Ann Arbor rallies protest proposed budgets, slam leaders in Lansing and Washington D.C.
Corrections Officer Scott Allen, of Laingsburg, addresses the crowd during a protest on the steps of the Federal Building in Ann Arbor on Tuesday. The protest was one of more than 275 rallies across the country organized by MoveOn.org to protest the proposed federal budget.
Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com
The rally in the plaza of the Federal Building at Liberty Street and Fifth Avenue was one of more than 275 rallies across the country organized by MoveOn.org to protest the proposed federal budget, which the group says will hold the middle class “hostage.” Union members, local elected officials and members of the community were all present at the rally.
Scott Allen, a corrections officer from Laingsburg who is a member of the Michigan Corrections Organization SEIU Local 526, encouraged members of the community to stand up and demand their voices be heard.
“We have been the silent majority. We get up and go to work every day,” he said. “It’s our country, and it’s time to take it back.”
Many members of the crowd spoke into a microphone plugged into a small amplifier that a man held on his shoulder toward the crowd. Speeches were often interrupted by the honking horns of cars driving past, signaling their support for the rally.
Among the speakers was Washtenaw County Commissioner Yousef Rabhi, D-Ann Arbor. He said Snyder’s proposed budget would only add to the fiscal woes of local governments that have been suffering in the last few years.
He said both the governor and the Michigan Legislature would have to answer some tough questions in future elections.
“What the governor is doing is not about the budget,” he said. “And, it’s not just the governor, it’s the Legislature too. … Remember that in 2012.”
A meeting of the Ann Arbor Education Association at the Forsythe Middle School auditorium preceded the rally in downtown Ann Arbor.
About 300 people attended the meeting, which featured speeches from local elected officials, various union officials and district teachers.
State Sen. Rebekah Warren, D-Ann Arbor, told the crowd how much money Ann Arbor Public Schools stood to lose from Snyder’s proposed budget — about $7.7 million.
She sarcastically said the cuts to K-12 education and preschool programs made the cuts to higher education, a 15 percent cut for all state colleges, more palatable.
“Because if you don’t have preschool and good K-12, then you won’t be going to college anyway,” she said.
AAEA President Brit Satchwell asked at the beginning of the meeting who in the crowd made under $250,000 annually. After being greeted with a big cheer, he asked for other groups — such as teachers from Ann Arbor and other districts, union members, retired workers and students — to make themselves heard.
After each group had cheered, with the longest round of applause reserved for students, Satchwell said everyone who applauded had to come together as family.
“We’re all family and this is what family does. We all pull together when times are tough,” he said.
State Rep. Jeff Irwin, D-Ann Arbor, discussed the emergency financial officer bill passed by both chambers of the Legislature. The very mention of the bill received repeated boos and hisses.
Irwin called for members of the crowd to go to Lansing tomorrow and join the rally that will take place on the lawn of the state Capitol. He said union members and supporters need to get involved in the democratic process.
“The fight is not over,” he said. “The fight hasn’t even started. There’s a lot you can do to get involved.”
Trevor Staples, an Ann Arbor teacher, called Snyder a coward for saying he didn’t want to fight the unions. Staples said Snyder won’t fight the state’s union workers, but will pass along the job to local school districts and city governments, who will have to work with unions directly.
Staples said he intended to be non-partisan when writing his speech for the meeting, but quickly found that to be impossible.
“It’s obvious that we have to take a stand and say that party matters,” he said.
Kyle Feldscher covers K-12 education for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at kylefeldscher@annarbor.com or you can follow him on Twitter.
Comments
Rita
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 7:30 p.m.
MoveOn.org is funded by George Soros......do an internet search on George Soros and what his intentions are....you wouldn't be supporting this organization if you knew.....
RayA2
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 8:58 p.m.
To really have some validity you need to provide some hint of what your complaint is about George Soros. Conservatives have a habit of attacking the person who disagrees with them, rather than the facts of the argument being made. I've been a Moveon supporter from the very beginning of its foundation. Unless George's support of Moveon is somehow illegal, immoral, or unethical I am glad he chooses to support the same causes that I do.
sbbuilder
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 8:09 p.m.
