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REAL WORLD EVENT DISCUSSIONS
Wisconsin
Tuesday, June 5, 2012 4:41 PM
AURAPTOR
America loves a winner!
Tuesday, June 5, 2012 5:56 PM
KWICKO
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." -- William Casey, Reagan's presidential campaign manager & CIA Director (from first staff meeting in 1981)
Tuesday, June 5, 2012 11:50 PM
Wednesday, June 6, 2012 1:41 AM
CAVETROLL
Wednesday, June 6, 2012 4:05 AM
Wednesday, June 6, 2012 4:24 AM
Wednesday, June 6, 2012 4:27 AM
Wednesday, June 6, 2012 4:48 AM
FIVVER
Quote:Originally posted by AURaptor: omg... the end of the world as we know it!!! ROFLMAO !!! ] That should be dedicated to Whozit. Tears you can laugh at. At least the libs are taking the loss in a calm, mature and adult manner: http://twitchy.com/2012/06/06/kill-scott-walker-angry-libs-flood-twitter-with-death-threats-after-wisconsin-recall-defeat/
Wednesday, June 6, 2012 4:51 AM
Wednesday, June 6, 2012 5:25 AM
STORYMARK
Wednesday, June 6, 2012 5:29 AM
Wednesday, June 6, 2012 5:37 AM
NIKI2
Gettin' old, but still a hippie at heart...
Quote:it’s clear who won: political consultants, TV and radio stations flush with unexpected ad revenue, out-of-state conservative political advocates and, perhaps, future state budgets.... who lost: Wisconsin, public employee unions, out-of- state liberal political advocates and democracy.
Quote: Only one takeaway from Wisconsin: Money shouts. There's really only one story in Wisconsin, though you wouldn't know it from the high paragraphs of most news analyses. It's M-O-N-E-Y. Cash doesn't talk in 2012, it shouts, and Wisconsin was a sonic boom that's breaking glass in Chicago. Conservative groups outspent unions and progs in Wisconsin by an estimated SEVEN-TO-ONE. Here's the only paragraph you really need to read this ayem, courtesy the Center for Public Integrity:Quote:"Through April, Walker’s top three donors combined gave more than challenger Barrett’s campaign had raised overall. Four of Walker’s top seven donors are out-of-state billionaires, including former AmWay CEO and former Michigan gubernatorial candidate Dick DeVos, and casino magnate Adelson, who each gave $250,000."Walker, exploiting a loophole that allowed him to hoard cash months ago, out-raised Barrett, a pathetic fundraiser who turned out to the political equivalent of the Milwaulkee Bucks, by a TEN-TO-ONE margin, $30 million to $4 million. This was the first purely Citizens United Election -- and in that regard it should send a chill through Chicago and everywhere else Democrats are counting their pennies or begging Jeffrey Katzenberg to please, please, please save us. It was about ad spending. And how does that bode for the presidential race? Obama's Chicago brain trust is relying on field organizing, Romney's Boston headquarters looks like an ad firm. RNC chairman Reince Priebus called the win a "resounding victory over Obama’s campaign arm and the liberal special interests.” But that's exactly the opposite of what's happening in 2012: Obama didn't spend a dime in Wisconsin (and came out ahead of Romney in exit polls) while the "liberal special interests" barely had two dimes to rub together. Using Priebus's rubric, this was a victory -- and an historic one -- for the "conservative special interests." It won't likely be the last. http://www.politico.com/politico44/2012/06/only-one-takeaway-from-wisconsin-money-shouts-125417.html
Quote:"Through April, Walker’s top three donors combined gave more than challenger Barrett’s campaign had raised overall. Four of Walker’s top seven donors are out-of-state billionaires, including former AmWay CEO and former Michigan gubernatorial candidate Dick DeVos, and casino magnate Adelson, who each gave $250,000."
