Thanks to a commenter to my post More Police Insurrection In Madison for this clip of a caller to a Wisconsin talk show about the conduct of police unions in the current protests:
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Comments
Tom's right. The Wisconsin police have failed to do their duty. They have dishonored that badge they wear as well as forfeited their duty to protect and serve.
When you place your loyalty to the union before the public, you have disgrace that Blue Line.
Vicki has long been a big supporter of the police in Madison and Dane County. She realizes that their job difficulty is increased here by the liberal culture and politics. But she also doesn't hesitate to criticize them when it's warranted. Lately she has been dumbfounded by their actions or lack thereof.
That caller was great. It could have also been a firefighter or a teacher with the very same inspiration to start their new careers and speaking equivalent criticism of those who have become union puppets.
God bless Tom.
Tom was spot on. Thanks for picking that up and posting it. The dichotomy of seeing sworn officers acting in the capacity of union toughs makes virtually every retired cop in the nation sick to heart. Wisconsin cops will not live this down for several years. The one's in Madison have demonstrated three things to the public that wipe away all the years of respect they've previously earned:
1. They don't have the wisdom to comprehend the economic situation.
2. They selfishly favor themselves over society.
3. They dishonor their oath to equitably enforce the law.
What in the world were they thinking? How can they ever again be trusted?
Another aspect hasn't been mentioned, but Tom's call brings it to mind. There are fellow officers on the same departments who did not and will not demonstrate in Madison. They, now, have to work among the very public their brothers and sisters spat upon, making their own jobs much, much harder and possibly more dangerous. This isn't going to be over soon. In Wisconsin, and possibly elsewhere, you will see lots of intra-departmental turmoil in the months and years ahead as cops separate themselves into two groups, guardians and goons. It will not be pretty.
This is exactly why public employees, especially cops should not be unionized. It is not that they should not be compensated well for their service, they should and they are greatly appreciated. However, union association can potentially bring a frightening element of corruption to their position power. I have for this reason been suspicious of Lt. Gov Duffy. Since I have been an outspoken critic of public employee unions, I have at time felt fearful that my family could be threatened by those in powerful positions.
Can anyone answer the question about the handcuffing of people? The caller didn't answer the quesiton and I am wondering – who was handcuffing whom? Were the police coming into Madison trying to enforce the law being handcuffed by fellow officers in Madison? Were police coming into Madison cuffing protesters? If you know, please share!
FDR was right. It is often quoted, but 100% correct, when he said:
"All Government employees should realize that the process of collective bargaining, as usually understood, cannot be transplanted into the public service. It has its distinct and insurmountable limitations when applied to public personnel management. The very nature and purposes of Government make it impossible for administrative officials to represent fully or to bind the employer in mutual discussions with Government employee organizations. The employer is the whole people, who speak by means of laws enacted by their representatives in Congress. Accordingly, administrative officials and employees alike are governed and guided, and in many instances restricted, by laws which establish policies, procedures, or rules in personnel matters.
Particularly, I want to emphasize my conviction that militant tactics have no place in the functions of any organization of Government employees. Upon employees in the Federal service rests the obligation to serve the whole people, whose interests and welfare require orderliness and continuity in the conduct of Government activities. This obligation is paramount. Since their own services have to do with the functioning of the Government, a strike of public employees manifests nothing less than an intent on their part to prevent or obstruct the operations of Government until their demands are satisfied. Such action, looking toward the paralysis of Government by those who have sworn to support it, is unthinkable and intolerable."
(Source: http://www.conservativeblog.org/amyridenour/2011/2/19/text-of-fdr-letter-opposing-public-employee-government-union.html I note the source as many on the Left ar trying their best to deny the leftist liberal icon FDR ever said this.)
Time to fire the striking officers, IMHO. In Madison, the Republican majority needs to take advantage of these obstructors' absence and pass some laws while the "fleebagger" Democrat Senators are striking (which is what they are doing by fleeing the state).
For example: make it grounds for firing and/or removal from office if a public servant (not "government worker") obstructs justice and government functions, thus violating their sworn oath when taking their position as a public servant.
This could result in a lot of progress, in the right direction!