# Govenor Scott Walker (R) WI **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [February 17, 2011, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/govenor-scott-walker-r-wi/571743 "2011-02-17T20:56:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 64
**Author:** ![superslug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e56c9b/32.png) [@superslug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/superslug)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2011, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/govenor-scott-walker-r-wi/571743/1263 "2011-03-06T18:53:45Z")
With any luck Walker will get hit by a bus and all of this will be over, right? ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2011, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/govenor-scott-walker-r-wi/571743/1264 "2011-03-06T18:55:22Z")
> [@superslug](#): > > I always preferred McCartney. Better singer, better capitalist. > **[HuffPost - Breaking News, U.S. and World News](https://www.huffpost.com/)** > > Read the latest U.S. and world news, politics, entertainment, lifestyle and opinion pieces from HuffPost’s trusted team of journalists. > [@](#): > > McCartney, 67, left no question about how he felt about Obama, telling the president that in tough times, “You have billions of us who are rooting for you and we know you are going to come through.” > > Later, after the TV cameras had left, he expressed appreciation for the Library of Congress and added a zinger: “After the last eight years, it’s great to have a president who knows what a library is.” ---
**Author:** ![caper12](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3ab097/32.png) [@caper12](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/caper12)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2011, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/govenor-scott-walker-r-wi/571743/1265 "2011-03-06T18:55:59Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > Actually, I am not entirely sure. As a general rule, though, rule changes require a higher order of consent than a simple majority. > > Your post speculating about the origins of the recent plague that has befallen us is somewhat interesting, I went there and poked it with a stick. Mostly harmless. But I do recognize several of the names, however, that does not explain how they got to be sicced on us. I note with approval that at least one of them has a kicking rack of ginormous jigglys. Our own message board does not support the display of physical attributes. More’s the pity, perhaps. > > And “zero moderation”? Well, there’s a problem, no? Without the Luminous Ones, who sit at the right hand of The Cecil, our level of pristine intelligence and civility would not be possible. (Grovel, grovel, kissy, kissy…) The link is to the forum that I own. One of the members stumbled onto this forum and posted about it, saying it was a good debate forum. We have much the same at our forum with similar topics. There is virtually no moderation. Mostly, don’t do anything illegal and keep non work safe images in “The Crucible” I think it makes for an interesting place. ---
**Author:** ![Zeriel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/58956e/32.png) [@Zeriel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeriel)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2011, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/govenor-scott-walker-r-wi/571743/1266 "2011-03-06T19:07:01Z")
> [@caper12](#): > > The link is to the forum that I own. One of the members stumbled onto this forum and posted about it, saying it was a good debate forum. > > We have much the same at our forum with similar topics. There is virtually no moderation. Mostly, don’t do anything illegal and keep non work safe images in “The Crucible” I think it makes for an interesting place. If you’re claiming superslug, perhaps your members might wanna take up a collection to send him to remedial debate camp? If he’s not from your place originally, I apologise for slandering you by suggesting he might be. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![superslug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e56c9b/32.png) [@superslug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/superslug)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2011, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/govenor-scott-walker-r-wi/571743/1267 "2011-03-06T19:08:48Z")
> [@GIGObuster](#): > > [HuffPost - Breaking News, Politics, Entertainment & Opinion](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/06/02/paul-mccartney-makes-fun_n_598650.html) My post was more to the fact that Paul loves his money. He’s another elitist hypocrite but he’s a harmless entertainer, so he gets a pass. ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2011, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/govenor-scott-walker-r-wi/571743/1268 "2011-03-06T19:14:52Z")
> [@superslug](#): > > My post was more to the fact that Paul loves his money. He’s another elitist hypocrite but he’s a harmless entertainer, so he gets a pass. Paul McCartney still lives in England, land of the “we really do charge higher taxes to the rich” ---
**Author:** ![Zeriel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/58956e/32.png) [@Zeriel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeriel)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2011, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/govenor-scott-walker-r-wi/571743/1269 "2011-03-06T19:34:17Z")
I love the idea that it’s not possible to make a lot of money while maintaining liberal ideals. Hell, my current employers are proof that THAT’S bullshit–I don’t think you could find a more lovable gang of progressive eco-freak electrical engineers. ---
**Author:** ![TravisFromOR](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cc9497/32.png) [@TravisFromOR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TravisFromOR)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2011, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/govenor-scott-walker-r-wi/571743/1270 "2011-03-06T20:03:55Z")
> [@Zeriel](#): > > I love the idea that it’s not possible to make a lot of money while maintaining liberal ideals. Hell, my current employers are proof that THAT’S bullshit–I don’t think you could find a more lovable gang of progressive eco-freak electrical engineers. Lovable gangs of eco-freak electrical engineers go against the public interest. ---
**Author:** ![superslug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e56c9b/32.png) [@superslug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/superslug)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2011, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/govenor-scott-walker-r-wi/571743/1271 "2011-03-06T20:11:02Z")
> [@TravisFromOR](#): > > Lovable gangs of eco-freak electrical engineers go against the public interest. QFT. smelly hippies. ---
