Posted on 01/25/2012 2:32:36 PM PST by EBH
With Republican-controlled Indiana on the verge of becoming a "right to work" state, Democrats in the state House on Tuesday took the only step they have left to prevent it, if only for a bit longer. They disappeared. Again.
A final vote on the measure, which would bar union contracts from requiring nonunion members to pay fees for representation, had been expected Tuesday in the House, which Republicans dominate, 60-40.
But with scores of union members and supporters filling the Statehouse halls in Indianapolis in protest, most Democrats refused to turn up for floor sessions -- not once, but twice on Tuesday afternoon.
The absences, only the latest in a series of absences and fierce partisan debate over the issue during the state's legislative session, meant that Republicans did not have enough members on the floor to do business; 67 representatives are required.
And so -- with the national spotlight soon to descend on Indianapolis for the Super Bowl, and with the tense standoff only rising among lawmakers and protesters -- Indiana finds itself at the center of a fight over the role of unions and their power, not unlike the issues that boiled over last year in Ohio and Wisconsin.
Republicans say the "right to work" legislation would allow workers who do not wish to support unions not to be forced to do so, and would entice new businesses to move to Indiana, which would be the first state in more than a decade to approve such a provision.
(Excerpt) Read more at post-gazette.com ...
It is through the house and on to the senate.
The original aritcle was written at 12am, vote passing was around 5pm.
This should be illegal. If I left work because I just didn’t feel like doing stuff my boss wanted me to do, I’d get fired.
Start the fines.
Yep, reminds me of a teenager having a temper tantrum and slamming doors and such (I was one such teen, thankfully my children 99.9% of the time are not...LOL).
They claim that “democracy” is refusing to participate in our legislative process? What could be more Democratic than voting along with other officials who were ELECTED by the public - not appointed by some bureaucracy. You can either participate, or go home and find another way to try to change your world but not as a legislator. You can’t possibly pretend to be representing anyone by refusing to participate at all.
Attendance can be compelled and fines can be instituted. I suggest $1000 per Rat per day.
Whether we like it or not, the fact is the these Democrats were elected, and presumably acting on the wishes of their voters. If not, they will be out next election.
Finally!
In the online game world, I call it:
“Rage Pout” when the individual stays silent (or changes chat room if you’re in voice comm) hoping to get someone to beg them to speak or to come back..
“Rage Quit” if they leave your group/party hoping for someone to beg them to come back..
Fits quite well in this instance too ;)
So . . . . . . . . if you don't like the democratic process that you claim to represent, you just run away to avoid it??
That is such a great idea!!! And, it is the reason that Democraps always lose support every time they pull this crap.
Is that the same time when they locked the Repubs out?
A few days ago I was listening to Frank Beckmann interview Rick Snyder.
Snyder said he didn’t want to see a RTW bill on his desk this year.
The inference was that there was enough change at present to concentrate on implementing without adding RTW to the mix.
You know, if they just wouldn’t come back...
Snyder may not want it but he’ll sign it if it lands on his desk.
Why can’t these bass-turds be recalled?
I think that was their idea. Remember ...we were sending Pizza to the House floor while they filibustered in an technically empty chamber!
As Congress Recesses, Republicans Protest
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/08/01/politics/main4316334.shtml
Boehner: GOP Has Pelosi on the Run
By Steven T. Dennis
Roll Call Staff
Aug. 11, 2008, Midnight
Republican leaders are vowing to continue through the August recess their daily protests on the House floor to demand votes on oil drilling, believing that they have struck a chord with a public fed up with high gas prices and Congressional gridlock and have Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) on the run.
http://www.rollcall.com/issues/54_19/-27367-1.html
Vote without them and pass a law to have them thrown in jail if they ever come home.
This government the USA has today is pathetic..
It’s like watching a daycare full of 4 year olds fighting over the same toy.. running off and pouting when they don’t get their way.
Or, better yet, not getting the candy they are crying, kicking, and screaming for mom and dad to give them.. then running off and pouting... I think both describe the govt. we have today :/
We need DRASTIC change.. and the sooner the better.
yes it passed the house
it has to pass the senate also and they are the ones on the lam
The Indiana Senate has already passed RTW. The House version goes to them soon. It is similar to Senate version so it should pass the Senate without a problem and then on to Gov.
I watch a Democrat rep jogging every morning. I want to shout out to him to get to the State House. Should I give him a holler?
When he fled to Illinois last year, I sent an email telling him to return to work.
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