Quote:Gov. Scott Walker says he wants state workers covered by collective bargaining agreements to “contribute more” to their pension and health insurance plans. Accepting Gov. Walker’ s assertions as fact, and failing to check, creates the impression that somehow the workers are getting something extra, a gift from taxpayers. They are not. Out of every dollar that funds Wisconsin’ s pension and health insurance plans for state workers, 100 cents comes from the state workers. The pension plan is the direct result of deferred compensation- money that employees would have been paid as cash salary but choose, instead, to have placed in the state operated pension fund where the money can be professionally invested (at a lower cost of management) for the future. Governor Walker has gotten away with this false narrative because journalists have failed to look closely at how employee pension plans work and have simply accepted the Governor’s word for it. Because of this, those who wish the unions ill have been able to seize on that narrative to score points by running ads and spreading the word that state employees pay next to nothing for their pensions and that it is all a big taxpayer give-away. If the Wisconsin governor and state legislature were to be honest, they would correctly frame this issue. They are not, in fact, asking state employees to make a larger contribution to their pension and benefits programs as that would not be possible- the employees are already paying 100% of the contributions. What they are actually asking is that the employees take a pay cut. http://www.forbes.com/sites/rickungar/2011/02/25/the-wisconsin-lie-exposed-taxpayers-actually-contribute-nothing-to-public-employee-pensions/ in mind the workers AGREED to these things; Walker rejected their agreement, the reason being obvious. He wanted to make it look like he was "saving" taxpayers, and it's a step toward both breaking unions and lowering their salaries, which has been his intent from the start. Quote:Gov. Scott Walker considered cutting the pay of all public workers at the same time he was crafting his budget proposal that forced them to contribute more for their pension and health care benefits, an email obtained by The Associated Press under the state's Open Records Law shows. The email came just a month after Walker won the election during the transition before he took office in January. During the campaign, Walker pledged to cut taxes and not propose any increases. He made a specific vow to repeal a number of increases passed by the Democratic-controlled Legislature in 2009, but was unable to follow through on that. What's more surprising is that after Walker campaigned so strongly on repealing the 2009 tax increases he didn't get rid of any of them. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110926/GPG0101/109260505/Email-shows-Wisconsin-Gov-Scott-Walker-considered-salary-cuts-public-workers-addition-reducing-collective-bargaining He also campaigned mightily on increasing job creation, at which he failed. And of course, just in time for the recall, he fudged the job-loss numbers to make it look better Quote:With Wisconsin suffering the worst job loss numbers in the nation for the calendar year 2011 ("from March 2011 to March 2012, the state lost 23,900 jobs, for the country's largest percentage decrease, at 0.9 percent." http://host.madison.com/wsj/business/wisconsin-job-losses-highest-in-nation-for-last-months-federal/article_955e6c9a-8e4d-11e1-aba4-001a4bcf887a.html]), Governor Scott Walker promised yesterday that he will reveal newly revised numbers this week that will, effectively, change water into wine on the Wisconsin job front. The Governor has simply decided to ignore the system used by the Department of Labor — and every other state in the nation — to measure job growth (or loss) and elected instead to go with a different set of numbers that makes things in Wisconsin look better. Who knew it could be so easy to solve a jobs crisis? http://www.forbes.com/sites/rickungar/2012/05/15/scott-walker-magically-turns-dismal-wisconsin-job-numbers-into-a-pre-election-miracle/ this may be the kind of governor you righties admire, someone who has a hidden agenda, lies about where the money comes from, deliberately fakes job loss numbers, and wins a recall by the millions of dollars from individual billionaires and special interests, that's certainly your right. I don't share your opinion. And actually, yes, it is "the end of the world as we know it!!!" Certainly the end of American Democracy as we knew it. Elections are now fully and openly up for sale.
