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At the end of the conversation, fake Koch offers to bribe Walker with a trip to Cali and a "good time", and Walker agrees.
Why is this not a bribe a.k.a. felony? Walker accepted the offer of a reward for his services, which should violate many laws.
@dnarnadem
Exactly right! I was going to say the same thing until I read your comment. With all of the corporate elite raking in millions of bucks, all the while shipping our jobs overseas, KCEE thinks he/she has made a real dig on a union leader making a few hundred thousand? And it is worth repeating "If not for the Unions, we'd all still be indentured serfs working for less than $1.00 an hour and 80 hour week, if at all!". I think we should probably replace all of those rich criminal heads of corporations, especially the banks, with public officials making a whole lot less and governed by the people rather than a few wealthy greedsters interested only on their personal profits. We need to take this opportunity of world-wide rebellion against greedy and heartless mammons, the gods of greed and avarice, to rebuild and strengthen those institutions, like unions, that make life better for most of us.
@ bicyclingjroad #13
"Now a handful of Union members are trying to overturn the Government"
Uh. . . last estimate I heard 25% of the Wisconsin electorate is a union member. I would say 5-10% more are friends and supporters of that union member. So you're talking about 30-35% of the voters in Wisconsin, not "a handful of union members." On top of that there seems to be a substantial majority of Wisconsnites polled that think the governor and the Republicans are full of crap.
"Democracy Works, and Wisconsin is leading the way."
OMG. Democracy works. Just find a mid term election where the only people who show up are an angry minority, pour millions into electing a Governor and flipping the ledgeslature and POOF, "Democracy works". . now you can do anything you want and everyone should just shut up.
That's not exactly how it works. Remember the fillibuster? Ever wonder why they require a quorum to get laws passed? Ever heard of rules to protect a minority? Ever heard of the first ammendment? Peaceful assembly to redress grievences?
If Michelle Bachman were speaking at this union rally she would be saying "Jefferson told us a little rebellion now and then is a good thing" and everyone on Fox would be cheering.
Welcome to democracy.
A: eliminate collective barganing and B: the Koch brothers are behind him There is nothing more you have to know.
Compared to FOX TVs
( I don't use the word "NEWS" in the same sentence with that propaganda crap) guy that tricked the ACORN workers, this tape we got on Walker is prime,factual disclosure of a true CORRUPT politician." WALKERGATE", we should call it,like Nixons' WATERGATE tapes...heehee. Just looking at Walkers' face- do you notice how unintelligent the look on his face is? This all seems like we were thrown into some 3rd World scenario with some PUPPET dictator trying to oppress the workers,doesn't it? Wow... and yeah,the dude is definitely a KOCH WHORE.
With the most recent news--which includes Walker revealing his strategy to bust the unions and get other Republican governors on board, to someone he thought was Charles Koch (thus revealing his allegiance to Koch)--in opposition to polls showing the American people favor the union's ability to collectively bargain, and in light of the backing off of by some of the very Republican governors he intended to get on board, all Walker seems to be achieving is bringing the union-busting activity of the corporate right to the fore, as well as unmasking and shining the light on such parasitic vermin as the Koch Brothers.
Here we see that one of the unintended consequences of fixing an election, by whatever means, including driving down turnout or spending megabucks to spread lies--or outright ballot-stuffing, digital manipulation, etc--is that the "mandate" a such a candidate might have convinced himself he has, is not really there. That's because the public really did not back him to begin with. Republican Governors are finding this out the hard way, much like GW found out when he tried to use his non-existent political capital after the statistically improbable results of the '04 election.
Republicans always seem to overreach when they get any power. Power without responsibility is a dangerous combination. And time and time again we see Republicans not really accepting accountability/responsibility for their actions. It's no wonder that we see them overreaching when they dupe the people into putting them in office.
Marcy, I have signed the on-line petition. But I am going to make a proper paper petition to take around with me when I am out and about as well. There are many, many people who do not regularyly use the internet and who would not sign an on-line petition that asks for information such as name and address, whereas they would not hesitate to sign such a paper petition. Thanks for spreading the word. We are going to recall him (Walker, that is) in 11 months or so, of course.
