Time to "Go Egyptian" on the Koch Brothers

[bigmac]

The Egyptian people just showed us how to get rid of an autocratic leader. Back home we need to learn this lesson and deal with the undemocratic power grab of the Koch Brothers. Todays action is in Wisconsin where the puppet governor, Scott Walker, must be stopped.

http://www.alternet.org/news/149965/...k/?page=entire

[Ho Ho Tai]

Originally Posted by bigmac

The Egyptian people just showed us how to get rid of an autocratic leader. Back home we need to learn this lesson and deal with the undemocratic power grab of the Koch Brothers. Todays action is in Wisconsin where the puppet governor, Scott Walker, must be stopped.

http://www.alternet.org/news/149965/...k/?page=entire

Mac -

I'm a bit reluctant to post this letter, which I sent today to 'my' union, but an edited version is appropriate.

A bit of background: I grew up in a blue-collar union family - thank goodness! Without the union, we would have lived in abject poverty. I probably should have gone into the trades, but showed sufficient aptitude in math and the sciences that I wound up in college, with degrees in those disciplines.

In all the years of my career, I never had a job where it was possible to be a 'union man'. A few years ago - long after my retirement, but with Mrs Ho Ho still in the full flower of her career, we bought a condo in Duluth to which we intend to retire, someday. Shortly after we bought it, I was doing some electrical work which required the OK of a journeyman electrician (my work passed, by the way.) We talked and I told him of my background, and wish to belong to a union. He encouraged me to go to the local labor temple. He was sure we could work something out.

To shorten the story, we made a donation to the community fund, for which I received a very nice letter of thanks, and a declaration that I was an official 'Friend of the Union' - Int'l Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW).

Recent events impelled me to write a letter to 'my' union, reading in part:


I'm sure that you are very cognizant of events in Wisconsin. These are public employee's unions, not trade unions; never the less, they are all part of the bone and muscle that holds this country together.

I'm sure also that you are familiar with this quote:

First They came...
- Pastor Martin Niemoller
First they came for the communists,
and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a communist.

Then they came for the trade unionists,
and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Jews,
and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a Jew.

Then they came for me
and there was no one left to speak out for me.

I hope that 'my' trade union is speaking out in solidarity with the people of Wisconsin. If you are doing more than speaking out - contributing to a strike fund - we are willing to donate funds for that purpose. Please let us know if you have any plans in the works.

[personal - deleted]

I read a number of on-line publications. The one below is one of a number which nearly always have the ring of truth to them. I'm afraid that if we don't put whatever muscle and money we can muster into the fight, we'll have a middle class only as a distant memory. We'll have a nation of peons, scrabbling for an existence, of necessity doing the bidding of those within the Iron-Gated Communities. What happened? Did we think that Joe Hill won the battle for all time?



TRUTHOUT'S BUZZFLASH DAILY HEADLINES


The latest diversionary tactic of the corporate/GOP oligarchy has been to divide union members by attacking public unions as leeches, while going softer on trade unions - although only by a relative standard of vitriol.

The war on public unions and public workers has gained full steam, even pushing the White House to basically acquiesce to the slander.

But if what we are witnessing in Wisconsin is the beginning of a workers' revolt, the Republican assault on the working class may have finally hit a brick wall of outrage and push back.

The Tea Party governor of Wisconsin is going to probably get a bill passed eliminating public union collective bargaining rights - and unions across the board, as well as students and progressives are turning out in droves to oppose the measure.

Protesters filled the Madison State Capitol rotunda on February 16, and held rallies around the state. Today, defiance is accelerating and approaching a full-scale union and progressive revolt in the Badger State.

We don't know the temperature off-hand for turning kindling wood into a full raging fire, but the fury, breadth and vigor of worker protests in Wisconsin are reaching that point.

It's winter here in the north, and the chants of "the people united will never be defeated" echoing across Wisconsin make for a cozy fireplace of hope.

Mark Karlin
Editor, BuzzFlash at Truthout

[flyboy1]

Originally Posted by bigmac

The Egyptian people just showed us how to get rid of an autocratic leader. Back home we need to learn this lesson and deal with the undemocratic power grab of the Koch Brothers. Todays action is in Wisconsin where the puppet governor, Scott Walker, must be stopped.

http://www.alternet.org/news/149965/...k/?page=entire

Always have to have a villain, huh? The Koch brothers, Bush, Sarah Palin, the generic "rich people..." Who else? All the unwashed and unenlightened that don't see things the "progressive" way?

If we carry your shadow government conspiracy logic out, what is really going on here is a Koch Brothers versus George Soros battle? The Koch Brother's "puppet" in Scott Walker vs. Soros' "puppet" in Obama?