Speechless The liberal democrats assume they have grassroots activism monopolized. Surprise surprise. When the other side discovers activism, it's called astroturf. We'll see. That teensy bit of activism smoked at the polls last time. And, it's not out of steam by a long shot. Next polls will finish the job. But, if you want to continue to deceive yourself, that's your business.
Speechless
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 7:48 p.m.
The current growing rebellion against the far right is hardly dependent upon Soros or MoveOn.org. There's a whole lot more initiative going on than that. The tea partiers, meanwhile, have been much more dependent on the Koch brothers, without whom their more modest level of activism would never have gotten much beyond the 'astroturf' stage.
julieswhimsies
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 6:57 p.m.
And so it begins. The middle class is waking up.
Tru2Blu76
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 6:19 p.m.
I'm totally skeptical of Governor Snyder and any of his plans. Buried in each Republican-promoted measure and claim is a destructive (not constructive) element - and that's been intentional from the start. Publicly inciting sentiment against teachers is an obvious example, since it is the ONLY justification Snyder and all Republicans can come up with for their "no taxes" scheme. Unions: are not perfect but they can be regulated and reformed - just like any business entity. Saying "no unions" is the equivalent of saying "no workers rights." Abuses of worker rights exist, but they are isolated and the actual picture is the many unions work with employers to produce sound, sane contracts for wages and benefits. The only examples touted are the obviously excessive and wrong examples. Anyone who "trusts" either political party and goes on to defend their chosen charlatan outfit is a fool. Keeping score as to which charlatan political party has the most or fewest followers is an exercise in futility: following either party's propaganda makes the follower an automatic dupe. There's no free speech provision for lies and propaganda: it must be ended and made a part of treason against the United States. Snyder's program will hurt Michigan and hurt most at its most vital parts: that's all we need to know.
grye
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 7:43 p.m.
Why not a right-to-work state? Shouldn't that be a right for individuals in Michigan?
RayA2
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 5:26 p.m.
The 150 are my heros and they have my full support. I wish I could have been there with them. Collective bargaining is the only thing between us and feudalism, although we are heading back there fast. The decline of union protection has hurt the middle class badly. All anyone has to do is look at the growing disparity between the top 400 asset controllers (400 wealthiest) and everyone else. All anyone has to do is look at their own stagnant wages and declining benefits. How can conservatives ignore these facts, especially given the fact that they are so adversly affected by them? The top 400 have long ago realized that an educated, informed population is not in their best interests and maybe that explains why so many are chanting Orwellian slogans about unions being bad.
Speechless
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 5:25 p.m.
Am enjoying the live feed (when online) for the boisterous Lansing rally currently in progress: <a href="http://www.ustream.tv/channel/mmflint" rel='nofollow'>http://www.ustream.tv/channel/mmflint</a> One very useful aspect of Gov. Snyder's malevolent legislative priorities and budget is that they reveal in a more raw form the venal, brutal and greedy mentality that typically hides behind a thin, superficial veneer of social "philosophy" within the so-called libertarian, "free market" mindset. Along with his budget mentor and political ally, Wisconsin's Gov. Mubarak, Snyder has boldly made very clear the intentions of the corporate elite and the ultra-wealthy. They fully intend to seize for themselves as much remaining middle class wealth as the majority of the citizenry will allow them to get away with. Big subsides and major tax breaks are to be awarded to big business and the very well-off, while everyone else gets steady cuts. Meanwhile, most tea partiers still don't understand that they voted directly against their own economic interests in last fall's election. ---------------------------- Quoting from above: "This is the last dying and wheezing gasp of Old Michigan." Maybe so, but over time the "New Michigan" may well come to include many tens of thousands of horribly underpaid, restless, and increasingly militant service workers, along with a sizable army of the chronically underemployed. The mass labor struggles of a century ago will return, albeit in a different form.
schlomo
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 4:20 p.m.
