Wow, every time I poke my nose out of my warm kitty blanket, something is stirring around the world. In Egypt, Libia, Madison, and all over the Middle East, people are rising up to claim rights we democats have had for along time.  Yep, I did say Madison! Although its not in the Middle East you sure couldn’t discern that from the pictures of Captial Square these days, and all because a Republirat governor has decided to act like a middle east potentate. The Governor (and I do use the term usely) has decided to end most collective bargaining rights for the state’s workers.

    My hooman walked a picket line for twenty-three days to stand up for the right of labor to organize. He says it was the hardest think he’s ever had to do.  He’s told me the stories of people like Joe Hill, and many others, workers, their families, and their children who were massacred because they dared to fight for worker’s rights. And now, after our friends, the ones fond of Tea-bagging, are pushing the Repulbirats to do the very things the rats have always wanted to do. And one of them is to kill collective bargaining. Before you say it, there have been some abuses by unions. They are nothing compared to the treatment workers received before they organized.

    I notice the gov did exclude police and fire unions from this horrendous bill.  I also give a big meow-out to the members of the Madison Fire Fighter’s Union who went out on the picket line anyway. Thanks for standing up for your sisters and brothers. You other police and fire unions – think again about your support. The gov will come for you next!

    The question is, what do we do know? Demonstrations don’s seem to be working. The gov and his pet tea-baggers are just as set at taking away workers right to bargain in good faith and placing all the power back into the government and the employerss hands.  Three solutions seem to rise up to the surface. The first is the non-violent approach of Martin Luther King and Mahatma Ghandi. Go up those capital steps, get as far into the building, and sit down. Chain yourself to a column, a stair rail, a politician, who is really on a mental par with the first two choices. Don’t more until they come to arrest you. And when you’re released, get some more chains and lock yourself up again. It doesn't sound like much but recall Gandhi's words, "First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.”  You can win this way but I'd suggest you accopany it with idea number 2: recall all these idiots and place someone in office who can understand both management and labor.

    But perhaps we have gone beyond those points. Gov. Walker, hey didn’t we just send him to prison in Illinois not too long ago?, doesn’t seem to be getting the message. OK, so here’s a bigger one. People of Madison, Wisconsin,  - everyone, lock your doors, and pick up a picket sign - GENERAL STRIKE - Shut the city down. If that doesn’t work, expand it to the whole state.

    Believe me folks this is the tip of the iceberg, if it works republirats will try it everywhere else! We can’t let them win! And all you Tea-Baggers out there. You also seem to be middle class. You have jobs. Don’t you want to protect your right to fair employment.  Remember the poem by written by The Rev. Martin Niemöller during the fight against real socialism.

        "First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out --
        Because I was not a Socialist.

        Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out --
        Because I was not a Trade Unionist.

        Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out --
        Because I was not a Jew.

        Then they came for me -- and there was no one left to speak for me."

       
    Tea-baggers, they are after you too. And if you let your good buddies do this, you’ll be next.

    Workers, keep up the good fight. Don’t let them take away your rights and dishonor those who literally gave their lives for the cause.

    And people of Madison, remember, lock it down. And if that doesn’t work, it’s time for a general strike - shut the city down.