We cannot let this failed recall be the end of unions.

[gadjitfreek]

Walker and his widespread Republican ilk will now be emboldened to lay waste to all unions in this country. So much for the right for workers to organize in their interest. Though when you get outspent 8 to 1 by corporations that maximize profits at the expense of the workers it is kind of hard to mount an equally effective campaign. They keep talking about "job creators". These people view "job creation" as the last resort in their planning. If you can squeeze more out of the employees you have while paying them less then there is no need to hire anyone else. Hence the need for unions to make sure that the employees are getting fair treatment and are not being exploited. The response to that is "you can always find a job somewhere else!" Actually, it's becoming pretty evident that you can't. It's the fear of losing one's job in a depression economy (which is exactly what we are in) that allows these corporations that are seeing record profits to squeeze further. Without unions, this is becoming widespread. Let's not let this recall failure in Wisconsin become the rallying cry and excuse to dismantle what is left of unions in this country. Enjoy your two days off a week, vacation time, 40-hour work week, maybe even benefits? Workplace safety regulations? Wouldn't have happened without unions. Corporations want loyalty from their employees without showing them an ounce of loyalty back. It's a disgrace.

[Gordonfan24]

1. Hopefully it won't be...

the end of unions. As I've been a union pipe welder for quite a while. I have no problem with having to pay my union dues. I feel awful for the disappearing middle class.

[AllyCat]

2. Welcome to DU GordonFan!

I am also a union member but not public sector WI. Private...yet this will affect us in upcoming negotiations. We will fight, but it will not be easy.

[MatthewStLouis]

3. Amen. I think 'loyalty' (or lack thereof) is the best word to help describe what is going on.

Big corporations expect loyalty to the top, without question. Loyalty to workers, well, that's not so important. They want to have huge tax breaks AND the right to do anything they damn please. All the things they want to do away with are things that help workers, help families, protect the environment and protect consumers.

[lonestarnot]

4. K & R

[Proud Liberal Dem]

5. It doesn't have to be

That the recall happened in the first place should be considered somewhat of a victory IMHO. Unfortunately, it just seemed that just not enough voters were willing to dump Walker over his policies regarding collective bargaining and/or didn't believe that the 2010 election should have been (essentially) done over. People in the state don't seem to particularly love Republicans since most people are currently planning to vote for President Obama over Mitt Romney. There is still some time to get ready for the November elections and help elect more Democrats to the State Legislature (to help ensure that Walker's policies don't get rubberstamped by a compliant legislature) and to Congress and keep President Obama in the WH.

[dmosh42]

6. Unions will never win popularity contests, but ARE the answer to an unjust society....

going back to the late 1800s, when the 'robber barons' pretty much controlled the US, the union idea caught on big time. And it has always been the way we developed the biggest 'middle class society in the world. By the 1960s, unions were at their peak, and I think the media started to become their enemy. I'm a life member of a national union, CWA, and do remember doing picket duties during a few decades starting in the 60s. It always struck me funny how some of the working, or poorer classes would walk by our picket lines and call out names like "communist", or 'goons', and generally seem hostile. But then if you think of it, this country had a civil war based on slavery in the south, and hardly any of the people owned these slaves. Probably due to the poorer classes don't think much of themselves, so will defer to the rich to lead them out of hard times, like the old plantation days. I'm retired and live in a southern state, in a county that's pretty far down on the economic ladder, but only vote Republican, and are always complaining about jobs going overseas, and socialism ruining everything. Meanwhile their representative in congress has voted for every 'free' trade agreement, voted for big oil every time, and wants us at war forever, and naturally, more tax cuts for the richest people. I feel like yelling, "Get off your knees!", but I'm a small minority here, so mind my own business.

[HopeHoops]

7. The recall wasn't a failure - more of a template.