It appears that most of those who marched on the Capitol steps yesterday were SCIU members. Many of them work in health and welfare areas.
The President has stated that the new Federal Healthcare plan will reduce costs so that it can be funded. How many of us thought that meant reducing fraud, costs of tests,waste, etc. etc. as a means to that end.
Now I see well crafted TV, Billboards, radio spots and newspaper ads, paid for by SCIU ,urging a prompt resolution to this State budget impasse.
Are these budget problems in several states a smokescreen? Are they spearheading the reform?
Just about all ads asking Republicans to give in are from SCIU or other Social Services agencies. The Commission on Women has some nurse worried about defunding for women, children, etc. Their whole budget is a duplication of Dept. of Public Welfare. Some other nurse is worried about cuts to WWII patients (who the Feds do or SHOULD pay for all their costs such as the soldiers and sailors homes, VA, etc.. To answer your question, though, YES. The unions are doing their damnedest to get more money, more jobs (more money)and the States are falling for this ruse. There is much that could ACTUALLY be cut, but the Pubs are only asking for a lesser allotment for 2009-20010. The CUTS are, in truth, not there.