Bravo students!!

What we're seeing is a full-fledged attack on American institutions -- public education, collective bargaining rights, and the middle class. These students' parents need to speak out, too, because the GOP's policies impact all of us who value democratic principles.

Recall Alberta Darling!

And what? There won't be any consequences for skipping class without any permission to do so? Did the teachers know about this beforehand and allow it to take place? Do we really want our kids or anyone else making these decisions to cut class to do what they could have easily assembled to do after school? And, are discussions of politics being addressed fairly within the classrooms? I don't see a place for this behavior during school hours and was an example set by the teachers that called in sick to protest in Madison? Perhaps the kids are smarter than I give them credit for and they've prearranged for some Doctors to write them some fake excuses for thier absence from class. Perhaps they learned that by watching some teachers too...

I applaud the students for efforts to be involved in the process. I would however, feel much more enthused about their efforts if they were able to articulate the issues they appear to support! Undoubtedly, some of them do, but I remain unconvinced that the vast majority understand the issues involved. I truly wish I were wrong on this matter.

Long live the democratic rights.

By the way, in general, will the teachers "sick-outs" as well as the students failure to attend class result in additional days being added ton the end of the school year calendar? I've not heard what effect, if any, that will have.

they didnt really skip, all they did was have a note saying they had a doctors appointment and then they left. And they asked the administrators whether they could leave school or not which clearly shows that they (the administrators) are not fulfilling their job of keeping students in school.

I respect the right to assemble and can even respect the cause. My son and daughter in-law are both teachers in a nearby suburb. I want the best for them and all teachers. I do hope this comes to a negotiated and satisfactory conclusion. However, I have an issue with some teachers lying about their whereabouts to get a paid day or two off from school for a trip to Madison to protest, and some committing fraud to cover it up. I believe that behavior is selfish, disrespectful to the students, the schools and the parents of those communities. Let's remember that teachers have responsibilities to the parents and students that may hold opposing political views as well. I also take issue with 14 Senators that have fled the State without any idea when they will return. I'm sorry but lying, cheating and running away from one's responsibilities are not the examples we should be setting for our children. That's dirty, Chicago style politics and is what gives unions a bad reputation. Neither is walking out on school when assemblies such as todays can be conducted after hours. Most of this is also playing out on a national stage and the examples set by a few are tarnishing the image of the whole. That cannot be helping the cause.

I think part of what gets lost here is this:

Most of the folks in this world just barely have enough time after a day's work to catch a few minutes of this on the news. What they see is a bunch of people, many of whom are much better off than they are, marching around complaining about how unfair it all is. The see suburban HS students cutting class with their parents' permission in order to march in support of something that, for the most part, they don't understand. And they honestly can't imagine what kind of fantasy world these people live in. They laugh, they shake their heads in amazement. And that's about all the time they have to devote to it because they've got ill parents to take care of, they've got kids of their own that they can't afford to enroll in expensive activities in order to free up some time for themselves. Some of them have second jobs. Some may have lost their jobs due to economic conditions and struggle to make ends meet under the table.

If you try and put yourself in their shoes, instead of insisting everyone put themselves in yours, you may begin to understand why the longer this goes on, the better it is for the proponents of this bill. Because the longer this goes on, it goes from being amusing to irritating. And they're not blaming Walker for their irritation, as you would have them do. They're blaming you and the folks you support.

ok on the video, a comment was made saying that teachers were told that they would be punished if they protested, this is false as a teacher at WFBHS said that they staff has a whole decided it would be better to show their professionalism by staying in school

My child didn't skip. My child asked if he could protest in support of his teachers. I wouldn't be a good parent if I decided on whether he could go or not on whether I agreed with his position. Being a good parent is letting your child take chances and making sure they understand what the consequences are for those actions.

We discussed what punishments may come down on him for not being in school, and he decided it was worth it. I was actually proud that he was willing to take a punishment because he believed in something and was willing to stand up for it. I would have felt the same way if he was supporting Walker's attempts at balancing the budget.

Also, he is currently in two classes that do discuss this topic, government and contemporary issues. I believe if he didn't go and protest, it would be a statement that he hadn't learned anything in class.

