The Maddow Blog - Walker in Wisconsin: 'Divide and conquer'

By Steve Benen In Wisconsin, Gov. Scott Walker (R) frequently talks about people "working together" to solve problems. As it turns out, it's a two-word phrase he may want to revise -- "working together" and "divide and conquer" are not complementary.


The Maddow Blog - Walker in Wisconsin: 'Divide and conquer'

The Finish Line is Nearing

This Is It!
After more than a year of fighting Scott Walker and the out-of-state billionaires driving his attacks on our state, we’re almost to the finish line—and we are united behind electing Tom Barrett.

This Saturday at noon, We Are Wisconsin will host grassroots Solidarity Kickoff events in 27 field offices across Wisconsin. Click here to RSVP for a kickoff near you.

It’s going to take every ounce of grassroots energy we have to beat back Walker and his limitless out-of-state campaign cash. At these kickoff events, we’ll come together to show the Koch brothers and their allies that their slick TV ads can’t match our energy and momentum.

After a short program, we’ll be hitting the streets statewide to start vital conversations with our neighbors about how—together—we’re going to send Scott Walker packing. Polls show this race is going to be incredibly close and every single one of these conversations with voters will have an impact. Grassroots activism is how this started and it’s how we’re going to win.

Check out the map above to find your local We Are Wisconsin office and sign up for a kickoff event this Saturday. We can’t wait a minute more to start working to get Tom Barrett elected. Whether you’ve been volunteering nonstop for a year or are just getting started, we need absolutely everyone on board.

We’re going to take back our state one voter at a time—and we’re not going to rest until Tom Barrett is elected Governor. Please join us at your local Solidarity Kickoff event this Saturday at noon to make sure this movement finishes what it started.

In solidarity,

Kristen Crowell
Executive Director, We Are Wisconsin

Marty Beil
Executive Director, AFSCME Council 24

Paulette Feld
President, AFSCME Council 24

Why Mayor Barrett Wants To Defeat His Governor : NPR

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett won the Democratic primary earlier this week, earning the chance to challenge Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker at the polls. Barrett lost a race for the governor's seat to Walker in 2010. Host Michel Martin speaks with Barrett about whether the outrage over Walker's cuts to collective bargaining rights will be enough for him to win this rematch.


Why Mayor Barrett Wants To Defeat His Governor : NPR

In film, Walker talks of 'divide and conquer' union strategy - JSOnline

….. In the video shot on Jan. 18, 2011 - shortly before Walker's controversial budget-repair bill was introduced and spawned mass protests - Hendricks asked the governor whether he could make Wisconsin a "completely red state, and work on these unions, and become a right-to-work" state. The Republican donor was referring to right-to-work laws, which prohibit private-sector unions from compelling workers to pay union dues if the workers choose not to belong to the union. Walker replied that his "first step" would be "to divide and conquer" through his budget-adjustment bill, which curtailed most collective bargaining for most public employee unions. … Terry McGowan, the union's business manager, said the union gave its 2010 endorsement only after getting assurances Walker would not pursue right-to-work legislation. The union backed Walker because of his support for road building done by the group's members, McGowan said.


In film, Walker talks of 'divide and conquer' union strategy - JSOnline

AFSCME | Public Job Losses Hit Women, African-Americans Hardest

While 3 million jobs were added to the private sector since the Great Recession officially began in June 2009, the picture is grim for public sector employees. Federal, state and local governments shed 584,000 jobs during that period and in a new report from the Economic Policy Institute, we learn that public-sector job losses have been particularly damaging for women and African Americans.


AFSCME | Public Job Losses Hit Women, African-Americans Hardest

Dave Johnson: Why Mitt Romney Hates Unions

…. Romney's argument that unions "contributed to disappearing companies, disappearing industries and disappearing jobs" is based on the idea that unions drove wages and benefits up.… Romney hates unions. They get in the way of doing business they way business was done "When Mitt Romney Came To Town:


Dave Johnson: Why Mitt Romney Hates Unions

Walker spends $100 million Taxpayer $$ on recall? - YouTube

Video Run Time: 7:56

Lisa Lindsley, AFSCME, joins Thom Hartmann. Scott Walker is giving millions of dollars in aid to the people of Wisconsin. But does he really care about the well-being of Wisconsinites - or is this $100 million dollar payout nothing more than a political stunt?

Walker spends $100 million Taxpayer $$ on recall? - YouTube

Fumble or fluke? Insiders question power of union backing after Falk defeat

….. "It was a very bad night for WEAC and AFSCME," said Mark Graul, a GOP political consultant who has worked on several campaigns. …. [AFSCME Council 24 President Marty Beil], according to officials, was out of town. But Jason Sidener, political organizer for AFSCME Council 40, said the union does not regret how it handled the Falk endorsement.


Fumble or fluke? Insiders question power of union backing after Falk defeat

AFSCME | AFSCME Statement on President Obama’s Remarks on Marriage

Statement of AFSCME President Gerald W. McEntee and Secretary-Treasurer Lee Saunders regarding President Obama’s remarks yesterday on marriage.


AFSCME | AFSCME Statement on President Obama’s Remarks on Marriage

Task force grapples with UW System cuts - JSOnline

Easy answers are hard to find for how the University of Wisconsin System can continue offering the same quality education at an affordable cost with less state support.


Task force grapples with UW System cuts - JSOnline

12th person granted immunity in John Doe case - JSOnline

A secret Milwaukee County investigation that has already led to criminal charges against five people close to Gov. Scott Walker took a step forward Wednesday when a judge granted immunity to a 12th witness.


