Cheddarheads aflame

Ah, unions.

I will concede that there was a time when unions did great things for American workers, but from where I sit, I don't recall a good thing that American unions have done during my adult life. I'm willing to have my position corrected if you'd like to share. I'll listen. Really

But you'll then have to explain Madison.

The beautiful facade of Madison, Wisconsin

I've spent a lot of time in Madison, Wisconsin. During my many visits I've read the Capitol Times and Wisconsin State Journal with raised eyebrows wondering how the general populace could stomach newspapers with a bigger slant than an Augusta National green.

I understood the leftist history of the U-Dub--"Berkley Central" if you will. When things get going on State Street, though, Badgerland makes Berkley look down right Limbaughesque.

Two weeks ago they hoisted the Super Bowl trophy. Now Wisconsin looks like Cairo. What's happening up nort' is the same thing that happened to Ford and Chevy, the same thing that's been happening to the airlines, the same thing that's happening to California, Illinois, New York, and New Jersey. The money going out is a whole lot less than the money coming in.

I'm no Alan Greenspan, I'm not anywhere close to Adam Smith or F.A. Hayek, but I do know how to balance a checkbook. One of the most important things I learned in college and during premarriage counseling was that money-out could not exceed money-in. It's true for individuals and couples.  It's true for Wal-Mart and Wyoming.  It's true for the Mets and it's true for Mozambique. So why should Madison, Chevy, and the United States be exempt from such principles?

Wisconsin's in the hole. Over the next two years, what they are budgeting to spend based upon what they hope to bring in equates to a $3.6 billion with a "B" shortfall. That's a lot to overdraw your account. In small companies, that means belt-tightening. Pay cuts for all my friends. In fact, some of my friends might be on the street. Laid off. Looking for work.

One of the biggest fund-sucks to any government/corporation any more is retirement and medical. Here are the "draconian" measures suggested by Governor Scott Walker:

• Government employees would now have to pay half of their pension costs.  They currently pay zero.
• They are also being asked to pay 12.6% of their health-care costs, up from 6%.
• And, oh yes, collective bargaining would be done away with.

While keeping all of those things would be nice, it would also be nice if Muslims and Jews held hands around a Coke bottle swaying back and forth while they harmonized on "I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing." Not gonna happen. When unions lock their feet into their unreasonable demands while their company sinks around them, it would be like the arrogant Titanic passenger demanding a medium-rare filet mignon because the center was just not pink enough while icy water lapped at his ankles. Dude, you are so without a clue.

Unions have driven most American auto manufacturers to the point of collapse. "It's the MAN's fault! He's bringing us down. There's more money. We can get more. We deserve more." And they are always so polite and courteous in their presentations.

The bailouts should never have happened. Let the ship sink into the inky and frigid abyss and take the sick-outs with it, those who would abandon the kids in the schools and torpedo their own boat.

Considering the gajillion dollar debt the nation has racked up, think of Madison as a microcosm of things to come for our nation. The answer is NOT more taxes. We, rich, poor, and middle income alike, cannot afford it. The answer is cutting our spending and paying our debts.  Guess what, boys and girls? That might mean that some of us will be looking for work. That might mean me.

That would be a far better place than to be than residing alongside Davy Jones' locker.