Since entering office in 2011 on the heels of the tea-party fueled Republican midterm election tidal wave, Wisconsin Republican Gov. Scott Walker has made difficult decisions and pushed through tough-minded, cost-cutting legislation to fix his state’s budget problems. His actions have inspired heated push back by the left and even a movement to recall him.
In a recent interview with The Daily Caller’s Ginni Thomas, Walker discussed the efforts by Washington’s elite union bosses against him, how he maintains his compass in the midst of the political maelstrom and much more.
Are out-of-control public sector legacy costs a main factor in our looming economic crises?
“I think any of us who are honest understand if you don’t get legacy costs under control, it’s a virus that will eat up and eat up and eat up more and more of your budget. It’s the same problem that Chrysler and GM got into, and state and local governments have to fix it.”
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What is your next challenge based on the attacks from the unions and hard left?
The recall election “is going to happen. I have every reason to think that it will.”
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How do you personally maintain your compass?
“Let your faith drive you. There have been so many examples of people, who just when you thought you were down and out, God sends another angel and affirms you’re taking the right step and the right belief.”
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Did democracy get hijacked in Wisconsin after the 2010 election?
“I think this is more reflective of a power move, largely driven out of Washington. The big-government union bosses saw an opportunity to come in and exert some power that they had lost, and they didn’t want to wait til the next election.”
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Tell the story of the Wisconsin protests and why they happened.
“We gave every public employee, nearly 300,000 public servants in my state … the right to choose whether they wanted to be a part of the public employees union or not, and in doing so, that’s really what’s at stake for those unions. Those big-government unions bosses, they don’t want those employees to have the choice.”
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Was it a mistake to take on collective bargaining instead of simply higher contributions to health care and pensions?
“No … I couldn’t look my sons in the face and say, here, I’m handing you an even bigger problem that you’ll have to face.”
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Who are your political opponents and allies?
“People always ask who I’m going to run against. I say, it’s simple. It’s not a candidate. It’s big-government unions.”
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What advice do you have for union members (as opposed to their bosses)?
“Paying a little bit more for pension, a little bit more for health care — although arguably much less than what the public sector pays — is a lot better alternative than laying people off.”
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For more information:
http://www.scottwalker.org/
http://www.htrnews.com/article/20120110/MAN07/201100468/National-commentary-Why-U-S-should-cheer-Scott-Walker
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FZCmq0o9Fk
https://dailycaller.com/2011/09/04/leaders-with-ginni-thomas-vicki-mckenna-wisconsin-radio-host/
Mrs. Thomas does not necessarily support or endorse the products, services or positions promoted in any advertisement contained herein, and does not have control over or receive compensation from any advertiser.