In some way the AFL-CIO is correct. The culprit is the bailout to Wall Street followed by a stimulus package that helped Wall Street pay off most of the TARP. Result is a huge budget deficit at the federal level that must be closed. Result is cut back in federal aid and states now must cutback. From the state workers viewpoint, they are now the monetary fodder for the Wall Street bailout.
True fiscal conservatives understand the fallacy of bailing out banks and investors who made bad decisions. The budgets and benefits to other citizens are now cut because of it and now it creates rebellion. Conservatives need to tell these union types that we opposed the bailout fearing the problems it will create morally. Why should the middle class be told to suck it up while the super rich on Wall Street gets taxpayer bailouts so they can recover their losses and get bonuses???? This is the same motivation of workers unrest in Greece, and Ireland. Bailing out the banks depleted the tax money and ability to continue to borrow to finance the socialist union pay and pension scheme.
I remember ten years ago fiscal hawks were concern about balancing the budget and eliminate borrowing in order to prevent fiscal collapse and social unrest. Their concerns and social rebellion has become reality today. We are facing a rocky decade similar to the anti war, Civil Rights movement of the 1960’s filled with large demonstrations, riots and even troops killing demonstrators. The left perception is the Tea Party is made up of old white people clinging onto their Medicare/Medicaid, Social Security, and are preventing reform to allow the less fortunate to survive and cheating the young of their benefits. They also feel that the upper 2 percent can pay more in taxes to resolve the budget deficit. Some will accept some cuts with large tax increases on millionaires. The left does not seem to get that the US has already blown itself up financially, even if the gov seized everyone’s assets, we cannot pay down the total debt and obligations that is equal to 7 to 10x our entire GDP.
IMHO the only way out is dictatorship. That is how it usually end up when nations implode and quick action is needed to save us. Just look how our Congress cannot even agree to 6 billion in cuts out of a 3.5 trillion budget, how are we going to make 100 billion in cuts???!!!! Only way is put freedom on hold and install a strongman.
Dictator? We already have Obamalini.