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Mark Hirsch / Getty Images
Recall volunteers add to the stack of boxes containing signatures to recall Gov. Scott Walker on Tuesday.
MADISON, Wis. -- Opponents of Wisconsin's Republican Gov. Scott Walker submitted nearly twice as many signatures Tuesday as required to force a recall election, but still face the challenge of transforming public outrage over his moves against unions into actual votes to oust him from office.
If Walker is worried, he's not showing it: As the petitions were delivered to election officials, Walker was out of state raising money to defend himself and the agenda that has made him a national conservative hero.
The 1 million signatures that United Wisconsin, the coalition that spearheaded the effort along with the Democratic Party, said were collected far exceeds the 540,208 needed and amounts to 23 percent of the state's eligible voters.
Walker was elected in 2010 as part of a national Republican tide, and quickly angered unions and others with aggressive moves that included effectively ending collective bargaining rights for nearly all public workers.
Recall circulators in neon vests who were turning in the petitions Tuesday surrounded a U-Haul truck filled with boxes of documents. The group held hands and formed a line leading toward the office of the Government Accountability Board, as some protesters yelled anti-Walker chants. The boxes inside the office full of petitions targeting Walker were stacked five high and 11 rows deep.
Petitioners said they were submitting about 305,000 more signatures than were needed to trigger a recall election against Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch, and said they also exceeded the number needed to force recall elections of four Republican state senators, including Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald.
Walker's supporters would have to successfully challenge about 46 percent of the signatures to stop a recall election, in which the governor would likely run against a yet-to-be-decided Democratic challenger.
"I don't know if it's insurmountable, but it would be extremely difficult," said Joshua Spivak, a recall expert and senior fellow at Wagner College in New York.
During the recall of California Gov. Gray Davis in 2003, petitioners also turned in almost double what was needed and only about 18 percent were tossed, Spivak said.
Wisconsin Democratic Party Chairman Mike Tate said given the number of signatures collected, Walker shouldn't seek delays and instead let the vote proceed.
"Does anyone really honestly believe we're not going to have an election?" Tate said.
Spivak said he would expect strong voter turnout for a recall election against Walker, noting that in California turnout rose from 36 percent in the general election to 61 percent for the Davis recall.
"There's going to be so much focus on this, it is not going to be like a special election where turnout is suppressed," Spivak said.
'Stand with me'
Walker expressed confidence Tuesday that he will survive a recall and that voters will reward him for balancing a $3.6 billion budget shortfall without laying off state employees or raising taxes.
"I look forward to talking to the people of Wisconsin about my continued promises to control government spending, balance the budget, and hold the line on taxes," he said in a statement.
"Instead of going back to the days of billion-dollar budget deficits, double-digit tax increases and record job loss, I expect Wisconsin voters will stand with me and keep moving Wisconsin forward."
Republican Party Chairman Brad Courtney issued a statement denouncing what he called a baseless and expensive recall. An election is expected to cost at least $9 million.
The governor's supporters have been training volunteers how to vet signatures and they plan to create a database where names will be entered and verified. Walker has already successfully sued the state elections board to require it to do a more extensive review of the signatures than originally planned in order to catch duplicates and obviously fake names like Mickey Mouse.
The Government Accountability Board has said its review will take 60 days or more and it will go to court as soon as this week to seek more than the 31 days allowed under the law. Board director Kevin Kennedy said it was too early to know how long would be needed or if officials would stop the review once they determined enough were valid to certify an election.
Tate said he didn't expect a Walker recall election would happen before May. Walker has said he thinks it will be in June.
Recalls have become common in Wisconsin since the political tumult of 2011 that saw Walker and Republicans pass the collective bargaining changes, one of the country's most restrictive laws requiring photo identification at the polls, and a budget that included an $800 million cut to public schools.
The opposition started with massive protests and then grew into organized campaigns — first to recall state senators, then Walker himself. Last summer, six Republican state senators and three Democrats faced recall elections. Two Republicans lost, leaving the party with a one-vote majority in the Senate.
A recall against Walker couldn't officially be filed until after he had served a year in office, an anniversary reached earlier this month.
But Walker hasn't been waiting around to see what happens. He has been on the air nonstop, saying that while some of his decisions to balance the budget were difficult, the state is in a better financial position and will prosper in the long run.
The governor has been raising money at a furious clip. He was hosting a $2,500 per-person fundraiser in New York City on Tuesday and recently attended fundraisers in Texas, Kentucky and Tennessee. He is taking full advantage of both the conservative star persona he built as he put Wisconsin at the center of the national labor rights debate and a quirk in state law allowing those targeted for recall to ignore normal contribution limits until an election date is set.
As of mid-December, he had raised $5.1 million, with about half coming from out-of-state donors.
Democrats, who have no candidate raising money to challenge Walker, concede they will not be able to match him dollar for dollar. Instead, they are counting on the same type of energy that drove the protests and the petition drive to translate into the campaign.
Two prominent Democrats, former U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold and retiring U.S. Sen. Herb Kohl, have repeatedly said they aren't interested. Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, who lost to Walker by 6 percentage points, issued a statement praising recall circulators but did not indicate whether he would enter the race.
Besides Davis, the only other successful recall of a governor in the nation's history was North Dakota Gov. Lynn Frazier in 1921.
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The Koch Brothers are laughing at their Lab Monkey after getting run over by a Bus ... LOL.
Monkeys everywhere are insulted by the comparison. On another note, too bad that the lab monkey isn't laughing at the Koch Brothers getting run over by a bus.
the people of Wisconsin spoke loud and clear .. they have rights and a puppet of the top 1% will not take those rights away from them .. the Koch brothers and their ilk have only one thing for America ..Low wages and no freedoms
apparantly lab monkeys are able to balance a budget which is more than any democrat govenor can do.
Wassamatter Walker, can't get any money IN state?
Hey Das, maybe we should send a couple more monkeys to the WH to show them how it's done!
I hope you guys are right about the people of Wisconsin. From where I sit, it doesn't look like these people really understand how dangerous this guy is. He's done a great job in brainwashing and screwing the people of Wisconsin.
I don't think I've ever seen anyone as arrogant as this guy. Is that because he knows the Koch brothers have his back?
Lord Voldemort –excuse me I mean GOP Gov. Walker attacked unions through a law limiting state employee collective bargaining rights. As the GOP went about doing the bidding of their 1 % corporate oligarchy masters the Koch Brothers and now the scum known as Walker faces recall. Anyway you cut it Lord Walker is finish politically his career ends now.
Libs....I wouldn't celebrate just yet. When push comes to shove the people of WI will "speak their mind" at the voting booth...JUST LIKE THEY DID in 2010.
Walker has nothing to worry about.
Nothing to worry about???? hahaha
Hey Raider--remember how they were going to be able to recall every single one of those GOP state senators and had plenty of money to spend on that little recall? and how the GOP still maintained the majority?
Let them underestimate the actual tax-paying citizens, who have seen Walker balance the budget without increasing taxes. It will be 2010 all over again!
Doesn't matter Raider even the Lord Walker survives the recall he is through politically His career stops here.
How many Mickey Mouse signatures were on that recall ballot? I believe if you properly 'scubbed' those signatures you'd find quite a few questionable ballots...... just saying...
Congratulation to the people of WI. Well done. I hope other fanatic right wing governors are sitting up and taking notice. We will not allow you to destroy a middle class in order to further the agenda of big business.
Shame on Walker and his cronies.
Please dems come up with a hard working decent replacement. The people of your state are ready for a change. They don't believe the likes of Walker and Rush Limbaugh. Neither do most of Americans.
God bless.
Walker is fine!
Unions are garbage!!
Walker balanced the budget! And all it cost the unions was their share of what the non-union citiizens are paying! What's the problem? To me this is proof that the unions would prefer the State go bankupt rather than contribute to its survival! Lenin would be proud of the union effort in Wisconsin!
I hope they do check those ballots! It seem that no good deed goes unpunished if the unions have their way........
I wouldn't break out the Champaign yet. On the More reliable polls, winning is the flip of a coin.
The arguments expressed by those of you on the Right are puzzling to be certain. I don't think you realize what's happened today. I don't think you understand that your guy is going down. I don't think you understand much of anything that's going on in the real world. It's like watching a person debate themselves in a mirror, convinced they've got the better argument.
So Rick's Real, explain your statement! To me it sounds pretty vague...and not at all 'Real'! Eh?
Oh, Rick....how about a balanced state budget without raising taxes. What is puzzling about that to you? I know that the liberal left doesn't even entertain that as a possibility, but it IS possible. Walker and WI are proof. Does holding on to more of your hard earned money sound like voting against your own interest. Does it sound like those voters got hoodwinked? Or does constantly voting for the party of more, more, more sound a little silly now, when a first-term GOP governor is able to accomplish what his predecessor couldn't?
Just wait until those WI. voters find out that they have only been lied to by the party collecting their signatures. Not only will the gov. keep his job but the unions will have their collective a$$es handed to them. Good riddance to union rubbish.
This should be fun. Usually an effort like this ends up just for show... but this one could really happen. That would be soooo sweeeet.
talk about ignoring facts. they collected over a million signatures. even if he gets voted back in, that is still disastrous for walker. and to the members of the right, a resounding victory in 2010, has turned into a grassroots effort to unseat that guy, and the election could be decided by a coin flip. that is called losing to some degree. winning would have been to BUILD upon those successes of 2010.
hey mike, the republicans are the party of more too. they just want to give more to fewer people and people are kind of tired of that. stop giving your buddies tax breaks which makes them richer and the populace poorer, and you might aviod a recall.
mikehataway
The party of "more, more,more" is clearly the GOP. Your rant and the new GOP mantra has absolutely no basis in fact. Both parties suck at balancing the budget, they just want to cut and/or spend on different agendas. Your buddy Bush's agenda is still costing us nearly $500Billion a year because he increased his spending without funding a dime. Combine his gift of $500 Billion in less tax revenue a year and we have a fantastic $1Trillion a year that the GOP is still costing us 3 years after Bush left...
So don't give us the "responsible party" BS... and it IS BS.
Rick's real probably debates himself in the mirror constantly. He maintains a perfect 0-100 record.
Many, if not most, of those signatures were probably given just to get the collectors off their backs. Think about it: a person knocks on your door and asks you to sign a petition. You refuse. They now know your address, your name and will be able to find more information with which to make your life difficult. It sure seems these union leaders have the art of retribution down pat.
Now the actual recall election is anonymous, noone knows how you're actually voting that day. I see Governor Walker maintaining his position, unless the unions somehow manage to finagle a card check for this election.
No matter how much the dog scratches itself, the right will claim the only remedy is more fleas. Walker is shot to hell.
What a Joke, More then half those names are made up fake names by the lazy union people,Walker turned Wisconsin around and is the best thing that ever happened to the state.He will not be going anywhere but the unions are doomed,good ridence,
God Bless GOVERNER SCOTT WALKER AND WISCONSIN
Scott Walker for President
What Walker has cost Wisconsin :
$810 million in High Speed Rail money that he kissed away.
