WISCONSIN'S ELECTED DEMOCRATS DEMANDING THEIR "HUMAN RIGHTS" TO POLITICAL CORRUPTION

The issue is the union’s coercive control over the state’s democrats – a Faustian bargain with the devil that rewards democrats who follow the union’s dictates with campaign contributions, media support, voter support and the denial of support to the politician’s rivals. All in a quid-pro-quo (this for that) deal that leaves the ordinary taxpayer with taxation without representation. And the rise of a protected politicized class of people who are immune from life’s natural consequences that are imposed on us all.

The democrats are spinning the story as union busting …

Unfortunately many mainstream media sources fail to explain that public employee unions are far different creatures from the unions that are found in the private sector. In the private sector there were many real and significant reasons why employees banded together to deal with issues involving health, safety and the capricious behavior of those who controlled the purse strings. But, in today’s day-and-age, we see employees with a range of legal options to prevent any alleged egregious behavior on the part of management. And any number of rapacious attorneys eager to take on labor-related cases.

Also at risk …

There is no doubt that the power of the democrat party comes from union support. And without this support they need to work harder to serve the needs of “We the People.” No more breezing through elections with their command over finances and the media.

The unions fear their ability to compel the state to collect dues from their members might be lost … leaving the door open to those who demand their human rights, lose their right to use the government to collect dues from covered employees. Without this extra coercive process, the unions lose much of their power -- over their members, and without these unwitting members, over politicians who are required to negotiate on behalf of "We the People."

Bottom line …

For the taxpayer – an end to political corruption that leaves the taxpayer unrepresented in the governing and bargaining process.

For the politicians – an end to the gravy train that insulates them from competition to raise funds from ordinary individuals.

For union members – an end to the coercive demand that they need to join a union to secure a job in government. An end to a mandatory contribution of $1000.00 or more to an organization who does not represent their political interests; and, in many cases, an organization that does not always work in their best interests.

For “We the People” – taking back our country, piece by piece from those corrupt politicians who pander to special interests like the unions for personal, political or profitable gain rather than represent the constituencies that elected them to office.

-- steve


“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS


Public Employee Unions: A Democrat Disease ...

Once again the progressive democrats have proven themselves unworthy of office – failing to uphold their fiduciary responsibilities to ALL constituents and negotiating political deals for themselves at the expense of the hard-working taxpayer.

Make no mistake about it, public employee unions bear little or no similarity to the unions who fought a bloody battle with the private sector over serious issues involving health and the exploitation of the labor force.

Civil service regulations, and similar laws at the local and state level, insure good working conditions and punished those who abused the authority of their positions. And while there was a justifiable reason for unions in the private sector, no such credible reasons could be made for introducing this parasitical practice in the public sector.

Public employee unions born out of democrat dishonesty …

They are mostly a creation of John F. Kennedy who observed that public employee unions in a few select states overwhelmingly support democrats – and thus he extended collective bargaining to the federal government to gain political advantage over the Republicans.

By a 1962 executive order10988 and not a Congressional vote …

“WHEREAS effective employee-management cooperation in the public service requires a clear statement of the respective rights and obligations of employee organizations and agency management:

NOW, THEREFORE, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution of the United States, by section 1753 of the Revised Statutes (5 U.S.C. 631), and as President of the United States, I hereby direct that the following policies shall govern officers and agencies of the executive branch of the Government in all dealings with Federal employees and organizations representing such employees.”

Approved: January 17th, 1962. Signed John F. Kennedy

And before you try to tell me that the democrats were not the only beneficiaries of union political operations, let me say that the Center for Responsive Politics notes that one union, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) have approximately $40 million dollars to candidates running for federal office – with 98.5% going to democrat candidates. And that’s just one union. One need only look at the contributions of the corrupt SEIU (Service Employees International Union) to the Obama Campaign. Tens of millions of their members’ coerced dues – not for any patriotic cause, but to purchase influence at the very highest levels of government – to keep the good times rolling for public employee and their unions. Even in hard times and when public sector workers were somewhat immune from the lay-offs, reduction in medical coverage and financial difficulties affecting us all.

