We will not be silent: Part 1 from Wukong Zero on Vimeo.

This move is not finished, it needs much work, ….you can view it as a rough draft…but the message must get out. The week of 2/28/2011 is a critical time for us to support the protest against efforts to do away with collective bargaining for public sector employees. Attend a protest in your state. In Ohio one will be held at the State House on Tuesday 3/1 from 10 until 6 PM.

This movie is a compilation of footage from protests in Canton and Columbus Ohio. It is my firm belief that we can work together to deal with the budget issues so many of our states are facing, but we must all be included at the table. I find it morally reprehensible that in Ohio the men and women whose job entails risking their lives for our communities (e.g., firefighters, police) were not given a voice, but told that their rights for collective bargain would be stripped from them.

Although the current protests in the Middle East and Northern Africa we are based on much different issues than protests such as we see in Wisconsin, they share some similarities. One primary similarity is the basic right of individuals not to have others tell them what course their lives will take, but be treated with respect and allowed to have a voice. In addition, political empowerment is contagious and as we watch the bravery and tenacity of those in the Middle East and Northern Africa in their fight for justice, we are encouraged to do the same.

We should remember that Dr. Martin Luther King used non violence to end segregation in the United States and Mahatma Gandhi used non violence to end British rule in his county. Certainly we should be able to use non violence to protect the freedom and rights of American workers.

By doing our jobs we are NOT the ones responsible for our state's budget problems!

Now I am a statistician….I work with numbers and I have heard many arguments back and forth regarding how “cushy” public employees have it with their salary as well as “Cadillac” health and benefit plans. This is quite simply a myth! After some study, I have concluded that public sector employees do not make more. Although our benefits do tend to be somewhat better than the private sector, when adjusted for salary I find marginal differences. In fact, I would argue that for many, such as myself, more money could be made working in the private sector. Like many public employees, I love my job and have no plans of leaving, but I do fear that we run a real risk of discouraging young people to work in the public sector.

Even if I concede to those who argue that public sector employees have it better economically than private sector employees, it is necessary to question if it is a “qualitative” difference. When I stand and protest with firefighters, teachers, individuals working in law enforcement and others, it is clear to see from the cars they drive to the clothes on their backs these are people of modest means. By doing their jobs, these people are NOT the one’s responsible for our state's budget problems.

Kasich Appearance in Warren?

Before leaving the protest in Canton this evening I spoke with a women who stated that Kasich would be making an appearance in Warren at Leo's Restrant at 12 (2/24). It was rather cold and we were both in a hurry. I didn't know if anyone new more about this and, if so, is a protest planned?