Six months of negative job growth in the state, including 3 months where Wisconsin lead the nation in worst job performance. But...but...I thought Walker ran his campaign on creating jobs. $1.83 Billion dollars cut from public education funding in the state.
Large cuts to local municipalities.
Walker trying to kill off the City of Milwaukee by killing their tax base, trying to pass legislation that usurps local authority to require city workers to live inside the city.
Forcing thousands of families off Badgercare so that many do not have adequate health insurance. This all while giving away $200 million in tax breaks to corporations, which will add up to $2 billion over the next decade.
Also, slamming through voter ID laws as quickly as possible to change the outcome of upcoming elections. Let us not forget the partisan redistricting maps that Walker drew up with the help of ALEC.
Walker is owned by the Koch, Bradly Foundation, and ALEC. The guy ran on a record of job creation, yet his special "Jobs Sessions" yielded abortion bills, and legislation to change the name of the Holiday Tree back to Christmas tree. Sorry, but he never lifted a finger to attract employers when he was Milwaukee County Executive, and he doesn't know how to attract business as Governor either.
Oh, lets not forget his Aid who stole money from veterans groups and various county causes as well. Let us also not forget all the various appointments of Walker cronies to non-political jobs that where made, passing up qualified individuals who should have gotten many positions at state agencies in favor of unqualified political lackeys.
How about the restrictions to the Wind Energy Industry, requiring the strictest setback limits in the nation, that has effectively crippled the Wind Industry in Wisconsin.
To all those detractors of the recall, it isn't just about the anti-Union laws.
As a resident of Wisconsin, all I can say is I have nothing but contempt for the whining liberals forcing me to spend more money on an election that was decided back in 2010 by a very big majority. Here is some facts to think about. Walker has done nothing illegal or immoral. Wisconsin has been under union control for the last 60 years and has steadily spiraled downward. Maybe it is time to kill the union and let free enterprise rule. I have to laugh at the people who approached me to sign their silly recall, driving their Toyotas and Hondas, sure are worried about the unions aren't they? This is just sour grapes by the democrats. Wisconsin elected a Republican governor and replaced the democrat Russ Feingold with a Republican senator. All in response to Obamacare, which will have dire effects on the working people of Wisconsin. I have no doubt we can defeat whatever mamby pamby, make love not war, liberal pile of manure that the People's Republic of Madison throws on the ballot. To those who get their news from MSNBC, wake up and read both sides of the issue. You can find the unbiased facts on BBC news. Read that and then realize how stupid you sound spouting off about this recall election. There is a common thought in WI, let all those that signed the petitions pay for this election. Of course they wouldn't do that, as liberals they are happier to spend my money and not their own. I stated with this comment and I will end with it: why should I have to pay for an election that was decided in 2010? Pure union greed and democrat idiocy.
I find it alarming that if one party doesn't win an election, they only need a percentage to force another election. In each party's case, 23% of signatures needed can be met by the fringe of a party.
Welcome to the new era of annual elections. Wouldn't it be great if Walker was recalled, and the Right started the recall process the day after a Dem. Governor took office......
Because that is where we are heading.
Me. I'd rather wait 2 more years and let him finish his term. Regardless of party.
Go, Wisconsin!
25% of registered voters signed the petition. On a good day 50% of registered voters actually vote. I would say the scale is tipped against the 'good governor".
Richard Trumka for President!!! You people are a bunch of union thug fools. You vote Walker out and get a union lackey in, you deserve to go back to the downward spiral you were in.
Let us see here, he balanced the budget, didn't lay anyone off. Got rid of a health Insur co. owned and controlled by the teachers union that was ripping off the state with high rates. What are we missing here??
Anyone who has ever worked in an effort like this, knows what an incredible accomplishment we are seeing. This was grass roots, the real deal. Citizens stood up and slapped the overreaching hands of the right-wing crazies who are bent on transferring every last cent of wealth in our country to the ultra-rich.
This was a fabulous start, and I congratulate all those who labored to make this happen. Unfortunately, the battle is not over. In the near-term, there will be a vote, and if these community organizers get their jobs done, Walker and his cronies will be thrown into the street where they belong.
Perhaps people will begin to understand the importance of community organizers. They are the ones who will be sentries, protecting our freedom from the attacks of tyrants. It is community organizers who will guard against the destruction of the values, hopes, and dreams of the great majority of Americans. Lead on, Wisconsin.
When you run up credit card debt, and then don't feed your kids, you might be able to balance your budget too. But it doesn't help your kids grow.
Walker solved budget problems on the backs of the middle class, while giving away tax breaks to big business. We didn't cause Wisconsin's deficit, the reckless greed on Wall Street did. Unfortunately, once again, the middle class gets to pay for it.
Walker will get recalled.
California should recall Jerry Brown, that idiot gave 16 million to Solyndra and his policies are bad for the state.
When you run up credit card debt, and then don't feed your kids, you might be able to balance your budget too. But it doesn't help your kids grown.
Walker solved budget problems on the backs of the middle class, while giving away tax breaks to big business. We didn't cause Wisconsin's deficit, the reckless greed on Wall Street did. Unfortunately, once again, the middle class gets to pay for it.
When you run up credit card debt, and then don't feed your kids, you might be able to balance your budget too. But it doesn't help your kids grown.
Walker solved budget problems on the backs of the middle class, while giving away tax breaks to big business. We didn't cause Wisconsin's deficit, the reckless greed on Wall Street did. Unfortunately, once again, the middle class gets to pay for it.
Wow, the union hacks are active on here this evening. The people of Wisconsin have spoken already. This recall effort will go nowhere. The majority is not with the unions this time.
"Walker is own by the Koch", don't you have something smart to say?
People of Wisconsin are sick and tired of the high taxes, the inability to balance the budget, the corruption and the union bosses colluded with Democrats Governors to lotting the coffers of the state. Gov. Walker was elected to fix Wisconsin and he is delivering his promises. People of Wisconsin will never be under the rule of Trumka and his henchmen.
Looks to me as though the people of Wisconsin weren't quite done speaking. Rob + ####
Mike, you have posted the same thing 4 times. And it is as trivial the 4th. time as it was the first time. Put down the Democrat spin book full of yarns, and think for yourself for a change. Now take your meds and go to bed.
if you can handle the truth - go to factcheck.org.
Looks like another big waste of taxpayer dollars, something that comes natural to Wisconsin Demounioncrats. By the time any recall effort would be fully resolved, i.e. thru inevitable challenges etc., it'll be regular election time again.
Oldman young eyes:
I submitted once, but the capture verification posted more than once as the pass phrase appeared that many times, and apparently re-posted the article every time I got the pass phrase incorrect.
I have been to factcheck.org and seen that Walker likes to use bureau of Labor statistics only when he has positive job numbers.
BTW, I am not a member of a Union.
@TheArm
Interesting that you refer to a BBC article, a state run, and state supported news service, as being unbiased. Would you say the same about PBS?
Also, may I point out that the article was not really that in depth. Furthermore, the British have many strong public sector unions, that all have a "right," using the BBC's terminology, to collectively bargain.
Go Wisconsin!!!!
Who says the people of WI do not have the gall to stand up to the arrogant right wing elite!?! Go for it guys and show the elite that they just can't walk all over your rights without getting a response. The State officials are answerable to their Constituents and not the other way around. If they expect you to be the sacrificial lambs for various benefits, etc. then so should they be willing to forgo some of the benefits as well.
Did you read or hear of Walker giving up any of his work benefits or double dipping plans?? Try checking it out!
..............................."I would love to see that Dirtbag kicked out on his a$$"
As a Wisconsin resident, I will tell you it's not the union issue alone that has us riled up. It's much bigger than that.
Also, for all Walker's bravado about saving us money, my property taxes went UP almost $400 a year, over a 10% increase, because our municipality of course, lost money from the state and has to make it up somewhere. In small rural communities all over Wisconsin, the choices are either having tax increases or get rid of snowplowing, garbage removal, etc. But yeah, that's right, Walker wants us to stop recycling. And wants to abolish the clean water act that was put in place after the cryptosporidium outbreak of the 90's in Milwaukee.
Walker is in bigger trouble than he thinks if he thinks the only people that are recalling him are Democrats or the union folks. Although, it seems to me that he is rather delusional about what is going on. He must surround himself with people who tell him what he wants to hear.
My Michigan Govenor Snyder had the same budget problems. He worked on it with great opposition from unions (who do not want to give up anything), and now we have a budget surplus. For the people of Wisconsin, if you want a defaulted state, keep it up. If you want great pay and great bennies, go get a job in the private sector.
"Walker expressed confidence Tuesday that he will survive a recall and that voters will reward him for balancing a $3.6 billion budget shortfall without laying off state employees or raising taxes."
Even many of the teachers are likely not to support the recall, since they can use the union dues they now don't have to pay to fund their increased pension costs. I wonder how many voters will vote for more taxes, more teacher layoffs and more spending by putting a Democrat in charge again.
Of course, the good people of Wisconsin will make the actual decision, and people tend to get what they deserve.
David Walker "Anyone who has ever worked in an effort like this, knows what an incredible accomplishment we are seeing. This was grass roots, the real deal."
Thanks for the laugh - This was paid for by out of state union money.
Thank you for helping me prove my point.
With arrogant people like Dave-2664536 (post # 1.27) spouting his invalid buffoonery of facts, it's no wonder some of the people (including Dave) got hoodwinked into blindly following the Republicans without thinking clearly. Finally, some of the constituents are waking up to the corrupt policies taking place in that State. But, it's never too late to stand up for what is right, along with telling the elite to hit the road after paying their fair share of the taxes.
Walker has nothing to worry about. If he gets voted out--which is 50/50 at the moment, sadly (I hope that everyone who signed the petition will also pony up $10 for the opposing candidate, as then that candidate will have twice the money of Walker, and all in-state)--he will get another job.
He has become a political darling of the right--which is how he is raising so much out-of-state money (I wonder how the voters will feel about his being in the pocket of those who are out-of-state)--and will wind up with either a job with Fox News or becoming a major right-wing pundit. There is even more money in being a pundit who jets around making speeches than there is in being a bought and paid-for governor--and there's less work involved, too. Ask Sarah Palin.
The fellow has the makings of the next Glenn Beck. I really don't think he has a single concern in the world for anyone other than himself, and he has no real worries for himself. I hope, however, that the people of the state will elect someone who cares about them.
I think a conservative Democrat who actually cares about balancing the budget for real without catering to corporations and creating shortfalls which have to be "balanced" by damaging the middle class should step forward. There are a lot of conservative Democrats--not that long ago, it was Democrats who were the more conservative party in terms of spending. Since Republicans have long since lost their cred in that department, there's opportunity.
