PROFITS OVER JOBS,
Once again the United States finds itself in a unique place in world standing. As the worlds richest industrialized nations begin to come out of the depths of financial down-times, a strange thing is happening in the United States. Production is up, profits are up, but job creation or retention is flat, down, or recovering slowly.
Measuring growth, the United States economy has outperformed Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Japan, all group of 7 developed nation except Canada, according to the Associated Press' new Global Economic Tracker quarterly, which analyses 22 countries representing more then 80% of global output.
How can this be, one might ask, how can fewer workers produce more, when other countries and companies have retained more of their workers during this down time, through innovative cost cutting ways, through 3 day work weeks, through shifting some workers to other areas of production and biting the bullet like their employees.
Believe it or not, some foreign companies actually value their employees, those people that are experienced in their jobs, those people that, through the years have proven to be valuable, intricate members of the overall success of the company.
United States industry, on the other hand, has seen an opportunity to shrink their work force, viewing their employees as a debit and not a credit on their books. This attitude has been created, in the beginning of the financial downturn, back in 2008, first by the business atmosphere and later, when it was found that the same production was possible with fewer workers.
The equation, (more production, less workers) was at first interesting and intriguing to management and some examined how this could be. Management also noticed a huge change in the attitude of those retained workers, especially those shops that were without unions. A feeling of thankfulness for having a job, of being lucky that they had a job begin to take over, and workers begin to feel the pressure to preform and produce at a better rate.
Workers were not as independent as they might have been in 2007, there was more of a fear to protect their jobs through additional effort. As production went up, as more and more positions were eliminated, America's workplace took on a whole new look. As unionization became less an option, as management became more and more aware of this, the push for production with less became the watchword in much of American industry.
American industry, in 2011 has a sleeker more robust look, less workers doing the same jobs and generating the same production guarantees higher profits, today, 2+2=6. The margin of profit goes up for the business owner, big and small. Is this new attitude by business good for the country, well lets take a look at some statistics and you can tell me.
In the past, when the U.S. economy fell into recession, companies typically cut jobs, (however did not eliminate them). Companies often kept more workers then they needed, some feeling protective of their workforce, or didn't want to lose skilled workers, once the economy turned around.
The result of this job cut during tough times was predictable, productivity, (output per worker) either decelerated or dropped as the economy weakened. Japan and Europe followed this script and, at the depth of the recession, productivity shrank from 2.2% to 3.7%.
However during this same period of time, (2008-2009), United States productivity doubled and then doubled again in 2010. In America there was a (weeding out process), a pitiless slashing of jobs to the tune of more then 700,000 a month in the January-March quarter of 2009. Workers with either weak production records or those that management simply didn't like or want were cut from their payroll ledgers.
Now as profits roll in and the realization sinks in that less workers means higher profits a possible new chapter has begun in American history. In my wife's office, five people have left the department either through transfer or retirement and not one position has been filled. The work load has been re-distributed among the remaining workers.....a tool to balance the budget. Two of the retired position, the department director and the office manager might never be refilled.
Temporary help is easy to hire with little constrain to a company, lower wages, no benefits and interchangeable. This is good practice for the company, but terrible for the workers. At the moment, everything is tilted towards the employer, the employee has next to no leverage. If your boss wants you to work the next two Saturdays, "what are you going to say.....no."
However down at the end of the line, when things change, the worker rights and union power will return. American business simply does not see the trees for the forest. A smolder anger will undoubtedly turn to a small fire and then into a blaze and change will once again overtake the country.
Treating American workers with dignity and respect is always way down the list of priorities for American business, a (make it while you can attitude) is prevalent in the thinking process of American business and in the end is the great American business weakness.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
FITZGERALD, FITZGERALD, FITZGERALD
THE HILLS ARE ALIVE WITH THE SOUNDS OF FITZGERALD.
In the Griswold vacation movies, there is a line, "the hills are alive with the sounds of Griswold," which seems to be an apt description of what is going on in Wisconsin's political scene, with the Fitzgerald family. Jeff Fitzgerald is a Republican, is the speaker of the 100th. assembly in Wisconsin's legislature and has held his office since 2000.
Older brother, Scott L. is a member of the Wisconsin Senate and has been since 1994. Both brothers were born in Chicago, Illinois and now reside in Juneau, Wisconsin. Both are Republicans Jeff has 2 kids while Scott has 3, making for the ideal American family size, 2.5 children. I never quite understood how family size could be counted as two and a half kids until I considered the Fitzgerald families.
Jeff Fitzgerald in his position as assembly speaker has a much higher public profile then his older brother, Scott L. Scott, who seems to work a little behind the scenes, has however held the position of Minority leader and is none the less a powerful Senator in the halls of government in Madison.Scott L. served with the U.S. Army Reserves and retired after 27 years of service in 2009 as a Lieutenant Colonel.
Both are allied with Governor Scott Walker through their ties in the Republican party and hold similar ideals. Although they have different ideas about how to get things done, then their friends on the other side of the isle, there is no doubt both are tireless workers for the state of Wisconsin.
However there is a (fly in the ointment) with regards to one appointment that Governor Scott Walker has made during his first 60 days in office, the appointment of Stephan Fitzgerald as the (top cop) for the state troopers of Wisconsin.
Steve Fitzgerald is related to the Fitzgerald brothers, he is their father, that's right Stephan Fitzgerald is the 68 year old father of the speaker of the assembly and the father of the former minority leader of the state senate.
I am not quibbling with Walkers appointment with regards to his abilities to do his new job, rather have a cynical attitude towards his relationship with the governor and his two politically wired sons. I simply can't believe that a (younger) and better qualified man couldn't have been found. The post reeks of cronyism and sound like nepotism is alive and well in the Walker administration.
Doesn't anybody get it, "if it looks bad, smells kind of foul" and the people have the same interests, beliefs and operating procedures, (something is probably rotten in Wisconsin.) There is nothing wrong with a different opinion, the exchange of ideas often times means a melding of ideals and a better operation for the voters of Wisconsin. After all, isn't that what our elected officials are supposed to do for us, give us the best chance for suscess.
In the Griswold vacation movies, there is a line, "the hills are alive with the sounds of Griswold," which seems to be an apt description of what is going on in Wisconsin's political scene, with the Fitzgerald family. Jeff Fitzgerald is a Republican, is the speaker of the 100th. assembly in Wisconsin's legislature and has held his office since 2000.
