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Subscribe to RSSIn a blow to Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) and state Republicans, a state judge today struck down Wisconsin’s controversial law stripping public employees of most collective-bargaining rights.
The 33-page decision by Dane County Circuit Judge Maryann Sumi -- appointed by former Republican Gov. Tommy Thompson -- ruled that passage of the measure broke the state's open meetings law when the GOP-controlled legislature quickly passed the provisions on March 9.
In her written opinion, the judge said Dane County District Attorney Ismael Ozanne showed "clear and convincing evidence" that Republicans violated the open meeting law and left her no choice but to "void the legislative actions flowing from those violations."
The Wisconsin Democratic Party celebrated the ruling. "Today, Wisconsin was given further proof, from a judge appointed by Tommy Thompson, that Scott Walker and the Fitzgerald brothers treated the rule of law with contempt in their illegal and divisive overreach. The decision should be looked at as an opportunity to work together to find commonsense solutions to grow our economy and get our fiscal house in order - not to tear our state apart, as Walker and his lockstep Legislature have chosen to do."
But this isn’t the final decision. The Wisconsin Supreme Court has already scheduled arguments on the case for June 6.
What’s more, there is no immediate effect of today’s ruling. The same judge has previously blocked the implementation of the law, so it has never taken effect.
In addition, the trial judge said that the legislature could fix it all by giving new, adequate notice of a meeting -- and then pass the law again.
While Gov. Walker's office and the Republican Party of Wisconsin had no comment in the immediate aftermath of the ruling, state republican lawmakers have said previously they would attempt to pass the collective bargaining measures with the 2011-13 budget if the current legislation were voided.
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SCORE!
One small victory for us 'little people'!
I realize this will probably end up before the WI Supreme Court but, in the meantime, I will savor the fragrent smell of VICTORY!
Next up, the WI recall elections - let's keep the MOMENTUM moving...
The handwriting is on the wall. This and Christie in NJ got slapped also by a judge for his cuts to education. The judge there ruled them illegal also. and NYS 26.
I just love it when a plan comes together. The people have had enough.
Pleased at this news as I can be, but let's also look at the matter more closely.
This particular decision was based not on the subsance of the law, but on the procedural gaffes the Reeps committed when they passed the measure. It is quite possible the same bill will be taken up again and passed again with no naughty mistakes to attack.
Similarly, the Republican-dominated state Supreme Court could hear the appeal of this ruling and decide to overturn it, thereby effectively ending the stae's "sunshine" provisions for transparency in legislation. That would not be good.
Best of all would be the other challenge to the substance of the law winning in court.
Nonetheless, this is a thumb in the eye for the Koch Brothers and Grover Norqust, and that's always a happy tidbit, eh?
common sense prevailed. GOPers are really having it bad. they're are been pummeled from every corner. the worst is there no end in sight.........what the xxxx is wrong with the Grand Old Party?
I feel like there should be dancing, or something, but maybe not quite yet.
I'd say that republicans will just move to pass it again with proper notice, but those recall elections are looming. I don't think they have the votes right now, and that's why they haven't already done it. It might be a huge mistake, with public support for recalling Walker himself still running well over 50 percent.
Either way, I think there are still other substantive challenges to the law that couldn't have been filed until it went into effect. Those would follow any attempt to enact it again.
So, I guess we'll see. For now, we can breathe again. I doubt this particular case will go through the courts before the recall elections occur in July. Not if the Chief Justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court has anything to say about it, anyway.
With any luck, and good fortune in timing, the whole thing will become moot by August, and Scott Walker's 15 minutes of fame will be up.
With Ryan inserted where Walker's name goes, we can see the common theme of a GOP/TP over-reach and resulting voter backlash that started in Wisconsin, and has spread throughout the nation and upward to Congress.
Add to that other attacks on the middle class like demanding cuts in order to pay for emergency disaster relief, and other protections of Big Business such as blocking legislation to end subsidies for Big Oil, or protecting speculators who cause the price of gas to skyrocket by blocking Frank-Dodd, it's really the big picture that is being painted, and the American people stand and stare at it with disgust and disbelief.
Go ahead and dance Anna, shake your groove thing, shake it girl, shake it right in Walker's face!
Whats the matter Dave? The lady asked you to dance.
David does not feel like dancing with you it makes the Koch brothers jealous.
The TP/GOP Big Money Railroad Train does have limits.
They just can't find enough angry old white men to keep that engine stoked up.
...I see the Boozy one is maintaining her usual 3x legal limit of BAC...
A big win for unions and the people of WI. Can't wait to see the reaction of the other Governors in states that have also enacted or are trying to enact similar laws, like Maine and Florida and even NJ. . After the NY-26 win and this victory, the GOP either throws the Tea Party under the bus and moves to the middle or risks losing all the 2010 gain and then some.
We moderates are FINALLY being heard but it may be too late.
