Radical Left Turning America Into Greece

Wisconsin: Angry Dirty Socialists and
Union Thugs Protest Budget Cuts

by Gary Bauer: Wisconsin was paralyzed by protests yesterday. Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) quipped, "It's like Cairo has come to Wisconsin." What's going on? Wisconsin, like almost every other state, is struggling to get its spending under control. Faced with a $3.6 billion deficit and unable to print his own money, Governor Scott Walker (R) is taking action to get Wisconsin on a path to fiscal stability.

He is courageously taking on the state public employee unions by asking them to contribute more to their extremely generous pensions and benefits packages. In response, the unions have taken to the streets, just as they did in Greece.

There are several disturbing aspects of the circus atmosphere that we are witnessing in Wisconsin. Republicans won the November elections in a stunning state-wide sweep. The people voted for change, but Wisconsin Democrats aren't taking November's exercise in democracy well. Rather than doing their jobs, Democrats fled the state yesterday to prevent a quorum in the state Senate, essentially holding the legislative process hostage. One Democrat reportedly called into CNN with a "list of demands."

Don't miss the real story. The turmoil in Wisconsin is being actively encouraged by the national Democrat Party, as the Daily Caller reports. Today's Washington Post reports, Organizing for America, President Obama's community organizing group, has helped mobilize thousands of the demonstrators. This shows how the left thinks strategically and never, never gives up. Wisconsin is a key state, and if Obama loses it in 2012, he will likely lose the White House. So Democrats are pouring resources into the state, stirring up trouble for the Republican governor and legislature.

President Obama has added his voice in support of the protestors, accusing Gov. Walker of launching an "assault on unions." He can't speak up to defend democratic protestors in Iran, but he'll welcome the chaos in Cairo and defend his union allies in Wisconsin. President Bush almost never commented on state disputes. But this president has routinely jumped into the middle of state battles.

Remember when he jumped into a dispute between a police officer and an elitist college professor? Without any facts, Obama sided with the professor. When Arizona wanted to protect its residents and stop illegal immigrants from entering the state, Obama sided with the illegal immigrants. When Wisconsin tries to rein in out of control costs, Obama sides with the unions against the taxpayers.

Obama has lectured us continually on the need to "invest" in education, warning that China and others are outpacing us. But in Wisconsin yesterday, more than a thousand teachers walked out of their classrooms or called in "sick." Many exploited the children under their supervision by taking them to these demonstrations. And our president, who says he cares so much about the kids, can't utter one word to urge these teachers to get back into the classroom.

Wisconsin is not alone in facing tough financial decisions. But according to multiple press reports there are union protests now in Indiana, Michigan and Ohio, with more union unrest planned in Missouri, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. We watched as left-wing unions took Greece to the verge of anarchy. But the commentators assured us that such things wouldn't happen here. Thanks to the unions, they are happening now.

Conservatives must hold their ground. The assault on our values will continue until men and women who cherish faith, family and freedom stand up and fight back.
Gary Bauer is a conservative family values advocate and serves as president of American Values and chairman of the Campaign for Working Families.

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