Democrats would rather teachers be laid off than return to Wisconsin

What exactly did Walker say in that phone call that implied he doesn't care about the budget? What did he say in that call that implied he wanted to take away the rights of hard working people? In fact, what did he say in that phone call that was any different than what he's been saying in public for several weeks now? "I support what these 14 democrats are doing" So you support them abandoning their jobs, their constituents, the taxpayers of Wisconsin, and committing a crime which they would be arrested for and dragged back to work if they stayed in their state? You support their decision to allow teachers get laid off rather than vote on a bill they don't like?

Walker didn't say anything like that during that prank phone call the other day. Only the prankster said those things. Walker said what he has said all along.

I don't doubt that most union workers ARE hard workers. But seriously, this whole fiasco proves to me that the teachers care little for the job of actually educating the children entrusted to their care for real life. The example they've set is pitiful. What would happen to any child who played hooky from school and came in with a bogus doctor note saying they were sick when they were out doing something else? I also hold to the opinion that the unions do little to actually better the work conditions of their members. I am speaking from experience and that of my children. They've outlived their usefulness. We have LAWS that protect the worker in America. The unions have become corrupt and are making a grab for political power. This is a political power play.

rogue, not showing up to do that job would get me fired. They're exploiting the children by bringing them to the demonstrations; I work in a nursing home, and there are VERY STRICT GOVERNMENT rules in place against any healthcare worker exploiting a resident of a healthcare facility. I could go to JAIL, not just get fired. What is going on with these demonstrations ought to make it clear that these teachers do not have our children's education at heart. And if that IS so, they have no business teaching.

I agree, they should definitely lay off the teachers that aren't doing their jobs. Sadly, with the tenure system, the first to go will be those with the least seniority who are sometimes the best teachers. Debra, there's nothing wrong with teachers protesting so long as they aren't fraudulently calling in sick. I know there were some teachers who properly requested time off in advance that are protesting. The ones lying about being sick to join protests though, should be number one on the chopping block followed by those that just aren't good teachers.

I don't deny their right to protest by any means. Taking time off work to do so if done in a responsible manner also does not bother me. But it has been reported that doctors were actually at the protests handing out doctor's excuses for those in attendance. I also don't think students should be encouraged to attend these protests by the teachers to lend credence to their position. That is the worst of the whole situation and should make thinking people angry. They lost any tiny bit of sympathy I may have had for their position with that one.

That is quite sad to hear, especially considering that these government-based employees are often paid through tax hikes borne by those of us lucky enough to be able to be homeowners (or tax payers). But those who work in a private company with a union sometimes don't fully understand just HOW profits are made, or how much it costs to stay in business.

The benefits of a government job vary depending on which state or local government you are working for and what your job is. I can assure you, I've worked in several and some really stink. "People should receive raises based on work performance rather than a contract." I agree completely. In my current job I supervise 15 employees whom I give annual reviews. The reviews are completely meaningless though as the raises are done on a union-negotiated schedule so the worst employee I have will be getting the same raise as the best regardless of performance. Also, in government jobs, it is extremely difficult to fire someone so those crappy employees can coast by in many government jobs doing absolutely NOTHING and continue to collect raises. Just to be clear, all of my current staff are good, but at the last library I worked at there was one completely useless employee who was hours late every day and would sometimes leave for lunch and never return. He'd been there for almost 15 years and he's still there now because even with layoffs, he has "seniority" which, thanks to the union, is all that matters when layoffs come.

I agree this has to stop being a Democrat/Republican thing. Our economy is in the pits because of GREED. Americans have this idea that they are somehow exempt from struggle. They want to have it easy and secure. OK, I CAN relate to that. But I am one that realizes that life is not fair always, and it most certainly can be a struggle. We have listened to our leaders tell us that as Americans we have a right to this and a right to that, but we don't realize what that costs to have those rights. We are spoiled. No where in the Constitution or the Bill of Rights is it gauranteed that everyone will have happiness, only that they are free to pursue it. Its nice if you can afford the benefits, but if you cannot and will go broke giving them, and then even MORE suffering will ensue for the employees, you are foolish and greedy to demand them. Its time we woke up and realized the danger this country is in economically. State governments do not have the money to pay these benefits. To demand them anyway is in my estimation wrong. The same is going on at a federal level, the Democrat party leaders have said they don't care if it adversely effects people if the government has to shut down all but essential services over the vote on the budget. They basically said, it will help us make the Republicans look bad. Something is terribly wrong here in America.

Clearly the democrats are not giving them job security since their absence from the voting process will lead to layoffs. Economic justice is a communist principle and it's the kind of crap the unions push with pay raise schedules. The worst is NOT entitled to get the same amount of money as the best. People should get what they're worth.

"Economic justice is a communist principle and it's the kind of crap the unions push with pay raise schedules." Seems to me I recall labor unions being the downfall of communism in Poland. Could it be that is the kind of crap that fat cat corporate leaders push to make people think unions are communist when unions are built under the same principles as this country like elected representatives and rights.

Touche EvanHunter! Seems to me that there's just too much Beck, Bachmann and Palin speaks regurgitated ... makes no good sense whatsoever even when repeated!!

Wow where to begin...lol. "The unions should be abolished completely, and the democrat party should be disbanded, as they serve no good purpose." Are you sure you wouldn't be happier if you lived in China? Seems to me your beliefs are pretty socialist and don't lean towards democracy at all. "Those democrats now in hiding should be extradited... since there is a warrant for them, perhaps a nice group of the voters can go fetch them back... if there happen to be some head thumping involved, well that would be a good lesson for them." Links please? I keep hearing people saying how they are going to be arrested, where are you people getting this? Please review the links I posted above about how the state constitution in Wisconsin works and get some clue as to what democracy means. Maybe you should attempt to go get them yourself and when you end up in prison or worse than you will realize your beliefs do not over ride others rights.

The whole point of that legislation was to save money by having them pay more into their pensions and healthcare. Since it hasn't passed, and they aren't paying in, the only other way to save money is to start laying them off.

Taskr36 "The whole point of that legislation was to save money by having them pay more into their pensions and healthcare." This legislation was not to negotiate, it was to take away their right to negotiate. Union leaders of two of the top unions said they are willing to accept the financial concessions on the 19th. http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_a05349be-3be1-11e0-b0a1-001cc4c002e0.html As far as being arrested for not showing up: "Police can't arrest senators but Republican Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald said he hoped the lawmakers would feel compelled to return if police showed up at their doors." http://www.channel3000.com/politics/26978269/detail.html "But he emphasized he has no plans to bring anybody in under force. "It (arrest) is never going to happen," Fitzgerald said." http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_228dd3c0-3e28-11e0-8296-001cc4c03286.html http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110218/ap_on_re_us/us_wisconsin_budget_unions_59

Lay offs ... okay, and off to the unemployment compensation lines they go ... great thinking for tiny minded republican "leaders" !!