And, Thom and Louise, NO, the Kochs won't win this fight, because it is our fight for life. For them, it's just money and power.
Hypocrate? Governor Walker is violating his own hero's ideas! EO 12612-sec2(h):
(h) Policies of the national government should recognize the responsibility of -- and should encourage opportunities for -- individuals, families, neighborhoods, local governments, and private associations to achieve their personal, social, and economic objectives through cooperative effort.
He is ignoring the phrase "individuals, families, neighborhoods, local governments" and adhering to the "private associations" in terms of achieving "personal, social, and economic objectives" by implying that the cooperative effort of the "individuals, families, neighborhoods, local governments" standing in the way of his anti-union legislation are being in any way 'un-patriotic.' Scott Walker's tactic of reviewing criminal law to find a way to FORCE the quorum to begin session is a blatant violation of the very E.O. I am writing about. He is DIScouraging the local governments from achieving their personal, social, and economic objectives through NON-cooperative efforts.
Scott Walker should be suspended and arrested until a criminal investigation is complete. His admission of cooperation with, who he assumed was, David Koch implies a synchorization of their ideas existed prior to this call. So this should also land David in FEDERAL prison without bail (because money is no object to him) pending investigation.
-Adam.
Obviously, all of the Republican legislators are in on this scam! They should go down with Walker!
Tom,
Please correct your typos on your blog. It appears very unprofessional!!!!!!! If you continue to address things important, at least allow the reader to believe that you are articulate.
Thanks, Ed
The Koch brothers want it privatized so as to turn nececities like elctricity and water into a for profit business,which will cause peoples rates to skyrocket.people will then have a choice to pay it or freeze in the winter.
The Kochs should be expelled from a free country such as ours, and we should confiscate their billions in the bargain so that they can experience what they've been doing to those less fortunate than themselves. I'll bet they're "Christians", too. They do behave in such a Jesus-like matter. WWJD? How about WWSD? Scumbags.
I hope this is a wake up call to all Americans, especially the ones who have been scared into believing all the propoganda the right has beem spewing fo rthe last 30 years.
Scott Walker must be stopped. Please sign and circulate the petition calling on Gov. Scott Walker to step down:http://www.change.org/petitions/urge-wisconsin-governor-scott-walker-to-resign
KOCH Industries will not succeed in their attempts to purchase America. As their terrible actions reach the light of day, Americans, Democrats and Republicans will not accept this kind of plutocracy. We do not want to have billionaires calling the shots. We want our own elected representatives to represent us not billionaires.
Just as the dictators in the Middle East are falling away, so will Governors who want to behave as if they are little dictators in their state. We need to keep people informed about the real agenda of the Scott Walker's of the world.
Philip Henderson, ethical magician
Are there other horrors in the "bill" that the Democratic Senators from Wisconsin DO NOT WANT to vote on?
Is it possible for an investigation to be made by the Federal Government for a conspiracy between Republican legislators and Governor Walker for conspiring to cheat the taxpayers of Wisconsin. They have that paragraph in the bill that if signed gives him full authority to sell off Wisconsin infra structure without competitive bidding. The Koch brothers stand to gain control of those two power plants at a price that the governor will determine - does that give them a monopoly over the power sold in Wisconsin. Given those recordings, and his office admits that he is speaking, things look a little dicey!
Requiem for the Masses, Association
Universal Soldier, Donovan
Alice's Restaurant, Arlo Guthrie
Fortunate Son, CCR
Sarajevo, Judy Collins
jnkesrouan:
THE LOCATION of the house makes a difference - if in 30 years it has grown from a rural to a suburban area.
IN 30 years the value of the house must have gone up (your inheritance) because most property taxes are calculated on the value of the house. IF there have been improvements in the roads - schools - sewage - fire protection etc this adds to the value of the house and services that need to be paid for.