I hope that the Democratic party realizes at some point that fiscal conservatism is their ticket to the big time--most people like fiscal conservatism AND spending on social programs as long as it can be funded. A Democrat with some background in business or in local government who's done a good job with budgeting would be great--I don't live in the state, but I hope that those who do will look for such a person, as s/he would win.
But, no, Walker hasn't a concern in the world. If he keeps the job, it's a win; if he loses the job, it's a win. It must be sweet to be Walker.
To bob swistara (Post # 1.52)
To quote you:
This a typical Republican bold face lie with very invalid facts. First, the State of Michigan has no budget surplus what-so -ever. Secondly, the Detroit, one of the largest cities in Michigan has the highest unemployment and highest poverty of all 50 States. It's ranks at the bottom of the 50 States. So, it's pretty hard to go down any further when they are already at the bottom. No place to go, but up. And if you are fortunate to have a job in Michigan, then the pay and benefits are extremely poor. It's not hard to figure out what manipulative Party convinced you to spout such invalid and 100% inaccurate remarks. It would be an amazing feat if Republicans were to ever speak the truth without manipulation.
An Independent Thinker, #1.58 (and a few above from you that I saw)- EXCELLENT!!! WE NEED ONE OF THEM RECALL ELECTIONS for governor HERE IN MY STATE, TOO! Or Impeachment!
Yes, Kudos to Wisconsin. Congrats to Miss America? And sympathy and condolences to those poor-poor People in Michigan, too!!!
It would be a bit different if Walker was doing exactly as publicly promised, but in fact he's been following a hidden agenda. Maybe he did make these promises privately to the likes of the Koch brothers, but not to the voters. I'm sure a lot of Wisconsin voters felt a slight shift toward the conservative side would be good for the State, however what they got was a radical fanatic who mislead the public. That is why he's being recalled. Many regular Republicans in the State will never trust one of their own again and you can be sure that not one Democrat and most independents will never be swayed again for the rest of their lives.
America is waking up. The Tea Party is dying because of its fanaticism. There's examples all over. The die hards won't change their minds, but you can be sure that sane people are. Most people want reasonable compromise, but the far right wants nothing like it. Walker is far more devious than the typical right wing psycho politicians, he portrayed himself as a "regular conservative", but in fact he was just a closet far right psycho. People don't like being lied to, that is why Wisconsin is acting.
1NewDay - You hit the nail on the head. Wisconsin may be many things, but radical is not one of them. Many people, regardless of political bent, are embarrassed by the spotlight that Walker has us in. Most people here want reasonable compromise, and they believe in a give and take negotiation. It's a place where a lot of business can still be done on a handshake and verbal promise. Reputation is important, and you are so right, many of us live by the creed "Fool me once, shame on you; Fool me twice, shame on me." Many people who voted for Walker feel very deceived. Fiscal responsibilty has nothing to do with a lot of his hidden, crazy agendas.
Funny the Reps stay this is a waste of taxpayer money, that he was elected and this is wrong.
Did they say the same thing in California when Grey Davis was recalled (over dissatisfaction with the rolling energy blackouts which were caused by the manipulation of Energy Companies which are typically Republican Supporters...A certain company called Enron comes to mind as being the real cause of that situation through their market manipulation)
Oh and if Walker has nothing to worry about then why is he scouring the rest of the country in a mad dash to raise money for this?
And why isn't he raising it in his own state?
Funny the people of WI signed it, so he turns to people in other states for the money...Hmmm
And to the idiots who scream about fake names such as Mickey Mouse...Uh how do you know that Democrats/Liberals gave those names? I would think it more likely they were given by Right Wing idiots in a derisive manner, then they can later point those out and say it is flawed. THey cause a problem, then attempt to gain by it. I see that scenario as being fairly likely.
What concerns me is not the recall of Gov Walker, but how votes will be entered and counted. To me it is so far very interesting given how close some of the GOP primary voting has been, but there isn't any attempt to verify votes! With the Republicans who are constantly insisting for Voter verification, they are not even checking if the voters in the primaries are even legit!!!!
No offense, but something stinks!
As usual the right are so blind, they spin it any way they see fit. Walker can't even raise enough money from his own state, no he has to go to New York, and the former head of "AIG" had a fund raiser @ $2500 a plate. Walker has to rely on the Super Pac to get his money, where we are grassroots, the people and their votes are what will count, go ahead and let all those millionaire & billionaires waste their money, but the people know exactly Walker is all about. This is not just a WI issue this is a National issue, these radical Gov and Repugs are doing this all over the country, feeding the rich while destroying the middle class, guess what, "WE WON'T TAKE IT ANYMORE!"
GO WI AND THE NATION, STAND UP AGAINST THE RADICAL RIGHT!!!!
I don't know what is going in WI except for what is reported in the news, so I won't get into the debate except for the Union end.
What most people don't realize about the big Unions is they are a part of the financial crisis in America. The Unions drive the prices up making it harder for most Americans to live on what they earn.
Your Union Leaders are also stock holders. If they really were concerned about the lowly Union Members, they would call for less returns on their own stocks so that a Companies profits would filter down into the workers pocket instead of their own pocket.
When is the last time you heard of a big Union's leaders agreeing to not receiving any "compensation" while they have the Union Members out on strike? How many of the big Union leaders have offered to sell their mansions to benefit Union members in need?
Big Unions do not help Americans any more. Big Unions are now in the same boat that the "Big Bosses" are in. The big Unions are out of control (that is out of the Union members control).
If the big Union leaders are living much better than the Union members they supposedly represent, then you know that they are not working for the best interests of the Union members.
The big Union leaders are part of the Special Interest Groups that are only concerned for their personal gains.
Union members need to stop letting their leaders con them.
If Gov. Walker has reduced the cost of WI government, then why are you mad?
Government work is a to pay back for what has been given to you. If you want to live the lavish life, then get a real job (I'm not saying working a Government job is not hard, but if you don't like it, find a different job). In most States, a Government job that pays $40k to $50k a year is more than enough to live comfortably. Anything approaching $100k a year is way too much. It is Civil Service work and needs to reflect that. If you don't like it, go work somewhere else and let a grateful American replace you.
It is greed that is ruining America, and big Unions are greedy.
Bravo Wisconsin
Has any one taking note on how many union ads ran? And when they did run ads, that they did not last very long, why is that? Well the Walkkers administration has found misleading statements in their ads and have threatened the unions to a court battle if they continued to run them. Slander suits that the unions were not afraid of in the past are now a problem? Walkker just do it, sue them, and lets see how fast a judge throws out the case! Are the Unions backing down? Where is the unions when it comes to making Walkker remove his TV ads? Why are there not more Democrats looking to run against Walkker? Smart ones are waiting to see how this recall plays out before adding their name to run against the Governor. Bet if the recall finds a lot of fake names like NOAH YOUNION, and MICKY MOUSE, and the recall gets just over the recall numbers, many democrats are to going to run. This is a maker or killer political career election for someone. A future Wisconsin president might come out of this! We will see if Wisconsin voters are willing to pay high taxes for a few special union members, I bet that they will. I say that because Federal and other non-state unions don't have collective bargaining! But they are union and even if they don't get special treatment, they should hand over the money to help state union workers, even up the cost of union dues to back the effort. They all should Double the dues for a year if thats what it takes!
I hope that they go thru this recall with a fine tooth comb and send people to jail for fake names and double signatures! That way all future recalls will be more honest and with less worries. The unions should even drop members that allowed any wrong doing just to show that they want honest members. It would also show the Wisconsin voters that they are doing the right thing and that they should back the honest state unions for they expensive collective bargaining rights.
Kat, 1.6, you haven't seen anyone as arrogant as Walker? Check out Gov Kasich from OH. Mike, 1.28, at first I thought you weree discussing how Kasich gutted the Ohio workers in favor of big business and his cronies. He's ex-Lehman Bros, and it shows. So, good luck with the recall. We'd be doing the same here in OH, but recalls are not allowed.
Doncorneo, Union leaders are elected. They are not appointed. How does owning stocks of companies violate morality or obligation to union members? They don't own company stock that they are associated with unless it is owned through the union.
As to why don't the Union leaders sell their homes to help their union members? Huh? That analogy is as stupid as suggesting why don't the CEO or the board members sell their homes to help the investors. Unless the gaines are made illegally, why should people be punished???
Wisconson governor balance the state budget???? Where have you been???? The budget is not balanced. It is about the same position as where it was prior to him taking over!!!!! The differences are that his donors received MANY sweetheart contracts, and other entitlements.... You obviously don't even attempt to fact find prior to being Republican/Tea Party whipping boy.
Trow the bum out Wisconsin,,, Set the direction for the rest of our country to follow, you can turn the entire national election on what you do with Walker & his cronies
You aren't alone,,,, Republicans in Indiana also support your actions against union busting
http://www.lunchpailrepublicans.com/
since the 2010 elections ..the American people have seen what money and low morals can do to America 2012 will be a very rude awakening for the parasites that call themselves Tea Party Patriots
No, no, no...you have it all wrong. It is since the 2008 election that people finally started waking up. The elections of 2010 just proved how bummed out they were after realizing their gigantic mistake of 2008. But not to worry, we will finish the job this year.
@mikehataway.....right on!!

No Mike YOU have it all wrong
The over hyped Tea Party - exploiters of dissatisfaction & anger they are more about screaming than anything else. A bunch of gun nuts, tax protesters (who don’t want to pay any tax at all) insurance company lobbyists, constitutionalists who have not read the Constitution, crazy “birthers” and a bunch of fat cat politicians pretending to be outsiders like the Caribou killing nitwit Sarah Palin and yes a contingent of racists. This is not a coherent intellectual or political force. They remind me of the Tea Party in Alice in Wonderland
The fact that Mittens Romney will get the GOP domination proves the CONSEVITISM IS DEAD! The Tea Party - LOL!
You are both delusional. Walker is done! All the freshman GOP Governors that got in in the teabag phase have the lowest approval rates going! just look at Ohio and South Carolina and look at Scott in Florida! The party is over for the Tea Party! You can thank the teabaggers in the House and Senate for all of it!
And yet, despite your histrionics, the Tea Party was very successful in getting its members elected. Remember the landslide that was 2010. It is coming at you again!
And for the record, Tpers are not against taxation. They are, however, against the wasting of our tax dollars and the incessant cry from the left for "more, more, more", even when the left has repeatedly demonstrated their fiscal irresponsibility.
Jim, Walker's approvals have actually improved since July of 2011. President's like Obama can win reelection if they just get their approval numbers up in time. I wouldn't bet on either side on this one - it is going to be an expensive toss-up.
Finish the job? Your party has been in office for two years now, and you haven't even started the job. Your do-nothing congressmen are the laughing stock of the world. Your Tea Party makes Alice in Wonderland look like saneville. At least they shared tea with one another, which is more than your party has accomplished since '08. The Republican Tea Party creates nothing except for chaos. You don't solve problems you cause them. You don't look for logical solutions unless it helps the extraordinarily wealthy. You protect the 1% at the expense of the 99%.
