What do you mean?move to a state I like better??????????? I've lived in Wisconsin all my life and I love it and I am not moving. Scott Walker is the one that will move.

Hoe dare he want to help an industry that would create thousands of good paying jobs in an area of the state desperate for them. The horrors! I guess we should just leave all the mining to China because they are such friends of the earth. Wind power = high cost, inefficient boondoggle.

@Neomom -- if the mining industry comes at the cost of pure drinking water it's a bad bargain. Power from coal and oil = air pollution, CO2 emissions, and wars stemming from our dependence on foreign oil. It's never the rich men's sons who have to go fight them. So it all depends on what you consider expensive.

You are a bit behind time there Neomom. Wind power has become quite cost competitive with other forms of elec. generation. Elec cars need to be developed simply because they are more efficient. I have nothing against mining in Wis but changing the rules to allow industry to devastate the environment is a no no. Let the regulations that have been in place stay there.

I work for a company that makes turbines. You've been had. They are only about 30% efficient, you need a bazillion of them, they don't operate all the time, we make a lot of money servicing them, and you still need a base load plant to back them up. Oh, and they need government subsidies. What a bargain!

Not all mining is evil. Where the hell do you think you get the steel for those wind turbine towers you want? I guess, if up to you... China. Jobs? We don't need no stinking jobs here.

@ Randy - increasing coal and oil production would decrease our dependence on foreign oil and create jobs. You guys really have no understanding of raw materials, supply chains, or economics.

Mind twister for you.... Where do the materials for electric cars come from? You are like the folks that want to believe that meat comes from the grocery store.

One last point. We have a volunteer military. Recent studies also show them to be the most educated in history. You're antipathy and ignorance of those that serve is showing.

I need to ask you a question Neomom. When you put 100 btus of coal into a boiler and you get 30 btus of energy out of the generator then that system is 30% efficient. How do they figure the input on a wind mill??

We have had the needed signatures for some time now. We are collecting the cushion now.

Cheers.

Joseph we needed only 540,000, We have them. We are not happy with that and are going for 1,000,000. If you are a resident of Wis and at least 18 years old please consider signing. Walker is bad for Wis!!

When public sector workers took a cut in pay it increased the possiblity that other workers will also be taking cuts in pay. All workers should be standing together for their own good.

At Neomom-----------Are you one of those people that think capitalisim is when employers try to increase profits and communisim is when employees try to increase their profit.

@ David Groh - all the private sector employees already have taken pay cuts. Kind of presumptuous of you to believe that they should pay more in taxes just so you don't have to.

Also, that fist symbol has been the symbol of communism for decades. As in the Soviet variety. No thanks. Regardless, the Government isn't a corporation, they don't sell or produce anything to create a profit, there are no market forces in place. It all comes from taxes and fees. Laundering money through a bureauocracy is the least efficient purpose of use. The typical adversarial union relationship with management at a company becomes an adversarial relationship with your neighbors in the government (perfectly fine with private sector unions btw) So increasing a public worker's "profit" is taking more from someone else.

Btw - ask any private sector worker if they find this to be an excessive amount to contribute? They would laugh in your face for complaining about it.

...The changes in the state health plan require 183,000 participants to pay 10 percent of their bills for doctor visits, tests, surgeries and hospitalizations up to an annual maximum of $500 for single people and $1,000 for families.
...
Monthly health premiums that are deducted from paychecks increased to $208 from $89 for the most popular family coverage, according to the Legislative Fiscal Bureau. The premium decreases slightly in 2012 to $201.

@David Groh -- I think what's up with Neomom is that either Neodad is a business owner or he's still earning a good paycheck.

You do understand that the public employees did accept the pay cut. Everything was cool. That was not nearly enough for Walker. Walker, the GOP and industry in general would like to see all wages cut back and they are making a pretty good stab at it. They are using this recession to tell workers that they are overpaid. You undeerstand that 5 or 6 years there were lots of good jobs. Many workers were quiting jobs for higher paying jobs.
We can get back there. We don't have to give up the American dream because of this recession.

I believe that if our government spends tax dollars on infrustructure it is good for the economy just like if Ford spends the buyers money to build a car for that buyer.---------Our current federal income tax rates are very low. Our economy has been good and bad over the years with those very high rates. Your belief that government spending destroys our economy is wrohg.

The state employees did nothing of the sort. No, they were trying to lock in with Doyle before Walker was sworn in. Nice try at revisionist history. Also shows that they knew what was coming, there was no surprises. Except maybe that a politician actually did what he said he would.

Actually, dad has been out of a job for three years. Mom still is fortunate to have one. And I pay more than 4x what the babies in state govt are bitching about for my family coverage, thanks.

If you want to give more in taxes, both DoR and IRS accept donations. Other than that, I am grateful that my taxes didn't go up this year.

OK as you said you took a cut in pay but I know that not everyone did. You are wrong again. -------Public sector unions did agree to take the pay cut, you are trying to change history but you are wrong again. If you are a working member (an employee) ot that turbine company you have nothing to gain and everything to lose by wanting other workers to take pay cuts. On the other hand if you are an owner carry on the way you are going. And by the way when I worked my employer paid all my health care and provided for a decent pension. That is the way it should be. If you cannot pay for the doctor and a pension of some sort from your wages then where should that money come from.

People lose jobs for many reasons besides incompentance. Maybe the boss just does not like you. Maybe the boss wants a yes man and you are not a yes man. I am sure that will be a bad thing happening in some schools.-------Maybe the boss has a nephew looking for work, or maybe a girl friend. Maybe you have refused to be the boss's girl friend so down the road you go. Get the idea??

As I read some of your comments I realize you think I am a public sector worker. I am not. Many many people are against Walker for many many reasons. My biggest one is that I believe his policies are intended to hurt working people.

I need to ask you a question Neomom. If you put 100 BTUs of coal in a boiler and you get 30 BTU s of energy out of the generator then that system is 30% efficient. How do you figure the input for a wind mill.