Gov. Christie in NJ also got bit this week. A judge there ruled his cuts to education as illegal.
Point well made Groucho: But I don't see the Tea Party giving the GOP back to the Moderates. They love their power too much. Ideological purity trumps winning elections. How dumb is that?
I am a teacher navy. There is not a state in the union that does not need to drastically cut its education budget. The amount of money we spend on education is absurd. The problem is not a lack, it's where the money is being spent and the fact that both republican and democrat fed and state representatives continue to be lobbied by multiple education benefactors. It's and easy lobby; "I voted for education"
I hope you say the same thing about the amount we spend on defense.
Waste in defense, absolutely. Amount, that depends. I'm not thrilled with our policing the world, but as the world's most powerful military I stuggle with the notion that if there is evil to be stopped, and we have the ability to stop it, are we not obligated to do so? Tough one.
Constitutionally; and where my federal tax dollars go, defense trumps education, no question. State and local; that is a different question, where I believe an awfull lot of non-classroom related moneys can be trimmed.
Ron Indiana
Point well made Groucho: But I don't see the Tea Party giving the GOP back to the Moderates
..................................................................
Would you believe that there are only 51 members of the House that caucus with the Tea Party. This minority has taken over the GOP. Daily their agenda is being eroded either by vote or judicial decision. The non TP members have to be wondering why stick with them and lose my job or I can move to the middle and keep it. Just an opinion.
According to Lyman Miller, "The basic components of superpower stature may be measured along four axes of power: military, economic, political, and cultural."
Sorry I disagree about defense versus education, especially in these modern times of a global economy and the end of the Cold War and regression to guerrilla warfare or conventional military intervention at best. More recently we are seeing the use of drones, cyber warfare, NATO, diplomacy, intelligence/Navy Seals as a more efficient and cost-effective approach to conflict and defense.
The United States MUST stop spending so much of GDP on defense in comparison to other countries, some like China and India who are quickly catching up to us. It is too late to be isolationists, but the US gained strength during times of isolationism. We must turn our vision inward to our domestic issues at this time, and the sooner the better.
Also climate change brings natural disasters and disease--let's prepare and focus on green energy.
I disagree. With defense trumping education, we make mistakes and are unable to react intelligently. With education trumping defense, we are able to reason and potentially avoid those situations that might require a more defensive posture.
Isolationists thougt is coming, it always does after prolonged periods of foreign war. And I agree we spend a lot on defense. I'm not very comfortable right now with what the world would turn into if we did not, however. That cat was let out of the bag a long time ago, too many countries have banked their defense on us (like the entire western hemisphere and all of Europe). These countries (Canada, Mexico) are completely incapable of defending themselves. I say, its time we downsized by forcing/negotiating their upsizing.
My point is that education's problem is NOT money. It is how that money is spent. I also believe that the less federal monies involved the better. Local is the way to go with education. Good ideas are squelched because they dont' fit into federal/state long tried and failed systems.
Disagreement is a good and healthy thing, but both of you kinda skipped over that whole "constitutional" thing. Defend and educate?
P.S. true
I would say that 3 out of 4 those "super power" attributes are not going so well:
Economy - not so good.
Political - yikes
Socially - I believe all governance has as its very foundation, the family. So, again, but with a gig, fat ! - not so good
And which of those three is our current education system enlightening or making better?
Yes, but TPers and other conservatives are in every district, so the GOP, need to speak to their concerns in order to win elections. So, obviously, you have GOP candidates speaking to them in GOP primaries, which is then used against them in the general election.
The GOP is a victim of it's own organizational rhetoric. They loved having this conservative media juggernaut to completely whitewash real political debate and feed their base a frame for every issue. They created this mythological narrative that became the creed for conservatives. The conservative media is huge - a lot of people make their livings from this industry, and it's based on turning out an alternative narrative for conservatives, which they eat up. Conservatism, and by extension, the GOP, has become more of some kind of Ethno-religious group or cult, rather than a political group organized to win elections.
A few days ago, the RNC made some statements regarding it's findings as to why the GOP failed electorally in the 2012 general election. Previously, many Republican groups and individual pundits had concluded that the blame fell squarely on the Tea Party/Social Conservatives. The RNC findings hint at a broader interpretation, saying: "Groupthink is an issue.".
That was a shockingly honest assessment, but what can they do about it? They specifically targeted and manipulated social-psychologies that they knew were vulnerable to groupthink, and they intentionally exploit that - their communications network is entirely based on exploiting the predisposition of the social-psychology of contemporary American conservatives to groupthink as a natural assumption.
My opinion has always been that it is irresponsible to organize authoritarians and give them a creed based on their personal prejudices - we've obviously seen this before in 20th Century history. We're very lucky that they only caused the damage that they did when they had power in the 2000s, it could have been a lot worse.