You are the warm hands party; not because you have warm hearts, but because you sit on them all day long.
Oh, poor, poor Rick, still believing what the party trolls tell you. The Gop controls the house--the Dems control the rest. Where are your solutions?
And for god's sake please don't continue with the usual dem nonsense of how the GOP is obstructing the Dems. You had complete control for 2 years and wasted the entire time on the obamacare bill.
solutions have been put on the table for two years now, and the do nothings have done nothing. and yes, you are correct, the republicans hold the branch of government with the lowest approval rating. lower than the gulf oil spill. so good luck getting to the job
What a hero to Wisconsin Governer Scott Walker is.He is so well liked by the majority of the people there is no chance he will be leaving.
He has done every thing he said he would do, He brought Wisconsin out of a multi million Dollar deficit to being in the green enough to lower property taxes through out the state.
Cry on you worthless union a-holes
I can't wait to call yours the party of total and complete losers - and be historically accurate.
To Dave-2664536 (post 2.11)
To quote you:
Is swearing your highest level of communication that you have? No need to respond! It would be just more hot air and pointless to say the least.
TeaParty support is down by 10 points, not 10% mind you but 10 Percentage points.
You came, you talked, they gave you a shot and they don't like what they saw.
Thats why the TeaReps are dropping like flies in the Rep Primary and the most liberal one, Romney, is going to be the nominee.
Palin who?
Beck who?
Bachman who?
Cain Who?
Perry a soon to be who (He already is just nobody bothered to tell him)
....Here's a sobering headline for you:
"Union Membership in U.S. Fell to a 70-Year Low Last Year"
"“It was a very tough year for unionized workers,” said John Schmitt, a senior economist with the Center for Economic and Policy Research in Washington. “We’re seeing declines in the private sector, and we’re seeing declines in the public sector.”
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01...
You can read how bad the numbers are for Private and Public Sector Unions there. But I'll sum it up for you:
88.1% of workers in America don't want or need no stinkin' union.....Many of the 11.9% that are in Unions are forced to join in order to work.....
You may or may not achieve a temporary "victory" in Wisconsin....But the Union's epitaph has already been written.
Mike,
Exactly. Unions are almost dead. I can't wait until Nov 2012 when the conservatives take over the senate and white house and get back to good ole capitalism. And we can watch union membership shrink even more. Good riddance!
See ya from your neighbor in Highland Beach.
The problem with you is that like most americans you want a free and/or easy ride on the expense of the government. Wisconsin, just like many states will end up going bankrupt. If what Walker has done is reversed, the only choice then is to raise taxes. Then what happens, just like California, Illinois, and New York, businesses and people go to another state that is more tax friendly. The liberals and democrats have pandered, given all to unions, and given away the store just to get the uniions vote. If the recall happens and Walker is voted out, I will love to see what the unions and liberals will do to the state. The citizens of the state will have either other services cut and/or taxes increased just to pay for the overboard perks and pay of the unions working for the state. If this was not so sad, it would almost be pathetic to see what you letting the unions and liberals do to your state. Reap what you sow. That is Wisconsin. For the majority who do not want the taxes increased and/or vital services cut, and want the democrats kissing of the unions butts, had better turn out and vote for Walker and the Republicans who truly want to save Wisconsin. Not the liberals and selfish unions that have no good intentions for the state.
Almost immediately after the election, Scooter Walker suddenly 'found' $600 million laying around unaccounted for by his number crunchers - an oops Walker said. So, that $3.6 billion was actually $3 billion. How he straight-faced continues with the $3.6 billion number - it is really a farce - shows what a sneaky liar he is. Then, WI was broke, but then, he raised the budget. The old cut-and-spend GOP ideology.
Then, WI was broke but he gave a raise to his staff and tried to give a donor buddy's kid a job with no experience and $20K more than the person he removed. Said he knew nothing about it to WI, but when called to testify in Washington, Walker said he removed the donor's kid as soon as he found out about it. Really, yeah right. The same happened when testifying about his actions to balance the budget. Walker said eliminating collective bargaining had nothing to do with balancing the budget when challenged under oath n Washington, but told WI it was one of the 'tools' to balance the budget. Of course, he never said he was going to eliminate collective bargaining BEFORe he was elected.
Then, Walker held a special session of the WI legislature on jobs, and what did WI get? Legislature on teaching 'abstinence' over contraception in schools, gun laws such as 'concealed carry' and changes to the 'Castle Doctrine' - judges must assume a person's innocence if that person shoots someone invading their home. But guess what - NO JOBS legislation.
Wisconsin is one of the worst states in the country for job creation - yet Walker talks about thousands of jobs being created, and the other legislators up for recall go on record saying legislature on 'abstinence' will create jobs. The jobs numbers in WI would be even worse if the mass exodus of teachers and public servants into retirement was taken into account.
Then there's the draconian cuts to education, health-care, and the safety nets in WI for those unfortunate to be down and out in this economy. Yet Walker legislates for more taxpayer money to go to support 'business' subsidies. But still, no jobs in WI. Just more cut-and-spend GOP policy.
Then there's the all-out assault on environmental protection laws in WI to foster the mining industry. These go so far as to hold the mining industry unaccountable for any damage done to the environment with Walker going so far as to legislate that it is okay for mining to fill in wetlands, waterways, and destroy rare species as the industry sees fit; and again - with additional legislation holding mining harmless and protecting them from any recourse for their actions. But yet there are no 'job' initiatives mentioned in any of this 'new' mining legislation. And yet, this is job creation legislation per Walker.
But what's worse in WI is all the backdoor legislation to insulate Walker's action from reprisal such as Walker immediately changing over 20 top department head positions from 'civil service' to 'appointee' positions. Initiating voter ID laws. Changes and attempts to change the recall process in WI.
And here's another beaut. Walker had a meeting with a WI 'business brain trust' on the impediments to job creation. And what did this brain trust come up with as No. 1 on their list? Walker stated that 'business could not compete with unemployment compensation' in WI. So Walker legislated for a one-week wait period before unemployment benefits would kick in for someone who lost their job in Wisconsin.
And that's just the tip of the iceberg on why Walker should be recalled. Apparently, Wisconsin doesn't need jobs, just more GOP cut-and-spend ideology forced upon Wisconsin with Walker.
Throw the bum out - RECALL WALKER WISCONSIN!!!!
A recent Wisconsin study showed that two-thirds of the top 50 companies in Wisconsin pay no taxes. But guess what, taxes are going up for taxpayers in Wisconsin municipalities. So much for 'no new taxes' WI.
And what will happen next in Wisconsin? Well, Walker's cronies have already stated that they will target the police and fire unions next. Walker did't go after them originally as they were too big to challenge. Walker is also doing a study on how he can tap into the public service employee retirement trust fund also.
That's right, Walker's Wisconsin doesn't need jobs. Just more GOP tapping into the 99% instead of the 1% to fund Wisconsin spending.
Independent Jim: I think the only parasites are the ones that sit on their fat @ss being spoon fed by Dems so the Dems can control them. Wisconsin will be like majority of Dems states, bankrupted. Wisconsinites don't want changes, they want the poor to feel desparate and in need all the time so the Dems can control them. This is the Dems motto "Give a man a fish, but don't teach a man to fish"... this creates dependents from the populance.
All the unions are is a bunch of leeches the dont have a real job they dont produce anything they just take money from the worker that are producing a product.
And since when is the government unions so important didnt know that the goverments are taking advantage of there workers like the auto co. in the 1930's the government jobs are full of waste they only do as little as they can get away with if the government and other union employees would work hard then they would not have to worry about losing there jobs.
Get rid of the unions before they destroy this country any further than they already have.
People need to learn, once and for all, that our purpose is to work and pay taxes so that those who govern us can live well without having to work an inordinate amount.
What was it Willie Brown, the retired leader of the California Assembly, said? Something to the effect that public workers used to have to work for lower pay/benefits but never had to worry about being laid off, and now they still have the latter but get better pay than workers in the private sector. (Whose taxes pay their salaries.) Moral: get a government job!
no question about that hnl. whats that joke that people say? whats the unemployment among government workers? zero. lol
its alright though WI will eventually become like my state of connecticut, highest taxes on almost everything in the country excluding cali. people and business are already leaving in droves and our liberal dannel malloy pretty boy governor just keeps on going. UCONN has 6% tuition increases for the next 4 years, a 24% increase overall.
i could keep going but i think we all get the point.
what planet are you guys on, public sector employees have been laid off all over the country. i know, i was one of them.
You have to be pretty worthless to get laid off as a public sector employee!
Just my .02......
So let me see if I have this right, if we do not like what a politician is doing and they have lied to get into office we can have a recall, then why don't we do the same for Obama first, then lets have a recall vote for the democrat es in Wisconsin that ran like cowards to a union controlled city (Chicago) so they would not have to do their jobs (and then what sickens me is that we paid them for not doing their jobs, they should have been impeached for dereliction of duty).
Like it or not Walker is doing exactly what he said he was going to do. With getting rid of the unions I do not think he went far enough, he should have went after every one including the police and firefighters union. I am tired of being held hostage to debts these people are running up. It is time for us to not only think about ourselves but our children; the Democrats are the most selfish bunch of hypocrites I have ever seen in my life, take from the people that worked their butts off to build a business and went without while they were building it, and now that it is where it is stable, they without working want these peoples money. Have any of you thought about where we are going to get jobs from after we take their money, because they will have no more capital to build new jobs.
Maybe you need to change your names from the Democratic party to the Socialist Party, and call our president the head of the socialist party.
I can not wait until two years from now when he is thrown out of office because for once the white voters will go out and vote. You think the African American vote was amazing, wait till the next presidential election. I am tired of live in the socialist republic of America, I want my rights to eat what I want, to get government out of my life, and to live my life free from what our founding fathers fought to free us from (a oppressive government that is taxing us much more then we were taxed back then) and for what, and where did the money go, except into Obama's trusted advisers and supporters. Wake up people, start turning off all the news channels and start doing individual research, you will be amazed by how badly we have been lied to by the talking heads on the news and in Washington DC.
And bicfj, if the unions had not run up the price of labor to make the companies unable to compete, we would not be in this problem. So if you want to point fingers point them at the greed of the union leaders that care nothing of this country but of money and power. To me they are nothing but traitors that are intent on breaking our right to govern ourselves as a independent country.
Anyone who is so hated and vilified by the unions must be terrific. I own my business, a publishing company, with 70 employees. It is decidely non-union, and always will be. If a union ever got a foothold in my door, I would "retire" and close the doors. Since I own my building and equipment outright, there would be no particular hardship or obligation, except to the newly unemployed, who could then look to their union morons for a handout. And I would be up and operating within a month, in say, Costa Rica or Belize.
Hey you might want to do research before you spout off, the first batch of recalls were against dem senators, the dem recalls failed because the people of Wisconsin didn't agree with them.
