Observations

We're Further Ahead With One Walker Instead of Fourteen (Fifteen) Runners

Posted by Ray McInerny on May 30, 2012

This recall is not just about Wisconsin but the whole country. When the eastern unions and
their thugs invaded Madison and ruined the place that was the opening salvo from a bunch
of sore-losers, socialists who lie, cheat and upset the economy and stablitiy of a state - just to
get their own way.

When Governor Walker won the race for governor by 52-46 margin enemies were born and
the rampage began. People with signs indicating he was Hitler or Hosni Murbarack, and still
others issued threats of physical violence to Walker and Legislators to intimidate them from
doing their duty as public servants.

Part of the Capitol shutdown during the initial onslaught were the school teachers unions
who stood by and approved of its members shutting down 15 local schools so teachers, and
some who brought along students to the protest, could raise a ruckus.

The stench, the ruination of the grounds around the Capitol and the control of the Capitol
building to be used as their camp ground presented a situation almost out of control.

Their strength was aided by President Obama in an interview with WTMJ-TV where the
President said, "Some of what I've heard coming out of Wisconsin, where they're making it
harder for public employees to collectively bargain generally, seems like more of an assault
on unions. I think everybody's got to make adjustments, but I think it's also important to
recognize that public employees make an important contribution to our states and our
citizens." (NOTE: Federal employees don't have collective bargaining).

No one ever stated that public employees don't make important contributions. They do, and
so do private employees. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics data, government
employees, state and local, in 2010 received an average $39.60 per hour and the private
employees an average of $27.42. Wages in the public sector were 35 per cent higher than the
private employee, and benefits for public employees was 69 per cent higher. From 2007 until
midyear 2010 private sector employees lost 7 million jobs while at the same time public
sector employees added 110,000 jobs. Where else would employees earn more than those
that pay their wages? Not too many places. Maybe sports but that's a different animal.

In an effort equalize wages and benefits among the two types of employees, public employees
were asked to contribute 5.8% of wages to their retirement plans (They paid nothing prior to
this). It was also asked of them to contribute 12.6% of their health insurance premiums (Prior
payments were 6%). Use the Consumer Price Index as a guide to wage increases unless
approved by the voters; give up collective bargaining over benefits and working conditions,
not wages and salaries, and enter into only single year contracts while barring public sector
unions from deducting dues payments from paychecks, and to undergo certification.

In a move designed to weaken Walker and the Legislators Fourteen Democrats fled the state
for the Clock Tower Resort in Illinois. Showing real respect for the public employees still at
work in the state, the Fourteen made no attempt to return until they were ready. Unions,
private and public welcomed them back. Solidarity is very important in cases like this. And
shortly after, the recall nonsense began.

In this politcal recall period Mayor Barrett has no agenda for making the state better. He
thinks it's in terrible shape. Socialist/Democrats hate balanced budgets, money in reserve
and equal pay for equal work. Barrett has offered nothing of concrete value that the voters
can hang their hopes on. His only answer in Milwaukee to balance a budget was to increase
property taxes by 32% over his term and increasing fees 132%. Now that really helps the
little guy doesn't it? No agenda, no proposals, nothing except crticism of the governor, but
nothing from Mayor Barrett. Here's his method of operation:

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett accuses Governor Walker of waging 'Waging War On Women,'
Then he shares a stage with Rapper Prophetic singing 'Bitch Who Rides Me.'  Nice Job Mr.
Executive! You folks really know how to respect women, don't you.

Mayor Barrett keeps harping for Governor Walker to produce emails he'd like us to see. This
is a John Doe Investigation (Instigated and asked for by Walker's administration) and as a
John Doe is to be secret nothing can be disclosed until it's over. Or the District Attorney says
they can be seen. Mayor Barrett is supposedly a lawyer so he should know that. But lies and
distortions sell big to a lot of socialists.

Mayor Barrett's wife, Kris, was caught using school property computers to send emails of a
political nature before she left the Milwaukee School District. Mayor Barrett doesn't want to
talk about this, but many of us want to know what happens about this situation. Mayor
Barrett keeps complaining about what an executive should know and do. What does a good
executive do about a family member doing the wrong thing? Hide it under the rug?

Mayor Barrett appointed Chief Flynn and backed him for a second term as Chief yet under
this administration crime statistics have been fudged and manuevered to make the
seriousness of some crimes appear less horrendous. Mayor Barrett huffs and puffs and
changes the subject when it's brought up. But the people want to know. And now we have
strip search allegations in several Police Districts reported in a recent Journal/Sentinel
article. Through it all Mr. Mayor is very silent. And the press isn't pressing him for details. A
good executive would be on top of this and correct it. But Mr. Mayor is too busy having a
rapper sing, 'Bitch Who Rides Me.' Nice touch, Mr. Executive.

From some judiciary members signing Recall Walker Signs to the thirty or forty people who
have signed the Recall in the District Attorney's office Mayor Barrett offers no explanation or
understanding of why this isn't approaching an ethical schism is par for his course. He's no
where in sight when things happen he could change or influence in his own back yard. Yet
he wants us to believe he's the one to run the state. Sorry, Mr. Mayor, the description is ruin,
not run, in your case.

Mayor Barrett offers nothing of substance or value that he would bring to our state if he were
in the governor's chair. What would he have done about the budget deficit Governor Walker
inherited? Same as he did in Milwaukee - raise taxes through the roof. Mayor Barrett is the
fifteenth runner trying to dismantle our state. Let's keep him in Milwaukee where he
belongs.