Yeah, Thanks Scooter! Five consecutive months of Wisconsin job loses. That working!
http://www.jsonline.com/business/state-lost-11700-privatesector-jobs-in-november-n43f475-135682638.html

Gov. Walker is dong the best job he can. There is no potion or magic formula to create jobs. Jobs are created by the private sector when the market says we need more jobs to satify the demand. Please read the recent Wall Street Journal about how the Public Service Unions are putting millions of dollars into ads against Walker. If Walker loses this issue in Wisconsin, then the Unions will have won the entire country and all its States, and if the Unions control the vote, then why bother voting. Why don't we just let the Unions decede who our president and governors are to be. We have all seen on TV news how Obama patted the Union boss on the back...what does this mean? It would seem that our country will succumb to the wishes of billionaire Union boses. Good luck America, it will need it.

+1 this needs to happen

Are you referring to his jail term?

@ BlueBirdHIGH, IF HE CAN'T DELIEVER, then why did he promise them ?

Nonesense. Look again.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z1UdqKYT4Nc/TVsxW7pexkI/AAAAAAAATqE/wim5E0mogDQ/s400/scott_walker_billboard_1116.jpg
And Illinois appreciates Walker's gift to them!

Ditto

OK, the article is about jobs, and somehow it got twisted into the same old public vs. private, left vs. right debate.
I'm not sure what "payed extremely well" means in terms of dollars, but I'm guessing it's over $50,000/year. So if you make $50K and pay $4,800 towards your insurance, that means you are paying just under 10% (less than most public employees). If you pay 10% towards retirement, it's probably because you chose to do so (just like I choose to pay 3%). Public employees are required to pay at least 5%. Wait, are we still supposed to feel bad that you pay so much for your insurance and retirement?

@carrilynn ... No reason to feel bad that the private sector pays more that public sector employees, because that is already changing in WI.

@Carrilyn-Point is I pay something!! As the one who pays your wages I should have a say in the matter. Stop crying and join the rest of us in America!! If the State has no money how do you suppose they can continue to flip the bill for your cadillac insurance plan?

Public sector employees pay towards their insurance and retirement, just like you. Not sure exactly the point you're trying to make. BTW, I work in the private sector, so the only one who has a say in my wages is my boss, not you. As far as your taxes go, check your statements. Walker is not the first one to lower taxes. Every person in my family that lives in St. Croix county has seen their taxes go down each year for the past 5 years.

The anti-public worker media blitz that began on February 11, 2011 spread misinformation that these workers pay nothing toward healthcare or pension. The fact is that those benefits are part of their compensation, just as in the private sector (for those who do receive health insurance and/or pension plan). Several MPS teachers told me that they voted some years earlier to pay more toward their health insurance so they could get a better plan. What Scott Walker did was basically force these individuals to pay twice.

Personally, I pay more per month now for a better plan. Should people be upset with me because of this?

However, I will say for the record that everyone should have access to the same good plan. Where you work should not determine the level of healthcare insurance you receive. This is one reason why it's so hard for small and mid-size companies to hire and keep good workers.

What if everyone paid for BadgerCare through taxes? I'm sure most of us would end up paying quite a bit less and getting more comprehensive care.

C. Sanders, that's what I always called him too. A Dildo. But you accidently spelled it wrong. No problem, I corrected it for you. Por Nada.

How many jobs have you created Bren?

@Bren-Considering the current state of this entire Country you seriously are blaming Walker for job creation? I think u need to look at the failed Obama policies as your explanation for lack of jobs

Don't worry. Obama will create more Federal jobs for each of us.

Steve, I could create 4.5 today if not for the recession.

Patriot, Walker proclaimed that he would create jobs. Obviously the business climate was not conducive to the creation of 250,000 new jobs by 2013, another reason why I didn't vote for him. Pipe dreams don't put food on the table. He set that 250,000 metric up himself and now he's backpedaling (to 2015) because he's being called on it.

The lack of jobs has been attributed to many things going back at least 30 years. Opening of relations with China, NAFTA, Bush tax cuts, etc. There's no easy short term fix I'm sure you'll agree. That's why it was ludicrous for Walker to claim he could create all those jobs. And since it's highly doubtful he'll meet his goal (approx. 229 years at current rate), the least he could do is stop cutting jobs and take a measured, multi-year approach to balancing the budget. I would respect that.

Thanks Bren! You are a smart man and true gentleman! Keep up the good work and eloquence.