Teachers should hold out...it is their right...Let the layoffs happen..it probably
would only affect 10% of the teachers and they are probably the most recently
employed...It doesnt affect the other 90%..they keep full benefits and dont
have to survive on unemployment checks...survival of the fittest...Those
teachers and the politicians in Illlinois can get this done...
JGK

Chuck,

I don't know if it was intentional or not, but you last sentence indicates that he's being taught that this bill is something that should be protested. That's not a universally held or accepted position. If that's what the teachers are teaching, then the suggestion that teachers are using their position as such to influence the actions of students on their behalf may not be unwarranted.

Great job by the students! I'm proud that these students took the initiative to support their teachers and school staff. Every time I walk into the WFB schools, where my kids attend, I am struck by the professionalism of the teachers and staff. I'm equally impressed when I go to the public library with my kids and they ask for help from the staff, and by the police who patrol our streets, the firefighters who take time to go to the schools to talk to kids about fire safety and prevention, the staff at the village hall. We have high quality public employees in our village, and they deserve a voice in the workplace. I reject the small-minded, mean-spirited attitude that says "I want to pay the least, and get the most. If someone is getting something that I can't have, I'm going to make them pay."

To all the incredibly insulting comments saying that these kids have no idea what they're protesting, that they've been brainwashed, or that these kids are being used as "human shields"- you are insulting and discouraging some young adults (the term can be applied at least as well to them as you) who have taken the time to think about an issue, feel moved by it, and take action. We need more young people to take interest in the political issues in this country because they will be the next generation of leaders. To discount the opinions of high school students merely because they disagree with you is petty and childish- many of them are probably more politically aware and interested than you. Young people have minds of their own and a great capacity to use them, members of the community should be proud that students are taking a stance.

Craig, No one in the Bay will argue how lucky we are to live here and for the most part, how well we are served. And, I don't think WFB would mind at all if you wish to overpay your taxes on an annual basis to show your appreciation. Look, we all want prosperity, this isn't a vendetta against teachers or police or librarians or our trash men. Far from that. This discussion is about using and not abusing the system to get ones point across.

Michael Pyter makes a good point.

These kids get out of school at 3:30 in the afternoon (or thereabouts). Why couldn't they have conducted the protest after classes had ended for the day?

I think given test scores in some of our schools, both teachers and students should be in school.
Having said that there are other ways to show support for both sides in this debate.

I would suggest some 2500-5000 word essays, HAND WRITTEN on UNLINED paper, on the collective bargaining process, the budget writting process in the State of Wisconsin, or the pros and cons of both positions.

A public debate, by the students, on collective bargaining, on the problems facing both sides in Madison, etc...

All of the above are better than just giving the students who walked out of school a simple pass...

By the way had I done that in 1969, my parents would have paddle my *** until it was redder than a fire engine.... I guess times have changed...

Donny...

the so called legitimate notes were ones that said they had a doctors appointment or something along those lines. this is called lying which many teachers are doing right now

yes i am a member of the school, and yes to answer your comment i know how to capitalize, doesnt really matter though. either way is a personal reason an excuse to get out of school? im pretty sure it isnt. you have every right to be mad at me, am i glad to see young people get involved of course i am, whether i agree with it or not, i just think this couldve been handled alot better. but i should say that both sides are being attacked here. most will find this silly but facebook groups went up last night about the walkout, one for it and one against it, and from my opinion the group against the walkout was targeted more than the other

I know some of the kids who were at the protest and I can tell you they're smart, and informed. The reason my husband and I chose this community nearly 20 years ago when he took a job in the area was for the excellent schools. If teaching public school becomes a low-paying job why would anyone go to college for four years and work toward a teaching certificate? Go through all that and then never be able to afford a house? Oh well, that's were we're headed I guess. Why not let the teachers have the right to at least ask for what they need? Leave in collective bargaining.

Excellent work by Sarah and other students in WFB. I agree with Linda that they are clearly smart, and informed. Products of good schools, which are staffed with good teachers and staff, who deserve a voice through collective bargaining.

10 percent of these kids can actually vote.

I am a student at WFBHS and attended the protest. It is so infuriating when highschoolers like myself are referred to as uninformed, ignorant, or said to not understand what they are protesting. The students protesting the bill today are old enough, informed enough, and quite able to form their own opinions. It is insulting that so many so-called "adults" are calling us ignorant when they honestly may not even know as much as we do about the issue or do not care about it enough to learn. I myself first learned about the bill in a class I am currently taking on contemporary issues and took it upon myself to learn more about it, as well as reading some of the actual bill before forming my own opinions. I have read both sides and although I see reason behind both, I personally do not support the bill. How many of the adults here can say they have done the same to form their opinions? Students deserve to have opinions and beliefs without being ridiculed, seeing as we are the next generation of leaders in this country.