Older brother, Scott L. is a member of the Wisconsin Senate and has been since 1994. Both brothers were born in Chicago, Illinois and now reside in Juneau, Wisconsin. Both are Republicans Jeff has 2 kids while Scott has 3, making for the ideal American family size, 2.5 children. I never quite understood how family size could be counted as two and a half kids until I considered the Fitzgerald families.
Jeff Fitzgerald in his position as assembly speaker has a much higher public profile then his older brother, Scott L. Scott, who seems to work a little behind the scenes, has however held the position of Minority leader and is none the less a powerful Senator in the halls of government in Madison.Scott L. served with the U.S. Army Reserves and retired after 27 years of service in 2009 as a Lieutenant Colonel.
Both are allied with Governor Scott Walker through their ties in the Republican party and hold similar ideals. Although they have different ideas about how to get things done, then their friends on the other side of the isle, there is no doubt both are tireless workers for the state of Wisconsin.
However there is a (fly in the ointment) with regards to one appointment that Governor Scott Walker has made during his first 60 days in office, the appointment of Stephan Fitzgerald as the (top cop) for the state troopers of Wisconsin.
Steve Fitzgerald is related to the Fitzgerald brothers, he is their father, that's right Stephan Fitzgerald is the 68 year old father of the speaker of the assembly and the father of the former minority leader of the state senate.
I am not quibbling with Walkers appointment with regards to his abilities to do his new job, rather have a cynical attitude towards his relationship with the governor and his two politically wired sons. I simply can't believe that a (younger) and better qualified man couldn't have been found. The post reeks of cronyism and sound like nepotism is alive and well in the Walker administration.
Doesn't anybody get it, "if it looks bad, smells kind of foul" and the people have the same interests, beliefs and operating procedures, (something is probably rotten in Wisconsin.) There is nothing wrong with a different opinion, the exchange of ideas often times means a melding of ideals and a better operation for the voters of Wisconsin. After all, isn't that what our elected officials are supposed to do for us, give us the best chance for suscess.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
SEXTING, TEXTING AND TOUCHING
SEXTING, TEXTING AND TOUCHING,
A strange world we live in today, what with instant, up to the minute news headlines, text messages that precede the (up to the minute headlines), with pictures no less, all brought to you by that little pocket cell phone which, twenty years ago was a cumbersome devise only used by the rich and shameless.
How a political figure, one elected to his position through the voting process in America can be as stupid as to leave a trail of covert messages, one's that can be received and recorded, of messages so private and fraught with sexual innuendos, that even make me blush.
I am talking specifically about the former Calumet County district attorney, Kenneth R. Kratz, who resigned from his post in October in 2010. Kratz made the right choice and the only real choice that he could make when then Governor Jim Doyle began the removal process at the highest level in the state.
Since the first women's complaint was made public, four other women came forward with their own complaints of his, (Kratz) sexting messages. Wisconsin had it's first case(s) of Sexting text-gate and the number of such complaints would reach a bakers dozen.
Ken Kratz saw the hand writing on the wall, or in this case, (the textings on the wall.) Kratz resigned as mounting pressure from some of his fellow district attorneys, state lawmakers and victims' advocate groups. For Kratz, his family and friends, the resignation must have been terrible, embarrassing and almost unbearable to withstand.
Kratz had been the Calumet County's district attorney since 1992, which after 18 years was a life-style, not a job or vocation. The perks and recognition related to the office are many and varied and the tastes acquired become habit and expected. All of that is gone as is the salary and benefit packages that were cultivated through the years.
Kratz referred to his sext vixen as a "young, hot nymph", wondering if she "liked secret contact with an older married elected D.A." Ummm, ummm, hot stuff, of course everybody knows these erotic HOT messages didn't work.
Almost lost is the equation is the intimidation that was brought to bear on these young women as well as the feeling of helplessness. After all the office of the district attorney has the power to do many, many hurtful things to a common citizen.
Violated, emotional pain and suffering are just two of the words that come to mind. My wife would have probably punched the old fart, shook her head and walked away. Of course she is probably the single strongest person that I have ever met. She would have handled the incident with the proper amount of disdain it deserved.
For me, the incident proves once again how absolute power corrupts, absolutely. Elected officials, (not all) use an extended period of never being wrong, (how many district attorneys recant a decision that has been argued as wrong, a mistake.) I can answer that question, "not many."
So, for Kratz, his improper sexting wasn't wrong, it was a right and it was his right, his position made it right. It's an attitude, an attitude of entitlement, of not being wrong, of being able to do whatever he wants. Sadly the longer some people remain in elected office, and are re-elected multiple times, they get this feeling of (being above and beyond), they actually start to believe the crap they spit out.
To bad Kenny, all you needed to do was talk with the lady, gotten a motel room and used your middle aged charms to induce whatever a rather rolly polly elected public official does with a women half his age. Your probably lucky pal, she might have killed you, now how would that have looked to the rest of your generation.
Since leaving office in October, Kenneth Kratz has opened a private legal practice in Kimberly, Wisconsin. I'm not sure what is legal expertise is, but I have a suggestion for him.....sex crimes.
A strange world we live in today, what with instant, up to the minute news headlines, text messages that precede the (up to the minute headlines), with pictures no less, all brought to you by that little pocket cell phone which, twenty years ago was a cumbersome devise only used by the rich and shameless.
How a political figure, one elected to his position through the voting process in America can be as stupid as to leave a trail of covert messages, one's that can be received and recorded, of messages so private and fraught with sexual innuendos, that even make me blush.
I am talking specifically about the former Calumet County district attorney, Kenneth R. Kratz, who resigned from his post in October in 2010. Kratz made the right choice and the only real choice that he could make when then Governor Jim Doyle began the removal process at the highest level in the state.
Since the first women's complaint was made public, four other women came forward with their own complaints of his, (Kratz) sexting messages. Wisconsin had it's first case(s) of Sexting text-gate and the number of such complaints would reach a bakers dozen.
Ken Kratz saw the hand writing on the wall, or in this case, (the textings on the wall.) Kratz resigned as mounting pressure from some of his fellow district attorneys, state lawmakers and victims' advocate groups. For Kratz, his family and friends, the resignation must have been terrible, embarrassing and almost unbearable to withstand.