Steve, when did Bren Campaign for office, and did Bren say he/she would create jobs ? I must have missed that. Is Bren being forced to a recall election because of misleading campaign lies ? Why are you looking to Bren to create jobs ? The governor said he would do that. So Snake Walker, Where are the jobs ?

Gov. Walker is dong the best job he can. There is no potion or magic formula to create jobs. Jobs are created by the private sector when the market says we need more jobs to satisfy the demand. Please read the recent Wall Street Journal about how the Public Service Unions are putting millions of dollars into ads against Walker. If Walker loses this issue in Wisconsin, then the Unions will have won the entire country and all its States, and if the Unions control the vote, then why bother voting. Why don't we just let the Unions decede who our president and governors are to be. We have all seen on TV news how Obama patted the Union boss on the back...what does this mean? It would seem that our country will succumb to the wishes of billionaire Union boses. Good luck America, it will need it.

Well Anti, there will always be some jobs available in a metro area. I would partly disagree about the qualifications. Our recent entry-level job posting garnered resumes from people with Masters degrees and 10-15 years of related experience willing to work for entry level pay. The same is true at organizations of colleagues in the field.

Realistically each of us has financial responsibilities, which have to be considered when accepting a full-time position. A full-time job, especially one with a varied schedule, can make it very difficult to augment income with one or more part-time jobs. If that primary job doesn't take care of basic needs, you can't afford to take the job, it's as simple as that. And personally I don't know anyone with a high school education who expects to make $100,000k. That's sort of a myth, like Ronald Reagan's Welfare Queen.

And I would say that "creating an environment to attract business" is not going to work until it becomes cheaper to build a factory or call center in Wisconsin than it is in China or the Philippines. I tried to research annual pay for call center workers in the Philippines (AT&T and Capital One are in Manila). The closest comparison I could find was $2,500 USD/year. With a much higher cost of living in Wisconsin than the Philippines, who here can afford to work full time for $2,500/year?

Gov. Walker is dong the best job he can. There is no potion or magic formula to create jobs. Jobs are created by the private sector when the market says we need more jobs to satisfy the demand. Please read the recent Wall Street Journal about how the Public Service Unions are putting millions of dollars into ads against Walker. If Walker loses this issue in Wisconsin, then the Unions will have won the entire country and all its States, and if the Unions control the vote, then why bother voting. Why don't we just let the Unions decede who our president and governors are to be. We have all seen on TV news how Obama patted the Union boss on the back...what does this mean? It would seem that our country will succumb to the wishes of billionaire Union boses. Good luck America, it will need it.

If so, you will have your wish to do LESS with MORE.

And we thank you Lord for that.

Your are not too smart and can't think beyond your nose. Gov. Walker is dong the best job he can. There is no potion or magic formula to create jobs. Jobs are created by the private sector when the market says we need more jobs to satisfy the demand. Please read the recent Wall Street Journal about how the Public Service Unions are putting millions of dollars into ads against Walker. If Walker loses this issue in Wisconsin, then the Unions will have won the entire country and all its States, and if the Unions control the vote, then why bother voting. Why don't we just let the Unions decede who our president and governors are to be. We have all seen on TV news how Obama patted the Union boss on the back...what does this mean? It would seem that our country will succumb to the wishes of billionaire Union boses. Good luck America, it will need it.

Now that you mention it I should cut back on spending and payroll, just for you though. I can plush up the bank account and slow down my investing. I am the 1%

A job, is better than NO job.

Your'e the 1 Percent? No wonder I have such get such a "warm fuzzy" vibe from you, Steve. I'm sure the other 99% do too.

You guys keep playing political football with our state, constant recalls does not show stability to any business leader. You guys are no stop with the whining and crying.

Or you could start to invest your money in a company and create a few jobs here in the state since Walker has always said government does not create jobs.

Hell phone your buddy Obama and ask him how all those jobs are coming that he promised. Maybe you can get another trillion out of the call, that is if you have a solar company.

Just the result of a clueless President whose policies are singularly focused on HIS re-election.

Where did I SAY ""we are losing jobs at rates not seen in decades" ??????????
That's the only statement the "truth o meter" found false. Get your reading glasses on Aunti, My statements are factual!