Holden Caulfield- the reason why your a idiot becuause, you just copied that quote from a kid "facebook status" who probably was just kidding when he said it. Actually I know he was kidding because everyday I hear about this Bill at school and also at home. You should probably not spend most of your time wasting it on facebook and looking at kids statues. Maybe get a life would come in order.
For everyone else to just clear things up....These kids did what they felt they needed to do, get over it. They left a little after 4th hr and came back before lunch ended. They protested for their teachers, cops, fireman, and many other state workers...who is getting the rough end of the deal.
Democrats are not running and hiding, there just so disappointed in such a bill that it makes them sick. Whats up with the Republicans voting on things before the meeting, was actually schedule to start? Thats wrong isnt it? Or whats up with holding some meetings secretive so the "people" wont know about it? Even though it has everything to do with them.
Im not saying, I have all the answers but in my perspective and probably many others.....this is just not right.

@Sarah - Your intelligent and well-represented comments would carry more weight if you left off the childish obscenities at the end. What you are doing is valid and important. Don't reduce it to noise by stooping to the level of your critics.

N

I noticed some comments by the opposition to the bill who claim things that are not in it ! I suggest that the backers of," killing the bill "(where did the negative comment come from especially after a couple of weeks ago ) would actually read it . Please take the time to listen to what it is from the writers of it . For all the rest has been hyped up by the opposers .. Please read it Linda . As for hype why is it OK for the union thugs to say hate speech as (Walker is Hitler) and the like ? Who is being more civil ?

George if you want to get rid of the post that has just the "N" in it, you can hit the "Delete" link in the upper right hand corner of that post.

I think that all of the people who want to hate on the students' efforts to protest the collective bargaining rights of their EDUCATORS, need to do a couple things. First, realize that we are a generation of politically active people who care not only about those who help society, but also have enough guts to stand up for what they believe in and exercize their first amendment right, that most Americans will never exercize. Secondly, know the facts. The facts state that teacher's unions have already agreed to pay more for their pensions and health care, yet Walker still finds it necessary to destroy their unions to take away their political power. Notice that in the bill, every state employee's union is being destroyed EXEPT police and fire fighter unions, who were also the only ones to support Scott Walker's campaign. And I understand that fire fighters have done lots to save $ this year, but it's still no excuse to exempt them from the union destruction. Clearly Walker wants to destroy the unions that oppose him to make it easier to gain political power not only for him, but also for the Republican party. Finally, if he's so adament for budget cuts, then instead of going after our educators, why doesn't he cut HIS OWN exhorbitant salary of $137092? Read the FACTS.

One of the people in this comment thread implied that he would only respect our opinions if we were 18 or older, but otherwise we are still "just kids." That is about the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard! Why should we have to be 18 or older to be considered young adults with respectable views and opinions? Would you rather we didn't care at all or think on our own until we were in college? It is embarrassing how condescending some of you are towards the students who protested - standing up for something they truly believe in and actually want to fight for. Personally, if I were a parent or adult in this community, I would be proud that young people are taking an interest in politics and making informed decisions and views. It is important for our community to have students like that. Or would you rather we all played call of duty or video games like it for hours instead and couldn't care less? It just seems that while the "immature, ignorant" students are out fighting for something they care about, some adults commenting here are the ignorant ones, as they aren't willing to accept or believe that our opinions are legitimate. Since when does being young adults mean being incapable, and why should it? Our actions and maturity are better than I can say for some of the adults we saw during the protest, who thought giving us the finger was an okay way of expressing their own beliefs. And although that was insulting and sad, we still respected their right to express them.

I am a parent in this community and I'm very proud of the students for marching and demonstrating for something they believe in. You're on your way to being great, involved members of the community - in fact, you're already there.

Hey Jeff,

Can you put up a list of locals who gave Walker money? I think it would be important for us to know which businesses we should or shouldn't be visiting for their lack of support for workers.

Okay, but do they really understand BOTH sides of the debate? Do they have any 'skin in the game?' In other words, do these students pay property taxes?

I don't think so.

I think it's great they are involved in the politcal system. I think it's great they have done something to show they believe in something.