The GOP refused to support higher taxing for the wealthiest in this country. Why is everyone so surprised that the average working person, along with the oldest workers, will now pay, pay, pay. Who is twisting this issue to become a union issue when education is everyones issue,except those who can afford private school?
grye
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 6:31 p.m.
Is your solution to just tax the wealthy and make them pay dearly for their success? Or do you have a complete plan to offer the governor? Those on govt funded pensions that have been getting a free ride from our tax dollars should have been paying all along. I have no problem with that.
hypsi
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 3:59 p.m.
Disagree or Agree...There is a protest today (March 16, 2011) at the Capitol building. If you are wondering how it is going here is a live feed: <a href="http://www.ustream.tv/channel/mmflint" rel='nofollow'>http://www.ustream.tv/channel/mmflint</a>
JSA
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 3:26 p.m.
Maybe there is a way to harness all the hot air this bunch spouted to solve our energy crisis? What a joke, 150 people out of the whole county.
leaguebus
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 3:17 p.m.
Gee, I never saw any protests like this when Jennifer was doing her budgets. Oh, thats right, she didn't vilify the teachers, police, prison guards, fire fighters, and any other Union workers, then balance the budget on the backs of the lower income people in the state. She never decided to give emergency powers to managers who could throw out elected officials, nullify union contracts, and essentially short circuit the democratic process. What you say, fire elected officials and replace them with highly paid managers that "know" more anyone else. This sounds like "Big Brother" or Khadafy telling us that they know what is best for us and they will be in power until they decide not to be in power. Maybe they could vote to suspend the pesky Bill of Rights at the national level and then these "managers" could really have their way with us. Luckily, we have the Courts. Except they are packed with "managers in training" by the ones that know better than the ordinary guy.
AMOC
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 9:01 p.m.
If you never saw any protests like this of Granholm's budgets, then I think you must have blocked the numerous TEA Party and other conservative gatherings in 2009 and 2010 from your mind. There was one on the Diag in the early fall of last year as I recall, which also featured around 150 -200 protesters against Granholm's policies and her budget "tricks". AA.com covered the counter-protest (some 50 people) in much more detail.
Yeah buddy
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 3:16 p.m.
Wow, 150 already. If a few decades they will have the millions needed for a recall.
walker101
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 3:13 p.m.
When will they realize that the majority of workers couldn't care less about unions, where is the Anointed one when you need him? All the promises he made and all the contributions you dumped in his campaigns what a waste.
Dante Marcos
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 2:47 p.m.
This is just one beautiful instance of many such demonstrations of hope, outrage, and resistance. I would add Tahrir Square and Benghazi to the list. And that list could go on and on. A few other local events are addressed here: <a href="http://markmaynard.com/?p=12712" rel='nofollow'>http://markmaynard.com/?p=12712</a> All eyes on Lansing today! And further demonstrations tomorrow, including a big one at EMU. "You can no longer sleep quietly once you've opened your eyes."
sbbuilder
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 5:16 p.m.
The references to Tahrir Square and Benghazi need to stop. We haven't just lived through decades of police brutality, murder, imprisonment without trial, monopolistic businesses, massive religious intoleration, cronyism in all levels of government, widespread bribery, and every other sort of extreme societal ill. Our grievances pale to the max in comparison. A bit of perspective, please. We just have government trying to stay solvent.
justareader
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 2:28 p.m.
Hmmm......maybe what is needed is some creative examining of school and city spending. Wasn't it shown that a new high school in Ann Arbor will prove to be unnecessary in a few years due to lower population growth? Wonder what those millions of dollars could have been used for (of course ....that money came from a "different" budget.). How much money has been wasted on the hiring-firing-hiring of AA public school superintendents in the past few years? Would it be possible to let go of some university positions such as Assistant to the Assistant to the Under Vice Provost of Bean Counting? Didn't the city council recently create the atmosphere for a big lawsuit against the city by a developer? Snyder's budget will no doubt be revised in the legislature. But we also need to think about the incredible wastes of money that go on in our community, before having knee-jerk reactions.
grye
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 2:57 p.m.
