Jesus.
Bring a flask, dude.
I read it and then I was like "Why is a small South American woman working as a doorguard? ???"
Then I noticed it was Vactor and not Vector. :p
yea, i was scratching my head when i read the filipina part cause "i thought she was euro-descendant".
t
There's also photos of me, yadda yadda... where the fuck else would I get a girl with a bunch of math textbooks and really long hair on short notice.
Geez, I'm kind of tired of having to "prove" my gender, though. I'm a chick. Big honking deal.
...How have you not keeled over?
Interesting hearing things from the front lines. Looking forward to more updates.Aye, this.
In exchange for bearing more costs and losing bargaining leverage, public employees were promised no furloughs or layoffs. Walker has threatened to order layoffs of up to 6,000 state workers if the measure does not pass.
I will admit I shuddered when I saw a single 10-12 year old strolling around with a guy fawkes mask.
Might I suggest bringing a bullhorn for crowd control? And maybe some big obvious "STAFF" badges to avoid unpleasant confusion. In all seriousness, I'm curious what the law-enforcement presence looked like and did, given that I've heard the police officers union joined the protesters. Or maybe didn't since they were among the only public employee unions not facing any legislation. Heck, maybe you can clear that up; did you see them there?
Likewise, any word about the legal actions taken to force those 14 Democrats back into the Senate? Since they're out of the state, and the state constitution doesn't actually describe any provision for how they can be compelled to go back to work, I bet the Sergeant at Arms is pulling his hair right now trying to answer questions.I will admit I shuddered when I saw a single 10-12 year old strolling around with a guy fawkes mask.
Oh Fuck, the Internet is here. And it's getting younger?
As to the bull horn, it would probably not be keeping with the decorum of the senate to use one, and we seem to be keeping things in order through calm helpfulness and patience. The issues with pages being accosted happened on other floors where we don't have a static presence.
As to the bull horn, it would probably not be keeping with the decorum of the senate to use one, and we seem to be keeping things in order through calm helpfulness and patience. The issues with pages being accosted happened on other floors where we don't have a static presence.
...
Decorum in politics? We gave up on that a long time ago in Canada. Our MPs routinely yell at each other in the House of Commons.
The state patrol, which has been called upon in the past to detain fleeing senators
Never thought I'd read this phrase in nonfiction.
Additional Drama unfolded in the Assembly this evening:
http://www.wiseye.org/Programming/VideoArchive/EventDetail.aspx?evhdid=3759 (http://www.wiseye.org/Programming/VideoArchive/EventDetail.aspx?evhdid=3759)
I would recommend watching "Assembly Floor Session (Part 4)" If you think the first part is dramatic, once they stand informal skip ahead until about 14:30 when they return to order.
Why does Bay12 have so many similar named people?I read it and then I was like "Why is a small South American woman working as a doorguard? ???"
Then I noticed it was Vactor and not Vector. :p
Vactor is not Vester is not Vector.
I, Vector, am the math nerd (small, female, but not a Pacific Islander).
Vester is the Filipina.
Vactor is the OP.
I am left a little speechless by that last update. Its sad to hear first hand that the republicans really are willing to break the rules to get their way rather than just playing dirty tricks within the rules.
Additional Drama unfolded in the Assembly this evening:
http://www.wiseye.org/Programming/VideoArchive/EventDetail.aspx?evhdid=3759 (http://www.wiseye.org/Programming/VideoArchive/EventDetail.aspx?evhdid=3759)
I would recommend watching "Assembly Floor Session (Part 4)" If you think the first part is dramatic, once they stand informal skip ahead until about 14:30 when they return to order.
Do note that one this sort of thing has been going on for a long time.
I believe it was Abraham Lincoln who jumped out a second story window and attempted to flee the estate in an attempt to avoid quorum?
Do note that one this sort of thing has been going on for a long time.
I believe it was Abraham Lincoln who jumped out a second story window and attempted to flee the estate in an attempt to avoid quorum?
Wait, the "Progessive" party is copying a guy's actions who lived over a hundred years ago? Huh...
Things are not going well on this front. The republicans launched a sneak attack and got it through assembly. The only thing stopping them now is the democrats in absentia, and they have mobilized the state troopers to find them.
I don't know the specific language of the bill, but is it possible that the courts could find it unconstitutional? Of course that would take years or decades.