The result of continuing democrat dishonesty and corruption …

Over time, this incestuous relationship has yielded 50 years of onerous work rules which stifle both productivity and creativity in the public sector. Where employees are promoted on the basis of seniority to merit, productivity or are the best qualified for the position. Were work continues to be sub-divided to the point in takes three times as many workers to perform a task – all to the benefit of the unions and the detriment of the taxpayer footing the bill.

Now, due to what may be best described as a RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations) violation, we see that elected officials have given outrages benefits to public employees in a quid pro quo (this for that) deal that would garner them campaign funding, media support and voter drives – but more importantly, insure that union money would not be spent on a competitor running for the same public office.

It is time that this cycle of corruption is broken. One, by removing as many corrupt and self-serving democrats from office and two by eliminating or restricting collective bargaining within the public sector. Reexamining the current pensions fund grants which were based on give-aways and other tricks used by public employees to increase their benefits. Perhaps going so far as to insuring that retired employees cannot double dip as far as pensions are concerned.

The heated rhetoric …

The unions call it “union busting” and claim that public workers will lose their seniority and other benefits.

The opposition calls it the “right to work” option and puts the control of government back in the hands of the government’s elected officials – without the corrupt and corrosive influence of public employee unions and their equally corrupt public officials.

And I call it a return to rationality.

Bottom line …

We are embroiled in a corrupt and dysfunctional system that rewards political corruption at the expense of “We the People.” Leaving us with only two hard choices – vote the corrupt democrats out of office and reform the system or start reforming the system and vote the corrupt democrats out of office.

It’s for the children … traditionally the rallying cry of teachers facing budgetary constraints. But every survey and test reveals the actual truth: in spite of well-paid teachers, our children are getting an inferior education by about any measure you care to use. All at the hands of the teacher’s unions and the corrupt school administrators who pander to the unions and the special interests.

It is time that official corruption ended and we restore the United States to the bright shining city on the hill. The alternative is to become France or any one of the progressive democrat institutions in Europe; professing superiority over the United States while overlooking the fact of their inferiority.

We need to support Governor Walker and those in Wisconsin who are trying to break the cycle of public section employee unions. We need to support our own local, state and federal legislators who may attempt to do the same thing.

Like the unions are fond of saying: we need to support our friends and punish our enemies.

-- steve


“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS


Wisconsin Public Employee Unions: Breaking the "Circle of Corruption"

With all of the labor turmoil in Wisconsin, especially in light of certain democrats refusing to act on behalf of “We the People,” it is now time to reassess the viability of public employee unions and to break the cycle of corruption that now exists.

The ABC’s of Political Corruption …



A
Politicians are elected by “We the People” to govern in our name and to manage the delivery of public services to “We the People” in the most cost-effective and expeditious manner.


B
There are no constitutional rights granting public employees the right to collectively bargain for the purposes of imposing work conditions, salary, perks, benefits and other constraints on work performed on behalf of “We the People.”


C
When public employee unions are able to use their public employee member’s dues to provide campaign donations, media support and voter drives on behalf of a particular party or politician, the party and the politician now has to serve two masters.

D
When a politician fears public employee union’s more than “We the People,” the stage is set for corruption.




E
When the politician allows public employee unions to dictate work rules and increases in public employee salaries and benefits in order to preserve and protect their elected positions against political challengers – the corruption within the political system is complete. They no longer serve “We the People” – and only serve themselves and the public employee unions.

What are the consequences of allowing public employee unions to exist within the framework of government?



1.
“We the People” can no longer trust our elected officials to act in our name; never being sure which master they are serving when negotiating work rules, salaries, benefits and retirement packages.

2.
“We the People” see budgets inflated to accommodate more public employee union workers.
3. “We the People” see the cost of providing government services rise beyond all expectation and prudence due to increases in salaries, perks and benefits.
4. “We the People” see the cost of projects inflated and the time to completion becomes longer and longer.