Great ideas. Need more forward thinking like this. Why have all these school administration employees that develop curriculums? Why not have a set curriculum that is mandated state wide? Need only one group for the entire state. And there could be a county wide school superindentent to run the business aspect. This would save a tremendous amount of money.
Gill
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 2:20 p.m.
You people understand that many of the private sector benefits are a direct result of union influence. It will be your turn to cry next when unions are gone and private sector benefits are reduced even farther. Why do all the people making less than $250k a year continue to argue amongst themselves while the rich keep getting wealthier and everyone else is pushed closer to the poverty line? The politicians and media are good at keeping the ignorant masses bickering with themselves I suppose.
ChelseaBob
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 2:05 p.m.
Since we are running the largest budget deficit in the history of the world, and we already have the highest business and personal tax burden in the free world, what do these protestors propose? We are running out of room to borrow, and government regulation and taxation and corporate monopolies are keeping business expansion away from our country and state. This is reality, folks, and it doesn't have a good solution. Cutting spending and taxes and increased antitrust enforcement will start the growth process, and in a few years we will see results, but we are in for some pain until then. Protesting the federal and state budgets makes about as much sense as protesting the tsunami. It is pointless, because spending cuts are coming, either through the budgetary process, or defacto bankruptcy of our governments.
Ethics Advocate
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 2:03 p.m.
I hope that the proposed actions will take place. Why? Because I do not want things to be even worse for my children and grandchildren at either the state of federal level. As one example, I am a retiree who will have to pay more State income tax. I have to pay federal tax on my retirement payments because I did not have to pay income tax on the portion of my salary that was invested before I retired. So, to me, I'm losing a benefit that had little justification.
DaLast word
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 1:59 p.m.
I guess the flag in the background sums it all up "union" these people have been living off the fat of the tax payer for tooooo long. Time to right size government!!!
Yeah buddy
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 1:30 p.m.
Only 150? What happened to the other 150 that voted for Virg?
Awakened
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 1:23 p.m.
Bravely protesting Lansing and Washington from Ann Arbor. No mention of AA City Council following the same policies against local unions? Maybe the (D) after their names is more important than the issue.
Top Cat
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 12:32 p.m.
This is the last dying and wheezing gasp of Old Michigan. Let them vent, offer nothing toward solving our problems and create New Michigan without them.
sh1
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 10:18 p.m.
I don't know where you get the idea that the protesters are offering nothing towards solving the problem. Do you have evidence of that claim? Plenty of compromises are being offered but ignored.
macjont
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 3:24 p.m.
The "new Michigan" = Mississippi circa 1890.
superhappyfunbrett
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 2:27 p.m.
"New Michigan" via Mr. Snyder's vision will probably include an even more exponential decrease in population. I agree with needing a new plan, but what he has proposed needs to be revisited. There are details that are simply going to make people leave this state, and do very little to make anyone else come here. It's too drastic. There has to be a better way to "tighten our belts" than to destroy EVERYTHING. This is not a left or right statement. It's a desire to do what's best for Michigan, AND it's citizens. I want Mr. Snyder to be right. I really do. I want it to be the answer. But it just isn't making sense what he has proposed. It's haphazard and will cause additional problems, oppose to helping solve the ones we already have. That's not a "New Michigan" I look forward to. I really hope he takes a harder look at what he is proposing.
sh1
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 11:41 a.m.
Ryan says, "The fact is that MOST Americans are non-union workers." That is true, but it does not mean that all non-union workers want to get rid of unions. Unions are responsible for many of the perks non-union people have in their jobs as well, perks such as days off, limits in numbers of hours worked per week, benefits, vacation time, and health and safety standards. If you are willing to give all of these up, then you can rail against unions all you like.
sh1
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 10:17 p.m.
Non-union workers' money does not go to "the union."
grye
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 2:54 p.m.
Think of the money saved by not being in a union. All the money that goes to the employees of the union. The top union person usually is receiving a salary several times over any member. Your money could be better spent or saved to support you and the economy. Unions had a place in the past and still may have some legitamacy in some areas of the country, but most are a detriment to business and the economy and waste the members' funds. Why not make Michigan a Right to Work state? Why force someone to be in a union?