Quote:Gov. Scott Walker considered cutting the pay of all public workers at the same time he was crafting his budget proposal that forced them to contribute more for their pension and health care benefits, an email obtained by The Associated Press under the state's Open Records Law shows. The email came just a month after Walker won the election during the transition before he took office in January. During the campaign, Walker pledged to cut taxes and not propose any increases. He made a specific vow to repeal a number of increases passed by the Democratic-controlled Legislature in 2009, but was unable to follow through on that. What's more surprising is that after Walker campaigned so strongly on repealing the 2009 tax increases he didn't get rid of any of them. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110926/GPG0101/109260505/Email-shows-Wisconsin-Gov-Scott-Walker-considered-salary-cuts-public-workers-addition-reducing-collective-bargaining
Quote:With Wisconsin suffering the worst job loss numbers in the nation for the calendar year 2011 ("from March 2011 to March 2012, the state lost 23,900 jobs, for the country's largest percentage decrease, at 0.9 percent." http://host.madison.com/wsj/business/wisconsin-job-losses-highest-in-nation-for-last-months-federal/article_955e6c9a-8e4d-11e1-aba4-001a4bcf887a.html]), Governor Scott Walker promised yesterday that he will reveal newly revised numbers this week that will, effectively, change water into wine on the Wisconsin job front. The Governor has simply decided to ignore the system used by the Department of Labor — and every other state in the nation — to measure job growth (or loss) and elected instead to go with a different set of numbers that makes things in Wisconsin look better. Who knew it could be so easy to solve a jobs crisis? http://www.forbes.com/sites/rickungar/2012/05/15/scott-walker-magically-turns-dismal-wisconsin-job-numbers-into-a-pre-election-miracle/ this may be the kind of governor you righties admire, someone who has a hidden agenda, lies about where the money comes from, deliberately fakes job loss numbers, and wins a recall by the millions of dollars from individual billionaires and special interests, that's certainly your right. I don't share your opinion. And actually, yes, it is "the end of the world as we know it!!!" Certainly the end of American Democracy as we knew it. Elections are now fully and openly up for sale.
Wednesday, June 6, 2012 6:15 AM
FREMDFIRMA
Wednesday, June 6, 2012 6:17 AM
Wednesday, June 6, 2012 6:23 AM
Wednesday, June 6, 2012 7:11 AM
Quote:Niki, Last night was a tough night for us in Wisconsin. After being outspent 8 to 1 by Scott Walker and the billionaire Koch brothers, we lost the gubernatorial recall. But what the national media is not telling you is: I am the new Democratic Senate Majority Leader after winning an important Senate recall election by just hundreds of votes. Starting today, Senate Democrats will be a strong check on Scott Walker's power. If Walker tries to pass extreme policies that bust unions, hurt women, or attack middle-class families, we will have one word for him: No. We will demand laws that benefit the middle class and start repairing our state. From the bottom of my heart, I want to say thank you. Despite the disappointment in the governor's race, your efforts helped us achieve victory and restore balance in our state. Solidarity, Mark Miller, incoming Wisconsin Senate Majority Leader
Wednesday, June 6, 2012 7:23 AM
Quote: A Madison City Clerk has told a Wisconsin radio host that turnout for the area is expected at over 100%, up to 119%...
Wednesday, June 6, 2012 7:27 AM
WULFENSTAR
http://youtu.be/VUnGTXRxGHg
Wednesday, June 6, 2012 7:32 AM
NEWOLDBROWNCOAT
Quote:Originally posted by Storymark: Not surprising. Money talks, and Walker spent 8 times what his opponent did.
Quote: Walker collected $30.5 million to Barrett's $4 million. Roughly two-thirds of Walker's contributions came from out of state, the Center for Public Integrity reported, while only a quarter of Barrett's funds originated from outside Wisconsin.
Wednesday, June 6, 2012 7:33 AM
Wednesday, June 6, 2012 7:35 AM
Wednesday, June 6, 2012 7:54 AM
Quote:Originally posted by AURaptor: http://twitchy.com/2012/06/06/kill-scott-walker-angry-libs-flood-twitter-with-death-threats-after-wisconsin-recall-defeat/ While the media phonied up outrage over Sarah Palin's innocent, harmless facebook page, showing location icons on STATES, and voting districts, this is what we see from the Left... Stay classy, Libs. Stay classy.