Woah, we never have anything near this interesting in Canada.
They also retracted their endorsement of Governor Walker.
Vactor, have you heard to prank call on Gov. Walker?
There will also be a great amount of mistrust of any deal after the governor revealed that he would only speak to the missing senators as a way of tricking them into being present at the Capitol in order to obtain the needed quorum.
Enter Anonymous. The hacker group discovered a little-noticed clause in the bill proposed by Walker which would allow the state to sell its utilities to anyone it chose, at any price, without the public even being notified. This clause would allow companies like Koch Industries to purchase publicly owned utility plants, and Anonymous believes this is the reason that Koch-funded "grassroots" organizations like Americans For Prosperity, Club for Growth and Citizens United are supporting Walker's plan to rid the unions of their collective power.
Is this thread dead? Because there's still stuff going on about this, and I haven't been able to find another thread about it other than the one specifically a about the 'prank call'.
A few days ago I saw some people on the side of the street holding up signs supporting the bill, as I drove by I gave them the bird.
Sorry, it was impulse.A few days ago I saw some people on the side of the street holding up signs supporting the bill, as I drove by I gave them the bird.
Way to change the world.
Yeah, it sounds to me like governor walkers proposed budget is going to cause quite the hullabaloo on it's own. Can you confirm or deny that?
The budget bill cuts $1.5 Billion in shared revenue, which is money that the state pays back to local government to allow them the freedom to manage their own affairs without having to rely solely on property taxes. It also includes a law that prevents said local governments from adjusting their property taxes to make up for the revenue loss...
What the hell. They just publicly confirmed this isn't about a budget. Its nothing but union busting. Taking down the only organizations left in America that represent the common working man. I knew it, but I never really expected them to show that much disregard. God damned unAmerican bastards. This pisses me off.
What the hell. They just publicly confirmed this isn't about a budget. Its nothing but union busting. Taking down the only organizations left in America that represent the common working man. I knew it, but I never really expected them to show that much disregard. God damned unAmerican bastards. This pisses me off.
Good. Bust up the public service unions.
Members of private unions don't get to vote for the management of the company they work for. But public service members get to vote for the people on the other end of the bargaining table.
Only ~30% of the population is with you on that one.
Private worker's jobs don't get held hostage in political fights the way that public workers do.
I've been working 60-80 hours a week, and I don't even get paid past the first 40 hours I work, where private employees will not only get paid, they get time and a half.
This is an even bigger mess whose box hasn't even been opened. The budget bill cuts $1.5 Billion in shared revenue, which is money that the state pays back to local government to allow them the freedom to manage their own affairs without having to rely solely on property taxes. It also includes a law that prevents said local governments from adjusting their property taxes to make up for the revenue loss, with the Governor instructing them to make up the difference in payroll cuts, with police and fire exempted. Once people start to see this in action I have a feeling that there will be an even louder, and more forceful outcry.
This is an even bigger mess whose box hasn't even been opened. The budget bill cuts $1.5 Billion in shared revenue, which is money that the state pays back to local government to allow them the freedom to manage their own affairs without having to rely solely on property taxes. It also includes a law that prevents said local governments from adjusting their property taxes to make up for the revenue loss, with the Governor instructing them to make up the difference in payroll cuts, with police and fire exempted. Once people start to see this in action I have a feeling that there will be an even louder, and more forceful outcry.
That is absolutely horrific. Where could they possibly find that money other then by mass layoffs of teachers?
Yes, and we like to call ourselves "taxpayers".
I've been working 60-80 hours a week, and I don't even get paid past the first 40 hours I work, where private employees will not only get paid, they get time and a half.
And are you union represented? If you are your union is doing an awful job here.
I've been working 60-80 hours a week, and I don't even get paid past the first 40 hours I work, where private employees will not only get paid, they get time and a half.
And are you union represented? If you are your union is doing an awful job here.
Union is doing an awful job of representing public workers. Union is making excessive demands and holding government hostage.
Tell me, what's it like to hold two diametrically opposed thoughts in your head at the same time?
Only ~30% of the population is with you on that one.
Yes, and we like to call ourselves "taxpayers".
Because guess what; it's not the unions that decided to cut Vector's salary and use that money to give tax cuts to rich businessmen.Vactor.
Vactor is not Vester is not Vector.
I, Vector, am the math nerd (small, female, but not a Pacific Islander).
