarded with dignity and tolerance, and not be denigrated just bc political activism is not high up on their agendas.
(((demi)))
Nothing is quite so humbling than listening to those less fortunate than ourselves. There is a true nobility of spirit among those with less.
Thanks for all you do and sharing your perspective with us all.*g*
According to Daily Kos just this morning, 8% unemployment is just dandy….because then Obama wins.
I’m glad I haven’t had breakfast yet.
Hi, Hon.
I’m supposed to give only three breads to each client, but I gave some extras to the lady for her dogs.
I’m learning what is appropriate to say or avoid saying to certain people. We were out of sliced bread and I was suggesting to the homeless guys that they could take a loaf of unsliced and cut it with a knife. They told me, Lady, we don’t have knives at the homeless camp.
Yep. It looks like I’ll be getting some very first hand experience in being homeless soon. Should be humbling. I’ll write it up if I ever become solvent again.
That is so sad. America should not have this. I know, I know. It just tears me up.
Wow, demi, an eye opener to be sure, your new job.
If I follow through (and I intend to!) on my as-yet vague notion of traveling to help at one of those free medical clinics, I’m sure my eyes will be opened wide, too. I’ve lived all of my adult life comfortably — money was pretty tight sometimes, but I’ve never been homeless or destitute — and I’ve always had employer-paid health insurance, either mine or my husband’s when I was married. I can’t imagine not being able to afford to tend to one’s health needs.
I have to say that I’m really enjoying the work quite a lot. The staff and most of the volunteers are a sheer pleasure to be around. The food distribution is only open Tuesday, Thursdays and Fridays, but I’m going in today with several boxes of books. There’s a bookcase right next to the bread line. :) I’m going to phone some local libraries to see if I can get them to donate some books. Especially childrens books.
I keep hoping something will break for you, Margaret. Even though I only know you through your writings on FDL, I can tell you have lots of ability.
I’m already very clear on that aspect of joblessness. Certainly makes one appreciate the value of prevention where possible.
I have the highest hopes that doesn’t happen. But, don’t forget that libraries have ‘puters.
Above 50 year old women are among the hardest hit demographic in this recession. I guess it’s even worse for 50 year old transgender women, though I doubt anybody has kept track of those numbers.
You are not the only one! Same here, and hubby is type II with all his injections having to come out of his UI benefits. We have little left over to do much of anything with.
Thanks but if that happens, computer access is going to be one of the least of my worries.
You’re going to love it too, I just know. Too bad you would have to travel so far. Maybe you can find something closer?
Actually, women of all ages have been hit hard. The food prices going up with no income increases, or loss of jobs has served a rotten dish to families. It is extremely hard to manage a family and feed them in these conditions. I’m very happy that my children are not school aged now.
I’ve witnessed with my own eyes how schools deal with children that are less wealthy in our district. It is shameful what they put those kids and their parents through.
I’m hip! Wish I could help you guys out! And Obama and Holder just let them get off scott free. Too busy looking forward, not back I suspect. If I stole something to eat from a convenience store, I’d do jail time but if I’m rich enough to crash the economy while making obscene profits doing so, all is forgiven. How can anybody justify that?
Maybe Gov Walker should consider putting in a few hours at a place like MEND before he starts distributing lay off notices next week.
Texas is busy gutting those programs. Feed your own damn kids! How conservatives can call themselves “Christian” is beyond me. I guess it’s easy when your savior has been dead for two thousand years and now his teachings are open to interpretation.
You can’t and neither can they! That is what our problem is in the US. We have open and clear usurption of our government and laws, but not one legal scholar or attorney is willing to stand up and do a damn thing about it!
Morning BT & Firepups of Fire:
Robert Scheer has an interesting take on the Huffpo-AOL merger.
And just for fun, someone sent me this. I’m pretty sure it’s not special effects.
Sorry for the poor sourcing info- either BBC World or Al Jazeera-English- but I heard yesterday that British PM David Cameron has taken arms dealers with him on his trip to Egypt. What a twisted world we’re living in.
I think that kind of service should be mandatory for running for office. After all, doctors are required to spend some time in hospitals observing and folding sheets and stuff. Lawyers have to sit in courtrooms to get their required time in. Why shouldn’t politicians be forced to actually serve the people before being qualified to run for office? Excellent idea demi!
Sorry, my entry at #42 was supposed to reply to your #14.
Yeah, we’ll add that to the finance reform bill.
Did anyone happen to witness this dingbat on WJ this morning? If there’s a shortage of Kool Aid in Ohio, I’m pretty sure she’s the reason why…
Right? :
((hugs and kisses, sister)) I’m without an income, too, at the mo and just bought a lottery ticket. I’m imagining how good and socially responsible i would be (i’d give not only to my nominal place of worship, but everyone’s, of all faiths, too! Then, i’d build myself a really socially responsible green home. See God? Choose me!)
Then i start wondering if this is a game, where i have to learn my strenghths to get to the next level. Well, i am learning how to overcome bouts of depression! And becoming socially active! Is this enough?
