Walker: Policies paying off
Gov. Scott Walker said Monday that his policies had saved Wisconsin taxpayers more than $1 billion so far—a claim that could be largely but not entirely verified through figures released by the governor.
The savings largely come from changes made by the Republican governor to lower the take-home pay of public workers after he and Republican lawmakers had repealed most of those workers' union bargaining last year.
Big chunks of the savings Walker announced—more than $750 million—could be verified, such as those from state and local workers' higher pension contributions.
But the figures also clearly included savings for local governments that came from media reports that couldn't be easily verified as well as savings that would go in part to federal taxpayers.
Walker said little about the fact that local governments' savings were offset by cuts in state aid.
"We made the tough decisions necessary to ensure our children and grandchildren were not buried under a mountain of economically crippling debt. While some states implemented massive tax increases and others laid off thousands of public employees, we chose a better way," Walker said in a statement.
Rep. Joe Knilans, R-Janesville, issued a statement supporting Walker.
"For the first time in 10 years, property taxes for the median-value homeowner went down throughout the state. Property owners in Janesville saw tax increases, but those increases were limited by the governor's budget," Knilans said.
"Janesville was not able to utilize the tools other communities put in place because Janesville's contract with the teachers will not be renegotiated until next year," Knilans said.
Walker in his news release said the $1 billion was documented through "hundreds of media reports, local budgets and surveys of local government officials throughout the state. These results show that the total savings exceeded reductions in state aid."
Part of the $1 billion was $2.9 million saved by Rock County government, according to Walker's website, reforms.wi.gov. That figure came from "media reports," according to the website.
That's not the full picture, however, according to the county.
The savings from employee pension payments was actually $2.65 million, said Randy Terronez, assistant to the county administrator, while cuts in state aid were about $2.57 million.
The net benefit to the county's $77 million budget was $78,129, according to county figures.
County property tax payers did not benefit, even in a small way, because the county was already taxing to the maximum allowed, Terronez said.
At the same time, the county's services took a hit. The county cut the full-time equivalent of 13 workers to balance its budget, Terronez said.
The county child-support office laid off several workers after the state cut $301,711 in child-support aid, Terronez said. The office is tasked with collecting money from parents who haven't made child-support payments.
State aid cuts did help the state balance its own budget, which was in trouble before Walker took office last year.
Walker faced a projected shortfall of more than $3 billion over the two-year budget starting in July 2011. Walker dealt with that by focusing largely on spending cuts rather than tax increases, with roughly $1.3 billion in cuts over two years for schools, local governments, universities and technical colleges in the state. He and GOP lawmakers also put tight limits on local officials' ability to raise property taxes.
To help local officials absorb those cuts, Republicans repealed collective bargaining for most public employees and required those workers to pay at least 12 percent of their health benefits premiums and 5.9 percent of their salary toward their pension benefits. According to the Legislature's nonpartisan budget office, that reduced the take-home pay of the average state worker making $50,000 a year by $4,228, or 8.5 percent, though the effect was cushioned by the fact that Walker didn't renew the practice of unpaid furlough days for state workers.
Those changes were applied to all public workers except local police officers, State Patrol troopers, firefighters and transit workers.
Former Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk, one of Walker's Democratic opponents, said the governor's budget has been disastrous for education and state health care programs.
"Governor Walker's budget has failed us miserably," she told reporters Monday on a conference call. "That's why he's being recalled."
The Democratic Party and the Democratic gubernatorial candidates vying in a primary on May 8 did not immediately respond to Walker's claim of a $1 billion in savings. Cuts passed by Walker include:
-- $226.3 million in annual savings from higher pension contributions from state workers and $82.4 million in savings from state workers paying more for their health insurance. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel said it verified this figure, but it included $40.9 million in savings coming from federal taxpayers, not state taxpayers.
-- $464 million in yearly savings from local government workers paying more for their pensions. Those savings also are verified but could include other sources besides those coming from state taxpayers.
-- $65 million in savings this fiscal year from a requirement that the state finds an additional 5 percent in savings by redesigning its health plan. Those savings are verified.
-- $300 million in savings that the Walker administration estimated comes from making local employees pay more for their health care. These figures are more difficult to verify. That's because local governments in some cases were already making employees pay health care premiums at the levels mandated by Walker and GOP lawmakers.
GOVERNOR CITES SAVINGS
Gov. Scott Walker said Monday his policies have saved Wisconsin taxpayers more than $1 billion so far, including $9.16 million in Rock County and $5.31 million in Walworth County.
Local savings listed on reforms.wi.gov are:
Rock County
Beloit School District—Taxpayers are saving $2.51 million due to Act 10 reforms, according to media reports.
Town of Beloit—Taxpayers are saving $37,000 due to pension payments from employees* according to the Legislative Fiscal Bureau and $48,360 due to health plan savings, according to a Beloit Daily News report.
Beloit Turner School District—Taxpayers are saving $426,300 due to pension payments from employees.*
Blackhawk Technical College—Taxpayers are saving $168,400 due to pension payments from employees.*
Clinton School District—Taxpayers are saving $361,700 due to pension payments from employees.*
Edgerton School District—Taxpayers are saving $588,400 due to pension payments* from employees, as well as $500,000 due to health plan savings.
Evansville School District—Taxpayers are saving $654,900 due to Act 10 reforms, according to media reports.
Milton School District—Taxpayers are saving $1.10 million due to Act 10 reforms, according to media reports.
Parkview School District—Taxpayers are saving $365,200 due to pension payments from employees.*
Rock County—Taxpayers are saving are $2.90 million due to Act 10 reforms according to a Beloit Daily News report.
Walworth County
Big Foot UHS —Taxpayers are saving $165,800 due to pension payments from employees.*
Delavan-Darien School District—Taxpayers are saving $740,200 due to pension payments from employees.*
East Troy School District—Taxpayers are saving $542,400 due to pension payments from employees.*
Elkhorn Area School District—Taxpayers are saving $920,300 due to pension payments from employees.*
Fontana J8 School District—Taxpayers are saving $93,000 due to pension payments from employees.*
Geneva J4 School District—Taxpayers are saving $52,400 due to pension payments from employees.*
Genoa City J2 School District—Taxpayers are saving $170,900 due to pension payments from employees.*
Lake Geneva J1 School District—Taxpayers are saving $592,500 due to pension payments from employees.*
Lake Geneva-Genoa City UHS—Taxpayers are saving $496,300 due to pension payments from employees.*
Linn J4 School District—Taxpayers are saving $51,400 due to pension payments from employees.*
Linn J6 School District—Taxpayers are saving $47,500 due to pension payments from employees.*
Sharon J11 School District—Taxpayers are saving $73,200 due to pension payments from employees.*
Walworth J1 School District—Taxpayers are saving $141,200 due to pension payments from employees.*
Whitewater School District—Taxpayers are saving $1.03 million due to pension payments from employees.*
Williams Bay School District—Taxpayers are saving $191,400 due to pension payments from employees.*
*Figures are derived from the Legislative Fiscal Bureau.
May 16, 2012 at 2:10 p.m.
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Walker, Walker, Walker, Walker!!!
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MOVING THE GREAT STATE OF WISCONSIN "FORWARD"
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FINALLY; FORWARD ------->
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May 14, 2012 at 8:22 p.m.
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In Janesville we do not get reimbursed for getting a Master's Degree.
May 8, 2012 at 10:34 p.m.
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Although this link is biased, it does bring up some good points and especially the video.
http://news.firedoglake.com/2012/04/24/s...
May 6, 2012 at 7:51 p.m.