Kratz had been the Calumet County's district attorney since 1992, which after 18 years was a life-style, not a job or vocation. The perks and recognition related to the office are many and varied and the tastes acquired become habit and expected. All of that is gone as is the salary and benefit packages that were cultivated through the years.
Kratz referred to his sext vixen as a "young, hot nymph", wondering if she "liked secret contact with an older married elected D.A." Ummm, ummm, hot stuff, of course everybody knows these erotic HOT messages didn't work.
Almost lost is the equation is the intimidation that was brought to bear on these young women as well as the feeling of helplessness. After all the office of the district attorney has the power to do many, many hurtful things to a common citizen.
Violated, emotional pain and suffering are just two of the words that come to mind. My wife would have probably punched the old fart, shook her head and walked away. Of course she is probably the single strongest person that I have ever met. She would have handled the incident with the proper amount of disdain it deserved.
For me, the incident proves once again how absolute power corrupts, absolutely. Elected officials, (not all) use an extended period of never being wrong, (how many district attorneys recant a decision that has been argued as wrong, a mistake.) I can answer that question, "not many."
So, for Kratz, his improper sexting wasn't wrong, it was a right and it was his right, his position made it right. It's an attitude, an attitude of entitlement, of not being wrong, of being able to do whatever he wants. Sadly the longer some people remain in elected office, and are re-elected multiple times, they get this feeling of (being above and beyond), they actually start to believe the crap they spit out.
To bad Kenny, all you needed to do was talk with the lady, gotten a motel room and used your middle aged charms to induce whatever a rather rolly polly elected public official does with a women half his age. Your probably lucky pal, she might have killed you, now how would that have looked to the rest of your generation.
Since leaving office in October, Kenneth Kratz has opened a private legal practice in Kimberly, Wisconsin. I'm not sure what is legal expertise is, but I have a suggestion for him.....sex crimes.
Monday, March 28, 2011
SPEED TRAP
SPEED TRAP,
In a sleepy South Carolina coastal town, drivers whiz through the outskirts on interstate 95, an extension of Washington D.C.'s beltway, more then a hundred miles to the north. The posted speed limit is 70, but we all know that posted speed limits don't really mean what they say, they mean 10 miles more, or in the case of I 95 near Ridgeland, S.C. 80. Ya, that's what I'm talking about.
So when Joe Blow races along the "95" like Dale Earnhardt, imagine his shock when a couple of weeks later he gets a speeding ticket for going 90 m.p.h. in a 70 m.p.h. speed zone. The ticket is complete with his license plate number, the date of the infraction, the cost of the violation and an incriminating photo of the driver.
The photo ticket has struck again, the long arm of Johnny Law, capturing another terror of the road, whacking him with a couple hundred dollar fine to be paid within 60 days of the issuance of the ticket. Once news of this new deterrent to traffic speeding gets around, the obvious happens, drivers slow down to safer legal speeds and driving along the stretch of the interstate is safer, right.....wrong, well kinda wrong.
Even though the cameras have captured thousands of Earnhardt wanna be drivers and made at least the Ridgeland area safer to drive and tickets issued have supported the camera, heated opposition from state lawmakers and has sparked federal court challenges. "What the hell you say," read on my faithful reader.
Some S.C. lawmakers want to unplug the speed grabbing device, siting that the system is just a "money grubbing" piece of equipment and is in fact unconstitutional selective law enforcement. One state Senator commented that "we're absolutely shutting it down." As one caught speeder remarked, "I don't think it's right, if you get stopped by an officer, know you have been stopped and have an opportunity to state your case."
Makes perfect sense to me, I can just hear this guy right now, "jeez officer, I have a date, am late and needed to go 85 in a 70." Or the one I've used over and over, "sorry officer, but I gotta go, you know, pee, I promise if you let me off, I'll never speed again and I'll pee before I leave the house, I PROMISE. The guy that was issued the ticket paid the fine, saying it was less expensive then driving six hours back to the Ridgeland traffic court, plus he was worried about another ticket.
This speed trip, "come on, lets call it what it really is," is practiced in 14 states as well as the District of Columbia at the present time. Statistics back up law enforcement use of the camera system, citing lower accident rates and in several cases, fewer issued speeding tickets because of the action.
Critics talk about issuing tickets by a traffic cop in person, as opposed to mailing them. There is also the question of selective enforcement and the system being (unfair) to the offending driver. It like a bank robber complaining about surveillance cameras in a bank and how they, (cameras) are making it tougher for the guy to do his (robbing a bank) job. Don't we have more important things to do?
In a sleepy South Carolina coastal town, drivers whiz through the outskirts on interstate 95, an extension of Washington D.C.'s beltway, more then a hundred miles to the north. The posted speed limit is 70, but we all know that posted speed limits don't really mean what they say, they mean 10 miles more, or in the case of I 95 near Ridgeland, S.C. 80. Ya, that's what I'm talking about.
So when Joe Blow races along the "95" like Dale Earnhardt, imagine his shock when a couple of weeks later he gets a speeding ticket for going 90 m.p.h. in a 70 m.p.h. speed zone. The ticket is complete with his license plate number, the date of the infraction, the cost of the violation and an incriminating photo of the driver.
The photo ticket has struck again, the long arm of Johnny Law, capturing another terror of the road, whacking him with a couple hundred dollar fine to be paid within 60 days of the issuance of the ticket. Once news of this new deterrent to traffic speeding gets around, the obvious happens, drivers slow down to safer legal speeds and driving along the stretch of the interstate is safer, right.....wrong, well kinda wrong.
Even though the cameras have captured thousands of Earnhardt wanna be drivers and made at least the Ridgeland area safer to drive and tickets issued have supported the camera, heated opposition from state lawmakers and has sparked federal court challenges. "What the hell you say," read on my faithful reader.
Some S.C. lawmakers want to unplug the speed grabbing device, siting that the system is just a "money grubbing" piece of equipment and is in fact unconstitutional selective law enforcement. One state Senator commented that "we're absolutely shutting it down." As one caught speeder remarked, "I don't think it's right, if you get stopped by an officer, know you have been stopped and have an opportunity to state your case."
Makes perfect sense to me, I can just hear this guy right now, "jeez officer, I have a date, am late and needed to go 85 in a 70." Or the one I've used over and over, "sorry officer, but I gotta go, you know, pee, I promise if you let me off, I'll never speed again and I'll pee before I leave the house, I PROMISE. The guy that was issued the ticket paid the fine, saying it was less expensive then driving six hours back to the Ridgeland traffic court, plus he was worried about another ticket.