Heck yes Tbenton - well said! :)
You are full of @!$%#!
Tbenton.............great post. Lib's won't agree but you are exactly right!!
Maybe occupy is a skrewd up mess, but isn't it time for All Americans to stand up and protest against these politicians and wealthy corp. owners who think they own and run The USA???????????????
Skrewworld...What comes of obscene wealth is an epidemic of control freaks who believe their wealth entitles them to MORE than anyone else in this country. Wouldn't you consider that "entitlement" attitude? These idiots actually believe their money "entitles" them to more than any other American. Time to knock them off their high horses.
They consider any taxes they have to pay for education, safety and infrastructure unnecessary even though they are the biggest consumers of these and government services. These are degenerates of wealth who can't stand having to witness the mass unemployment their wealth created or those who once might have been considered middle class. Now, millionaires call themselves "middle class" to avoid paying their fair share of taxes.
Main Streeters simply have to recognize where their wealth really comes from: consumers, taxpayers and employees. If they are wealthy without any help from anyone, God Bless. If they rely on anyone else to help them achieve obscene wealth, they OWE and must be forced to pay back what they take from the system. If the government won't do it, then like the people of WI, then it's up to the rest of us.
All their insistence on greed will do is amass angry mobs. The Gravy Train is over. We can't afford to put a man in the White House, like Romney, whose entire fortune came from Wall Street investments that came from everyone else's money but his. We elect a president...CEO are appointed.
Don't think I was disagreeing with you. My point was as dysfunctional as the Occupy has been in some regards they are trying to right some wrongs. Therefore, it behooves all of us to organize into a United America who are going to force the implementation of the basically hollow "hope and change ideas'". We have to stop fighting each other, get our acts together as CITIZENS and make these polticians and welathy CEO types listen to the FACT that WE THE PEOPLE want to take our country back. SO, any who have constructive ideas as opposed to arguing and insulting each other please BRING IT ON. Talk to each other about how as a nation we can accomplish what we all need and want.
Walker is so going down. People who actually live here know what's going on, he is a toadie to the rich in Texas.
Here's all you need to know about the recall:
"Public employee union interviews five Dems for Walker recall"
"Wisconsin's largest public employee union recently sat down individually with three Democrats - and interviewed two more by phone - in its quest to back a candidate to challenge Gov. Scott Walker in a potential recall race."
http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/...
The UNION will pick the Candidate that will run against Gov.Walker.....not the people...no debates, no primary....hand picked to do what He/She is told to do by the UNION......
This is NOT what Democracy looks like...oh wait....yes it is...MOB RULE...
This is NOT what Constitutional Republic looks like.
You know what Tbenton, the more I think about it, the more I think you are right.
How dare those darn democrats refuse to vote for a bill that would hurt the people of the state they represent, how dare they.
How dare those police and firefighters come together to demand better working conditions to help them in saving our lives. They think just because they save lives, they can boss us around, and tell us what they want. We are gonna give them mediocre wages, and unfit working conditions, and they're gonna like it!
That is 100% correct, those white voters need to finally go out and decide where this country is headed, and finally take back their rights from these minorities, that whites have been deprived of so long!
( For you conservatives jumping in front of your computer, filled with energy by this post, it was sarcastic)
Attention Posters! Wisconsin has a 'Balanced Budget Amendment'. Wisconsin balances its budget every year. The only difference for Walker was that he did it on the backs of kids, the poor, and the elderly by cutting education, health-care, and the safety nets WI had in place for those in need.
But Walker did not stop there, he actually increased the WI "We're Broke" budget he claimed by giving business millions more in tax breaks. Supposedly, to help create jobs. But the reality is that WI was one of the worst states in the country for job creation and one of the best at jobs lost.
Reasons Walker is getting recalled:
He said he would create jobs - he has not
He said he would lower the tax burden - for almost everyone, he has not
He said he would reform State Agencies - they have now become corrupt political appointees doing favors for their donors and ignoring all their real responsibilities.
Walker's "balanced" budget is actually giving us an even bigger deficit for the next fiscal biennium. I guess he won't have to worry about that one...
3.6 billion deficit reduced to a projected 300 million surplus. All because a governor asked that government union workers pay 12.5% of their health care and put a small portion of their money toward their pension. Awww, I feel so bad for those poor government workers who still have to do waayyyy less than nearly any private business worker. Oh yeah, now someone doesn't have to join the union in order to receive employment. How dare Walker save the state all of this money without raising taxes! The big government unions just want their mob style money, and this won't let that happen as easily. That's what this is about, nothing more, nothing less.
I think exotix and Jim should live in Illinois where they love to raise taxes and their debt is skyrocketing because they keep giving the "cronies" in the unions what they want. Live there, you'll be much happier than someplace that uses economic sense in it's governing.
100% proof that liberals and government union officials are illogical cry-baby, thumb sucking ass holes.
rightwing .. that must be why all the states with right to work laws are at the low end of the economic ladder ..the low end of haveing health insurance and the low end on the education ladder ..
Isn't it ironic that the very people who claim to be for the working man deride a state that has 'right-to-work" laws? And just so you know, right to work states do not outlaw unions. You just can't deny anyone the right to work if they choose not to join a union.
@independent jim...
Do yourself a favor and read up on "right to work" laws and the states that have them. You don't seem to have the ENTIRE picture.
Right to work?? They are the lowest paying states in any job category. Just look at the non right to work States, NY, NJ, Ct with the highest wages in the Country. Right to work just translates into " Right to work and never make squat for wages", like the jobs in the mid west and down south.
The Walker recall was little more than a referendum on The Republican Governors and the entire GOP / Tea Bag ideologue in general ... that is, a referendum on Bush neocons who destroyed the Global economy for a few wealthy people then disguised themselves as tea baggers and now want to *Balance the Bush neocon destroyed Budgets* on your back for the same few wealthy people ... (see zero taxes for *Walker preferred outside companies* to come in and move your heart and soul and assets to China)
(By the way, how does Gov. Mitch Daniels ... who as Bushs' Budget Director and who as Architect of the US Debt Crisis and the Chief Financial Officer for the Iraq War that saw hundreds of Billions of Dollars just disappear ... still manage to stay in office ?)
Well, Walker is merely your first *martyr of the corrupt* ... meanwhile all the neocons and the Koch Brothers get away clean ...
Wise Up.
@ independent jim...
Do you have any unbiased evidence/statistics to back up your claims about right-to-work states?
Or, you could say that those states with the very highest wages are grossly unfair to the poorest among us. Talk about income disparity! People who live in Ca, while making more $, also have to shell out most due to the high cost of living. My sister and bro-in-law took severe (about 35%) pay cuts to move from Ca. to Texas. Guess what? Their standard of living actually went UP. They could actually afford to buy a house here.
And if unions are all that, why would you ever have to force people to join one? Why not give them a choice? Or is that just one worker's right you don't want to ever see?
I love how some people here are insinuating that the people of Wisconsin have spoken. To sign the document you only need to be a non-fellon, over the age of 18 and have lived in the state for 28 days. How many people do you think were brought in to sign the petition? Better yet, the last time around in Wisconsin one person testified that they signed a petition 80 times, there were also hundreds of signatures from Mickey mouse. The judge ruled that as long as they had an address the signatures were valid. What a joke.
The signatures they have so far equals eight months worth of effort and they still don't have a number equal to the losing vote count during 2010. Face it all you faceless robot libs; the people of Wisconsin will speak and when they do you will hear them exclaim that they are quite satisfied with a balanced budget, no new taxes and in fact they are getting a reduction in their school millage's without having to sacrifice their kids education (poor as it may be). When people sllloooowwwwwly come out of their coma's common sense will prevail. Libs get all joyful that they've got signatures, it's kind of fun watching them go through false hope (remember false hope? Yeah it's what their president gave them too...you'd think they'd learn)...the reason you don't hear from the majority of the state is that it is very happy with what's going on.
JimPa,
NY, NJ, Ct also have some of the highest cost of living indexes. When you take cost of living into account non right to work states are no better off than right to work states.
I bet we have kids here in New Jersey selling pretzels and hot dogs and making more money outside stores then your States average yearly wages in your "right to work" states!
Mike...Trouble is...your sister has to live in Texas!!!!!
No Das11, I also lived in Florida years ago and the ENTIRE south works for nothing like the mid-west also. Google personal wealth and average wages per state, then compare to all the "right to work" states, its amazing!
Mike you beat me to it.
Independent: Wages are proportionate. People in Dallas, Knoxville, Charleston, Atlanta are doing quite well and their communities are also thriving. People in Illinois, Detroit, Pittsburgh...not so much.
Health care? I'm in the business and I've read the bill. Come 2014 it doesn't matter where you work, we're screwed. I won't get into that argument right now but if something doesn't change quickly it will be nothing but ugly. Healthcare isn't exactly a good talking point for the libs at the moment.
Education??? Detroit has a 62% drop out rate. Chicago 41%, New York about 23%. I know I'm using inner city stats but those city's are at the heart of some big union states.
You're argument doesn't hold water...Mike said it best; "if unions are all that, why would you ever have to force people to join one?" One to back that up. Delta airlines employees were hounded by the white house to stay union. That's true...Delta was up against a monster outside forces union movement. In the end the workers voted to drop the union. You know why? Simple...they got paid the same but they didn't have to forcefully give up dues to the unions. Nuf said.
CE, she is just one of the lucky ones. Don't be so jealous. Texas--no state income tax, lower housing prices than alot of the country, no home foreclosure crises because of some smart legislation, low cost of living overall, some of the country's finest hospitals and universities, and the best bbq!
Yeah makes me want to move and be a Texican too! NOT!
JimPa,
Look at cost of living between right-to-work and non right-to-work states it's also amazing!! Dude, do some real homework and look at the big picture.
Great JimPa, but we already have enough of you transplants moving here for jobs. Thanks so much for staying where you are at.
Das11, I been all over this Country and I have seen how bad people live in the hick States, and also know in New Jersey nice homes in NJ for big bucks, BMW's all over the place, people with 2nd homes, etc, and people have the wages to do it! Living in trailers, driving old pickup's, and working for next to nothing just don't do it for me! I'm in construction and make THREE times what I made in a right to work state.
@JimPA
I live in CT and yes we have a high wage paying state BUT the cost of living in CT is so high because of taxes. While we have a pro union state we also enjoy the 2nd highest tax rate in the USA, only topped by the legendary california.
I don't think you know what your talking about, PA isn't exactly a thriving state by any means.. CT people are leaving in droves for other states as are businesses. what good are high wages if there are no jobs to begin with?
I don't live in PA??? I'm from Jersey! And Brendan if you can't make it in CT, you are not going to make it anywhere else either.
JimPa,
Put up or shut up, show me some data to back up your arguments!!
btw, I've been to the sticks and I've been to the big city; I'd rather live in the sticks than in a crime riddin ghetto.
right to work, since when have people required a right to work. oh i get it, luntz puts a happy little title and bow on it, and it becomes a marvelous thing. that just means you get less money for your hard work, and for a bunch of people that goes around and talks about how they like to keep their hard earned money, i would say is very ironic. perhaps quite stupid.
