[Cid_Yama]

The battle over union rights raged on several fronts Tuesday, with protests in at least five states and a bill to curb collective bargaining rights winning final passage in the Idaho state legislature.

In Indianapolis, union protesters Tuesday staged a mock "funeral" for the middle class, with a Styrofoam coffin and, in honor of Mardi Gras, a New Orleans-style musical procession. Most House Democrats remain out of state to avoid a vote on bills they view as anti-worker. A rally with more than 20,000 school teachers and other union workers is planned for Thursday, union officials said.

Democrats and union supporters say the proposals are an attack on organized labor that could linger into the 2012 presidential elections. They are pushing back with protests and walk-outs, to bring the issue maximum public attention.

In Ohio, the state senate last week advanced a plan to curb the collective bargaining rights of public employees and ban them from going on strike.

In Michigan's state capitol of Lansing Tuesday, hundreds of pro-union protesters jammed the rotunda and others gathered outside the Capitol to oppose a bill that would give emergency managers authority to break labor contracts to revive failing schools and cities. The state's largest school district of Detroit is under emergency management.

The Michigan House approved the measure in February. A final vote in the Senate, where Republicans hold a 26-12 majority, is expected Wednesday.

Hundreds of union workers crowded the state House chamber in Iowa to protest a bill that would make changes in labor law. The legislation would no longer allow health care benefits to be discussed during contract negotiations for any government worker in the state, and would forbid union workers from negotiating over layoff schedules.

In Indiana, the bills protested by House Democrats include a measure that would create a state-wide voucher system, allowing public money to go toward tuition for private schools. Indiana teachers say this would drain money from the already-struggling public school system. A bill that already passed the Senate would limit teacher collective bargaining rights.

link

[PrestonSturges]

SUrely this calls for some Hilter quotes

Hitler said the unions were controlled by the Jews and "liberals" and he had to smash them because the unions benefited his main opponents the Social Democrats, Did you know Hitler's main opponests were the "Democrats?" Like Karl Rove, Hitler wanted to smash the unions to destroy the Democrats.

Before 19333, Hitler was not strong enough to smash the unions, but his plan was to have a government controlled "union" where industry lobbyists and the Nazi government made the decisions. This union was part of the Nazi party and excluded Jews and immigrants, who were stripped of citizenship

"........And in 1922 we acted ....,(critics) attacked our lack of unions as the most visible sign of our mistaken and limited views. ..."

"

......(Nazis should) remain in them (the unions) and work as destructively as possible..".

"

......Real benefit ...can only arise from a trade-union movement, if philosophically this movement is already so strongly filled with our National Socialist ideas......(the Nazi party) must declare war on the Marxist trade union, not only as an organization, but above all as an idea...."

"

....Like a menacing storm-cloud, the ' free trade union ' hung, even then, over the political horizon and the existence of the individual...."

.."Social Democracy understood the enormous importance of the trade-union movement .....directed by Jews.......Jews....as the real leaders.......I am acting in accordance with the will of the Almighty Creator: by defending myself against the Jew, I am fighting for the work of the Lord..."

Hitler said a few nice things about unions when his movement was weak, but during that same period he heaped praise on the Catholic church for 15 years.

I'd like to know who are the Nazi aoplogists spreading this "unions are nazis" crap? I have heard that Glenn becks media company is paying right wing bloggers to do this stuff, 5 h/week.

[Mesuge]