We're in a recession. We're in a recession because of outsourcing, banking industry deregulation, tax cuts for the wealthy that once again did not "trickle down," and profligate spending on an unnecessary war on Iraq (and yes they knew Saddam Hussein had no part in 9/11. The terrorists were from Pakistan and Saudi Arabia the untouchable country), including billions spent to line the pockets of Dick Cheney's "old" company Halliburton (from which he still derives profits and which recently moved to UAR to avoid US taxes).

Scott Walker does not have the intellectual heft or influence to resolve these issues, which have a direct influence on Wisconsin's economic health. That being said, the turnaround from profligate spending to "we have to balance the budget RIGHT NOW" is hypocritical and absurd.

This is country not a corporation (thank God). U.S. citizens are the Number 1 priority, not corporate profits. Logic (and factual evidence) dictates that when people have money to spend, the economy grows. We need to get greed-based thinking out of Congress and our state government and take a reasoned, measured approach. If that means taking a hard look at NAFTA and regulatory loopholes that open the door to slimy dealing, let's do it.

Except we all know that excising special interests' influence from Washington is impossible. Perhaps we can dial it back to sanity however, starting with the recall of Scott Walker to send a message.

Nice Try Anti-Alinsky,
Since I know many Professors and academic staff, I can tell you that here has never been mass layoffs in the UW-System. Prior to the 2008 Economic turndown the number was virtually Zero. Mass layoff NEVER occured in the UW-System prior to that.
So you can guess where I think Patriot pull his info out of!
Back to YOUR court.

Okay Thirsty,
First, the UW System is different. Yes they are a public institution, but they make most of the specific budgetary decisions. For example if layoffs were pending, they could postpone, downsize or even elimante the $53 million Freshwater science building.
So, do you know how many layoffs have occurred?

Here are stats about public worker layoffs in Wisconsin: http://www.jsonline.com/business/137071563.html

Here's a Jan. 1 article about 209 Milwaukee County workers who have just been laid off due to a state-order shift of these jobs to state workers:

http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/conversion-of-county-to-state-jobs-upends-209-workers-tr3kut5-136512688.html

These workers have the right to reapply for their jobs as state workers. I'm trying to find out if these jobs are becoming crony appointments or if these people have a chance of getting these jobs.

These circumstances are unacceptable. Anti-Alinsky, Scott Walker's budget called for the removal of 21,000+ state jobs from the payroll, through retirements, layoffs, or conversion to crony appointments. Read these articles. You cannot then pretend that public employees are not losing their jobs. They live and pay taxes in Wisconsin too.

Really sounds like the state is headed in the RIGHT direction , Doesn't it ? And don't think that we have forgotten that one of Walker's first moves was giving tax breaks to the rich. Then he started crying about how the state was broke. lol

Thirtsy, I would love to explain reality to you. Public teacher unions have been a thorn in school districts' collective sides for years.

First there is the constant increase in salaries. If it weren't for the Qualified Economic Offer in the nineties and two thousands salaries would likely be even higher they they are now.

The next major financial burden was the union insistence on using the insurance plan offered by WEA. Here in Muskego the district is projected to save 2 million by switching to a public sector insurance provider.

Also, districts can now get rid of bad teachers and put plans in place for under performing teachers.

School districts now have control over the school schedule and school day.

Those are just some of the things that Governor Walker and the Republican legislature have returned to local governments so they can accomplish their tasks AND be responsive to taxpayers.

Anti reality,
There is far more to insurance than the simple "fact" that it will cost less to not use WEA-T. The problem is I would have to write a book for you. Besides that, lets talk about the representative democracy crap.

The union is more than a singular item, something that the right has done a good job to hide. The union is a large group of people, representative of a portion of the population, and welcome to organize for the purpose of political action just the same as you, the NRA, or some other group of people. The problem is, they are the last large group to donate to the Democrats. They don't even make the top 3 in the nation, that is reserved for Industry. Now, what they represent isn't millions of people, like the unions, but a few. I won't use the owners starting with a K, but lets select mmmmm, how about the 2.7 million from Bain Capitol(purportedly from executives AND family members) to Romney. The counterweight is this, the "union" represented by the NEA and AFT has given about 67 million in the last 20 or so years, with a current group of teachers nationally of over 7 million. Less than 10 bucks in 20 years, or 50 cents. If you want to talk about the representative democracy, talk about that.
As for now being able to get rid of under performing teachers, they always could. Rhetoric says otherwise, but there is a process. Problem: administrators don't care to do their job and you (public) dont hold them responsible. Oh well, blame teachers