This speed trip, "come on, lets call it what it really is," is practiced in 14 states as well as the District of Columbia at the present time. Statistics back up law enforcement use of the camera system, citing lower accident rates and in several cases, fewer issued speeding tickets because of the action.
Critics talk about issuing tickets by a traffic cop in person, as opposed to mailing them. There is also the question of selective enforcement and the system being (unfair) to the offending driver. It like a bank robber complaining about surveillance cameras in a bank and how they, (cameras) are making it tougher for the guy to do his (robbing a bank) job. Don't we have more important things to do?
Sunday, March 27, 2011
introduction
Hello,
Exchange of opinions, ideas and news, news, news is what this blog, FRAZER CHRONICLES, ALL THE NEWS NOBODY WILL PRINT is about. No judgement will be passed and opinions posted herein will be based on experience, common sense and the mixing of facts received.
Come one, come all, join the world of learning and openmindedness.
Exchange of opinions, ideas and news, news, news is what this blog, FRAZER CHRONICLES, ALL THE NEWS NOBODY WILL PRINT is about. No judgement will be passed and opinions posted herein will be based on experience, common sense and the mixing of facts received.
Come one, come all, join the world of learning and openmindedness.
SPLINTERD EFFECT
SPLINTERED EFFECT,
More insight from the Thursday evening union vote here in Green Bay between the city and it's collective unions that represent 15 different segments of city workers. Some of the unions are, well, just that, unions, either affiliated with state or national organizations which represent thousands of public workers throughout the country.
There are a few representative organizations that have hired a legal aid person to negotiate for them as well as the (real) unions here in Green Bay. These legal aid people are, of course lawyers, who eventually wield enormous power over their group of workers. This was no more evident then this past week here in Green Bay, when a single attorney and his represented group dictated how the rest of the city workforce would settle with the city of Green Bay.
It was a caustic example of how the splintering of union activity failed and how one group and one voice can alter the actions of many. Of course this attorney had, in hand, signatures from every one of his constituents an assurance that they would continue to pay the legal fees and the guidance this attorney gave in the course of his duties as their representative.
To my way of thinking, the actions of a few and their hired gun took advantage of weak leadership by the more established unions representing the vast majority of city workers in Green Bay. Not only was the representation weak, it was pathetically weak. You sir will have to back up to the pay window next month.
What this action did, effectively dealt the union representation in Green Bay a death blow. The city didn't need "Sleepy" Walker's budget repair bill, or "Shadow" Schmitt's (line holding) action on taxes, all they needed was one group of city workers with no comprehension about long term thinking, one blowhard attorney figure head and a wimpy union rep to do the job.
Congratulations..... you know who you are, way to go. The little people, those who work the after hours shift, cleaning the halls, offices and bathrooms of the city building appreciate your actions. Just think, even though they pay the same union dues, it will now take them four hours to make that payment instead of two. How long do you think that will continue?
More insight from the Thursday evening union vote here in Green Bay between the city and it's collective unions that represent 15 different segments of city workers. Some of the unions are, well, just that, unions, either affiliated with state or national organizations which represent thousands of public workers throughout the country.
There are a few representative organizations that have hired a legal aid person to negotiate for them as well as the (real) unions here in Green Bay. These legal aid people are, of course lawyers, who eventually wield enormous power over their group of workers. This was no more evident then this past week here in Green Bay, when a single attorney and his represented group dictated how the rest of the city workforce would settle with the city of Green Bay.
It was a caustic example of how the splintering of union activity failed and how one group and one voice can alter the actions of many. Of course this attorney had, in hand, signatures from every one of his constituents an assurance that they would continue to pay the legal fees and the guidance this attorney gave in the course of his duties as their representative.
To my way of thinking, the actions of a few and their hired gun took advantage of weak leadership by the more established unions representing the vast majority of city workers in Green Bay. Not only was the representation weak, it was pathetically weak. You sir will have to back up to the pay window next month.
What this action did, effectively dealt the union representation in Green Bay a death blow. The city didn't need "Sleepy" Walker's budget repair bill, or "Shadow" Schmitt's (line holding) action on taxes, all they needed was one group of city workers with no comprehension about long term thinking, one blowhard attorney figure head and a wimpy union rep to do the job.
Congratulations..... you know who you are, way to go. The little people, those who work the after hours shift, cleaning the halls, offices and bathrooms of the city building appreciate your actions. Just think, even though they pay the same union dues, it will now take them four hours to make that payment instead of two. How long do you think that will continue?
Wisconsin collective bargaining law published
WISCONSIN COLLECTIVE BARGAINING LAW TRIPPED BY LEGALIZE
Okay, two kids in a sand box with one toy between them, do they share, or does one go home, defeated by the other. Of course one goes home, hurt, defeated and pondering how he can get even. This scenario has been played out over the past month or so in Wisconsin's halls of legislature by a bunch of polarized silly officials that we put into representative positions through our democratic process.
I carry the feeling, as many Wisconsinites do, that the break neck spending has to stop, not for our kids future, but for us, here in the present. Unlike others, I do not advocate a smaller government, rather a more judicious operation, locally and at the state level. I agree that benefits and who pays for them needs to be reigned in and a whole new plan needs to be implemented.
This (plan) won't be an easy one, taking away negotiated benefits and concessions from management are guarded by employees the same way a mother defends a child. But to arbitrarily make sweeping changes becomes immediately a test of wills and is counter productive and unnecessary. People are basically moral, decent and have a pride in family, where they live and the job they have.
What the republicans have done, lead by newly elected Governor Scott "Sleepy" Walker, is like saying "unions and those public employees that work (through) their unions are greedy, advantage takers and are bankrupting our state." This is so far from the truth, it's almost laughable and in fact challenges common sense and the intelligence of the voting population of the state.
It's partisan politics at it's best, requiring little complex thought and further divides Wisconsin. The opinion of union workers by Wisconsinites is, sadly a complex issue and has been further cultivated by the Walker regime in his short two months in office.
