The Value of Work

So, There has been a lot of discussion about the value of work...

Specifically the Governor of our state, Scott Walker, proposed removing collective bargaining rights from state workers. This prompted a protest and strike/sick out. The Republican Party and Tea parties then retaliated against the teachers and state workers, accusing them of being lazy, not wanting to work, and demanding too many rights.

The protesters are quite angry, and are currently occupying the state capital building day and night until the Republicans renegotiate or kill the budget reform bill. The Democratic senators are also protesting this bill by leaving the state until it is renegotiated or dead. Senator Erpenbach is prepared to stay away for weeks.

The republican response, of course, is that the 14 democratic senators are unwilling to work, they are simply being lazy, taking a break, and being silly.

I think that it is human nature to blame people for their own problems.

The Wisconsin state budget cuts are extreme, but most people agree that eliminating effective collective bargaining rights from state workers is the main grievance. Asserting a right to unionize effectively is work. Our state workers are working by picketing, organizing rallies, spending the night at the capital, and braving embarrassment and ridicule. It is difficult to be criticized, it is hard to go and keep the momentum of a movement going.

Worker rights are important. Not all unions are perfect, but their right to exist effectively is important. That is my motivation for supporting this movement. I have worked to support this effort, and I hope to continue to work to support and further good works everywhere.