OMG nazi zombies again!
This over focus on Hitler as the pre-selected archvillain of the millenium is a preposterous and stereotypical piece of hackster official revisionism. True, one can not dispute the teutonic tendency among germans to have crush for despotical father - fuhrer figure combo, but the historical realities are a bit more nuanced and different. The guy was clearly hired and proped up by int. banksters (financial and heavy industries) via high society connected proxies (Goering circles et al) as a stop gap meassure for any possible renewd commie revolt within the CEE in the future. As there was such brief unsuccessfull attempt after the WWI in Germany. Later, as the USSR massively adopted Ford's style industrialism, 1930s full of soviet scientific exploits, records, and high tech expeditions, the trend was clear: 1/6th of the globe and even possible rising percentage in forthcomming decades has opted out from the banking cartel hands. That was seen as absolutely dangerous prospect. Despite the brief co-operation of these 2countries in the mid 1930s - the real priorities become very clear soon after. When nazis and friends occupied almost all of the Europe in one massive sweep, they didn't use the opportunity to punish and crash the UK into submission and getting some benefitial lasting deal, NO they let them evacuate out of Dunkirk ! That was the first sign, something very strange is going on there. Yep, the UK was at the time sharing the globe with the US as the two super powers, but it was certainly the junior partner since 1920-30s or perhaps from earlier (as US + CAN/AUS bailed them out during WWI in the last moment) despite the massive potential of Commonwealth countries, it was an empire in slow decay already for some time. Parts of the top echelon of nazis were actively endorsing some sort of detante with the UK, after couple of months the time for decisive action ran out, the brits were able to retool, ponnied up the commonwealth factories, the the US joined and the rest is history. The air battle of britain was too little and too late, german navy already crushed (only subs went on) so the nazis lost. And then they suddenly attacked russia instead. Who writes these silly scenarios? Certainly not the archzombie uncle Alf.

[eXpat]

Wisconsin Capitol re-opens as state Assembly takes up bill

Madison, Wisconsin (CNN) -- Throngs of protesters gathered in Madison, Wisconsin, Thursday, pounding on the windows of the state legislature one day after the Senate passed an amended form of a controversial bill that curtails the bargaining rights of most state workers.

Their actions prompted Capitol police to close the building and forcibly remove demonstrators inside who refused to leave. Police later re-opened one entrance of the building.

"These arrogant actions are what I had a nightmare about last night," said Assembly Minority Leader Peter Barca, a Democrat, who called the lockdown an "outrage."

More protesters began filling up the Capitol building Thursday morning as the state Assembly prepared to vote on the new version of the proposal.

The Assembly was expected to convene at 11 a.m. (12 p.m. ET) to vote on the revised measure, which was left only with provisions taking away collective bargaining powers and increasing health insurance and pension fund contributions.

But placard-wielding demonstrators blocked the building's entrances, chanting "Let us in!" as police struggled to keep order. Shortly before noon, lawmakers were able to access the building through the one open entrance.

The Assembly is expected to pass the amended bill, which could then reach Gov. Scott Walker's desk later Thursday for final approval.

Walker defended the proposal as an integral measure that allows Wisconsin to avoid property tax hikes and public employee layoffs.

http://edition.cnn.com/US/

[PrestonSturges]

OMG nazi zombies again!
This over focus on Hitler as the pre-selected archvillain of the millenium is a preposterous and stereotypical piece of hackster official revisionism. True, one can not dispute the teutonic tendency among germans to have crush for despotical father - fuhrer figure combo, but the historical realities are a bit more nuanced and different..

There's a whole long chapter in Mein Kampf about how Hitler wanted to cut a deal with the UK and be allies. More than anything, Hitler hated France. Mein Kampf goes on and on about wiping out France.

[Ludi]

More than anything, Hitler hated France. Mein Kampf goes on and on about wiping out France.

Freedom fries, anyone?

[americandream]

OMG nazi zombies again!
This over focus on Hitler as the pre-selected archvillain of the millenium is a preposterous and stereotypical piece of hackster official revisionism. True, one can not dispute the teutonic tendency among germans to have crush for despotical father - fuhrer figure combo, but the historical realities are a bit more nuanced and different..

There's a whole long chapter in Mein Kampf about how Hitler wanted to cut a deal with the UK and be allies. More than anything, Hitler hated France. Mein Kampf goes on and on about wiping out France.

The Franch were viewed until recently (in Europe) as Arab transplants, not European enough and too feminine. Mind you, this is to be expected when national elites are at competition and character assassination is the name of the game.

Returning back to the topic, it looks as if working Americans are finally saying "no more" (Michael Moore interview with Rachel Maddow linked) which is long overdue as it sets the stage for some serious discourse on how our countries are being run, worldwide:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=woXzgoja ... r_embedded

[Newfie]

I dunno, I think that this is only the very start. It might continue or the movement might run out of steam.