Simply put, what unions do is protect worker rights in the workplace, to set pay rates and establish benefit programs. All of these rights and benefit programs have been proposed along the way and negotiated through the proper channels and either granted or opposed. At no time did public union workers not follow the rules of (engagement) as stipulated
So now, in one sweeping action, Walker is attempting to change the rules in the middle of the game. Lies, deceit, innuendos, and half truths are being used to further an agenda to completely fracture the public sector unions in Wisconsin. Do not think that this atmosphere of a power grab and the tools used is reserved for the Republic's only, Democrats do and have done the same thing.
With the (publication) of the law, whether it can be implemented or not now rests with the courts. Again the toy in the sand box, the bully boy and the kid walking away, hurt and planning retribution at a later date. It has been stated that a nonpartisan legislative bureau published the law and a nonpartisan attorney for the legislature said the move was "merely procedural."
The outcome is already a foregone conclusion that state worker collective bargaining rights will be struck down sooner or later, it's just a matter of time. The Republican (repair the budget bill) has only begun and no public outcry can change that. The score, if you keeping track of the game is "Sleepy" Walker 1, opponents 0.
Lawyers from both sides will argue their cases, but the law will become the rule for Wisconsin's public workforce and we will all move on to the next part of the Republican repair for the state budget and it's many ills. Keep your scorecards handy.
Okay, two kids in a sand box with one toy between them, do they share, or does one go home, defeated by the other. Of course one goes home, hurt, defeated and pondering how he can get even. This scenario has been played out over the past month or so in Wisconsin's halls of legislature by a bunch of polarized silly officials that we put into representative positions through our democratic process.
I carry the feeling, as many Wisconsinites do, that the break neck spending has to stop, not for our kids future, but for us, here in the present. Unlike others, I do not advocate a smaller government, rather a more judicious operation, locally and at the state level. I agree that benefits and who pays for them needs to be reigned in and a whole new plan needs to be implemented.
This (plan) won't be an easy one, taking away negotiated benefits and concessions from management are guarded by employees the same way a mother defends a child. But to arbitrarily make sweeping changes becomes immediately a test of wills and is counter productive and unnecessary. People are basically moral, decent and have a pride in family, where they live and the job they have.
What the republicans have done, lead by newly elected Governor Scott "Sleepy" Walker, is like saying "unions and those public employees that work (through) their unions are greedy, advantage takers and are bankrupting our state." This is so far from the truth, it's almost laughable and in fact challenges common sense and the intelligence of the voting population of the state.
It's partisan politics at it's best, requiring little complex thought and further divides Wisconsin. The opinion of union workers by Wisconsinites is, sadly a complex issue and has been further cultivated by the Walker regime in his short two months in office.
Simply put, what unions do is protect worker rights in the workplace, to set pay rates and establish benefit programs. All of these rights and benefit programs have been proposed along the way and negotiated through the proper channels and either granted or opposed. At no time did public union workers not follow the rules of (engagement) as stipulated
So now, in one sweeping action, Walker is attempting to change the rules in the middle of the game. Lies, deceit, innuendos, and half truths are being used to further an agenda to completely fracture the public sector unions in Wisconsin. Do not think that this atmosphere of a power grab and the tools used is reserved for the Republic's only, Democrats do and have done the same thing.
With the (publication) of the law, whether it can be implemented or not now rests with the courts. Again the toy in the sand box, the bully boy and the kid walking away, hurt and planning retribution at a later date. It has been stated that a nonpartisan legislative bureau published the law and a nonpartisan attorney for the legislature said the move was "merely procedural."
The outcome is already a foregone conclusion that state worker collective bargaining rights will be struck down sooner or later, it's just a matter of time. The Republican (repair the budget bill) has only begun and no public outcry can change that. The score, if you keeping track of the game is "Sleepy" Walker 1, opponents 0.
Lawyers from both sides will argue their cases, but the law will become the rule for Wisconsin's public workforce and we will all move on to the next part of the Republican repair for the state budget and it's many ills. Keep your scorecards handy.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Frazer Chronicles: BITES & PIECES
Frazer Chronicles: BITES & PIECES: "PIECES, Well a strike has been averted in Green Bay, everybody was happy, the union was slapping itself on the back and city council member..."
BITES & PIECES
PIECES,
Well a strike has been averted in Green Bay, everybody was happy, the union was slapping itself on the back and city council members were high fiving. Under the gun and under the wire an agreement was reached, a contract was ratified and everybody heaved a right big sigh of relief, (thank you and good nite, drive safely.)
Brought more into line was health insurance benefits and the division of payments by employer and employee. Sick days, vacation, personal days and retirement pensions were further established and there was a unification throughout the 15 different unions representing city workers regarding several issues.
Green Bay's city employees will be required to pay more for health insurance as well as their pension funds. City employees have had it their way for way to long and change was inevitable, those that didn't see this change coming were living in a vault somewhere deep underground.
I do however have questions and reservations with regards to how the unions negociated not only with the city of Green bay, but also with their members. A Tuesday night city council meeting preceeded the Thursday vote, leaving union members little time to read and understand contract extension criteria. The vote begin at 4:00 P.M. and directly after was another council meeting, talk about a (rush to judgement.)
According to my source, these pay benefit inccreases by city employees will take place beginning in July of this year. All told the additional particapation by city workers will amount to about a 10% pay cut. Actually I do not have a problem with the increase in employee benefit pay, in good times as well as bad, taxpayers shoulden't have to sholder the load of public workers to the extent that it was.
BITS,
Michigan is doing it's part to cut state budgetary shortfalls by elminating almost half of it's 62 state police posts. There at present are 62 of these centers that is the core for the troopers to carry out their duties. Communications, holding cells, repair for vechiles and administration work is carried out at these sites.
The Michigan Govanor expects to have 29 of these sites closed, saving an initial $21 million dollars. No troopers positions will be lost, they will operate out of their houses, or leased buildings with no operating hours. According to a Michigan State Police spokewomen, "services will either be unchanged or enhanced given the increased flexibilty in deployment."
PIECES,
Ohio Govanor John Kasich is cutting in to that states budgetary woes by cutting $3 billion to local government, $2 billion to schools and libraries, and count on the sale of five prisons and the selling of future profits from state liquor sales to close the gap.
Why education and the tools to facilitate the process seems to be the first to be attached when budget cuts are necessary is beyond me. I suppose that they are the most visable and tied entirely to tax revenue and therefore the first to be attached.
It seems that legislaters forget the old saying that "today's kids are our future." Education needs to be left alone so that we can continue to bargin in the twenty first century with the rest of the world. When kids are educated, we are all winners.