5.
“We the People” see corruption in the government contracting process as elected officials demand that work be performed by “union employees” at an artificially-inflated wage scale.




6.
“We the People” find that public employees are taking advantage of their negotiated collective bargaining contracts to “milk” the system when it comes to overtime, shift-differentials, holidays and credited retirement time – leading to the rise of $100,000 clerical workers and the need for even greater numbers of unionized personnel.


7.
“We the People” find that we are creating a “privileged” class of public employee whose jobs are guaranteed, who cannot be easily terminated for malfeasance or laid-off in times of economic difficulty. And who earn more than a corresponding person in the private sector.



8.
After a while, “We the People” find that most of our hard-earned money is being spent to support retired public employees who may have taken early retirement and who no longer provide public services to “We the People.”


9.
“We the People” are finding that the unionized public employees and their public employee unions are expecting “We the People” to make up any shortfall in their unfunded pension funds – even when they experienced a loss due to economic conditions which affected us all.

Stop now: Before all of you unionized public employees tell me about the police, firefighters and teachers …

We agree that there are hazardous jobs within the government, but they are no more hazardous than today’s volunteer armed forced.

We agree that our children’s future depend on having decent teachers; but it appears that unionized teachers are not doing the job required to educate our children. It is their public employee unions that prevent competition within school districts to provide a superior education. It is their public employee unions that prevent competency testing for teaching ability and subject matter knowledge. And it is their public employee unions that prevents parents from volunteering to provide additional assistance at schools.

And before you tell me that we need to lay off police, fire, medical and other critical employees …

“We the People” hire our elected officials to serve our needs – to protect us from threats to the public order and disasters of all types. To uphold their oath of office, these public officials must prioritize our public services – not with “across the board” lay-offs, but reducing cubicle workers and functionaries in all non-critical areas before a single police, fire or EMT is laid-off.

Bottom line …

It’s not for the public, nor their members, that public employee unions exist. It is to serve their, arguably, corrupt leadership by allowing them to manage large sums of money – both from dues and pension fund contributions – and to pursue a political course of action which can best be described as “socialism” – where people are viewed as units of labor and are conditioned to meet the “norm” rather than embarrass their co-workers by performing at exceptional levels. Where promotion is determined by seniority and not merit. Thus leading to an entire workforce that has absolutely no incentive to perform at higher levels and render superior service to “We the People.” One need only consider the Department of Motor Vehicles or the United States Postal Service to see the truth in this statement.

Sure there will be kind-hearted and wonderful people among the drones, but they would be there, performing at exceptional levels, with or without public employee unions.

One of my best friends works for the City of Los Angeles after a lengthy career in the public sector. She can hardly believe the incompetence of her boss and the lengths to which her department manager will go to avoid work-enhancing productivity aids. She handles millions of dollars in her position and yet the department routinely overlooks mistakes “because that impacts someone else’s job function.”

We are facing a fiscal Armageddon and “We the People” need to act now. Perhaps we cannot easily elect the representatives we want, but we can disrupt the circle of corruption.

For those in Wisconsin, hold fast – forget the protests and demand that your elected officials act in an honest and ethical manner (not hiding out and shirking their public duties). For everyone else, it is time we also rallied against corrupt public employee unions.

AS A GROWING AND METASTASIZING CANCER -- PUBLIC EMPLOYEE UNIONS SHOULD BE OUTLAWED AS A CORRUPTING INFLUENCE ON THE BODY POLITIC.

-- steve


“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS


Union Cuts: Wisconsin has it right -- "We the People" demand representation too!

There is no doubt in my mind that allowing the creation of public employee unions was an extremely bad idea for several reasons.

They encourage corruption in public officials who have become afraid of their growing political power.

They encourage corruption in public entities who are also afraid of their growing power.

They increase the price of all goods and services purchased without a corresponding increase in actual utility or benefits.