Wisconsin, the Federal Government, and many other states are in deep financial trouble. Unlike the Federal Government, states can't print currency. A number of them - Wisconsin included - have balanced budget requirements in their constitution. Like it or not, the state government is required and responsible for fixing the shortfall.

The Koch Brothers did not vote him into office. Unlike Obama and his often stealth agenda, Scott Walker ran his campaign telling people what he intended to do and was elected by the citizens of the State with 52% (same as Obama). Walker's actions are not a surprise and he should be respected for taking the tough road and doing what he said he would do. The Left and unions may think they are getting a crap sandwich in Wisconsin, New Jersey - and soon to be in a state near you - but many feel the same way about the Obama, Pelosi, Reid agenda that was crammed down their throats.

[mango]

Originally Posted by flyboy1

Always have to have a villain, huh? The Koch brothers, Bush, Sarah Palin, the generic "rich people..." Who else? All the unwashed and unenlightened that don't see things the "progressive" way?

You left out wives and significant others on Valentines Day...

[joswitch]

Originally Posted by bigmac

The Egyptian people just showed us how to get rid of an autocratic leader. Back home we need to learn this lesson and deal with the undemocratic power grab of the Koch Brothers. Todays action is in Wisconsin where the puppet governor, Scott Walker, must be stopped.

http://www.alternet.org/news/149965/...k/?page=entire

Read "The Best Democracy Money Can Buy" about how the Koch's continue to steal the vast majority of the Navajo's oil (income).

[Brooklyn Red Leg]

Funny, but I thought it was only the Tea Party that had 'violent rhetoric', according to the media. Yea, that's a non-starter for me too considering some of the signs held at the Wisconsin rally. I DEPLORE the fact that Governor has threatened to turn the National Guard on the protesters as that is the classic example of Police-State tactics.

To the people of Wisconsin: Balance your budget or prepare to see your state collapse. Your choice.

[bigmac]

Originally Posted by Brooklyn Red Leg

Funny, but I thought it was only the Tea Party that had 'violent rhetoric', according to the media. Yea, that's a non-starter for me too considering some of the signs held at the Wisconsin rally. I DEPLORE the fact that Governor has threatened to turn the National Guard on the protesters as that is the classic example of Police-State tactics.

To the people of Wisconsin: Balance your budget or prepare to see your state collapse. Your choice.

Union busting is not a prerequisite for a balanced budget.

[Wild Zero]

What was Walker doing to address the financial shortfalls facing Wisconsin immediately prior to throwing this legislation out there? If you guessed passing tax cuts for the wealthy like the Koch brothers, you would be correct.

The tea partiers who think this is great are the same ones that were dismayed by “Obama trying to shove legislation down their throats with no one having time to read or debate it.” This legislation hit the table last week and they were trying to pass it Monday or Tuesday. So a year is too short of a time to debate legislation, but less than a week seems ok. Hypocracy much?

interesting post

[bigmac]

In a cynical bid to split opposition the Governor exempted police officers and fire fighters from his union busting bill.

It hasn't worked -- police officers and fire fighters are protesting side by side with their fellow public employees. Police officer are working 12 hour shifts doing crowd control then changing into street clothes to join the protests. A heartwarming show of solidarity.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/0..._n_825080.html

[bigmac]

Looks like Governor Walker created Wisconsin's financial crisis himself. He then turns around and uses the crisis that he himself created to justify his political agenda (union busting).

Wisconsin is not a poor state -- but its Governor is morally bankrupt.


http://host.madison.com/ct/news/opin...c8b2aaaf6.html


http://legis.wisconsin.gov/lfb/Misc/...os&Darling.pdf

[Fish]

Originally Posted by flyboy1

Always have to have a villain, huh? The Koch brothers, Bush, Sarah Palin, the generic "rich people..." Who else? All the unwashed and unenlightened that don't see things the "progressive" way?

And a couple of paragraphs later in the SAME post....

Originally Posted by flyboy1

Unlike Obama and his often stealth agenda,

Always have to have a villain, huh?

[Brooklyn Red Leg]

My dear Mr. Steward:

As I am unable to accept your kind invitation to be present on the occasion of the Twentieth Jubilee Convention of the National Federation of Federal Employees, I am taking this method of sending greetings and a message.

Reading your letter of July 14, 1937, I was especially interested in the timeliness of your remark that the manner in which the activities of your organization have been carried on during the past two decades "has been in complete consonance with the best traditions of public employee relationships." Organizations of Government employees have a logical place in Government affairs.