Well a strike has been averted in Green Bay, everybody was happy, the union was slapping itself on the back and city council members were high fiving. Under the gun and under the wire an agreement was reached, a contract was ratified and everybody heaved a right big sigh of relief, (thank you and good nite, drive safely.)
Brought more into line was health insurance benefits and the division of payments by employer and employee. Sick days, vacation, personal days and retirement pensions were further established and there was a unification throughout the 15 different unions representing city workers regarding several issues.
Green Bay's city employees will be required to pay more for health insurance as well as their pension funds. City employees have had it their way for way to long and change was inevitable, those that didn't see this change coming were living in a vault somewhere deep underground.
I do however have questions and reservations with regards to how the unions negociated not only with the city of Green bay, but also with their members. A Tuesday night city council meeting preceeded the Thursday vote, leaving union members little time to read and understand contract extension criteria. The vote begin at 4:00 P.M. and directly after was another council meeting, talk about a (rush to judgement.)
According to my source, these pay benefit inccreases by city employees will take place beginning in July of this year. All told the additional particapation by city workers will amount to about a 10% pay cut. Actually I do not have a problem with the increase in employee benefit pay, in good times as well as bad, taxpayers shoulden't have to sholder the load of public workers to the extent that it was.
BITS,
Michigan is doing it's part to cut state budgetary shortfalls by elminating almost half of it's 62 state police posts. There at present are 62 of these centers that is the core for the troopers to carry out their duties. Communications, holding cells, repair for vechiles and administration work is carried out at these sites.
The Michigan Govanor expects to have 29 of these sites closed, saving an initial $21 million dollars. No troopers positions will be lost, they will operate out of their houses, or leased buildings with no operating hours. According to a Michigan State Police spokewomen, "services will either be unchanged or enhanced given the increased flexibilty in deployment."
PIECES,
Ohio Govanor John Kasich is cutting in to that states budgetary woes by cutting $3 billion to local government, $2 billion to schools and libraries, and count on the sale of five prisons and the selling of future profits from state liquor sales to close the gap.
Why education and the tools to facilitate the process seems to be the first to be attached when budget cuts are necessary is beyond me. I suppose that they are the most visable and tied entirely to tax revenue and therefore the first to be attached.
It seems that legislaters forget the old saying that "today's kids are our future." Education needs to be left alone so that we can continue to bargin in the twenty first century with the rest of the world. When kids are educated, we are all winners.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
ECONOMY AND WAGES
THE ECONOMY TIED TO WAGES,
It is true that America is driven by money, whether we have it, or don't goes a long way in deciding how well off we are as individuals and conversely how well off our country is. However big business doesn't quite see it that way. They, (big business) basically look at their workers with little more respect then pieces on a chess board, replaceable at the local K-Mart.
The relationship between management and labor has always been a tenuous proposition at best. We've all had asshole bosses, those people (men as well as women) who were difficult to get along with and in some cases impossible. I however have always looked upon those poor bastards with a degree of compassion, it's not their fault that there assholes, they were born assholes, were raised up in that environment and will die assholes.
The real culprits here are those business owners or managers who hire these pricks, they know who they are hiring and do it for one reason only, to get whatever production that they want from workers. They fail to understand that decent working conditions, respectful supervisors and wage incentives bring out the best in workers. American workers are team players that come together for a common goal of production and success.
Sadly many, many employees do not have the capacity to realize this fact of American workers. Some of these pricks, (owners) feel that it's a game that they are playing and that they hold all the cards. unbelievably in many cases, business fails to understand the fact that without good decent wages, the mass will not have the money to buy the very products that they are producing. I have personally seen this attitude, it's not pretty and is counter productive.
Intimidation and ruthless authoritarian practices are many times observed in lower end employment. With little exception employees are subjected to the whim of either a supervisor, or a hands on owner. The general view of employees is that, (they are lazy, try and get away with as much as possible and can't be trusted).
These people will never change, they are without any comprehension of what they are and what they stand for. We now face a new atmosphere in America, lower wages, less benefits and more owner rights, rights without much questioning of their authority. All of this is bad for the worker, his family and the United States. Conservative Republicans are looking at this change with gleeful smiles and ata-boy handshakes and see only dollar signs.
Some of these business people have went even a step further, they have out sourced some of their production, lowering even more their production costs. They then import their product back to the United States for sale to those American employees that they are paying less money to, albeit at lower costs, and make money at both ends, (production and sales.)
There always has been a war between management and labor, usually in the name of a Capitalistic process of supply and demand, of the market taking care of itself, like it was a human being. Corporations are also like a human being, complete with arms, legs and a voice. I have a soccer ball that I call Wilson, does that make (him) human?
The war will continue and the economy will be effected and some will question why. However as with any sports season, sometimes you win and sometimes you lose. Until we all come to understand that having a job is not fortunate, but rather a worker selling his skills or labor and that a business owner does have responsibilities to his workers, this battle will go on.
It is true that America is driven by money, whether we have it, or don't goes a long way in deciding how well off we are as individuals and conversely how well off our country is. However big business doesn't quite see it that way. They, (big business) basically look at their workers with little more respect then pieces on a chess board, replaceable at the local K-Mart.
The relationship between management and labor has always been a tenuous proposition at best. We've all had asshole bosses, those people (men as well as women) who were difficult to get along with and in some cases impossible. I however have always looked upon those poor bastards with a degree of compassion, it's not their fault that there assholes, they were born assholes, were raised up in that environment and will die assholes.
The real culprits here are those business owners or managers who hire these pricks, they know who they are hiring and do it for one reason only, to get whatever production that they want from workers. They fail to understand that decent working conditions, respectful supervisors and wage incentives bring out the best in workers. American workers are team players that come together for a common goal of production and success.
Sadly many, many employees do not have the capacity to realize this fact of American workers. Some of these pricks, (owners) feel that it's a game that they are playing and that they hold all the cards. unbelievably in many cases, business fails to understand the fact that without good decent wages, the mass will not have the money to buy the very products that they are producing. I have personally seen this attitude, it's not pretty and is counter productive.
Intimidation and ruthless authoritarian practices are many times observed in lower end employment. With little exception employees are subjected to the whim of either a supervisor, or a hands on owner. The general view of employees is that, (they are lazy, try and get away with as much as possible and can't be trusted).