And this will mean nothing to a lot of people, but I will offer the thought for your consideration.
If you truely want to learn how to play Sheepshead well, play for money.

In other words, I'm paying for state and local government. I'm stuck with a losing hand and I can't even toss in for Scheinder... Endless Doublers with no Trump...

I don't think it makes sense to say the students all need to buy homes here and pay property taxes before they can understand the issues. I happen to own a home and have paid property taxes here for almost 20 years. I moved here knowing that the taxes were high and that the community supported good schools. Its the reason I moved here. I knew the community valued education. My opinion of Walker and his antics? Collective bargaining for public employees needs to be preserved and Walker should resign. Again, bravo to these students for learning about the issues and taking a stand.

Linda,

I think the point was that the students don't have the same investment in the issue that homeowners do. If they did, they might (unlike you apparently) feel differently about the issue.

Another nice thing about this village is that it has voting booths conveniently located for all to use, so the next time around you can exercise your vote to replace those you don't care for, rather than calling on them to resign. Walker was duly elected by people who knew what and who they were voting for. They support what he's doing now. No reason he should resign just because your side couldn't get out the vote. Better luck next time.

Even if he was a Democrat I think he should resign. In this country, when someone is elected, they don't just represent their voter block. He's my governor too but he's not listening to the citizens of this state. The latest poll numbers show that most people disagree with what he's doing. This morning law enforcement officials are speaking out against his recorded comment that he considered planting trouble-makers in the protesters but decided that the violence might back-fire in public opinion. There's your man.

The police chief of Madison: "I would like to hear more of an explanation from Governor Walker as to what exactly was being considered, and to what degree it was discussed by his cabinet members. I find it very unsettling and troubling that anyone would consider creating safety risks for our citizens and law enforcement officers. Our department works hard dialoging with those who are exercising their First Amendment right, those from both sides of the issue, to make sure we are doing everything we can to ensure they can demonstrate safely. I am concerned that anyone would try to undermine these relationships. I have a responsibility to the community, and to the men and women of this department - who are working long hours protecting and serving this community – to find out more about what was being considered by state leaders," Wray said in a statement.

Senator Tim Carpenter: "At a historic moment in our State’s history, brought on by your refusal to compromise with elected officials regarding the elimination of worker’s rights, you still refuse to talk with Democratic legislators. However, you apparently have no problem taking a phone call from “Mr. Koch” and to:

Discuss your strategy to lay off public workers to seek partisan advantage to pass your agenda;

Discuss your plan to lure Democratic legislators to the Capitol on the pretext of negotiation, but then state that you would never actually negotiate;

Discuss your plan to use the pretext of negotiation to get a quorum for legislative fiscal action that Republicans so far have not been able to do;

Discuss that you considered the “planting” of paid troublemakers into the peaceful protests at our Capitol; and to

Give your enthusiastic acceptance to an offer from “Koch” to fly you out on a vacation to show you a “good time” once you “crush these bastards.” Your response was “That would be outstanding…” Given that Koch’s businesses could reap vast rewards with the ‘no bid’ sale of the Wisconsin’s power plants that you propose in your budget repair bill, this response is severely troubling.

Governor Walker, this tape would make Richard Nixon blush. If the recording and the items discussed by you are indeed your plans, you have no business being in public office in our State, and should resign.

There's only one poll that counts and that one was taken last November. If we called for every politician to resign (including your beloved president) every time poll numbers took a dip, we'd keep the cartage companies fat and happy, but not much else would get accomplished, would it.

You just have to face the fact that you don't always get your way. For some reason, that's a hard thing to swallow for those on the left - I'm not sure why that is.

I'm not particularly enamored with the current occupant of the Oval Office. I personally think he's done things that have done great long term harm to this country. But he was duly elected by the majority of the voters and, as such, I don't call for, nor to I expect him to, resign. I'll have a chance to vote against him again in the next election, and if enough people agree with me, maybe he'll lose. If not, he won't.

It's that simple.

If I follow your logic, elected officials should be able to do anything they want since they won the vote. Wow.

You don't follow the logic. You also don't get that what Walker is doing has the support of those who elected him into office. Because, as I said, you just can't accept that you're not going to get your way this time around. Better luck next time.