It will be years before the GOP can reinvent it's image - they're locked into their own rhetoric. They are a clearly a regional minority party, and the only thing they can do is obstruct the business of governance, which further alienates anyone not already indoctrinated into their cult - they're caught in a negative feedback loop, and there's nothing they can about it.
Tod, Tod !!! You are so right.
We cannot support education in the United States. After all we have the ultimate goal of dumbing down the people of this country.
My God, if the people get to learn what is really going on, they might stop listening to Fox News and stop voting for our Republicans.
We must have a high level of ignorant people to vote for our TP/GOP candidates and to join our volunteer military that we also need to fight in our wars against everything Republican and Corporatocratic.
Why, our bottom line profits are at risk !!!
Unfortunately, this legal tangle isn't over. Walker and the GOP can have a "do over," which would be a smart move on their part. They still have the numbers in the legislature, and it would be difficult for the Dems to move out of the state again to block it.
The real battle here is the recall. Dems need to get rid of as many of these GOP sheep in the legislature as they can. And then they need to recall Walker next year. Anything short of that is a temporary solution at best.
Your right biwheeler, the cowardcrats can't flea bag to Illinois again even though Illinois needs the money desperately with their 55 BILLION in unfunded pension plans.
Rocco:
Any unfunded pension plans in IL are of zero concern in WI. Sorry about that.
Let's see how this plays out in Madison after all the recall action. I'm guessing there will be some significant changes to the issues at that point....
The recalls are moving along well. And someone better informed about the law in WI recently wrote that there is a loophole in the recall statute that might allow going after Walker much sooner.
With rising general discontent and disgust over the Tea Party, not only in Wisconsin but nationwide, thinking, level-headed Americans are again saying, "We want our country back!!" They are addressing the lying Teabaggers about the election FRAUD last year - when they lied about their agenda.
Excellent point bilweeler!
Although, I think some of those facing recall might have a sudden change of 'heart' should they bring it back up for a vote...
There is a larger agenda in play here, and the possibility of recalls is exactly why they can't do it again. If it were that easy, they would already have done it, but it seems clear that the votes aren't there. We know they've lost at least one -- Dale Schultz -- and probably more, since the vote was originally taken. They might pass the collective bargaining bill, but they stand to lose everything else on their larger legislative agenda if they lose the state senate. Angering voters again by re-passing the bargaining bill is likely to make that happen.
After the first set of three recalls in July, others will be coming as well, which will keep republicans from acting until after it is clear that there is no further hope in recall.
That could be a while.
"Your right biwheeler, the cowardcrats can't flea bag to Illinois again..."
But they CAN get a proper airing on THEIR postions, and have those postions make the news for all WI citizens to hear and ponder. See, they got cut off last time.
A few things have changed since the first vote. Support was already waning, which is why the original vote was rushed through in violation of the open meetings law. Since then, Gov. Walker has admitted (to Congress) that the measures stripping unions of power have NO budgetary effect. AND because of increased revenue, the state got some $600 million more than expected this year, so the idea of imminent fiscal disaster no longer holds. The GOP must fear that IF they bring it up for a vote again it will excite all the people who do not approve of its agenda, just in time for summer recall elections.
As a Wi resident, the 2nd passing of this bill will not see the Dems flee, but the Repubs will be pressed to exclude this as a budget issue since additional revenues have been 'found', so the shortfall is no longer dire. Additionally between the recalls and protests there is a clear dissatisfaction expressed by the public. Disregarding that again, will only further the populace's resolve to penalize the Repubs.
The would be lucky to get another vote so they could vote no and save themselves, I bet many house repuplicans wish they could get a do over on the Ryan plan.
Looks like we've got ourselves a nonsensical liberal love fest going on here. How bout some of you come down from your vory towers and share how these states will pay their bills after their activist judges are finished undoing the will of the people. Or maybe you feel they just should'nt, seems to work for the feds.
Todd:
Blah blah blah.
Activist judges? What the hell are you talking about? This judge's decision doesn't strike down the law. It essentially says they didn't do it correctly according to established procedures. From what I've heard, that's not even in dispute. The GOP legislators know they screwed up the procedures. Don't blame an "activist judge" for pointing out the obvious.
If you don't have anything better to contribute to the discussion, please take your trolling elsewhere.
Don't you just LOVE how when a judge rules against their interests, they magically become 'activist judges'?
Don't choke on you Cheeto's tod!
Republicans do not understand how democracy works. It's a long, slow slog to do things the right way, but in the end you get a better policy. Public debate, compromise, open and free discussions, these are the hallmarks of our system. Walker tried an endgame around the rules and the referee called foul.
Trolling? I believe I asked a pertinent question. and of course the unions have been desperately looking for an activist judge. Both sides do, its just that left leaning judges tend to view law as changing and right don't.
I beleive what you meant to say is that if I don't "contribute" to the lefty ideology of this thread, go away. Right? Its funny, every time I see navy and feisty on a thread I notice very few descenting opinions. Why is that?