((more hugs and kisses, and comfort all around))
I find it increasingly irritating that in all this union-busting miasma, almost no one is articulating the primary reasons that we’re in this mess…The bankers stole $Trillions and we’ve got two pointless, idiotic wars going on that are chewing up $Hundreds of millions per month. Just way too obvious…
Raymond Davis story up on democracynow.
that is BRILLIANT!
If this is a game, then we’re the pawns, (expendable). Yep. I’m learning how to keep going despite crippling, overpowering, omnipresent stress.
Thanks, J. To be honest, I’m receiving more than I’m giving.
On edit: PS, I’m thinking about doing a Food Sunday Diary about my work.
http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/105000829.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_presidential_election,_2008
I’ve been doing some arithmetic and I am amazed that Democrats ever have the attention span to win an election.
John McCain, in 2008, got 130,000 more votes than either Scott Walker or Ron Johnson (who defeated Feingold) did in 2010, and John McCain lost Wisconsin by 400,000 votes to Obama.
Turnout in Wisconsin’s Senate race was slightly higher than the gubernatorial race, and still was down 824,700 from the Presidential election. 824,700 is 25% of the registered voters in Wisconsin.
Another excellent idea! :)
I better quit while I’m ahead, then.
Off to get something accomplished, even if it’s just finishing the book I’m currently reading.
Hope everyone one has a healthy day.
Unions can’t be real persons, because they have real people in them. Everyone knows that. A corporation is a balance sheet. Now that’s a real person.
You forgotten about liveable wage jobs produceing the goods we use every day.
One more thing…I’ll share something that one of the volunteers said to me on break yesterday. You ladies tell me what you think.
Fred said to me “I bet you were a real knock out when you were younger.” I didn’t know if I should kiss him or slap him. *g*
Which ones are they? Israel seems the only one we’ve got left. Thank God for that. Without their nuclear umbrella, where would would be in the face of all those ‘terrists’?
New post up top…
Could Morning Joe get any lamer? What is Mika Brzezinski’s role on the show supposed to be? She acts like Alan Colmes.
Sorry, went off to get a bite of breakfast. Yes, of course I will look for local opportunities here, but I was really inspired by what I saw happening at those clinics when KO showed them.
Attending church doesn’t make you a Christian any more than standing in a garage makes you a car.
He’s a pig.
I don’t see how. Mika’s own dad called them both “astonishingly shallow” once.
I’m aware but they wear it on their sleeves like a badge. If I was a Christian, I’d be pissed but maybe actual Christians would be more forgiving.
It seems to become even more of a putrid cesspool (who thought that was even possible?) since Comcast took over.
We need A meme/framing/slogan that requires only 30 words and can be abbreviated for a sign in 9 to 10 words – the attention span of the voter is not long enough to read a full sentence.
Meanwhile to the excellent example in the article (esp. the every shareholder agree on a political contribution) why not add “Restore US Sovereignty – Out of WTO Trade”.
I note that the WTO prevents the US from reinstating Glass-Steagall…the WTO rules require deregulation – and lock-in – of financial services that countries “liberalize” under WTO rules …in Britain the Financial Services Authority (FSA – went into effect in 1999) is clear that the Brits follow the above rule.
The U.S. should withdraw from the World Trade Organization, while it still has some semblance of sovereignty. Meanwhile the Korea Trade agreement that trades open market for cars for limited beef exports – the standard colony arrangement where resources are exported and finished goods imported – only with the US as colony – needs to be killed. Indeed US business support should be seen as a “tell” because US Business is not US – Apple has 30,000 workers in the US and employs via a sub-contractor 1 million persons in China. Our “US” businesses are all Asian (and other countries) and the trade agreements reflect Asian (and other countries) interests – not US interests.
A 10% VAT picks up $400 billion in just the tariff effect – and a 2.2 trillion Federal tax system sure could use that money – indeed that is again a $4 trillion fix over 10 years – just like returning to the Clinton tax rates is a $4 trillion fix. Meanwhile little NPR and PBS are the best the GOP can do in the way of cuts – pathetic.
Talking Heads of the Progressives all of msnbc and alan combs of fox with the actions of the elected Democrats in 2009 and 2010 are the reasons the Republicans won and will win.Alan Combs does more to get on the edge fox viwers to vote agenst democrats than any of the fox host.Same with all of msnbc host.Only one radio host that brings up the fact that we need a liveable min.wage.A liveable Min. wage.A Tax placed on goods being shiped into the USA that covers the expense of the Un and Under-Employed thats the protest thats needed all across the USA.
No doubt Joe and Phil approve of the changes. I doubt Mika would notice if the studio was on fire.
Mika is there as an example to the rest of us female-types; to be seen and not heard.
I think that your source as it backwards, so to speak, as Obama inherited full diplomatic relations. In 2006 the USA restored full diplomatic relations, but not military export clearance.
But the French recently sold 14 Rafale planes to Libya – so I’m not sure they need us for “military export”.
A practical example that vagina = shallow idiocy?
Please listen to the tape. Walker is already going at the missing Dem legislators from the perspective that acceptance of any funds from the unions for their out of state living expenses is a violation of ethics. He plainly stated that the attorney general is looking into the matter. By not depositing their checks he’s hoping to starve them back into Wisconsin.
http://motherjones.com/mojo/2011/02/scott-walker-koch-brother-crank-call-wisconsin