We all know of the tribulations in Wisconsin.
Here is the story of Delaware...one with a different ending.
1."Within two months of becoming governor, as I faced a budget shortfall of 25 percent of my states entire budget, I proposed an 8 percent pay cut for state workers, ...Several times during that first legislative session, more than 1,000 union members came to the state Legislature to protest against me and my proposals. The impeachment signs were hard to miss." Governor Markell of Delaware,
2. "Im also sympathetic to the need in Wisconsin and other states to secure pension and health benefits concessions from public workers. Were in the same position in Delaware. What taxpayers fund for these benefits is certainly not sustainable.... I often spend time there explaining my own unpopular proposals including those to cut their pay and benefits."
3. " Some union members have unrealistic expectations about wage increases when so many of their neighbors throughout the state dont have jobs, wages or benefits. Im sometimes frustrated by that attitude."
4. "On balance, its better for our state when unions have the right to speak out and to have a place at the table when they represent those whose voices may not be heard." One Fight More: Markell on Public Employee Unions
5. The State Workers United coalition, which includes the Delaware State Education Association has been meeting with representatives from Governor Markell's Administration to see if there could be a meeting of minds around cost savings in health care and pension. The discussions have gone well.These proposals have been agreed upon by representatives of the Markell Administration and State Workers United for a Better Delaware, aka, the Coalition. The savings these changes represent amount to $128.06 million over the next five years. And these savings will continue to increase incrementally into the future.One Fight More
6. Here we see it is possible to work out a solution without the acrimony of Wisconsin.
Aesop said it best:
A dispute arose between the north wind and the sun, each claiming that he was stronger than the other. At last they agreed to try their powers upon a traveler, to see which could soonest strip him of his cloak. The north wind had the first try; and, gathering up all his force for the attack, he came whirling furiously down upon the man, and caught up his cloak as though he would wrest it from him by one single effort. But the harder he blew, the more closely the man wrapped it round himself. Then came the turn of the sun. At first he beamed gently upon the traveler, who soon unclasped his cloak and walked on with it hanging loosely about his shoulders. Then he shone forth in his full strength, and the man, before he had gone many steps, was glad to throw his cloak right off and complete his journey more lightly clad.
Moral Of The Story: Persuasion is better than force.
The Story of the North Wind and the Sun
So, a Democrat Governor behaves in a more conservative fashion, with consideration for the needs of others, than the Republican Governor.
Here is the story of Delaware...one with a different ending.
1."Within two months of becoming governor, as I faced a budget shortfall of 25 percent of my states entire budget, I proposed an 8 percent pay cut for state workers, ...Several times during that first legislative session, more than 1,000 union members came to the state Legislature to protest against me and my proposals. The impeachment signs were hard to miss." Governor Markell of Delaware,
2. "Im also sympathetic to the need in Wisconsin and other states to secure pension and health benefits concessions from public workers. Were in the same position in Delaware. What taxpayers fund for these benefits is certainly not sustainable.... I often spend time there explaining my own unpopular proposals including those to cut their pay and benefits."
3. " Some union members have unrealistic expectations about wage increases when so many of their neighbors throughout the state dont have jobs, wages or benefits. Im sometimes frustrated by that attitude."
4. "On balance, its better for our state when unions have the right to speak out and to have a place at the table when they represent those whose voices may not be heard." One Fight More: Markell on Public Employee Unions
5. The State Workers United coalition, which includes the Delaware State Education Association has been meeting with representatives from Governor Markell's Administration to see if there could be a meeting of minds around cost savings in health care and pension. The discussions have gone well.These proposals have been agreed upon by representatives of the Markell Administration and State Workers United for a Better Delaware, aka, the Coalition. The savings these changes represent amount to $128.06 million over the next five years. And these savings will continue to increase incrementally into the future.One Fight More
6. Here we see it is possible to work out a solution without the acrimony of Wisconsin.
Aesop said it best:
A dispute arose between the north wind and the sun, each claiming that he was stronger than the other. At last they agreed to try their powers upon a traveler, to see which could soonest strip him of his cloak. The north wind had the first try; and, gathering up all his force for the attack, he came whirling furiously down upon the man, and caught up his cloak as though he would wrest it from him by one single effort. But the harder he blew, the more closely the man wrapped it round himself. Then came the turn of the sun. At first he beamed gently upon the traveler, who soon unclasped his cloak and walked on with it hanging loosely about his shoulders. Then he shone forth in his full strength, and the man, before he had gone many steps, was glad to throw his cloak right off and complete his journey more lightly clad.
Moral Of The Story: Persuasion is better than force.
The Story of the North Wind and the Sun
So, a Democrat Governor behaves in a more conservative fashion, with consideration for the needs of others, than the Republican Governor.
