On October 28th, just days before the November general elections I wrote about four gubernatorial candidates to watch as unconventional politicians. Those included New Mexico’s Susana Martinez, Nevada’s Brian Sandoval, Oregon’s Chris Dudley and Wisconsin’s Scott Walker. Dudley, a terrific man lost but hopefully will be back to fight again. The other three won and are already showing results. I wrote how Scott Walker “demonstrated how to balance a budget consistently without raising taxes.” And he is showing that right now as Governor of Wisconsin.
This nation is faced with frightening deficits and unfunded liabilities. Federal spending is double what it was ten years ago, and this year’s deficit is projected at $1.6 trillion. States add another $130 billion of shortfalls this year, and almost all states have large unfunded pension and health care liabilities.
I for one am thankful that governors like Scott Walker are showing how to deal with this looming crisis.
Wisconsin itself is facing a $3.6 billion budget shortfall over the next two years and Governor Walker has proposed real solutions that would decrease the state’s structural deficit by 90 percent. As part of Walker’s plan to tackle Wisconsin’s looming budget crisis, he has made the courageous and crucial decision – like Chris Christie in New Jersey – to bring public employees’ benefit packages down to a more comparable level with those in the private sector.
Robert Costrell writes in the Wall Street Journal that Milwaukee teachers receive 74.2 cents on the dollar in health and retirement benefits. An employee in the private sector receives just 24.3 cents on the dollar. In some cases, the benefits package is equal to half of the total employment package. Costrell found that “the average Milwaukee public-school teacher salary is $56,500, but with benefits the total package is $100,005, according to the manager of financial planning for Milwaukee public schools.”
The reason for these nice gold-plated benefits packages are that in the past politicians never had the courage to stand up to unions and insist that benefits be tied to market realities. Quite simply it was too easy to kick that political can down the road and let the next Governor or the next generation of taxpayers deal with the mess. That is not only radically irresponsible; it is a recipe for our country’s ruin.
Charles Krauthammer writes in the Washington Post that “in the public sector, the politicians who approve any deal have none of their own money at stake. On the contrary, the more favorably they dispose of union demands, the more likely they are to be the beneficiary of union largess in the next election. It’s the perfect cozy setup.”
In light of this, Scott Walker has decided to tackle his state’s budget deficit not by raising taxes on hard working Wisconsonites in the midst of an economic downturn but by making desperately needed changes to the state’s benefit and entitlement system. The rising cost of retirement packages and insurance has been identified as a threat to not only states like Wisconsin, but also the United States as a whole.
The response to Scott Walker’s budget from Wisconsin Democrats has been to flee the state and shut down the Senate, halting all floor debate and discussion – one of the hallmarks of our American democracy. In another courageous step, I am pleased to say the The Republican Governor’s Association has wisely decided to support Scott. For years, the RGA has been a hot bed of ideas and action for practical, conservative governance. While it has showcased some of the great laboratories of our American democracy, its main function was to get Republican governors elected – and it’s done that quite well over the years. In an unprecedented step, after seeing millions of union dollars and thousands of outsiders pour into Wisconsin to fight Governor Walker’s good governance, The Republican Governors Association decided that is was time to show the country and the union bosses that we have Scott Walker’s back by launching a an advertising campaign in support of his efforts on TV and online. This is one of the most important fights of our time and it will impact the lives for generations of Wisconsinites and American to come. Our leaders must show courage and conviction to take on the tough fights and make the right decisions – and when they do, we must show them our strong and unwavering support.
Moe Lane
PG DeFreese
Victoria Coates
Daniel Horowitz
Dan Spencer
Scott Walker and the Repubicans need to stay strong
JimmyGee (Diary) Monday, March 7th at 2:44PM EST (link)Recently, polls have been released saying that support for Walker has softened. I don’t believe that for a nano-second. The polls have been cherry-picked to show what the Milwaukee Urinal-Sentinel wants it to be! They wish!
Scott Walker won convincingly because the tax-payers of this state want CHANGE! They want lower taxes and a balanced budget.
I support Scott Walker even more now! To Mr. Walker and the state republicans…don’t give up! The people of this state support you!