Republicans understand how a constitutional republic works.
By the way, who calls foul when democratic legislators refuse to do the job they were paid to do and leave the state, refusing to vote?
Fiesty, the relevance of your comments always amazes me (choke on you cheetos?).
I'd be really shocked if I got a logical, coherent, sensical answer from this thread, ya know the "Public debate, compromise, open and free discussions, these are the hallmarks of our system" type of answers.
You're killing me toad! ;o)))
You want to a coherant sensical answer, when the first words out of your mouth is this?
Uh huh! Like that's gonna happen! lol
Sorry pal, you get back EXACTLY what you give...
The governor tried to lure Democrats back with the promise of compromise, but he completely reneged. Wisconsin voters wanted compromise, the public workers offered to sacrifice everything but their rights, but the governor moved in for the kill. Doesn't sound like the democratic process to me, sounds like totalitarianism.
Mentioning 'activist judges' how about SCJ Uncle Thomas?
Is is activist enough fer ya'?...Oh, but no, not in his case..he's sooo special and exempt, as is his TeaBag wife!
Amy,
Public debate, compromise, open and free discussions, these are the hallmarks of our system
You mean like the way Health Care Reform was pushed through.
The hypocrisy if this site is astounding!
Feisty it was nonsensical because no one on this post is commenting on the real problem; states and local governments are going bankrupt. Perhaps you do not agree with Walker's tactics, but you are not offering any "sensical" solutions. If you can not see that all threads on this story are a blatent "liberal love fest" then you should get out of your bubble (Ivory tower) and see that there are other opinions out there. I never see you on a balanced thread, ever!!
Amy, I partly agree. I would say the compromises offered by The unions were'nt enough and that they were self preserving. Why can't those not interested in supporting their unions be let of their unions? I am a California teacher; three years ago my union gave 1 million dollars to the defeat prop 8 crowd (gay marriage). No matter what your views are on the subject, my dues should support my job, not pet noneducation based propositions.
White Collar Auto
Democrats wanted a public option in the national healthcare bill, which my senator, the "moderate" Olympia Snowe negotiated to eliminate, then voted against the very bill she helped to craft...because, in the end, she's a Republican.
You mean to tell me this isn't a balanced thread? *clutches pearl necklace*
Didn't realize I have to answer to you... my bad!
Your right, you don't. That's just my point; you don't.
Choking cheetos, toad and now pearl necklaces? You got me there feisty; logical, sensical and coherent, you're a real hoot!!
Todd ... explain how the judge ruling that a law was violated makes her an 'activist'. Judges always do act ... it's called a ruling. They not only determine if laws have been violated (in this case), but also whether a legislated law is in contradiction to the constitution or other laws. I find the whole term 'activist judge' laughable to begin with. Would you prefer 'passivist judge' as one who sits and merely stares blankly shrugging her/his shoulder?
@White Collar Auto ... I'll see your Health Care Reform Act and raise you with Ryan's Budget bill that radically alters Medicare being rammed through. Both parties play political games to ram through their agendas for their ideological principles over the good or will of the people.
I'm glad this judge upheld the open meetings aspect of this case. Both parties need their hands slapped hard for all this back room dealing. I'm dissatisfied with both parties.
Good grief, if you want to not believe that each party does not search out judges (or appoint) judges to do their bidding, go ahead. Who cares!!
The real issue (and one that will visit every state) is: How are these states going to pay their bills? Do any of you have an answer, or would you like to continue to banter about irrelevant tangents, or maybe just insult like, feisty?
Now THAT'S RICH!
Project MUCH do YOU?
The first words out of your mouth were insults and now you're attempting to twist back on me? ROTFLMFAO!
Care for a *pretzle*?
More feisty logic. Comment 4.10 covered the difference between insulting and making a valid point.
"pretzle, Toad, cheeto choking", yeah those are actually insults. You have not posted a single relevant thought on this thread, and the threads you do post thoughts on are preaching to your own bubble. I have never seen you post a coherent, counter-argument to those who disagree with you. I have, however, seen a lot of what you are doing now. It is rather entertaining though, so please do continue, I miss kindergarten.
Having debate with opposing views is needed and is a good thing. But unfortunately since the launch of FOX in the mid-1990s, conservatives are so poorly informed that a meaningful debate has become difficult.
For example, Bush's income tax cuts in 2001, and additional breaks on capital gains and dividends in 2003 were both passed under reconciliation, with the 2003 cuts requiring Cheney's vote as a tie-breaker. THIS is what you call "jamming" something down people's throats.
And despite all the FOX/Hate Radio propaganda, the Affordable Care Act (or what you disparagingly refer to as 'Obamacare"), not only is based on prior Republican proposals, but consists of many Republican amendments. Also, debate on health care reform has been going on for decades, and was hotly debated at Town Squalls throughout the summer before it was passed.
