Charles Woodson and Wis. Protesters

[JBlood]

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Packers' Charles Woodson sides with Wisconsin protesters


DETROIT FREE PRESS NEWS SERVICES


1:17 PM, Feb. 20, 2011




The Green Bay Packers’ Charles Woodson has joined the side of the protesters in Wisconsin.
Woodson, who attended Michigan and plays cornerback for the Super Bowl champion Packers, issued a statement today through the NFL Players Association in support of the throngs who have been protesting a plan by Gov. Scott Walker to eliminate most of public employees’ collective bargaining rights.

“Thousands of dedicated Wisconsin public workers provide vital services for Wisconsin citizens. They are the teachers, nurses and child care workers who take care of us and our families. These hard working people are under an unprecedented attack to take away their basic rights to have a voice and collectively bargain at work,” said Woodson, who is one of the Packers’ represntatives to the NFL players union.

Snow turning to freezing rain drove union supporters inside today for a sixth day of demonstrations at the Wisconsin Capitol. The demonstrators banged on drums and danced in the Capitol Rotunda while chanting, “This is what Democracy looks like.”

Walker’s proposal would require government workers to contribute more to their health care and pension costs and limit collective bargaining to pay increases less than the Consumer Price Index. Walker says the measure is needed to deal with the state’s projected $3.6-billion budget shortfall.

Well said, Charles.

 

[ivo610]

any nfl player should be siding with the protesters, its in their best interests.

but really, get back to work instead of protesting.

 

[SpartaChris]

Full disclosure- I *HATE* unions. I think they're corrupt, vile leeches who really serve no purpose in today's society other than to extort business until they bleed them dry.

That said, while I'll fully admit I don't know what they're arguing about, and nor do I care, I have no issue with people protesting. However, I do take exception to the congress people who skipped town in attempt to avoid a vote. I think that's a bush league move, and if I were a tax payer in the state of Wisconsin, I would demand they be investigated to see if any of my money was used to fund their little vacation.

I also think every single teacher who walked off the job and encouraged their students to skip school and join them should be immediately terminated. You should not be allowed to just walk off the job and expect to keep it. It's disruptive, counter productive and is detrimental to their students.

 

[KilrB]

Full disclosure- I *HATE* unions. I think they're corrupt, vile leeches who really serve no purpose in today's society other than to extort business until they bleed them dry.

That said, while I'll fully admit I don't know what they're arguing about, and nor do I care, I have no issue with people protesting. However, I do take exception to the congress people who skipped town in attempt to avoid a vote. I think that's a bush league move, and if I were a tax payer in the state of Wisconsin, I would demand they be investigated to see if any of my money was used to fund their little vacation.

I also think every single teacher who walked off the job and encouraged their students to skip school and join them should be immediately terminated. You should not be allowed to just walk off the job and expect to keep it. It's disruptive, counter productive and is detrimental to their students.

I agree, I am no fan of big business either.

It ****** me off when people try to say you have to pick one.

How about I work my *** off doing the job I am paid to do. If the company doesn't hold up there end of the deal and pay me according to my performance than I will leave and work my *** of for someone else. If that doesn't work I will start my own business.

 

[SpartaChris]

I agree, I am no fan of big business either.

It ****** me off when people try to say you have to pick one.

How about I work my *** off doing the job I am paid to do. If the company doesn't hold up there end of the deal and pay me according to my performance than I will leave and work my *** of for someone else. If that doesn't work I will start my own business.

I know, right? That's the beauty of the society we enjoy today- if you don't like what you're doing, and don't feel you're being treated fairly, you are free to seek a different opportunity elsewhere. No one's holding a gun to your head and forcing you to work at your current company.

Unfortunately our society has become entitlement driven. It's not about the value of hard work for fair pay, it's about what others will give you for nothing. And it's ruining our country.