Vester is the Filipina.
Vactor is the OP.
The state is broke. When you have major debt you are at the mercy of your creditors and the people who have money. It's no different than for an individual. Blame the elected officials that drove your state into the ground.
The state is broke. When you have major debt you are at the mercy of your creditors and the people who have money. It's no different than for an individual. Blame the elected officials that drove your state into the ground.
And who's to blame for that? Oh yeah, poor black people of course!
And who's to blame for that? Oh yeah, poor black people of course!
Ok stooge, you are no longer worth my limited time.
The state is broke. When you have major debt you are at the mercy of your creditors and the people who have money. It's no different than for an individual. Blame the elected officials that drove your state into the ground.
The budget shortfall is 0.4% of the total budget, Wisconsin is far from broke.
Quoting myself, but in addition, Wisconsin doesn't allow itself to go into debt. Every budget must be balanced. Any shortfall is projected, and not current. This is why we have budget adjustment bills come towards the end of a session, to account for what actually happened with revenue.
You have to remember I work in a non-partisan position, I get exposed to much more information than talking points.
I most certainly am a taxpayer, and I generally support unions. Some of them are awful (like when the local automotive union somehow took over collective bargaining for grad students at my university...wtf...) but they're overall a good thing. Eliminating them through legal action is downright fascist any way you slice it.
Unions in the public sector are another matter. There's no "cost control" because union members can throw a significant amount of votes for a candidate that offers them enough goodies during negotiations.
Nor do I believe that union membership should be compulsory if you want to work in trucking or on an assembly line.
As of December 2010, Wisconsin's unemployment rate was about 7%. But only 30% are taxpayers?The official definition of unemployed is people who are willing and able to work, but do not have a job, hence the difference between the numbers.
The official definition of unemployed is people who are willing and able to work, but do not have a job, hence the difference between the numbers.
Yes, and we like to call ourselves "taxpayers".Uh... don't public sector workers pay taxes too?
No, they just murder taxpayer babies and use their blood in rituals to the god of public unions. That scares off the IRS.
No, they just murder taxpayer babies and use their blood in rituals to the god of public unions. That scares off the IRS.
...But the IRS are public sector workers too!!!! /brain bleach required
Actually, republicans hate IRS agents. Every dollar of additional funding for the IRS results in 10 dollars in additional revenue forrepublican campaign donorstax fraudsrepublican campaign donors so the GOP has been cutting the IRS budget for the past 30 years. One of the easiest ways to reduce the deficit in this country without raising taxes or cutting services would be hiring more IRS agents to cut down on tax fraud. In a sane universe, we would have done it already.
Actually, republicans hate IRS agents. Every dollar of additional funding for the IRS results in 10 dollars in additional revenue forrepublican campaign donorstax fraudsrepublican campaign donors so the GOP has been cutting the IRS budget for the past 30 years. One of the easiest ways to reduce the deficit in this country without raising taxes or cutting services would be hiring more IRS agents to cut down on tax fraud. In a sane universe, we would have done it already.
I've mentioned the proposed Republican budget in Congress includes cutting the IRS's operation budget by $600 million, right? I'm pretty sure I've mentioned that at some point.
The real money handling should be done by people who have worked their way to the top climbing the corporate ladder! The IRS just wants to take your money, because no one in there earned their position! And no one else wants to get your money, no one but the government!
I am a stooge!
Just out of interesting, what's the Republican party line on tax evasion? A google search didn't reveal anything other than a load of Republicans accused of tax evasion.
Just out of interesting, what's the Republican party line on tax evasion? A google search didn't reveal anything other than a load of Republicans accused of tax evasion.
T-Paw (Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty) recently went on record saying that big corporations (such as Bank of America in this case) paid no taxes was because we needed to lower the corporate tax rate.The idea that they would continue to not pay tax if they thought they could get away with it is ludicrous. Clearly they are just not paying taxes out of principle.
T-Paw (Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty) recently went on record saying that big corporations (such as Bank of America in this case) paid no taxes was because we needed to lower the corporate tax rate.The idea that they would continue to not pay tax if they thought they could get away with it is ludicrous. Clearly they are just not paying taxes out of principle.
T-Paw (Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty) recently went on record saying that big corporations (such as Bank of America in this case) paid no taxes was because we needed to lower the corporate tax rate.
