Monday, February 21, 2011

The Usual ("Catholic") Suspects and the Madison Protests

Badger Catholic observed that The Usual Suspects are banging drums for Union 'take-yours' types.

As people of faith, we oppose Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker’s plan to deny collective bargaining rights for public employees. Our religious traditions are very clear that workers, as human beings that have inherent dignity, have the right to form associations to improve their conditions at work

.....blah blah blah....

7. Sister Barbara Pfarr, SSND, School Sisters of Notre Dame,53235, bpfarr@ssnd-milw.org
18. Sister Mary Catherine Jarema, SSND School Sisters of Notre Dame, 53235
19. Rev. Gregory J. O’Meara, S.J. 53203 gregory.omeara@marquette.edu
21. Sister Janet Gregorcich, SSND Director, Global Partners Program, School Sisters of Notre Dame, 53235, jgregorc@ssnd-milw.org
28. Fr. Mike Berthram, St. Francis of Assisi, 53212, BerthramM@ArchMil.Org
29. Fr. Art Hei, St James, 53051, heinzea@archmil.org
30. Jim Zalinski OFM, Capuchin Justice Peace and Ecology, 53233, Zelito@Juno.Com
38. Rev.Jerry Schroeder, St. Benedict the Moor Parish, 53233, benspastor@sbcglobal.net
39. Rev. Bryan N. Massingale, Associate Professor/ Marquette University, 53201, bryan.massingale@marquette.edu
40. Fr. Mike Michaeliski, Catholic Priest on the East Side of Milwaukee, michalskim@archmil.org.
44. Sister Ruth Poochigian, O.P. Dominican Sister (Sinsinawa),53716, RuthOP@aol.com
51. Rev. Msgr. Thomas F. Baxter, St. James and St. Joseph Catholic Parishes, 53715 and 53713, tbaxter@straphael.org

Some of those folks need no introduction whatever in Milwaukee.

Given the parallel between TARP recipients and public-union people, one wonders if the same bunch of signatories approve the bailouts of Goldman Sachs and Citibank.

Hmmmmmm?

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

You're comparing apples and artichokes.

TARP was a GOP plan to clean up behind America's financial elite, to the tune of $800 billion, to ensure they didn't feel the pain from their greedy business practices. Union busting, another GOP plan, will save $300 million by "balancing" a state budget on the backs on $28k/yr janitors and UW cafeteria cooks.

But far be it from you to ever miss an opportunity to disparage Christians for following the Golden Rule.

Dad29 said...

Nope.

Public-unions are a Democrat plan to fund Democrat re-elections at the expense of working-class taxpayers.

Total annual cost to taxpayers exceeds $500Bn in wage and benefit excesses.

And cutting off the mule's hay-pile gets exactly the same response from the taxpaying public:

BUY MORE AMMO!!!

Dad29 said...

Let's go a step further.

Opportunity-cost of public-union excess wages and benefits adds another $200Bn++/year.

Anonymous said...

Archbishop Listecki supports unions...

www.catholic.org/national/national_story.php?id=40429


so does Pope Benedict.

www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0900492.htm


Are they the "usual suspects"?

Anonymous said...

I don't think Listecki and Benedict make any distinctions between public sector and private sector unions, Dad29.

Dad29 said...

Fortunately, the opinions of Bishops and Popes on non-dogmatic issues is not binding.

Any Catholic can disagree with reason.

Some Catholics agree with the application that Listecki wrote. I especially agree with the part where he indicated that the unions should take a 50% cut in pay.

Anonymous said...

You just couldn't bring yourself to say yourself that Listecki and Benedict are "wrong", could you?

Rather, you wrote "any Catholic can disagree with reason". How clever.


Dad29--"I especially agree with the part where he indicated that the unions should take a 50% cut in pay."

Please provide a source, I have not come across that particular statement.


Dad29--"Fortunately, the opinions of Bishops and Popes on non-dogmatic issues is not binding."

No, but these statements represent the long-standing views of the RCC on the status of unions. It is CLEAR that the Pope opposes any measures taken to eliminate their existence or gut their ability to exist for the common good, which Walker seems to be doing.

It seems you are trying to "pick and choose" despite what the Pope is definitively saying on the matter to fit your economic perspective. His overall position is CLEAR.

Dad29 said...

Please provide a source, I have not come across that particular statement.

They did NOT say that, but it's the way I interpret the letter.

Prove me wrong.

the Pope opposes any measures taken to eliminate their existence or gut their ability to exist for the common good

He's not eliminating them. Your mileage may vary.

CLEARLY, the common good overrides the comfort and luxury of public employees. On that, you're right.

Anonymous said...

No, no, no, Dad29, you made the claim! It is up to YOU to provide specific evidence to support it, not me. You've taken people here to task for not offering proof in the past. As you said, YOU made the interpretation, now own up to it.

Otherwise, one could surmise you are lying, and we all know how the RCC feels about such behavior! I suppose a good donation on Sunday would do the trick.

You seem to be taking a page from one of your boyzzz, Charlie "My evidence? Absolutely nothing" Sykes.


CLEARLY, the common good to ensure that workers are treated fairly by business owners and government agencies overrides a concerted effort by said groups to systematically deprive them of specific rights and/or render them impotent. On that, I'M RIGHT.

Comfort and luxury? For public employees? Hardy, ha-ha.

Dad29 said...

Actually, there is no "right" to a pension. There's no "right" to unjustly high wages and Mercedes-Benz healthcare packages.

You're kinda long on "rights," there.

And by the way, the bargaining is with the current majority of voters--Conservatives.

You lost. Get over it.

Anonymous said...

"There is no "right" to a pension. There's no "right" to unjustly high wages and Mercedes-Benz healthcare packages."

I think I read somewhere that we, as Americans, have the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The specifics, or "rights", are left for citizens, and taxpayers, to decide.


"You lost, get over it". What, Dad29, are we five years old???



I do appreciate you dodging the issue. A classic Alinsky moment on your part!

Dad29 said...

The specifics, or "rights", are left for citizens, and taxpayers, to decide

Actually, the enumerated "rights" are the only ones.

As to "deciding," you're right.

The voters decided on Conservative government.

You lose. We win. Get over it.

Anonymous said...

"You lose. We win. Get over it."

The Founding Fathers did not take that approach. No wonder our country is in trouble due to ideologues such as yourself, Eugene Kane, etc.

Perhaps the "winners" ought to be gracious and accepting, rather than combative and sarcastic. I wonder what your priest would say on the matter...

Display Name said...

Jesus said "Buy more ammo," right?