Don't try to compare Walker and his over-reach to the health care debate--it doesn't come anywhere close. He is a fascist, and he and the GOP/TP who have wanted a one-party Christian plutocracy for generations deserve to be cut off at the knees.
"One party Christian Plutocracy"? I believe last time you used that phrase you called it a Christian Plutarchcracy (Pluto, Plutarch?). Maybe it was someone else, but either way its a bit of a stretch. As is the Fascist statement, try and stay credible. Overstatement is sometimes useful, and sometimes silly.
What would you say about MSNBC watchers? And it might be helpful to read the PEW research results on the past national coverage (bias) of the 2008 elecions; very insightful.
Tod:
Actually, I think we are exhibiting many of these characteristics of fascism:
http://www.rense.com/general37/char.htm
In particular, I think numbers 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11 are part of the political climate in the USA today. That would be 8 of the 14 characteristics of fascism...
Do you disagree? Why/why not?
Sorry, I am no more interested in debating the fascism of our leaders than I am in debating their socialism/communism.
Tod:
Too bad.
I could take your response to mean that US fascism is so obvious that there's no point in debating it. Or I could take it to mean that you don't have the horsepower to debate it.
Either way, I think you just conceded the truth: the US is approaching fascism.
But thanks for playing...
To the question how they going to pay the bills? It is very, very simple Todd they will have to actually collect the taxes instead of canceling the taxes and then claiming your broke. They weren't broke until they gave their money away. It is that simple. Collect the taxes pay the bills, just like every American household make some money pay my bills. Who quits their job and then wonders why they don't have money. Lets get back to that common sense republican way of thinking about things.
Sorry forrest, you gonna have to clear that one up for me. Who is they? And who are the other theys going to collect taxes from. Call me dense, but that was'nt so simple.
Bi weeler. calling someone a fascist is a red herring.
Calling someone a communist is a red herring.
Anyone ( from either side) who engages someone in such a conversation has already conceded the possibility. I don't like it when liberals pose the question toward conservatives, or when conservatives do the same toward liberals. So yeah, go play your fictitious little who is the greater Hitler game with someone else.
Tod:
I called you neither.
Never said you did?
They being the state of Wisconsin who else would collect taxes. You know this.
"Todd they will have to actually collect the taxes instead of canceling the taxes and then claiming your broke. They weren't broke until they gave their money away. It is that simple"
Who "cancelled taxes" and then "claimed they were broke"? Wisconsin? What in the world are you talking about? Walker took office in january, did YOU know this forrest?
Tod, did you even read the article? This "activist" judge was appointed by Tommy Thompson, former 3 1/2 term REPUBLICAN governor, two-term Secretary of DHHS under George W. Bush, and republican pretender -- I mean contender -- for president in 2008. Activist liberal judges are not his style.
As for what Forrest was saying, what Walker did was to have the legislature pass about $140 million in tax cuts for the wealthy and for corporations, and then claim a surprise $137 billion deficit in the current biennium, which was the initial alleged justification for the bargaining bill. This was also intended to create an emergency because it might be noticed that doing away with collective bargaining was not mentioned by Walker during his campaign.
More recently, Wisconsin has revised its long-term deficit estimate down by $630 million because of better-than-anticipated revenue collection (i.e., taxes), but Walker has announced that he still intends to go through with ALL of his proposed cuts.
You have shown me that you are uninformed on this topic, so it's time for me to disengage. When you have done some reading about it, come on back and let's talk more. I'm a former teacher myself, and I have a few of my own ideas about education.
I have already commented on the "activist judge" its an irrelevant side bar. As far as your 140 million dollar tax cut fiction (not sure where that # came from). It was bi-partisan and roundly declared at the time (february) by Wisconsin democrats as "symbolic". The "tax cut" was mostly a business incentive for new businesses to come to the state tax free for 2 years andoesn't kick in til 2012. It is also impossible to predict its cost or benefit (140 million is fictitious) Individual tax cuts were between 90 and $280 per person; hardly a tax cut for the wealthy.
I would suggest you get your info. from someone other than Feisty, and navy.
The overall issue is one of, how are states going to make budget? I live in California; pensions, unions, too much going out. Education, in light of these issues is very important to me, and not because of my paycheck (small as it may be).
I don't really care what Walker ran on. I care about this country's federal and overal state solvancy.
well the sheep in wolves clothing is finally being exposed.now to the electra of wisconsin, dont be fooled by this talking loud and saying nothing again. you people are much smarter than that. i saw it comming even before the election last nov. i am not from wisconsin but i have been following politics very closely since obama got elected in 2008. gov walker and the GOP in that state is out to train wreck anything that has to do with the obama agenda. it not at all about a dam budget but all about trying to derail the 2012 presidental election, if they can bust up the unions which is a big contributor to the dems especially during the presidental elections time. that is their motive. 2nd they want to change the votings rules also. people it do not take a rocket scientist to see whats happening with the GOP and gov walker in wisconson is doing. they r tea party folk remember. this is what u voted for last nov. dont be decieved again. fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me . KEEP OBAMA IN OFFICE IN 2012 AND DONT BE DECIEVED AGAIN. BY SHEEP IN WOLVES CLOTHING.