Say What? Nice try. Top all time donors to campaigns since 1998-2012 - six of the top ten are Unions. Coming in at #3? American Fed of State, County & Municipal. BTW, #1 just happens to be a liberal "think tank" that funds all things Democrat. Oh, wait - collectively, 90+% of the union donations go the Democrat way. The NEA rests at the #6 spot.

http://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/list.php

http://www.opensecrets.org/industries/mems.php

Over the lifetime of this, maybe. Check out the current trends. Same site, but yes, my statement stands as true. I know that is tough to deal with. They are no longer in the top 3. I know it sucks, because its not what you are being told. Even the concept of what I am saying stands. Another disappointment for you. I dont think there should be any special interest money, but if we want to keep with it lets look at what helps the largest group of people. If you can successfully answer this question, I will give you an imaginary cookie.

What is the difference between fracking and special interest money?

Say What?

"Over the lifetime of this, maybe." Um, thank you. Case closed.

"Check out the current trends." Sorry, 2012 is a far as a trend can go - and we are very early into 2012.

"Statement stands as true." Only in your head.

I know it sucks, apparently you did not read your link? Because its not what you are being told.

"...but if we want to keep with it lets look at what helps the largest group of people. (Attorneys/Lawyers donation to Democrat party?)

You are an opinionated person that cant think beyond his nose. Gov. Walker is dong the best job he can. There is no potion or magic formula to create jobs. Jobs are created by the private sector when the market says we need more jobs to satisfy the demand. Please read the recent Wall Street Journal about how the Public Service Unions are putting millions of dollars into ads against Walker. If Walker loses this issue in Wisconsin, then the Unions will have won the entire country and all its States, and if the Unions control the vote, then why bother voting. Why don't we just let the Unions decede who our president and governors are to be. We have all seen on TV news how Obama patted the Union boss on the back...what does this mean? It would seem that our country will succumb to the wishes of billionaire Union boses. Good luck America, it will need it.

Cry Baby Cry Baby

Patriot, teachers pay taxes too. How does economic destabilization of any Wisconsin resident/family move our state forward? Take a rest from the talking points and think it through. Wisconsin is not a corporation. It's a populace and a state with a rich heritage and cultural life which should be valued. Scott Walker is hurting people and needs to be halted in his tracks through recall.

@Bob McB -

Nicely said!

You can call it "sore losing," but as I and others have said many times before, businesses are more interested in making profit. They will go where they can pay people $2,500/year for a full-time job like the Philippines. Until our cost of living mirrors that of the Philippines, our state and country will continue to have an extremely serious problem. Walker's handlers know that, but are trying to take as much advantage of the situation as they can by frightening Americans into working many more hours for much less money and snapping up resources at fire-sale prices.

Bren,

When your automatic reaction is to resort to talking points you snarf up from your mentors at Kos, you miss a lot of the picture. We're not competing with the Philippines at this level (btw, the Philippines is not one of the major go-to countries for outsourcing, but that's another story and yet another example of you not knowing what the hell you're talking about...but I digress). We're competing with other states for those jobs still of a domestic nature that are not tied to any particular geographical area for other reasons.

You and the rest of the malcontents and sore losers are sending a message to those businesses (including the ones that are already based here) that you don't want their jobs and you don't want them here. It's not intentional. You're just so wrapped up in hating the Koch Bros and believing all the other cloak and dagger nonsense you folks gravitate to because you don't understand how anything works, that you don't notice.

Bob, you seem to have an issue with "Kos," an online community that has many voices. That is your business, but unlike low information right-wing economic Republicans I require no "talking points." I live in the reality-based world.

I also don't care to waste my time discoursing with people who can't control their emotions and discuss issues in a civil way.

Your remarks about "sore losers" suggests projection.

I know you may find this hard to believe Bren, but I can live with that. If I want the Kos version of reality, I know where to find it.

I and at least 1 million others don't really see it as abuse, to stand up for our rights. As far as I know this is still a Demoracy and not a Monarchy, Right ?

Don't read much, huh?

@The Law Man -

You are the only joke here, as you have proven yourself to being by doing nothing more than reciting the false propaganda, rhetoric, and talking points of the Daily Kos leftist crowd.

Here's Mr. Hoffa, trying to categorize people on Patch again. Stop projecting and respond to people's comments as written. People will take you far more seriously when you do!

@The Law-Every Obama policy is failing and now he is asking for another 1.2 trillion. Open your eyes man he has been in office for over 3 years now and as Country we are worse off now than ever before.

