Perhaps it would be wise to more fully understand the situation in Wisconsin:

Governor Walker does apparently have the electorate behind him by one interpretation. But at least part of that electorate expects their leaders to be adult about things. Walker is picking and choosing whom he wants to push around based somewhat on ideology, somewhat on political power, and above all, based on vengeance. Why else pick out some unions to be exempt?

Walker was elected, in part, because of a huge infusion of cash by the Koch brothers, who are known to be anti-union. Walker knows that public sentiment may allow him to prevail and serve his masters...else why would he shut down another Republican proposal to furlough union rights for a period of time, then restore them?

Walker had my sympathy until this last stroke of ineptitude. Actually, if Walker had been a true gentleman, he could very well have had aides apprise key union leaders of his intentions a short time before public announcement, asking for their understanding. It could have worked for everyone, but IMO, Walker was interested in shocking them into a reaction he could use against them, and it worked for a time.

Reflection by some moderate voices in the public sector might have actually had them analysing data from states that already forbid some or all public employees from organizing: I have some experience with Texas, which DOES forbid many public servants from organizing, and their teachers actually do a little better than Wisconsin's, especially in starting salary. Seasoned teachers in Texas and Wisconsin make about the same, but new hires in Wi take it in the shorts.

Walker misses the boat, IMO, when he refuses to use reason and logic to win over his adversary. Instead he picks a fight to provoke a reaction, then when he gets his reaction feigns indignance, probably to stoke the fires of the lunatic fringe he believes are his base. Most people don't stay angry forever, and this display may bite him in the rear later.

Ward has two advantages: 1) he has a dem governor not looking to score points with what may turn out to be a narrow fringe group, and 2) he's at least smart enough to keep his mouth shut.

Another example of the resident hate and envy distributor.

There is at least one questionable provision in Wisconsin's budget bill. I'm not talking about restricting the powers of public employees to vote themselves more money and power.

Section 44.16.896 reads:

"(1) Notwithstanding ss. 13.48 (14) (am) and 16.705 (1), the department may sell any state−owned heating, cooling, and power plant or may contract with a private entity for the operation of any such plant, with or without solicitation of bids, for any amount that the department determines to be in the best interest of the state. Notwithstanding ss. 196.49 and 196.80, no approval or certification of the public service commission is necessary for a public utility to purchase, or contract for the operation of, such a plant, and any such purchase is considered to be in the public interest and to comply with the criteria for certification of a project under s. 196.49 (3) (b)."

FACT: Koch Industries opened a lobbying office in Madison last November and have seven full time employees.

It appears the union issue may be a bit of a red herring.

Thanks to 'eyolf' for an accurate portrait of what's happening in Wisconsin. The dispute has never been about the budget, since the teachers and other public employee union groups had volunteered from the beginning to make substantial cuts in employer contributions to health insurance and pension plans. The only issue left was the Governor's plan to abolish the unions altogether -- except, of course, for the union groups that had supported Walker's campaign for governor.

A 20 minute phone conversation and the Governor didn't recognize the voice?

I think that's the definition of bff.

It's like when George Soros calls President Obama to lay down the law!

Still got a boo boo Barney over having your extremely offensive post removed? Poor baby!

Yes that clause he slipped in about the NO BID sale of the power plant sounds like a typical deal the wealthy use to amass more wealth. It has the stench of ENRON all over again.

No doubt the sale will be to someone in the energy industry.

What's this?....I'm so surprised! The Koch brothers are in the energy industry. Who could have guessed?

Let me try to figure this possible ROI out. $1 million for Scott Walker for governor ads and $38,000 direct purchase (I mean campaign contribution) to Scott Walkers campaign.

For $1,038,000 they get their candidate elected and then their candidate sells some power plants with no bid contracts.

Should they get these power plants they will hold complete control of the heating and cooling of the government buildings. Think MONOPOLY.

Taxpayers will probably never find out and even if they do there won't be anything they can do about it.

There kids, now you have another story of how taxpayers get the shaft and the billionaires get the cash.

But wait! There's more! And wouldn't you know it the Koch brothers might benefit again. Governor Walker slipped some clauses into his bill that would limit penalties for things like oh let's see......oil spills. Don't the Koch empire have pipelines in WI? Why yes they do kids.

See it's really not so hard to be a billionaire after all.

Personally the events that are taking place in WI are far less troubling than what is happening in Libya. The events in WI may have some consequences for unions but the events in Libya are going to hit all of us in the pocketbook in the form of higher gas prices. Fish do you think that Muammar Abu Minyar al-Gaddafi pays his share of taxes or distributes the wealth in his country?