Can someone give a quick primer on what's going on in WI?

I've been out of pocket (slammed with work) and haven't had time to read up thoroughly on what's going. I'm still going to be slammed today but I'd sure appreciate a quick primer.

TIA!

and increase their pension & healthcare contributions.

Threatened to call in the National Guard to deal with striking union employees.

Organized Labor called his bluff.

25-30,000 have been occupying the Capital building since Monday.

Democratic representatives left the state to prevent a quroum.

SOLIDARITY!

on edit: swap eliminate with increace, :facepalm:

"Organized Labor called his bluff."

The votes to pass Walker's union busting legislation are there. Senate Democrats and perhaps Assembly Democrats won't be able to stay away forever. This is going to pass.

I think the point of the protests are to perhaps raise such a ruckus that it might discourage other States from attacking public sector unions in such an extreme manner.

At the end of the day though, Governor Walker will win this fight. There is just no way the labor unions or Wisconsin Democrats can stop the law from being passed.

The bottom line is, Wisconsin citizens marched to the polls in November and swept the Democrats out of power and elected these rabid right wingers. Elections have consequences. Hopefully people are learning a lesson here.

This bill is still alive and unchanged.

The R's are holding along a party line. So far there is nothing reported that could be considered definite evidence of a crack on the central issue. No one has talked about removing the language intended to bust unions.

The problem is, the Republicans have the votes. Period. This isn't a close call where public pressure might sway a vote or two and it would make a positive difference. The right wingers have more than enough votes to pass this draconian crap.

Labor is increasingly putting a huge amount of energy and organizational effort into this Wisconsin fight. It is no longer just a skirmish, but a defining battle - and one we simply do not have the votes to win.

While I am excited to see the solidarity and people finally getting out and making a stand, I wish when so much is at stake nationally we could have picked a battle we might at least have some shot at winning.

This could end up being some kind of PATCO moment for public sector unions. Choosing to put so much emphasis on a fight we just can't ultimately win is an awfully risky strategy. On the one hand it could have the desired effect of discouraging these sorts of draconian measures in other states, but it is just as likely that a labor loss here will signal that public sector unions can even be shattered in progressive Wisconsin. If they can do it in Wisconsin, these radical right wingers may be more emboldened than ever.

and it should be fought in everyone of the states that try to use the cover of the "economic Pearl Harbor" to ram through union busting.

Unlike PATCO, which was generic union busting. This coordinated effort is intended to break the last vestiges of organized democratic base.

The fight is important and even if it is a losing fight it must be fought to create the history which the tea-baggers will use when they rise up and bite the hand they mistakenly thought would feed them.

Remember the Alamo? It was a loss.

Payback will come swiftly for those who support this measure.

An act of war against unions.

attempted to crush state workers unions.

That's about as short as I can make it lots of stories at this site to help you catch up


http://www.channel3000.com/index.html

Introduced a bill (that every Republican said they would support) to "balance" the budget deficit on the backs of the working class. Modifies collective bargaining rights of public workers unions and God knows what other treats are in the bill. The Democratic State Senators said, uh, NO. They left the State so that the WI Senate would not have a quorum to further the measure.

WALKER GINS UP CRISIS.....:


http://m.host.madison.com/mobile/news/opinion/editorial/article_61064e9a-27b0-5f28-b6d1-a57c8b2aaaf6.html

Also, Rachel Maddow pointed out that the make up of the protestors is interesting because state troopers, police and firemen are married into the protestors although they were not targeted by the controversial bill because they supported the election of gov. walker.

It's about union busting.

and are now being punished by the radical republicans that the tea-party swung into office.

I don't think the tea-baggers have ANY remorse about this.

by giving more Corp tax cuts. We were in line for a surplus (2009-2011). He has gone after all state employees, not just union.

FYI: I work for the UW System. Some of the benefits we have, we took years ago in lieu of a raise. These benefits were to compensate for our low salaries.

are exempt from cuts (Rachel Maddow). The firefighters and police (and one other group). They have joined the protesters enmasse despite their exemption.

the JFC passed the bill that we've been protesting for a week. Thursday it went to the Senate. The R's would have passed with with a 19-14 majority. Instead, the 14 Democratic Senators fled the state. No quorum, no vote.

When located in Rockford, IL, Senator Chris Larson from Bay View said: "For those looking for us, we are right here, standing with the people of Wisconsin."

They want to force a debate that has been denied. They are doing this to get concessions, not to shirk their duties, but *TO* represent the people who are being not only ignored, but FUCKED.

Walker is trying to end collective bargaining for state employees. What the rest of the country isn't hearing is that, in addition to the MASSIVE protests in Madison, they have been going on EVERYwhere throughout the state ALL week.