Wisconsin Showdown Pits Unions Against Taxpayers

IBD Editorials ^ | June 1, 2012 | Editor

[Kaslin]

Labor Vs. Taxpayers: Public-sector unions have had it their way for decades. That will change — and not just in one state — if Scott Walker survives Tuesday's recall vote.

Does Wisconsin matter? To hear some recent spin from Barack Obama's campaign, not as much as you would think.

Voters there on Tuesday will be deciding the political fate of Republican Gov. Walker, along with lieutenant governor and four state senators, in the state's first-ever statewide recall election. The combatants have spent an estimated $60 million so far. It looks to us like a mighty big deal, with big implications for national politics.

But Obama's deputy campaign manager, Stephanie Cutter, said the recall will have no bearing on the presidential election.

"This is a gubernatorial race with a guy who was recalled and a challenger trying to get him out of office," she sold MSNBC. "It has nothing to do with President Obama at the top of the ticket, and it certainly doesn't have anything to do with Mitt Romney at the top of the Republican ticket."

That's literally true, but misleading. Romney and Obama aren't on Tuesday's ballot, but let's not pretend this vote is just a sideshow. It's the nation's second most significant election this year. If the presidency isn't directly at stake on Tuesday, the future of organized labor is. Likewise for the Democratic Party, which depends on union money and members to win elections.

The election to recall Walker and his GOP allies is about one issue — collective bargaining for public employees. You can tune out everything else on the list of alleged sins that the Republicans have committed. If they had left the public-sector unions alone, none of this would be happening.

[Lurker]

If Obama loses Wisconsin he’s done.

[afraidfortherepublic]

Wisconsin: Unions vs Walker — IBD Editorial

FReep Mail me if you want to be on, or off, this Wisconsin interest ping list.

[elpadre]

I have always felt that when a public union organizes they are organizing against the taxpayer, and IMO since they are making a labor contract in which the taxpayer has no say, it must be contrary to the Constitution. Where am I going wrong?

[Elsiejay]

“Where am I going wrong?”

You’re not. The union’s interests are represented on both sides of the bargaining table in the case of public employee unions; on one side by negotiators delegated by the union leadership (possibly with members’votes of endorsement), and on the other side, at some meaningful level of responsiblity for allocation of public funds, public office holders that are to one extent or another beholden to unions that contributed funds to their election campaigns.

[dogcaller]

Collective bargaining is the public face of this union conspiracy to take down a duly elected governor...the real reason for this is the elimination of automatic dues witholding. The union hacks know that many members will not voluntarily feed the beast.

[ATOMIC_PUNK]

Tennessee Football Coach fired for making Obama so

http://video.staged.com/dtglobal59/tennessee_football_coach_fired_for_making_obama_so

[DakotaRed]

When were unions ever for taxpayers, especially public unions?

We see that unfolding in Washington State as for the fourth tie, voters overwhelmingly approved a 2/3 requirement for the state legislature to increase taxes.

Unions and some Democrats filed a lawsuit against the initiative with a lone Superior Court judge ruling the clearly stated voice of the people was “unconstitutional” just yesterday.

http://www.columbian.com/news/2012/may/30/tax-initiative-ruled-unconstitutionaljudge-decides/

All the public unions care about is squeezing others for their own gain.

[maine-iac7]

But Obama's deputy campaign manager, Stephanie Cutter, said the recall will have no bearing on the presidential election.

"This is a gubernatorial race with a guy who was recalled...

"who WAS RECALLED???

[hoosierham]

Even FDR was opposed to public unions.THAT is pretty telling.

[gonzo]

You’re right!! ................................................. FRegards

[Wisconsinlady]

“If Obama loses Wisconsin he’s done.”

If Wisconsin loses Walker, the U.S. of A. is done.

[Mountain Mary]

I agree, WL. He’s ours and the country can’t have him(for now anyway). We need Walker here in our state to continue to do good things.
Let the GOP find there own stellar candidates. Oh wait..They have Mittens. Face palm.

[Mountain Mary]

Stephanie Cutter,,,,

Is that hag still around?

[Wisconsinlady]

http://www.commentarymagazine.com/2012/06/01/wisconsin-union-membership-tanks/

The state’s second-largest union, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, had membership fall to 28,745 in February from 62,818 in March 2011, the Journal said Thursday. The organization’s Afscme Council 24, composed of state workers, fell more than two thirds to 7,100 from 22,300 last year.

[rockrr]

"This is a gubernatorial race with a guy who was recalled and a challenger trying to get him out of office," she sold MSNBC.

Freudian slip perhaps? ;-)

[sickoflibs]

Screw Romney, Boehner, McConnell and even Paul Ryan. They do nothing for me,

[USFRIENDINVICTORIA]

Where you’re going wrong, is that you’re limiting your scope. Private sector unions often organize against either the taxpayer, the consumer, or both.

For instance, construction unions drive up the cost of contracts for public works — at the expense of the taxpayer.

Auto unions (along with unions in other industries) lobby government for tariffs and other trade barriers. These trade barriers allow the auto companies to pay higher wages to their unionized workforce; and pass the costs on to the consumer.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks Kaslin.

[SunkenCiv]

This will be a short FR day for me.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2890562/posts
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2890583/posts