Unions: good for workers or bad for business?

[Strix]

I could see that, if you swap out "complex" for "hypocritical and ridiculous."

We cannot all be as simple as you. 

[Berkut]

Lay-offs are a political power play and nothing more at this point.

Yeah, Patterson is really making some political hay with his threat to lay off union workers. Tell me Strix, what is his play here? He is a dyed in the wool Democrat who is a historic supporter of all things liberal, like unions. What is his goal, why is he trying to do this since it clearly has nothing to do with the $17 billion deficit and is politically suicidal?

No one knows what Paterson's play is here. I doubt even he does. He will not only cost himself but his party as well. My best guess is that alternatives to laying off union members/reneging on raises would effect payback for his supporters and political base, and so he is willing to take a hit that doesn't matter to protect them.

Oh yeah, fire the people who are probably doing most of the work, so you guys can get raises.

So again, what is Patterson play here - YOU are the one claiming that in fact this isn't about saving money by a, and I quote, "political power play". Apparently a political power play that has him at a 19% approval rating - who is this "political base" that he is paying back? What an odd claim, since his actual political base is in fact left wing Democrats, unions, etc., etc.

You have no idea of course, because the idea that this is some kind of political thing makes no sense whatsoever, unless he just wants to make himself hated for some insane reason.

The entire "private contractor" thing is a complete red herring, of course. If in fact there are cuts to be made there, they should be made regardless of whether the state employees deserve yet another raise. Of course, private contractors are actually expected to actually produce things, unlike state employees. The claim that the $1.5 billion is safely "assumed" to be nothing but payoffs is funny considering your own employment contract is exactly that.

[The Brain]

I agree with the socialist that we should pour tax money on stuff without ever questioning anything in any way.

[Berkut]

No one knows what Paterson's play is here.

Lay-offs are a political power play and nothing more

Could you make up your mind please?

[Habbaku]

I agree with the socialist that we should pour tax money on stuff without ever questioning anything in any way.

That's not what he's saying at all.  He's saying we need to pour tax money on his stuff without ever questioning anything in any way.

[Caliga]

Berkut has been poaching on Raz's turf. I am just not sure if that means the water heater or laundry area in the basement. 

ZING 

[The Brain]

I agree with the socialist that we should pour tax money on stuff without ever questioning anything in any way.

That's not what he's saying at all.  He's saying we need to pour tax money on his stuff without ever questioning anything in any way.

You question me?

[garbon]

We cannot all be as simple as you. 

I just like how sometimes people say their views are "nuanced" and "complex" when they were generated by a coin toss.

[Strix]

No one knows what Paterson's play is here.

Lay-offs are a political power play and nothing more

Could you make up your mind please?

About what? You just posted examples of two different things.

Lay-offs are a political power play because there are alternatives that can be done before they become necessary. Therefore since lay-offs aren't an absolute necessity to balancing the NYS budget than it's hard to say what ultimate play that Paterson is making here.

Expand your mind a little.

[Strix]

Oh yeah, fire the people who are probably doing most of the work, so you guys can get raises.

So again, what is Patterson play here - YOU are the one claiming that in fact this isn't about saving money by a, and I quote, "political power play". Apparently a political power play that has him at a 19% approval rating - who is this "political base" that he is paying back? What an odd claim, since his actual political base is in fact left wing Democrats, unions, etc., etc.

You have no idea of course, because the idea that this is some kind of political thing makes no sense whatsoever, unless he just wants to make himself hated for some insane reason.

The entire "private contractor" thing is a complete red herring, of course. If in fact there are cuts to be made there, they should be made regardless of whether the state employees deserve yet another raise. Of course, private contractors are actually expected to actually produce things, unlike state employees. The claim that the $1.5 billion is safely "assumed" to be nothing but payoffs is funny considering your own employment contract is exactly that.

Private contractors that work with the State are even more lazy, overpaid, and inefficient than state workers. Most contracts are gotten as the result of political payback and political connections or worse yet the dreaded "low bid" kind that jacks up the costs in overruns and what not.

Apparently you don't read well because I said I don't know what he is playing at. You just want me to state something so you can spout off about how I claim to know what the governor is thinking. 

And I cannot believe you're dense enough not to realize how much political maneuvering took place for Paterson to get the job as governor. He had enough skeletons in his closet coupled with lack of experience that the Republicans could have made it in the Democrats best interest to have someone else take over. And, I also cannot believe you're naive enough not to understand how many political markers are passed out to get Paterson in a position where he could become governor.

[Strix]

We cannot all be as simple as you. 

I just like how sometimes people say their views are "nuanced" and "complex" when they were generated by a coin toss.

We are talking about my political views and not your sex life. 

[Strix]

That's not what he's saying at all.  He's saying we need to pour tax money on his stuff without ever questioning anything in any way.

Good point, close more prisons, and reduce the people who watch the freed prisoners that enabled you to close the prisons. Sounds like a win-win for everyone especially during a recession.   

[garbon]

We are talking about my political views and not your sex life. 

I don't have one.

[Strix]

We are talking about my political views and not your sex life. 

I don't have one.

You should have given--er called heads instead of tails.

[garbon]

You should have given--er called heads instead of tails.

This is getting boring.