the only larger numbers your voting in is your waist sizes

I'll give you a do over on that response. Your kind likes that kind of stuff.

Agree, 100%, Steve!

Let's see, recall supporters "bang on their drums and protest and cry for more government hand outs" but Tea Partiers' and recall supporters' rallies are different how, precisely? The only difference I perceive is that recall supporters show up in tens of thousands.

And please explain what specific "government hand outs" you are referring to that recall supporters were "crying" for? If you make an accusation like that you must back it up, otherwise people will think you are just making things up.

Doesn't seem very plausible. I don't think anyone voted for Walker who did not intend to. I am certain that many voted for Falk, Vinehout, and LaFollette who are walker supporters. I almost voted for Falk myself.

Are the Democrats really that confused? They are worse off than I suspected!

Really Greenfield Homeowner? If these people are that stupid they don't deserve a vote!!!

Not much of a thought at that Greenfield Homowner.

jt, now you are telliing us you don't have a dog in the race? Nice spin, but your nose is growing.

LOL playing [0] possum? Like you do when you are supposed to be working a Government job.

@craig, once again, you've proven the ignorant attitude that drives me to vote democrat everytime! you would be better off not speaking if you don't want to make more of us vote democrat. i used to consider myself independant, but people like you have made me lean left.

Are you Bren's sister? Vote democrat every time but still can't come out of the closet but call yourself a moderate independent progressive republican.

jt: Go ahead and vote Democrat, but don't cry to us when your paycheck bounces.

And I know people who voted for Barrett last time, who think its an outrageous abuse to recall a governor after barely 16 months in office, who hasn't had enough time to put his reforms into effect. Furthermore, what did Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch do wrong to deserve a recall? ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!

lolo, you are absolutely right about Rebecca Kleefisch. She has done ABSOLUTELY NOTHING as Lt. Governor. She is taking a nice taxpayer-funded salary and benefits and doing nothing. Her predecessor, Barbara Lawton, was a fantastic champion for Wisconsin, K-12 education, and the economy, working tirelessly, traveling around the state.

In her new ad, Rebecca Kleefisch claims that she "picked up the phone" and convinced an Illinois company to move to Wisconsin. According to Mahlon Mitchell, the story is a fiction. The company was already moving to Wisconsin. Logic suggests that's how she heard about the company. And don't even get me started on her defense of ALEC on Fox. With 13 mega-corporations walking away from that special interest group because of its radicalism, she goes on TV to defend it. Did ALEC lobbyists force her to do it? If so, bad. Is she so clueless that she doesn't realize ALEC is a political "kiss of death" right now? That's almost worse.

Wisconsin can do a lot better than Rebecca Kleefisch and Scott Walker. At least of the two she has the superior academic credentials--a Bachelors in Journalism and Mass Communication (UW). Scott Walker of course has no college degree.

Of course Tom Barrett's undergrad was in economics and he has a law degree. Rather better preparation for high political office, wouldn't you agree?

Lawton was a useless, insipid, worthless do-nothing. And I wouldn't trust Mitchell with anything. Next time, don't take my words out of context.

How can anyone make you vote Democratic? You either have a belief system or you don't. If you can be that easily swayed I wouldn't want you on my team!

my beleif system is one of logic and what is right or wrong. not who donated the most money or who do i have to step on to acheive my goals.

@jt-Sorry the left mosr def does not use logic or common sense to base their idelogy on. That is clearly obvious!!

Free market right in your face, but thanks for wasting millions of my tax dollars on all of these pointless recalls.

sorry steve, i didn't cause the recall. your governor did.

The primary was estimated to cost the taxpayers of this state $9 million dollars. The general election another $9million dollars. THAT is money wasted, all because liberal Democrats wanted a do-over from the 2010 election.
Governor Walker's reforms are working, and jobs will skyrocket when the uncertainty of this nonsense recall is over.
Supposedly 1 million signed the recall petitons. Where were the 400,000 who did NOT vote for their candidate??????????

The lack of personal responsibility is why we don't vote your kind anymore.

Same ol' mantra, "Just wait, the jobs are going to skyrocket soon!" Mean while be content sitting last in the nation for job creation. I'm sure businesses are not hiring when they have a need to hire.

@Keith Best....Obviously you still believe in Santa Claus.

"Crooked governor"? How about crooked unions that are holding the democrat party by the proverbial testicles?

@jt-You really are clueless!! Re-calls should be meant for those who break laws, treason ect. Not because u on the left disagree with democrocy. So plzzzz explain to me how Gov Walker is responsible. Very typical you and your side has NO self responsibility. Its always the fault of the other person. Just as with the current Obama and his administration.

@lol-Absolutely and they dont even get stroked with that. Just their balls squeezed

Careful, your racism is showing.