Wednesday, June 6, 2012 7:56 AM
Quote:Originally posted by Storymark: Always nice to hear from the Wulftard, once again proving his understanding of even basic politics to be somewhere sub-kindergarten level. National Socialists... LOL. Do you use a stopwatch to guage how quickly you Godwin yourself? Can you even work a stopwatch? "Goram it kid, let's frak this thing and go home! Engage!"
Wednesday, June 6, 2012 8:07 AM
Quote:Originally posted by WULFENSTAR: lol The Dems bussed in Progs to vote... and they could STILL ONLY get 40%. The 50+ odd years of hell are starting to finally be beaten back. "None of you seem to understand. I'm not locked in here with you... YOU are locked in here with ME."
Wednesday, June 6, 2012 8:09 AM
Wednesday, June 6, 2012 8:10 AM
Quote:Originally posted by Kwicko: Quote:Originally posted by AURaptor: http://twitchy.com/2012/06/06/kill-scott-walker-angry-libs-flood-twitter-with-death-threats-after-wisconsin-recall-defeat/ While the media phonied up outrage over Sarah Palin's innocent, harmless facebook page, showing location icons on STATES, and voting districts, this is what we see from the Left... Stay classy, Libs. Stay classy. How is this markedly different from Palin's stunt, which you defended (and still do)? "I supported Bush in 2000 and 2004 and intellegence [sic] had very little to do with that decision." - Hero "I've not watched the video either, or am incapable of intellectually dealing with the substance of this thread, so I'll instead act like a juvenile and claim victory..." - Rappy
Wednesday, June 6, 2012 8:12 AM
Quote:Originally posted by WULFENSTAR: Your bitter, bitter, tears... they taste like... VICTORY. "None of you seem to understand. I'm not locked in here with you... YOU are locked in here with ME."
Wednesday, June 6, 2012 8:13 AM
M52NICKERSON
DALEK!
Wednesday, June 6, 2012 8:21 AM
Wednesday, June 6, 2012 10:05 AM
Wednesday, June 6, 2012 11:18 AM
Wednesday, June 6, 2012 11:20 AM
Quote:Originally posted by Kwicko: How is this markedly different from Palin's stunt, which you defended (and still do)?
Wednesday, June 6, 2012 2:08 PM
Wednesday, June 6, 2012 3:36 PM
BYTEMITE
Wednesday, June 6, 2012 3:43 PM
Quote:Originally posted by m52nickerson: If Obama wins re-election I am so bringing this thread back...... I do not fear God, I fear the ignorance of man.
Wednesday, June 6, 2012 4:01 PM
6IXSTRINGJACK
Quote:Originally posted by Niki2: Righties have a right to crow, albeit for reasons I believe they would find uncomfortable if they weren't happy with the fact that elections (and primaries) will be bought from this day forth.
Thursday, June 7, 2012 5:44 AM
Quote:The voters spoke. Seems as if a majority of voters in Wisconsin have the image of lazy public sector workers in their heads. Of course that is an incorrect image, but money helps people believe it.
Quote:Both teachers and especially Government officials (whether elected or appointed) should not have guaranteed pensions funded by taxpayer dollars either.
