Wisconsin State Senator Tim Carpenter has called Governor Scott Walker's actions dictator-like, refering to the budget repair bill that Walker has proposed.
Stated here, Carpenter refers to Walker's treatment as "The Governor won't return calls, isn't talking to us, being very dictatorial...."
Senator Carpenter, the Governor won't beg you to do your damn job, he simply expects you to show up at the Capitol, as you were voted to do by your constituents, and partake in the democratic process that you accuse the Governor of circumventing.
In 2008, I voted, and although I didn't like the outcome, I didn't throw a hissy fit because I didn't get my way. When National Health Care was passed in Congress, I didn't throw a hissy fit. I'll admit, I was upset, but I didn't withdraw from the process; I went to the polls in 2010 and voted again. My vote contributed to the pendulum swinging to the right. That's how the democratic process works. We the people tell our elected officials what we would like by voting and voicing our opinion to them by phone, email, and letter. In Wisconsin, the majority elected Scott Walker to the office of Governor to correct the budget shenanigans from the previous administration.
Senator Carpenter, you and your Democrat Party allies are holding up the democratic process. Yes, you are in the minority now, but you still get to make your voice heard during the debate over legislation, and your arguments may sway someone to change his or her vote to your side. However, comparing Governor Walker to a dictator like Hitler, Hussein or Gadhafi is completely inaccurate.
Senator Carpenter, I ask you, along with the other Democratic senators, to come back to Wisconsin, so that you may continue your work as you were elected to do.
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Shenanigans
My thoughts on the news in Madison, WI:
1. I support the overall objective of Governor Walker's budget repair bill. I voted for him in November because I wanted him to cut through the bullshit and balance the state budget. Former Governor Jim Doyle was too busy kissing the ass of special interest groups, making sweetheart deals and the like to actually do his damn job. The pendulum has swung the other way.
2. I do think the timing of this bill is a bit aggressive, but again, this is why I voted for Walker.
3. I have several friends who are teachers. During the school year, many of them worked more than 40 hours on just the teaching portion, and some coached extra curricular activities, which took more time. Yes, they had three months off in the summer, but I would think that at the end of the tax year, they worked similar hours to someone who worked a "9-5" job.
4. I don't think teachers should be tenured. I can't think of one private sector job that locks someone in for "lifetime" employment. My job is based on my performance; if I can't do my job, I don't have one. I don't think that test scores alone are a basis for rating teacher performance, but I think a bad teacher should be able to be removed.
5. I don't have a pension, or even a 401(k). I have the freedom to choose what to do with my paycheck. Once Holly and I build up our savings, I'm setting up an IRA and making sure *I* take care of my retirement, because no one else is going to do it for me.
6. I want to see the public unions pay more toward health care coverage. We have insurance through my wife's employer and she pays almost 13% of her gross pay for that insurance. Would it kill public sector employess to pay something a little closer to that??
7. Dear people protesting: your rights are not being trampled. Please read this first. I don't see the right to collective bargaining, the right to health care or the right to "insert bullshit thing" here.
8. All of this being said, I really would like to see people come together and discuss these kinds of political matters in a civil manner; however, I fear that time has passed in America.
1. I support the overall objective of Governor Walker's budget repair bill. I voted for him in November because I wanted him to cut through the bullshit and balance the state budget. Former Governor Jim Doyle was too busy kissing the ass of special interest groups, making sweetheart deals and the like to actually do his damn job. The pendulum has swung the other way.
2. I do think the timing of this bill is a bit aggressive, but again, this is why I voted for Walker.
3. I have several friends who are teachers. During the school year, many of them worked more than 40 hours on just the teaching portion, and some coached extra curricular activities, which took more time. Yes, they had three months off in the summer, but I would think that at the end of the tax year, they worked similar hours to someone who worked a "9-5" job.
4. I don't think teachers should be tenured. I can't think of one private sector job that locks someone in for "lifetime" employment. My job is based on my performance; if I can't do my job, I don't have one. I don't think that test scores alone are a basis for rating teacher performance, but I think a bad teacher should be able to be removed.
5. I don't have a pension, or even a 401(k). I have the freedom to choose what to do with my paycheck. Once Holly and I build up our savings, I'm setting up an IRA and making sure *I* take care of my retirement, because no one else is going to do it for me.
6. I want to see the public unions pay more toward health care coverage. We have insurance through my wife's employer and she pays almost 13% of her gross pay for that insurance. Would it kill public sector employess to pay something a little closer to that??
7. Dear people protesting: your rights are not being trampled. Please read this first. I don't see the right to collective bargaining, the right to health care or the right to "insert bullshit thing" here.
8. All of this being said, I really would like to see people come together and discuss these kinds of political matters in a civil manner; however, I fear that time has passed in America.
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