Let the Rallies Begin

Yesterday, March 8, various Unions organized rallies against Gov. Scott’s proposed budget. These rallies have been in the planning stages for the past few weeks with the assistance of the same group that aided the Wisconsin and other state demonstrations, “Organizing for America” whose website can be found at www.barrackobama .com.

Here in Brevard we had our own demonstrations near the government center in Viera. Needless to say I have a few observations about what took place and my own views on what should have taken place and they are vastly different. Unfortunately, no one asked for an opinion and none was given. I only found out about the counter demonstrations the night before the rally. The counter demonstration was then scheduled for 30 minutes after the “Wake up Florida” Rally.

Poor planning? That’s being kind. We are still playing catch up with the greatest community organizer this country has ever seen, Barrack Obama and Organizing for America, and they are pulling away.

Let’s start with the late notice. Some of us are good conservatives. Notice I didn’t say “Republicans”. To me, most conservatives that hold our common views actually work for a living, don’t take stimulus money, and find ways to support themselves and their families without government assistance. That being said, 24 to 48 hours notice doesn’t give conservative groups time to organize properly.

If you have been paying CLOSE attention to what has actually been happening you would know that many of the demonstrators are not the “Teachers” the main stream media has been telling you about. In fact some are not even from Florida. Think about the close proximity of Georgia to Tallahassee. It was not hard for Organizing for America and “Wake up Florida” to bus or van pool down Apalachicola Parkway to the Capitol.

Their timing wasn’t well thought out either. Political Science Lesson number 1: SESSION HASN’T STARTED YET AND THERE IS NO SOLID BUDGET TO PROTEST. Having been involved in the process I can tell you that before there is anything to protest about we first have to see the budget that will be proposed by the Florida House of Representatives. Next will be the Florida Senate Budget proposal, which I can almost guarantee will be far different then the House’ proposal. We’ve only seen the Governor’s budget.

Step two: Once all three proposals are on the table the differences must be reconciled in CONFERENCE COMMITTEE. What comes out of that will be vastly different than what we will be seeing within the next few weeks.

So the timing, if I were planning this, was poorly conceived. The time to hold these protests would be just prior to when the final budget is revealed.
Step 3: Remember also, it isn’t the state that negotiates the contracts with the Teacher’s Union; it’s the local School Districts in most cases.

What amazes me is that we’ve had all through the primary process and the general election process to listen to what Governor Scott proposed to do. The Democrats and the Independents heard the same message we all heard and Governor Scott is keeping his word and doing exactly what he said he would. He’s operating this state as a business and not as a political entity. Why did the opposition think things would be different once the elections were over? How refreshing to see a “new” politician keep his word! Do we have to agree with him? No! Should we be surprised as what he’s doing? In the word’s of the Geigo advertisement “What? Have you been living under a rock?”

Finally, Follow the Money. The Democrats seem to think “they have a lock” on the next gubernatorial and legislative elections because of the Republicans effort to “union bust”. The union bosses can encourage their members to “wild cat” or walk off the job in order to participate in protests. Of course they won’t be penalized; they are “the union bosses” but the youngest and brightest of the teachers in that union’s case will be faced with layoffs if an agreement can’t be reached.

They are being asked to contribute to their pensions and their medical benefits. They are being told this is tantamount to a pay cut. In actuality, they will have a slightly (5% maximum) lower pay check, continue to receive medical benefits and upon retirement, receive a pension. The alternative – LAYOFFS and no pay check.
They will continue to pay union dues which part of will go into the campaign coffers of those politicians who promise to deliver what the union wants. The “union bosses” will still be receiving their pay checks and have a job which can’t necessarily be said for their members.

They union bosses are badly misreading the “tea leaves” and leading the membership down the path to perdition. The union members are happy to hear what they want to hear and are deaf to the real possibility of losing their jobs rather than, like many, take a pay cut that would not drastically affect their family or their lifestyle.

To me the choices are clear Pay Check (maybe a LITTLE smaller) or Increase the Unemployment rolls. I know where I'd be.