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Looks like Walker's policies are paying off, for his buddies:
http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/e...
May 6, 2012 at 8:46 a.m.
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Masters Degrees. A racket?
Didn't teachers contracts include reimbursement for monies they spend on college classes?
My teacher friend said this is a racket. She said teachers get/got the Masters Degree to get a pay raise. And that for a lot of them, the Masters has no benefit to the subject matter they teach.
So it seems to make sense, to rescind compensation that has no relevance to
their teaching.
Moving forward. It will be interesting to see how many teachers go after their Masters.
May 3, 2012 at 12:43 a.m.
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Mooshoo, you still have not managed to answer my question. How can you give a guy 1 year to get a 4 year agenda done and grade him on it? Allyou cry babies back off. Why don't we wait the 4 years and if at that time the state was worse off, then get him out. If I owned a business, I would want nothing to do with this state given the issues we have with the recall and all the union thugging going on. Would you? By the way it is not my problem that the cities in this state, have taken the money given to them by the state for granted. Everyone has spent wayyyyy to much and now is the time to stop. I at least have 4 years of Obama, to grade him a 0.
Apr 30, 2012 at 2:56 a.m.
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Mouse did you read that on one of criminal chris's blogs?
Apr 29, 2012 at 6:45 p.m.
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"We are supposed to govern OURSELVES from the lowest level."
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The real problem is politicians who are power hungry megalomaniacs want to tell us how we should live and keep imposing the will of the 1% on us and doing it with our money.
Apr 29, 2012 at 5:43 a.m.
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How can you tell if scotty is lying - old joke, but true for Scotty - his lips are moving. Even independent sources are saying he is not truthful with his facts and statistics. He continues to exaggerate and spin his stories. I thought the channel 3 (Madison) report - "Reality Check: Walker CLAIMS his policies saved $1 Billion" - was very well done. The analysis of the facts by channel 3 found that Walker was - "stretching the truth" - Reality Check is done quite well and with honesty to the facts on many issues and it was good to see that they caught Walker STRETCHING THE TRUTH on his billions saved.
Apr 29, 2012 at 3:40 a.m.
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MooSHoo, It is very interesting that you would expect the state economy to improve after walker has only been in office 1 year and during that time has to try to fight for his position. How is someone supposed to get a 4 year agenda complete in 1 year and then be graded on it. The fighting that has happened in this state because of people crying about things is obsurd. Why don't we grade him on the day his term is up and then get him out if he has not done anything. The only thing that Faulk is runnning on is to restore collective bargaining, this tells me that the recall is only about that one thing and not the state as a whole. The recallers care only about one thing, and that is themselves. People want to complain about Walker and his rich republicans, but who is complaining about the democrats and their rich unions.
Apr 28, 2012 at 9:57 p.m.
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I want to ask one question... regardless of what side of this issue you are on I want to know if people believe this "new rule" is fair and appropriate...
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The new rule, reportedly, allows district to take a teacher with credits beyond a Bachelor's that led to pay increases and take those pay increases away.
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For example, a teacher may have spent $10-$15k on a Master's degree and as a result is making $3k-$5k more than someone hired the same year with a Bachelor's +0. A district could role back their salary to the Bachelor's +0 rate.
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Now, for those on the right, before you say good, we want merit pay... Please recognize that when the teacher spent the $10-$15k on their Master's they understood that ALONG with improved teaching, hard work, time away from home, came a wage increase. That was part of the contract.
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Should teacher's lose that additional part of their salary?
Apr 28, 2012 at 9 p.m.
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vatoloco, do you understand what is even happening in Europe? Even with draconian austerity measures in place, their economies continue to shrink, Germany being the bright spot, Greece being the worst. The problem is bigger than debt, and the response of sever austerity measures ARE NOT WORKING. Trickle down economics is a large scale wash. Without us producing more goods, and Europe as well, we'll never get out. America's debt problems are a direct result of both Republican and Democratic policies, not just Democrats, or did we forget about Greenspan, Bush tax cuts, a decade of war, deregulation of financial services, Clinton spending when times were better, etc...?
Apr 28, 2012 at 8:57 p.m.
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Thanks for the info, poobah.
Apr 28, 2012 at 7:45 p.m.
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jaxstaff3 asked, "Does anyone know if Walker loses the election when the new governor takes office?"
Article XIII, Section 12(3) The incumbent shall continue to perform the duties of the office until the recall election results are officially declared.
Apr 28, 2012 at 6:35 p.m.
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Thank You Governor Scott Walker.
Apr 28, 2012 at 6:08 p.m.
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I asked this on another post and no one answered. Does anyone know if Walker loses the election when the new governor takes office?
Apr 28, 2012 at 1:17 p.m.
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Vato wrote: "...blinded by the fear mongering.
If you want WI to become a European/Illinois debt disaster, vote Democrat."
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Was that supposed to ironic - 'cause it sure is!
Apr 28, 2012 at 10:36 a.m.
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I think Woodchuck is in for one heck of a Reality Check! Thank God for Scott Walker!
Apr 28, 2012 at 10 a.m.
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It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing. Do wop, do wop, do wop.
Apr 28, 2012 at 9:50 a.m.
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Good point, Woodchuck. I know plenty of people who are changing their vote from Walker to whoever is running against him, but can't think of one who didn't vote for old Scotty the first time who says they will this time. It is the swing that will make the difference.
Apr 28, 2012 at 9:12 a.m.
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An awful lot of people who voted for Walker the first time around regret it and will vote against him in the recall. He'll pick up very few new votes. He's toast, and that's as it should be. On Wisconsin!
Apr 28, 2012 at 8:52 a.m.
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More jobs lost in Wisconsin than in any other state in the past year - there's your payoff.
Apr 28, 2012 at 7:12 a.m.
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Well, I think that type of comment stands all by itself. Don't drink and blog, people.
Apr 27, 2012 at 9:03 p.m.
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Fairy tales are so much fun to read! Walker looks just like some of the goofy characters in them, too. Can't wait until Disney turns it into a movie. Imagine Walker as a cartoon character. I mean a bigger one than he is right now.
Apr 27, 2012 at 4:25 p.m.
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Jeff, that's Walker-math. How else do you think he "balanced" the state budget?
Apr 27, 2012 at 1:37 p.m.
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You have it like you want it now, vatoloco, or is there more you'd like to paste on to the end?
Apr 27, 2012 at 12:46 p.m.
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JeffinMilton, conservatives don't like dealing with the type of facts you presented. Do you have any rhetoric for them?
Apr 27, 2012 at 12:08 p.m.
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Walker claims to be saving Wisconsin taxpayers $1 billion, yet his budget spends 3.5% more than Doyle's last budget.
http://wistax.org/publication/2011-13-bu...
It is also claimed that the Milton School District saved taxpayers $1.1 million, yet my Milton School District taxes went up 1%.
Apr 27, 2012 at 5:07 a.m.
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Walker Lies - WI is at the bottom - LAST -in the nation in job loss. The facts are clear and the statistics tell the real story - NOT the Walker spin. His other programs are a failure.
Apr 26, 2012 at 11:50 p.m.
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fear said, "Worst Gov in the nation, and by far the dumbest."
Don't forget Rick Perry. Oooops!
Apr 26, 2012 at 11:38 p.m.
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TCB, Nonsense? Maybe you should take a look at the numbers. Wisconsin is leading the nation in JOB loss. There are 23 states that have the "right to work for less" laws. That leaves what 26 others like us that dont have those ridiculous laws on the books that are performing better? How can that be?
