tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32512109.post2981321190057772060..comments2024-03-27T11:10:52.382-07:00Comments on On My Mind: Wisconsin WhackinessJayhawkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00756807802218022043noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32512109.post-84106237990361902802011-02-24T11:56:13.166-08:002011-02-24T11:56:13.166-08:00Oh, sh*t where do I start with this one?
I read t...Oh, sh*t where do I start with this one?<br /><br />I read the articles and it appeared to be a lot about eroding power bases for the political parties - and diminished union memberships has resulted in diminished political bas (and power) for the Democratic party. As private unions shrink, public ones have grown. And there is always the liberal, socially progressive segments of society that typically support the Democrats.<br /><br />The "Obama era" can be easily defined as his elected term in office (which I will define as 2008-2012) as a minimum, barring re-election. Whoever said otherwise is an idiot. He MAY have diminished clout or influence, but he is still the president and that means something.<br /><br />Public opinion is nebulous and fleeting and short on memory. It's easy to bash someone or something that is percieved as unfair, like "Big Oil" or Wall Street bankers, etc. What will it be come 2012 ? what will be the demon then?<br /><br />The idea that unions provide "dignity" to workers is a crock... That is not something that is measured or defined by the mere presence of a union or a collective bargaining unit. If a companies workers enjoy good wages, benefits and working conditions, I doubt those "just happened"... whether they have a union or not. I'ts just fine if they accomplish that without a union.<br /><br />I think that the issue is financial reform on the surface (which is a legitimate issue) and political influence under the radar.<br /><br />I am somewhat disturbed by the reasoning of getting rid of collective bargaining just to remove it's influence on pension/benefit reform. WHat about other financial issues? Is that the only one? Is ther a way to simply address that only without the collective bargaining issue?<br /><br />Or is it the CB that defines the benefit, and without the CB, reform can take place? I don;t have a problem per se with the CB issue, but pension reform does need to take place. Many of the perks and benefits are out of line with sustainabality and commmon sense. Do they have to match the private sector? Not necessarily, but the beneficiaries should have some responsibility with it too.<br /><br />disclosure: I am a public sector employee and am represented by a union, but not a full member.brucenoreply@blogger.com