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In an article titled "Hundreds defy order to vacate Wisconsin Capitol" the Associated Press reports that state employees are intent on pushing the issue of collective bargaining to new heights. As well, it is likely that much of the impetus for this veritable mutiny was inspired by Barack Obama's misplaced support of their cause. (Associated Press/ msnbc.com)

Peaceful protest is a right, and it is designed to raise awareness for controversial or important issues that may otherwise go unnoticed. Unfortunately there are far too many people in this nation who believe that it is conscionable to employ this right as an attempt to enforce their will, and with little or no regard for the legal processes that they then refuse to engage; and which are perfectly capable of addressing their concerns equitably.

The only time such extreme action is warranted is when there is a clear violation of inalienable rights protected by the constitution in either letter or intent, of which authorities whom are charged with upholding those rights fail to do act upon that duty in a timely manner. While it is necessary at times to push a particular issue to a point that police action raises the alarm bells to a crime against humanity, the Wisconsin protest is not one of those times.

One example of a volatile issue that required extreme activism was the majority push to curb egregious abuses of black Americans, which were perpetrated by agencies or individuals in states who's law enforcement often refused to protect them, and the many protests were necessary to eventually foment a social upheaval that culminated in the ratification of the 14th amendment, which guaranteed all persons equal protection under the law, regardless of race, nationality, gender, religion, political affiliation and so on.

For state employees to be forcing a union bargaining issue by refusing to vacate the capitol after they have protested for nearly two weeks, drawing national and international attention to their cause, is beginning to reach far beyond the parameters of reasonable demonstation. Especially considering the fact that the state of Wisconsin is facing massive budget shortfalls, as are many other states. Furthermore, federal employees, under the Carter administration were also denied collective bargaining, and they appear to still be making a very reasonable living in their lines of work.

Furthermore, the end of collective bargaining also has allowed nearly all federal employees to keep their jobs even in lean years. While this does not always bode well for the tax payers, the fact is that it is the result of ending the practice of collective bargaining and forcing federal employees to be more amenable when circumstances are such that to refuse concessions would merely result in people lower-down on the totem-pole losing their job.

Are the state government employees so greedy and selfish that they cannot see fit to assist the nation in recovery during a veritable depression that has seen millions of people losing their homes, rising food prices, trillions of dollars in bail-out money funneled to thieves and con artists who have squirreled most of it away to offshore accounts, pandemic unemployment, wasteful investment in the Military Industrial Complex, lethargic federal responses to disasters, exploding debt and burgeoning bloated bureaucracies that are dragging millions of this nation's citizens to their knees, and literally leaving them starving in the streets?

What is remarkable is that the media is often siding with the government employees and using misinformation and skewed statistic to do so.

The Associated Press recently published an article, "Facts overshadowed in debate over union bill" that claimed to expose the real facts concerning the disparities between public and private sector compensation. Basically stating that the reports showing that government employees get paid better than private employees, in the same line of work, are false. (Yahoo! News, Associated Press)

However, the article was full of erroneous information that merely appeared to corroborate this claim.

For one, the teacher who was featured in the article, Karen Bloczynski, claimed that she makes a salary of $70,000 per year. But in reality she made $108,736 for the 2009/10 school year. This includes her $34,916 in "fringe payments" that were conveniently omitted from the article. Furthermore, it is likely that this salary does not include sick pay, vacation pay, or possible bonuses and perks that can be collected if she chooses not to take the time off. (postcrescent.com; Datamine)

Another fact that was left out of the AP article is that Mrs. Bloczynski - whom the article boasts has 35 years experience - is a 4th grade teacher with only three and a half years of local experience. And while it is true that talented and effective instructors are needed in all grade levels, it is likely that few citizens would be hard pressed to consider that this level of education may not require a teacher who demands over $100,000 per year. Especially since she does not appear to be as concerned for her students as she is in demonstrating against legitimate and legal legislation that has been proposed by the duly elected governor in her state, Scott Walker.

There are reports coming in from across the nation showing that state budgets are such that many courses and programs, previously considered to be essential to proper development of this nation's children, are being slashed from school curriculums. However, this does not appear to be of any concern to the WEAC (Wisconsin Education Association Counsel) members of who are fighting for personal gains.

The AP article also claims that the demonstrations drew a crowd of 68,000 people, that were representing a mere 39,000 WEAC members.

