Madison - Capitol of Civil Protest

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   Doug Hughesposted 13 years ago

   "I just spent four days in Madison and the state Capitol, reporting, and saw absolutely no violence. There were no arrests on Saturday, when 80,000 liberals rallied and a smaller number of Tea Partiers counter-protested. There were no arrests last night when hundreds of angry protesters watched the GOP-led Assembly pass the budget repair act. There are no arrests, so far, in Madison."
   
   This is from David Weigel on Slate.com.
   
   The facts are remarkable. Eighty THOUSAND people and NO arrests. There is a huge popular revolt against union-busting that winners want to discredit. The last major poll had 61% in SUPPORT of collective bargaining rights. And the crowds everywhere are well-mannered until some teabaggers out for a confrontation manufacture a fake one.
   
   That's what's really happening.

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   knolyourselfposted 13 years ago

   If gasoline goes to five or six dollars a gallon or more, might be seeing Madison's'
   everywhere.

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   1. 60

      Doug Hughesposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      If gas goes to $5 per gallon, you will see a lot more interest in hybrids, eclectic cars, mass transit, and high speed rail. GEE, what president has encouraged and financed the development of these alternatives to foreign oil?

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3. 66

   AnnCeeposted 13 years ago

   With a captive audience of core Democratic voters at their feet, U.S. Reps. Edward Markey, Michael Capuano and Stephen Lynch took turns rallying a pro-labor crowd, defending the collective bargaining rights of teachers, nurses, postal workers and other unionized workers.
   
   The protest of Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker’s proposal to eliminate core bargaining rights for unions gave the three Congressional Democrats a ready platform to reach out not just to the crowd, but to Democratic voters across the state watching the rally unfold on television and through the media.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   The crowd cheered and hooted for each Congressman as they spoke - the tougher the talk, the louder the reception.
   
   http://www.dotnews.com/2011/potential-u … nion-rally
   
   
   It's NOT for lack of trying.

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   1. 60

      Doug Hughesposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I'm not real clear what your point is. Yes, democrats are in defense of worker's rights. Conservatives are attacking those rights. There is and will be tough talk about the role of unions and collective bargaining.  Free speech is extended to democrats, liberals and even progressive.
      
      Last time I checked, anyway.
      
      
      If we are in agreement, great. If you have a rational point of disagreement, I must admit, I missed it.

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4. 61

   knolyourselfposted 13 years ago

   "If gas goes to $5 per gallon, you will see a lot more interest in hybrids, eclectic cars, mass transit," Actually most American major cities had mass transit in the thirties and forties. The oil, auto and tire industries told the cities they could run these systems cheaper called privatization. What a deal.
   'Cept oil, auto and tire ran them into the ground and bankrupted them so then they could sell buses, more gas and more tires. Seems to me alternative industries have to contend with these existing power structures not friendly to competition.

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   1. 60

      Doug Hughesposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Agreed.  Those power structures have fought against alternatives for decades. Now we have an administration who will block for fledgling industries and give the consumer access to options.

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5. 61

   knolyourselfposted 13 years ago

   "Now we have an administration who will block for fledgling industries and give the consumer access to options".
   "block", Freudian slip I presume. Obama will block fledgling industries. He works
   for the giant corps. He's a fox in the hen house. Look what he does and not what he says. How much tax payer money did he give to the Wall Street gangsters. And has he prosecuted any but one.

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6. 61

   DatChicLeeLee727posted 13 years ago

   Citizens protesting in Wisconsin are keeping hope alive for working families all over the country. Working people wont have anybody to help them without unions to uphold their rights.

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      logic,commonsenseposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      So who is going to stand up for the rights of the taxpayer?

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      1. 60

         Doug Hughesposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         "Rights of the taxpayer" is a cute little sound bite. Learn that from Glenn Beck? Did you ever stop to think that the cops firefighters teaches and other state workers ARE taxpayers?  Did you forget that a real poll (USA Today/Gallup) showed only 33% of 'taxpayers' would strip state employees of collective bargaining?
         
         You have every right to argue a minority opinion - but let's be clear and factual. The majority of taxpayers are NOT out to cheat workers their rights.

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            logic,commonsenseposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            No one said anything about cheating workers out of their rights.
            Not that it is any of your concern, but I never watch Beck.
            I learned from reading the Constitution, and other documents pertaining to the rights of individuals and the limitation of government.
            I am a taxpayer and I pay the public employees through elected officials. When my employee's start making more than I do, when their benefits are several times greater than mine, then it is time to rein them in.  I bust my ass every day to make my living and pay my taxes.  I do not deny anyone a good living, but when they are making it off of me and I am sacrificing my quality of life so they can enjoy a much greater quality of life, then I'm going to dig in my heels.
            As far as polls go, they only reflect how you want to interpret them.  I've been polled and been part of an organization that had polls done so I am well aware of how they work.

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   lovemychrisposted 13 years ago

   And lets not forget, the REAL tax cheats are the Uber wealthy and the corporations.
   They came to the middle-class to pay their share!!
   
   
   And,they are also financing the gv'nor!!!
   
   This is class warfare. Has been for a very long time.
   
   Check-Mate.

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