John you're 10000000000000000000000000% correct.Republican legislatures across America are doing this in advance of 2012.
I'm sure David Phlouffe, President Obamas Politcal Guru is on Top of these happenings, but E1 else should also be as Vigilant.
The Judge is in the bag!This is the problem. Judge Maryann Sumi should have recused herself entirely from the Wisconsin battle due to her inability to be neutral in this case. You see, Maryann Sumi has a clear conflict of interest. Her son is a political operative who also happens to be a former lead field manager with the AFL-CIO and data manager for the SEIU State Council. Both the SEIU and the AFL-CIO have members who are public-sector employees in Wisconsin. In fact, as a federation, the AFL-CIO can boast of several member-unions that represent public-sector employees. Maryann Sumi is hardly an unbiased judge in the matter.
Jacob “Jake” Sinderbrand, Sumi’s son, runs a company called Left Field Strategies, a firm that works on political campaigns.
Solution: Impeach the Democrats who fled and disbar Sumi!
Hey Bro....
Perhaps Judge Sumi is just following the example set by Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. Oh wait...I'm sure you expect him to recuse himself, right?
Give me a break. What exactly are your credentials to advise Judge Sumi on judicial ethics?
Todd- the 'will of the people' got missed completely at election time, because the Repubs were very careful to NOT campaign on what they were going to REALLY do. Get yer head out...
Sorry, what is it you feel republicans ran on that is different than what they are anemically attempting now.
Smaller government, thats the only issue. Its one that dems are fighting against and reps (after spending six years forgetting about) are pushing. Can't any commentors on this story make a coherent arguement, instead of just belittling those they dont' agree with. Say why, civilly!
yes, but we need government to be impartial. government is not a business, and it should not be in the pockets of corporations.
look at all those rep gov's who strut independence, and when some natural disaster demolishes their state, they're demanding federal funds. our country is too big. we are no longer the 13 original states, we are 50 states strong along with a population that is doubling. we need government. but we need an impartial government who takes very seriously their role as public servants.
Impartial? Do you expect if Obamacare is enacted that all the waivers being handed out should be negated, or just given to "ceratain companies? I agree government should not be "in the pocket of" corporations or of public unions.
Damn, you libs are really hard up for something to cheer about if you think this is a great victory. All the judge said was that the administration violated the 24 hour notice law, she did not say any part of the law was unconstitutional nor did she rule in favor of collective bargaining. Kind of like whining when you lose 70 seats in the house but cheering over one gain in New York.
sfcret:
Actually, I think you're right about this. I am kinda hard up for something to cheer about.
May be I spend too much time thinking about how Wall Street has totally wrecked Main Street. And about how we're in two very expensive wars that have been going on since 2001 and 2003 respectively, with no real ends in sight. Or maybe it's just that the GOP wants to take away Medicare so they can continue to give tax breaks to those who don't need them. Or is that we're headed for a fiscal train wreck, and the solutions are worse than the problems?
No, wait. I think I need something to cheer about because the GOP has purged all its moderates and is now a radical extremist group trying to overthrow the US government.
You're right....it's not easy finding much to cheer about these days.
Well if you really need a court decision to cheer about maybe you should cheer about the U.S. Supreme Court upholding Arizona's immigration business law. But wait that would put you liberals at odds with Obama's administration so guess that is out. I agree we are heading for a fiscal train wreck but both parties are to blame. We have to quit spending money we don't have and start living within our means, but I don't see either side trying to come up with a bipartisan solution so guess we, the voters, will have to get new people in the decision making positions and fire current politicians from both parties.
Great ruling. Keeps the hornets nest stirred. Don't let the embers die out on this fire until Walker and crew are out.
Amazing:
The Democrats abandon/desert their state to stop legslation, and that trickery is OK.
The Republicans do their job by a legal maneuver around the deserters and that's legal trickery. (The only thing that makes the maneuver illegal is a left leaning judge's opinion. This will change next time around.)
As far as I am concerned, the legislators who deserted their state and their elected positions of representation should be impeached for makfeasance and thrown out of office.
ketchup:
makfeasance? What the hell is that?
ETCHIP, a bit of manipulation there -- the Wisconsin Senate Democrats who went to Illinois didn't violate any law either, they were not present so that a quorum could not be established. What no one understands is why the Republicans were in such a hurry to pass the "non-budgetary" law that they violated the Open Meetings act. The Open Meetings act is to aid transparency in government...why didn't they wait the required period after posting notice of the vote? And why have they not taken a vote since then, with all Senate Democrats in session? Some of the Senate Democrats have been recalled, so if people are unhappy with their respresentation (or lack of it), they will be able to vote for a replacement.