Conversely, the WEAC website, and 2010 member handbook, boasts a membership of over 98,000 strong. This organization, which resembles more of a legal team and/or legislative lobbying committee, represents teachers, education support professionals, custodians, university students (studying to become government employees), state education employees, paraprofessionals, retired education support professionals, retired educators, library media specialists, nutrition employees, schools safety personnel, Wisconsin Technical College faculty and support staff, clerical staff, counselors, secretaries, teacher aides, bus drivers, cooks and state-employed education information professionals. (WEAC Member Book 2008-2010)

This means that the protests mounted against the conservative legislators in Wisconsin were not actually attended by a majority of WEAC, as they would like people to believe, but merely fulminated by the employees, and their immediate families, who are making the big money, and getting the best benefits.

The AP article also shows Walker arguing that state workers have not been subject to the painful cuts that those in the private sector have had to bear, but goes on to claim that 'under Walker's predecessor, Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle, state workers were forced to take furlough days that amounted to a 3 percent pay cut.' Going on to note that 'state employees have not a had a raise in 2 years.'

However, neither has most anyone besides that Wall Street thugs that Obama and Bush bailed out.

The AP article merely sugar coats the real issue that when state employees are allowed to take furlough days, rather than an across-the-board pay cut, then it is the citizens of the nation who truly pay, because the taxes are being raised while access to vital services are being reduced. Furthermore, in the private sector the majority of people are simply being terminated permanently, rather than merely being given the day off without pay, while still being allowed to keep their full benefits.

Bloczynski also sent letters to local businesses - electricians, a furniture store and several restaurants - saying that they are likely to feel the effect. "Teachers spend money in their communities" she said to AP.

This clearly shows that there were likely a majority of WEAC members who were instructed to employ this same tactic, thereby increasing the turnout at the rallies. The dubious actions by a significant portions of these government employees is beginning to raise grave concerns regarding ethical and moral behavior, and should be a warning light to those who currently rely on public education to teach their children.

The many professionals within the public school system routinely claiming that the actions of children who attend public schools are solely influenced by parents and society, and that educators are often not directly accountable for much of what transpires within the boundaries of the campuses, is now taking on a rather ominous hue, at least for this author.

Having entirely attended public schools, and often disappointed with staff, whom clearly should have taken steps to discourage much of the brutalities and abuses that were, and still are, rampant in the school system, the actions and statements of this nation's educators are becoming increasingly appalling.

Most disconcerting, however, is the fact that the AP article claims that 'Government workers tend to be more educated than their private-sector counterparts.'

There are likely many doctors, lawyers, engineers, computer programmers, business executives, psychiatrists, analysts and administrators in the private sector whom would ardently disagree with this assessment. Especially if they have ever had to engage a public employee at the DMV or attempted to solicit responses from their state representatives concerning health care, economy, ethics, infrastructure or social services issues.

This is a government which has employed, for over 20 years, a congressman form Dekalb County Georgia, Hank Johnson who stated in an Armed Services Committee meeting that he believed that the island of Guam could become so populated that it would literally "tip over and capsize" if more troops were sent there. (factbat.com.)

Regardless of the fact that this statement was recorded live on video (true comedy...view multiple times, it'll add years to your life...ROFL!), and Johnson's hand gestures clearly prove he meant that the island would "capsize", the office in charge of this veritable mental deficient actually released a statement attempting to convince voters that he merely misspoke, claiming it was the people who were not "educated" enough to understood what he was inferring.

The AP article goes on to expound upon its many dubious assertions by claiming 'Government jobs are more likely to be professional or managerial as opposed to the many more manufacturing and sales jobs in the private work force.' (which supports that government, by the way)

And that pretty much say's it all. Because the fact is, with the majority of government employees filling what amounts to managerial roles, the system has devolved to a degree of incompetence, where there exists such an atmosphere of latitude, that merit is essentially negligible in a sector where inefficiency, waste, corruption and lethargy have become job requirements.

While one may insists this is taking the analogy too far, this author is host to more than a few family members who were essentially downsized from agencies in government, specifically for their competence, compassion, effectiveness and/or efficiency.

Truly, the WEAC members could use a little downsizing themselves.

References:

Associate Press; "Hundreds Defy Order to Vacate Wisconsin Capitol", @ http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/41811389/ns/us_news-life

Yahoo! News; "Facts overshadowed in debate over union bill" @ http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/
ap_on_re_us/us_wisonsin_budget_the_debate

Postcrescent.com; Datamine: Search Wisconsin Teacher Salaries' @ http://www.postcrescent.com/article/99999999/APC0110/80221166/DataMine-Search-Wisconsin-teacher-salaries?appSession=428204138637935&RecordID=594173&PageID=3&PrevPageID=2&cpipage=1&CPIsortType=&CPIorderBy=

Factbat.com "Congress Embarrassed by Escapee from Government Basement, http://www.factbat.com/blog/2010/4/2/congress-embarrassed-by-escapee-from-government-basement.html

MSNBC Video; Zeitgeist, @ http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26852192/vp/36147037#36147037