Hannity on Wisconsin workers
I called and made the point that, effectively, what is happening is that the Governor of Wisconsin is increasing taxes on the teachers and other government workers. I mean, when all is said and done, the Governor is reaching into these workers’ pockets and taking out about $100 from every week’s paycheck. What else would you call it? (My math is at the bottom of the post).
Sean – and every other right-wing host’s – argument is that Wisconsin needs to tighten its belt. It can’t spend what it doesn’t have.
I thought that was odd coming from a guy that supported two wars that our country put on its credit card. I mean, if we have to pay for our stuff, why isn’t he suggesting tax increases to pay for the wars? Could it be because he might have to part with a few of his ill-gotten gains? Or, if his argument is that we cannot afford to increase taxes in the middle of a recession, then why is it OK to (essentially) increase the tax burden on teachers? Surely, if they can afford it, the top teir of wealth-holders in this country can afford to do a little more as well, right? Sean? Sean?
Sean’s response? No, seriously, I’m not kidding….
“9/11, 9/11, 9/11!!!!!”
The math:
Average teacher pay, according to, of all people, Michelle Malkin: $52K
After tax income: $52K*.65 (assuming overall federal/state tax burden of 35%)=$33,800/yr
$33,800/52=$650/wk
Additional contribution demanded by Wisconsin governor: $5K
$5k/52=~100
Therefore, average weekly teacher pay will be reduced by $100/wk (or 15%), from $650 to $550
He had nothing to counter your points so the fall back becomes 9/11. It’s the trump card!
“I raise your point with these facts,” says the liberal.
“9/11. I win,” exclaims the conservative.
Aaron Krager
18 Feb 11 at 5:00 pm
The Wisconsin NEA site states a beginning teacher has a gross income of $31,714.
According to 2010 Federal Poverty Guidelines a family of three is eligible for WIC assistance if their annual income is $33,874 or less.
http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/howtoapply/incomeguidelines.htm
Of course WIC is on the chopping block- so being officially poor is beginning to lose its cache.
NV Ruth
19 Feb 11 at 1:25 am
Mike,
Keep up the great work!
People like Hannity, Beck, Limbaugh, et. al. don’t give a damn about this country unless they are making a buck from it. These people are frauds and hypocrites.
Fellow Veteran, Brian
Brian
19 Feb 11 at 11:50 am
Fist heard you on Randi Rhodes show and have been hooked ever since. Keep doing what you are doing and make those bloated faux patriots squirm!
sttbs73
19 Feb 11 at 11:00 pm
So…if we didn’t invade Afghanistan and Iraq…there wouldn’t be teachers?
I’m not gonna lie, I don’t get it.
Pasi
20 Feb 11 at 1:59 pm
9/11!!!
*and a hush falls over the crowd*
lol. Can’t run the same playbook you did in 2001,Seaney boy. Your track reacord doesn’t earn it. Funny too,if 9/11 outraged him so much,why didn’t he enlist? Or even try?
He’s too important(read: too good) to go over there and fight,is why.
WTG Mike. Keep pinning their ears back man.
Yakki.PsD
5 Mar 11 at 7:31 am
A public school teacher works for the taxpayers who pay his salary. The pension plan in Wisconsin, and many other states, has been “free” up to this point. Teachers also have tenure (meaning they have to be caught in bed with a live boy or a dead girl to get fired) after a certain time period, which in a liberal state like Wisconsin is probably 2 or 3 years. Teachers also have the summer off, when they can seek other employment instead of taking a long vacation. If teaching is so horrible, why do they do it? Or to restate, if teaching in government schools is so horrible, why don’t they teach in a private school, become a private tutor, or do something else other than teaching?
Polymath
11 Mar 11 at 1:23 pm