Wisconsin Budget Bill, Unions, technology and kids.

Hello all,


I’m going to depart from the technology world for a bit. Please indulge me.

It doesn't matter who you are. If you read this, you will probably be offended in some way. If you have the intelligence to debate reasonably, the capacity to discern, and the wisdom bring them together, read on.

I work at a school district as a Director of Information Systems and Technology. I own my own technology business too and have worked in the military and private sector for 15 years before coming to a school. I know both sides of this conversation. I have seen people without any employment courtesies get fired, without warning, simply because they did not refill a supply cabinet correctly. I have also seen people who have done horrific things on the job; sleep on the job, and, because of their "rights", little to nothing was done concerning their employment status.

Let me put all my cards on the table. I have been reading, hearing, and listening to anyone who will talk to me about the Wisconsin Budget bill. I have yet to hear anyone who is not polarized to either the right or the left side of this issue. With that, the stories are as far apart as the East is from the West. Each side makes compelling points and counter points.

I can honestly say I do not caucus with either the left or the right. I am concerned greatly on how we are treating each other. We act and treat the person right next to us as if they were the enemy. It's not as if we only disagree or dislike them. It really seems as if we are willing to war, and yes even kill those with opposing viewpoints. Shame on us all! With that, let's talk about a few things.

Let me start with a few observations. Agree or not, it is where I stand. Don't shoot me.

First, the budget plan has nothing really to do with balancing the budget. Financial concessions are willing to be made to balance the budget. It is about breaking labor and Unions, and ultimately the Democratic party. If it were about balancing the budget, it would have been done along time ago. It is all about collective bargaining.

Second, eliminating collective bargaining appears to be the political way to allow employers (the state) to remove workers who, for whatever reason, are not working out at their current position. (Right or wrong, 'I am just saying')

Third, it is a stretch to throw 'the kids' into this discussion. Everything affects 'the kids'. If a family loses a job it is easy to talk about how it affects 'the kids'. I believe we are all connected more closely and intimately than we care think about or admit. How this or that affects the kids seems to only be a political hot button that gets thrown out on topics that someone wants to make "untouchable". I can just as easily say "We need to save the rain forest. Do it for the kids! And if you don't, do you not love children? If you don't, you must be heartless and not love kids...." The whole argument of bringing kids into any debate is little more than emotional pawn that should be left out of play.

Finally, in all of this, take everything away from employee's of the state, and pay them whatever is the going rate; just like in the private world. Make them pay into their own benefit plan, BUT then, they need to be paid comparable wages to those with Bachelors, Masters and Doctorate degrees in the private work world. (As an IT executive, I do miss the fringe benefits, bonuses, and perks that I am not allowed to and don't accept in public service)

To my "right"-leaning friends. Please get all the facts and do not believe everything you hear. I am sure there is at least a little truth in what is being said and told, with a generous helping of deception and truth massaging.

One of the first things I hear from my right friends is that it is about time that public employee's suffer just like 'the rest of us'. Seriously, how do you know that public employees have NOT been suffering? Do you really not think or believe that poor economic times rolls into and affects the lives of those in service to us? Do you have actual hard numbers and facts (not twisted or massaged), or are your thoughts only perceived inklings? YES, every public service employee is affected by what is happening to our economy without bringing into play this current budget plan.

To my 'left"-leaning friends. Please get all the facts and do not believe everything you hear. I am sure there is at least a little truth in what is being said and told, with a generous helping of deception and truth massaging.

One of the first things I hear from my left friends is about their "rights" and how they are being violated and taken away. If we don't stand up for our rights we will lose them. (funny how the 'left' talks about their 'rights') Do you really know how unstable and fragile employment is for most people? Do you understand that people who are just fortunate to have a job, are working 10-18 hrs per day just to make ends meet. And even then, ends don't get meet. They are losing their homes, their entire life savings and investments just to live another week. They are doing things that they never thought they would have to do, taking jobs, if available, to meet the basics in life. I have a friend who shares with me that he doesn't know how to make rent next month. He is working temporary $8/hr jobs with absolutely no benefits. His car has over 200K miles, he needs shoulder surgery, and has to decide between gas for his car and pain medication.

I know many disagree with what Governor Walker is trying to do. Again, I restate, I am neither on the 'left' or 'right' on this issue. I will share this.

I was against "Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act" when it was discussed and debated. It was passed into law on March 30th, 2010. Debate, argue, discuss, repeat. But now that it is signed into law, get behind it and support it!

Admittedly, I am not in agreement with our current President on some issues, however, HE IS MY PRESIDENT and I WILL SUPPORT HIM! He deserves our respect, appreciation, and support as President. The people have spoken in the elections and collectively agree that this is the direction our nation should take.

On the opposite side, concerning Governor Walker, we need to debate, argue, discuss, and repeat. This needs to be done with respect for one another, intelligence, discernment and wisdom. At the end of all this, regardless of what happens, the people of Wisconsin have spoken in the elections and collectively agreed that this is the direction our state should take. If the current budget bill passes, I hope that we will all support, appreciate, and respect our Governor.

I reiterate, I really don't know about what is right and true concerning the Wisconsin Budget Bill. I do know that I am a little tired of hearing all the hate going back and forth. I am tired of neighbors and coworkers looking at each other as the enemy. I am tired of seeing all the envy and jealousy because someone has more than someone else (and maybe didn't deserve it).

No matter what happens, tomorrow I will work, eat, and sleep. I will do something and consider myself blessed by my Father for the good things I have and the bad things I don't have in my life.  Each day is a new adventure and blessing.

Sincerely,

Tom