FDL: Shock Doctrine in Wisconsin

[roxiejules]

http://firedoglake.com/2011/02/11/late-night-the-shock-doctrine-in-wisconsin/ - via Firedoglake


In an interview with the Associated Press, (Gov.) Scott Walker proposed stripping nearly all government workers of their collective bargaining rights…. Under his plan, which he’ll include in his forthcoming budget proposal, most state workers would no longer be able to negotiate for better pensions or health benefits or anything other than higher salaries, which couldn’t rise at a quicker pace than the Consumer Price Index.

… He also says this plan is non-negotiable — as in, he’s cut off negotiations with prison guards, teachers and other state workers.


Walker’s budget proposal would also reduce employees’ benefits by mandating substantially higher contributions, even though state workers accepted below-private-sector wages in exchange for those benefits in previous labor talks.

This self-orchestrated air of crisis is simply the Republican governor’s way of introducing the shock doctrine concept to state government. Meanwhile, with much less fanfare, Walker is hurriedly pushing though other extreme elements of the right-wing agenda, from eliminating a money-saving birth control program to already-signed legislation “making it harder to sue businesses for harmful products and nursing homes for abuse and neglect, while another bill dismantled the state Department of Commerce, leaving the exact new whereabouts of numerous agencies and programs still unknown.”

[tabatha]

1. US Taliban in action

removing freedoms, while others seek it.

[OneAngryDemocrat]

2. Deploying the Guard is Wrong

There is a reason why Gov. Walker wants to deploy the National Guard in Wisconsin, rather than pay unionized, professional, prison guards, in Wisconsin's state prisons.

Professional correctional officers receive more pay and benefits than Wisconsin's National Guard troops.

Deploying Guard units would enable the Walker administration to place America's Citizen Soldiers into harm's way, for two week tours, without having to honor these dedicated warriors with all of those benefits that the Wisconsin state legislation has seen fit to bestow upon those who serve their state, full time.

But there is more.

You see, the Governor's planned deployment would not even give these Guardsmen the 90+ days they would need to qualify for Active Duty benefits. The Federal government would have to approve the deployment for Wisconsin's citizen soldiers to be able to receive those benefits.

Wisconsin's heroes, therefore, would not even be eligible for the active army's G.I. Bill!

In other words, Governor Walker plans to endanger the lives of those men and women who have volunteered for the Guard, by placing them into the line, without actually owning up to the dangerous service that they would be asked to perform.

The Governor's plan is, therefore, shameful, and a complete disgrace.

[roxiejules]

4. Interesting info

Thanks for sharing your insight...I hope others are paying attention.

[whathehell]

3. I heard about this on the Ed Schultz radio show yesterday...Supposedly,

he's actually called out the National effing Guard...which might be wise, from his pov, if he's threatening to take the

police pensions away...What a piece of shit!

[hadrons]

13. I thought police & fire fighters were exempted from this ....

for supporting him in the election?

[whathehell]

15. Possibly...

but I believe prison guards threatened to walk..

[roxiejules]

5. More on this story....

http://www.wuwm.com/programs/news/view_news.php?articleid=7765 - via WUWM radio

Gov. Scott Walker says he is confident state workers will continue to show up for work and do their jobs, despite their potential disappointment in his emergency budget proposal.

However, if there is worker unrest, Walker says the Wisconsin National Guard is prepared to respond.

The governor revealed Friday that he wants the state Legislature to go into Special Session next week to take up his plan to close a budget deficit. His plan calls for workers to lose nearly all their collective bargaining rights. State employees also would be required to pay more for pension and health care benefits.

[Fuddnik]

8. He needs to get a happy surprise real quick.

Nobody show up for work. Especially the police and firefighters.

General Strike. Before the special session, and all the way through it.

Make him the shortest serving Governor in US history.

[MasonJar]

6. Another right wing Republican at work. Congrats, Wisconsin!

[southernyankeebelle]

7. Well I wonder how that hopie changie thingie is working for ya Wisconsin?

[Enthusiast]

9. It's the Republican attack on

the American worker. That's what it is.

[hayrow]

10. The war is over. The "attack" is the aftermath of a war lost in 1980.

The aristocrats won the class war in the U.S. with the election of Ronald Reagan. The following 30 years have been a mopping up operation, with a lower standard of living and fewer rights for workers. There is no light at the end of the tunnel or end in sight. The aristocrats will continue to destroy what is left of a "middle class" until the Mexican model has been firmly imposed. God, am I glad I didn't have children!

[benld74]

11. wisconsin was 1st, Ohio is ALSO going to do it,,,,,,

Check with the GOP, this is a concerted effort accross the country folk!!!

[OneAngryDemocrat]

12. -delete-

[yurbud]

14. they should immediately stop giving him police protection, his messages, and a clean bathroom