I haven't been watching the news much and I understand that Japan is the worlds concern, but here is a little something something happening here in my own home state..

Yes ... Leftist Maryland is asking unionized employees to pay more..

I doubt that Martin O'Malley is getting any Koch money so I can't wait to see the leftists comments on this..


MARYLAND: Union rally by thousands against governor's plan

ANNAPOLIS — Thousands of union members rallied before the State House on Monday night, vowing to protect their employee pensions and public school funding.

Protesters filled Lawyer's Mall, immediately in front of the State House, where they stood among the shrubs planted in front of the governor's mansion and packed Bladen Street.

Taking part were members of the state's largest unions, including the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees and the Maryland State Education Association, which represents teachers. They rang bells, banged plastic thunder sticks and chanted "Keep the promise."

Gov. Martin O'Malley has proposed changes to address a troubling $19 billion in unfunded pension liabilities and $16 billion in retiree health liabilities. It would require increased contributions from state employees.

"This is the guy that likes you, and look what he's doing to you," said Thomas Corkran, a retired corrections maintenance officer, who spent 21 years teaching Maryland inmates to do repairs on state buildings.

O'Malley, a Democrat, also cut $94 million from the state's public schools in the budget plan he submitted to the General Assembly in January.

Those moves brought a mix of long-time state workers and teachers to pour in.

But when cast against Wisconsin — where Republican lawmakers stripped collective bargaining rights for state workers — and states considering similar measures, AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka lauded O'Malley.

"Unlike the other places, like Wisconsin and Ohio, that are trying to destroy the workers' right to sit down and collectively bargain this governor understands us," Trumka said in an interview before the rally.

When asked why he was joining in the protest against O'Malley and the Legislature, which is overwhelmingly controlled by Democrats, Trumka said it was "part of the process."

O'Malley spoke briefly in a surprise appearance at the end of the rally.

"We've got tough decisions ahead of us," he said. "None of us has all the answers, but you know what? We are committed to stay at the table and to figuring this out, and moving together as one Maryland."

http://www.delmarvanow.com/article/20110315/NEWS01/110315005/MARYLAND-Union-rally-by-thousands-against-governor-s-plan?odyssey=mod|mostview

He's also not trying to get rid of unions like Walker is.

I could hear the rally at the State House, but was on my way somewhere else, so I didn't have time to check it out.

How is giving people a choice trying to get rid of them?

I couldn't hear it in Ocean City..

What was Walker giving people a choice to do? He wasn't just trying to get union members to pay more.

I live just blocks from the State House.

Wow you really show your ignorance towards what is going on in WI.

THe bill that was passed requires State employees to pay 5% towards their pension (money that they aren't losing because they get it back plus whatever it earns in the market). They are also required to pay 12% of their healtcare plans ( that's less than half of what fed employees and most other private employees pay towards theirs). The only thing it does with the unions is stop them from being able to bargain for healthcare and some of the rediculous rules that they have. Also it gives teachers a choice to join the union not just automatically have union dues taken out of their check without any say.

I have come to realize that the leftists don't bother letting the facts get into the way of a good propaganda piece.