Guest Commentary
by Rhonda Deniston
In November 2010 the American voter sent a luminous message around the nation that they want responsible and fiscally conservative representatives, not at just the Federal level, but at the state and local level as well.
Wisconsin, a leftist state, actually voted for both Bill Clinton and Barack Obama by double digits in recent elections, but the voters there too have come to their senses. The election of Scott Walker as Governor demonstrated the people’s understanding of failed leftist policies and the desire to restore fiscal sanity to a state billions of dollars in the red.
As usual, the Democratic Party missed the message. Maybe because they have become accustomed to getting their way with bullying tactics, name calling, and just flat out ignoring the will of the people. The Democrats have created their own illusion that they are the rulers and that the voters are just ignorant peasants that can be taxed and kicked around. As we have seen in Wisconsin the Democratic representatives when faced with real challenges and tough decisions left their post, ran and hid from their constituents, once again showing lack of leadership.
The Democrats have created an Army of influence via public labor unions. Public union workers receive much higher wages, ridiculous protective tenure, lavish pensions, and health care benefits that are simply unmatched in the private sector….because they are not sustainable. Well, they are sustained, at the expense of the taxpayer.
It has become apparent to the average worker that unions are a big part of the budget problem. We have seen in recent days in Wisconsin the temper tantrums of union employees. It sickens me to hear the whining of these union workers that they are the working class, and screams to tax the rich! Well, to the private sector, the unions are the rich. In Wisconsin, the average teacher makes $76,000/year in wages and benefits to work 9 months…..and the people of Wisconsin will cover their pensions and healthcare expenses after they retire.
Obama himself has stated that he sees Scott Walker’s attempt to rein in spending as an attack on unions. The American taxpayer sees the unions as an attack on their wallets. The Democratic party has created a class that has no sense of reality, accountability, morality, productivity or personal responsibility. The union leaders could care less about the suffering of others during these economic times; they seem to think they are entitled to immunity of the current fiscal crisis. Obama’s comments on this matter have again deepened the divide in America.
Unions in Wisconsin say it is the collective bargaining tool that is at stake. Collective bargaining came about in the late 19th century to combat poor conditions for the worker. I see no real need for collective bargaining in these days of massive regulations of health, safety and worker rights. As the years have gone by collective bargaining has become a tool for exorbitant pay scales, lavish retirement plans and no union accountability.
I have seen signs and verbal roaring from protesters that they are doing this for the kids. Yes, I suspect the kids are very happy that their teachers are ditching class. Imagine the economic hardship these teachers have placed upon the parents of school children across the state from not being in the classroom. Parents hit with unexpected child care expenses, lost days of work and vacation time to care for their children that should have been in the classroom while their teachers are out acting like tyrants at the Wisconsin State Capitol.
The union’s selfish attempt to drown out the voice of the people has not helped their cause. I hope the entire nation can see the light that has been shed on these pompous, contemptuous unions for what they really represent. I hope the American people see that the party of the Democrats is a party that endorses anarchy.
I see these events as a pivoting point for America; it is time to take this country back to its roots of less government, taxation with proper representation and justice for all or we will perish as a nation; let the Wisconsin Capitol be the last stop for their Union Gravy Train…..then send that train to California.
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Rhonda Deniston is the Oceanside Regional Director for www.stoptaxingus.com