InsideTheHall
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 10:35 a.m.
Bottom line only 150 "union members" bothered to show up. Snyder waxed Bernero for a reason. The MAJORITY want the unsustainable spending in Lansing to stop. 40 years of union feather bedding is about to end. The MAJORITY believe we should have public servants NOT a ruling bureaucratic elite.
ThaKillaBee
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 12:47 p.m.
"Public servants" don't give themselves exclusive power to dissolve local governments.
Cyclezealot
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 9:46 a.m.
Remember Snyder told us Michigan lives or dies with Detroit.. Detroit was in the process of projects revitalizing its urban center with new development projects. As Yousef Rabhi pointed out, Snyder's budget devastates urban Michigan. And so Snyder helps seal Detroit's fate . It appears Detroit has canceled by Snyder's canceling of the tax redevelopment incentive program . Among the programs put at risk.. The re-hab of the David Whitney Building and the development the old Uniroyal project adjacent the bridge to Belle Isle.. I think Snyder's promises are not to be taken seriously. He's full of. it.. . <a href="http://www.freep.com/article/20110305/BUSINESS04/103050353/Gov-Rick-Snyder-s-budget-plan-puts-Detroit-development-deals-danger" rel='nofollow'>http://www.freep.com/article/20110305/BUSINESS04/103050353/Gov-Rick-Snyder-s-budget-plan-puts-Detroit-development-deals-danger</a>
macjont
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 3:24 p.m.
Just another example of Snyder's fraudulent campaign that, along with his millions, got him elected.
Cash
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 9:30 a.m.
As for the "emergency" financial manager bill....close your eyes and imagine this...... Imagine if President Obama had pushed through a similar bill in his first 90 days...so that he could take over any state government and impose his own "manager", dissolve the state, merge the state with another state (We could be Oh-igan) and void any and all contracts the state had entered into. Would the right wing sit around and say "Oh he is just doing what he said he would do" or "Oh he is straightening up the State of Michigan"? Don't think so.
grye
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 7:11 p.m.
Instead of thinking that this is some fascist takeover of the state, think of this in terms of a business. Large companies have many projects. If one or more is going down the tubes, do you wait until it is too late to straighten things out or do you step in and manage the situation before chaos reins? Has anyone thought that this may be a good process to be able to wrap your arms around the problem before it gets too big? Seems as though the thought is that any attempt to be proactive is a complete loss of control. Try putting it into perspective.
Cash
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 1:35 p.m.
Health care and a take over of local government are not comparable. Negating a vote is what Snyder has done. Try again.
Mike
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 12:28 p.m.
He did push a similar bill through and loaded it with pork and $105 billion dollars worth of un appropriated funding (bypassing congress and the will of the people) called Obamacare. And he has appointed czars to run just about every aspect of our lives from what kind of light bulbs (the ones with mercury in them), they can't even figure out how we're going to create energy in this country. Coal is too dirty, wind mills kill birds, solar panels take up too much real estate and don't work in Michigan, nuclear is too dangerous, oil is bad, always someone complaining about everything......whiners....geez
Roadman
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 5:54 a.m.
The 150 demonstrators that showed up is so miniscule it was a joke. Blaine Coleman once organized a 300-member march in support of Palestine with no VIPs present and Chuck Warpehoski organized 175 for peace in Gaza after Israel invaded in Dec. of 2008. This was barely bigger than Congressman Dingell's dog-and-pony show in front of the Stadium Bridge last October once they got the TIGER II grants. Rick Snyder probably accommodates more during parties for his GOP insiders at his lavish Ann Arbor home.
Awakened
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 1:28 p.m.
I'm having more than that tomorrow for a St. Pat's party at my modest and unlavish home.
Roadman
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 5:46 a.m.
Is it not amazing that the lovely Senator Rebekah Warren can bash Governor Snyder at the federal building but was oh-so impressed to be asked to escort him to the podium when he gave his State of the State address. And when is her husband Conan going to be issuing his reimbursement check to the county for the per diem overpayments he received. That would go to narrowing the county budget deficit? But Tom Wieder has assured everyone he will keep it a top priority during his public commentary presentations before the County Board.