Tod, just what have Republicans proposed that will resort in a smaller government? It's the same government, same agencies, only now it will even more inefficient due to lack of funding and oversight.. But then that will give you even more to scream about so you ought to be happy
And really, you are free at anytime to drop out of the union, find yourself one those high paying jobs that Republicans campaigned on (seems like the only thing they campaigned on) and quit being a teacher. Move to Arizona, New Jersey, hell the world is yours bud.
Healthcare, entitlements, Ryan's budget? Less money means less government, take an economics class.
So let me get this straight if I want to teach I MUST be in a union, is that the type of freedom you believe in? All states have teacher's unions, and I would legitimatley argue that my pay is pathetic because of them.
Is any of that law yet? Has any of that been passed? Didn't Rayn's budget get voted down today? Typical, counting your eggs before they hatch. Do you honestly think any of that will be law considering how large a majority of Americans are against it? Geez, take a civics class.
So you don't care if the government tells you what you can or can't do? Who you can or can't marry? Is that the kind of freedom you believe? Or is it that just don't care, as long as it's cheap.
And I think if a majority of workers vote for representation, then all must be in a union. But then again, youy only believe in majorit rule if it's something you agree with. You've already shown your colors.
Frank, re-read you own post: You asked, and I quote "Tod, just what have Republicans proposed that will resort in a smaller government?
Proposed being the opperative word there Frank, or do you need a vocabulary lesson also?. I think that the majority of Americans are for some form of what republicans have proposed, yes. Polls overwhelmingly support less government, more fiscal responsibilty and fewer entitlements, period!! I'm not sure if that is the civics answer you wanted, but there it is.
The rest of your post is apples to oranges (government to gainfull employment). If I follow your analogy I shoud be forced to give political donations to the democratic party as long as they control a "majority" of that government, right?
You "think"a majority of Americans support Republicans plans? Sounds like an opinion.
Man, you are pulling some huge stretches there. Where in my posts did I even imply that you should be forced to give anything? Where in my posts did I say you must be in a union? You blasted them, you brought them up. I just thought you wanted out
Gainful employment? Save your answer cause I'm outta this one.
Figures
No seriously, just where did I say you should be forced to give? I'm sure you can pick out the exact words. Come on.
You analogy, not mine. Unions elections and government elections, remember; majorities? Unions force dues upon their members, mine are quite high and are used on multiple nonrelated issues.
And I repeat, Polls clearly show that majoritys support fiscal responsibility, fewer entitlements and less government. Are you "proposing" democrats are in line with that?
"One small victory for us 'little people'!"
Really??? You mean a victory for the elite and powerful!! The little people get left behind by the democrats once again. This is just one more step toward socialism and communism. One day You dems will wake up in a communist country and wonder how it happened. Oh yeah, you just blame the Republicans. LOL
Real?
Do you really believe this, or are you just trying to start something? If you really believe it, please support your belief with some Facts. Links. Evidence. Anything?
Elite and powerful?
This was a win for the Koch brothers?
Tod, just in case you're still around.. I stand by my posts, which you failed to grasp at all. Just what have the Republicans poroposed that will create a smaller government?
Does the Rayn plan do away with SS?
Does the Ryan plan do away with Medicare?
Does it kill entitlements?
Why do you think a cheaper government is any less an intrusive government?
Who said anything about killing any of those?
"Why do you think a cheaper government is any less an intrusive government"
There comes a point where there are more people in the wagon than are pulling the wagon. Our founding fathers warned us that when you have a situation where major portions of the people are voting themselves money (entitlemenmts, jobs etc.) the country will fall. I believe we are there.
Where is it that you believe money goes when it is collected? It sure as heck does not make governement smaller or less intrusive when you collect more.
Man, you cannot answer a question can you? You obviously have lost any train of thought on this subject and now resort to rambling.You started out so hot on Ryan's plan but when you have to admit what a loser it is, you change the subject
Don't recall being "hot" on any plan. I simply answered your question about republican proposals to lessen government. what question would you like me to answer?
I don't agree with all of Ryan's plan, but like all legislation, it must start somewhere. The American people are clearly calling for less government (like I have been saying all along, no matter your belief in my avoidance) I think the ideas I mentioned are a good start, and certainly better than no start. Why are you getting your panties in a wad? Post plainly, and don't use analogies if you don't like it someone points it out when they break down.
"Richie Rich Ryan" and his poltical friend "Whacky Walker" are going to be voted down very soon. Their greed of 'Economic Evil" will be politically voted down quickly. The recalls for the dismissing of GOP/RNC in the State Of Wisconsin are in full political gear. So "Richie Rich Ryan" wants to kill Medicare? Progressive Power will be politically ending his poltical future. "Whacky Worker" is violating the rights of workers. Well his political future will be very short, and his vile voting record will not be dismissed. This was a great victory for the all Americans who are just trying to defend themselves against the greed of big coroporations, and their CEO's. Getting ready to vote yet America?? I hope so!