Thursday, June 7, 2012 6:14 AM
Thursday, June 7, 2012 6:48 AM
Thursday, June 7, 2012 5:06 PM
Quote:Originally posted by Niki2: Quote:The voters spoke. Seems as if a majority of voters in Wisconsin have the image of lazy public sector workers in their heads. Of course that is an incorrect image, but money helps people believe it. Pretty much. That's what they've been brainwashed into believing, among other things. Worked, too. Six, you obviously haven't been keeping up.Quote:Both teachers and especially Government officials (whether elected or appointed) should not have guaranteed pensions funded by taxpayer dollars either.I posted quite clearly that the pension are NOT funded by "taxpayer dollars", but by the workers themselves. Seems you've bought into the propaganda as much as the people of Wisconsin have. Yes, elections have virtually always been about money for a long time now. But with Citizens United, you can truly say things haven't changed dramatically in favor of a few rich and powerful people/corporations able to spend TONS more than ever before on elections? If you can say that, there's nothing to discuss, because it's obvious that is true. If you think any teachers can afford "half-million-dollar houses", you'll have to show proof. I've never known one, nor heard of any. If you really believe teachers go into that profession to get rich, you're off your rocker. It's probably a stupid thing to suggestion, but it might help if you were to look into the FACTS about Wisconsin and teachers and public-sector workers in general. I've known a lot of teachers, and there's no way it's an easy or lucrative profession. Teachers mostly rank in the "middle class"--upper or lower--and Walkers WRITTEN INTENT is to lower their salaries. What he's already done has in effect cut their salaries, by as much as $2,000 a year, which is no small amount to most of us, tho' maybe not to you. And more is coming, if Walker gets his way. Someone said "The voters have spoken, get over it". My response is "Money talks. Elections will be decided by money, get used to it." That will be proven over time. As will the job losses which will ensue in Wisconsin, currently with the worst job-growth record in America.
Friday, June 8, 2012 1:02 AM
Quote:Originally posted by CaveTroll: But it is perfectly okay for unions to forcibly deduct dues from their members, use that money to hire workers, pay them a salary but call them campaign "volunteers". So that money never shows up as a campaign contribution.
Friday, June 8, 2012 3:35 AM
GEEZER
Keep the Shiny side up
Quote:Originally posted by Niki2: You're welcome to crow, but I wish you'd at least get your facts straight. They have to pay MORE for their pensions; they have to pay MORE for health care.
Friday, June 8, 2012 5:01 AM
Quote:Originally posted by Geezer: Quote:Originally posted by Niki2: You're welcome to crow, but I wish you'd at least get your facts straight. They have to pay MORE for their pensions; they have to pay MORE for health care. True. Prior to Act 10, the state employees paid little or nothing to their pension fund. Now they have to pay 5.8% of their income with a matching 5/8% from their employer. Their average cost for health insurance will be 12.6% of the cost of the premiums (although the state is required by Act 10 to reduce premiums), with the state not paying more than 88%. Previously, they paid around 6% of total premiums. Even their reduced benefits appear to be better than pretty much any private business offers. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Wisconsin_Act_10
Friday, June 8, 2012 10:58 AM
Quote:Originally posted by Geezer: Even their reduced benefits appear to be better than pretty much any private business offers. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Wisconsin_Act_10
Friday, June 8, 2012 7:03 PM
Saturday, June 9, 2012 2:53 AM
Quote:Originally posted by Geezer: Prior to Act 10, the state employees paid little or nothing to their pension fund. Now they have to pay 5.8% of their income with a matching 5.8% from their employer. Their average cost for health insurance will be 12.6% of the cost of the premiums (although the state is required by Act 10 to reduce premiums), with the state not paying more than 88%. Previously, they paid around 6% of total premiums.
