Wisconsin Teacher Strike Discussion

[Chaze the Chat]

I will post the story here later. Just, for right now, discuss what you know.

[Pirate]

Dear MoveOn member,

Moments like these don't come along often.

Newly-elected Tea Party governor Scott Walker thought he could slash the Wisconsin state budget and dismantle 50 years of workers' rights without a fight, but boy was he wrong.

Hundreds of thousands of regular Wisconsinites—teachers, firefighters, police officers, students—have taken to the streets of Madison. They've occupied the capitol building for the last 7 days and nights.

But this isn't just about Wisconsin. In state capitals across the country, and in Washington, D.C., Republicans are using the wrecked economy as an excuse to slash vital programs and hurt workers. The American Dream itself is under attack.

So we're helping lead an emergency call for rallies in every state capital this Saturday at noon to support folks in Wisconsin and oppose these attacks, wherever they occur.

We have only 4 days to organize, so we're trying something unusual—asking thousands of individuals and local groups to add their names to this call to action. Will you share the call with your personal network—plus get any groups you're part of to sign on? Clicking here will add your name:

Start getting the word out about this Saturday's rallies

We're finalizing the details and we'll get back to you to sign up soon, but we have to start spreading the word right now if Saturday is going to be huge.

Here's the call to action:

50-State Mobilization to Save the American Dream
Calling all students, teachers, union members, workers, patriots, public servants, unemployed folks, progressives, and people of conscience:

In Wisconsin and around our country, the American Dream is under fierce attack. Instead of creating jobs, Republicans are giving tax breaks to corporations and the very rich, and then cutting funding for education, police, emergency response and vital human services. The right to organize is on the chopping block. The American Dream is slipping out of reach for more and more Americans, and we have to fight back.

We call for emergency rallies in front of every statehouse this Saturday at noon to stand in solidarity with the people of Wisconsin. Demand an end to the attacks on workers' rights and public services across the country. Demand investment, to create decent jobs for the millions of people who desperately want to work. And demand that the rich and powerful pay their fair share.

We are all Wisconsin.

We are all Americans.

Add your endorsement and this Saturday we will stand together to save the American Dream.

Clicking below will add your name so you can start spreading the word:

http://pol.moveon.org/callforaction/o.p ... 1AwzZx&t=4

Thanks for all you do.

–Daniel, Lenore, Joan, Justin, and the rest of the team

P.S. In addition to allies like PCCC, Color of Change, CREDO Action, Democracy for America, Campaign for Community Change, National People's Action, TrueMajority, US Action, Progressive Majority, and Courage Campaign, green jobs visionary Van Jones has joined this call to action as well. His inspiring words from The Huffington Post this morning are worth quoting:

"In the past 24 months, those of us who longed for positive change have gone from hope to heartbreak. But hope is returning to America—at last—thanks largely to the courageous stand of the heroes and heroines of Wisconsin.

Reinvigorated by the idealism and fighting spirit on display right now in America's heartland, the movement for "hope and change" has a rare, second chance. It can renew itself and become again a national force with which to be reckoned.

Over the next hours and days, all who love this country need to do everything possible to spread the "spirit of Madison" to all 50 states. This does not mean we need to occupy 50 state capitol buildings; things elsewhere are not yet that dire. But this weekend, the best of America should rally on the steps of every statehouse in the union."

Van's full piece is worth reading. To check it out and pass it on, click here.

Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 5 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.

Dear MoveOn member,

This is an all-hands-on-deck moment.

The protests in Wisconsin are sparking something we haven't seen in years. Hundreds of thousands of people have taken to the streets of Madison to stop a radical, right-wing attack on workers. Protesters have occupied the Capitol building for the last eight days and nights.1

Now, they need the rest of us to pitch in.

So we're putting videographers on a plane to Madison to get the protesters' stories out to a wider audience. We're buying air mattresses for the folks who are sleeping at the Capitol. And we're organizing emergency solidarity rallies in every state capital this weekend.

But to make this all happen, we need to raise $315,000 today—for permits and PA systems and plane tickets, and those air mattresses. Can you help fight back?

Chip in $5 to fight back.

The situation in Wisconsin has captured the attention of the nation. And winning in Wisconsin doesn't just matter to Wisconsinites.

With Republicans using the wrecked economy as an excuse to slash vital programs and hurt workers, what happens in Wisconsin has huge implications for every one of us. If we can stop Governor Walker in Wisconsin, it'll send a message to every other governor who's thinking about trying the same thing.

And it'll help turn the tide in Washington, D.C., where Republicans are threatening to shut down the government next week in order to force Democrats to agree to devastating cuts. NPR, the EPA, food aid to hungry kids, clean energy research, AmeriCorps—all are threatened.2

Right now, Wisconsin is the key to shifting the whole debate. Can you help make sure we have the resources to win? Chip in $5 by clicking here:

http://pol.moveon.org/donate/wi_rally1. ... 1Jl4zx&t=4

Thanks for all you do.

–Daniel, Eli, Carrie, Lenore, and the rest of the team

Sources:

1. "Thousands March on State Capitols as Union Fight Spreads," The New York Times, February 22, 2011
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=206281&id=262 ... 1Jl4zx&t=5

2. "Reid Rejects Controversial GOP Spending Bill Riders," Talking Points Memo, February 22, 2011
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=206285&id=262 ... 1Jl4zx&t=6

That's a copy of the 2 e-mails I got from MoveOn.org, a website I'm a part of.

[Chaze the Chat]

I hope we don't have a political debate here (mostly because I don't want to cause longterm problems with anyone here) but I'm just going to say I agree with Governor Walker on this one.