Youkill, I am not a fan of EDs methods, he comes across as sensationalistic, but the Quinn interview makes Walker look REALLY bad. Facts are facts. Illinois added 31,000 plus jobs last year? Wisconsin lost 23k? Chrysler adds 4,600 new jobs while GM janesville remains shuttered? Ford in Illinois working 24-7 and providing thousands more jobs? These are evil middle class union manufacuring jobs!! How on Earth are they doing it? I always thought Walker said we should not be like Illinois? I guess if you want to rank #3 in job creation instead of dead last, move to illinois? Makes me sick to think od it that way. I love this state, but Scott Walker has made Illinois a better place to find a job? I think I am gonna be sick, or burst into flames or something.
Walker and his fear mongering need to go. I HATED Jim Doyle as a governor. Never voted for him, I never thought Id long for the day that he was back, or even Tommy, anything is better than Governor hair in a can. Worst Gov in the nation, and by far the dumbest. We can only expect things to get worse if he stays in office.
Apr 26, 2012 at 10:03 p.m.
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Listen to TCB or Scott Walker if you don't want jobs. Watch Ed interview Gov. Pat Quinn of Illinois. Even if Walker had a workable balanced budget proposal somewhere in this mess, it got lost in all the smoke and mirrors of an ideological plan designed to do much more than bring fiscal sustainability to Wisconsin. He presented a culture shifting scorched earth surprise attack on our state’s social and economic compact under the guise of a budget act. Paul Ryan is doing the same thing on a national scale. A state's fiscal well-being is an important element no doubt, but we're all in this together and we’re not a single-party single-class rule plutocratic state or nation. Quinn exposes Scott Walker as an ideological partisan hack and explains that everyone is part of the solution - not one man's religion or ideology.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=pla...
Apr 26, 2012 at 9:13 p.m.
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fear,
nonesense-if companies and jobs are leaving the state-which you say wisconsin they are-why not do an exit interview with the leaders and ask-why did your business fail or why is your company leaving. If the answer is Scott Walker policies-then you have a point.
If I own a business in texas, or FL, or GA, or NC or SC, or wyoming-which has a lower state tax income rate, better weather (maybe not wyoming), AND most importantly is right to work state-what incentives do I have to move my business to wisconsin-even if I am a wisconsin native? Why do I incur this expense to move my business to a harsh climate, higher costs? Please dont say because the business climate is cheaper than Illinois....
If Im a business owner-the incentive to move out wisconsin is greater than the incentive to move in.
Apr 26, 2012 at 8:13 p.m.
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Do "good schools" really mean that much? Ask a realtor or anyone enticing new business to an area. Removing the meager incentives to retain, let alone attract, quality educators is not a wise move.
Apr 26, 2012 at 6:57 p.m.
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""The question to ask-are jobs and companies leaving the state of Wisconsin because of Scott Walkers policies""
I actually think the question should be are they coming because of his policies. Because if the answer to that was yes we wouldnt be having this conversation right now and Wisconsin would be leading the nation in Job Gains, not losses.
Apr 26, 2012 at 3:36 p.m.
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youk,
Which other states? When Wisconsin loses jobs-some states add jobs-is this what you mean? No way to disprove this-you are correct. The question to ask-are jobs and companies leaving the state of Wisconsin because of Scott Walkers policies.
The flight of companies from California to elsewhere is a direct result of the ineptitude in Sacramento. As a result of high taxes, regulations, unstable state govt-companies are fleeing to states like Arizona, CO, NC, Texas, and Utah. SOuthern wisconsin benefits by having Illinois on its border-because Illinois acts a lot like California.
Apr 26, 2012 at 2:40 p.m.
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youkillme said, "What is so hard about understanding that Wisconsin's current job losses happen to come at a time when other states are gaining?"
Great question, youkillme! The way these anti-jobs people talk about being glad to see jobs eliminated, you'd think they'd be climbing over each other to step up and claim credit for the job losses and wearing it as a badge of honor.
Apr 26, 2012 at 1:51 p.m.
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TCB, I'm not claiming anything. Facts are facts and statistics don't lie. Perhaps coincidence has a liberal bias. It's really simple and only your tortured logic would try to turn it into something it is not. What is so hard about understanding that Wisconsin's current job losses happen to come at a time when other states are gaining? Is that denial? Or just partisanship?
Apr 26, 2012 at 1:49 p.m.
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vato,
The US recession ended in June 2009. Jobs lost between June 2009-January 2011, according to youk-need to be blamed on either Bush-when he was not president or Walker-when he was not governor.
IN youks simplistic world, policy changes are immediate and have immediate impact. Which probaly explains the lowest price of gasoline was Obamas inauguration day-since then-he has doubled prices of gas to enrich Obamas campaign donors and rich oil buddies:)....The obama will magically lower the price of gas right before the election and say-see--I told you I could lower the price of gas with my shovel ready/green jobs program)....
Apr 26, 2012 at 1:42 p.m.
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youk,
You are claiming that jobs lost under Doyle is only a coincidence-since the country was in recession-and as a result those jobs lost are a non-issue.
Let me try to understand your logic-the jobs lost by wisconsinites for 16 months following the end of the recession-from July 2009-January 3, 2011 are irrelevant since Walker was not governor-is this your tortured logic?--BUT the job losses the previous 15 months _January 2011 to April 2012 are the result only of Scott Walker?
Its only a coincidence that Doyle lost jobs during his term when there was not a recession and Scott Walker is the cause of private/public sector job loss in Wisconsin....got it.
Apr 26, 2012 at 1:12 p.m.
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Where were you when Jobs by the thousands were lost when Doylie was governor? Hypocrisy of the highest order...
...every state including Wisconsin lost jobs back then ...Doylie just happened to be governor. Now, Wisconsin is the only state that lost jobs ...and Scott Walker happens to governor. See the difference? I thought you didn't.
Apr 26, 2012 at 1:08 p.m.
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Trim government...I never thought of teachers as "government" (though I realize that 17,000 number is not only teachers but many of them are)just like I never thought of teachers and other public workers as something as other than "taxpayers". I'm inclined to agree that ANY loss of jobs is NOT beneficial on any level to our state at this time. I don't believe it is morally or ethically correct to throw the chosen "public sector" workers and their families under the bus financially and then justify with, "Oh well, it happened to me" and "just need to trim government; sucks to be you!" I was just brought up to think differently about each "worker" as a human being instead of as a sacrifice for the rest of the "taxpayers."
Apr 26, 2012 at 12:03 p.m.
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Vato - either way it is 17,800 people out of work, families without income, and on assistance. I fail to understand how it is better to be paying unemployment, Badger Care, food assistance and more to someone for not working than it is to pay them to actually work a lower level governmental job. It is cutting off you nose to spite your face. BTW - there was also a net loss in private sector jobs over the same period. It isn't working.....and neither are Wisconsin residents.
Apr 26, 2012 at 10:45 a.m.
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stubby,
Agreed. The best part is those republicans claiming Walker policies are working while at the same time saying President Obama's, after 24 consecutive months of job growth, are not.
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Amazing how partisan politics can make someone blatantly ignorant.
Apr 26, 2012 at 10:33 a.m.
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Why_Think - I'll pre-empt the inevitable response of "But the unemployment rate is down!" from the Walkerites. Unemployment is down because that only measures those seeking jobs - not those out of work. Facts are simple. Wisconsin is bleeding jobs and we are the only state in the country were it is happening. You can't just blame the former administration, either. Scooter can run around and say "it's working" all he wants - that doesn't make it the truth.
Apr 26, 2012 at 10:09 a.m.
