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| Smile for the camera... Signs up... You with the lab coat, pretend you're a doctor! Okay, we're rolling in three, two, one! |
Listening to the folks in the Media (as well as reading some of the signage carried by participants on the ground), you'd think that Wisconsin is in for an old-fashion workers' revolution.
Well, you may be right.
Some of the people I've seen, and heard in online video clips are 'revolting'.
For example, consider the following Revolutionary Ideas:
1. Teachers 'cutting classes' AND getting fake doctors' notes to excuse them
2. Teachers bringing students to protest on their behalf
3. Teachers telling reporters that they're "Doing this for the children"
4. President Obama taking sides (Surprise! Against state government - again)
5. Unions bussing 'workers' in from across the US to protest in Wisconsin
6. Democratic Senate leadership LEAVING the state to avoid the legislation's passage
7. Embracing of the New Tones of Civility in our Nation called for by top National Democratic Leaders
(You'll need to get the kids out of the room for this one - I am NOT kidding)
Yes, Wisconsin is Ground Zero for the new civility sweeping America. A 'kindler, gentler' America in which Americans are free to speak their minds and be heard openly and fairly.
Yes, something like THIS...
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| Typical Wisconsin Pet: "Canine Wisconsinus Golden Retrievius Cheeseus" |
The questions IS: Who's fueling the revolution?
You know, it's funny that you should ask the same question I did just seconds ago!
I did some 'Googling' earlier today and found some Inconvenient Truths regarding the folks amping up the volume of discontent in Wisconsin.
Since it's ALL about Teachers and Public Sector Unions, let's take a look at who they are and where they spend their workers' dues!
According to Wikipedia, the NEA: "Describes itself as a professional employee organization,[1] is incorporated as a professional association in a few states and as a labor union in most. The group holds a congressional charter under Title 36 of the United States Code. It is not a member of the AFL-CIO, but is part of Education International, the global federation of teacher's unions. The NEA is a major funder of liberal organizations and the Democratic Party, and is a frequently criticized for opposition to efforts for education reform.[2]"
According to Wikipedia, the American Federation of Teachers (AFT): Is an American labor union founded in 1916 that represents teachers, paraprofessionals and school-related personnel; local, state and federal employees; higher education faculty and staff, and nurses and other healthcare professionals. It is affiliated with the AFL-CIO.
The AFT is the second-largest education labor union in the United States, representing about 1.5 million members as of July 2010, of whom 250,000 are retired.[1] Unlike the largest U.S. education trade union, the 3.2 million-member National Education Association, the AFT has since its founding been affiliated with a trade union federation (the old American Federation of Labor until 1955 and the AFL-CIO since then).
All rightey then... Since we know the players, let's try to understand HOW they play in all of this.
First, let's take a look at what the NEA and AFT spend 'Members Dues' on. It's like my ex-girlfriend used to say, " I may be cheap, but I CAN be bought !"
(Note to self: NOT a good expression to shout loudly in a packed bar)
In 2009 - 2010 these unions were the number 2 and number 3 contributors to political parties in the US respectively (Source: http://www.opensecrets.org/industries/indus.php?ind=P)
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| In politics, follow the money - the above charts how member's dues are spent by Union BLUE buys Democrats - RED buys Republicans Unions seem BLUE lately... |
For future reference, www.opensecrets.org is a Wonderful site to visit when you're trying to figger stuff out by 'following the money'... It's definitely a 'keeper'
Since Teachers' Unions represent ALL American children (and they're doing this for the kids!) they must support ALL political parties equally, right? You know, 'spreading the wealth around' evenly?
I'm thinking whoever put the chart above was full of 'Hoooey'! Can we get some detail here to prove out my hypothesis that the above is wrong? For example, if unions were contributing to say, Members of the House or Senate, certainly there'd be more 'Fairness' here, wouldn't there?
Great! Let's take a look!
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| Once again, BLUE is Democratic Funding, RED is Republican |
Okay, so MAYBE that's just the Tsunami of Democratic Support given to the Unions with the election of President Obama? Let's look back, um, I'm thinking like over the past TEN years to see what it used to look like, you know, when the Republicans were the ones running up the National Debt...
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| Sheesh, I guess Unions subscribe to the notion of: 'Better Dead Than Red' When it comes to buying influence in Government? |
Speaking of 'Red'... The Wisconsin Teacher's Strike is getting quite a bit of MainStream coverage, as well as support from some 'Usually We're Quiet Because We Like Staying Under the Radar But We're Always Here' Groups.
Those groups?
Oh, the Usual Suspects:
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"Workers of the world unite; you have nothing to lose but your chains." -- Karl Marx |
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| Each of these photos above is a Hyperlink back to the source site - click if you want to read more! It's fascinating!!! Not in a 'good way' |
So why is any of this a big deal to me?
- Public Unions BUY political power
- This power is purchased on the backs of workers who have no say as to where their money is spent
- The funding 95+% of the time goes to Democrat law makers
- However, 100% of the lawmaker's paycheck comes from US, you know... 'We, the people'
- But, if Democrat lawmakers are 95% 'as a percentage of interest buying' in the tank for Unions?
Oh, and I'd be lying if I said that Anarchists, Socialists, and Communists continuing to stir up 'excitement' in Wisconsin, Ohio, and other states across the US didn't 'Cheese' me off a bit.
Yeah, you could say that I have a large chunk of "Gouda up my rumpous" over that one...
So everyone out there cool with the A, S, and C groups out there stirring things up a bit? You know, "Workers of the world unite!" (or if you're dyslexic: "Dyslexics of the world untie!")
Everyone good with President Obama tossing out the obligatory "They acted stupidly" kind of quote when referring to state's rights?
Just curious.
BONUS: A few of my favorite photos from the articles referenced above!
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| Democratic State Senators 'formerly from' Wisconsin. Yeah, They're outlaws!!! How cool is that? |
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| "Ask not what your Union can do for you, er, a, ask what you can do for your Union" |
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| "Yeah, all you RICH guys, you've been put on notice! Hey, can I open my eyes now???" |
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| Holy crap, I thought Randy Quaid was in jail, an asylum, or something? But all this time, he's been 'Organizing for Wisconsin'? Why didn't I see THAT coming??? |
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