...And democracy dies in Wisconsin.

[bueno bob]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/41996994/ns/politics-more_politics/?gt1=43001

WHAT

THE

FUCK

[bueno bob]

MADISON, Wis. — Republicans pushed a provision stripping public employees of their collective bargaining rights through the state Senate Wednesday evening after finding a way to bypass the chamber's missing Democrats.

Republican senators separated the provision from Gov. Scott Walker's controversial budget bill, removing the requirement that 20 senators be present for a vote on the anti-union measure.

The vote in the Senate was 18-1. Sen. Dale Schultz was the sole no vote. No Democrats were present.

"You are cowards!" spectators in the Senate gallery screamed as lawmakers voted. Within hours, a crowd of a few hundred protesters inside the Capitol had grown to several thousand, more than had been in the building at any point during weeks of protests.

"The whole world is watching!" they shouted as they pressed up against the heavily guarded entrance to the Senate chamber.

All 14 Democrats had left the state for Illinois nearly three weeks ago to prevent passage of the overall budget bill, because it contained the anti-union measure.

The Senate is split 19-14 with Republicans in the majority. Because the union provision was part of a budget bill, Republicans in the Senate needed at least 20 senators present for a quorum.

By separating out the anti-union measure, Republicans did not need 20 senators to allow a vote on that piece.

"In 30 minutes, 18 state senators undid 50 years of civil rights in Wisconsin," Democratic Sen. Mark Miller said in a statement. "Their disrespect for the people of Wisconsin and their rights is an outrage that will never be forgotten."

Democratic Sen. Jon Erpenbach said on msnbc cable TV's "The Rachel Maddow Show" that the Democrats would not return to the state yet, fearing the action was a GOP trick. Other members, appearing on "The Ed Show," reiterated that position.

Walker said in a statement: "The Senate Democrats have had three weeks to debate this bill and were offered repeated opportunities to come home, which they refused. In order to move the state forward, I applaud the Legislature's action today to stand up to the status quo and take a step in the right direction to balance the budget and reform government."

Before the Senate floor vote, Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald read the bill to a hastily created joint conference committee. The lone Democrat on the panel, Rep. Peter Barca, D-Kenosha, objected, saying the meeting was in violation of the state's open meetings law. But over Barca's strenuous objections, Fitzgerald went ahead with the vote, which was seen live on the WisconsinEye public affairs cable network, and the measure was approved.

Senate Democrats reportedly were meeting to decide how to respond. Some argue that Senate Republicans were violating legislative rules with the vote.

The stand-alone measure now would have to be approved by the Assembly, the lower chamber. The Assembly was not in session Wednesday. Assembly Majority Leader Scott Suder says the chamber would be in session at 11 a.m. Thursday.

The measure approved Wednesday forbids most government workers from collectively bargaining for wage increases beyond the rate of inflation. It also requires public workers to pay more toward their pensions and double their health insurance contribution, a combination equivalent to an 8 percent pay cut for the average worker.

Police and firefighters are exempt.

The battle over union rights has galvanized protesters in Wisconsin. Up to 70,000 people at a time have rallied in Madison against the measures, and protesters have occupied the Capitol Rotunda, prompting a legal battle over their right to do so.

About 2,000 protesters remained in the building after police repeatedly announced the building was closed and they needed to leave.

"The whole world is watching!" they shouted as they pressed up against the entrance to the Senate chamber, which was heavily guarded by state patrol officers.

Stripping out the collective-bargaining provisions into a "non-fiscal" bill raises questions about the governor's and the Republicans' argument that the issue of collective bargaining rights is crucial to the budget.

The drama unfolded less than four hours after Walker met with GOP senators in a closed-door meeting. He emerged from the meeting saying senators were "firm" in their support of the bill.

For weeks, Democrats had offered concessions on issues other than the bargaining rights and they spent much of Wednesday again calling on Walker and Republicans to compromise.

Fitzgerald said earlier that Republicans had been discussing concessions offered by Walker, including allowing public workers to bargain over their salaries without a wage limit. Several GOP senators facing recall efforts had also publicly called for a compromise.

"The people of Wisconsin elected us to come to Madison and do a job," Fitzgerald said in a statement after the vote. "Just because the Senate Democrats won't do theirs, doesn't mean we won't do ours."

Union leaders weren't happy with Walker's offer, and were furious at the Senate's move to push the measure forward with a quick vote. Phil Neuenfeldt, president of the Wisconsin state AFL-CIO, said after Wednesday's vote that Republicans exercised a "nuclear option."

"Scott Walker and the Republicans' ideological war on the middle class and working families is now indisputable," Neuenfeldt said.

NBC News' Mike Taibbi, John Yang, Mark Murray, Samira Puskar and Stephanie Himango, and msnbc.com staff contributed to this report, which includes information from The Associated Press.

[FORD]

This proves that Hosni Walker - and all the pieces of shit defending him - are LIARS.

It's all about the budget, they claimed. Nothing to do with unions, the money just ain't there.

But in the end, what these worthless piece of shit sons of bitches ILLEGALLY passed was ONLY about union busting. It will not save the state of Wisconsin a dime.

