Scott Walker's Threat Filled, Talking Point Driven, Fact-Less "Fireside Chat"

Oh Scott Walker. How much longer are you going to keep up this fake, tough-guy act? If the Democrats don't come home by Friday and let your bill through, you say you're going to lay people off. So, "do what I say, or they get it?" Wonderful, let's act like children here. I thought Republicans wanted to "have an adult conversation?"

Walker spends several minutes rambling about how unions get a better deal on benefits, and how the state can't afford it, and how the public knows he's right about asking them to pay in more. Here's the problem with that: that's NOT an issue. Everyone has agreed to pay more, there's no debate on this.

Walker laid his biggest whopper by coming up with a new rationalization for how collective bargaining costs money. He says the system doesn't work, because when the unions don't concede, people get laid off. Ok, so that's your rationalization for getting rid of collective bargaining? Ok, so let me get this straight then: they necessarily won't lose their jobs, benefits, and even salaries without collective bargaining? Where's the assurances on that, and if you're taking none of the above away, how are you saving? Texas doesn't have public sector unions, and they still lay people off. It's a weak, weak argument. Besides all of that, this is a budget bill, so how does this save any money? He says it costs local governments money to bargain? No, it costs them money when they give out stupid contracts, but that's their fault, not the workers. This is why we have elections, to remove bad officials. Basically, please show me a way besides politics in which his proposal is useful in this bill?

Through the whole speech, we heard every buzz word: tough decisions, sacrifice, growth, cut spending, etc., etc., etc. Did we hear anything convincing? No. Just more drivel from a Governor losing control of the first major fight of his term. His party is about to break with him in the legislature. His plan isn't popular. The only thing I hope is that he drags this out long enough to permanently destroy his standing in the state, and get himself re-called in a year.