These people will never change, they are without any comprehension of what they are and what they stand for. We now face a new atmosphere in America, lower wages, less benefits and more owner rights, rights without much questioning of their authority. All of this is bad for the worker, his family and the United States. Conservative Republicans are looking at this change with gleeful smiles and ata-boy handshakes and see only dollar signs.
Some of these business people have went even a step further, they have out sourced some of their production, lowering even more their production costs. They then import their product back to the United States for sale to those American employees that they are paying less money to, albeit at lower costs, and make money at both ends, (production and sales.)
There always has been a war between management and labor, usually in the name of a Capitalistic process of supply and demand, of the market taking care of itself, like it was a human being. Corporations are also like a human being, complete with arms, legs and a voice. I have a soccer ball that I call Wilson, does that make (him) human?
The war will continue and the economy will be effected and some will question why. However as with any sports season, sometimes you win and sometimes you lose. Until we all come to understand that having a job is not fortunate, but rather a worker selling his skills or labor and that a business owner does have responsibilities to his workers, this battle will go on.
NEGOTIATIONS
NEGOTIATIONS,
Had to laugh, (ruefully) about the Green Bay, Wisconsin city hall meeting 3-22-11 and the related story in Wednesday's GREEN BAY PRESS GAZETTE edition. It is true that most of Green Bay city labor agreements end December 31st. 2011. Count them, 15 labor contracts with city workers, that's right folks, city employees are represented by 15 different unions, mostly with different desires, working in different sectors for.....us, the tax payer.
I call what Green Bay has with regards to it's labor force "the splinter effect." Please somebody tell me how effective a voice you can have when it's coming from 15 different places, with 15 different sets of working concers, 15 different wage desires and 15 different and unique divisions of services offered to the community.
Collective bargaining was granted to public workers in 1959 in Wisconsin. Through the years, employees and municipalities made concessions and gained advantages each in his own way. Sometimes the outcome of the bargaining process favored the worker, other times, the city. And sometimes the outlandish was asked for and won. Do you know how much it costs the city to allow fire departments to use fire trucks to be taken grocery shopping?
Has the unionization of city workers been in the best interest of Green Bay and the tax payer, absolutely not. Unless you call a city worker being allowed to work overtime the last several years of his employment with the city for the purpose of PADDING HIS RETIREMENT BENEFITS. That's just simple unadulterated abuse, not only by the worker, but by the supervisor allowing the practice to go on.
Like a guy working in the private sector said, "the gravy trains over, time to anti up and pay your fair share." The unions are a necessary evil, something that we all need to tolerate, a checks and balances type of process to guard both union and non-union workers alike. Unions do get their members seeming better benefits and decent pay for their services, there is no doubt about that.
However unions protect non-members as well, keeping the threat of unionization always a possibility in the workplace. Unless you trust your current employer to always treat you in an honorable manner, with fairness and respect. Why do you think unions cut better deals, and don't give me this crap about mafia enforcers, they get good deals through (collective bargaining).
Lost however in the process over the years has been an inability of our elected officials to monitor the unions and the requests asked and granted through contract negotiations. The concept of a union representing a group of workers is not novel, or a revolutionary idea. Workers have been attempting to gain a representative voice for hundreds of years in some form or another. It happened the very first time a group of cave-men hunters figured out that they needed somebody to lead the hunt and why it wasn't a good idea for one guy to try and spear a dinosaur, they (collectively) made the kill and each benefited for the food.
How Green Bay's splintered effect has shaped city workers has been a predictable process, especially when you deal with 15 different organizations and not even dealing with the two most important, police and fire, oh wait, I forgot, they are critical services and also two of the most powerful unions in the state and who is stupid enough to fiddle around with law enforcement and fire protection, especially at election time.
I have a simple and logical solution to the issue that has raised it's ugly head, workers pay what Governor Scott "Sleepy" Walker proposed with regards to health and retirement benefits, keep collective bargaining and monitor with a five member non-paid un-affiliated board of review, (no attorneys allowed.) These members could be picked from a phone book for all I care, they would have to be a home owner and a resident of the city of Green Bay.
This year we will see another mayoral election and it looks to me as if current mayor Jim "Shadow" Schmitts and challenger Patrick "Pretty Boy" Evans will stagger into the fall throwing barbs at one another in the usual political arena that has become our process. Budget and tax rates are the only real issues that need to be considered, not jobs, city mayors don't create jobs, it's not their job. Their job should include good sound negotiations with regards to union worker contracts. City workers have never had a strong position of collective bargaining, they can't strike, the ultimate threat by a worker.
Scott "Sleepy" Walkers position, from the start, was to bust the unions of Wisconsin, those who are surprised by his actions obviously didn't read his bio. What we need is for us to pay attention, get involved and to be a part of the process, we have sat on our hands way to long.
Had to laugh, (ruefully) about the Green Bay, Wisconsin city hall meeting 3-22-11 and the related story in Wednesday's GREEN BAY PRESS GAZETTE edition. It is true that most of Green Bay city labor agreements end December 31st. 2011. Count them, 15 labor contracts with city workers, that's right folks, city employees are represented by 15 different unions, mostly with different desires, working in different sectors for.....us, the tax payer.
I call what Green Bay has with regards to it's labor force "the splinter effect." Please somebody tell me how effective a voice you can have when it's coming from 15 different places, with 15 different sets of working concers, 15 different wage desires and 15 different and unique divisions of services offered to the community.
Collective bargaining was granted to public workers in 1959 in Wisconsin. Through the years, employees and municipalities made concessions and gained advantages each in his own way. Sometimes the outcome of the bargaining process favored the worker, other times, the city. And sometimes the outlandish was asked for and won. Do you know how much it costs the city to allow fire departments to use fire trucks to be taken grocery shopping?
Has the unionization of city workers been in the best interest of Green Bay and the tax payer, absolutely not. Unless you call a city worker being allowed to work overtime the last several years of his employment with the city for the purpose of PADDING HIS RETIREMENT BENEFITS. That's just simple unadulterated abuse, not only by the worker, but by the supervisor allowing the practice to go on.
Like a guy working in the private sector said, "the gravy trains over, time to anti up and pay your fair share." The unions are a necessary evil, something that we all need to tolerate, a checks and balances type of process to guard both union and non-union workers alike. Unions do get their members seeming better benefits and decent pay for their services, there is no doubt about that.