The desire of Government employees for fair and adequate pay, reasonable hours of work, safe and suitable working conditions, development of opportunities for advancement, facilities for fair and impartial consideration and review of grievances, and other objectives of a proper employee relations policy, is basically no different from that of employees in private industry. Organization on their part to present their views on such matters is both natural and logical, but meticulous attention should be paid to the special relationships and obligations of public servants to the public itself and to the Government.

All Government employees should realize that the process of collective bargaining, as usually understood, cannot be transplanted into the public service. It has its distinct and insurmountable limitations when applied to public personnel management. The very nature and purposes of Government make it impossible for administrative officials to represent fully or to bind the employer in mutual discussions with Government employee organizations. The employer is the whole people, who speak by means of laws enacted by their representatives in Congress. Accordingly, administrative officials and employees alike are governed and guided, and in many instances restricted, by laws which establish policies, procedures, or rules in personnel matters.

- Franklin D. Roosevelt

http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=15445

[Dromond]

This is obviously political strategy to cripple a Democratic party support base.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20110220...udgetcutsunion

Excerpt:

The move to bust public unions is part of a broader attempt "to bring us closer to a more permanent Republican majority," said Marjorie Hershey, a political science professor at Indiana University.

Republicans won a major victory last year when the Supreme Court overturned a ban on corporate spending in elections.

The flood of new money -- $190 million by conservative groups compared with $94 million from liberals -- helped propel Republicans to win back the House of Representatives and make major gains at the state level in November's mid-term election.

The state-level gains will have far-reaching implications as legislators undertake the once-a-decade task of redrawing political maps in accordance with new census figures, a highly partisan process.

In the winner-take-all, essentially two-party US political system, creating a district where just 55 percent of voters support one party is usually all it takes to guarantee a win.

[KittyKitten]

Honestly, these Republicans really want to keep the population ignorant, that is why so many of them are against public education. They only want a select few to become successful so that they can have all the wealth. The funny part, the Tea Partiers look like the biggest fools because they will lose out at the end supporting their little Republican lawmakers. They are so poisoned with their hatred that it will lead them to nothing. That is what happened in Egypt, where most of the people are poor and the rich few have all the power and make all the decisions.

[joswitch]

Originally Posted by bigmac

Looks like Governor Walker created Wisconsin's financial crisis himself. He then turns around and uses the crisis that he himself created to justify his political agenda (union busting).

Wisconsin is not a poor state -- but its Governor is morally bankrupt.


http://host.madison.com/ct/news/opin...c8b2aaaf6.html


http://legis.wisconsin.gov/lfb/Misc/...os&Darling.pdf

Wasn't that in the original link?
He gave some big business a $137 million tax beak / subsidy. And it turns out their budget hole was... $140 million. Sur-priiiiiIIIse!

[bigmac]

Originally Posted by joswitch

Wasn't that in the original link?
He gave some big business a $137 million tax beak / subsidy. And it turns out their budget hole was... $140 million. Sur-priiiiiIIIse!

Yup it was. The supposedly liberal press hasn't made much of this fact -- but to me it shows the lengths to which Republicans will go in the implementation of their ideology. The Governor knowingly and willingly put his State into debt so as to give himself leverage over the unions he hates. If this isn't moral bankruptcy I don't know what is.

[joswitch]

Originally Posted by bigmac

Yup it was. The supposedly liberal press hasn't made much of this fact -- but to me it shows the lengths to which Republicans will go in the implementation of their ideology. The Governor knowingly and willingly put his State into debt so as to give himself leverage over the unions he hates. If this isn't moral bankruptcy I don't know what is.

Reminds me of how the UK gov't is cutting back public spending by a huge amount to fill the budget deficit. Which just happens to be almost completely due to the enormous bail out of very, very wealthy bankers.

[bigmac]

Originally Posted by joswitch

Reminds me of how the UK gov't is cutting back public spending by a huge amount to fill the budget deficit. Which just happens to be almost completely due to the enormous bail out of very, very wealthy bankers.

Does anyone think this is just a coincidence?

[joswitch]

Originally Posted by bigmac

Does anyone think this is just a coincidence?

There's a whole lot of red-pilling going on right now, on all kinds of issues.

[DELIMAN092262]

Originally Posted by bigmac

Yup it was. The supposedly liberal press hasn't made much of this fact -- but to me it shows the lengths to which Republicans will go in the implementation of their ideology. The Governor knowingly and willingly put his State into debt so as to give himself leverage over the unions he hates. If this isn't moral bankruptcy I don't know what is.

The governor cut taxes to kick start the economy into gear. A growing economy helps all the citizens of the state. Including state workers.

But you think the priority should be protecting the benefits of state workers. Nothing is more important than benefits for state workers. Even at the expense all the other citizens of the state. Some priorities.