 

[fettpett]

I don't agree with Woodson, his right to say it. and I know that he's a Packer and this is a Packer forum, but I really don't want to get into the politics on this forum. There are other places for that.

Democratic Underground and Conservative Underground are both political forums that this can be taken too.

 

[JBlood]

If you want to get rid of unions and shrink government, make every business a cooperative, or employee owned. Money is spread out, eliminating a few people controlling the majority. Business is good, you enjoy the profits. Business does bad, you don't. You save for the bad times and retirement. End of unions, social security, welfare. Government shrinks. Everybody is happy.

It's called distributism. Look it up.

 

[LombardiChick]

How do you guys feel about Packers talking about this publicly?

After watching union members asking some guys on the team to re-tweet and spread their side via Twitter (and at least a few Packers doing it), I found myself really wishing they would not publicly take a side in an issue as inflammatory as this one.

I love Woodson and I know he's a Democrat, so I'm not surprised by his position. He's an American and he's entitled to speak his mind (please don't get me wrong)...I just wonder if anyone else feels like it's bad PR for the team to have players openly advocating for one side or the other on a divisive political issue. I think it's alienating to the people who want fiscal responsibility in government (and a lot of Packer fans do), and though I recognize their right to advocate for either side, I find myself wishing they wouldn't.

Yesterday, I think Nick Barnett got some blowback when he tweeted about this, siding with the public employees unions, because in minutes, he was backing off, saying he was getting educated, and saying he recognized it was a complicated issue and that he just hoped it all worked out.

 

[Forget Favre]

How do you guys feel about Packers talking about this publicly?

A football player is not as important as a teacher, a firefighter a nurse or any of the other state employees who are protesting.
So I think it's odd to see a millionaire speaking up for those who make pennies doing something more valuable to our lives then just playing a game.

It's kinda like asking a jew what he thinks of christmas.
Mixing the two just doesn't somehow fit together.

On the one hand, even though CW is entitled to his opinion and I agree with it, it's hard for me to hear it seeing where he is coming from.
He's not a working class schlub and I think he should be for his opinion to be more valid or listened to.
On the other, it's good that a sports celeb is saying something in support of the workers.

 

[fettpett]

since Barnett and Woodson have both spoken out about this, I am interested to here Clifton's position as he is one of the most outspoken Conservative/Republican's on the team (JS did an article during 08 about who the players were supporting between McCain and Obama).

But I really don't want to see the player's taking sides publicly. I know it's somewhat of a double standard, it's more of curiosity than anything

 

[LombardiChick]

Maybe one of these guys ought to use their clout to tell people to stop tweeting death threats/wishes to Governor Walker.

YouTube - Twitter Users Wish Death on Scott Walker

 

[Forget Favre]

Maybe one of these guys ought to use their clout to tell people to stop tweeting death threats/wishes to Governor Walker.

YouTube - Twitter Users Wish Death on Scott Walker

I have the feeling that a bunch of those have no clue what the issue is really all about.
You know, the torch and pitch fork mob mentality.

 

[Darth Garfunkel]

I'd rather the players tweet their opinions about something important than tweet about purple drank, partying or some other useless BS.

 

[Murgen]

My dad was a teacher/Vice Principle in the State of Wisconsin in the 60-70s's and his pension pay is crazy good. He's making more form the State of Wisconsin plus SS now then he did when he was working. He's making over 6 figures in retirement!! He loves the State of Wisconsin teacher retirement fund!! Granted, the pension fund he is in was shut down in the 80's cause they realized how much $$ it would cost the state later. So he lucked out kind of. There is also a COLA he gets each year of 3% (although if you factor in gas/food cost of living is closer to 10%). When he dies, the payments transfer to my mother! No, I'm not kidding you!

The pensions are still pretty good. Which is why your seeing those people protest. They don't want to lose what they have. What they really should be protesting is Wall Street which created the economic mess that is causing all the states to have budget shortfalls.