They reduce the amount of work performed by using peer pressure to set unofficial norms that penalize merit or exemplary performance.

They increase fraud and corruption by the manipulation of union work rules to provide outrageous pay differentials for shifts, overtime and sick time.

They drain governments of the means to help many more people while only a few are insulated from the vagaries of the economy and the stresses of daily living.

And they are the proximate cause of many of the financial woes associated government at the local, state and federal level.

So why are public employee unions needed in a day-and-age where the average employee, both in the private and public sector, has numerous means of access to legal channels and “protective” government agencies to redress their grievances?

Why is there no representation of “We the People” as public employee unions creates privileged class bureaucrats that benefit from guaranteed employment, generous salaries, perks, benefits, healthcare and retirement … unlike those found in the private sector? Why are “We the People” forced to dig deep into our hard-earned money to pay for this privileged class at the expense of ourselves and our families?

We are not speaking of front-line support personnel such as the police, firefighters and medical people. We are speaking of cubicle workers who create rules and regulations; and do little more than pass paper back and forth among themselves.

There is no reason why there should be $100,000 janitors or garbage collectors or even $75,000 clerks.

It is now time to take back our country from the unions, especially those like the SEIU (Service Employees International Union) who have their roots in socialism and are about pursuing an anti-America political agenda.

Look at what is happening in Wisconsin …

The progressive democrats, normally the recipients of massive union support have abandoned the capital lest they be seen with those who are demanding that the collective bargaining process be brought under control.

According to the progressive New York Times …

“Democrats Missing, Wisconsin Vote on Cuts Is Delayed”

“Debate in the State Senate over Wisconsin’s controversial bill to cut collective bargaining rights for public workers ended, at least temporarily, on Thursday morning before it began. As the session was due to begin, Democrats failed to appear in the chamber, leaving the body without a quorum and leading the Republicans to send capitol officials in search of the Democrats.”

Do these democrats not work for their constituents? By what authority or reason can they simply abandon their posts during debate over a critical issues?

There is no doubt that the democrat’s gravy train would be severely impacted should the unions cede significant power back to the people of Wisconsin.

“The presumed reason for their disappearance is that Democrats — and thousands of teachers, state workers and students — vigorously oppose the Republican-backed bill that would sharply curtail the collective bargaining rights and slash benefits for most public sector workers, including teachers, in the state.”

Are they more afraid of the unions or the necessity to do the right thing – even in the face of public employee protests?

“Republicans control the Senate by a 19-to-14 margin, but 20 senators — and thus, at least one Democrat — are needed to vote on a bill.”

The “BIG” lie …

“All morning, as thousands of protesters gathered here as they have all week, tensions mounted outside the Senate chamber. Some pounded on windows and said they intended to prevent members from entering. At least one Senator had to call the Capitol police for help to get through the crowd and inside. “Shut it down! Shut it down!” protesters chanted. And even as the Senate convened, several in the audience inside the chamber began loudly chanting ‘Freedom, democracy, unions.’ At least one person was removed by security.”

Unions are not about freedom and democracy. They are about control and coerision – mostly for the benefit of their leadership which is given access to extremely large sums of member’s money to invest – sometimes in sweetheart deals made to benefit their own self-interests.

Freedom? You mean public employees within a bargaining unit have the freedom not to join a union, to refuse to pay dues or some equivalent amount for unwanted representation? To dictate to the union if they want their money spent on outlandish and costly political campaigns for causes they do not believe in? To be safe from peer-pressure and bullying organizing tactics in their person, homes and places of employment?

Thumbing their union noses at those who pay their outrageous salaries …

“Madison public schools were closed for a second day on Thursday, as teachers called in sick to lobby at the Capitol against the sweeping proposal. More than a dozen other public school districts announced they were closed for the day as well.”