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Wisconsin posts biggest US job loss
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Wisconsin lost 23,900 jobs between March 2011 and March 2012, according to data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. It also lost more private-sector jobs than any other state.
Apr 26, 2012 at 8:12 a.m.
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I would like you to list some specific facts and laws/regulations that make this a FACT. Maybe in your OPINION,
No in my personal work experience I have seen it happen. I cannot list specific companies I have worked with. But an example would be Boeing choosing a state for business/labor climate rather than expand where they are.
I don't know where the "my beloved Governor" comes from. I have a general dislike for politicians, except maybe Paul Ryan, (personally, not so much some of his schemes for the budget) and a couple of former city councilmen.
Apr 26, 2012 at 8:04 a.m.
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Over the year, nonfarm employment increased in 45 states and the District of Columbia, decreased in 4 states, and was unchanged in Alabama. The largest over-the-year percentage increase occurred in North Dakota (+6.5 percent). The largest over-the-year percentage decrease in employment occurred in Wisconsin (-0.9 percent).
Apr 26, 2012 at 2:14 a.m.
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"Bullies -- there are really only a few out there...Too bad they can't understand how much everyone loses when we cannot thoughtfully share our insights. Insults just don't cut it."
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Oddly this same person also posted these other comments
- "think we need to remember Vat's name includes "loco" "
- "Maybe all of you right-winged, whining, posters are the same person and get confused when responding. . . . just wondering."
- "was looking forward to hearing from someone with a bit more integrity and originality than you. . . oh well, this is not the first time I was conned"
Apr 25, 2012 at 10:58 p.m.
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kidsfirst- Well put you are an example of the 95+% of teachers that are on the kids side, no matter what kindof BS flys around.
Vato? Respond to that, waiting with baited breath.
Apr 25, 2012 at 10:58 p.m.
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Bullies -- there are really only a few out there, they just post many, many times. Guess they operate on the assumption of the loudest, meanest people win. . . Too bad they can't understand how much everyone loses when we cannot thoughtfully share our insights. Insults just don't cut it. OK, I'm done.
Apr 25, 2012 at 10:52 p.m.
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Vat- identifying whether or not a student's needs meets criteria for special education is determined by a team of professionals and parents. As a teacher I would represent one member of such a team. The process is guided by laws / mandates from federal and state legislators.
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Clarification: I respect and care about all our students and their families. To me the question was more about the similarities in how you communicate on your posts. Never would I consider it an insult to question whether or not you were in SpEd. My students are as valuable in my eyes as any other person on the planet -- astro-physicist, custodian, electrician, doctor, wait-staff, teacher, postal worker, homeless person......
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I am tired of baseless rantings and ravings without real facts: emotion charged rhetoric that reduces any exchange on these posts to bully tactics by many.
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poobah, gandalf, fear, and pharm -- I appreciate the efforts to provide real information for us to consider. Thanks for reading.
Apr 25, 2012 at 9:50 p.m.
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Kidsfirst- Yeah I am waiting for Vato to come back and say- "Just because your qualified it doesnt mean youre.....qualified"
I applaud you for doing what you do, it takes a certain kind of person. That being said using special ed as a club to beat an idiot over the head with isnt where I would take it if I were you. That being aid thanks again for what you do.
Apr 25, 2012 at 9:34 p.m.
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BTW - not only is it my job to identify and recognize said behaviors, it is my job to help design an educational program to help my students change those dysfunctional behaviors. It is my job to help them learn how to communicate effectively and in socially appropriate ways so that when they enter the work force, they will be productive problem solving members of society. It takes more than "book" knowledge in reading, writing, and 'rithmetic to become a contributing member of society. That, readers, is the greatest challenge facing public education today. Helping to positively shape new citizens for the future. In public education, we are required to take everybody, whether the student brings enormous challenges into our classrooms or not.
Apr 25, 2012 at 9:25 p.m.
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loco - never really expected you to answer - you have heard of rhetorical questions? The ones where we know the answer but we ask anyway? You may never have been identified as having special education needs while you were in school, but the quality and content of your posts are classic examples of avoidance / distraction tactics. Yes, I am qualified to identify these characteristics. There is no reason for DPI to be concerned -- no identity has been revealed; no one's right to privacy has been violated.
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If you don't like my assessment of the content of your posts, perhaps it is time for you to thoughtfully reflect on what you write.
Apr 25, 2012 at 9:18 p.m.
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Old and ornry said: ""I know for fact companies have moved out of states with business unfriendly tax, regulation, and wage laws to states that are more advantageous to business. It is also fact that companies factor the business climate of a state into decisions on where to expand. The mine is a perfect example of this""
Really? For a fact? I would like you to list some specific facts and laws/regulations that make this a FACT. Maybe in your OPINION, but FACTYS are that under your beloved Governor and his "pro-business" policy/regulations we LEAD the NATION in job loss. The only uncertainty has been created by Scott Walker his administration and the legislative republicans. A NET private sector loss of 6,00 plus jobs? Not to mention 17,000 public sector jobs?? What you know and what you think, are 2 different things completely.
Speaking to the mine , I have posed questions relating to it that have garnered ZERO questions to all of the streamlining republicans out there. There are enough laws on the books. The new law would have left the taxpayers holding the bag for most of the cleanup, would have limited any kind of control over the mine that would have been necessary and that is already in place. If the ORE in Northern Wisconsin is that valuable and need to be mined, they'll be back and they will follow the steps already in place. Anytime you see the word "streamline" included in a bill, ANY bill its almost always bad for the state in the longrun, and bad for the bleloved tax dollar. Of course Tea partiers want everything NOW,NOW,NOW, and want to say screw the future.
Apr 25, 2012 at 9:02 p.m.
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A special ed teacher not qualified to diagnose special needs? Thats like saying an electrician cannot diagnose wiring in your home, truly loco.
That being said comparing iditic posters and their rantings to kids with needs is out of line. revoke a license? Vato, remember, this is an ANONYMOUS website!! With some of the ridiculous rants you go on about educating kids with no real experience to lean on, I can see why kidsfirst would be so pissed at you. You spend many of your posts om here demeaning teachers and their efforts every chance you get, playing armciar Quarteback knowing NOTHING about what it takes to educate a child let alone thousands and thousands over a career.
Apr 25, 2012 at 8:17 p.m.
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Just describing your behavior/comments as they are posted. I have a list of them I call "Time Bomb Tactics" -- a list of behaviors people (children or adults) engage in when they do not want to accept responsibility for their words or actions. No low blow in that, mere observation.
Apr 25, 2012 at 8:14 p.m.
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think we need to remember Vat's name includes "loco"
Apr 25, 2012 at 8:13 p.m.
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tough to build an economy when so many people are struggling to pay for survival needs.
Apr 25, 2012 at 8:12 p.m.
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that should read "your posts"
Apr 25, 2012 at 8:11 p.m.
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Vat you posts read like one of my EBD students engaged in denial and distraction from the truth. Were you in SpEd?
Apr 25, 2012 at 8:08 p.m.
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Vat -- where do you get your ideas? This recall goes WAY beyond unions. WI is suffering as never before, and yet the tax cuts to continue with limited progress on job creation. . .
~~~~~
Trickle down economy has never worked in the history of this country. The data on jobs and economy does not support that position. Show me some facts.
Apr 25, 2012 at 8:05 p.m.
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He lied to get elected, tore the state apart, broke the public trust, has the worst jobs record of any governor in the past year, contnues to lie to stay in office and is under investigation by the FBI ...but if some can't tell us why and how the 14% who belong to public sector unions in the state of WI benefit this state, the issue of recalling Walker is dead...
Only thing missing is a laugh track.