Nahhh, Biden came up with the strategy. Obama is just the talking head.

@Vicki

You are being far too harsh. The Republicans were merely participating in social redistribution from the "haves" to the "have nots."

Did you get upset about Democrats crossing over and voting for Santorum in the Republican presidential primary? What was the party affiliation of the 19,920 folks who voted for Arthur Kohl-Riggs?

It's a time honored tradition, Vicki. Been going on for years and nobody's been seen goose-stepping down Oakland Avenue in all that time.

We're coming for your children Vicki, I have a sweat shop all set up and ready

@Bob, you believe every voter is either Dem or Rep? It was the middle that decided the election last time & it will be the middle that will be the difference this time. They giveth & they can taketh away.

Walker, no, I was just attempting to assuage Vicki's fear of a Nazi takeover of Shorewood.

@walker

I hope so. I'm one of them.

I vote for Scott Walker!

It's interesting that you mention the Nazi's. In the early 1930's they used the highly organized wing of the party to hold massive public demonstrations, brought the government into an uncompromising deadlock, and triggered additional elections to be held all to cement their power. I hope that doesn't happen again.

@Vicki-Well if that is what you are afraid of you most def had better vote for Gov walker come June. Lets see the democratic process played out in 09 when Gov walker was elected by the people. Yet because a few of you disagreed you went 100% against that very democratic process!!! So you should really look out for your own kind

.... and I thought the Shorewood flavor of the month was Goose -Step-Crunch-Tracks, at both 31 Flavors on Oakland and the Pign'Whistle. You know, White Chocolate Swastikas with a Carmelist filling , Marshmallow Ribbon,Rice Krispies, in the whitest supremist of all vanilla ice creams.

@luke --- right. Your middle would be right of Tommy Thompson. Who would actually be more tolerable than walker.

walker divided this state. the state will stay this way as long as he is governor. things will never get better if he is in there. state workers are always getting bashed. call them lazy well i never heard in the news how firemen said let the house burn don't want to work today. never heard that the snow plow drivers said let them deal with the snow don't want to work today. or a cop say don't want to work today let them deal with the crime on their own. the same goes for the prison workers, i have never read anything like this in the news.
the state workers pay taxes. of the taxes they pay COMES THEIR WAGES. when they get their paycheck THEY GET TAXED AGAIN FOR NEXT WEEKS WAGES. they get taxed twice. maybe there should be a bill brought up that all employers should with hold some of your wages to go towards your next paycheck. sounds fair doesn't it. you all bash the state workers yet you expect them to do the services you want and get. walker himself just admitted that state workers get paid less then private sector. why did walker lie all this time because he wanted you all to hate the state workers until he had to come out and say why he was giving out raises and bonuses to the ones he hired. he said I WAS WORRIED THAT THEY WOULD GO TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR WHERE THEY EARN MORE MONEY. so this A hole that you love so much not only a crook he is one big liar. he is for THE HAVES AND THE HAVE MORE WHO WANTS TO TAKE MORE FROM THOSE THAT HAVE THE LEAST.

linda w- What????????? It's working and most of us are quite happy. Remember, we the people put Walker and the Senators, and Reps in office less than two years ago. We are still the majority and could care less about the fact that the unions are finally have to contribute to recovery like the rest of us.

You are just nuts on how you think public workers get taxed twice. They get taxed like every one else and then they are forced to pay union dues. Their choice, not ours. You have nothing to back up your false claims and are just a pathetic cry baby.

There are plenty out there that would love to have your job, so quit if you think you have it sooooooooooo bad!!!

Linda???? Better look at your paycheck or go to your HR department and have them explain it to you. God help us if you are a teacher and don't understand how your taxes are taken out of your paycheck. Taxed twice? You are wrong on that one.

HAHA Linda is still on the taxed twice kick. Don't waste your time on it guys she won't read any sense in your responses.

Linda you are a crazed goobermint loon, no one is taxing you twice.

Actually, I maintain that the 14 senators who fled to Rockford, and their union backers, divided the state. Walker and his colleagues stayed home and kept the state together. Did the abolitionists divide the country in 1859? No, it was the southern states that seceded and divided the country.
But I do agree with Linda that state workers are taxed twice--first by Uncle Sam and second by the WI DoR. Hold on to your pocketbooks!!!!!

@lolo peeg...It seems that you don't understand the concept of "first cause". No matter how you view it, the governor was the first cause.

Lyle must have taught his children to run from their problems.

Interesting. I don't recall Hilary Clinton running for anything in 2010.

You know he means 2008

I will be at my polling place in June half an hour before it opens. I have never been more motivated to exercise my right to vote.