Ryan
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 5:22 a.m.
These people are not a "silent majority". No more so then the Tea Partiers are a "majority". The fact is that MOST Americans are non-union workers.Many middle class Americans support the actions of a Scott Walker and Rick Synder. The idea that Unions speak for the middle class is rubbish. They speak for SOME of the middle class. The Democrats had total control in this state for eight years and did what with it? Massive layoffs, a rapid decline in tax revenue, and having to scramble every year to balance the budget. Time to try something new. I am unsure about elements of this plan and I am uncertain that it is the proper solution, but it is certainly worth a try. This state tried the Democrats methods and they failed. It is the Republicans turn now. If they fail then we go back to the Democrats.
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 9:30 p.m.
48% of Wisconsin voters strongly disapprove of Walker's actions 34% Strongly approve. <a href="http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/scott-walkers-approval-rating-takes-a-hit-in-wake-of-protests/" rel='nofollow'>http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/scott-walkers-approval-rating-takes-a-hit-in-wake-of-protests/</a> Why is it teapartyists almost never have any facts to support their opinions? Good Night and Good Luck
Cyclezealot
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 9:51 a.m.
Wrong.. During Granholm's term, its rare her programs weren't stymied by the GOP State Senate which preserved the vast majority of Engler's tax cuts' Granholm's whole term. With their promises of no tax increases.. Now, The gobbers have total control, where's the promise of no new taxes.. As they are more than happy to tax granny.
HADES
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 3:46 a.m.
150 Protesters?! Wow, what a huge event! A piece of trash blowing down the street probably got more attention that this "MoveOn.org" protest! :)
macjont
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 3:22 p.m.
Not with the right wing head in the sand approach prevalent today --- and exhibited by your comment.
HADES
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 5:09 a.m.
A piece of trash blowing down the street probably got more attention *than* this "MoveOn.org" protest! :)
a2flow
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 3:10 a.m.
Amigo, The meeting that teachers were at was at 4:30. No school's work day is beyond that time, which is why the meeting was held at that time. Please keep yourself informed before making judgments.
sh1
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 11:37 a.m.
Goodness, Bob, be a little flexible in your thinking. The meeting was over around 6, leaving plenty of time afterward for the planning, paper-correcting, and parent e-mailing that teachers do daily.
Basic Bob
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 3:18 a.m.
Thanks for pointing out that teachers are on their own time by 4:30 in the afternoon. What, no tests to grade?
Robert Stone
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 2:48 a.m.
"150 people" and moveon.org. I think that pretty much tells us everything we need to know.
DonBee
Thu, Mar 17, 2011 : 6:07 a.m.
Monica - that is about 10 percent of the public sector employees in the state. Not a bad turnout. Maybe 30-40 percent union officials who spend part of their work day on "union business" and rest high seniority workers who are worried about work rule changes. That Monica is what I think if the number was really 50,000. The video and pictures I have seen say 20,000 is more likely.
macjont
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 3:21 p.m.
And what is that?
Monica R-W
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 10:26 a.m.
@DonBee....what will you say at Noon when 50,000 plus Michiganders hit Lansing....TODAY. By the way, most are driving up there!
DonBee
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 7:07 a.m.
Nor did the unions pay to fly thousands like they did to Wisconsin over the weekend. My flight home from work was full of Union folks who were paid by their local to go protest in Madison. Both sides play the game.
Pro Granny
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 4:24 a.m.
I was there and I'll go again and again. The Koch brothers didn't pay to bus in hundreds of stand in's and glossy signs with disgusting comments about dead senators. They were real people and they stood in the cold and rain. Life doesn't allow everyone that has an interest to drop responsibilities and go to a rally. Most young people don't even know that Japan had an earthquake. Most don't realize that by not being aware of what government is doing and voting can and will hurt you in the future. It's just the beginning, stay tuned!
Frederica
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 2:26 a.m.
