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I went to Wisconsin with an open mind. I wanted to understand exactly what was going between the state and the unions, so I spoke with people on both sides of the issue. While I did so, I recorded our conversations so that the people watching my interviews can make up there own minds.
The first day there I spoke to some great guys who were Correction Officers. They do a tough, dangerous job day in and day out and they do not get thanked enough for the job they do. They are squared away, salt-of-the-earth men; guys I would want to go fishing with and throw back some beers. I honestly believe what they get paid is not near enough for the job they do. Their worries and concerns were genuine.
Steve, a CO in Wisconsin says, “I make 32,000 dollars a year before taxes. How am I suppose to afford the extra healthcare that my family needs”?
This guy’s pay has been frozen for 4 years. That doesn’t begin to seem right.
Another correction officer named Terry was concerned about “Collective bargaining”. He said that without it management will be able to freeze him on a shift, or change his shift whenever management wants too. Doesn’t seem right is my thinking.
Collective Bargaining in Wisconsin seemed to be the # 1 “issue” as I spoke with more and more people. I decided I needed to understand this better. So I read some books, some articles, and talked with some people, and came up with my own opinion.
I spoke at a rally later that day in Madison. My subject was the word “Deserve.” In my opinion too many people are walking around today saying they “deserve” something. It doesn’t matter what they have. It matters to them that they ‘get what they deserve.’ I believe the only people in this country that “Deserve” anything would be our Military Veterans. Agree, disagree that’s your prerogative.
As the week in Madison wore on I witnessed some strange sights, and heard some scary rhetoric.
Strangest things seen? Union members walking hand and hand with Socialists. Fact. Moslems, Christians and Jews supporting the Union. Fact. I thought liberals hated it when anyone of any faith got into the political ring, Double standard?
Strange things heard: ”Buy American! What? Socialist?”
My brother, a Union guy, gets hassled at work by some of his fellow union members. For what? For being my brother. Maybe they should have taken that up with our parents.
Then, in the middle of the week in Wisconsin, I had to leave the state in a hurry. Why? My son and fiancé get threatening phone calls at my home in Ohio (originating out of Wisconsin).
So I do what any man does. I got the first flight out of Wisconsin. Filed a Police report and made sure my home is secure. Then I got another dog and bought another gun.
To the union members that threatened my family, you’re sick and less than men.
This is not to color all union members as bad. I know for a fact that Terry, the Correction Officer I met in Madison, would be disgusted by this behavior. And I know my neighbors -- all union guys -- would come to my aid if anyone so much as tried to hurt me or my family.
The unions in Madison are running around chanting, “This is what democracy looks like!” Democracy is not endless demonstrations and your legislators running away from their duties until you “Get what you deserve.” I beg to differ. Democracy is upholding the results of elections and staying within the rule of law. The people in Wisconsin voted and Scott Walker won. To paraphrase President Obama, “ We won and we get to do what we want.”
The Wisconsin 14 are not doing their job. They ran and the demonstrators clogged up the capitol building. That’s not democracy. That’s thugs, mugs, and cowards trying to hold the people hostage. It’s not right. It’s downright un-American.