This is a non-story. Everyone knew who would win this round. It reminds me of Allen Iverson's famous knucklehead quote "We're talking about practice?" I don't understand why the right is so worried, grasping for some sense of hope based on speculation of who voted for who. This round really meant nothing. Both sides are going to have huge turnouts for the real vote and if anyone should be worried, it should be the left. Either way, it's going to be close.

The fact that fireman and police officers -- throw in teachers and nurses for that matter -- are continuing to do their job points more to the character of those people than the character of Walker and the Fitzs who have whipped up hatred towards those groups. There's your adult name calling.

Usually "manning up" means resisting having things like this mining bill shoved down our collective throats for the benefit of one company or one party's campaign coffers.

There was no guarantee that this bill would have created any jobs and is part of the energy industry's collection of various brands of snake oil. But it does provide a means for the drama queens on the right to get all hysterical, for the usual no good reasons.

Keith:

The only 'hatred' toward those groups had to do with those that failed to report to work and instead went to Madison to protest, forcing many schools to close. Schools closed because teachers weren't kind enough to give enough notice that they were going to be absent for the day. Many called in after students were already at school. What does that say about the character of the teachers that chose to engage in that behavior?

We all know who you are Mr Schmitz...you are one to talk about comb-overs with your ever expanding forehead and paunch. We all know who Mr Schmitz is...should I repost the public information?

Keith: We have seen your mug shot, you shouldn't even mention comb-over.
And re: "But hey, if you all want to delude yourselves about this, who am I?"
You seriously do not want to ask that question!

I am happier and I know a lot of people that are happier. So Nick you are dead wrong or are blind to reality. If the election proves this, will you have the balls to live with it?

Nick- I'm neither from the north shore, a plutocrat or rich. I highly doubt you have ever been a Republican and for sure not a Conservative. Nothing facist about a decision that benefits everyone, INCLUDING TEACHERS WHOSE JOBS WERE SAVED!

Interesting, Barrett was posed two questions today: What would you have done differently to balance the budget? And what are you going to moving forward to keep the budget balanced? His response was that this was a political stunt. REALLY MR. BARRETT???? Seems that is what some of you accused Walker of; that he never stated he was going to limit collective bargaining. (Unioncrat lie)

If what you want is somebody that thinks its a political stunt to answer the most basic questions, more power to you.

Nick, the democrats have taken America down the tax and spend road with no progress to show for it for long enough. They have created a class of people who don't want to work, who look for handouts like EBT cards, and take and use them shamelessly. People like me who pay taxes have to watch this flagrant abuse of the safety net and we are expected to shut up and take it? People who see this are fed up, and every day more people are waking up to the facts. And I for one am proud that in Wisconsin, we have leaders like Gov. Walker, Rep. Paul Ryan, Sen. Ron Johnson, and others who are leading the struggle to return power to those who pay the taxes in this country.

It was already pointed out above that the tactics used by the left are more nearly like the fascists of the 1930s than anything the republicans are doing. And lets add to that the rash of Support Walker signs being burned to the ground in several Milwaukee suburbs.

So if it were a Shorewood democrat it would not be spin? I think not, you can find those blogs on Patch too.
Kinda the nature of a BLOG.

Dear taxpayer--just keep in mind that this is the patch, run by Huffington Post, one of the most virulently anti-Republican "news" outlets in the country.

Give it up Bob, Barrett is going down. Check the Rasmussen poll.

Yeah, just like you tried to bring down Rush Limbaugh, a great American patriot and leader of the "vast right-wing conspiracy". Didn't work, did it???

What's to worry? Voter fraud, that's what. The dems have done it in this state before and they will try to do it again. (Rep. Gwen Moore's son was found to be slashing the tires of Republican vehicles.)

oh good for you ruth! you watch the endless amount of tv commercials brought to all of us by the many out of state anti worker walker sponsors. you really keep informed out there in the boonies! come out of your protected shell and do something on your own. your a grown woman and your church and husband can't really control you can they? i was raised a catholic and i've never seen so much b.s. as what the new wave christian radio channels are spreading.

Hey der Rute

Yah, dem fixes is a workin'. We keep payin' dem taxes and dem fixes keep on a workin'. Yah der Rute, you gotter down der, hey! No shpin or denyin' it der, yah?

On June 5 Walker will win with a larger margin than he did in 2010.

Very true Ruth!

Ruth S. seems to me you are complaining about the same thing you are doing your self by name calling.Seems I heard Walker and the fritz brothers called thugs also.Talking about possible voter fraud Google the republican Mayor race up in Anchorage Alaska and read the articles about what happened up there with the Machines that could be manipulated.Talk about possible republican voter fraud and how they stopped anyone from checking the results.People were turned away because they claimed they had no ballots and were sent to other places that were closed by the time they got there.Just happens to be that the person responsible for distribution of the ballots was a republican from what I read in the Alaskan papers.

