RALLYING FOR THE CAUSE

Here in Wisconsin this week, we have had the opportunity to witness some of the basic principles of republican government in action. But first a little history.

For the previous twelve years the Democrat party had a stronghold on all levels of of the state government and they used their majority to the fullest. Taxes were raised, funds were raided to make up deficits for other funds, and "protests" form the opposition fell on deaf ears. Then in April of 2008, at the suggestion of a Wall Street reporter, a Tea Party rally was organized on the lawn of the State Capitol and 8,000-some non-affiliated grass roots citizens showed up to let these legislators know how they felt. Then, November of 2010 occurred and the tide turned. A Republican Governor was elected (especially after the conniving, lying incumbent decided that all his shenanigans did not warrant his obtaining a fourth term) and the State Assembly and Senate majorities switched to the Republicans as well. This was the worst news the Wisconsin liberals (read Democrats - there are no conservative Democrats in Wisconsin) could have received.

Wrongo! The latest news is the most devastating to date. Imagine the audacity of a politician actually doing what he promised during his campaign, his inaugural address and his first State-of the-State Address. This just isn't done! Our Governor, Scott Walker, promised he would call a special legislative session to address the budget hole left by the last group of despots - and he is. As I stated in my last post, nine budget-correcting bills have already been passed and signed. His latest and his most politically controversial promise is what has prompted the action referred to in the opening. He has proposed to end collective bargaining by state employees unions for benefits (only) and - horror of horrors - they will be required to pay 12.5% of their health insurance premiums and, if they wish, contribute 5.8% to their guaranteed pensions (which consist of 5% of their highest year's salary paid by the taxpayer). Also, their union dues will have to be paid by them to the union. The state will no longer extract these from their paychecks and distribute them to the respective union bosses.

This is so objectionable to the union rank-and-file that they saw fit to ignore their own work rules and spend an entire week "protesting" at the state capitol. The very people to whom they wished to air their grievances, by the way, all abdicated their duties and fled the state in order to postpone a vote on the bill in the State Senate. The Senators decided that it was better to flee, to run and hide out of state than to face the new majority and lose another vote. Cowards!
The "protesters", all paid union toadies from AFSCME, SEIU and even Teamsters as well as educators (I refuse to call them teachers because they were not teaching) ascended on Madison to yell, chant and strew garbage all over and otherwise deface the "peoples' house".

To make matters worse, all major news media are getting, as usual, only half the story half correct. Even our Constitutional Scholar President has weighed in stating that, without even calling the Governor, this is "an assult on the unions". If he were actually a believer in the U.S. Constitution, he would know to have butted out, stating states' rights as his reason. But, he is a polititian, not a leader, so he decided to take the low road. I am actually not that concerned about his medling because almost every other event or campaign in which he has inserted himself has backfired - i.e. Chicago hosting the summer Olympics in the future, campaigning for Russ Feingold, etc. So, please, Mr. President, do show up Monday (especially if we get the 10" of snow predicted) so the protesters can see first hand how to make a cause flop. Oh, and while you're at it, please charge the unions for the trip, we're tapped out!

RANDOMNESS

It is a Thursday morning and I'm at home. No, I didn't lose yet another job, though I am forced to reduce hours, thus the extra "day off". I normally like to use the Friday as the day, but, I have car trouble this morning. Even though it was about -10 degrees, this problem is most likely not cold related. The key ignition won't turn. My usual mechanic will replace the switch, so no real worries.

Also, we recently had our thirteen-year-old car serviced and we are able to take it to St. George Island this spring (mid June) to celebrate our 35th wedding anniversary. Coincidentally, the friends who turned us on to this lovely place will be vacationing there the same week. We've been trying to get this done for ever, at least since we've been going down there, about 12 years or so.

Also, it's been less than a month since the Republican-majority (finally) state government has been in session and they have already prepared nine corrections of the last 10 years of Democrat rule to be signed this week. One is able to tell these legislators are doing the right thing because the state unions and their Democrat sycophants are coming out of the woodwork to shout their "grievances" from the Capitol steps with the union dinosaur, Ed Garvey, Mr. Union Lawyer from the 1970's, leading the way again. Where has old Ed been the last 10-or-so years?

And last, and most important, the Green Bay Packers are World Champions again (#13)! Man, I love how that sounds! After beating all the odds even before the end of the regular season and beating the New York Giants and the hated Chicago Bears just to enter the playoffs, they then had to go on the road to defeat three higher ranked teams for the honor to play in the Super Bowl 45 (I don't like Roman numerals) against the Pittsburgh Steelers. As usual, the Packers allowed us to assume the worst in the third quarter only to seal the victory with the game's third Packer take away for the "Super Bowl dagger" as Wayne Larravee called it.
This is truly an amazing feat as the Packers had 11 players on IR at the start of the Super Bowl, then, during the game, in the first half, the team's two emotional leaders and veteran players, CB Ron Woodson and WR Donald Driver, both went down with injuries, not to return. Thus, the lousy third quarter. So, again, backup players had to replace starters in order merely to continue playing the game. Even with all of this, the Packers manged to beat a team that has reached the Super Bowl three times in the last six years 31-25.
Now I can truly excitedly look forward to next season. They have a great shot to repeat. If that happens, it will have been at least 10 years since a team will do it. GO, PACK, GO!