If it is to be a foreceful movement it will have to get a lot more popular than it is right now.

Looking back to past protests and the degree of hostility that existed in historical periods I think that this is not yet a signfiicant movement.

Now, if a few people are killed, then we might get some real movement.

Could change, should be watched.

Dow down 288 on protests in SA. The recession will like come back now. Not looking happy.

[americandream]

I dunno, I think that this is only the very start. It might continue or the movement might run out of steam.

If it is to be a foreceful movement it will have to get a lot more popular than it is right now.

Looking back to past protests and the degree of hostility that existed in historical periods I think that this is not yet a signfiicant movement.

Now, if a few people are killed, then we might get some real movement.

Could change, should be watched.

Dow down 288 on protests in SA. The recession will like come back now. Not looking happy.

If the Right win this round (which I think they will), they will get bolder, there will be more suffering on the worker and he will kick back. On and on it will go until it is finally resolved and the country changes tack. Thats the way these things always work out. We've a long human history of these sorts of confrontations.

[Newfie]

Probably correct.

But I think that this battle has been going on for a long, long time.

We have this concept of 'vouchers' for grade school education. Simply union busting.

I'm not a huge fan of unions. And not all unions are the same. Nor am I a big fan of management. I've got experience on both sides of the table.

What strikes me is that there are just too many jerks on both sides of the table.

Common sense and rational judgment seldom win out. It's really hard to get a crowd worked up on "Moderation."

[Plantagenet]

Crushing the private sector, as Obama has succeeded in doing, is not the way to help government workers.

You can't really expect people working in the private sector who have lost their own pensions, healthcare, homes, 401ks, jobs, etc. etc. to support higher taxes to pay for these benefits for government workers.

[Lore]

Crushing the private sector, as Obama has succeeded in doing, is not the way to help government workers.

You can't really expect people working in the private sector who have lost their own pensions, healthcare, homes, 401ks, jobs, etc. etc. to support higher taxes to pay for these benefits for government workers.

Why not, when taxing the wealthy that benefited from the bailouts that the average middle class tax payers paid for? In fact polls show that they do.

[americandream]

Crushing the private sector, as Obama has succeeded in doing, is not the way to help government workers.

You can't really expect people working in the private sector who have lost their own pensions, healthcare, homes, 401ks, jobs, etc. etc. to support higher taxes to pay for these benefits for government workers.

Why not, when taxing the wealthy that benefited from the bailouts that the average middle class tax payers paid for? In fact polls show that they do.

In addition, what private sector is this? It has been bought and paid for by the taxpaying worker. It is as good as public property. And thats 'cos the so called entrepreneurial class are a load of losers and windbags who wouldn''t know how to manage a kids party let alone a social order.

[Plantagenet]

Crushing the private sector, as Obama has succeeded in doing, is not the way to help government workers.

You can't really expect people working in the private sector who have lost their own pensions, healthcare, homes, 401ks, jobs, etc. etc. to support higher taxes to pay for these benefits for government workers.

Why not, when taxing the wealthy that benefited from the bailouts that the average middle class tax payers paid for? In fact polls show that they do.

People realize there isn't a prayer of just taxing the wealthy. Any tax increases ALWAYS wind up hitting working people.

Take Obama and the dems....after two years we can see what their economic policies are what the results are. The dems DID NOT raise taxes on the rich...in fact Obama himself pushed an extension of the Bush tax cuts through the Pelosi COngress at the end of 2010.

Obama didn't tax the wealthy. He voted for the bailouts, then he handed ot the bailouts. Three years after big collapse, where are the criminal charges against the banksters? Not only is Obama not prosecuting his buddies at Goldman Sachs, even Obama's claims he would curtail salaries of the banksters turned out to be phony.

[Lore]

People realize there isn't a prayer of just taxing the wealthy. Any tax increases ALWAYS wind up hitting working people.

What people are you talking about, the polls don't support that opinion?

