A recent issue raised on http://thevotereffect.com : Is Wisconsin’s approach towards unions/collective bargaining a good (thumbs up) or a bad (thumbs down) solution towards state budget problems?
Agree or disagree with Scott Walker’s tough talkin’ union bustin’ hard line drawin’ attitude or not what is happening in Wisconsin is actually happening anywhere in the USA. If it isn’t happening there yet, it is coming to a city and state near you. Massive budget cuts are inevitable at the Federal level. The only question right now being by how much? Most states are also feeling the budget crunch, with Wisconsin being the most high profile. With newly elected GOP leaders and campaign promises to keep the cuts are deep and drastic. The question remaining, why does it matter?
Education
Who does not or has not benefited from the work of a teacher or someone in the education field. Teachers are historically low paid professionals yet, because they are public employees come budget time they are mercilessly attacked. Interestingly, our educators are the first line to our children, which are our future. (Thanks for that one Whitney Houston) We are making cuts in the areas where we need them the least. Wisconsin among other states are having difficulties funding education and providing services to their citizens. Isn’t it in the USA that we are guaranteed a right to a free public education? If we are not able to fund it are we really able to deliver on this promise? Teachers massively showed up to protest. So many protesters showed up that Governor Walker even called to mobilize the National Guard in case of an emergency. Such a vast number of teachers called in sick that school was cancelled in many districts.
TEA Party Factor
The Taxed Enough Already Party is starting to flex their muscles in many areas including Wisconsin. The TEA Party is applauding Scott Walker’s decision to bust the unions. The party’s argument being that it is time to reign in government spending. The only problem with that statement being that are they really reigning in government spending or are they simply cutting necessary services (such as education) that are needed to sustain our society. The TEA Party in a most uniquely American way has stormed onto the scene and elected numerous legislators nationwide. As Americans we should be happy that organizations like the TEA Party can exist. They have been able to freely express their dissent with the US Government and actually do something about it.
Admiration
One thing that I admire about this great country is both the Wisconsin factor and the TEA Party Factor. We have the right in this country to protest and show dissent with our government. Not only do we have the right to elect our officials, but we also have the right to disagree with them. Without a doubt disagreement is on the way. Everywhere. The GOP is adamant that the way to generate job growth and recover the economy is to cut government spending. The Democrats are adamant that we need to cut carefully and be sure that jobs are kept in mind when cuts are made. Obama has already sided with the unions in Wisconsin and Boehner with Governor Walker. The budget issue is partisan and it is starting to become personal. Speculation says that the budget fight is just begging and it is going to get ugly. The short answer is that Wisconsin matters because they are just the first in this battle. Not the last.
Join http://thevotereffect.com to discuss this issue now.
No comments:
Post a Comment