You poor, poor clueless being. Walker isn't being a Gov right now. He's being a teenager who's motto is "My way or the highway." What about the tens of thousands of people protesting? Wisconsin is doing EXACTLY what it's suppose to do in cases like this. We are peacefully assembling, in hopes that a crucial discussions will take place. Part of Walker's job is to listen to ALL of Wisconsin. He's not even considering anything outside of his ideas. That is not a mature way to be a leader. And the few days that Madison didn't have school? I hate to tell you, but if this bill goes through it will be alot worse. Who's going to be able to be a teacher? Who's going to afford to be able to work in a day care center? These parents whine about the days they've had to take care of their kids... but guess what. The people that are being treated so badly by Walker are the people that take care of your children and your families.

Clueless? I don't think so.

So the Wisconsin Senate Democrats, by leaving the state, are doing "EXACTLY what it's suppose (sic) to do" - is that your contention? I'd also be curious to know just how many of those thousands actually live/work in the state and how many were bussed in to create trouble.

It seems to me that Governor Walker is doing what he needs to do to keep his budget in balance, as prescribed by law. In a republic, one can hear as many or as few ideas as they wish but they are still beholden to the law and the people they represent - Walker and his philosophy was installed by the majority of voters, who also gave him a Senate controlled by Republicans.

By the way, the SEIU is trying to pull this same stunt in a number of other states (including here in Maryland.) It seems to me that it's your side trying to nationalize what, at heart, is a state issue - so is that what the Wisconsin Democrats are supposed to do?

If a teacher or a day care worker cannot take a little bit less in their take-home pay in paying for their health insurance and retirement pension (the vast majorities of which are still being picked up by Wisconsin taxpayers) perhaps for the next vote on union representation they could say no and get back the union dues to help make up the difference.

We know what this struggle is really all about. The unions don't care nearly as much about the workers as they do about losing the dues check-off. Follow the money.

I cannot believe I read this. I comb the Internet for inspiration regarding how to push back, if possible, at my college president similarly rabid and reactionary, looking for ways to break labor's back in New York State, and I look to Wisconsin--bastion of Progressivism for pete's sake--and find such roll-over types as YOU, stabbing in the back Wisconsin's laudable history protecting workers' rights. . .

For SHAME. If YOU feel "guilty" about all YOU have gained, on the backs of others braver than you, more willing to go to the mat to push for Democracy. . . then by all means, give up YOUR pension, and health care. Do it.

But please--otherwise, shut the heck up, and let people with actual concern for our nation's future look to its younger citizens' RIGHTS.

"Hard Public Worker"

Your preamble is an oxymoron.

Oh Elizabeth, if you only knew...

Let's just say I used to have those things you said I should give up until the prospect of a "progressive" President and policies enacted by his party helped to take away those things (which, by the way, were NOT taxpayer funded like Wisconsin's public-sector workers are.)

So - and I'll ask politely - don't tell me to shut up about our nation's future. I have a daughter a little older than you and you better believe I'm damn concerned about the nation she'll inherit.

Of those protesters who are actually citizens of WI, the majority are most likely from Madison itself. As a native of WI, whose hometown is Madison, I can tell you that Madison is not reflective of the rest of the state.

Someone once described Madison as "30 square miles surrounded by reality". They were right.

This bill is doing nothing more than giving the taxpayers a place at the bargaining table in WI.There are more cuts to come.

Cont.

I wish the out of state hooligans would go home, the rest of the states would mind their own business, our AWOL Senators would do their jobs, and that the idea that parents having to spend time with their children wasn't being presented as a punishment of some sort. These are our children. I won't speak for anyone else, but I loved spending time with mine. Homeschooling is the way to go.

Those from out of state calling for violence should be ashamed of themselves. This is Wisconsin, not Egypt. We are better than that.

As for union busting rhetoric, unions are simply a means to an end, better working conditions and pay -at least they were supposed to be. Now many of them are abusing the authority and funds granted to them by their members. Members who should realize that they are citizens first.

Bankrupting the state will not help these people, and if they were remembering to be citizens first, they would know that. These continuing demonstrations are serving only to deepen the resentment the private sector employed citizens already have for public sector unions.

Nobody is winning as long as they continue.

We are going to crush the corporate owned opposition. The rights of the working class are not for sale. American working class citizens have watched corporations buy political influence for far too long and have not stood up for themselves for even longer. This is what democracy is about; not high paid lobbyists working for corporations but working class people standing up for themselves and refusing to believe that corporations are more powerful than the will of the people. It has begun. America is taking back its government from corporate owned politicians