Unions and the Wisconsin Governor

[Townsend]

Right now, in this state, our legislature is debating tort reform measures that if enacted could literally flip the light switch off in our civil courtrooms. But your more outraged over what is happening in Wisconsin?

Different thread. 
They're also blowing off alcohol laws again.  (Different thread) 
They're also pushing through our ability to wear visible side arms because that's important for us to be able to do.
I'm sure, without looking, they're pushing through some seriously dumbassed thing about religion that they know will cause more lawsuits.


You're right, we should talk about those things.  On a different thread.

[guido911]

Walker says layoff notices will begin going out tomorrow.

http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/117325998.html

In the article, one AWOL senator tried to collect his paycheck by having someone else pick it up. Didn't work.

[heironymouspasparagus]

Guido, is YOUR ox gonna get gored on this tort reform stuff??

Well, again, people voting against their best interest.

[guido911]

Guido, is YOUR ox gonna get gored on this tort reform stuff??

Well, again, people voting against their best interest.

Not at all. I spend most of my time in federal court litigating civil rights cases (not tort cases). The smaller cases I handle, generally for people who do not have much and who I just want to help, would likewise not be affected.

[nathanm]

What's "extreme" about it? The fact that some PEU members will not be able to collectively bargain.

Yes, the elimination of collective bargaining rights is a far right wing position. They're already barred from striking, so what purpose does it serve?

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2011-02-22-poll-public-unions-wisconsin_N.htm

(Hint: The independents are not enthused about limiting collective bargaining rights either)

[guido911]

Different thread. 
They're also blowing off alcohol laws again.  (Different thread) 
They're also pushing through our ability to wear visible side arms because that's important for us to be able to do.
I'm sure, without looking, they're pushing through some seriously dumbassed thing about religion that they know will cause more lawsuits.


You're right, we should talk about those things.  On a different thread.

I was simply pointing out Nate's poor prioritizing of his outrages.

[guido911]

This is frakin hilarious.

http://www.wlsam.com/Article.asp?id=2125748&spid

[RecycleMichael]

Really?

You think having cops tackle a legislator is "frakin hilarious"?

You have lost all sense lately.

[Hoss]

Really?

You think having cops tackle a legislator is "frakin hilarious"?

You have lost all sense lately.

Lately?

[Breadburner]

Really?

You think having cops tackle a legislator is "frakin hilarious"?

You have lost all sense lately.

Pot meet Kettle....

[RecycleMichael]

Walker adds new tax breaks for campaign contributors...

http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/blog/2011/03/walker-exempt-prefab-homes-veg-oil.html

Gov. Scott Walker's budget bill, which he says ultimately will boost Wisconsin's economy, shows a couple tax breaks for seemingly obscure segments of the state's economy: prefab homes and vegetable oil or animal fat that's converted to motor vehicle fuel.

Under the category "other tax," the bill Walker presented to state legislators Tuesday calls for exempting from state and local sales and use taxes "modular and manufactured homes that are sold in this state, but used outside this state."

The bill notes that Wisconsin already exempts from those taxes certain kinds of aircraft, motor vehicles and truck bodies that are sold in the state but used outside Wisconsin.

This would appear to be a stimulus for Wausau Homes and other purveyors of prefab homes in Wisconsin, but Walker gives no explanation for the tax break.

Another "other tax" Walker wants to exempt is state and local sales and use taxes on vegetable oil or animal fat, providing that the oil or fat will be converted into motor vehicle fuel that, in turn, is exempt from motor vehicle fuel taxes. The motor vehicle fuel Walker refers to is only that used by an individual in his or her personal motor vehicle.

Exemptions like these can create holes in the state's sales-tax policy that can be confusing and, of course, reduce tax revenue, Todd Berry of the Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance told me. He said he didn't know why Walker included these in his budget bill.

"There's probably some kind of interest group fingerprint," he said.

Why, it turns out that the PreFab company Wausau homes gave the Governor $5,000 and the Koch Brothers have a biodeisel firm in Wisconsin.

Governor Walker is going to turn out to be the crookedest politician of the year.

[guido911]

Really?

You think having cops tackle a legislator is "frakin hilarious"?

You have lost all sense lately.

Yep.  Do yourself a favor and go to Democratic Underground and see how they are responding. I know it won't make you laugh, but it did me. Here is a link to a story discussing what happened and why.

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/raw-video-police-tackle-lawmaker-trying-to-bolt-into-wisconsin-capitol/

Perhaps if the protesters had not been acting like slobs and jack@sses, and union members across the country were not threatening people, the need to close the state house for cleaning would not have been necessary.

And again, get over yourself. You have been a real baby over this WISCONSIN issue.

[RecycleMichael]

If it is just a WISCONSIN issue, why do you think the national media have covered it for three weeks straight, every night?

I think this is the re-awakening of the democrats. We were complacent with electing a black man in the White House and forgot that the party fights for other causes. Civil rights, women's equality, the right to organize, education, affordable health care, etc. are all in the party's mission.

You seem opposed to each of these things. Clearly, the republican party seems mostly opposed to each of these measures as well. 

This conflict in Wisconsin will be remembered as a fire that ignited democrats across America.

This coverage and I believe ultimate conclusion will find both democrats enthused and independents tilted toward the party that cares about these issues. You just wait till November next year.

Go ahead and call us names, post your right-wing blogger opinions, and when you have no answers to try and switch the subject. Your words appear desparate and your hero in the Wisconsin Governor's office a criminal for his actions. 

[guido911]

Seriously? Bomb threats now?

http://www.piercecountyherald.com/event/article/id/33730/

[Gaspar]

If it is just a WISCONSIN issue, why do you think the national media have covered it for three weeks straight, every night?

I think this is the re-awakening of the democrats. We were complacent with electing a black man in the White House and forgot that the party fights for other causes. Civil rights, women's equality, the right to organize, education, affordable health care, etc. are all in the party's mission.

You seem opposed to each of these things. Clearly, the republican party seems mostly opposed to each of these measures as well. 

This conflict in Wisconsin will be remembered as a fire that ignited democrats across America.

This coverage and I believe ultimate conclusion will find both democrats enthused and independents tilted toward the party that cares about these issues. You just wait till November next year.

Go ahead and call us names, post your right-wing blogger opinions, and when you have no answers to try and switch the subject. Your words appear desparate and your hero in the Wisconsin Governor's office a criminal for his actions. 

Otter: Germans?
Boon: Forget it, he's rolling.