Pro-Choice, For Real

The Wisconsin Senate tonight approved (18-1) a bill to allow employees of the state a real choice whether or not to become or remain members of a union. For the first time in years, employment will not be subject to non-voluntary membership. More, state employees who choose not to become a union member will not be required to pay "dues" to a group in which they choose not to belong.

If passed by the State Assembly in the morning and signed into law by the governor, this will be the most significant advance in labor law, in freedom for working people, in fifty years or more.

Needed in Wisconsin Today: A PATCO moment

Ronald Reagan "made" his presidency the day he personally fired more than 10,000 air traffic controllers who refused his order to cease their illegal strike. The country enjoyed an eight year break from serious labor unrest during his administration. Years later, even the Soviets admitted they had taken note of his backbone.

In Wisconsin today, several thousand union teachers in Wisconsin lied to their employers, based on that fraud took a paid day off, shuttered their schools and marched off to protest a proposal to make their compensation more like that of the taxpayers who pay them.

Governor Walker and the relevant school boards should fire each and every government employee, specifically including teachers, who lied.

We can live in a land of rules by law, governed by those who win majorities or we can live by the rule of the mob, in this case the union leaders, teachers and thugs.

Fire them, Mr. Walker, then move on.

UPDATE: Athens, Wisconsin

Athens, Wisconsin?

Union thugs are attempting a takeover of the state capitol in Madison, Wisconsin. They are threatening legislators and the governor and their families. They are looking to dictate state policies for their own benefit, to keep the largess flowing their direction.

They care not that the state is broke. They want everything and more.

Democrat senators have fled the state in order to prevent the legislature from voting. They've taken refuge at a resort in Indiana.

The first question: Who's paying for the Democrats' vacation?

The second question: Will the thugs back their threats of violence with action?