Apr 25, 2012 at 8:02 p.m.
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Walker's decisions are "paying off" for whom?
~~~~~~
Why is WI dead last in job creation?
~~~~~~~~
The unemployed are paying no taxes. The under-employed are paying less taxes. Budgets have been slashed and dollars saved, but at what price?
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Cutting budgets to save dollars and roll back the economy. Walker has paid off corporations at the expense of Wisconsin's current and future employees.
~~~~~~ RECALL Walker June 5
Apr 25, 2012 at 7:49 p.m.
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How about this one?
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/04/24...
Apr 25, 2012 at 7:02 p.m.
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The question is "for whom are they paying off". Not me - I'm a taxpayer. It is paying off for corporations. So there is a glint of truth in the headline...which is more than can be said for most things Walker says.
Apr 25, 2012 at 4:41 p.m.
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Walker saved us money. Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha! That's a great joke.
Apr 25, 2012 at 3:24 p.m.
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Public sector workers, whether they belong to a union or not, ARE ALSO taxpayers. That whole "saving taxpayers money" is such a stupid and inaccuracte phrase. They are losing more money than any taxpayer (including themselves) are saving. However, I must resign myself to the fact that people will continue to use in spite of its inaccuracy b/c...who knows why? They just will...
Apr 25, 2012 at 2:30 p.m.
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About a month and half to go before all this will come to a head.
Apr 25, 2012 at 2:09 p.m.
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It's really amazing how Walker and his support base develop and perpetuate lies. Walker makes stuff up after he read that it's actually the Koch brothers who pledged $60 million to defeat Obama. Walker, in his own little psychopathic projection, takes that story and spins it into a victim card for himself. One sick self-absorbed puppy we have here for governor.
http://www.theatlanticwire.com/politics/...
Apr 25, 2012 at 2:03 p.m.
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I know for fact companies have moved out of states with business unfriendly tax, regulation, and wage laws to states that are more advantageous to business. It is also fact that companies factor the business climate of a state into decisions on where to expand. The mine is a perfect example of this. They went to Michigan where they will actually be able to dig as opposed to staying here and waiting until who knows when, or even if they can ever put a shovel in the ground. Business needs consistency and certainty to plan their operations, which is not what we have in Wisconsin right now. The recall is a job killer. Recall proponents; look in the mirror, not at Walker to see who is killing job growth.
Apr 25, 2012 at 1:37 p.m.
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whz_bng, post a link that shows an Obama democratic campaign chest of $60 million dedicated to defeat Walker. You are parroting what Walker makes up and he's a practicing liar. Good grief man. I know there is no link to back up your statement. Why spread lies? Walkers campaign cash, like his values, are not Wisconsin.
Here's my link that shows Walker raised more than $12 million with 61 percent coming from out-of-state. This same article shows the Dem party Of Wisconsin raised only $400,000 during the same period.
http://www.postcrescent.com/article/2012...
Apr 25, 2012 at 1:35 p.m.
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Great PR piece. Let's have some real news.
Apr 25, 2012 at 1:15 p.m.
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And $60 million from the dem packs {Obama} and unions to defeat Walker. Fair play? Like NewsMax acticle stated, Obama fears if Walker re elected that more states will follow it's lead and the Dems will lose in November.
Apr 25, 2012 at 12:57 p.m.
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Walker has launched a smear campaign like no other, funded from the outside, fueled by skewed reports, with an ignorant voting base buying into the bs rhetoric.
Apr 25, 2012 at 12:47 p.m.
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carlitosway, your April 25, 2012 at 11:56 a.m. is fantastic -- made me laugh out loud. Maybe there will be a follow-up article answering your question. :-)
Apr 25, 2012 at 12:46 p.m.
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Over $12 million in mostly out-of-state special interest contributions?? I'd say his policies paid off.
Apr 25, 2012 at 11:58 a.m.
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Wislady WALKER IS A LIAR
Apr 25, 2012 at 11:56 a.m.
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LOL PAYING OFF WHO?????????????
Apr 25, 2012 at 11:47 a.m.
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fear-Just a few of things then I'm done-
1st-I never said you were ignorant-A Lot of difference between saying somethings sounds stupid-I would appreciate if you answer me back at least get the content close.
2nd-If we as a nation have become more racial it is because our President is a divider, not a uniter.
3rd-Limbaugh is NOT the leader of the Republican party.
4th-If Obama didn't want people to know he ate dog he shouldn't have put it in his book.
And lastly-Every day hundreds if not thousands of black youth are gunned down-where is the liberal rage for them? The Florida shooting was made a big deal because of their law for self defense.
Apr 25, 2012 at 11:45 a.m.
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Walker: "I invented the question mark."
Apr 25, 2012 at 11:44 a.m.
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I'm confused on how he's saving us money. Act 10 gave the districts more money - but he cut state funding to these districts. In my book that's a "wash". He then took the cuts to education and applied them to his economic (jobs) policies. Another "wash". So he takes from Peter to pay Paul and tells us he's saving us money.
Apr 25, 2012 at 11:26 a.m.
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916WI, You stated in your own words what you stand for. It may be reality, but I don't need to perpetuate it, which is what you seem determined to do. I hope you'll enjoy the results when they don't turn out the way you want. Continuing to accept the same things from both sides certainly won't change anything. You, on the other hand, seem content to do the same thing over and over again and be content with the same dismal outcomes. That doesn't sound like a great future to me. I hope for better. You can call it fantasy land if you wish, but I am always looking for improvements. If you are willing to settle for what both parties are giving you then you have nobody to blame but yourself when the results don't come out in your favor. Maybe I'm a little more optimistic than you.
Apr 25, 2012 at 10:37 a.m.
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"Lies don't fact."
Apr 25, 2012 at 10:34 a.m.
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Just curious, who are the companies waiting to get into Wisconsin once the recall is over?
Apr 25, 2012 at 10:29 a.m.
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Nomore.....It seems you missed the essence of my comment about your posting. Please read it again before tossing out your critique of me......The reality of the matter is that politicians and political parties are not altruistic and completely honest entities. Most of us choose to actually live in reality and accept this fact and support our candidates based on that context. We vote for those who we think will best represent us knowing we are not privy to every detail or plan in the process and knowing full well that in many cases the ends justify the means. You may not like it but it is the reality of the situation. Am I happy that Walker's plan was not derailed by what would have been an onslaught of union based lies and rhetoric--absolutely. If you want to sit there and judge me from the fantasyland that you live in--have at it. In the end, as I said--I'm extremely happy with the way things played out:)
Apr 25, 2012 at 9:54 a.m.
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Poordick- Ill tell you this. On a anonymous blog we are all irrelavant. Just because you may not be racist when evaluating Obama , doesnt mean that MILLIONS and MILLIONS arent. I'm just not afraid to address the truth, sorry if you hate the race card , but it absolutely exists. The unequivacal leader of the party Rush coining songs "Barak the Magic N***o" to his 20 million+ listeners? What about Sean Hannity the other night bringing up that Obama ate dogs in his youth growing up in Africa? As a relavant campaign issue during an interview with Mittens?? To Romneys credit he dismissed the question, actually gained my respect.
I understand that people hate it when the race card is brought up, instead of being so afraid of it, embrace it. I would say,"Many are racist, I am not." and "I have many legitimate reasons for wanting Obama out, none of which are his skin color" THAT is a legitimate response. By calling someone out as ignorant because you choose to ignore it? THAT is ignorant Poor and I know that you have to know better. Race IS a factor in this nation, look at the Trayvon Martin case! That exploded!! Why?? This country is a very racist nation, not everyone is, but tens of millions of people are, it is UNDENYABLE.
Apr 25, 2012 at 9:45 a.m.
Apr 25, 2012 at 9:33 a.m.
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"Taxpayers are saving...". So, no taxes come out of the teachers' paychecks? It seems to me the "savings" really just came out of the teachers' pockets for everyone else. Thank you, teachers! I have about $89 extra this year due to property tax savings! Thank you for YOUR sacrifice that averaged $500/month!
Apr 25, 2012 at 9:20 a.m.
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The left are using jobs as the recall cry when it was the unions greed that caused all this. Many businesses are holding tight in Wisconsin to see if we are good to go with Walker or backward like Illinois and the Democrats. It would be well worth the price of admission to see Walker get re-elected and the job market take off. If only they didn't have Obama's failed policies also hanging in the balance of this equation.
Act 10 has been great for those who didn't rush to lock in contracts. Afterall, that was the reason for the recall in the first place.
Apr 25, 2012 at 9:17 a.m.
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916WI, you wrote "It sound's like you're a little naive when it comes to politics--here's a newsflash for you--politicians will say(or not say) anything they can to get elected!"
It seems you missed the essence of my comment about your posting. Please read it again before tossing out your critique of me. You wrote that you were a big fan of such tactics, I am not. While you may be content to applaud such procedures when they favor your side I am opposed to such tactics from anyone. If you are content to be a big fan of such tactics, so be it, but I still choose not to be a fan of ignorance. The fact that you are speaks volumes. Anyone, such as you, who admits s/he is a big fan of following a leader who keeps you in the dark has only him/herself to blame for their ignorance. I know of no cure.
Apr 25, 2012 at 9:12 a.m.
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Wisconsin is experiencing what is necessary throughout the nation - especially in Washington, D.C. The size and scope of government is being modestly reduced. The percentage of our economy consumed by government is dropping. Make no mistake, it will happen to the nation as a whole. Economic and Market forces are inevitable. The only question is - When will the reforms take place? The longer we wait the more painful the change will be. Sadly, delay will make those with the least suffer the most. Let's hope we reform before we suffer Greece like pain.
Apr 25, 2012 at 9:01 a.m.
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nomore.......Seriously? Not proud of it at all, definitely content with the way it turned out though:) It sound's like you're a little naive when it comes to politics--here's a newsflash for you--politicians will say(or not say) anything they can to get elected! Just look to the former administration--the democrats certainly didn't mention during their campaigning that they planned on raising taxes to the tune of a billion dollars while also planning to illegally raid state held trusts, did they?? Where was your outrage regarding that??
Apr 25, 2012 at 8:27 a.m.
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http://www.jsonline.com/business/state-p...
Apr 25, 2012 at 8:17 a.m.
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reforms.wi.gov
Thank you Governor Walker. When he is re-elected, we can get rid of the turmoil the Democrats have caused and get back to work. Business can feel stable. Once Obama is replaced, jobs jobs jobs will be the focus. Not just in Wisconsin, but the nation. Repeal Obamacare.
Apr 25, 2012 at 8:10 a.m.
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916WI, At 7:19 you wrote: "Yada.....I am a huge fan of walker's strategy of leaving out the specifics of his plan to deal with the unions and collective bargaining during the campaign."
There have been those who have left out many specifics as to what their intentions were while coming into power in the past and not many are huge fans of those people. I certainly wouldn't brag about being for someone who wasn't upfront about his/her intentions, but it is plain to see that you are. Maybe it's because your guy won. That truly isn't something to be proud of, but it is consistent with this administration and at least some of his followers (you). The last part of the last sentence in your 7:19 post "funded from the outside, fueled by skewed reports, with an ignorant voting base buying into the bs rhetoric....." better describes Walker and his followers (you) than who you were attributing your comments to. You've almost admitted as much in your own post. And to think that there are more out there like you who seemingly don't care to know what is going to happen and, not only be ignorant of it, but are proud of it.
Apr 25, 2012 at 7:42 a.m.
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Read the--> jsonline.com today,(Milwaukee Journal Sentinel) - FRONT PAGE article - All the facts on WI job loss being the WORST in the nation! Walker does not have a clue and his my way or the highway thinking is causing huge problems for our state. Walkers totalitarian radical right wing governing is so very wrong. Wake up people you don't want WI to be run this way.
Apr 25, 2012 at 7:19 a.m.
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Yada.....I am a huge fan of walker's strategy of leaving out the specifics of his plan to deal with the unions and collective bargaining during the campaign. Do you seriously think the unions and their members would have been upstanding and truthful during that campaign if they had known how this was going to play out? You're completely clueless if you answer that with a "yes"....they would have launched a smear campaign like no other, funded from the outside, fueled by skewed reports, with an ignorant voting base buying into the bs rhetoric.....
Apr 25, 2012 at 7:15 a.m.
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And now a word from the Ministry of Truth.
Apr 25, 2012 at 7:01 a.m.
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Stubs......you conveniently left out the fact that walker increased Medicaid spending by over a billion dollars. It seems like you are acknowledging the confused state you are in--hopefully some hard facts will counteract the weak rhetoric that the anti-walker crowd throws out there. Please try to not be so feeble minded like the rest of that group. Walker is not "giving" money to the rich. There are programs set up to retain a corporate presence and a manufacturing base in the state. That is NOT walker's fault. Incentive programs such as these predate walker and are necessary to avoid these companies from moving to states who are more than willing to step up and offer these incentive packages....
Apr 25, 2012 at 6:40 a.m.
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Maybe Walker should bring back Doyle's UNPAID furlough days?
Wisconsin state employee union stewards say the Jim Doyle's furlough math is faulty
Joe Tarr on Thursday 08/13/2009
http://www.thedailypage.com/isthmus/arti...
Apr 25, 2012 at 6:22 a.m.
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Actually, I'm kind of confused. He cut $1.3 billion from schools alone, but has saved only $1 billion? Oh- yeah- the rest has gone to corporate welfare because it is more important to bribe...um....help...the corporations that end up pulling jobs out of Wisconsin anyway. Good thing Walker's reforms are "working", because the residents of the state aren't.
Apr 25, 2012 at 6:20 a.m.
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Barrett is a liar.
http://www.politifact.com/wisconsin/stat...
The choices in the election are very clear.
Union privileges OR Taxpayer rights.
Apr 25, 2012 at 6:16 a.m.
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stoutt.....I have to laugh at your comment about tech schools. They don't have elected boards to monitor their budgets like other public schools so they can spend almost as much money as they want. Their budget increases have averaged over 6.6% over the last ten years so dont feel sorry for them. And they are just now getting around to realizing their course offerings aren't responding to what the economy needs. It's a nice tight fraternity.
Apr 25, 2012 at 5:51 a.m.
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According to PolitiFact - Walker statements are FALSE or MOSTLY FALSE or PANTS ON FIRE 75 per cent of the time. For some people to hear a lie that is repeated often enough they will believe it might be true. Walker has continually distorted the truth and lied to the public. -Check it out at politifact.com - You will also see that comments by Tom Barrett are much better and rated true or mostly true. One of the biggest LIES by Walker that he was voted into office based on his promise to go after union collective bargaining to balance the state budget. The Walker claims on this are false and shown to be a lie. A video one week before the election shows Scott Walker caught on camera talking to the editorial board of the Oshkosh Northwestern newspaper saying he would negotiate like he did at the county level. Multiple sources like the Milwaukee Journal for one have featured the video - it is easy to find. The lies from Walker are easy to find in many of the things he has said and done.
Apr 25, 2012 at 4:02 a.m.
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fear-I can't believe that you of all people would use the the race card-shame on you. You know I have been trying to figure out since Walker took office why the left's had this intense hatred against him and now I know-HE'S WHITE. Not his policies it's his skin color. I hope you see how stupid that sounds. Sorry you sunk down to the level of analertcitizon and have joined him and mouse as irrelevant.
Apr 25, 2012 at 1:27 a.m.
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Would you then be ready to blame BUSH for the economy by that rationale? I would say that 90% of all the Jobs lost during Obamas presidency were in the first 5-6 months. Are those his fault? Or shall we place blame where it belongs?? Or maybe, just maybe its because hes, get ready for it, BLACK!! You bet, I believe that a LARGE amount of the Obama hate is driven by racism. It certainly isnt riven by facts! Remember this, I will not be casting a vote for him coime November. I think the two party system is what is ruining this country< I always viote third party, NEVER again will I vote one way or another because some radio/TV host convinced me to.
This country is full of zombies now more than ever.
Apr 25, 2012 at 1:21 a.m.
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Hows those job losses for facts? You like them apples witchlady? Why dont you talk about real facts, not rhetorical percentages that mean NOTHING unless of course its national UIC rates, RIGHT??
Here is a perfect example of HYPOCRICY:
""This man has only been governor since january of 2011 you're not going to see change this soon. If anything statistics we're seeing are as a result from years prior but its really hard to pinpoint a connection. If some of you think its his fault because it occurred during his time as governor that is like me urinating on the bathroodm wall & blaming it on next person who walks in.""
Does that scenario sound familiar? Like the EXACT same group of circus clowns blaming Obama for everything in the economy the MOMENT he took office. Its called double standards people, time to wake up and smell what youre dumping.
Apr 25, 2012 at 1:17 a.m.
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""The tax payers savings become disposable income which can be spent in the economy. I am not surprised that FACT escapes you""
WRONG!! Are they sending you a part of that savings in a check, or will they spend it someplace up. How dumb can you be?? Some taxes went down , some went up. Fees are going up across the board. And again did you get your check from these supposed "savings"? Time to take head out of rear end lemming.
Apr 25, 2012 at 1:14 a.m.
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http://www.jsonline.com/business/state-p...
Wisconsin LEADS the nation in job losses over the past year!! Were number 1, were number 1!!!!
Apr 25, 2012 at 12:12 a.m.
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I'm sorry but I agree with drtalk. This man has only been governor since january of 2011 you're not going to see change this soon. If anything statistics we're seeing are as a result from years prior but its really hard to pinpoint a connection. If some of you think its his fault because it occurred during his time as governor that is like me urinating on the bathroom wall & blaming it on next person who walks in. This guy was no sooner elected and people were already screaming recall & have been doing it since! It could take years for a candidate to really change anything. Also walker picked one of the worst times to become governor in wisconsin. We lost gm a few years prior along with many others. Our entire country is being syphoned to china and many locals want you to think its because of one person here at home. We might never recover on the jobs front. Wisconsin was known originally for agriculture and industry and those two have been hurting a long time before walker took office. Oh sure they're doing better now on national front but that required much restructuring (closures in places like wisconsin). You can't balance a budget when americans have unrealistic expectations. I think the guy just assumed union folks wouldn't meet him half way (sort of a no brainer). I personally would have at least tried talking with the workers but obviously walker thinks that's pointless. Change is never easy but if we recall this man we could have a financial crisis and years later he'll be saying i told you so. Perhaps the workers would be open to reinstatement of their rights once debt is payed off!? If there is any truth to what walker says placing him on the spot with that proposal would be one way of proving to the public this isn't just about balancing a budget!
Apr 24, 2012 at 11:51 p.m.
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Ya I was a little surprised to see vato talking about how education makes a difference in a persons earning power. Yet when it comes to being a teacher education means NOTHING!!
What facts WIslady? Unemployment percentage is down because more folks are working? Or less folks getting benefits? Employment in this state has suffered under Walker that is the FACT that so many of you should be looking at!!
Heres the kicker for me on this whole BS attempt at propaganda by the Governor.""Milton School District—Taxpayers are saving $1.10 million due to Act 10 reforms, according to media reports""
According to media reports?? What media? The teachers in Milton tookk all of the concessions in act 10 and are still losing 4 teachers and facinga substantial budget hole. So tell me again what they are saving? What an unbelievable pile of steaming CRAP!! You people professing this reforms.gov site as any type of fact, should really read more and look at the propaganda, how dumb can some be??
Try also to remember that EVERY SINGLE penny "saved" by act 10 is money that is no longer disposable income being spent in the economy. For some reason that FACT escapes so many caught up in the rhetoric.
Apr 24, 2012 at 10:58 p.m.
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Vatoloca says, "Hey bozo, why don't you ask the bottom dwellers who won't do anything to help generate revenue by getting new skills or getting an education instead of extending the hand to get free handouts?" So education is important? What about the Tech schools that have lost funding and need to cut programs?
Apr 24, 2012 at 10:39 p.m.
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Met and spoke with a long retired State Trooper on Monday. He is plenty steamed at Walker's tactics. He brought it up as we were talking. When there is a violation of a sense of equity, shared sacrifice and fair play, it is very disturbing to those who see (and care) where lies and deception can lead. It will be corrected one way or the other.
He had even more harsh words for Paul Ryan and the zombies in Walworth county that vote 100% Republican but don't really know why.
Apr 24, 2012 at 10:16 p.m.
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Wislady glad to see that you agree with the Anti walker people believe in FACTS, that teachers and public workers had their taxes raised. So that would mean that pro walker people do not believe in facts ? Just head up crevasses ?
Apr 24, 2012 at 10:04 p.m.
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Wislady - You bet the facts bother a million plus Wisconsinites. The fact the Walker singled out a group of state workers to take on the brunt of these "savings" to the rest of the state taxpayers. The fact that Walker has allowed raises to a select few state workers who already make more than the average public worker. The fact that Walker refused to compromise after unions publically stated that their members would contribute more to their pensions and health insurance.
Apr 24, 2012 at 9:56 p.m.
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Wislady -- we get the facts, the question is, do you Walker supporters see the bigger picture? What does "paying off" mean to you?
Apr 24, 2012 at 9:53 p.m.
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At least you can deduct taxes you pay. Lower income just stinks all around.
Apr 24, 2012 at 9:47 p.m.
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The FACTS really bother the anti Walkers.
Apr 24, 2012 at 9:45 p.m.
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dtb - Tomato/Tomawto. End result is less buying power for public sector workers and thus hurting their local ecomonies and small businesses that depend on them to buy their products and services. Actually, a tax singling out public workers would have been more effective because lowering their incomes actually causes them to pay less state income tax.
Apr 24, 2012 at 9:37 p.m.
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Where did their "LOWER INCOME " end up ? Lowering state taxes ? Did all Wisconsin state residents "LOWER THEIR INCOME" to LOWER STATE TAXES ? Wet and Warm down the back!
Apr 24, 2012 at 9:34 p.m.
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If Walker's decisions are working, why is WI dead last in job creation?
How does he measure "working"? The unemployed are paying no taxes. The under-employed are paying less taxes.
Budgets have been slashed and dollars saved, but at what price. . . . Sure you can save electricity by turning off your refrigerator, but how will you protect your food from spoiling? Oh, wait, just roll back the clock a hundred years, and do what was done before refrigerators became common household items.
Apr 24, 2012 at 9:27 p.m.
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Lightkeeper, they didn't have their taxes raised, they had their incomes lowered.
