Posted on 04/24/2011 1:24:42 AM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
Wisconsin unions have every right to go after Gov. Scott Walker and oppose his agenda to strip most collective bargaining rights from public sector unions.
But, because Walker just took office in January, they'll have to bide their time and wait until late next fall before they can start collecting signatures on recall petitions.
We saw the crowds outside the state Capitol last month and witnessed some of the heartfelt anger over Walker's plans. And we saw counterprotests, too, with heartfelt support for the hefty changes that Walker says are needed to balance the state's fiscal books both now and in the future.
Republicans say it's a done deal - the vote was taken last November.
Democrats and labor unions say "not by a long shot." Their anger channeled into the recent state Supreme Court race and turned what should have been an easy win for an incumbent over an unheralded and little-known challenger into the tightest high court race in the state's history.
That's where these political disputes should be decided - at the polls.
But in recent weeks, we have been dismayed to see Democrats and their union allies try to extend the fight from the polling place to, first, local businesses and more recently charitable fundraisers. Since they can't immediately get Walker into a net, they're widening it to wage political war against individuals who have made political contributions to his campaign.
It is an ill-conceived, ham-handed and thuggish strategy that can only backfire and cost the unions and Democrats support.
We have only to look to Union Grove, here in Racine County, for evidence of that. Last month, representatives of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees went around to small businesses in Union Grove and asked them to display pro-union signs in their windows. Some did, but those that didn't soon got a follow-up letter from AFSCME saying failure to put the union sign in their window would result in a boycott. Ah, the steel pipe in a velvet glove - please, or else.
When the Union Grove attempt became public, it did indeed create a backlash. and state union leaders quickly backed away from the tactic, laying it off to "some overzealousness in the field."
But no sooner had the Union Grove sign flap died down when we read that some of the union supporters and Democrats are trying to put Johnsonville bratwurst on the spit - not the grill - because some of the companies' executives have made political contributions to the Walker campaign over the past six years.
Not only have they been urging a store boycott of Johnsonville bratwurst purchases, but they have targeted Madison's World's Largest Brat Fest, an annual four-day fundraiser that this year is expected to pass the $1 million mark in the money it has raised for 120 local charities there.
For several years, Johnsonville has donated brats - thousands of brats. This year it has committed to sending 150,000 brats to the fundraiser at no charge. About 4,500 volunteers from the charities serve and help at the event, and they are "paid" $9 an hour - which goes to their nonprofit.
Now, the City of Madison has given approval for an alternate brat fundraiser at a city park. They say they will also donate to charities.
So what has been an upbeat annual fundraiser will now have a bitter political aftertaste.
Individuals have a right to contribute to the campaigns of whomever they choose. They should be able to do it without jeopardizing their livelihoods, their shops, the well-being of their employees - and especially fundraising efforts for charities.
The political fight over Walker's agenda rightfully belongs at the polls. That's where it should be waged. To try to drag businesses, shop owners, charities and other workers unwillingly into the fray does not serve Wisconsin or its people. Such tactics should be repudiated by Democrats, their union allies and Republicans alike.
It is also possible to wage political battles by smashing peoples faces in, regardless of the poll date.
Just trying to be helpful.
Already happening here in Ohio with our passage of SB5, a law very similar to Wisconsin’s.
Stocking up on Johnsonville brats here.
It had to start somewhere. Spending has to be reined in.
Scott Walker got elected to do the job a, and he is doing it.
The author doesn’t seem to realize that the unions are not engaging in thugary as a tactic. They’re engaging in thugary because that’s what they are. The unions, big organized labor, are part of the Mafia. My Dad’s union kept a couple of heavies around the hall in case somebody called in and said, “Hey, there’s scabs workin’ the power plant job.” Thugs got dispatched, scabs got hurt.
After reading the article, I get the impression that the “union” is having a competing “fundraiser/brat festival”?
If so, I wonder which one will draw more people. I know which one I’d go to. And I can’t imagine that people who are paid to NOT WORK will actually donate their time!
Went to the grocery store yesterday to get a bunch of brats for the family. Couldn’t find more than 3 packages. Store employee (UFCW) said, “That’s all the wholesaler sent.”
I’m skeptical.
Thanks for reminding me! Johnsonville’s for the crowd this
afternoon at the ranch.
Perhaps you should have asked to see the manager...
Screw the ‘brats’. It’s ‘Lock and load’, boys and girls.
(Don’t foget to fix bayonets, too!)
Screw the ‘brats’. It’s ‘Lock and load’, boys and girls.
(Don’t foget to fix bayonets, too!)
I think doing business with companies who support freedom and liberty and not doing so with those who don’t is the ultimate in freedom of expression.
What is a Brat? Who is John Galt?
I think doing business with companies who support freedom and liberty and not doing so with those who don’t is the ultimate in freedom of expression.
What is a Brat? Who is John Galt?
I’m guilty of this mindset myself, and proud. To the extent I know the politics of local merchants, I don’t do business with the Leftists. Likewise, I pulled the family money out of BOA a while ago and put it into institutions I know are run by more sensible, conservative people.
I suspect the store employee was too lazy to get more brats for you. After all, why work for your wages...?
Haven’t shopped for brats lately, but the season is upon us, I guess. Waiting for the weather to change. Hope to play 9 holes Thursday. I finished building my irons and can’t wait to play them.
Been out 3 times already. I’m hoping to play in Mittengan this weekend.
/highjack
Where’s Mittengan?
The only thing that keeps a strike from being considered a mass resignation, is the union's ability to use sabotage and violence to prevent replacement workers having production proceed without them. Without violence and thuggery, and government backing to ALLOW violence and thuggery, unions would cease to exist.
thanks 2ndDivisionVet.
Are you An Essential Government Employee Qustionnaire
National Lampoon
http://nationallampoon.com/articles/are-you-an-essential-government-employee-answer-these-questions-to-find-out
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