Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker

Here is my completely unbiased synopsis of what is happening in Illinois:

Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker ran for the office in 2010 on a platform that stated he would balance the state's budget.  He was open and honest about his desire to require state employees to contribute to their own retirements and health insurance at a level consistent with the employees of private companies. 

Scott Walker was elected by a 6% margin, which is pretty large in these polarized times.  After taking office, he devised a plan to balance the state budget.  His plan includes the labor reforms he feels are needed to maintain the budget.  So far,the Governor is only doing what he must, and what he said he would do during the campaign.  Balancing the state budget is something he is required to do since he cannot simply print more money like the federal government.  The democrats in the state legislature have gone into hiding so that a quorum cannot be reached.  The stat budget remains in limbo. 

While this is a hardship for state employees, it is nothing new to those who work in the private sector.  Private sector employees have born he brunt of downsizing, salary and benefit cuts since the economy began to decline after 9-11.  Government employees have largely avoided similar pain.

The question becomes whether private sector employees should tighten their belts further to continue supporting the sweet deal government employees are receiving during a bad economy.  Governor Scott Walker says no and appears to own the mandate of a majority of Wisconsin voters.  The remaining democrats in the state legislature are opposing the will of the voters by evading their duty to participate in the process.  It is a cowardly act. I would be shocked if a single democrat is reelected to the Wisconsin state house in 2012.