Jim Hightower: A Right-Wing Jobs Program for America: To Apply, Just Go Directly to Jail

Published on Monday, August 1, 2011 by OtherWords
A Right-Wing Jobs Program for America: To Apply, Just Go Directly to Jail

by Jim Hightower


Attention jobless Americans! If you're among the millions of long-term unemployed people searching in vain for a job, here's a hot tip: they're hiring in Wisconsin.

There's one little catch, though, you have to be a Wisconsin jailbird to get one of these dandy positions. But that's no hill for a climber — I'm sure America has plenty of out-of-work folks who are enterprising enough to move to the Badger State, steal a six pack from a 7-Eleven, go to jail, and become eligible. I should mention, though, that you won't get paid.

This so-called "work opportunity" is the first tangible product of Gov. Scott Walker's corporate-scripted mugging of the collective bargaining rights of teachers and other civil servants. Having stripped public employees of their democratic rights in the workplace, government managers can now replace them willy-nilly with low-wage workers — even with free prison labor.

Jim Ladwig, the executive honcho of Racine County, has leapt on this like a chicken on an extra-juicy June bug. The day the law took effect, he announced that such jobs as landscaping and snow shoveling would be transferred from unionized county workers to prisoners. The captives will receive no pay, but they could be rewarded with reduced sentences. "We have a win-win when we use the inmates," Ladwig exulted. ........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.commondreams.org/view/2011/08/01-0

(having already privatized the prisons), it will become the well-oiled machine of 21st century American capitalism

...and thought, "We Americans used to chide and ridicule the Red Chinese about their use of prison labor." Not anymore, apparently...

Dead Armadillos" Jim Hightower? I love that book. K/R

for welfare recepients. Can't find work and want a welfare check? We will put you to work in the fields picking tomatoes. Solves two problems there for some. Gets rid of the illegals in the fields and puts the welfare to work. Maybe they can add those getting unemployment checks also. Oh, of course, you will have to be drug tested also; for welfare, unemployment, and if you have a state job. Some even called for drug testing for anyone receiving any government checks, but too many thought Granny might not like that. Read between the lines on the drug testing. You are a leech, a low life, and cannot be trusted if you receive ANY government "entitlements".

Two peas in a pod these Scottie twins.