Das11, you don't want to hear the truth. Google or bing everything I'm saying, 1) average income per State. 2) Personal wealth per State 3) Which States are right to work Vs. non right to work States. I really doubt if anybody from a State that elected both George Bush and Perry can accomplish this task.
By the time the recall would be happening there will be another election......
@Jim PA...Hick states? driving pickups and living in trailers? Dude, now you're just being an ass hole! But AGAIN, that's exactly what to expect from liberals...especially unionized liberals. So thank you for being just another liberal supporting my points. You guys make these arguments so easy. We (the right side, not to be confused with the wrong side) throw out some actual numbers and you guys spew stereotypical bull crap about people in the south. Or perhaps you just aren't smart enough to understand the cost of living and the value of the dollar in different geographic / demographic regions.
Wait, I'm going to play that moronic game for a second. Okay, here we go;
Yeah Jim Pa. I've been all over this country too, in fact I've been all over this world but as far as this country goes I've seen these people from union states living on the streets in neighborhoods where 30% of the houses have been burned, crack dealers on the corner, 300lb nasty prostitutes walking in areas with broken down cars, garbage in the street where the cops don't even drive. I've been to the south side of Chicago, those excellent results of the CHA projects, or where they found bullet holes in the seats at US cellular field when they were building it. I've been through Mt. Elliot and Palmer in Detroit where I wouldn't send a black gang banger let alone an average working stiff. I've driven (quickly) through Compton, and Harlem, I've seen the outskirts of St. Louis and especially the fringe of DC. How's the term "urban trash" suit ya? I've seen you're union state "rich" folk driving their borrowed BMW's and living in their under water houses without enough money to offer you a beer if you visit.
You said you're in construction? Yeah, I've seen those lazy ass union construction workers too. Standing around in the job bank waiting on someone to call their number so they can go out and work instead of hustling to find work themselves. I've talked to them about their unemployment benefits and discussed who they call to get their free money. Meanwhile I've struggled my ass off but never taken a dime of your tax dollars.
Do you like where this is going JimPA? Do I sound like an idiot yet? Because I can keep going. In order to make a solid argument against right to work states you've got to have a logical mentality. You obviously don't. To make a statement like you made about the south is almost comical if it wasn't so pathetic. Some of the wealthiest areas in the country are in right to work states and just because the people you were hanging with are piss poor doesn't mean the states are.
Ridiculous statements from ridiculous thoughts. Don't get me wrong, I love you guys...you keep me entertained...you know like little monkey grinders.
Republicans are scum and their supporters fools and that is all there is to it. There IS no debate to be had. ALL the facts of economics are on the democrat's side. Trickle down is a lie and a scam. Income disparity in the USA is INSANE. We need MORE regulation on corporations and financial institution, NOT less, MORE tax revenue from the high end. These aren't partisan talking points. These are the FACTS.
Fact----Democratic governor couldn't balance Wisconsin's budget---but a first-term Republican DID, without raising taxes! How's THAT for a fact?
Leroy, really. You're argument had nothing to do with this story. Your blabbering didn't present a number or a FACT. History shows time and time again that high taxes and big spending don't work. Please, show me where it does. Recite something other than the regurgitated verbal diarrhea that you just spewed. You've just demonstrated my point about libs. No substance, no ideas, no freedoms, just bitching. You don't even do that well though.
I love how you finish with "these are facts" without stating any actual facts. I mean come on. Show me how large corporate tax rates work in Ireland....oh nevermind, they don't have large corporate tax rates and their corporations thrive. I know, tell me about Greece and how the entitlements and big taxes have worked over there. What's that? Oh you can't do that either. How about corporations here moving out of the country for better tax rates...oh that must be some of the regulation you want; to force companies to stay here and pay high taxes. Yeah, that'll work. But hey, if you say those are the "FACTS" well they must be the "FACTS" You're a bafoon.
@leroy brown.....spoken just like someone who NEVER took an economics course in your life. Much less owned a business.
I remember when economics was a SCIENCE. When did it become so subjective?
Pretty darn easy to figure out which end of the economic spectrum Leroy falls into. Such jealousy and hatred for the producers of the world!
Wow exotic. I really really need to know who brainwashed you? Was it the same people that got a hold of Barry when he was just a lad? Sounds like it but he's more subtle...and that's pretty bad.
Fact- Wisconsin had a deficit because of the national recession.
Fact- Jim Doyle (Wisconsin's previous Democratic governor) entered with a $3.2 billion dollar deficit from the previous Republican Governor. Yet, he did not eliminate the collective bargaining rights of unions to balance it.
Fact- Scott Walker balanced the budget by giving away $200 million in tax breaks for corporations while cutting $1.85 billion from public eduction. This on top of cuts to Badger care and other programs that help the middle class.
Fact - Taxes HAVE gone up in Wisconsin, just against communties who have to pass on their deficits to the citizens, or further stick it to public employees that just took a huge cut. Some communities are gleefully screwing them some more (wonder how long they'll keep their top notch teachers), most are not, just spreading the deficit to the property owners. People who don't live here have no idea what's really happening.
So freakin' sick of you people from both sides lumping everyone into one catagory or another and spewing what mostly amounts to ridiculous crap. Get the freak over yourselves and get to work finding and participating in ways to fix this skrewd country and "quit yer bitchin".
One successfu recall of a governor in history? No opponent named yet? Election in six months? Balanced budget with no new taxes? Sounds like Walker will keep his job, then have to make more cuts to pay for the $9 million the election will cost the state....unless maybe the unions or generous Democratic benefactors offer to pay for their mistake!!!!
MKechataway you might want to lighten up on your medical smokes.
Unfortunately, the unlimited funding unleashed by the odious Citizens United fiasco will probably carry the day. Recall supporters won't be able to match billionaire contributions to Walker's defense. Elections have consequenses, as we saw in 2010, and if that was any indication of the power of money in influencing elections, getting rid of Walker will be a long shot.
Pardon me if I seem to sell voters in the aggregate short, but I've seen it time and again. Propaganda controls what too many voters think. And Walker will have the best propaganda machine money can buy backing him up.
The grassroots effort in Wisconsin shows that there is the power of the vote behind the 99% to influence government.
Yes, Scott Walker has raised more money than any other Wisconsin politician has ever raised - ever. A record-breaking amount with over 50% coming from out-of-state contributors. Yes, WI is being challenged from outside itself, and yes it is the Koch bros. and their cronies supplying money to prevent their boy Walker from recall.
Pay attention to this sideshow from the GOP presidential circus as the Koch bros. strategy is to control the states to wield their influence. That is why you hear 'state's rights' being advocated so much by the GOP presidential candidates.
Still, the populace has spoken with a record amount of signatures to RECALL WALKER. Wisconsin will make it happen. RECALL WALKER WISCONSIN!!!!!!!!!!!!
Before you scream for a recall of Walker, don't you think, just maybe, you should look at the overall economic impact of his decisions on the state as a whole? Did he indeed balance the budget? Did he retain government workers that might otherwise have been laid off? I am in the teacher's union in NYS, and I'll be the first to say the NYS teacher's union has to much power. I am of the understanding public employees in Wisconsin didn't pay for healthcare - we pay 14% as of our last contract and I don't have a problem with that. Many of my neighbors were laid off, and during our last contract negotiation I said I didn't feel right asking for a raise, that would increase taxes on people that were out of work. Other teachers, public employees, basically said tough "we're not negotiating for the tax payers, this is about us and we deserve a raise." Really??? Is this the attitude in Wisconsin?
Did'nt he just get elected? He won. Your guy lost. Stop wasting tax payer money, your money to get him out. you will have another chance in 3 years.
No, it wasn't the attitude in WI as public worker unions were more than willing to pay their fair share. But Walker refused to talk to them and proceeded to destroy the unions - a GOP ideology - by eliminating collective bargaining, not allowing union dues to be processed out of paychecks, and requiring unions to re-certify every year. Just to name a few of Walker's/GOP union-busting tactics.
And yet, taxes are still going up in Wisconsin municipalities and Wisconsin had one of the worst records for job creation in the country under Walker. And Wisconsin's police and fire unions will be next as Wisconsin's average wage continues to decline at one of the worst rates in the country also - I believe Wisconsin ranked 48th.
And don't believe that 'Right to Work' crap. That's just a smokescreen to promote the 'Right to Fire' an employee for any reason.
don't you think, just maybe, you should look at the overall economic impact of his decisions on the state as a whole? - Wisconsin has lost more jobs than any other state since he has been ellected. Your not winning this one...
And what exactly will the Koch billionaires, Walker, Ryan, Cantor, Norquist, Rove or there rest of the One Party Rich Boi Rule have gained when they anger the rest of the country trying to force the people of WI against their wills? Nothing has a rich boi running for the Kaopectate like an angry mob they incited with their power freak agenda. So..go ahead Walker, keep yourself addicted to rich boi billions. And when the rest of the country stands 100% behind our fellow countrypersons in WI? How loud will your money speak then? Or will it squeak off to some dark corner for a time out pout session?
Some unions probably are way out of control and are just like the politicians, (out for the money). 1st union members need to demand that the leaders take the unions back to the purposes they were originally started for. Secondly, Walker and people like him need to be put on notice that Americans have no intention of allowing the workforce of this nation to pre-union (basically slave labor wages and conditions) labor conditions.
Walk away Walker!!
No, run, run run.... yeah, yeah, yeah.
Go WI !!
Once this arrogant blow bag is recalled, I hope we NEVER hear his name again. He's the biggest sack of @!$%# walking in shoe leather.
Globalove
Not sure he is the biggest, maybe one of the biggest. Forget Bachman, Gingrinch, Ricky " oops", Hermie the " I will show you my wormie", and oh what about Christie. People think he is fat, nope, just that full of @!$%#.
Emil
Walker for President!
yelladuckquackquack..Wrog title for Walker ...The President of the US is a man of the people. A CEO is a chief executive officer who never listens to any voice but his own ....until it's too late and it's time for taxpayers to bail his ass out.
Got news for you...there are several Republican governors slipping close to recall...Florida's governor is one of them and as for Christie, he just passed a 10% state income tax cut that's sure to make the cheapo Biggie Piggies in NJ another 10% richer than they already are. Meanwhile, Christie has no answer for the layoffs he calls "smaller government". This boy's a wannabee Noo Yawkah with more ties to the Republican Wealth Protection Cartel. Too bad his head is up his unusually oversized derriere.
Rebublicans are just having one heck of a bad time, huh?
Walker: Dance with big bears, don't sit down when you get tired. Think you got a problem with your grandstanding!
Emil
Emil the pharmacist ?
