::::::::
Walker
won't budge. Not after the taped call incident with "David Koch" that
proved he was just a water-boy for the ultra-right corporate fascists
who rule America; not after poll after poll reveals the overwhelming
majority of Wisconsin residents -- and plain 'ol Americans -- are opposed
to his actions; not after the public unions have accepted his paycuts;
not after daily public protests outside the Capitol building show him to
the world for the uncompromising anti-middle-class elitist bastard that
he is.
Over the weekend, exiled Wisconsin state Democratic leader Sen. Mark Miller sent a letter to Walker requesting a meeting on neutral ground. In part, the letter stated:
I write today to offer to meet, in person, as soon as possible to resume discussions on how we reach a bipartisan solution to our differences on January 2011 Special Session Senate and Assembly Bill 11.The working people of Wisconsin are deeply concerned about what the future holds for their families and for the great state they call home. Now more than ever they are counting on us as leaders to work together to resolve our difference to move our state forward.
Since the bill's introduction public workers have come forward to offer economic concessions and democrats have offered a number of proposals to try to reach a bipartisan resolution.
I assure you that democratic State Senators despite our differences and the vigorous debate we have had, remain ready and willing to find a reasonable compromise. To that end, I would ask that you or your authorized representatives agree to seem with us near the Wisconsin-Illinois border to formally resume serious discussions as soon as possible
Today Walker responded in a public press conference by dismissing the letter as "ridiculous," and asserting that he will not meet any Democrat until the unions agree to give up their collective bargaining rights. In fact, he's promised to issue pink slips to public employees if senate Democrats don't return.
It's a dangerous game of chicken, because it holds the most vulnerable in the impossible position of choosing whether they prefer to be fired now, or accept working conditions that make their union memberships meaningless. Who are these Republicans standing with Walker? Are they so removed from their constituents and working-class roots that they support this monstrous move to virtually eliminate public unions?
Michael Moore attended the pro-labor rallies this weekend and delivered a stirring speech to the galvanized crowd. Moore summarized the situation this way as reported in The Daily Beast:
"America is not broke . . . The rich and powerful only say we're out of money to get you to give up your pension, accept lower wages, and settle for the life your great-grandparents had. The truth is the nation is awash in cash. It has just been transferred, in the greatest heist in history, from the workers to the banks and the uber-rich. America's wealth is so concentrated that 400 obscenely rich people now have as much money as half of all Americans combined."
You could add that the Bush Crime Family also successfully transferred a considerable amount of taxpayer monies to the illegal terror wars, Halliburton/Blackwater, and other private war profiteers.
Ridiculous, indeed, Governor Walker. Ridiculous for working-class citizens to continue to fund bailouts from their own dwindling paychecks for the benefit of Big Corporations and your rich corporate masters like the Koch brothers while forfeiting their pensions and heath plans, and bargaining rights.
Stay strong, Wisconsin. We hear you, everywhere. The world is watching. And the people -- united -- will never be defeated.