IN 30 years big business - supported by the republican party - have exported hundreds of thousands - probably millions - of good paying middle class taxpaying jobs. WHEN the jobs go outta the country - federal - state - and local governments do not receive their taxes. FORCING governments to increase taxes - and fees of all types.
"To our most bitter opponents we say: "We shall match your capacity to inflict suffering by our capacity to endure suffering. We shall meet your physical force with soul force. Do to us what you will, and we shall continue to love you. We cannot in all good conscience obey your unjust laws, because non-cooperation with evil is as much a moral obligation as is cooperation with good. Throw us in jail, and we shall still love you. Send your hooded perpetrators of violence into our communities at the midnight hour and beat us and leave us half dead, and we shall still love you. But be ye assured that we will wear you down by our capacity to suffer. One day we shall win freedom, but not only for ourselves. We shall so appeal to your heart and conscience that we shall win you in the process, and our victory will be a double victory." ---MLK, Jr.
Us & Them - Pink Floyd
As a long time heavy listener of THS & now THP, I would like to hear Thom address two dichotomies that I see in his logic. First, for context, I would like for Thom to go back and listen to the last 5 minutes of his hour long radio interview with Chris Hedges. Because at the end they finally get to “What To Do” about it and then the show ends.
My contention is where Thom references his theory of a take over of the Democratic Party like the Republicans did in the 70’s. Hedges retorts “Let’s not forget, Thom, they had big bucks to do it. They were bankrolled by the Business Round Table… and we don’t have those kinds of backers.” In one sentence Hedges shoots down this theory. So, why is Thom still holding on to it?
Lastly, why isn’t Thom acknowledging that Civil Disobedience is the only form of redress that we have left at our disposal? As Hedges aptly points out: Historically Liberal Institutions have betrayed the working class and their anger towards Liberals is just. There are no other mechanisms to bring about change, but for Public Protest.
jnkesrouan, it wasn't a Democrate that said "Greed is good." it was a Repulican - but not just any Repulican, the right-wing idolitry Regan. So don't even pretend Democrates have caused the hyper-inflation of your property tax. In the last 30 years, the impact of Regan's policies are beginning to expose the political extorition of American Citizens - e.g. by collapsing the revenue stream of the Federal Government and allowing private entities (including Homeland Security, the FBI and more) to remain functional as a result of their past privatizations. Thus simply kicking Obama or whomever out of office (once the defunding is complete).
Imagine that your cash flow came from a few people. Then due to a time of economic prosperity, you say to your cash flow people;
"keep a bit more of you money for a temporary amount of time." That is you giving a break to your cash-flow. Now the few years has passed and you go to your cash flow source and ask;
"ok, the temporary break is about to expire, I need money - badly." And the group of people who used to give you money say
"No. If you don't extend our break, we will just leave and do business somewhere else."
That just happened in America in Congress in December of 2010. So don't even pretend that Democrates are the blood suckers. Repulicans have used mis-information and diversionary tactics to pass unconstitutional legislation leading to, not just one great depression, but a current 'recession' that will, decades from now, become the known as the second great depression. Stop listening to Rush L. When you group the type of BS you wrote with the word Democrate, it just shows that you are simply trying to distinguish between mindless followers of Republican ideals and free-thinking American's who don't want to see a 21% increase year to year in an electric bill while concurrently facing a decrease in income due to inflation adjustsment, no raise, and a false tax-break extension (which actually RAISES my taxes).
Tea party" organizers are delivering one million tea bags to a Washington, D.C., park Wednesday morning – to promote protests across the country by people they say are fed up with high taxes and excess spending.The real Boston Tea Party was a protest against huge corporate tax cuts for the British East India Company, the largest trans-national corporation then in existence. This corporate tax cut threatened to decimate small Colonial businesses by helping the BEIC pull a Wal-Mart against small entrepreneurial tea shops, and individuals began a revolt that kicked-off a series of events that ended in the creation of The United States of America.Silk flower
I'm waiting for them to buy the TVA. That will be the next shoe to drop.