Can we discuss Wisconsin?

[MS Fowler]

I mean rationally and without name-calling?

Lots of outside interests flooding the state.
Does anyone KNOW what the tax-paying citizens of Wisconsin want? One can suppose that, since they elected this republican governor and legislature, that they wanted him to make cuts.
Is anyone who is on the side of the teacher's union suggesting alternative ways to balance the budget? Are they workable?
I hear the accusation that this is just an attack on unions, and that is why unions from all over are involved. Is that accusation justified? AFAIK, the governor's Bill allows the union and even allows for raises, but limits them to the CPI. Seems reasonable to me for a state that is out of money. The rhetoric seems too full of hyperbole to be accurate.

It seems to me that Wisconsin might be the pattern. MANY states are in similar predicaments--spending is way above revenues, and they cannot simply print money.


Maybe the larger question is, should public sector unions be allowed? After all, the public sector employees have job security that people in the private sector cannot even dream about. They also have great pay and benefits, and have not yet had the belt-tightening that the private sector has endured, not to mention pretty good working conditions.
I though most public-sector unions were forbidden from striking. This may be a "sick out" but it sure looks like an illegal strike. Can't they get an injunction against the leadership?

I remember just 2 short years ago as the democrats in DC promised to " ram health care down our throats" that their defense was , " Elections have ramifications"
Seems like the same thing could be said to the teachers of Wisconsin.

As you can tell, my initial sentiments are with the governor, but I am willing to listen to coherent arguments from the opposing side.