If you're politi-geeky enough to watch along with us, you can watch the Michigan House debate the anti-union bill live online. You never know what you'll see. For instance, when Republican House member Greg MacMaster rose a few moments to support taking away union rights, a certainly apolitical Mr. Potato Head found his way into the frame. If I spot the plastic guy again, I'll grab a pic. UPDATE: I think you can see the critter in this view from the balcony, along with some other toy. NEWS UPDATE: The House agreed to the Senate version affecting public workers, 58-51, and the bill affecting private-sector workers by 58-52. They sent the bills to Governor Snyder for signing.
After the jump, Kermit with a Democrat.
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Somewhere I am sure there is a metaphor in this...
Cheep plastic toy manufactured by slave labor in china...and it looks like even he is walking out on Mr. MacMaster
Ooh... metaphor... delicious.
which one is mr. potato head?
Hee. I wish I could think of something clever here, but all I can do is stare and smile.
Michigan HB4033, right to work for public employees, has just passed 58-51 in Michigan House.
A very sad day for the state, the middle class, and all workers.
And another red letter day for companies that want to chase the bottom line. Somewhere a corporate officer, a lobbyist and legislative lawyer just got a fat bonuses.
Like thieves in the night, as quickly and quietly as possible, they steal our most prized possessions.
absolutely; very very sad for all of us. It will take years to undo this - if ever
And my state rep, who I voted against, is one of the few Republicans to vote against it. He pretty much came out and said his constituents were a major part of his "no" vote. At least he recognizes how much they'd kick his butt next election if he voted for it.
This whole thing is so ridiculous with absolutely no debate. And it's sad the number of other pieces of legislature that are not getting the attention.
Well Kermit in the original Muppets Movie was offered a job to be a spokesperson for a restaurant owner not until the last moment did he realize it was not be a spokesperson but to be part of the food served.
There was a saying I heard by some in Michigan that voting for President Obama would be like chicken voting for Colonel Sanders.
So maybe the metaphor here is that GOP in Michigan wants to serve workers on a platter to Business leaders and treat workers like they are foods. Mr. Potato head could be that GOP in Michigan want treat Unions like they are toys. Toying around with Unions because Unions don't matter to the GOP.
is that kermit in the second pic? it looks like it could be the build-a-bear grinch who stole christmas!
Beware...I fear this is a smoke screen to quietly pass the two education bills that are looming around the corner. These education bills, if passed, will be a huge disservice to public education and those who are marginalized in society. Please check out the number of Superintendents who opposed these bills. http://joyandschool.blogspot.com/2012/12/michigan-superintendents-oppose.html
Disgusting human beings.
Screw the muppets, metaphors, and semi-humorous comments. It's time the workers of the state of Michigan take back their state from the criminals running it. time for a general strike.
..perhaps we can get some solidarity activities going on our side of the border. c"mon Canada, lets all go to windsor and yell at the gov. of Michigan.
It may take something like a general strike to wake these politicans up. Shut down the whole state. And if that won't work , then state by state shut down every state controlled by the R's.
This is not a right to work law it is just the beginning. The next business will be to get rid of minimum wage in effect doing away with all rights for all workers in this country and creating an atmosphere of China. This is the single most damaging blow to all workers in the country. I am so disgusted with the TEApublicans I could puke.
The so-called "Right To Work" bill passed by the Republican controlled legislature in Michigan is just another form of voter suppression by trying to divide a major Democratic voting block and enabling the rich to get richer. The Republicans in Michigan forced this bill through in just a few hours during the final days of a lame-duck session knowing that they probably couldn't get the bill passed after the first of the year when the new legislature is sworn in and denied the citizens of that great state to have any say in the matter on a parliamentary technicality. The Republican Governor in the past has said on numerous occasions that "right to work" was not on his agenda, has made a 180 degree turnabout and is now on the verge of signing the bill into law. I can't help but recall how the fascists came to power in Europe... by suppressing and intimidating voters and busting unions. I can only hope that my fellow Americans are as scared as I am at the actions of the Republicans and their "win at any cost" mentality, see them for what they truly represent, and at the mid-term elections, vote them out of office en masse.
The Republicans are the bait and switch party and fooled many into supporting self harm. The Governor is pretending this is for workers to have the freedom to not be in unions. It is always for the people, for the workers, for the freedom while they take away our voice, our economic resources and our safety. If not at the midterms this will never happen. it will be near impossible even then become of the gerrymandering they have also done. Gotta say-was genius of them to position themselves in so many states to rig all future elections from here on out by having control in so many states when the ten year redistricting arrived. We are collectively screwed!