12th person granted immunity in John Doe case - JSOnline

Rebuild WI | Rebuild The Dream | Milwaukee | May 19th, 2012

Last year, an uprising in Wisconsin started a wave that swept the country. People are fighting back for a more just society and an economy that works for 100% of Americans--not just the 1%. On May 19th, join thousands to build momentum to get out the vote to recall Scott Walker. But more than that, we’re going to lay the groundwork to refund Wisconsin and rebuild the Dream. And we’re going to have some fun while we do it.


Rebuild WI | Rebuild The Dream

Scott Walker Using $100 Million Of Taxpayer Money To Fight Off Recall? - Forbes

As Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker heads into the final stretch in his effort to hang onto his job, he is finding it increasingly more difficult to make his case honestly— or without using huge sums of taxpayer money to sway voters.


Scott Walker Using $100 Million Of Taxpayer Money To Fight Off Recall? - Forbes

Rematch: Barrett to face Walker in historic recall election | News - Home

Barrett won with roughly 56% of the vote, according to preliminary results. Kathleen Falk was runner-up with about 35%. State Senator Kathleen Vinehout (D-Alma) and Secretary of State Doug LaFollette trailed with single-digit percentage points.


Rematch: Barrett to face Walker in historic recall election | News - Home

There Is Still Time To Vote!

You still have slightly over "3 Hours" left to cast your vote in this Recall Primary Election.

Elections are being held throughout the state of Wisconsin at this hour and voting is one of the most important and effective ways that AFSCME members and our grass roots advocates like you can make a difference.

Wisconsin Polling Locations remain open and will be closing exactly at 8:00 p.m. this evening. If you are not sure where your polling location is, please click on the Wisconsin Voter Public Access website (https://vpa.wi.gov/) which has information about your registration status and can display your voting location for today's Recall Primary Election.

Thank you and let "Your Voice Be Heard" Today!

In Solidarity,

AFSCME Council 24
Wisconsin State Employees Union

The Political Environment: Scott Walker's Jaw-Dropping Recent Big Donor List

The Political Environment: Scott Walker's Jaw-Dropping Recent Big Donor List

Eye on Wisconsin: Are Privatized Prisons on Walker Agenda?

SEPAC NOTE: -----Original message-----

From: a.sutter@centurytel.net
To: Jim Parrett , Troy Bauch
Sent: Tue, May 8, 2012 13:04:42 CDT
Subject: Fwd: Home work

Very interesting...very disturbing.....very good cause to get out and work the ground in this recall campaign.....AND......very much a reason to vote today and JUNE 5th!

Eye on Wisconsin: Are Privatized Prisons on Walker Agenda?

Labor's 2nd choice may face Walker - POLITICO.com Print View

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker has become Big Labor’s public enemy No. 1, but they‘ll likely have to settle for their No. 2 choice to replace him. Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett is poised to pick up the Democratic nomination Tuesday to face off against Walker in the highly anticipated June 5 recall election. …. While labor groups say they tried to stay positive during the race, some went on offense during what became at times a contentious primary. AFSCME Wisconsin toned down its criticisms of Barrett last month after sending members to an online video implying that Barrett supported Walker’s stance on collective bargaining. ….. Marty Beil, executive director of the Wisconsin State Employees Union, said his union has at least 20 field locations around the state that have been assessing how to transition to backing Barrett for the past 10 days.


Labor's 2nd choice may face Walker - POLITICO.com Print View

AFSCME | Honor Nurses by Supporting Nurse-Patient Staffing Bill

National Nurses Week, celebrated May 6 through 12, is the time to honor these hard-working professionals who dedicate their lives to helping others. But it’s also an opportunity to consider what we need to do to make their jobs safer – and in the process, improve health care for us all. … AFSCME – a union for more than 360,000 health care workers across the nation, including more than 60,000 nurses represented by AFSCME/United Nurses of America – is carrying out Nightingale’s legacy by supporting Pres. Barack Obama’s Affordable Care Act.


AFSCME | Honor Nurses by Supporting Nurse-Patient Staffing Bill

Union cash floods states to combat Republican agendas - TheHill.com

…. Larry Scanlon, political director for the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), said the spending was necessary to protect their members. “We look at money as a tool, as a resource,” Scanlon said. “From AFSCME’s perspective, we don’t have a national collective bargaining law. We have to go state by state to maintain our collective bargaining laws, and we have been pretty successful in doing that by using our political capital.” …. “Is Barrett a perfect candidate? No. We have endorsed Falk and we think she’s the best candidate on our issues, particularly collective bargaining. But is she perfect? No. They are both better options than Scott Walker,” Scanlon said.


Union cash floods states to combat Republican agendas - TheHill.com

Marcelo Garcia column: We need to pay attention to our democracy | Appleton Post Crescent | postcrescent.com

SEPAC NOTE: Marcelo Garcia is a member of AFSCME Local 2748 Chapter 15.

Marcelo Garcia column: We need to pay attention to our democracy | Appleton Post Crescent | postcrescent.com

AFSCME | AFSCME Celebrates National Correctional Officers and Employees Week

In observance of National Correctional Officers and Employees Week (May 6-12), we honor the tens of thousands of AFSCME members across the country who keep our communities safe by putting their lives on the line every day.


AFSCME | AFSCME Celebrates National Correctional Officers and Employees Week

Personal Message from Marty Beil, executive director

Today is primary election day. This is the next major step in citizens taking their government back. It is very important that each and every one of you not only vote but to contact parents, children, friends, neighbors, inlaws and outlaws and encourage them to vote today.

Our Union has endorsed Kathleen Falk for Governor and Mahlon Mitchell for Lieutenant Governor. The target is Scott Walker and success is within our grasp.

Please vote, all of our futures depend on it.

Marty
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Marty Beil
Executive Director
AFSCME Council 24