Modified-spring-loaded-glove-in-a-box it is.This? (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z86V_ICUCD4)
I'm trying to find a news source to back up the allegation that several of the Wisconsin Republican senators are due to attend a party at a corporate lobbying firm in Washington in the next few days. It'd be a shame if it wasn't true, but I'm more than willing to let it be wild hyperbole.Google news turns up this as a source: http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/news/117699163.html
Good luck out there, Vactor.
So, any plans for a general strike?
So, any plans for a general strike?
Considering the actions of their governor so far. I wouldn't be surprised if he just fired anyone who striked, like reagan did.
So, any plans for a general strike?
Considering the actions of their governor so far. I wouldn't be surprised if he just fired anyone who striked, like reagan did.
Schultz -> German(-ish) -> Marx & Engels. Also Lenin.
Seriously guys. Wake up sheeple!
I could barely understand him after the 6 minute mark and yet I was still inspired enough to drop kick a bear through my neighbor's house.
A CEO, a union worker and a Tea Partier (a member of the emerging right-wing political movement) are at a table with 12 cookies. The CEO takes 11 and says to the Tea Partier: "Keep an eye on that union guy, he wants your cookie."
For (Eight?) I thought that he was saying Agr, a shortening of Agriculture day at the Capital.
I'm still alive
<post to watch>
In general, I rather dislike unions but style and methods of implementing this law is sick. And democrats are still hiding somewhere?
Doesn't the democrats return run the risk that the law will be passed in a proper form now that they've returned?
Hey, I heard that a judge stopped the bill. Yay!They seem to be good at doing that lately.
Lets act like grown ups and admit when we've lost.
Lets act like grown ups and admit when we've lost.
While I should hope the county clerk isn't running for reelection after an error that raised national scrutiny, I still think 14,000 people deserve their right to vote. The mistake will no doubt be scrutinized for electioneering. In the meantime, there's apparently no recount, according to yesterday's news.
Lets act like grown ups and admit when we've lost.
While I should hope the county clerk isn't running for reelection after an error that raised national scrutiny, I still think 14,000 people deserve their right to vote. The mistake will no doubt be scrutinized for electioneering. In the meantime, there's apparently no recount, according to yesterday's news.
She 'forgot' to submit votes in at least two other previous elections, where, a democrat was winning by a small percentage. The added votes swung each election to the right's side. This isn't just credibility, there should be a goddamn investigation.
She 'forgot' to submit votes in at least two other previous elections, where, a democrat was winning by a small percentage. The added votes swung each election to the right's side. This isn't just credibility, there should be a goddamn investigation.There should be. If it turns out to just be a really bad-looking coincidence, I will eat the first hat I find.
She 'forgot' to submit votes in at least two other previous elections, where, a democrat was winning by a small percentage. The added votes swung each election to the right's side. This isn't just credibility, there should be a goddamn investigation.There should be. If it turns out to just be a really bad-looking coincidence, I will eat the first hat I find.
Remind me again how many seats the democrats need to swing to gain control?
Among that outside help was "Americans for Prosperity" (the public relations arm of the Koch Foundation, famous fake phonebuddies of Governor Scott Walker) sending out absentee ballot instructions to Democratic voters with false dates and mailing locations (http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/news/126530753.html).
Originally, six Republicans and nine Democrats were up for recall votes, but the three Democrats won some check vote or primary or something with a large enough margin of victory that they are not on the recall notice today. I'll admit, I haven't stayed on top of this.
EDIT: Dammit, dammit, dammit! Looks like 5 of the 6 Republicans are probably going to keep their seats. Still early, but the statistical lead in most races is fairly safe. Unless Milwaukee itself goes heavily Dem, I don't see much changing.
As a Wisconsinite, this whole thing pisses me off. It's such a waste to hold a recall election months after the actual election regardless of how you feel.
As a Wisconsinite, this whole thing pisses me off. It's such a waste to hold a recall election months after the actual election regardless of how you feel.
It's a generally held belief in this country that democracy is a pretty precious thing. So shouldn't it be worth putting some effort into practicing it? Recall elections are one of the safety valves of democracy, letting people keep politicians in line if they believe they are out of control. Isn't that pretty much the whole point to democracy? You can decide that the recall efforts are frivolous on the merits if you want. But why go hating on all recalls?
Some of these guys only crime seems to be supporting Walker's controversial bills.