Theory: Word is getting out that 5 to 10 people become bronies every day, but once again, people assUme it's about "adults liking children's toys" or "men liking things for girls," not about a TV show people like because it's actually well made. So in their ignorance, they start thinking that there's some spike in the trend of adults liking children's toys, and they want to reach out to that demographic. It doesn't surprise me. People in politics make it their job to sell what they think our own ideals (or interests) are back to us, not to actually have them.
Florida is a right to work state and it is not good. One day you have a job the next they find something to get rid of you and you can do nothing about it., Michigan needs to fight this sham
And how does this change anything? Even with a union, companies can still downsize or relocate. With the current rate of participation in private unions, it seems clear how workers think. Just look at the teachers union in Wisconsin after their law was changed.
People have been fooled in the name of freedom. For example, republicans have done an elementary hate campaign against public workers to privatize public services so their buddies can rake in the public tax dollar; then pay workers less and take more and more profit. They used low wage earners and low info voters in their hate campaign. Unions do help workers but corporate greed trumps all because of the business model of today which strips all money and assets and disposes of the workers; taking their past and their futures. Wisconsin has the Waukesha clerk who comes up with the necessary votes under her desk. People have been buffaloed. Wisconsin republicans are now changing all the rules to reduce wages and maintain their control for years to come. corporations are in charge my friends. Unions represented the people. Try to hire a lawyer individually to represent you when you are mistreated by an employer; particularly on low wages.
Lame duck sessions should never be allowed to change policy and laws! I'm reminded of my long ago days living in TN. The Lame Duck governor started issuing pardons faster than the copy machines could print them. The Lame Duck Legislature could do or say nothing since the outgoing answered to no one, finally took a hastily arranged court decision to stop it.
Just remember. Anytime ANY pol doesn't support workers rights, He's probably been bought and paid for by the person(s) you WORK for!
I think I got this figured out.
The desks all looks the same. Our state reps aren't so good at actually READING their nametags (let alone the bills). So they put a "unique" item on their desk so that they can find it.
what needs to happen now is for the new legislature to go on strike....can you say "grid-lock"? make snyder choke on this til he cries "uncle Koch"
Sure, because I feel that this is bringing us back to the 1940's. The Republicans are going backwards and you always get back what you give out. So they are going to get back the @!$%# that they are putting out. You wait and see this will all back fire against them big time.
But in the meantime people have to suffer needlessly. What the hell happened to the GOP ? I used to think they were some reasonably people in that party. Never again.
respectfully Denny, your thinking is what got us into this mess. The only way this will change is if you, and other like minded people, help the rest of us and stay vocal and vote them out. We all have to vote all democrat based on their policies; none of the republicans can be elected or re-elected. This will also take years to reverse even with that
It is not only a sad day for Michigan, but for all Americans. It won't be long until other states follow their lead. The rich will continue to get richer and the poor will be driven into despair.
Put all the Republican's in jail because they are all crooks along with their counterparts and big wigs and big corporations. GREED<GREED>GREED they are all going straight to hell!
The American Unions and Workers have turned into the biggest bunch of wimps and cry babies. Fight for your rights, Strike and sacrifice for what you believe in. Otherwise shut up and be a drone. STRIKE, STRIKE AND SHUT THE STATE DOWN or Go Home and cry on MSNBC
The rest have turned into self centered, selfish, vengeful, insulting, foolish, compassion free thugs. Free speech only belongs to the righteous tough guys who lie and mislead by using word games and insults; the rest should be silenced.
I say we pull all the Flags at half mass and go into mourning. The Republican's are going to lead us right back into a deep depression and they will suffer too! Unless they all put their money in Swiss banks. Crooks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I visited the state capital a few months ago with my son's class. A bunch of people had different things on their desks representing different things.
If a "right to work" law means you are not forced to join a union in Michigan then I'm all for it a googleplex percent.
Just proved that you are the idiot they think we all are.
They have had this in Texas where I was born for years and all the right to work has meant is wages that lag behind the rest of the nation for the most part. Will it be easier for companies to hire undocumented workers, to pay workers less under the table so they dont have to pay payroll taxes or social security taxes. http://royalsincitymissive.com/
@FuturePrez - that is NOT what it means. I hope you will learn to do some research before you become prez!