We are the good guys…

Then why are police in Wisconsin sending out Mafia style letters?

It’s a truism that cops are often their own worst enemies. The general orders that cover my agency have grown to almost four inches thick over the years often because of stupid things cops do. Classic case is putting investigation details on the internet. But this is far beyond the pale.

No matter how you come down on the recent events in Wisconsin (I for one support Governor Walker and I love the fact the Republicans used a legislative trick to push it though…the Democrats are screaming from their hind legs over it…although if the situation were reversed they would do it in a New York second!) you should not have you business threatened by union leaders. Several businesses recently received this letter and tell me if this is not threatening.

As you undoubtedly know, Governor Walker recently proposed a “budget adjustment bill” to eviscerate public employees’ right to collectively bargain in Wisconsin. Collective bargaining has maintained labor peace between public employers and employees for more than 50 years, and according to every poll taken in the last few weeks, it enjoys overwhelming public support. In refusing to accept the willingness of many of the unions to be flexible on economic matters, Governor Walker has made it clear that his bill is really aimed at union busting, rather than “putting the state’s fiscal house in order.”

"Eviscerate"...it ends the ability of unions to bargain for benefits, they can still bargain for pay and other issues. Not to mention most public workers have civil service protection. And the “Collective bargaining has maintained labor peace between public employers and employees for more than 50 years...” The employers are the public, i.e. Mr. and Mrs. John Q Public. Why do we need to “maintain labor peace” for the professionals we are paying for?

This revelation has caused Wisconsin citizens to hold massive demonstrations at the State Capitol and throughout Wisconsin in adamant opposition to Governor Walker’s attempt to destroy collective bargaining. Never before in our State’s history have we witnessed such a massive and continued outpouring of opposition to any governor or issue.

To put it politely that is a tall tale. More accurately there was a rent a mob that lied about sickness, shut down schools while attempting shut down the state government. Excuse me but are Al Sharption and Michael Moore "Wisconsin citizens"?

Now here is the real screwed up part of the letter

As you also know, Scott Walker did not campaign on this issue when he ran for office. If he had, we are confident that you would not be listed among his largest contributors. As such, we are contacting you now to request your support. The undersigned groups would like your company to publicly oppose Governor Walker’s efforts to virtually eliminate collective bargaining for public employees in Wisconsin. While we appreciate that you may need some time to consider this request, we ask for your response by March 17. In the event that you do not respond to this request by that date, we will assume that you stand with Governor Walker and against the teachers, nurses, police officers, fire fighters, and other dedicated public employees who serve our communities.

In the event that you cannot support this effort to save collective bargaining please be advised that the undersigned will publicly and formally boycott the goods and services provided by your company. However, if you join us, we will do everything in our power to publicly celebrate your partnership in the fight to preserve the right of public employees to be heard at the bargaining table. Wisconsin’s public employee unions serve to protect and promote equality and fairness in the workplace. We hope you will stand with us and publicly share that ideal.

This is a written mob letter! You get the mental image a group of large men in your office saying "you got a nice business here...must make some good money for you...we'd hate to see something happen to you place...hey, we can help you with that if you just drop us some consideration..." And it's different when a cop or fireman does it as opposed to a teacher. I'm not knocking teachers who provide a vital service to the public. But police and fire provide (regularly) urgent life services...handling fires, people needing emergency medical support, help when you’re getting your ass kicked or house broken into. What is implied by this letter is "we will be watching you and we remember...."

I would remind the people signing this letter that a union, by its nature, is a group in opposition to something. In the past we've had trade unions for men with special skills (e.g. carpenters) to represent workers against the business owners. Now with public unions who are the business owners? I think it's the taxpaying public. And they are paying a lot of money to get critical services (police, fire, ambulance) they need. Government payola is not something else. One they've already paid. And two it's an embarrassment for the profession to stoup to this level.

Thanks to WSJ Best of the Web.