Bob, believe me, I do know that Gov. Walker has support from most right wing voters. :)
You're right that I may not get "my" way this time around, but we all have the right to voice our opinions. I notice the right wing hasn't exactly been quiet in their opinions about the recent health care reforms!
Speaking of health care reforms...Walker's "Budget Repair Bill" addresses health care. This is from local news source Third Coast Digest: Governor Scott Walker's budget repair will only allow US citizens to receive Medical Assistance care. If you're an illegal or even legal resident, you could be denied care. Rep. Jocasta Zamarripa offered an amendment to allow legal residents MA care, but it was voted down."
This means that even non-citizens who are here with green cards, i.e. "legally", who have started businesses, paid taxes and social security, will be denied medical care. Again, there's your man.
Even the Archbishop of Milwaukee is speaking out against Walker's bill saying: "..it is a mistake to marginalize or dismiss unions as impediments to economic growth. As Pope John Paul II wrote in 1981, “[a] union remains a constructive factor of social order and solidarity, and it is impossible to ignore it.”

Linda,

No it doesn't. Look what you c&p'd again. You've even overshot an already biased article (source - Third Coast Digest) by totally ignoring the word "could" and saying that because Zamarripa's amendment was voted down, it's now going to happen. You don't know why it was shot down. It was an amendment.

Look, I can go out to websites all day long and collect talking points and c&p them here, then further distort them in my summation, like you do but I'd rather just state my own opinions and make my own arguments.

Illegals shouldn't be getting Medical Assistance. They're illegals. Nothing in there says legal citizens ARE going to be denied Medical Assistance.

Enough with the red herrings already!

True! I have been copying and pasting, using source materials and direct quotes when possible, even Walker's own words, but I can see you're committed to your man. I recall that yesterday you said you had never heard of the Koch brothers, Walker's billionaire backers whose father co-founded the John Birch society. That surprised me, as its rather widely known. I hope you'll not continue to be Walker's cheerleader on faith, and instead try to learn what is really going on. I can see you won't change your mind. I've enjoyed our exchange Bob!

Linda, if having billionaire backers with extreme political viewpoints in their lineage was a crime, Mr. Obama would be in lockup.

The point is that virtually every politician has supporters who dump money into their campaigns for the purposes of buying influence. Whether it's successful or not is debatable but as you know unions are some of the biggest contributors to those in the Democratic party, they have a very explicit agenda (self preservation at all costs) and it could certainly be argued they've been successful in their attempts at purchasing influence. In fact, in the past a number of rather notorious union bosses have been indicted for just that (in addition to having ties to known organized crime figures).

I don't trust anyone on faith. But, like anyone, I have opinions on issues and I generally support those folks who are most in line with my POV as regards those issues. You'll also note I haven't been cheerleading for Walker, Merely pointing out that he's the governor, duly elected as such and that I agree with him on what he's doing now. I don't think he's a squeaky clean angel, anymore than I think any politician is.

You've spent a lot of time demonizing a guy you didn't vote for holding to his campaign promises How much time have you spent taking to task a guy you most likely did vote for, for not closing Gitmo like he said he would?

And no, you won't change my mind. Not with biased source material that you've distorted further in summation.

Again, I hope you'll not continue to be Walker's cheerleader on faith, and instead try to learn what is really going on. The fact that you hadn't ever heard of the Koch brothers (in any context) indicates to me that you could possibly be more well-informed about the issues surrounding the bill. I'm not sure how Archbishop Listecki's own words, The Madison Chief of Police's own words, and Walker's own words can be construed as "biased source material"! To claim that direct quotes are "biased source material" when you find them out from someone you don't agree with illustrates how deeply committed you are to your point of view! There's nothing I, or anyone who disagrees with you, can help you understand. Good luck Bob!

Linda,

I understand perfectly and know exactly what's going on. And I'm honest about it, rather than attempting to color the issue with exaggerated interpretations of stinted source documents. It's why I hold the viewpoint I do on the issue - opinions expressed by religious leaders and law enforcement officials with as stake in the game not withstanding.

As regards your use of biased source material and distorted summations, you know exactly what I was referring to. I pointed it out specifically, above. Don't try to close out on a disingenuous note. You only hurt your side of the debate by doing so.

Boy, you just don't want to let me go! :)
No disingenuousness intended, ever! Good luck!

Another Video of the protest

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2tYb4WF3Z2Q

ok all the kids at bay are so stupid I guarantee they have no idea what is in the bill. they just wanted to get out of class and look like rebels

@wfbisgay 1. The kids did not leave just to get out of class. Believe or not missing a class is a bad thing because everything has to be made up. Despite walking past qdoba, subway, brueggers, and many others I continued marching. Than when i got back to school they were out of pizza so i had a slim jim and a pack of starburst for lunch. hows that for caring.

