The Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled in favor of Governor Scott Walker’s stripping of collective bargaining rights from the state employees union. While there is the possibility that the employees and the union will appeal to a Federal Court and then to the Supreme Court, Federal courts traditionally keep their noses out of state business unless there is an over-reaching issue with national implications. Other states that are in financial trouble are now eyeballing the Wisconsin battle and some have already started legislation on their own to curb union power and benefits. The unions are understandably upset at the prospect of losing members and dues.
COMMENTS:
Unions do not traditionally believe in compromise or accommodation. The fact that tens of thousands of jobs have gone to foreign countries is directly attributable to the fact that a union would rather let its employees go without a job than to give up power, pay or benefits. Unions have driven thousands of firms out of business, both big and small. Yes, businesses have taken advantage of employees from time to time in the course of our history, but common sense needs to prevail and the unions have lost their common sense. I personally do not think that unions belong in government at all. But, for the moment, unions are and should be as nervous as a dog on a hot asphalt roof.
TODAY’S QUERIES & ANSWERS:
Q. I saw yesterday that sunspots are going into hibernation for a few decades starting in 2012. Could this have anything to do with the Mayan predictions for December of 2012 and the end of the world as we know it? (Opal ~ Woodburn, OR)
A. Yes, it could. But, there was a similar period of hibernation in the 1700’s and the world did not end. Or, maybe it did, and we are now mere figments of our own imaginations.
Q. The FY2011 budget lie, where $300 billion in budget cuts ended up in actually being less than $100 million, has largely been under-reported. Is the same type of lie likely to occur in the talks about the debt ceiling? (Samantha ~ Belle Vista, CA)
A. Yes. The Democrats and Obama are not willing to sign on to a deficit reduction program that will even begin to touch their favorite programs. The Republicans, pressed by Tea Party members and other ticked off Americans, want to trim expenses drastically for the next few years. Neither side can get its wishes without the consent of the other, but the matter must be dealt with. Therefore, look for another big lie to make the Republicans look good and to allow the Democrats to keep their programs. Obviously, that still doesn’t resolve the problem, does it?
Q. There has been a lot said the last few days about the FBI being able to search your trash. What’s your opinion? (Alf ~ San Diego, CA)
A. The contents of your trash are yours until you give them to the garbage man to take to the dump. Courts traditionally now hold that, when the garbage can hits the driveway or sidewalk waiting for pick up, it becomes the custodial property of the hauler until it is deposited at the dump. I suppose the end answer is, if you don’t want the FBI going through your trash, don’t put anything in it you do not want them to see. Burn or shred your Anthony Weiner pictures before you toss them.
TODAY’S QUOTE:
“I found out that it’s not good to talk about my troubles. Eighty percent of the people who hear them don’t care and the other twenty percent are glad you’re having trouble.” ~ Tommy LaSorda
TODAY’S VIDEO:
No comments:
Post a Comment