@ ruth , i am an in state union worker. your thug references are just the type of rhetoric that i was refering to. and your governor took $4500 or more away from my pay. what would you do?

@jt-Really so your contribution to your pension is not yours? Gov walker took that away? Okay. So what u have to now pay into your health care!!! Welcome to the real world. With the rising cost of health care due to well the left leaning progressives who feel our Government should be responsible for anything, all the fraud that takes place, oh but wait the left says there is no fraud. Hell yes u should have to contribute!!! I work for one of the top Express Freight Companies in this world making excellent wages and give roughly $3800 of my hard earned money towards my health care and 10% towards my retirement. STOP YOUR WHINING

@Patriot -- Welcome to the world where employees bargain in good faith to take less salary in return for better benefits (more fully funded pensions and health insurance) because it saves the employer money, and then has it turned around on them. Gov. Walker couldn't be honest enough to call it a pay cut, which is what it was.

The 'real world' is that private employers are screwing over their employees' compensation all the time to increase their bottom line. We had to get rid of that reminder of the way things used to be for everyone.

@Randy-Lets stick to the facts here Randy. Were not talking about private employers now are we? We are talking about public sector employees basically those employees that I fund!!! So if I fund your salary and pension and benefits then I should have a say in the matter correct? As a public sector worker you have every right to bargain just not for wages or benefits. So welcome to the real world there Randy where most of us contribute to these programs and have for quite some time. As I have said before I work for one of the top employers in the World, excellent job, excellent benefits, great working conditions, NON UNION shop and we contribute to both health care and retirement!!

@ Randy- Again private sector / public sector big difference. Your free to go work for a private sector company that has a union, I have no issues with that at all. Because as I consumer I have a choice wether to use your service or not. Again Randy lets stick to the basis of your claim. Dont confuse private sector with public sector. HUGE HUGE difference.

@Patriot -- You didn't address my point. You continue to focus on pension and healthcare contributions and not total compensation. Be honest enough to call it a pay cut.

Public sector or private sector -- you get what you pay for. And you're free to move to one of those low tax states where the education is poor and the public services even poorer.

@Randy-well because I dont quite get your point!! Just because we pay High Taxes means we have exceptional education? Really then explain why Milwaukee ranks towards the bottom and that was before act 10? Bottom line is if there is not enough coming in sacrifices must be made. Private sector has been contributing to their total compensation package for quite some time. Well for me 26 years and again I work for one of the top rated companys in the world to work for. NON UNION I might add. So what is your point

@Randy-Everyone is struggling, everyone has had to cut back, why should I continue to have to make sacrafices just so you can continue to enjoy a lavish pension and health care? The economy has taken its toll on many of us. Its only fair that you a public sector worker contribute like the majority of us. Because I have had to make drastic cut backs and changes in my life style!! Im not whining about it.

@Randy-The only ones I can recall getting screwed are many airline employees that belonged to a greedy private sector union!! Piss poor management, union management that is as well as corporation management. Also please explain to me why Federal workers do not have collective bargaining rights for wages and benefits? Your gravy train is over Randy!!!

@jt-find a second job if need be. Just as I have worked three jobs at times. Or learn to live within your means!!!

@Patriot -- Let's get one thing straight. I'm not a public sector worker. I've never belonged to a union. Times have gotten hard for me over the past twenty years. I'm a property taxpayer for the most part, and I too am frustrated with the increasing costs of education and the decreasing standards of output. But I don't think it's the fault of the teachers.

It's just a diversion, Patriot, from where the money is really going. Let me hazard a guess - you've had to make cutbacks in your pay and your lifestyle but the CEO of your wonderful company has not.

@Randy- Yes you are correct. But as for my Ceo he has increased my pay every year that I have worked here. Its not the CEO as much as it is the policy makers. Big Government, entitlements, the current admins approach to fossil fuels and coal ect. Regulations put in place for corporations to just do business, the highest corporate tax rate in the world. Come on no one is blaming the teachers!! But you have to admitt the teachers should be held accountable!!! Many were making good money as well and were there for the pay check, the benefits ect. Most who get into the profession of teaching is because they want to teach not for the money!! They still make a good wage and have better benefits than I do. So contributing less than I do, they are still doing very well

@jojobo -- last I checked we live in Wisconsin, not Alaska. Your comments are not relevant here.

And yet you used the term 'union thugs' which is the favorite slur of Rush Limbaugh, and you used the term Kool-aid. This leads one to believe you get your opinions fully digested from Fox News et al.