 

[PackCrazed4]

I really hate that players have started to mix their opinions into the debate. As much as I love them and feel they are all entitled to their opinions as Americans, it does make me see them in a different light, which I don't want to. Football is an escapism from reality, just like all entertainment. The dirt and mud of politics doesn't look good on Packer jerseys.

 

[fettpett]

but they aren't losing any pension benefits. thats the thing.

and Yeah, if the Packers are going to use their clout, it should be to help clam both sides down. there was an article that I read that said that because Rodgers is the Packers rep and the SB MVP he should jump in. Personally think it's a bad idea and think he should just stay focused on football stuff and the CBA

 

[Murgen]

Your right, but the Governor wants em to pay more for em. my bad.

 

[Forget Favre]

Maybe ****** should offer to take a pay cut and give up any of his rights?
Until then he should just ****.

 

[JBlood]

Murgen: "What they really should be protesting is Wall Street which created the economic mess that is causing all the states to have budget shortfalls."


Bingo. If Walker were serious about finances, he would be leading the states in marches on Washington to do exactly that.

 

[Wood Chipper]

i heard wall street was sold to some germans

 

[PackCrazed4]

Here's my question for those who support the unions and pensions for the public sector:

Why should the individuals who work for the state receive better retirement benefits and pensions than the people who fund their paychecks (ie. the majority in the private sector)? Private companies offer their employees 401Ks where they're LUCKY to have their paid-in portion of their income matched. So for a state that is up to their eyeballs in debt, doesn't it make sense to level the playing field for government jobs in accordance with private jobs so the tax dollars can put towards relieving the debt?

 

[fettpett]

i heard wall street was sold to some germans

no, that was the Indiana Toll road leased to the Austrians :happy0005:

 

[JBlood]

Here's my question for those who support the unions and pensions for the public sector:

Why should the individuals who work for the state receive better retirement benefits and pensions than the people who fund their paychecks (ie. the majority in the private sector)? Private companies offer their employees 401Ks where they're LUCKY to have their paid-in portion of their income matched. So for a state that is up to their eyeballs in debt, doesn't it make sense to level the playing field for government jobs in accordance with private jobs so the tax dollars can put towards relieving the debt?

First, ask yourself WHY the state is in debt. It isn't because of the hired help. It's a part of the world-wide financial collapse.

Second, people should have the right to collectively bargain. Things were not so rosy in the 1800s.

3rd, if you believe that in order to compete with the rest of the world, American corporations (and government) have to lower wages, cut health care costs, and cut retirement benefits by shifting them to the employee, explain this:

How is the average worker supposed to buy food, pay rent (not a mortgage, that is impossible on 10-15 dollars/hr), pay for health care, have a family, and save money for retirement?

Either the private sector pays wages that allow for the worker to care for himself; or the government does. The alternative is revolution.

Workers need to be economically independent and not wards of the state. But you can't be economically independent on $15/hour.

Our economy is doomed if well paying jobs are a thing of the past.

 

[Kitten]

I applaud Woodson, or anybody for that matter, for standing up for something he believes in. I look up to Woodson as a role model on this team, I respect his opinion and his right just as any other citizen to protest something they think is wrong.

As to the protests themselves, I think this is but the tip of the iceberg. Events have been set in motion by these protests that cannot be undone. Perhaps with all the attention this is gaining, other states will follow suit. This could be the start of something huge. I don't support abolishing the union, but I do strongly believe it needs to be reformed and restructured. It should also be closely monitored in the years following its restructure. I think the amount of control the union has, its rights, need to change. These protests are a call to change a structure that is simply not working anymore. Sometimes, particularly in government, you need something drastic, such as mass protests, to get something done. Whatever the outcome of the protests and the situation in Wisconsin, I doubt it is the end, but merely the beginning of union reform.

 

[JBlood]

You are dead right Kitten. Our economic system is failing and a return to what got us here won't work. Distributism offers a 3rd alternative to capitalism and socialism.