Walker will be re-elected. Heck, he doesn't even have an opponent and the election is only 6 months away. Then he will have to make some more cuts, which will further enrage Dems, to pay for this recall election. Unless, of course, some unions or big Dem donors offer to pay for it so the "average" Wisconsinite doesn't have to.
Walker is done. 1 million recall signatures! That's what happens when you piss off the wrong people, namely the voters. Even the Koch money won't save him. Democracy at work people.
Let's see, election will cost $9 million and he's already raised $5.1 million. If he were a true patriot, he would give that campaign money he's raised to the state budget, which would pretty much guarantee him a landslide victory. Instead, he'll use it to buy campaign ads touting how he didn't raise taxes but fail to mention how he stole $800 million from Wisconsin's children and claim that the $9 million recall effort is busting the budget so he'll have to take even more money away from the kids.
Walker will be re-elected. Heck, he doesn't even have an opponent and the election is only 6 months away. Then he will have to make some more cuts, which will further enrage Dems, to pay for this recall election. Unless, of course, some unions or big Dem donors offer to pay for it so the "average" Wisconsinite doesn't have to.
Good luck to Walker
I will never in my life forget the name, Scott Walker or the conversation he had sucking up to the faux, David Koch, his benefactor and puppet-master. If that conversation didn't say volumes about his character, I don't know what would?
He exemplifies 100% pure narcissism ...he's a sociopath in other words and needs to be monitored. No telling what he's capable of?
All you conservidogs crowing about how he balanced the budget, you don't care that he did it by stealing from your children? $800 million in cuts from public schools? Of course that doesn't affect Walker's ilk, they all go to private school, but apparently you don't care that he's just continuing to widen the wealth gap between his buddies and yours by making sure your kids don't have access to the same education as his.
You've been hoodwinked. Bamboozled, led astray. Too bad your kids will probably never know who said that.
Yep, you guys have no answer to that one do you.
Good luck getting your uneducated kids to take care of you in your old age. When they ask you why they couldn't get into college you can tell them it was more important that millionaires pay a lower tax rate the middle class than it was for them to get a good education.
Tripjack You guys have no clue. You talk about how bad it is with Walker. We all live with the biggest leach of all!! Obama!!!! Talk about stealing from our kids. He is the worst. I hope the voters of WI wake up to find out how good they have it. At least they aren't paying more in property taxes. If they don't open their eyes soon, just hope you don't get another Obama type.
I would think by this time some of these so called good democrats would have had their eyes open and their minds more alert. Talk about waste, fraud, and corruption, the democrats hold the record. BNut not all of them. Like the other party, there is good among the bad. Obama, Reid, Pelosie , run neck and neck in getting rich by means of graft, lies and people dumb enough to think they are real Americans. They are in this for what they can leave with. They don't care for anyone but themselves. Obama is here to bring America to her knees and with the help of some of these posters, he will do it. I am waiting for the real Americans to stand up together and take this country back. You can't be a die hard democrat or republican. But with any brains at all, guts and the desire to be the ones in charge, we could get the job done.
BikeBoy
Did you bother reading other people's posts??? I read many Wisconsin residents stating very clearly that they ARE PAYING HIGHER REAL ESTATE TAXES!!! Get your facts straight.
tripjack, sorry your facade of uneducated youths of tomorrow is already here today, but not for lack of funding, but for tenured teaching positions and the insane downgrading of education to the least common denominator of student!
What ever happened to make do with what you have? Why is it these schools need brand new flat screen tvs and projectors and whatever else that is unnecessary? There is a school in southern Wisconsin that had money left in the budget at the end of the year and went a bought brand new flatscreen tvs for all the classrooms. Was that needed? No. Its all this unnecessary spending that is getting us into debt, which is what Walker put a stop to. I didn't go vote for anyone the first time around, but I'll definatly be getting out to vote for him this time to be sure he is back in office after this recall crap is over with. Just a waste of money is all it is.
WALKER FOR PRESIDENT!
You must have a lot of money, a good job, own a business or be related to walker, walker is a moron and idiot, take your pick as to which one comes first.
mikehataway,
I'm sure the Dizzy Dems in Wisconsin will pull a candidate out of their butts just in time for the election.
Question is, how many of the silent majority are voting for fiscal responsibility, and how many of the "others" will be voting for their nanny state.
Joe, I have faith in the people. After many years of suspect behavoir and voting patterns, they FINALLY awoke. There are still a few more producers than takers, and they have a huge incentive to vote. We will emerge victorious, better, and stronger for all this hoopla.
Joseph: many of the 1 million recall signatures are voting for the people of the state and restoring the cuts to education and public services like police, fire, and teachers. Funny how he "balanced the budget" on the banks of all those people while still providing tax breaks for the wealthy corporations. No matter how much Koch Brothers money he may be getting, the voters will toss his rear to the curb.
On the "backs" of all those people...it should read!
You have to recall a candidate before there is a recall election. Then there has to be a primary if more than one opposition candidate is running in the election. There are possible candidates, just not a single candidate yet.
It's really simple.
To balance a state's budget, the Governor has three options. Cut expenses, raise taxes, or a combination of both.
Kudos to Governor Walker to have the fortitude to cut wasteful spending. Like governor Sandoval in Nevada, or Governor Christie in New Jersey. All Heros.
Time for California, New York, and Illinois to pay close attention.
I wonder how many of these signatures are actual registered Wisconsin voters? It probably wouldn't be too hard to get signatures from people in Michigan, a very pro-union state and one which is right next door. This is nothing more than a smear campaign unless liberals can figure out a way to throw the recall election with votes from illegals, outside Wisconsin, etc. I'm sure whatever sleazehole ACORN retreated into they are actively working on this.
Yeah I'm pretty sure that illegals CANNOT vote and that ACORN is no longer active. But thanks for playing anyway!
Funny how the GoP is trying to suppress the vote in so many battleground states where they know that they will be outvoted by the Democrats. So of course, there must be a conspiracy involving illegals, ACORN, and any other group that votes Dem...
I think O'Keefe is about to be charged with voter-fraud felonies in both State & Federal courts for that one in New Hampshire ... LOL.
Is it really suppression to ask for an ID to vote? The SC has already upheld Indiana's law, so I think you are running on empty there.
"Yeah I'm pretty sure that illegals CANNOT vote and that ACORN is no longer active. But thanks for playing anyway!"
Really!? And what's to stop them from voting? The driver's license (most States don't even require that) they pay some guy $50 to make for them? Even registering to vote is a joke. And do you really think a group like ACORN doesn't just change it's name or breaks into smaller groups and lays low for awhile?
You're either incredibly naive or incredibly stupid, my friend.
BOBABOEY: Grasping at straws buddy? The collected DOUBLE the number of signatures required. So your argument is that more than half of these signatures are ineligable? Sorry, not a chance.
As for you, I suspect you are both naive and not the sharpest knife in the draw. But hey, keep doing the Kock Brothers bidding, they're laughing all the way to the bank.
Only a sleaze hole would call an entity like Acorn, which works to help the poor and underprivileged retain their rights, a sleaze hole.
Hey Intrepid, the reason I think this way is due to personal experience with liberals like you. I know quite a few and what shocks me the most is how they have no moral code whatsoever. As in, none. They think it's perfectly acceptable to lie, cheat and steal so long as they get their way. Case in point: After Obama got elected I was drawn into a conversation with them about voter fraud, illegals voting in the election, etc. I honestly said I thought that it probably did happen on a small scale, but since Obama won by such a large margin any incidents of voter fraud were negligible. Their response? "So what? So what if it did help him get elected? All that matters is that we got Obama!" I was blown away. These people aren't the same sort that fought for our freedoms, Democracy and the American way of life. I don't know what they are.
I have prayed for this.
I hope this sends a message to the democrats of the entire United States.
Its time to let OUR VOICES be heard as one !
What exactly don't you lib's get? The money isn't there to pay for all your give-away programs. The taxpayers have had enough and if we as a country don't wake up we will be bankrupt! Why is that so hard to understand?
The only thing I can figure is that they want the 1% to pay a 99% tax rate and give that money to the 99% who in turn only pay a 1% tax rate. I think they get the idea from when Zimbabwe took away all the farm land from the white people and redistributed it to the black people. You see how well that has turned out.
bobaboey-Were you born yesterday? Fall off a turnip truck and bump your little brain? You spew about your "personal experience" with Democrats. You state things like they are A-moral, cheaters, liars, fraud commiters, letting illegals vote. Take a freakin' real good look at pols on both sides!! Your script is easily (and truthfully) flipped. All the politicians are the same. They'll all bankrupt this country, and both parties would gladly give illegals the vote if they could. Get the freak over yourself!!!!!!!!!!!!! All Americans have to make this country better. This country can pay its' bills and still be able to have programs to help citizens. You don't know that nothing BAD will ever happen to you and that you might need assistance of some type some day!! But, if you have it your way and you fall on hard times you can just happily go starve to death under a bridge somewhere and be quite content. Right??
Let's see......Dems and unions all fired up to recall Scott......get everybody signed up....canvass everywhere.....get everybody possible to sign up as a show of strength.
Sound right, Dems?
I think the important point is how they did it within Walker & neocon voter-suppression laws ... LOL.
So they manage to get ALL the fired up people signing for the recall. Sad thing is that that number only represents 23% of the voters. Walker is still safe from your antics. How were people suppressed regarding the recall petition, exotix?
You might want to back up outlandish claims like that with some facts, if you could find one.
MIKE: You sound awfully sure of yourself. You might want to reconsider your position. In excess of one million signatures were collected in 2 months. You sneer at that? I don't think so.
Walker is nothing more than a puppet for Corporate America and the Koch Bros. in particular.
"The governor's supporters have been training volunteers how to vet signatures and they plan to create a database where names will be entered and verified. Walker has already successfully sued the state elections board to require it to do a more extensive review of the signatures than originally planned in order to catch duplicates and obviously fake names like Mickey Mouse."
Walker's supporters are training volunteers on "how to vet signatures"? What exactly are they going to do that the state elections board would not be doing to verify signatures? Sounds fishy to me...
You would think he would get the hint the citizens of his state don't want him.
Regarding Mikehataway. There always has been and always will be, apologists for the oppressors. People with such unfettered ignorance, they support the very institutions and people who continue to screw them. People like Mike think American workers should keep their mouths shut and work for the wages and in the conditions that their corporate masters tell them to. Unfortunately for Mikee and his pals, the American people aren't as dumb as they think they are. They see through the phony Tea party and their corporate backers, and come election time, they won't know what hit them. They're going be whipped like the ugly redheaded whitetrash hillbillies they are, no matter how much money the slimy Koch brothers raise for them.
Hey Mike, Walker will be recalled by the people for the people, that's what Democracy looks like!
Amazing! 23% of the eligible WI voters signed the recall petition! Obviously Wisconsin hates him. All the Koch Bros money won't save him.
