Wisconsin State AFL-CIO Blog

'Do Away with Medicare'?

Did you see it? At a recent Tea Party event, Senate candidate Tommy Thompson said he’d “do away with Medicaid and Medicare.”

Just like Mitt Romney’s 47% comments, Thompson’s remarks reveal what he really thinks: He has no problem ending Medicare while continuing to give special tax breaks to the super rich.

We need to get the message out about Thompson’s ideas to “do away” with Medicare and keep the Bush tax cuts going for the richest 2% to as many people as we can.

Get involved at an event near you this weekend to help us reach as many Wisconsinites as we can.

Our message is resonating with voters. Recent polls show that Tammy Baldwin, who is running against Thompson, is in a dead heat with him even after millions in outside spending from right-wing groups. And today, Baldwin will square off against Thompson in their first debate.

So it’s no surprise Thompson’s supporters are going to do everything they can to change those numbers, downplay his comments about Medicare and mislead voters about this important Senate race.

This week, Karl Rove’s shady SuperPAC announced it was spending $1.2 million on ads to prop up Thompson. Gov. Scott Walker is even getting into the act, raising money for Thompson.

But money only gets you so far. Real conversations at the doors and on the phones are what will make the difference in this election.

Join us this weekend:

http://go.aflcio.org/WIVotes

Judge Strikes Down Gov. Walker's Union-Busting Law

On Friday, a Dane County judge struck down main portions of Act 10, Gov. Walker’s union-busting law, which stripped Wisconsin public employees of their right to collectively bargain. 

Judge Juan Colas ruled that Scott Walker’s law violated both the State and U.S. Constitution by violated employees’ rights to free speech, association and equal protection.

“As we have said from day one, Scott Walker’s attempts to silence the union men and women of Wisconsin’s public sector was an immoral, unjust and illegal power grab,” said Phil Neuenfeldt, President of the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO.  “Now, a court has ruled that the essential provisions of Act 10, Scott Walker’s draconian attack on public worker’s right to collectively bargain, is unconstitutional.” 

“This is a good day for Wisconsin’s working people and the union movement,”   said Stephanie Bloomingdale, Secretary-Treasurer of the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO.  “When workers choose to join together for mutual aid and protection, their employer should honor their choice, come to the table and discuss wages and working conditions.”