Poor underpaid overworked teachers
RichmondG30 Monday, March 7th at 3:09PM EST (link)Let’s see. $100,000 a year for a 9-month year. Assuming a 40-hour week and no vacation days, this “average” teacher makes about $62.50/hour with benefits. Not bad. In the immortal words of Mike Dukakis: “Good jobs at good wages”.
Who cares about polls?
swami7774 (Diary) Monday, March 7th at 3:16PM EST (link)Walker, like other great leaders, don’t govern by transitory public opinion polls. It’s funny to watch the MSM report this story as if he SHOULD govern that way.
Of course, they won’t hold Obama to the same standard vis-a-vis ObamaCare.
Today, there is a name for the political doctrine that rejoices in scarcity of everything except government. The name is environmentalism.
I'm all in for Walker.
rec0n Monday, March 7th at 4:10PM EST (link)He’s addressing the disease, not the symptom. But I lean more towards making those dues voluntary as being the greatest tool against the unions, vs CB privileges.
He needs to address what those schools are turning out as ‘education’ as well. Graduating 89% of your students doesn’t mean much if you didn’t teach them anything before punting them across the finish line.
As Wisconsin goes,
Warrior (Diary) Monday, March 7th at 4:18PM EST (link)so goes Ohio and all the rest, figuratively speaking, of course. The momentum will certainly help us win this fight down the road – or lose it.
But don’t wait for a formal battle in your state to speak up. We need to address it everywhere we can now! I’ve been on local school teacher facebook pages correcting disingenuous propaganda and spiking downright lies.
We all need to jump into this one with both feet…
“Racial criteria are irrational, irrelevant, [and] odious to our way of life.” — Thurgood Marshall for the NAACP Legal Defense Fund in the 1950 Supreme Court case of McLaurin v. Oklahoma
Public Opinion
brandonqwerty (Hi! I was frammis3001!) Monday, March 7th at 5:00PM EST (link)I think Walker should make a deal. Five polls have support for Walker dropping precipitously. If he doesn’t figure something out fast, the unions are going to get some major turnout happening in 2012. We don’t need that. It’s time to get this out of the news.
I got banned for being a moby back then, too! Because this is the limit to my usefulness to the Left!
Governor Walker already won...
deevee Monday, March 7th at 6:13PM EST (link)We elected him Governor in November. He did a great job today on the smack down of the “runaway from reality ” 14.
Another Scott wrote a great letter to the Democrat minority leader
Spiral (Diary) Monday, March 7th at 5:28PM EST (link)His name is Scott Fitzgerald and he is the the Republican Majority Leader of the Wisconsin State Senate.
Scott Fitzgerald’s letter to State Senator Mark Miller
Good letter.
The Obama Bread Lines
It is a great letter and I really like the "Parts Unknown" part
ColdWarrior (Diary) Monday, March 7th at 5:42PM EST (link)in the address.
You can view a scan of the actual letter here:
http://www.wispolitics.com/1006/3_7_11_Fitzgerald_letter_to_Miller.pdf
Thank you.
ColdWarrior
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What a humiliating defeat for the Wisconsin Democrats
Spiral (Diary) Monday, March 7th at 6:16PM EST (link)To write a letter from another state requesting a meeting at the border only to be rejected.
LOL!
The Obama Bread Lines
Let's see who gets humiliated in the end
melbedewy (Diary) Tuesday, March 8th at 8:33AM EST (link)I’ve a sick feeling that Senate Republicans may cave.
The recalls against the 3 fleebaggers most vulnerable need to be stepped up to regain the momentum
Not saying he should run, but Scott Walker is more Presidential than our current President.
earlgrey (Diary) Monday, March 7th at 5:37PM EST (link)obama just gives a speech and than hides behind Reid, Pelosi, his wife, his golf cart or the basketball goal.
Run Scott, Run
eldstenorge Tuesday, March 8th at 4:45AM EST (link)I would be so pleased to be able to vote for Scott Walker for President. He has shown more courage and leadership than anyone I have seen in years, since Ronald Reagan. Oh what a pleasure it would be.