DFSmith -- Agradable Amigo: I´d inform myself before I´d post ad hominem attacks. Mr. Satchwell was the best math teacher my son ever had. Yes, let´s get rid of unions so that we all can share our powerlessness. That will serve us well, I am sure .... is it not amazing that we love to beat up the "little guys", the teachers, the police(wo)men, the firefighters, all these horrible union folks who brought us financial ruin? If you were a bit more informed, you might want to blame teachers for not teaching you better reasoning, analytical skills. But that is precisely what is lacking in many of these comments. Furthermore, many people lack a basic sense of compassion: who in their right mind would want to "ship" a dime to Detroit?! Just let them rot, no?
sh1
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 11:35 a.m.
Best comment I've seen about this whole debacle. I will never understand the race to the bottom that some non-union workers advocate. If they really were interested in fairness, they'd be looking at those a little higher on the pay scale than teachers and police officers.
Moscow On The Huron
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 2:10 a.m.
How many times did they do the "Hey hey, ho ho" thing?
Chai
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 1:57 a.m.
The tip of an iceberg and the start of a new kind of national, workers movement. Solidarity! Kill the bills!
Mike
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 12:22 p.m.
Good luck with your socialist workers movement
sbbuilder
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 11:01 a.m.
Unions are headed down a one way street. It's just a matter of time.
Agradable Amigo
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 1:52 a.m.
Hey teachers and alike, thank you so much for being so concerned about teaching our children...oh wait you were protesting and not teaching our children. It is so precious to have you folks back protesting considering you have not been agitated since "Hope and Change" came to town. How about protesting the run away welfare pricetag in this state, the President "in with big oil" (remember the Bush theme) with high gas prices, Stadium Street Bridge disrepair. How about that protest business for that "no blood for oil"...the war is going on right? Now there is a Republican in the Governors office, enter the protesters...of course. In short, it is hard to take you all seriously, especially MoveOn, unless I need to call on you to simply grab a megaphone and shout. Perhaps try something other than getting an officlal "protest packet" off a website. Try to buck the temptation of following special interest groups. It seems like a great tolerant and educated city like our city of Ann Arbor could do better than taking the typical easy protest route just because you're a card carrying Democrat or Progressive card, it seems tired and insincere. If your majority exists, simply vote to make a difference.
sh1
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 11:32 a.m.
The rally was after school, so you don't have to worry about the children missing out on any teaching.
Pro Granny
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 4:13 a.m.
I was there, my sign was hand made, not a glossy picture of our President photo shopped witch doctor garb or a Hitler mustache. I agree, Big Oil is the real power in our country. They own our government and they drain our money from us without a care to the people they hurt. I feel neither party has real power or control and that is how it should be, but we have got to be able to work together for the best interest of All the people. I don't think the Republican party has the best interest of the people. I have to stand with the Democrats. The Koch brothers didn't pay to bus me to the rally today.
RxDx
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 1:40 a.m.
I am trying to be objective about the budget proposal, because the state is in a financial quagmire. But increasing taxes on the poor and the retired while cutting education and giving business a 2 billion $ tax cut doesn't sound like a "bold new vision for the state" to me. It sounds like the same old divide and conquer strategies of the past. If the state is in trouble, we all have to share the burden - businesses included. If the business tax is eliminated, there is no guarantee that jobs will be created. Look what happened with many of the Federal incentives. Business took the money and sat on it.
Mike
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 12:21 p.m.
You are misinformed. Who is going to hire the "poor" that you talk about? Businesses...Once people have more jobs that broadens the tax base and creates more revenue. Either way the old way of doing business wasn't working and it's time to pay the piper
sh1
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 11:50 a.m.
James, he is not letting the business taxes lapse. He is cutting the taxes for businesses and shifting the burden to the poor and our school systems.
DonBee
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 7:04 a.m.
Brian - Most of the tax reduction goes to small business to address the double taxing that goes on today. Ford, GM and many other large businesses see their tax breaks disappear. Corporate taxes get simple and easy to audit. Then it is simple to raise them if you need to.
Peter Jameson
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 6:16 a.m.
less businesses will be in our state if we continue to tax them so harshly. Then where will the tax revenue come from? Grown on trees?
james
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 3:50 a.m.