Support Labor & get Even!
Check out the latest protest song from The Joe Hill Heartlanders
urging all middle class workers to "Get Even!"
You can listen, view and download "Get Even!" free at:
geteven.htm
Stay strong and "Get Even!"
The Joe Hill Heartlanders
Almost all the comments are obviously posted by pro union, Ed Shultz loving,free enterprize and business loathing clones. Wisconsin will not recall Scott Walker and perhaps some runaway democrat senators who shirked their duty and ran off to Illinois may get recalled. The phony candidate for the supreme court union clone has cost the state millions because she is an elitist and can't stand to accept her lose, so demands and expensive recount. How are any of these people helping the state of Wisconsin?
Yay one for the working man and middle class
Be patient ! The REAL revolution is coming when the lower 97 % have really had enough !
My pitchfork is ready !
I don't understand people who dislike the Union's. I started on the bottom because of choices I made as a teen. I got in the Union and have made a very good living supporting my family without taking aid from state or federal agencies. Yes, my body hurts because I work hard, but I have a pension and a retirement that I have earned. I had good medical for myself and family. I payed good taxes. Why would you not want the Union. These are people the Governments don't have to pay out for. 1950's most prosperous time in US History. Healthly happy families. Most belonged to a UNION. People could afford to take a vacation. What was wrong with it?
Money going into our defense needs to be looked at. Compliance is not there, what do you have when you spend millions on projects that have pages of code violations and if you bring them up you are assaulted and threatened. Unknown chemicals placed in a workers area and in their vehicals that cause sevier pain and burning is assualt. If something happens to MLady is because the Government wants her to shut up. I was hired to make sure our tax dollars where spent as per the contract and that codes where followed and adhered too. This is not the case. Also some of these contractors are building our infrastucture that we use every day. Who really owns them, and why are they getting away with this shotty work?
And yes my pitchfork is ready.
I don't necessarily have any problem with collective bargaining but it's a different story when it involves public employees. Their wages are paid by taxpayors and the taxpayors should have a representative sitting at the bargaining table as well to make sure that our interests are being served. Actually, I think public employees unions should be done away with.
People always have disliked unions because of the money they make and the benefits they have period . They have disliked a worker having bargaining rights with there employer where they have know rights. I am a retired union auto worker and they seem to forget i started off making $2.75 an hour. I retired at the age of 49 with 32 years in the plant. I am 64 now and I can say my company treated there workers with respect. I have a retirement, health care, and social security and live very well. I did it by working a lot of 7 days a week and 12 hour days. I payed for my daughters college and wedding by planning and hard work. I deserve every penny I made. Dislike the unions if you like but we retired live a good life. I can't help your employer doesn't have a pension plan, health care, profit sharing, Christmas bonus checks, 4 weeks paid vacation, you picked your job, you can't ask for a raise because you are scared you will get fired, you miss a day and you may loose your job, make even have to ask to go to the bathroom, I have seen and heard all the stories about workers from non-union places. How many times have you been asked not to talk to union people ??? And if you think people will get jobs at the auto plants because of the right to work law think again. Your not going to get the money and benefits like the union workers that pay union dues. They are hiring right now Ford, G.M, & Chrysler and I want you to try to get a job there. They are hiring people of workers friends and laid off workers are coming back. You think the job you have, the owner cares about you ??? Please answer, when was your last raise, has your owner given you a retirement, does he pay for your benefits, health care. Do you get a profit sharing check when your employer has a good year ???? But you just act like little puppets and take what you get. They will fire you in a minute, all they are is for themselves and are the greediest people around. go to a bar some day, all you here is how they hate there jobs and owners. Auto workers don't complain about there jobs and the money they make. Must be the company cares about there work force, likes to pay them a living wage, and that is something a lot of you don't care about is a living wage. People haven't had a cost of living raise in 7 years now. If we would of got all the raises they cheated us out of the minimum wage would be $22.50 an hour, sounds good to me. Add another $8.00 and that is what the average auto worker with 10 years makes.
a house/nation divided against itself is sure to fall.....GOD
ignorance is the cause of suffering.... Buddha
love one another as i have loved you...Jesus
Tod - you keep truying to get folks to respond...but they just aren't gonna do it.....maazing....
the question is simple - love you r big union benefits....how do you suggest the folks that promised them actually pay for them? (Granted they should have used something other than their rose colored glasses when agreeing to them - but times were good and they were all drunk!).....Isn't being bankrupt and out of work just as bad as being out of work? Hell, maybe even worse...
politicians dont have to have fight for there pay and other things they just take it from us