2. The biggest reason for bays high test scores is not the amazing teachers. It is actually that the students are already smart. This is not to say that teachers are not extremely important.

3. All someone needs to know to decide whether to support this bill is. Do people deserve a voice in issues that effect there life and jobs. Any decent person would say yes to that question and no to the bill.

As a graduate of Whitefish Bay High School, I am exceedingly proud of these students. As the famous folk singer Pete Seeger said recently regarding the Madison protests, "You don't become an American by saluting at the right time or singing the national anthem at the right time. You become an American by using the rights which the Constitution gave us." In a manner that directly related to their day-to-day experiences in the public education system, these students transformed the word “democracy” into an action verb, something I think our nation’s forefathers would be proud of.

What does Wisconsin’s public school system mean to me? I only spent three years at Whitefish Bay High School, but my experiences there changed my life forever. My years in Wisconsin helped to develop my educational foundation, gave me a sense of direction, and helped foster a core individual strength within that I have carried with me into my adult life. I credit my superior teachers with providing me with the skills necessary to become a thoughtful citizen capable of contributing to, and actively participating within our society. I met my husband in band (an undervalued and highly under-funded course at that time), a class that is now facing the chopping block. Without that critical artistic opportunity, we never would have met and I would not have had our beautiful son (we now have a second child on the way)...

...I would never have been inspired to become a teacher, and as a result I would not have influenced the countless lives of the students I have had the privilege of working with- diverse students of all ages and backgrounds, preschoolers through adults. I know I would not have been as academically successful in high school or in college. I would not have received the broad range of scholarships I was in awarded during my university career. I would not have been able to discover myself or realize my full academic or artistic potential. My own list goes on an on. I cannot fathom how my own life would have ultimately been displaced had I been one of the students subjected to this disgraceful assault on the public education system.

I just happened upon this post, and I was proud to see so many members of our community, young and old, coming together in support of our students and teachers in this time of struggle. I remember my parents moving to Whitefish Bay because of its exceptionally strong schools. I recall parents within the community endlessly bragging about the quality of the education their child was receiving, how their nationally-ranked school was giving their student a competitive edge. The reality of the situation is teachers are already overworked and underpaid, even in Whitefish Bay. These cuts, coupled with the removal of collective bargaining rights, will forever negatively alter Wisconsin’s education system...

..Highly-skilled, highly-qualified teachers will slowly dissipate from the system, leaving gaping voids that inexperienced younger teachers will be unable to fill. I personally do not see myself returning to the teaching profession. As passionate as I feel about teaching and education, and as much as I have adored my students, it would be financially irresponsible for me to return to the field I love. I actually regret seeking a teaching degree, as that decision has jeopardized my family’s financial insecurity.
I was also disgusted by many of the right-wing Rupert Murdoch faux-theorists touting disrespectful emotion-based rhetoric on the comments section of this page. I would love for these individuals to walk down the street to the schools that their kids attended and say those hateful things directly to the teachers that taught their children. Maybe while they are at it, they can pull out their wallets and write those same teachers checks for all the times those selfless individuals opened their own wallets to pay for books, supplies, and other items to better serve the very children of their critics. Supplies that even the under-funded whitefish bay school district was unable to afford.

I winced when I read the comments that accused the students of being uneducated, claiming that they were unable to understand the consequences of this legislation. Students are the ones who will experience these budget cuts each and every day. They will watch their favorite teachers receive layoff notices and stand by helplessly as their mentors leave the profession, all while beloved courses and programs are slashed, academic and non-academic alike. If you do not think that students are already able to see the current funding deficits in our schools and the politics at play, you are a fool.

I also couldn’t help but laugh at the suggestion that the students should have staged their protest after school because by holding their walkout during the school day they were “breaking rules”. We wouldn’t have the 8-hour day, unemployment insurance, child labor laws, the weekend, the 40-hour workweek, benefits, workplace safety regulations, and wage regulation, to name a few if the generations of workers before us had never broken any rules- but you Walker worshipers wouldn’t know that, would you? And before you get on your high horse and start accusing the WFBHS teachers of brainwashing students with union propaganda, I did not learn about unions in public school revisionist history texts. Those pivotal chapters of American history are conveniently absent.