Horror stories thanks to collective bargaining
digitaldean Monday, March 7th at 6:35PM EST (link)To those who think collective bargaining isn’t that big of a deal.
http://www.fox11online.com/dpp/news/more-teachers-and-administrators-may-be-retiring
This link talks about Green Bay teachers retiring in droves to part of a “teacher emeritus” program. Essentially, a retired teacher can work as little as 10 days per year as a sub. If they do this over 3 years, they will get a full year’s pay! Nice work if you can get it.
In Madison, it’s WORSE. Since there is such a glut of teachers in Madison, they WAIVE THE REQUIREMENT TO WORK! Meaning if you apply, you get paid the full year’s salary over 3 years!
And for the leftists who don’t believe this, here’s the PDF from the union’s website:
http://www.madisonteachers.org/Forms-Intranet/retirement%20info%20teachers%2009-10.pdf
These unions need to be figuratively cut off at the knees.
I am GRATEFUL for having Scott Walker as my Governor!
GO SCOTT GO!
Keep strong, Gov. Walker.
runner12 (Diary) Monday, March 7th at 6:40PM EST (link)The media is out to get you and is even manufacturing “polls” to support their cause. I do not believe them for a nano-second.
Do not let these people win, do not give in to their tactics. You are showing leadership right now that this country desperately needs.
Collective Bargaining is a Fiscal Issue Part 3
carolina Monday, March 7th at 6:55PM EST (link)http://walker.wi.gov/journal_media_detail.asp?prid=5671&locid=177
Madison—Today Governor Walker’s office released more specific examples to show how collective bargaining fiscally impacts government and how reforming collective bargaining can improve government.
I found this interesting and thought some of you might want to see it also.
Great Link Carolina, thanks! nt
powertothepeople (Diary) Wednesday, March 9th at 11:57PM EST (link)Keep up the Good Fight Guv
roguebeaver Monday, March 7th at 7:12PM EST (link)Wisconsin elected a leader, not a weathervane. Sock it to ‘em Scott!
“No man and no class of men ever rise to any permanent improvement in their condition of body or of mind except by relying upon their own personal efforts.”
- Lord Salisbury
Walk with Walker
chihank Monday, March 7th at 10:36PM EST (link)If Walker fails, then the Left will be embolden to be flee baggers to stop any conservative agenda bill. We need Walker not to fail.
I live in Madison
brandonqwerty (Hi! I was frammis3001!) Tuesday, March 8th at 9:40AM EST (link)I live in Madison (well, Boscobel) and I can tell you, Walker is losing support of my friends and family who are conservatives and independents. He should cut a deal before this union thing gets out of hand and makes a gift of the presidency to the Democrat party in 2012. Believe me, when I get a lame robocall from “Joe the Plumber” you can tell that we’re flailing a little bit. It wasn’t a very well put together call. Work something out and get this off the front page of the Wisconsin State Journal.
I got banned for being a moby back then, too! Because this is the limit to my usefulness to the Left!
Gee that's odd
Carolyne Tuesday, March 8th at 9:47AM EST (link)My relatives and their friends, including two professors, who live there support Walker and want him to stand his ground.
Oka,y personal polling over for the day.
Me too.
brandonqwerty (Hi! I was frammis3001!) Tuesday, March 8th at 12:14PM EST (link)Yes, I also have plenty of friends who want him to stand his ground. Philosophically, I do as well. But it would be good to get this off the front page. It looks like two GOP senators are going to try. One more, and it’s over.
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2011110307137
I got banned for being a moby back then, too! Because this is the limit to my usefulness to the Left!
Ha ha. You lose.
Neil Stevens (Diary) Wednesday, March 9th at 10:47PM EST (link)Now cry for me. Your people’s tears nourish me.
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Some union dude on MSNBC just now said "Nobody saw this coming." After he asked
Melody Warbington (rwm52) (Diary) Wednesday, March 9th at 11:29PM EST (link)“Isn’t it breathtaking?”
And my answer is, “Why, yes. It is indeed breathtaking!”
It’s so breathtaking I feel like a cigarette, and I don’t even smoke.
The woman saith unto him, I know that Messiah cometh (he that is called Christ): when he is come, he will declare unto us all things. (John 4:25)