You also need to understand that the 'out of state overly passionate union officials' have been out-spent ten to one by out of state overly passionate moneyed types. That alone should tell us something about whose interests Scott Walker's policies will favor.

The Unioncrats are a bunch of thugs! Didn't need anything but their behavior to figure that out. Divide and conquer, baby!!!

@ruth sinka...you really think that George Soros is really concerned about Wisconsin. Too small a fish pond.

@Lyle-Yes Mr Soros is involved with the majority of discontent in this world. Since he funds the majority of these so called moveon.org ect. He is behind the BS taking place all around the world. It is his money funding these groups

@Patriot...I know conservatives think that Soros is the "devil incarnate" but in the case of the recall elections I don't see any direct connection as there is with the Koch Brothers with Walker. If you can document a direct connection, I'll retract my statement.

@Lyle-Soros was behind much of the funding for all the chaos in Egypt, Syria, all those countries that were so called protesting the regime. So yes with all the anarchist, marxist, flag waving protestors that stood on Capital Ground last summer, many of those groups were receiving Soro's money.

@Lyle- Soros, Van Jones an admitted communist,
http://www.conservativedailynews.com/2011/02/george-soros-footprint-in-wisconsin/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2rJWVskUtI
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2625790/posts
http://www.discoverthenetworks.org/viewSubCategory.asp?id=589

Soros an admitted marxist/communist!! Thus the you tube video describes Soro's agenda to a tee!!!

Van Jones his top down, bottom up, inside out theory!! Well we the people of this State will not allow that to happen. Gov Walker will prevail and we will defeat the marxist/anarchist/communist left leaning liberal who has stolen the democrat name!! I believe the bible speaks of a wolf in sheeps clothing.

"Soros was behind much of the funding for all the chaos in Egypt, Syria, all those countries that were so called protesting the regime."

Could you link to evidence/proof of this? This is the FIRST time I've seen it, and I'm connected to ME sources of information.

@Edward-Research those thinks I previously attached. His money is behind many of the orginizations such as moveon.org, open society foundation and within that there are many spin offs.

@Patriot...I followed through on your links and jumped the shark often. I know that many see George Soros as "Dr. Evil", but I couldn't find any direct link between him and what has occurred in Wisconsin. I think you need to look objectively into George Soros and Van Jones. Neither are looking to overthrow the government, but like many of us they support changes.

@Lyle-Well the changes they support I as many refuse to give into!!! Sorry I do not, will not follow or believe the socialist ideoligy nor the communist ideoligy!!! Van Jones is an admitted member of the communist party, and Soro's openly denounces his Jewish heritage and is responisble for nothing but destruction!!! He believes firmly in the reduction of people on this planet in the name of Global Warming!!!

@Lyle- Look a little harder and dig a little deeper. George Soro's was and is behind many of the orginizations that organized the protesting in Egypt, Madison, and around the world. He funds numerous groups and orginizations as shown on one of those links. If you research the groups and orginizations behind the protests across the world, the ones against austerity you will see the infamous iron fist!! Well I seen that very infamous iron fist all over Wisconsin and still do!!

Watch the you tube video I posted on here as well. Its very clear who was and is really behind the massive radical protests in Madison as well as the Re-Call efforts

@Patriot...I can appreciate your concern that outside forces are going to come in and overwhelm the will of the people of the state. I share that concern and I am non-supportive of big money elections. In this case we should be more concerned with the overwhelming financial support that Governor Walker has received from outside state interests. The political right and left has turned our elections into national referendums, which I strongly object to.

At another time I will engage you on the allegations against George Soros. Many of claims made against him are not only misrepresented but just plain wrong. For one, he has not denied his Jewishness nor is he antisemitic, but he, like many of us Jews are openly critical of some Israeli politicians and policies. It's the same as an American you are welcome to criticize our politicians and U.S. policy. This is his position.

@Lyle-Yes I would glady like to debate George Soro's with you sometime. But I have heard from Soro's himself openly denounce his Jewish heritage!! From his own mouth. There is much people do not know about that man. We only know what the left leaning media wants us to know!!
As for outside interests supporting Scott Walker. I do not feel that to be the issue here. As there are many Americans who feel what took place in Madison goes way beyond the media portrayed people of Wisconsin protesting.

Please take the time to view the you tube clip.
http://youtu.be/Fys7fzGtAcI

This is why the overwhelming support from outside interests!!! Those protesting were much more than just citizens protesting. Those protests were fueled openly by anarchists, communists, marxists and more. So We the People will stand up for the people.

@AudiFan...They are not a failure, some are better than others. The only reason that some are a burden on the system is that we created the system of haves and have nots.

This is the mentality of the people, not all but most who were organizing and leading the protests last summer in Madison. The previous You Tube video made that oretty clear. So you all better think when u vote come June!! Gov Walker true freedom, independence, or well we all know the alternative

Great documentary, Patriot!!

