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"I'm sure we're going to hear more from other states where Republican governors are trying to heap the entire burden of the financial crisis on public employees and (their) unions. I think it's quite possible that if they're successful in doing this, a lot of other Republican governors will emulate" them.
In fact, Gould omitted saying Democrats are as ruthless as Republicans, including Obama and governors in dozens of states - slashing budgets, cutting workforces, and eliminating or reducing benefits since 2008, a process so far with no end in sight on the backs of ordinary workers least able to cope.
In Wisconsin, they, their supporters, and unions leaders are responding, occupying the Capitol, distributing fliers, planning vigils and "teach-outs," including over a dozen unions pledging millions of dollars, phone banks, and volunteers to fight back there and elsewhere.
According to Kim Anderson, National Education Association (NEA) head of government relations:
"We view the events in Wisconsin as one of the worst attacks on workers' rights and their voices in the workplace that we've ever seen."
University of Wisconsin's Kevin Gibbons, heading its teaching assistants union, said:
"I think Governor Walker is using this financial crisis as an excuse to attack unions, and if Wisconsin goes, what will be next?"
Already tensions in other states are growing, perhaps heading for the boil. In Ohio, public workers protested outside the Columbus Statehouse against legislation eliminating collective bargaining rights for thousands, restricting them for many others if Senate Bill 5 (SB5) passes. In Indianapolis, teachers rallied against a similar bill, and in Nashville, Tennessee, a legislative committee is considering its own.
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