Obama's political organization dives into the Wisconsin labor dispute
Guess what's getting top billing over at www.BarackObama.com? A state matter. Wisconsin in particular. Namely, Gov. Scott Walker's efforts to plug a nearly $4 billion two-year budget deficit via, among other things, modest concessions by state employees.
On Thursday, the President described the Governor's proposed measures as "an assault on unions." An article on www.BarackObama.com calls it a "radical plan."
The tone of the President's website, called Organizing for America (the successor organization to Obama for America), is one of giddiness over the Wisconsin matter. There are references to the protests being a "movement." A contributor boasts, "this is what change looks like." Another says, "fight the good fight." The lead graphic reads "Workers' Rights - OFA is mobilizing to defend Wisconsin's public employees' right to organize. JOIN THE FIGHT".
Assault? Fight? Not to mention certain signs spotted and rhetoric recorded. What happened to that whole civility thing that liberals heralded so exuberantly last month?
With the developments in Wisconsin, we are witnessing more unmasking of this president and his true believers. OFA is emblematical of the agenda and ideology. Obama for America. Organizing for America. Organizing. Organized labor.
According to the Weekly Standard, the average teacher salary in Wisconsin is $49,093 annually, $77,857 with benefits. Per capita personal income in Wisconsin is approximately $37,400. The unemployment rate is nearly 8%. The Governor's plan would preserve jobs and avoid "major layoffs and dramatic paycuts."
But no matter. Public sector unions won't have it. And Barack Obama, budgeter extraordinaire, is on their side. He's aligned - organized - like they are - against the private-sector and the bulk of tax-paying citizens of Wisconsin. Which side will Win the Future?
Update :
The injection of the president and his political machine into the Wisconsin budget situation is the topic of a Washington Post article today. It describes how OFA "worked in close coordination Thursday with state and national union officials to mobilize thousands of protesters to gather in Madison and to plan similar demonstrations in other state capitals."