Are these the same teachers who prefer to teach their students about multi-culturalism, political correctness and moral equivalency instead of the traditional core subjects of reading, writing, arithmetic, civics, history and critical thinking? Teachers who ignore science and scientific facts to push the unproven hypothesis of global warming? Or the teachers and their unions who refuse to hold teachers accountable for their actions and who rather dumb-down the curricula and testing rather than see test scores plummet?

Backing down?

“Late into Wednesday evening, a legislative committee approved the measure on a 12-to-4 vote that split along partisan lines, Republicans in favor and Democrats opposed. After an emotional debate, the committee made only minor changes to the proposal put forth last week by Gov. Scott Walker, a Republican, clearing the way for what Mr. Walker had hoped would be swift approval by both chambers by Friday.”

Bottom line …

I don’t know how it will turn out for the State of Wisconsin – but I do know that unless “We the People” wrest political control from the unions, we will never regain our birthright. Forever lost within a never-ending circle of political corruption and special interest self-dealing.

The progressive democrats like to use class warfare as a means to demonstrate what is wrong with America … and in this case we are destroying the middle class and substituting a class of pampered bureaucratic public employees who can virtually dictate their own deals. And at some point, we are going to reach the tipping point where the only purpose served by the private sector will be to pay for an out-of-control public sector. Welcome to socialism.

Just who represents the common man when their elected representation is owned by the unions?

-- steve

Reference Links …

Facing Vote on Cuts, Wisconsin Democrats Disappear - NYTimes.com


“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS


Does ANY California politician have the guts to follow Ohio's Senate Bill 5 in dealing with the unions?

If unions are recognized as the problem …

There is very little doubt in my minds that unions, especially public employee unions are bad for government entities.

  • Salary, Perks, Benefits and Retirement continually rise
  • Work and productivity slow down to accommodate the collective norm and make room for more government workers
  • Seniority, not merit, is rewarded
  • Employees learn to game the system to greatly increase their benefits relative to their actual value to the public entity
  • Unfunded pension liabilities can lead to bankruptcy
  • Public employee unions are able to hold corrupt politicians hostage to ever greater demands

why are more politicians not proposing a rational solution?

They are afraid of the political consequences of angering the unions and the government bureaucracy.

One patriot stands out …

But it appears that Ohio’s State Legislature has at least one brave individual willing to confront the issue head on. Shannon Jones.

“State Senator Shannon Jones (R) is currently serving her first term in the Ohio Senate and represents the 7th Senate District, which includes all of Warren County and portions of Hamilton County. Throughout her tenure in the Legislature - she previously served as a member of the Ohio House of Representatives from 2007 to 2009 - Shannon has hit the ground running, earning key leadership posts and a seat at the table on issues of importance to her constituents. For the 129th General Assembly, Jones was selected by her colleagues to serve as the Majority Whip - the number four post in the chamber.”

The Jones’ solution …

Senate Bill 5 …

“States the General Assembly's intent to prohibit the state and state employees and state institutions of higher education and their employees from collectively bargaining, to abolish salary schedules for public employees and instead require merit pay, and to make various other changes to the Collective Bargaining Law.”

Bottom line …

The problem is clearly stated, the consequences of inaction are a clear and present danger to local, state and federal government.

I did not sign on to deprive myself and my family of sustenance to support a cadre of unionized government workers at salary and benefit levels beyond what they can obtain in the private sector -- with a guarantee of employment that places them beyond conditions found in economic turndowns. While I like teachers, I do not think they deserve a lifetime job after two or three years – and certainly if they cannot be easily fired for malfeasance and inadequate performance.

And before anyone starts shouting: “it’s for the children,” showing pictures of police, firefighters and nurses – show me the pictures of the bloated bureaucratic cubicle workers who do nothing but pass paper back and forth among themselves. And I also do not like to support a burgeoning bureaucracy that is designed to support illegal aliens who shouldn’t be here in the first place.

So let’s solve the problem now – letting the legislators choose between doing the right thing for “We the People” or losing their jobs.

-- steve

Reference Links …

Senate Bill 5 – Ohio Laws, Acts, and Legislation


“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS