Bowlgal said, "Difference between a leader in Scott Walker and a Politican like Barack Obama is Walker is doing what he ran on."

Funny, you got that exactly backwards. Walker's major act was something he never mentioned when he was running. Obama didn't do some of the things he mentioned he would do -- comprehensive immigration reform and closing Gitmo.

Difference between a leader in Scott Walker and a Politican like Barack Obama is Walker is doing what he ran on. Fixing the problems, as long as the federal gov. stops inserting bully pulpet. Union type thugery just installed on Govs that opt out of state exchange, nothing short of corruption.
Obama is taking a 4 mil vacation just after he gets finished playing golf with Clinton.
More jobs lost, fiscal cliff, fast and furious top exec. resigns and still in cover-up detail over Benghazi.
Where are the jobs Mr. President. When are you going to start being a leader and not a politican.

Funny how the wording of the article skips passed the most important part. Memberships in the unions dropped because they are no longer manditory, not because of anything else.

Like we saw in the Capone era, 'families' usually don't mix well together. I doubt if the two will unite, but final talks will be held at a neutral location - the clocktower.

Hey Wally...you seem to be into hugging men and diapers..is there anything you'd like to share with us??

Awww. sleeperd got his feelings hurt. Do you need a hug? Maybe a diaper change?

Hey mouse..where do you tax-sucking public employees get your arrogance?

dodgeco: possible answers to your 11:51 a.m. question. Three possible scenarios for the law enforcement and fire fighters have been mentioned. 1) They fall in a protected category with earlier retirement so differences in contracts 2) claims they were not included because overall they supported Walker 3) sadly, fears that there would be "blue flu" if he included them and lives and safety of Wisconsin citizens would have been at risk. Have heard all 3 explanations / claims. In terms of one of the transportation groups, they were not included because the Federal government got into the middle of states rights and threatened to remove millions in funding if they were included.

2 largest teachers unions consider merging??

Isn't that like the Gambino Family merging with the Genovese Family..

"Maybe you should get one of those jobs that the Republicans claim don't need education to qualify."
You mean like governor?

Eagle1--why didn't you take that better state job?----you wrote--- " I found a job with the state a few months ago on a par with mine and the pay was 75k it was in web development. I am not currently working within the industry I am schooled (marketing) not much around here for that".

I just went through my numbers last week I will have to find my stub for specifics but I make only 40k a year and pay around $500 a month for retirement and insurance with a fairly high deductible. If I remember correctly my taxes (State, Fed, SS, Medicare) was near 21%. I have no deductions, dependents, etc. I will not be retiring at 55. I found a job with the state a few months ago on a par with mine and the pay was 75k it was in web development. I am not currently working within the industry I am schooled (marketing) not much around here for that.

Eagle 1 so how about some more information about yourself? You mention your tax rate and claim the teachers have much better benefits. You know details about the teachers so to be fair, what is you profession, how much do you make in a year (any bonuses?) what is your insurance plan like and what do you pay for it?

you are right Poobah my libertarianism and eliminating as much public burden as possible is showing, and proud of it.

My biggest merger question is: When the gazette starts charging for the web site, which character will mouse stay as?

I have never denied that part of the reason teachers and other public employees are upset about Act 10 was financial. Who wants to give up several thousand dollars a year?

Your partisan Mascara is starting to run, Eagle1.

The most important reason to combine centers around one word; DUES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Or has nothing to do with given a choice rather than increasing membership and funds to back candidates that would overturn ACT 10 and give all the good stuff back and by good stuff I mean benefits that are not even close to in line with the private sector, not that their current set of benefits are either, still a good deal. Everyone wants to save a buck, nothing wrong with that, denying that is what you are doing for something more noble is wrong however.

LOL ok I am sure that's it has nothing to do with saving a buck.

Teachers are greedy, they work to make money. When an investment doesn't pay then you stop investing in it. Many of the teachers who have left the union would join if their union had any ability to negotiate again.

but concerned I was told by all the teachers I know that membership would not go down afterwards because it was such a good deal and the principle of solidarity was priceless, what a joke, admit it they are just as greedy as the rest of us and saving as much money as they can. I will have some sympathy when they pay as much in taxes and benefits as I do, currently at 38% with no chance of retiring at 55 or having 3 months a year off or a cadillac health plan. They still have it pretty good I guess the unions are finding out what choice is all about.

Eagle, if I were in the teachers union, why would I pay for a union that couldn't do anything for me? Even if I still supported collective bargaining it's stupid to pay for a powerless union not to mention that they now have less take home pay. Many of the teachers that have left the unions are still active in politics, just not through their union.

Can someone tell me why Gov. Walker went after unions for some public employees but not others?

Leaders of both unions say membership has declined about 30 percent since the state’s new collective bargaining law, known as Act 10, took effect.

nothing more needs to be said... so much for solidarity.