Admitting that he hasn’t “followed exactly what’s happening with the Wisconsin budget,” Obama nonetheless slammed limiting collective bargaining during an interview with a Wisconsin radio station yesterday.
“Some of what I’ve heard coming out of Wisconsin, where you’re just making it harder for public employees to collectively bargain, generally seems like more of an assault on unions,” said the president.
Arguing that “it’s very important for us to understand that public employees, they’re our neighbors, they’re our friends,” Obama added that it was “important not to vilify them or to suggest that somehow all these budget problems are due to public employees.”
What Obama may not know: Gov. Scott Walker has no intention or desire to vilify state employees. In an interview I had with the governor, recounted in my piece today about Walker (and fellow union reformer Gov. John Kasich of Ohio), he said that “I’ve bent over backwards to make it clear that the proposed reforms in no way reflect on my opinion of our state employees, who I think overwhelmingly are good, hardworking, decent employees.”
The uproar in response to Walker’s plan to limit collective bargaining for state union employees continues today. Several state school districts have canceled classes, due to the number of teachers calling out sick in order to attend protests.
For in-state coverage, check out the Wisconsin Reporter, which has stories about the thousands of protesters yesterday, and Walker’s campaign rhetoric on unions.
What a flame-fanning non-leader we have for a President. This is another Cambridge police moment, and Obama is going to suffer for jumping into another controversy where he does not belong.
What on earth did we do to deserve this radical as our President? Is our system really this broken?
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseDo we need another beer summit?
Public employee unions have been waging an assault on taxpayers for decades. Now that some states have realized the gravy train can't go on forever, any effort to curtail the outrageous expenses is the end of western civilization as we know it.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseWhy exempt police and firefighters? These have by far the most generous benefits and pensions; in California, they can retire at 50 with 90 percent of pay.
And if they have a 'disability', the retirement is tax-free. I personally know a few cops who milked that for all it was worth.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseThe President's call for more civil discourse didn't last long, did it? Apparently, he doesn't have a problem with violence-themed rhetoric as long as it's coming from him or members of his team. He certainly is aware that signs with crosshairs, Nazi references and the word "reload" were prominently displayed by union members during the Wisconsin demonstration, but had no comment. In fact, he chose to contribute to the incendiary atmosphere by accusing Wisconsin of "launching an assault on unions."
It seems our President has a problem with states that recognize their money has run out and act responsibly to save themselves from fianancial ruin. And he has made it clear that he will publicly rebuke, demonize and/or sue those states whose efforts conflict with his political agenda and interfere with his political supporters and contributors.
Reply to this commentLinkReport Abuse@Jenna
Great post. Wish I had your way with words.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseWhat about the Wisconsin taxpayers who elected Walker and largely support his efforts? Why aren't they too "our neighbors, our friends," whose interests and concerns have to be taken into account?
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseIt's interesting, I think, that for all the Republican vs. Democrat, Walker vs. Obama back-and-forth, there is more of a focus on the rude words and rhetoric being spewed by either side. In reality, this is about our right as Americans to unions AND about supporting our public workers--for instance, those hardworking teachers educating your children.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseIt IS an assault on unions. But it's a good and necessary assault, just like busting PATCO was. Just like PATCO, their demands are exorbitant and unreasonable, and it's way past time to call their bluff.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseFurthermore, taxpayers are their employers. Employees should always make certain that they are performing up to their employer's expectations. Obama seems to get this backwards.
Reply to this commentLinkReport Abuse" I think overwhelmingly are good, hardworking, decent employees"
Ooops. Time to put forward a bill with one line: "Public unions in Wisconsin are hereby banned"
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseWell, if it's an "assault", I guess violent responsive defense is justified, correct Mr. President?
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseYou'd think he'd have learned to curb the off the cuff comments regarding local disputes.
An "assault on unions" always sounds like a great idea to me.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseI've already left one country that was wrecked by unions. I hope this one is up to the challenge of defeating them.
“important not to vilify them or to suggest that somehow all these budget problems are due to public employees.”
if they were fat cat Wall Street types or surgeons it would be ok to vilify them and blame them for everything ...
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseObama: "I don't know the details, but I heard unions, so I support everything they are doing against the evil capitalists and Republicans."
That's really what he said. Details like facts don't matter to our Fearless Leader. There's always a narrative to maintain.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseIsn't this "assault on unions" a natural reaction to their assault on taxpayers? They've been picking taxpayers pockets for many, many years. It's time we shut down the racket.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseAn assault on public-sector unions? Praise the lord and pass the ammo (figuratively speaking of course).
Reply to this commentLinkReport Abuse"In reality, this is about our right as Americans to unions AND about supporting our public workers--for instance, those hardworking teachers educating your children."
Emm, please tell me you were being facetious.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseIs he the president of all the people? Or is he the leader of the government class versus the little people? Know him by his actions. (Then pay the tribute and shut up like good sheep.)
Reply to this commentLinkReport Abuse"Admitting that he hasn’t “followed exactly what’s happening with the Wisconsin budget,” Obama nonetheless slammed limiting collective bargaining during an interview with a Wisconsin radio station yesterday."
Just like he admitted to not having all the facts about the arrest of his friend Prof. Gates, then proceeded to declare that the Cambridge police had "acted stupidly." You'd think Obama would have learned how "stupid" that is the first time he put his foot in it.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseDear Mr. President,
Please stop telling the States and local governments what to do. You are NOT a king, no matter how much you long to be one.
Sincerely,
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseWe the People