You do realize that he isn't directly increasing taxes..right? He's just letting some tax breaks lapse. It's also not on the 'poor', it's anyone with kids.
B2Pilot
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 1:38 a.m.
I love all these Union workers running scared about having to sacrifice. do they know there are millions with no jobs, millions who have given back just to keep their companies from going under and yet they march around comlaining that they don't want to sacrfice. unbelievable! they are probably on paid personal time being paid by the tax payers to boot! And for the educators crying where were you when Granholm canceled funding for the life science corridor and gave the money to Kawme ?? Had she not kept funneling money to Detroit maybe we wouldn't be in this shape you think?
sbbuilder
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 5:09 p.m.
sh1 Please explain how unions will give jobs to the unemployed. Touche Of course, that wasn't my point anyway.
rhonda
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 1:25 p.m.
move on . org -- let's do that! know any retirees collecting 100% pension from upside down entities AND working another job? that's their choice, then and now. let's move on.
sh1
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 11:31 a.m.
Please explain how getting rid of unions will give jobs to the unemployed.
sbbuilder
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 10:56 a.m.
Cash It's getting to the point where I'd rather have my house burn down, and home school my kids than have the unions continue to bankrupt the rest of us.
Cash
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 10:03 a.m.
When the fire comes, don't let a firefighter work to save your family and home. When a break in occurs, do not let a police officer help. When your child needs an education, do not let a teacher teach them. Just stick to your "principles"....no union workers for you!
Marshall Applewhite
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 1:35 a.m.
These people are not a very intimidating bunch....... To be fair though, even if they were intimidating, it would still be impossible for them to extort money from a broke entity.
A2anon
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 1:14 a.m.
When Rebekah Warren sat in committee to hear the unveiling of his budget proposal, she was given time for one question (she told us this at the meeting described above). She asked him how his proposed budget with it's draconian slashing of public education could be reconciled with his "metric," his stated goal, of increasing the numbers of Michiganders with a BA or higher. He turfed the question to the Budget Advisor guy he hired from Utah at $250,000/year for 4 years. The Advisor said.... I'm not kidding here..... "Trust us."
Robert Stone
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 2:51 a.m.
I think the translation for "trust us" is "we plan to get rid of the teacher's unions, LIFO layoffs, and institute merit pay". Do those things and you can easily get better education for less money.
A2anon
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 2:08 a.m.
"draconian slashing" was my term. She was more measured.
Moscow On The Huron
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 1:41 a.m.
"... how his proposed budget with it's draconian slashing..." Yeah, the best way to get an answer out of somebody is to start with a charged, attacking question.
WesternTownie
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 1:32 a.m.
No thank you. I shall stick with the skepticism and lack of trust myself.
DFSmith
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 1:10 a.m.
I hope by the next couple of years, Michigan becomes a Right-to-Work State, and Unions of all kinds become totally irrelevant. Brit Satchwell them might actually have to work at being a teacher.
macjont
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 3:20 p.m.
Conservative, right wing, totally free market folks really are as stupid as reported. Amazing!
DonBee
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 7:02 a.m.
It is more about work rules and seniority than wages or contributions. My favorite was my short stint in a factory. I was the new guy, so I was going to get grievances no matter what I did. But it got silly. One guy dropped a nut on the floor, I pick it up - I got a grievance, the next time I got a cleaner, got a grievance - cleaners not allowed in the work area. Next time I ignored it - got a grievance for ignoring a safety hazard. Next time told the assembly guy he dropped it - got a grievance for unsafe work practice. I never did figure out a way to get the nut off the floor without a grievance, hence I don't work in factories.
Pro Granny
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 3:59 a.m.
It's really not about the Unions at all. It's really about the Republican party's attempt to cut off money to the Democrats so that they can have a better chance to win elections....because they haven't got a candidate that could hold a candle to the President.
Chai
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 1:51 a.m.
I saw this sign in Wisconsin, and I think it makes a good reply to your comment: "You can take my union card when you pry it from my cold, dead hand".