Just look at our neighbor to the South. Lets see Gov Quinn took office at the same time as Gov Walker. Gov Quinn took the left leaning liberal approach you all seek. Hmmm lets see, raised taxes, ahhhhhhh more fees, ahhhhh lets see raised corporate taxes. I just heard Illinois has more debt today than when Quinn took office, numerous public sector employees laid off. Sounds really GOOD!! Compared to a surpluss today, 15,000 jobs created just since Jan of this year, more jobs coming, Wisconsin moving up from 40th to 20th for business friendly States, unemployment down, school districts able to do more things with the extra money Thanks to act 10. Well only for those districts that put Gov Walkers plan into action that is. The signs are all over that Gov Walkers reforms are working.
In that youtube link I attached earlier its spelled out. The amount of money spent, tax payer money that is during the protests by the teachers was 900,000 a day!!! If this is about the kids then why was so much money wasted? Just think what could have been done with that 900,000 for the kids!!

@patriot, the biggest catastrophy facing the people of wisconsin is the really f-d up things that our underhanded governor has been doing! funny how billionaire diane hendrick has a half million dollars to give to walkers campaign, yet she is based in beloit which is one of the most troubled places in our state! she has no sense of what a community leader is apparently!

I have a great idea!! Lets make all those positions private sector jobs!! Really the unions have not been busted!! Wow!!!

I was just reading thru act 10 and did not see where collect bargaining was completely stripped from public employees. So not sure where or why this has turned to a no rights argument. The Unions are still in place and Walker even stated he was not interested in pursuing right to work legislation

@jt-Really? You know nothing about me!!! A paid blogger thats a good one. Well Im sorry you have a union rule which does not allow you to pick up extra work. I for one would not stand for that. After all this is America and I should be able to choose how to pay my bills. So I know nothing about what I talk about? Really? Well lets see back in 08/09 when the economy started to tank, my fellow union represented mechanics were given a choice, layoffs or move to a different location. Oh wait they were told no you cant go to Rockford because there is less than 28 mechanics, but you can go to Chicago. Now there were a total of 5 mechanics after the shuffle down to 3. Now my shop non union 7 mechs we lost nor did we move a single guy. Again NON UNION.
Due to the economy our OT has been slashed drastically as well. IF you were counting on that OT to pay the bills then you were obviously living beyond your means. My streets were plowed in a timely fasion, have not lost any services at all. As a matter of fact sat in on a council meeting not to long ago to learn the city is doing just fine. Hiring officers, replacing police vehicles ect!!
Military does not even rank at your level. Military is completely different than a public sector worker. When you show up in your plow truck to defend my freedoms then you can use the Military as an example.

Its about time they cleaned up the abuse!!!

@patriot, your ignorant to the facts! the rule that says i can not take outside employment is not a union rule! the only thing our contract covers now is wages!
it is an employer rule. again, you don't know facts!

@ patriot, the reason unions exhist is to avoid exploitation of workers by employers!

@jt-Really? I just wonder if there were not the continual bickering between managment and the union leaders, what you work enviroment would be like? There is no doubt that unions are needed in many places of employment. But they are def not needed in Local Government nor at the Federal Level

@Patriot...A mistake is made in assuming that there isn't a need for union representation in the state and local workplace. The assumption is that local government and state managers and administrators are professionals, trained in best management principles and procedures, which is just not the case. In many ways they have lagged behind the private sector and most managers and administrators have learned managerial skills from OJT. In addition, the state civil service code is just a basic framework and for fifty years the negotiated collective bargaining agreement functioned as the policies and procedures manual, limiting both management and worker actions. As a side note: since July of last year many state agencies haven't completed the policies and procedures manuals and implemented them. What has been happening is a large number of managers and administrators have been "flying by the seat of their pants" creating unacceptable workplace conditions. You know that in a well regulated work environment there is very little tension and problems. Your employer is very cognizant of supervisors using best management practices and are intolerant of poor or abusive supervisors, usually taking quick action as soon as they become aware of such conditions. This is not the case in local and state agencies. Currently there isn't any regulated process to protect workers from such abuses. (continued)

@Patriot....(continued) Let me give you an example that I am aware of. Child Protection Social Workers can be called out any time day or night. They may be dealing with a case all night but then required to work all the following day. There isn't any recourse for the employee and they must just accept it. If they question it then they are open to reprimand and negative harassment. This is just one example of what conditions and workplace environment have come to.

To think that the collective bargaining was only used for wages and benefits is clearing a misunderstanding. The collective bargaining agreement has been more important in regulating the conditions and workplace environment. Therefore, continued attacks on public unions is non productive only making the situation worse for those affected workers.

