Posted on 02/19/2011 7:37:26 PM PST by Libloather
State budget fights fire up unions; Obama involved
AP, Feb 20, 2011, 06.53am IST
WASHINGTON: Organized labor is trying to re-energize in the United States and take advantage of the growing backlash from the anti-union sentiment in Wisconsin and more than a dozen other states.
And President Barack Obama and his political machine are offering tactical support, eager to repair strained relations with some union leaders upset over his recent overtures to business.
The potent combination has helped fan the huge protests in Wisconsin against a measure that would strip collective bargaining rights from state workers. The alliance also is sending a warning to other states that are considering the same tactic.
"I think it's a clear message," said AFL-CIO political director Karen Ackerman. "If you take on middle-class people and try to solve the budget crises on their backs, there's a price to pay. Many thousands of people will be energized to fight back."
For Obama, stepping into a confrontation with a governor has its risks. The president is in a struggle of his own to tame spending, and siding with unions may cast him as a partisan even as he talks about setting a new tone in Washington.
For the labor movement, which suffered a bitter split in 2005, the brash moves by Republicans such as Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker have brought unions together in a way unthinkable a few years ago.
Nearly every major union leader, both public and private sector, has united behind an ambitious $30 million plan to stop anti-labor measures in Wisconsin and 10 other states.
(Excerpt) Read more at timesofindia.indiatimes.com ...
Do it, Obomba, DO IT!
Governor Walker and the Republicans absolutely MUST NOT CAVE to the greedy scumbags.
IMO, Zero’s siding with Union thugs and going against the American people will backfire on his RAT party and his re-election.
If making over 100 thousand a year is “middle class”, then I must be one of the “hardworking poor”.
Their miscalculation is that they’ve been getting away with this crap for decades, during most of which the taxpayers have been prosperous and apathetic.
The taxpayer is completely tapped out now. And, after almost three years of recession, he’s in no mood to be jerked around anymore.
For a President to inflict his power of office and incite people for whatever purpose, the money, the votes, WHATEVER, is just plain wrong.
uhbama is sick. And he is abusing his office. No wonder people cannot stand him. He is wrong to do what he is doing and if he is as smart as some say, then he has to know this. Shame on him.
For sure, he does not know the job of a President. Nor does he have the integrity to lead a nation. He sees those who resent their tax dollars being used to prop up and gift unions who have blown their own money on political clout as being selfish. You know-as deserving seats in the back of the bus.
Uhbama is pitiful.
He has a wife that goes off skiing, yet ANOTHER vacation, when so many are suffering and he, himself, makes it clear everyday that he is out of control and unable to make leadership decisions, including those that demand he shut up and and keep his dirty tentacles at home.
For a President to inflict his power of office and incite people for whatever purpose, the money, the votes, WHATEVER, is just plain wrong.
uhbama is sick. And he is abusing his office. No wonder people cannot stand him. He is wrong to do what he is doing and if he is as smart as some say, then he has to know this. Shame on him.
For sure, he does not know the job of a President. Nor does he have the integrity to lead a nation. He sees those who resent their tax dollars being used to prop up and gift unions who have blown their own money on political clout as being selfish. You know-as deserving seats in the back of the bus.
Uhbama is pitiful.
He has a wife that goes off skiing, yet ANOTHER vacation, when so many are suffering and he, himself, makes it clear everyday that he is out of control and unable to make leadership decisions, including those that demand he shut up and and keep his dirty tentacles at home.
I would not be surprised to see Obama hop on Air Force One and pay Gov. Walker a visit on Monday, since it’s a furlough day and the legislature won’t meet until Tuesday.
Go check out my comment at your link......
And I thought Clinton was a punk... Obama the PUNK, eat your heart out Bill...
The can’t hide who he really is. Looks like a fool.
If Zero did that it would be political suicide.....
We can thank Obama for killing affirmative action, it obviously is a failure.
lol! And Michelle has helped to seal the deal.
I’m all for compromise.
Pass the law AND lay off thousands.
Well, Reg Badger, it looks like you have a fan!
A natural born negotiator. Can't agree more. Start with the union leaders.
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