Governor Scott Walker and his proposed budget bill for Wisconsin have caused quite a stir among Wisconsin residents. Protesters have rallied against Walker. Some people have compared Walker to fallen Egyptian leader, Hosni Mubarak, suggesting Walker is a dictator. President Obama suggested that interfering with collective bargaining is not wise. Other residents support Walker’s budget plan. I had an opportunity to interview two Wisconsin residents, one for and one against the plan. Here is what they had to say.
Interview 1 – Resident For Governor Scott Walker’s Budget Plan
Question: What do you think of the protests?
Jeff: I think protests, for the most part, are good regardless of how misinformed, arrogant or selfish its basis. I think they should peacefully protest to their hearts content.
Question: Do you agree with them? Why or why not?
Jeff: Not no, but hell no! I think unions have a place in the private sector but not in the public sector. Government unions place the sole burden of wages, health benefits and retirements on the backs of the people. In most cases, the unions ask for far more than their job classifications can support or justify in the private sector. Government wages, both state and federal, are bloated and place unreasonable burdens on the public at large. Very few private sector jobs pay for 92% of your benefits including retirement. Very few private sector jobs allow you to retire after 20 years of service with full health benefits and half pay at the company’s expense. A private sector company would layoff, terminate or drastically cut benefits in order to meet its budget requirements.
The state government has a responsibility to the people to be fiscally responsible and set the example for state and local businesses, especially since it regulates them. Our state government has been very irresponsible under Gov. Doyle, a tax and spend politician; his administration has nearly bankrupted the state.
Nationally, businesses have cut benefits, wages and manpower in order to stay solvent. Why should Wisconsin state employees be any different? They shouldn’t and they should stop being arrogant and be grateful they still have a job!
Question: Do you agree with the budget plan as proposed?
Jeff: I absolutely agree with the budget plan. We should have a surplus in our state coffers, regardless of the economy. The plan will lead to lower taxes across the state for all citizens and eventually bring much needed industry back to Wisconsin. I’m hoping to see further budgetary restrictions in the future. Cuts have to be made soon; our state is broke.
Question: What do you think of the Democratic lawmakers avoiding a vote on the capitol floor?
Jeff: I think they’re derelict, should be fired by their constituents and have their pay cut along with all other state employees who fail to show up for their jobs. If I don’t show up for work because I don’t like what is about to happen in my work place, I get fired. Why should the Democrats be any different? I’m tired of the politicians thinking they’re the exception to the rules. Their childish avoidance of change, in the way the state needs to do business, is negligent at best. FIRE THEM ALL FOR NOT SAFEGUARDING THE PUBLIC INTEREST!
Question: How would you be affected directly by Gov. Walker’s plan?
Jeff: My health care is provided through the state Veteran’s Administration. Those benefits may be cut. If it keeps the state solvent, I’m ok with it. We all need to do our part and tighten our belts. That being said, I also think our taxes will be cut in the future if they can get the state budget under control. Our taxes in Wisconsin are ridiculously high, especially property, income, and gas taxes.
Question: Is there anything else you’d like to say about this situation?
Jeff: Of course there is! I genuinely think the majority of government employees are completely out of touch with the private sector and have become arrogant in their demands. Unions have no place in state or local governments. The vast majority of state and local government employees are paid more than the private sector yet, they do less work. They have more paid time off than almost all private sector jobs. I think they have lost sight of the fact that they serve the public, not the other way around. My sister taught school for over twenty years, was represented by a union and has a comfortable retirement. Her retirement was not paid by the public sector, but was able to opt out of social security to invest in the private sector in order to secure a more substantial retirement benefit. Wisconsin has some of the highest paid teachers in the country. [Teachers] could go without a pay raise or [a] raise in benefits for five years and still remain some of the highest paid in the country. We don’t have huge ghettos in our state, nor do we have an overwhelming issue with violence in our school systems. Why do our teachers deserve higher pay than those in “at risk” areas? They don’t. Compared to states with large criminal elements in their school systems, Wisconsin teachers are grossly overpaid for the services they render. They are not at risk and shouldn’t be paid like they are in danger. Most combat soldiers, sailors and marines make far less than our “intellectually elite” teachers and their union representatives. It’s time for a reality check, a belt tightening and a re-evaluation of what is fair for all, not just a few.
These state unions are a bunch of spoiled babies who need a good “time out” or perhaps a nice “ol’ school” spanking to get them back to reality. Governments and their representatives have a habit of being greedy at the public’s expense; it’s time this stopped.
I hope Scott Walker kicks their asses back in line with the suffering the private sector has had to endure under a Democratically controlled state house and senate……..
They have a “Let them eat cake” attitude. Hopefully, Gov. Walker will feed them a large helping of a sh*t sandwich and bring them back to reality.
Jeff, 47, Sheboygan, WI
Interview 2 – Resident Against Governor Scott Walker’s Budget Plan
Question: What do you think of the protests?
Karen: I think the protests are necessary if we want things to change.
Question: Do you agree with them? Why or why not?
Karen: If we sit by and do not even try to have our voices be heard, then we are just as responsible for the outcome if this bill passes.
Question: Do you agree with the budget plan as proposed?
Karen: I definitely DO NOT agree with the budget plan. Walker has a hidden agenda. The unions have already stated that they are willing to pay more for their health insurance and pensions but he still goes after the collective bargaining rights? Why? He is not even willing to negotiate? Doesn’t sound like a democracy to me.
Question: What do you think of the Democratic lawmakers avoiding a vote on the capitol floor?
Karen: I think the democrats didn’t have a choice but to leave. Walker is unwilling to listen. I think they did what they had to do to protect the people of Wisconsin.
Question: How would you be affected directly by Gov. Walker’s plan?
Karen: Some of the teachers at the Shawano School District have already got their pink slips because of the proposed budget cuts. I also work for the school district as an aide and yes, I am very worried that I may not have a job next year.
Question: Is there anything else you’d like to say about this situation?
Karen: What people in general need to understand is that this bill will affect everyone, not just the state workers. I would encourage people to really do some research on what Walker says he’s trying to do and why because there are a lot of discrepancies and we will all pay the price if this bill is allowed to pass…and then it will be too late.
Karen, Shawano, WI
Walker says his plan is not about attacking unions; he maintains that the budget plan is strictly about balancing Wisconsin’s budget deficit. He says if his budget-repair legislation is not passed soon, job cuts will be unavoidable. Wisconsin residents are essentially evenly split on Governor Walker’s plans.