Public unions can be separated into two major classes; teachers unions and public employee unions. Teachers have always been more militant and more willing to break the law and take job actions. I am unaware of any other public workers' union taking any kind of illegal job action in the fifty years of public worker unions in this state.

I would ask you to be more discerning in your broad sweeping statements about public employees and use some of that common sense that you have to understand that stereotypes and generalizations have no place in the discussion.

@Lyle-That is really not the issue here Lyle!! They still have collective bargaining for working conditions, schedules, vacation ect. Just not for wages and benefits! Just as their Federal counterparts and I do not hear any federal employee complaining. But rather living large on the tax payer. GSA for example. All public sector employees still have collective bargaining!!! Come on lets stick to the facts. We would not want to cloud the story with facts here!!!!

@Patriot...Sorry my friend they no longer are able to exercise collective bargaining, the unions have been decertified by elements of ACT-10. Walker has succeeded in busting the state unions. Looking at this in the long term, as conditions become worse the professional and better workers will leave government service only to be replaced with inexperience and less than the most productive employees. People should not complain when there is a decided decline in services and service delivery.

@Patriot...As of one year most of the unions are no longer certified; therefore cannot bargain for non wage and benefit issues. Clearly the unions are busted.

I don't think you want to privatize a large share of state provided service providers. We already have problems controlling the privatized services that we currently have. The deaths that have occurred in foster care have happened under contract agencies. More often than not it requires more and better contract management than what the state is able, willing or can afford.

I am not saying that there isn't services that can be done under privatization, but it often leads to corruption, bidding problems, contract enforcement and reduction in service quality. It also adds another layer of bureaucracy into a highly bureaucratized service provider.

I strongly suggest that you step back and reevaluate your evaluation of the situation. It is not a time for any of us to be too ideological, but more concern for pragmatic solutions. If we follow your logic we could be in serious jeopardy of "throwing the baby out with the bath water".

@patriot, lyle is right . since act 10 the only thing public employees can bargain for is wages. that being said, if we propose a wage increase, they will simply take away from some other area of our employment. and there is no policy yet set for performance based pay . so no public employee in this state knows if they will ever receive a raise ever again. lyle was also right about the teachers unions being the more militant of the unions, dpw employees have been taking concessions and paying part of health care contributions and minimising coverage for over ten years before act 10. patriot, your are very misinformed, i am a dpw worker of over 25 years. private sector workers who do the same heavy equipment operating and hold all the water licenses, confined space training, and safety training certificates as i do make more money! i stay where i am because i live only three blocks from my workplace and take great pride in my community. yet people like you patriot want to pick me apart for it.

@lyle, thank you lyle for being 100% factual in your trying to explain all of this to patriot. you are obviously a man who gets facts before speaking. and i appreciate that.

@jt-Well my friend then you really need to take your bitch to the top!!! Tell you man Mr Obama to admit his policies are not working. To allow States more Freedom to police themselves rather than play we know best!! It starts at the top my friend. Gov Walker is dealing with the hand he was dealt!! If wi stayed on the previous path we would end up like Cali, Illinois, Greece, Spain!!!

@Lyle-Bottom line, cadillac pensions, health care, wages ect along with all the BS policies in DC have brought us to this point. So if one really wants to bitch they need to really take it to the top!! The States must do what they can with the cards they are dealt!!!

So lets bash Walker for trying to put Wisconsin on top making it a better place for everyone who chooses to live and work in this State. Yes it may take a little sacrafice but I do believe the end result will be very rewarding!! After all his policies are for my children and their children!! Is it not about the youth of this State? Making changes to ensure their success and the success of the State as a whole?

@Patriot...You certainly practice unwarranted selective perception. I would hasten to add that it is probably good that your chief competitor is union. Most likely the benefits that they have negotiated over time has positively impacted your own wages, working conditions and benefits. To remain attractive to the potential workforce, they have to offer similar compensation. I'm not sure what Fed Ex would do if you as workers decided to organize. However,aAll boats rise with the same time

again, patriot, you are ignorant to the facts, and your reading comprehension stinks!
you have no common sense.

@Lyle-We do not have a need to organize because we are treated fairly. My pay has done nothing but go up even during the recession. Again I do not have a problem with the private sector what so ever. There is no doubt unions played a vital role in shaping our current wages, benefits ect. But today I feel its big business and there as been a many union shops that have bankrupted a company.

patriot, the state of california is a poor example to compare with wisconsin, it is a state full of millionaires, and yet they have a huge deficit, gee i wonder why!