So “Don”, given that federal workers Do Not Have collective bargaining rights, I think You have some “telling” to do. My father worked for the federal government for 35 years and had no bargaining rights. He held positions all over the nation, and only in Milwaukee were employees able to “discuss” concerns with management, but it was the federal managers that made the final decisions- and that was the best-case scenario. They had no right to strike. They had no rights of consequence. He managed a third of the nation in his field and made only a fraction of what he would have made in a similar position in the private sector, all for the common good. We were barely able to afford our house in Bay, and they purchased it when home values were significantly lower (and when it had not been renovated since the 60’s). The federal employees with the strongest representation are the postal workers- wow! It seems You are the one who is uneducated about the issues.

So yes, I would like to tell you that the collective bargaining rights of public workers nationwide allow them to humbly provide for their families and give them a certain degree of security, the same benefits private sector employees used to enjoy when they possessed stronger union representation. That teachers should be eligible for top-quality healthcare...

...That you need to look into Walker’s plans for selling public utilities if you are concerned about “regard for the taxpayer”. That you should observe a high school government class if you have such little faith that the teachers can teach objectively (what repulsive disrespect by the way).That Wisconsin has the very best high-performing schools because it has the best teachers, who if they survive the impending cuts, will no longer remain in the profession at their own expense and at the expense of their families. They have already been stretched far too thin for too long. That public sector employees were unionized by private sector employees. That the public sector employees still had less than the private sector employees until those workers lost their representation. That All workers deserve a living wage, decent benefits and job security. That taxpayers can and are asking for rollbacks by petitioning the government to enact fair taxation laws that remove the bulk of the tax burden from the lower and middle classes. That the rich, particularly in this economy, are in a far better position to make concessions than teachers, public employees, and members of the working class. That tax cuts for corporations fail to create sustainable economic growth...

...That corporations and the wealthiest tier of this nation have stolen billions of dollars from all Americans, and that maybe your outrage as a “taxpayer” should be directed at them instead of at your child’s kindergarten teacher. That you are willing to throw children under the bus all for a fistful of sweaty dollars.

I am not going to continue commenting on this thread. I was just compelled to share after reading several comments. So noise-polluters, don’t bother- and students and parents who care about their public schools, keep up the good work!

okay, i just read this juicy tidbit and cannot resist-

"I think the point was that the students don't have the same investment in the issue that homeowners do. If they did, they might (unlike you apparently) feel differently about the issue."

yeah bob, i guess you are right- if you do not consider an EDUCATION or FUTURE an investment!!!

the one-dimensional, literal thinking of the right never ceases to amaze me.

i am done reading this thing! if i keep going, i won't have any fingers left!

Bob, you said "The students involved are not paying property taxes...Since they don't do that, they don't have the same perspective as someone, like myself, who does."

Well, we all have our unique perspectives. I haven't walked a mile in your shoes, nor have you, in mine. You and I both pay property taxes, and yet I support the teachers and the retention of collective bargaining, and you don't. The students at the high school are perfectly capable of learning about issues and forming opinions, and they are entitled to voice their views. So are the other people who share their opinions on this site. Like it or not, Bob.
Do you agree that its possible to understand an issue without having a vested interest? I just gave to the Redcross to help rescue operations in Japan. I don't have a house there that was washed away. I didn't lose anyone from my family in the Tsunami, but I understand, and I empathize with them. Don't make me define "empathize" for you. Its apparently hard for you to accept, but the students' opinions, and their right to express them are valid, even if you don't agree.

"They have a right (to) express opinions..."
Great! I'm glad we agree. Have a nice day.

I'm glad I was able to help you see that the people with the most $$ are not more "valid" than everyone else. Go forth, and feel great Bob!

Walker can end all this...forget cutting union workers..do as in the past...
raise the Real Estate Taxes 30% or so and it shouldmake all the union
workers happy as it has done before...Also, I think having elementary kids
(Cumberland) protesting ..they could be joined by some Day Care kids...

JGK

Well, that’s it JGK, us or them. But why is it always us? Why is the answer to every economic crisis caused by the reckless greed of the powerful and wealthy always taken out of our wages, our property taxes, our benefits, and etc. Read the so called budget fix bill and you will see that most of it is not about fixing Wisconsin’s budget, but about forcing though a conservative, corporate friendly, ideological hit list aimed at working families and their communities.

Andrew Martin