Or, ONLY 23% of eligible voters signed the petition, leaving roughly, oh, I don't know.....77% who DIDN'T. Doesn't sound so good that way, does it? A long, drawn out petition sign-up with lots of volunteers and they can only muster 23%, which isn't even all the registered Dems in a state where supposedly the voters hate Scott en masse.
Matt: you're grasping at straws, really small straws! Have you seen an actual copy of the petition? If not, you're making lots of assumptions...
Did I say Matt? I meant Mike... Matt, Mike whomever...
I assumed that this site was correct in pointing out that in spite of a massive recall effort, only 23% of voters signed the petition, despite mounds of publicity and lots of volunteers trying to obtain signatures. I also assume that that number is lower than the votes not for Walker when he won election, becasue that was what was reported in the vote totals. What are you talking about?
@ Mike - I'm sure that many people didn't sign it because they already know that the R's will be flouting hate and more division amongst all of the people in this state who signed. Business people who may be stigmatized by the Valker supporters in their communities very likely didn't sign but doesn't mean they won't vote in the recall election. That's the nice thing about the voting booth - it'a a secret ballot.
I agree. As a born and raised Wisconsinite, grew up in the heart of Republican land in Waukesha County. I have heard too many Republicans say they've had it with the nonsense of the Tea Party and especially, Walker. It's not only the union busting that has people upset. I don't know who's going to run against him, but from what I'm hearing, a lot of people are willing to vote for a stray dog instead. I think people don't understand the people from Wisconsin in general. They have a very low tolerance for irrational bs in general, and with these tea party people being so fanatical and rabid, yeah, that doesn't go over so well with most of us here. Wisconsin notoriously is a swing state, tending towards blue more than red. Look it up, people.
I myself USED to be a Republican back well over a decade ago. My views didn't change much at all, perhaps I'm a little more progressive on social issues now, but today I find myself labeled a liberal? OK, whatever. Again, most people who live here don't tolerate that radical element.
to jen-912751, I use to vote as a independent before that became the in thing but I'm a registered republican. I haven't voted that way since Regans second term. The republican party has got to far out of touch with American people. This tea party is going destroy it's self. In a way thats to bad because some of their ideas were not bad. But you can't tear down a country and then try to rebuild it without any clue to what your doing.
Yeah, ogreugly, I agree. I don't think most people are against fiscal conservatism, in fact, I think most people are for it. But man, the Tea Party is dragging those words through the mud and giving it a bad name. It'll be interesting to see how the elections go this year. Meanwhile, everyone hang on, cuz the ride will be bumpy.
Especially when the this country finds out how the Koch Boys are supplying Iran, and they call themselves patriots, they should be charges with treason, hope you teabaggers are really proud of them, they got your back, Ha!
Was he over at the Masta's Kochs house begging for war chest money?
I was thinking the same when I read that.
Why wasn't he in the state, in his office doing the job he is suppose to do and a reply to exotix, I live in Indiana and the only thing I can tell you about Danials is that I'm surrounded by a bunch of idiots. I voted against him twice and he still got elected
ogreugly, spoken like a true democrat. " I voted against him twice, and he still got elected". Just admited vote fraud.
I think what was meant is 2 different elections. Are you trying to be funny or just don't get it??
I'm sorry to see that so few could have such an Impact on Wisconsin economy. The unions have had it good for years., too good. I sincerely hope that Walker wins. If the state economy is BETTER OFF for what he has done to date.....God Bless Him. Hope the unions get crushed. I understand that there are 54,000 union members in a state of what.....??? 5 million. Yes, unions have had it too good for too long.
Yeah dummy, we don't want people to actually make a decent living wage with decent benefits do we?
I'm sure that Americans can depend on people like you and your coporate pals to look after the interests of working americans. You are a joke, sir!
I got no problems with a person making a living wage and have decent benefits, but i got a problem with unions over pricing public employees who are in essence paid by tax payers, he has not cut any jobs according to the article , you should be happy for that but unions and there strong arm tactics need to be stopped , and i sir am not a conservative i am a realist.
Keith Hull... the joke is on you. You have been lied and spoon fed for too long by your unions and Dems buddies. I willing to bet my life that your union buddy won't give a crap about you if you didn't pay your dues. You're the one that's making your union bosses rich. They're your 1% you fool.
Great Job Wisconsin.......
yep... great job on spending millions in recall election while your poor citizens suffered and living in the streets. I guess Wisconsinites don't like having a balance budget and low taxes. They prefer high taxes and debts.
Wisconsin has a 'Balanced Budget Amendment' Mike. Nice try. So much for the advantages of that initiative.
And Wisconsin's taxes are going up. Gotta quit believing what Walker spews in his Koch bros sponsored ads. By the way, Walker made life tougher for those poor citizens you mentioned by cutting education, health-care, and the safety nets for those 'poor citizens' you're concerned about, while raising the budget to give his business donors and cronies more taxpayer dollars and put more people on the streets because he never made good on his 'jobs' campaign promise.
Mike-If the majority of the people decide that any politician in their state is doing a horrendous job and truly feel they need to be recalled then in the end its' actually better for their economy to boot the bum, spend whtat it takes to do it so they can stop greedy pols from profiting where they shouldn't and ripping off the citizens.
This is great, next is Hussein, then the tea party, conservs and christain right!
Romney will put liberals in there places too!
Romney 2012!
WoW! Half the money came from out of state! And I notice Texas is in the mix! And what the hell do they mean that Mickey Mouse is not a real name. If Disney Corp is a person - then so is Mickey!
GO! People of Wisconsin! Let the American Spring begin!
Lets put Mickey as a write in on the ballot in November!!!! M,I,C see you real soon, K,E,Y why because we love you!!!!! m o u s e!!! LOL
Walker doesn't have to worry? Raider and mikeidiot are a couple of right wing hacks. The Tea Party is going to have it shoved up their arses along with Walker and his fellow fascist goons. Or should I say racist goons? Raider, why don't you and mikeeyboy put your tinfoil hats back on and crawl back into the Koch brothers hole you came from? The people of Wisconsin have spoken loud and clear. The talking windbags Limbaugh and Hannity said the opposition couldn't possibly raise enough signatures to throw Walker's sorry ass out! This lackey is going to lose big, along with the Lt Governor and their cronies in the state senate, no matter how much money Herr Walker raise out of state. I live in Idaho and I'll give what ever I can to the Democrat who runs against this anti-family, anti-American stooge! Raider, your going to find out just how much the other 99% od the country loathes the Tea Party and their hired thugs!
Wow, such hatred spewing forth from you. Who cares what Hannity or Limbaugh said or thought? They were wrong---big deal. Just like Ed and Rachel were wrong when they said that the Dems would win the majority in the State Senate in WI during the other recalls. You always want to talk about how the people have "spoken", then look at 2010, then get back to me. How exactly did Walker ever get elected in a traditionally blue state anyways?
Just like you do in your posts Mikee, he lied through his ass to the voters of Wisconsin. Just as the Tea Party lied to the rest of the country. As for hatred, look in the mirror! 2010 is history. It's 2012 you boys ought to be concerned with. We'll see who's laughing then! By the way, if you and your Tea Party heroes hate this government so much, get the hell out. We don't have the perfect system, but it's the best in the world. It's called "democracy" dummy. You know, where the will of the people and not the corporations hold sway. Or at least they should.
ok Keith---name one single lie I have told. Just because you don't agree doesn't make it true.
Keith Hull...you r the perfect example of someone who gives their party a bad name. Not one piece of intelligent thought BUT lots of name calling and ranting. If you don't have anything on topic, then go to bed and leave the serious conversations to the adults. You are exactly why I'm embarrassed to admit that I am a former Democrat, who switched sides 10 years ago. Fortunately you DON'T represent most Dem's. You are just a cry baby who THINKS he has some good points...all the while you don't hear a word being said.
And btw...the USA is NOT a democracy. We are what's called a Republic, (you know like it says in our pledge of allegiance). Pull out your high school civics book and look it up. There is a difference and you obviously don't know that.
Recall isn't hard to do when you have one man claiming he voted 68 times.
Adolph Hitler and Mickey Mouse also voted for the recall. I am not kidding.
You can't make this @!$%# up. American's will cut off their nose despite their
face. America will be just like Greece. Just give Obama another term. He is
here to bring America down.
Once Walker is defeated, it's on to Ohio to take out Kasich & re-install Strickland, or better yet Sherrod Brown. I would say recall Boehner too, but he's already committed political suicide & is too busy crying in his whiskey on the golf course. Oh wel Boehner, you can always go back to your daddies bar & be BMOTBS (big man on the bar stool). You won't have to pay for your drinks there either, just like Washington. But, try to quit crying in your glass, it waters down your drink, and makes the pizza soggy.
Hey, I just got an idea for further votong restrictions for you republicans. Why not make everybody take a breathalizer test before they can vote? Naw, forget that, Boehner would still have a problem passing that test even after 8 hours sleep.
as a former union president Isay shame on the leadership the unions who quit frankly have done zip zero nada nothing for rank and file . the unions take all thir money an boots on the ground andd say it all have is boots on the ground as compared to the mean ole rich republicans. they dont tell you that of all the senators and house members the riches are democrats. pelosi andd reid mad millions last yar hil most americans went broke. so all of you who gave your hard earned money and signed the petitions so so shame on you. you were and still are being fools. the leadership of these poor little ol unions are taking from rank an file over 2 million a year an that dddosnt inludede benefits. you local reps an tak up to 150thousand a year supposedd to be srving your needs unr the fed and stat and all local labor laws. so tell me hat has your unions don for you and your budddies lately??? nothing!!! sadd an you still ar singing thir tune???? i learned to stop that crap
Meaning you never had faithin the unions from the beginning. Your disguise is weak. You are a Teapublican.
Pine, you were a former union president making 2 million dollars a year plus benefits? What union? I'm kind of curious as to what yahoos would have voted an uninformed illiterate in as their president. One of their own, obviously.
I think Pine means former president of the UNION of Soviet Socalist Republics.
If the 1 % that run these greedy azzed corps treated their employees right - there would be little need for unions. When the "Board" is banging down 10% annual raises + bonuses, and the rest of the employees don't even see COL increases - then let the collective bargaining begin.
American Spring. A beautiful site indeed!
the bill had nothing to do with corporations it was with the greedy goverment employee unions who get paid by the tax payer. unions were needed 50 years ago, but all they do now is make things more expensive and fund democratic campaigns all done by dues that people have no say on what or who it goes to. also the so called heads earn just as much with bonuses as those greedy ceo's you whined about. hypocrisy you bet!
Carl...you're a Teapublican...schooled by Rush, Fox, & talk-radio. You've been duped. Walker will be gone by about summertime. Other states should follow Wisconsin's lead. They should get rid of every governor with this kind of radical agenda.
Carl, time to get a new bungee cord for your tin-foil hat. It is ILLEGAL to use union dues for political purposes. I don't know any union heads making millions and millions like your various CEOs and they for damn sure don't get paid bonuses. Don't let the cap slip again, please.