@jt-Really? How do you think they got where there at Greece, Spain, to name a few. So lets blame the wealthy capitalists for making money. Remember its America and you have the very oppurtunities to succeed just as the millionaires u are referring to. They got there due to big public sector pensions, wages, entitlements and more!!!

@patriot, well if your working for fedex as in earlier posts, you'll never be one of those rich folks, nor will i. so why are you so worried about saving them money instead of your own family?

@Patriot....California has been in a long decline. In 1978 they passed Prop 13 and it started the decline. They have underfunded government services for over 34 years and when they have had to close the deficits, they have borrowed money. This has been through both Democratic and Republican administrations and legislatures. Now the populism of the past three and half decades have created a problem that many be too big to fix without a total collapse. Be careful what you wish for.

@jt-So lets blame the millionares. Lets blame the job creators. Jt if it were not for those millionaire job creators there would be no tax base thus we would not be having this conversation!! Lets use Illinois as the example then, Greece, Spain all places that paid huge amounts to fund lavish pensions, wages ect for public sector workers. There doing great!! Gov Walker did the best he could with the hand he was dealt to prevent ending up like California, Illinois ect!!
As my health care costs increases every year more money is taken from my check, so its ok to keep rasing my taxes just so you can live comfortably offsetting and cost of living increases you may incurr all while taking more and more from me? Hell No!! Times are tough for us all and its time we all step up!!!

@Patriot...Greece and Spain are not good examples to use since the antecedent conditions that have led to their problems is completely different than those confronting us.

The issues confronting these EURO ZONE members are closely associated with over investment in highly risky investments. Clearly Greece has been subjected to mismanagement, but it is not entirely their fault. German and French investors got greedy seeking a higher ROI and overly invested in the housing bubble in the Mediterranean nations. When the global financial services industry melted down in 2008, it left investors over exposed and they demanded draconian cuts. It has backfired only making the conditions worse. Our landing has been softer because of the government spending. In Greece, Spain, etc, there wasn't the capital to invest to bail out their collapsed economies. Very complicated and it has numerous tentacles.

One further thought on California and Illinois; if we hadn't had continuing high taxes funding government services, then we might well be in their circumstances. Instead of having to close a $3.6 billion deficit, it could be double or triple that. We have to use common sense and carefully balance revenue generation and cuts.

@Patriot....Millionaires don't create the economy, it is demand for goods and services that creates the opportunity for those that have the capital to invest. I have been in such positions many times and have benefited. However, they only represent a portion of the economic equation and solution to meeting demand. However, since we are a capital intensive economy they are rewarded handsomely. In a pure market driven economy there are high peaks and deep valleys, that need to be mediated with regulation. Reference the economy before the Great Depression where the economy is always going through booms and busts. Since millionaires benefit the most from the system, then it is only right that they pay the majority of taxes to support the system that they benefit so handsomely from.

@jt-Yes your right I know I will never become rich working for anyone!! Not my point. My point is as your employer I should have a say when it comes to wages and benefits when it directly affects me. My taxes can be raised to help fund your wages, benefits ect and I have absolutely NO Say in the matter. But I am not able to tell my employer hey I need more money because my expenses have gone up.
I just think it is rediculous to recall a Gov because a small group does not agree!!!! That is def not democrocy bottom line. Elections have consequences and at the end of Walkers term if the State is not doing better then he gets voted out, But NO we dont agree so lets recall Gov Walker. TOTAL BS!!!!

@jt-Really JT? How much is this senseless recall costing? Hmmmm who is wasting money. You really are clueless

@patriot, why don't you just become completely unglued and start hurling names and insults like you know you want to. i'll stick to the facts . whether or not you want to open your eyes and see the facts is up to you.

@jt-Nothing but the facts here buddy. As u said we cant compare wi to cali? Really Cali is in trouble they are in due to the far left liberal ideology that u and the others are pursuing for out State. Sorry jt we dont want it!!! Read it for yourselves. Due to the high cost pensions for public workers Cali is broke

http://news.yahoo.com/california-targets-health-public-workers-fix-budget-hole-000525717--sector.html

@jt-You should read thru the posts on this site. The majority of name calling, personal attacks comes from your side budy!!! Hey did ya hear Mrs Barrett is guilty of campaining on MPS computers when she was a teacher at MPS. Totally against MPS's rules. Oh but wait thats ok because it was for a worthy cause

@Patriot....You are wrong about California. They have not taxed enough to supply sufficient revenues for services. WI has maintained our services over the decades because we have had relative high taxes. The stability and welfare of the state has benefited from sufficient revenues.

@Patriot -- What was this country that we need to get back to it? The lawless frontier where the strong ruled and you could get rich by jumping someone else's claim? A place where you could get rich paying your workers a few cents an hour for working ten, fifteen hours a day and they burned to death because you locked the fire exits?