@The Law Man -

When it comes down to arguing economic effect from policy initiatives, the Republicans can take credit for the "Bush" tax cuts saving just as many, if not more jobs than the claimed job savings of Obama and the Democrat's $1T+ publicly funded stimulus that was admittedly "not as shovel ready as we expected."

You're the only loser here! Try again.

How about the Iraq and Afghan wars? Who can we blame for that?

The sooner the better.

@Sandy ... Don't see much evidence in your posts that suggest you stayed awake much while in class. Thus, you have little basis to lecture on education in America. Hopefully, you will not go on to admit that you are a teacher.

Rediculous ... The scenario you paint is all in your mind, without the benefit of any facts. Hundreds of unemployed will gladly line up to fill every state job, and by those that know what it means to pay their fair share.

Hell has a better chance of becoming an ice fishing destination than does your scenario coming to fruition, Dave.

You know, if you guys weren't constantly extrapolating to doomsday with your rationalizations of why Walker must go, you might produce something other than a lot of mocking responses and guffaws. It's impossible to take you guys seriously as-is.

@Dave -

If the people we have in the public sector are of such high quality, then why haven't our roads, schools, employment, etc been number one in all the world during all the years of Democratic or bi-partisan control of the state government?

"When the "cut-rate" workers don't perform the way they did before Walker killed the unions, it'll be the conservatives you'll hear crying the loudest."

Trust me, we won't cry. We'll just fire and replace those workers with better ones - that's the beauty of the free market system. And those that perform well will be compensated well, another anti-union free market solution that your side frowns upon in favor of treating everyone equally. Competition drives quality and results.

Wake up and try again Dave!

If the people you're talking about are so demoralized by the minimal sacrifices they've been asked to make, perhaps what they need to do is leave now and try to find a better deal elsewhere. I'll guarantee there will be plenty of people willing to take their place and thankful for the opportunity to do so. Demoralization issue solved. Next?

@Bob McBride -- If 5% of pay going to healthcare instead of discretionary income is such a minimal sacrifice for middle-class public workers, why is there such outrage at the thought of raising the top marginal tax rate by that percentage?

No outrage from me on that part Randy, aside from the absolutely false premise that doing so is going to solve all of our problems for us. Have at it. No skin off my back.

@Bob McBride -- No single measure will solve our problems. We just have to attack them with an intelligent combination of increased revenue and decreased spending.

Your meat isn't a prime cut Dave. More like sausage, frankly. Based on some other conversations I've had with you here (the one where you blame criminal behavior on prime time TV comes to mind), I'm not inclined to fret over your analysis of things going forward. My initial interpretation of your prediction for the future stands. It's just a shame that you apparently actually believe it. I'd feel a little more charitable towards you from a mental stability standpoint if it turned out you were just "awfulizing" things in order to attempt to sway the clueless to your side of the political equation.

Dave, you're nuts.

Recalls are not supposed to be a about "sending a message", grasshopper.

After checking my records, my property taxes went up almost $600 since 2009. What is going on here. Are we to be taxed out of our homes?

Thirsty, public employee compensation is a COST to the taxpayers. By bringing costs under control, Governor Walker managed to balance the budget.

Lets take the other end, you want to just raise taxes when the Feds have done NOTHING to bring costs under control.

The people making 250,000+ are inconsequential. Their employers decide what to pay them, the same as our elected officials decide what to pay public employees.

By the way, my wife and I make less than 80,000 together, and I am one of those that are benefiting from the Bush tax cuts. Maybe you should find out how they affect you.

well known fact is romney raided companies of their equity, stole from the pensions, laid off the workers and then dumped the empty carcus. that's who you want for president?

That's the facts you read huh?

Another dumb comment. People are more opinionated than rational. Gov. Walker is dong the best job he can. There is no potion or magic formula to create jobs. Jobs are created by the private sector when the market says we need more jobs to satisfy the demand. Please read the recent Wall Street Journal about how the Public Service Unions are putting millions of dollars into ads against Walker. If Walker loses this issue in Wisconsin, then the Unions will have won the entire country and all its States, and if the Unions control the vote, then why bother voting. Why don't we just let the Unions decede who our president and governors are to be. We have all seen on TV news how Obama patted the Union boss on the back...what does this mean? It would seem that our country will succumb to the wishes of billionaire Union boses. Good luck America, it will need it.