Taxes are always hitting working people because the rich are dodging their fair share.

Take Obama and the dems....after two years we can see what their economic policies are what the results are. The dems DID NOT raise taxes on the rich...in fact Obama himself pushed an extension of the Bush tax cuts through the Pelosi COngress at the end of 2010.

And he should be ashamed of that. He should have, should have, stuck to his guns.

Obama didn't tax the wealthy. He voted for the bailouts, then he handed ot the bailouts. Three years after big collapse, where are the criminal charges against the banksters? Not only is Obama not prosecuting his buddies at Goldman Sachs, even Obama's claims he would curtail salaries of the banksters turned out to be phony.

As I've always said, both parties drink from the same trough of corporate money, but the argument here is about workers rights which is apolitical.

[americandream]

Crushing the private sector, as Obama has succeeded in doing, is not the way to help government workers.

You can't really expect people working in the private sector who have lost their own pensions, healthcare, homes, 401ks, jobs, etc. etc. to support higher taxes to pay for these benefits for government workers.

Why not, when taxing the wealthy that benefited from the bailouts that the average middle class tax payers paid for? In fact polls show that they do.

People realize there isn't a prayer of just taxing the wealthy. Any tax increases ALWAYS wind up hitting working people.

Take Obama and the dems....after two years we can see what their economic policies are what the results are. The dems DID NOT raise taxes on the rich...in fact Obama himself pushed an extension of the Bush tax cuts through the Pelosi COngress at the end of 2010.

Obama didn't tax the wealthy. He voted for the bailouts, then he handed ot the bailouts. Three years after big collapse, where are the criminal charges against the banksters? Not only is Obama not prosecuting his buddies at Goldman Sachs, even Obama's claims he would curtail salaries of the banksters turned out to be phony.

Can you see the ruckus from the Right had Obama set in motion a process to follow the crash money to the source of the troubles. I reckon we would not only have seen bankers fall, but the vast network of high finance from hedge funds to non-financial market participants. The whole sorry network of corruption extends all the way from the high net worth across to their middle class enablers. Of course, irrespective of who is in government, they will prevail only to continue with the deepening of the emerging class system in America. Class tensions are set to worsen.

[Plantagenet]

Can you see the ruckus from the Right had Obama set in motion a process to follow the crash money to the source of the troubles.

Can you see that the left are silent as Obama fails to prosecute his friends at Goldman Sachs, AIG, Fannie and freddie, etc.?

[Plantagenet]

Bush prosecuted ENRON right up to the CEO level.

Why is Obama too cowardly to prosecute any of the banksters? Could it be that Obama is sucking up to the bankers to get more money from the same people who funded his 2008 campaign?

[americandream]

Can you see the ruckus from the Right had Obama set in motion a process to follow the crash money to the source of the troubles.

Can you see that the left are silent as Obama fails to prosecute his friends at Goldman Sachs, AIG, Fannie and freddie, etc.?

What left? The left have either been driven out by McCarthyism, Raeganism and Thatcherism or so demonised that they are careful not to be too vocal. There is no left. What there is, is the nobs who own the countries and their middle class sidekicks and apparatchiks.

Why would they kick up a ruckus when meaningful change would quickly see all of them paying their fair dues?

Just count yourself lucky that democracy has been so neutralised that there is no real hope of the working man getting a fair deal in this system. Just a load of windbags and apologists.

Bush prosecuted Enron....Enron!! This isn't an Enron...these are Enron's...whole markets...whole corrupt sectors. All created by your ilk pushing for less scrutiny. Not just banks...but funds...why even manufacturing companies who decided to play fast and loose with their employees pension funds. The Right are sneaky as usual They drop the load and berate the poor tool who has to clean it up...yeah, Obama is the perfect tool as well. More fool he that he took the job. Just one more reason for blacks to get it in the neck.

[Fishman]

Cid, this battle was fought back in November. You're just figured out you lost. The Republican just aren't cowering like they have in the past. Huge debt, recognition by the voters that strong efforts need to be done, gives one these consequences. Let me buy you a kleenex.