**Author:** ![Zeriel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/58956e/32.png) [@Zeriel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeriel)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2011, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/govenor-scott-walker-r-wi/571743/1272 "2011-03-06T20:29:27Z")
> [@TravisFromOR](#): > > Lovable gangs of eco-freak electrical engineers go against the public interest. Yeah but who cares about the public interest? I’m only paying lip service to it. What I really care about is whether or not it goes against me personally making fat sacks of cash money. _shakes head_ Sorry, I just channeled superslug’s faux-libertarian fascism for a second there. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2011, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/govenor-scott-walker-r-wi/571743/1273 "2011-03-06T20:55:03Z")
> [@superslug](#): > > Don’t you think he had some pretty good ideas about equality? (Lenin, that is) _Imagine no possessions…_ That was a pretty good one. Also: _Life is what happens to you when you’re making other plans…_ Boy, beautiful! ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2011, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/govenor-scott-walker-r-wi/571743/1274 "2011-03-06T20:59:28Z")
> [@superslug](#): > > Let’s face it… You consider anything that doesn’t fit your agenda to be irrelevant. Actually, it’s more of an “anything that doesn’t fit the topic of the conversation” deal… ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2011, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/govenor-scott-walker-r-wi/571743/1275 "2011-03-06T21:29:31Z")
> [@superslug](#): > > QFT. > > smelly hippies. Aw, **Starving Artist** amd **Rand Rover** had a love child! ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2011, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/govenor-scott-walker-r-wi/571743/1276 "2011-03-06T21:32:42Z")
Well, YOU can just rock me to sleep tonight, Mister! ---
**Author:** ![Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/try2b_comprehensive/32/65_2.png) [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Try2B_Comprehensive)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2011, 5:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/govenor-scott-walker-r-wi/571743/1277 "2011-03-07T05:55:53Z")
The public interest goes against the public interest. Check out [Walker’s artpage.](http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iaysTVcounI) (does the link work or not?) ---
**Author:** ![TravisFromOR](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cc9497/32.png) [@TravisFromOR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TravisFromOR)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2011, 6:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/govenor-scott-walker-r-wi/571743/1278 "2011-03-07T06:00:30Z")
> [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](#): > > The public interest goes against the public interest. > > Check out [Walker’s artpage.](http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iaysTVcounI) > > (does the link work or not?) I’m getting a DNS error… ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2011, 7:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/govenor-scott-walker-r-wi/571743/1279 "2011-03-07T07:52:33Z")
> [@TravisFromOR](#): > > I’m getting a DNS error… try removing the second http/. ---
**Author:** ![Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/try2b_comprehensive/32/65_2.png) [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Try2B_Comprehensive)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2011, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/govenor-scott-walker-r-wi/571743/1280 "2011-03-07T13:38:58Z")
Ok, I’ve devised a recipe for solving a state budget deficit. Please tell me why it is utterly stupid. 1. Government employees cost too much? Ok, so let’s cut the pay of government employees- we really have no choice anyway, right? But let’s cut pay for all of them. Forcing just one group of employees to shoulder the burden implies it is _their_ fault/problem, when clearly that isn’t the case. So. If we are to cut the pay of teachers by 8%, and they make say 60k, allrighty then, cut the pay of every other worker by some graduated amount. If the governor makes 100k, cut his pay by 10%. Government employees who make 40k take a 5% cut. I’m just illustrating the principle here, the specific numbers will change, see below: 1. Peg tax increases to salary cuts. Do not require anyone to take a pay cut smaller than the tax increase levied on the top 1% of income earners. So, if the governor is taking a 10% pay cut, the tax hike on the top 1% ought to be 11%. But we aren’t going to single out the top 1% either- this is everybody’s problem, remember? So we’ll get everybody on board. Everybody takes a tax increase, graduated by ability to pay, perhaps excluding the poorest group (say, incomes below $30k). Devise a set of categories from the top down, and ratchet the % tax increase down to say 1% for low income earners. 1. Take a look at how the budget problem has been resolved! Even treating corporate tax breaks as sacred, cutting expenses and raising revenue with the numbers I’ve proposed will result in huge surpluses. So, keeping the hit that each group has to take proportional to the others in the general way I have described, dial it back for everyone until you have achieved a balanced budget (or maybe a very modest surplus). Voila! I’m sure this approach will be judged as utterly stupid. I’ll just wait to see the reasons why from others. Except from people who make declarations like,“There will be no specifics”- obviously those guys aren’t for real. 1. I’d suggest future-anticipating projects like high-speed rail and off (lake) shore wind, but let’s face it. In a post-peak-oil world the race for resources will be a zero-sum game. If stupid people like WI voters and their government officials want to deny themselves their ability to cope, why that will make things that much easier for the rest of us. Just don’t expect your mouthbreathing carpetbaggers to be welcome in my state after the shit hits the fan. Stay in WI, OH, FL and suck it. ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2011, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/govenor-scott-walker-r-wi/571743/1281 "2011-03-07T15:15:33Z")
Actually, I think some variety of that strategy is what’s going to be required to get the various federal and state deficits under control. The only way to get the political will required to make the big changes that will be necessary is if people feel that everyone’s sharing in the sacrifice. Liberals aren’t going to tolerate cuts to public employee’s pay and benefits while the rich get tax cuts, and Republicans aren’t going to tolerate big raises in taxes on the rich while the public employees continue to be sheltered from the pain of the recession. Both sides are going to have to give. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2011, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/govenor-scott-walker-r-wi/571743/1282 "2011-03-07T15:25:21Z")
Certainly fair. After all, its not like rich people have more money than they need. Unless, of course, that is the very definition of being “rich”. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/govenor-scott-walker-r-wi/571743.md?page=63) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/govenor-scott-walker-r-wi/571743.md?page=65)