Sunday, June 10, 2012 10:34 AM
Quote:Originally posted by 6IXSTRINGJACK: Pensions ARE funded one way or another by taxpayer dollars. Just like 401k retirement plans take big hits during bad times, so do pension plans. Just like the Social Security system was bound to fail since it started and it relies more and more on young people funding it to keep retirees payments coming in for more and more years because of the advances in medicine, so do the pension programs. What happens when these failing pension programs can't continue to pay out? Why, just rob from peter to pay paul. Sure, as far as government sector jobs are concerned in Wisconsin, there probably will be a lot of jobs cut. That's not a bad thing. The financial hole Wisconsin and Milwaukee have dug for themselves is just a fraction of what Illinois and Chicago have done. Chicago, Crook County and Illinois make California look downright fiscally responsible. There may be no direct correllation between the high pay, healthcare benefits, and retirement packages of government workers directly to taxes people pay, but in a state like Illinois, particularly Crook County, property taxes have become so high you're fooling yourself if you believe you're not just renting your property from the government. Business taxes are becoming so high that they're fleeing to other states just like people who can afford to move can. Sales tax is the highest in the country at 10.25%, with very little relief on even food purchases. Income tax was just raised 66% last year to 5%. As for teachers, I never said they were rich. A half-million dollar house 5 years ago was a dime a dozen. What I am saying is is that these people are "professionals". Do lawyers get unions and pensions and tenure? Do doctors? No... If they can't win a case or they cut the wrong leg off, they become ambulance chasers or get fired for incompetence. A teacher shouldn't make more than 40k a year at today's salary, and that's being generous, especially since they often only work 9 months out of the year. My art teacher was a great guy, for sure, in high school, but since you can look up any teachers salary online since it's paid for by taxpayers, I was appalled to see he was making over 120k a year before he retired. I'm sure him and his wife have the best medical care taxpayer dollars can buy today and until he dies. Quote:Originally posted by Niki2: Quote:The voters spoke. Seems as if a majority of voters in Wisconsin have the image of lazy public sector workers in their heads. Of course that is an incorrect image, but money helps people believe it. Pretty much. That's what they've been brainwashed into believing, among other things. Worked, too. Six, you obviously haven't been keeping up.Quote:Both teachers and especially Government officials (whether elected or appointed) should not have guaranteed pensions funded by taxpayer dollars either.I posted quite clearly that the pension are NOT funded by "taxpayer dollars", but by the workers themselves. Seems you've bought into the propaganda as much as the people of Wisconsin have. Yes, elections have virtually always been about money for a long time now. But with Citizens United, you can truly say things haven't changed dramatically in favor of a few rich and powerful people/corporations able to spend TONS more than ever before on elections? If you can say that, there's nothing to discuss, because it's obvious that is true. If you think any teachers can afford "half-million-dollar houses", you'll have to show proof. I've never known one, nor heard of any. If you really believe teachers go into that profession to get rich, you're off your rocker. It's probably a stupid thing to suggestion, but it might help if you were to look into the FACTS about Wisconsin and teachers and public-sector workers in general. I've known a lot of teachers, and there's no way it's an easy or lucrative profession. Teachers mostly rank in the "middle class"--upper or lower--and Walkers WRITTEN INTENT is to lower their salaries. What he's already done has in effect cut their salaries, by as much as $2,000 a year, which is no small amount to most of us, tho' maybe not to you. And more is coming, if Walker gets his way. Someone said "The voters have spoken, get over it". My response is "Money talks. Elections will be decided by money, get used to it." That will be proven over time. As will the job losses which will ensue in Wisconsin, currently with the worst job-growth record in America.
Monday, June 11, 2012 4:12 AM
Quote:Originally posted by NewOldBrownCoat: Quote:Originally posted by Geezer: Prior to Act 10, the state employees paid little or nothing to their pension fund. Now they have to pay 5.8% of their income with a matching 5.8% from their employer. Their average cost for health insurance will be 12.6% of the cost of the premiums (although the state is required by Act 10 to reduce premiums), with the state not paying more than 88%. Previously, they paid around 6% of total premiums. 5.8 % + 5.8 % = 11.6 %, not 12.6%.
Quote:100 % - 88 % = 12.0 %, also not 12.6%.
Quote:Big winner in this scenario seems to be the insurance companies, neither the workers nor the state. I wonder about stuff like kickbacks, bribes, slush funds, and campaign contributions.
Monday, June 11, 2012 8:09 AM
SIGNYM
I believe in solving problems, not sharing them.
Quote:Pensions ARE funded one way or another by taxpayer dollars.
Monday, June 11, 2012 8:28 AM
Quote:Originally posted by SIGNYM: Quote:Pensions ARE funded one way or another by taxpayer dollars. Pensions are funded by investments and employee/ employer contributions. Taxes are a backstop for SOME public pensions, but not all. I am a public employee, but my pension is not at all funded by taxes.
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