Not that there was ever a budget crisis in the first place, until Walker the Kochsucker MADE one.


And this will NOT be allowed to stand. You can take that to the credit union (don't trust banks)

[FORD]

This proves that Hosni Walker - and all the pieces of shit defending him - are LIARS.

It's all about the budget, they claimed. Nothing to do with unions, the money just ain't there.

But in the end, what these worthless piece of shit sons of bitches ILLEGALLY passed was ONLY about union busting. It will not save the state of Wisconsin a dime.

Not that there was ever a budget crisis in the first place, until Walker the Kochsucker MADE one.


And this will NOT be allowed to stand. You can take that to the credit union (don't trust banks)

[bueno bob]

Ford, I get to thank you TWICE for that post. NOW the agenda gets REALLY fucking clear, doesn't it? They just fucking pepper sprayed working families right in the face and now they're not even bothering to hide it anymore. And THIS is what constitutes "taking America back" and "The will of the people", hunh?

I only fucking WISH I was in Wisconsin right now to rain down my own fair share of shitstorm on top of their fucking criminal heads.

[Nitro Express]

Looks like the decent teachers will start working for private schools now because they can negotiate their salary and benefits there.

[bueno bob]

Looks like the decent teachers will start working for private schools now because they can negotiate their salary and benefits there.

It's probably more accurate to say that you're going to see a shitstorm of increased protests and occupations of the state capitol and numerous lawsuits until this pile of illegal bullshit is overturned. I'm guessing it's going to be sooner rather than later. You thought it was bad up til now?

I'm guessing you ain't seen NOTHING yet.

[Nitro Express]

Ford, I get to thank you TWICE for that post. NOW the agenda gets REALLY fucking clear, doesn't it? They just fucking pepper sprayed working families right in the face and now they're not even bothering to hide it anymore. And THIS is what constitutes "taking America back" and "The will of the people", hunh?

I only fucking WISH I was in Wisconsin right now to rain down my own fair share of shitstorm on top of their fucking criminal heads.

It's interesting that the police and firefighters are exempt. That's because if the police and firefighters left the state the governor would have a real shit mess. The criminals would have a heyday and voters get pissed when their homes start to burn down and nobody shows up. I'm no fan of the NEA by any means but this legislation isn't going to accomplish what many Republicans think it will. They will see over crowded classrooms and poor quality teachers and the option to spend big bucks on a private school to get your kid out of it.

[Dr. Love]

And that's why the democrats get their butts whipped every time. The republicans are completely unafraid of getting their agenda through and will do whatever it takes. The democrats spend to much time hand-wringing about it. If something is genuinely important to you, do it and pay the price if the bill comes at the next election.

As retarded as what they did is, it is completely unsurprising that it happened. They have shown time and again that they will do whatever it takes to get what they want.

[bueno bob]

It's interesting that the police and firefighters are exempt. That's because if the police and firefighters left the state the governor would have a real shit mess.

That's a non point. You think police and firefighters AREN'T going to side with their fellow public employees?

Scotty boy and the friends of Koch are in for a fucking WORLD of hurt and it's only just begun for them...

[Nitro Express]

It's probably more accurate to say that you're going to see a shitstorm of increased protests and occupations of the state capitol and numerous lawsuits until this pile of illegal bullshit is overturned. I'm guessing it's going to be sooner rather than later. You thought it was bad up til now?

I'm guessing you ain't seen NOTHING yet.

Maybe that's the intended effect. The big money behind these puppet politicians want to set off the powder keg and get everyone fighting each other. They have the Patriot Act to start clamping down. Don't think the Feds won't come marching in with Blackwater thugs if they have the excuse to do so. Just look at Pittsburg and the G20 meeting. That could be next.

[bueno bob]

And that's why the democrats get their butts whipped every time. The republicans are completely unafraid of getting their agenda through and will do whatever it takes. The democrats spend to much time hand-wringing about it. If something is genuinely important to you, do it and pay the price if the bill comes at the next election.

As retarded as what they did is, it is completely unsurprising that it happened. They have shown time and again that they will do whatever it takes to get what they want.

Sad as it is, you've got a point. On the plus side, I think this may end up having the effect of getting the Democrats back REALLY quick-like and public support for them is going to be through the fucking roof...

[Nitro Express]

Watch them label the protesters Terrorists.

[Nitro Express]

Lot's of investing in gizmos to control crowds with and agencies set up to coordinate it all. They have seen the unrest coming for a long time and prepared for it. They seem to use the G20 meetings as an opportunity to try their tactics and equipment out. Of course the multinational corporations and banks in the 20 richest countries are behind all of this. Globalism is moving in fast and hard.

[Nitro Express]

Sad as it is, you've got a point. On the plus side, I think this may end up having the effect of getting the Democrats back REALLY quick-like and public support for them is going to be through the fucking roof...

The Democrats in the Executive Branch are acting like Republicans. I would say what's going on has tarnished both parties. They both serve the interests of big corporations and banks. Obama has done nothing to stop the Bush policies. It's all rolling forth.