In America, You Kent always Say What You Want

And, Don't you Forget it Buddy

I am constantly amazed, and amused by American politics and politicians. They are even crazier than our own.

It has been interesting, listening to the support given to protesters in Egypt, Tunisia and Iran by Americans when all the while they seem blind to the oppression within.

In Wisconsin, faced with an increasing deficit the new Governor Scott Walker has been pretty tough with public sector workers.

Wisconsin state employee unions which have already made $100 million in concessions are now being told that they have to double their contributions to health insurance premiums and increase allocations to their pensions. The governor’s bill would effectively take away the right of state employees to bargain collectively for everything from vacation, sick hours, and even the hours they work.

In the midst of all this, the rules for the unions that supported Walker during his election campaign, the State Patrol, local police, and fire departments would stay absolutely unchanged.

Not unexpectedly government workers are a bit stirred up about all this. After all, what worker would take this sitting down particularly in a country which believes so strongly in freedom of expression? A country which supports citizens standing up against what they see as wrong. A country that encourages dissent.

To which Mr. Walker might say, “Not so fast young fella.”

Asked recently by a reporter about what might happen if the government workers resist, Walker replied that he would call out the National Guard. He said that the National Guard is “prepared…for whatever the governor, their commander-in-chief, might call for. I am fully prepared for whatever may happen.”

A college dropout, Walker’s limited education probably means he hasn’t learned about and he isn’t old enough to remember the Kent State Massacre on May 4th 1970 although he might remember the Simpsons 22nd episode entitled “You Kent always Say What You Want”.

This is all a bad idea Scott.