Also, just what is the difference between the Koch brothers and George Soros? Both seem like rich guys that want to influence politics.

[bigmac]

Originally Posted by DELIMAN092262

The governor cut taxes to kick start the economy into gear. A growing economy helps all the citizens of the state. Including state workers.

But you think the priority should be protecting the benefits of state workers. Nothing is more important than benefits for state workers. Even at the expense all the other citizens of the state. Some priorities.

Also, just what is the difference between the Koch brothers and George Soros? Both seem like rich guys that want to influence politics.

First -- give aways to the rich are the least effective most costly way to stimulate the economy.

Second -- maintaining the spending power of ordinary workers is one of the most cost effective ways of stimulating the economy.

Third -- George Soros funds groups whose goals are to improve the world not just his bottom line.

[DELIMAN092262]

Originally Posted by bigmac

First -- give aways to the rich are the least effective most costly way to stimulate the economy.

Yet, spending almost $800 billion dollars does not appear to be working. Unemployment is still over 9.5%. Just how long should the public wait for Obamanomics to work?

Originally Posted by bigmac

Second -- maintaining the spending power of ordinary workers is one of the most cost effective ways of stimulating the economy.

How many of those ordinary workers can't find a job? How many gave up? Perhaps the union obsesses over their members, but the governor must consider all the state's citizens. Only a growing economy will get them a job. Just paying state workers is not growing the economy.

Originally Posted by bigmac

Third -- George Soros funds groups whose goals are to improve the world not just his bottom line.

You do know that George Soros was a founding partner in a hedge fund? You also know he made billions in currency speculation?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Soros

If he gave money to right-wing causes would he be “wrong”? If the Koch brothers gave money to causes that you approved, would that make them “good”?

Not everyone agrees with you over what is a good goal. Soros and the Kock brothers are just opposite sides to the same coin.

[KittyKitten]

I watched several news shows and the guests mainly people in politics said Obama should mind his business and worry about what's going in Washington. The comment is a bit odd/borderline strange. There's about 70,000 people protesting in Wisconsin. This is a big deal. Ignore or not be concerned? That's something Mubarak did. Then again America isn't a real democracy. It's inverted totalitarianism.

http://www.thenation.com/article/inv...otalitarianism

The Republicans have emerged as a unique phenomenon in American history of a fervently doctrinal party, zealous, ruthless, antidemocratic and boasting a near majority. As Republicans have become more ideologically intolerant, the Democrats have shrugged off the liberal label and their critical reform-minded constituencies to embrace centrism and footnote the end of ideology. In ceasing to be a genuine opposition party the Democrats have smoothed the road to power of a party more than eager to use it to promote empire abroad and corporate power at home. Bear in mind that a ruthless, ideologically driven party with a mass base was a crucial element in all of the twentieth-century regimes seeking total power.

Representative institutions no longer represent voters. Instead, they have been short-circuited, steadily corrupted by an institutionalized system of bribery that renders them responsive to powerful interest groups whose constituencies are the major corporations and wealthiest Americans. The courts, in turn, when they are not increasingly handmaidens of corporate power, are consistently deferential to the claims of national security. Elections have become heavily subsidized non-events that typically attract at best merely half of an electorate whose information about foreign and domestic politics is filtered through corporate-dominated media. Citizens are manipulated into a nervous state by the media's reports of rampant crime and terrorist networks, by thinly veiled threats of the Attorney General and by their own fears about unemployment. What is crucially important here is not only the expansion of governmental power but the inevitable discrediting of constitutional limitations and institutional processes that discourages the citizenry and leaves them politically apathetic.

No doubt these remarks will be dismissed by some as alarmist, but I want to go further and name the emergent political system "inverted totalitarianism." By inverted I mean that while the current system and its operatives share with Nazism the aspiration toward unlimited power and aggressive expansionism, their methods and actions seem upside down. For example, in Weimar Germany, before the Nazis took power, the "streets" were dominated by totalitarian-oriented gangs of toughs, and whatever there was of democracy was confined to the government. In the United States, however, it is the streets where democracy is most alive--while the real danger lies with an increasingly unbridled government.

[LalaCity]

In addition to the fact, already mentioned, that Soros does not back a political agenda in order enrich his personal wealth, he is also transparent in his support for progressive causes -- two things that can definitely NOT be said of the Koch brothers.

[snuggletiger]

[quote=DELIMAN092262;1674952]Yet, spending almost $800 billion dollars does not appear to be working. Unemployment is still over 9.5%. Just how long should the public wait for Obamanomics to work?

As long as we waited for Reagonomics to work, we had Ronnie for 8 years at least give Obama the same amount of time as a courtesy.