Everyone knows that the all the problems in Wisconsin, and probably everywhere else too, have been caused by unions. New Governor Scott Walker (R-Wis) has decided that the state's budget deficit of (supposedly) $3 billion was caused by unions. He must believe this since he has decided that the way to eliminate the state's deficit is by eliminating collective bargaining, forcing unions to collect their own dues, and forcing unions to have their own membership vote every year on whether they want to continue as a union. Now this only applies to public employee unions, which have obviously destroyed Wisconsin's budget, except for police unions, fire department unions, and the state police union, all of which did support Walker during his election bid. But, surely that is not the reason they got exempted where all other state employee unions are included. Governor Walker has said that this legislation is needed to fix the budget deficit and has convinced a large portion of the public to agree.
However....
However, did the unions really cause the estimated $3,000,000,000 budget shortfall? Really? Public employee unions have bargained for the salary and benefits they receive. In some cases they have given up salary increases for benefit gains. Untaxed benefits were worth more to employees than taxable salary. This give back helped the employer as well as they spent less on benefits than they would have on salary. This type of bargaining was beneficial to both sides. Now, years later, employers want workers to pay for those benefits that include health care and pension with no concern for what happened previously. And, with no compensation for what is being asked to give up.
Is it possible that some other force has caused the budget deficit? What increases have taken place in the seat of government, Madison. What is the budget increase for the legislative branch, the judicial branch, the governor's office? What programs have been approved? What highway projects have been approved? What (fill in the blank here) has been approved? Is it possible that there are many sources of increases that have all contributed to the budget deficit?
Oops, I've only been talking about one side of the problem, cuts. As with any budget, there are at least two ways to balance a budget. This is done just as any home does it. You can cut expenses and/or increase revenue. What??!!! Are you suggesting raising taxes? That is absolutely taboo! Who can afford paying more in taxes? I'm guessing those that make the most money. As on the national stage, could taxes be raised on those making more that $250,000 a year without cramping their life style too much? Probably. Would this really bring in enough money to make a difference? That is an easy math problem. Whatever that amount might be, it would be less money that has to be cut. The only way someone would not consider that option would be if they were beholding to those being taxed. Surely Governor Walker isn't afraid of the richest in Wisconsin. After all, he took on the state employee unions. Cuts and tax increases help get to the balanced budget everyone seeks.
The alternative is to have massive cuts throughout the state. Walker has already indicated that reducing aid to the UW system, reducing aid to all public school districts, forcing state employees to take days off without pay, firing employees, reducing health care to the poorest in Wisconsin, and other devastating cuts are all being considered. Looking just at school districts, school boards have little wiggle room due to 16 years of revenue caps and other laws that have squeezed them financially. One obvious reality is for school districts to increase class size so they will need fewer teachers. Who can argue with new class sizes of 40-45? Suck it up teachers. Suck it up parents. Suck it up students.
Right now
But, right now, the governor wants to end collective bargaining rights and other anti-union measures. Isn't that the best thing to do now? Well, let's look at what Republicans have been saying, certainly ever since President Obama was elected, but prior to that as well--let's have smaller government. Get government out of controlling people's lives. Stop the nanny state where government thinks they know better than the people. Doesn't dictating to people what rights they can have or not have regarding unions is putting government in the position of making people's choices for them. Definitely involvement in your life, regardless of what you want. Smaller government that takes sides in labor issues? That sounds like controlling government that wants to involve itself in areas that should be left to the people. Does Walker know better than the people what the people want? Well, he might turn out to be a benevolent dictator who does what is best for his subjects, er, people. Walker knows what is best for you and collective bargaining and protection by the union is not what is best for you.
Everyone knows that the unions are killing us. Walker knows best. Run for your lives.
Scott Walker was elected to fix the problems that have been ignored for a long time.
ReplyDeleteHe is doing exactly what he said he would do.
You are a lefty lunatic and have been marginalized by reality.
Thanks Neiman, I thought I was the only one who thought you balance a budget with both cutting expenditures and increasing revenues!
ReplyDelete