Let's clear up a few things here:
1. Gov. Walker with a GOP backed state congress are trying to change state LAW so that public union members cannot bargain on how much is put into penions and benefits from their salaries. This is NOT about state deficits, as Walker immediately gave corporations over $100 million in tax breaks upon entering office...this is about breaking the Dem party's largest organizer and backer. Right now, about 60% of Wisconsin folk disapprove of Walker's actions...and he can be recalled from office in less than a year from now.
2 - Yes, there is a difference between public and private unions....as private unions are FEDERALLY protected while public unions protections vary from state to state. Thing is, when Hannity, Limbaugh, and O'Reilly (who were NOT forced to join their union
http://labor-employment-law.lawyers.com/Your-New-Job-and-Joining-a-Union.html ) go to work, they sure as hell expect those roads to be paved or their studio lights to be on, the toilets to flush, etc., etc. So when these 3 neocon stooges rail and wail against "big government", they sure as hell want that "big government" to maintain their union protections (maybe not now in their careers, as they are rich and can afford agents/lawyers to bargain for their contracts), and they sure as hell want those "big government" workers to maintain the infrastructure necessary for them to do their jobs and live their lives. That is quite an elitist, caste oriented attitude to have for someone who makes a living bullhorning for the rights of the people against too much gov't involvement.
3. Public union Pensions and benefits are DEFERRED PAYMENTS! So the collective bargaining is to determine how much of a paycheck goes to pension fund and how much to benefits (i.e., healthcare). The private, non-public union citizens DO NOT get involved until the State siphons off public union funds to pay off other State fiscal problems. And since Wall St./mortgage bankers have seriously screwed up State investments and hobbled Federal monies to States, those public union funds are looking mighty good to someone stoned on Reaganomics. Now remember, the Wisconsin union folks AGREED with Walker that they WILL TAKE THE CUTS IN SALARY to help the State make ends meet. WALKER REFUSED THE OFFER BECAUSE IT IS IMPERITIVE TO HIM TO CRIPPLE UNION BARGAINING CAPABILITY. So if Wisconsinites have a problem with taxes in the immediate future, point to the finger at Walker, NOT the public unions.
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