However unions protect non-members as well, keeping the threat of unionization always a possibility in the workplace. Unless you trust your current employer to always treat you in an honorable manner, with fairness and respect. Why do you think unions cut better deals, and don't give me this crap about mafia enforcers, they get good deals through (collective bargaining).
Lost however in the process over the years has been an inability of our elected officials to monitor the unions and the requests asked and granted through contract negotiations. The concept of a union representing a group of workers is not novel, or a revolutionary idea. Workers have been attempting to gain a representative voice for hundreds of years in some form or another. It happened the very first time a group of cave-men hunters figured out that they needed somebody to lead the hunt and why it wasn't a good idea for one guy to try and spear a dinosaur, they (collectively) made the kill and each benefited for the food.
How Green Bay's splintered effect has shaped city workers has been a predictable process, especially when you deal with 15 different organizations and not even dealing with the two most important, police and fire, oh wait, I forgot, they are critical services and also two of the most powerful unions in the state and who is stupid enough to fiddle around with law enforcement and fire protection, especially at election time.
I have a simple and logical solution to the issue that has raised it's ugly head, workers pay what Governor Scott "Sleepy" Walker proposed with regards to health and retirement benefits, keep collective bargaining and monitor with a five member non-paid un-affiliated board of review, (no attorneys allowed.) These members could be picked from a phone book for all I care, they would have to be a home owner and a resident of the city of Green Bay.
This year we will see another mayoral election and it looks to me as if current mayor Jim "Shadow" Schmitts and challenger Patrick "Pretty Boy" Evans will stagger into the fall throwing barbs at one another in the usual political arena that has become our process. Budget and tax rates are the only real issues that need to be considered, not jobs, city mayors don't create jobs, it's not their job. Their job should include good sound negotiations with regards to union worker contracts. City workers have never had a strong position of collective bargaining, they can't strike, the ultimate threat by a worker.
Scott "Sleepy" Walkers position, from the start, was to bust the unions of Wisconsin, those who are surprised by his actions obviously didn't read his bio. What we need is for us to pay attention, get involved and to be a part of the process, we have sat on our hands way to long.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Fond du Lack, Wisconsin cop shot
While the rest of the country continues it's day to day activity associated with their jobs, school and family, Fond du Lack, Wisconsin has lost one of it's police officers in a gun battle that wounded two other cops. While tragic, we will now have to endure days, weeks and even months of eulogy for the slain officer. In a way, this is okay, the position that police officers put themselves in, through their jobs requires reverence when one loses his life. The real victims however are remaining family, the wife, kids, brothers sisters and the mothers and fathers. They are expected to stand tall, eyes clear and brave the days and weeks of intense exposure that today's media seems to demand and that the police department almost requires.
In ever instance, when a cop loses his life in the line of duty, things are written and said with regards to the deceased. Things like "good cop", "a model for what an officer should be", "fearless" "a good family man and father." It amasses me that without exception, not one of our (public) officials, (cops, firefighters, dog catchers, code enforcement officers or parking utility people) are anything else but the best of the best.
It makes me cringe when I hear about "one of our own," a family member," or "a brother or sister" has lost his/her life in the line of duty. The same is true when one of our military men or women are killed in some foreign overseas war. "The brightest and best" is how it's put in news coverage.
In actuality the vast majority of these people are just like you and I, normal everyday people tiring to get by day by day, they just happened to get caught up in a situation and paid the ultimate price, their lives. Public service is way overrated, usually by those people in the service itself. Almost without exception people in the public service sector are in it for the benefits and paycheck. Don't believe me, find out how many will do their job without pay, or benefits.
My point is simple and obvious, money and benefits are the two swizzle stick that stirs the pot. These people chose their professions, (mostly), nothing was thrust upon them. I have known dozens of people that hungered to be a cop, or reached for the position in a fire department. NOBODY SCREWS WITH THOSE PEOPLE.
This attitude of public service, to (serve and protect) breads an atmosphere of entitlement and a position of superiority, you know, above the laws that are supposed to be enforced by normal everyday people just like us. Very seldom do police admit a mistake, or a misstep in their procedures in pursuing a convection.
When we subscribe to the family or brotherhood mentality and act every time one loses his life in the line of duty, we are perpetuating a flawed system. Maybe the truth of the matter is that the guy that lost his life was a real dick, an asshole with an attitude, a guy with a gun.
Only happens in big cities, ya right. You've never known a small town dick or asshole? What happened in Fond du Lack is sad and the guy needs to be remembered and whatever good things he did. However lets not get carried away every time something like this happens, lets move on.
In ever instance, when a cop loses his life in the line of duty, things are written and said with regards to the deceased. Things like "good cop", "a model for what an officer should be", "fearless" "a good family man and father." It amasses me that without exception, not one of our (public) officials, (cops, firefighters, dog catchers, code enforcement officers or parking utility people) are anything else but the best of the best.
It makes me cringe when I hear about "one of our own," a family member," or "a brother or sister" has lost his/her life in the line of duty. The same is true when one of our military men or women are killed in some foreign overseas war. "The brightest and best" is how it's put in news coverage.
In actuality the vast majority of these people are just like you and I, normal everyday people tiring to get by day by day, they just happened to get caught up in a situation and paid the ultimate price, their lives. Public service is way overrated, usually by those people in the service itself. Almost without exception people in the public service sector are in it for the benefits and paycheck. Don't believe me, find out how many will do their job without pay, or benefits.
My point is simple and obvious, money and benefits are the two swizzle stick that stirs the pot. These people chose their professions, (mostly), nothing was thrust upon them. I have known dozens of people that hungered to be a cop, or reached for the position in a fire department. NOBODY SCREWS WITH THOSE PEOPLE.
This attitude of public service, to (serve and protect) breads an atmosphere of entitlement and a position of superiority, you know, above the laws that are supposed to be enforced by normal everyday people just like us. Very seldom do police admit a mistake, or a misstep in their procedures in pursuing a convection.
When we subscribe to the family or brotherhood mentality and act every time one loses his life in the line of duty, we are perpetuating a flawed system. Maybe the truth of the matter is that the guy that lost his life was a real dick, an asshole with an attitude, a guy with a gun.
Only happens in big cities, ya right. You've never known a small town dick or asshole? What happened in Fond du Lack is sad and the guy needs to be remembered and whatever good things he did. However lets not get carried away every time something like this happens, lets move on.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
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