Apr 24, 2012 at 9:09 p.m.
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What Mr. Walker did not mention, and I'm surprised the paper did not mention either, was that the state workers unions had already agreed to benefit concessions BEFORE the governor wiped out collective bargaining. Just as in the case of the GM workers at Janesville, the unions were willing to chip in more for their benefits and give the governor a way to offset this deficit. When the GOP legislature and governor then came back and wiped out contracts overnight, no one in this state should hold him in any form of trust whatsoever.
If we could destroy contracts at will, why did we not tell the guys at AIG that they are not entitled to their bonuses when we had to bail AIG out?
Apr 24, 2012 at 8:54 p.m.
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Still wearing the blinders wislady and drtalk? Tell your sob stories to the 440 or more people who lost their homes since january and those who still can't find a job. I'm lucky, I just got one after 8 mths unemployed. Not much for pay tho. Definatly not what I used to make. But his policies are working? Not so much I think. Also Joe is an idiot along with the rest of them.
Apr 24, 2012 at 8:16 p.m.
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So middle class teachers and public workers in a sense had their taxes raised ? By paying the state "ONE BILLION DOLLARS" in taxes ! How much did the top 10% wealthiest in the state taxes go up ? Would that not qualify as wealth redistribution ? Oh, trickel down theory in progress, pay no attention to that warm wet feeling running down your back!
Apr 24, 2012 at 8:11 p.m.
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wislady said, "poohbah, Why didn't you paste this line?"
Because I wanted you to have something to do.
Apr 24, 2012 at 8:04 p.m.
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DrTalk said, "Politicians can't create jobs - only businesses can."
Then why would a politician, let's say Walker, promise to create 250,000 new jobs and 10,000 new businesses in his term? If he thought he could add those jobs by creating a more business-friendly environment, as you claim politicians can do, then why didn't he do that? He has signed into law so many pieces of legislation that have ended up having just the opposite effect of creating a more business-friendly environment. One would hope the governor would be more savvy about the reaction to the legislation he is signing into law.
Apr 24, 2012 at 7:42 p.m.
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I do not respond to mouse droppings. I have no clue how that ties into my post.
Apr 24, 2012 at 7:21 p.m.
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"Why dont you put on main page how our schools are doing in Janesville, put on here how our county is suffering under Walkers changes!"
--sheeck1281
The Gazette HAS reported on it. The Janesville schools are suffering because they don't know how to manage a budget. They also negotiated teacher contracts before ACT 10 took place. As a result, they lost out on the savings.
"Where are all the jobs he so said he would request? Our state has lost more jobs than any state. So tell me how our so called governor has helped our state?"
Politicians can't create jobs - only businesses can. Politicians need to help make WI a business friendly state. Thank the Deomcrats for killing the mining jobs.
It also hasn't helped that the unions have forced tax payers to spend millions on the recall election. The Democrats need to work with with Walker, not oppose him at every turn.
Apr 24, 2012 at 7:18 p.m.
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Mobile billboard draws attention to the radical leanings of public unions
http://eagnews.org/mobile-billboard-desi...
Apr 24, 2012 at 7:17 p.m.
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Illinois top income tax rate is 5% - WI is around 7%.
Apr 24, 2012 at 7:06 p.m.
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Cost of a student in school is about 12K a year. take a classroom with 20 children and you have $250,000 approx per year for that class alone. Tell me we cannot educate a class for that. How much can you learn if we spent more?
Apr 24, 2012 at 7:03 p.m.
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Oh of course Gazette would post this on main page!! You are one sided Gazette!! Why dont you put on main page how our schools are doing in Janesville, put on here how our county is suffering under Walkers changes! Where are all the jobs he so said he would request? Our state has lost more jobs than any state. So tell me how our so called governor has helped our state?
Apr 24, 2012 at 7:01 p.m.
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poohbah,
Why didn't you paste this line?
"At the same time, Wisconsin was one of 18 states that had a statistically significant drop in the unemployment rate during the same period, from 7.6% to 6.8%."
http://www.jsonline.com/business/state-p...
Of course, who could forget all the fuzzy math being done by the Feds on the unemployment numbers in Wisconsin?
Capitol Report: Wisconsin leads nation in job losses
Posted: Tuesday, December 20, 2011
However, revised numbers from October show the state losing 2,400 jobs, not 9.600 as first reported. Revised figures now show several other states with more job losses, including Minnesota, with 7,300.
"Wisconsin led with the largest over-the-month decrease in employment, followed by Minnesota with 13,700 jobs and Colorado with 4,500 jobs."
"The Walker administration has been critical of the federal numbers recently, with the state Department of Workforce Development Secretary Reggie Newson last week noting that October was the fifth straight month where the federal agency had overestimated the number of jobs losses in the state.
Three other times this year, the Bureau of Labor Statistics underestimated jobs gains, he said.
For example, the Bureau of Labor Statistics in June first estimated Wisconsin added 9,500 jobs but later revised that to 11,000 new jobs.
"These unreliable employment statistics out of Washington misinform the public and create unnecessary anxiety for job seekers and job creators about the shape of our state's economy," said Newson in a statement."
Read more: http://host.madison.com/ct/news/local/go...
Apr 24, 2012 at 6:43 p.m.
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If one person on here can prove that having more money given to the schools (teachers) make for a better education please post some facts to prove it.
As far as jobs, what employer wants to grow here with all this chaos and uncertainty? If Walker loses we will turn into Illinois overnite-here comes the tax man.
Apr 24, 2012 at 6:07 p.m.
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wleong,
It's a shame you won't be educating your kids and grandkids. Yes, I wish them lots of luck.
Apr 24, 2012 at 5:55 p.m.
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"State posts largest percentage job loss in U.S. over past year, report shows" [ http://www.jsonline.com/business/state-p... ]
"Wisconsin is the only state that had 'statistically significant' job losses over the most recent 12-month period, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. From March 2011 to March 2012, Wisconsin lost 23,900 jobs. That was the largest decrease in percentage terms in the country."
Apr 24, 2012 at 5:35 p.m.
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Walker will be surprised come June 5. My wife hates politics, even talking about politics, and has only voted once in my memory. Today she asked me when the recall date was, so she could go vote.
Apr 24, 2012 at 5:33 p.m.
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@janesvillean- I agree with you. We could all balance our budgets if we didn't honor those obligations that we have made. I could have excess money if I didn't pay my taxes that allow me to live in a community that offers great services like good schools, good facilities for the elderly, medical care for those who need it, good roads, garbage pick up and snow plowing, beautiful parks and a pool, golf courses, etc. I don't know how the managers of the above various services are going to be able to manage their budgets because of his cuts.
Apr 24, 2012 at 5:28 p.m.
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http://bdgrdemocracy.wordpress.com/2011/...
Apr 24, 2012 at 5:13 p.m.
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Javillain. And gained the trust and respect of taxpayers throughout the state.
Apr 24, 2012 at 5:12 p.m.
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Like the Walker reforms? Wait and see what your kids and grandkids will need to deal with as an "uneducated" workforce. Lot's of luck everyone!
Apr 24, 2012 at 5:10 p.m.
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Keep those policies coming governor! I see we led the nation in job loses for the past 12 months. "If elected governor, my number one focus will be on creating jobs!".
Apr 24, 2012 at 4:57 p.m.
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You know, you can break a contract and pay people less and yes, you saved money because you didn't care about the contract or the people you negotiated the contract with and you have made them powerless to do anything about your decision. But this really does not make a hero out of you. You have broken contracts, and called the people who made the contracts with you thieves and thugs, and you have lost their trust forever.
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