Paul Ryan On Wisconsin Protests: 'It's Like Cairo Has Moved To Madison'

[DearAbby]

Speaking on Morning Joe Thursday morning, Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) compared the current situation in Wisconsin, where Gov. Scott Walker (R) has inspired days of protests by proposing a budget that would remove key bargaining powers for public employee unions, to the recent unrest in Egypt that toppled the 30-year authoritarian rule of Hosni Mubarak, saying it's "like Cairo has moved to Madison these days."

Host Mika Brzezinski asked Ryan what he made of the protests and Walker's "stand."

"He is basically saying, state workers, which have extremely generous benefit packages relative to their private sector counterparts, they contribute next to nothing to their pensions, very, very little in their health care packages," Ryan responded "He's asking that they contribute about 12% for their health care premiums, which is about half of the private sector average, and about 5.6% to their pensions. It's not asking a lot, it's still about half of what private sector pensions do and health care packages do. So he's basically saying, I want you public workers to pay half of what our private sector counterparts are, and he's getting, you know, riots. It's like Cairo has moved to Madison these days. It's just, all of this demonstration. It's fine, people should be able to express their way, but we've got to get this deficit and debt under control in Madison, if we want to have a good business climate and job creation in Wisconsin."

Ryan then seemed to compare what's happening in his state to anti-austerity protests that took place in Europe last year.

More with Video : http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/02/paul-ryan-on-wisconsin-protests-its-like-cairo-has-moved-to-madison-video.php

[OHdem10]

1. Yep when you put a Mubarak like govenor in place, the people

must take action.

[dkf]

5. Are you kidding me? Mubarak like Governor?

Do you honestly think they have the slightest bit of equivalency?

[OHdem10]

10. In tactics. Both are will to use instruments of state against the

people. Threatening with National Guard before anything
takes place????? Taking away basic rights??????

[last_texas_dem]

11. Well, Rep. Ryan kinda asked for an equivalency to be suggested..

[dkf]

12. So all leaders who are protested against are the same?

Geez I guess it the ultra religious protest against Gov. Abercrombie for signing the civil unions bill that makes him the same as Mubarak too right?

[Poboy]

13. In your zeal to defend corporate interests, you miss the metaphor.

It was the congressman himself the introduced the metaphor. The poster on this message board merely extended said metaphor. But please, continue your unhinged indignation.

[last_texas_dem]

16. +1

[tekisui]

20. Haha. Nailed it.

[SDuderstadt]

24. Ryan did not say that...

Walker was "Mubarak-like".

And your "zeal to defend corporate interests" smear is despicable.

[Poboy]

25. You too eh? You and your buddy are revealing.

[SDuderstadt]

28. Pointing out your errors of fact...

doesn't mean someone is "defending corporate interests". The fact that you would employ such smears is what is truly revealing.

[Poboy]

29. Impeach Governor Mubarak!

[SDuderstadt]

31. Nice deflection, dude...

Walker is an idiot and serves to be recalled. None of this excuses your factual error. A principled debated would, at least, acknowledge their error.

[DearAbby]

2. Angry Demonstrations in Wisconsin as Cuts Loom

Thousands of people filled the capital in Madison, WI protesting anit-union efforts and cuts by Gov. Scott Walker, R-WI.

Chants could be heard through the Capitol amide at Gov. Walker; "Come out, come out, wherever you are!"



http://www.wegoted.com/news/detail.asp?newsID=5977

[Lifelong Protester]

3. I was there yesterday. Yes it is like Cairo except for one thing

WE NEED EVEN MORE OF OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS THERE! WAKE UP AMERICA, THEY'RE COMING AFTER ALL OF US, PIECE BY PIECE.

[MadBadger]

4. Did they challenge him on collective bargaining rights being stripped?

[postulater]

7. To me that is the most important thing of this discussion.

Walker just wants to eliminate the collective bargaining of the state workers.

[TomClash]

8. Exactly nt

[sinkingfeeling]

6. Can Wisconsin recall Ryan as well when they take out Walker?

[rurallib]

9. Appears they can

http://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php/Laws_governing_recall_in_Wisconsin

"Wisconsin is one of nine states with provisions that say that the right of recall extends to recalling members of its federal congressional delegation, but it hasn't been clear whether federal courts would allow states to actually recall their federal politicians.<1>"

[polmaven]

14. And that is bad how, exactly, Congressman?

Peaceful protest is a cornerstone of this country, is it not?

:shrug:

[Bandit]

15. I wonder how much Ryan contributes to his Retiremnet and Health Insurance costs...

I would venture a whole lot less than teachers in Wisconsin...

[LeftishBrit]

17. 'Cairo has moved to Madison'. So is Ryan implying that the governor of Wisconsin is like Mubarak?

[gratuitous]

19. That's the way I hear it

Pretty harsh, but that's the way Ryan himself put it. I suppose there are some who would quibble about it, and be very upset that Scott is being compared to Mubarak. I can't help wondering, though, in regard to Scott's defenders, who they think will be sticking up for them when Scott and his wrecking crew come after them and their contractual rights? Because right now, workers are marching in the streets and on the capitol in defense of their own contractual rights, and if they're smart, they'll be taking careful note of who stood with them, who stood against them, and who just stood there, nit-picking non-existent issues as an excuse to avoid any personal ickiness.

[LeftishBrit]

26. To make it clear, I wasn't saying that the governor *is* a dictator or like Mubarak; just that Ryan

makes it sound like that!

[dkofos]

18. And the outcome may be the same.

RECALL WALKER

[calimary]

21. Let's hope so.

And that's such a bad thing, paul? Refusing to knuckle under to a despot? If these were teabaggers you'd be proposing them for sainthood.

[anamandujano]

22. "we've got to get this deficit and debt under control"

And the first rule is to leave the rich and powerful out of the equation, mainly those that caused the deficit and debt.

That said, while admiring the protesters in Egypt, weren't we all wishing some brave people would take to the streets here. So proud of these protesters. Also, it's wonderful that the bad guys are thinking of Egypt when trying to 'splain things away.

[TBF]

23. Wisconsin is leading the way - solidarity! nt

[eleny]

27. And don't you forget it, Paul Ryan

[Uzybone]

30. Paul Ryan considers both groups nothing but rabble

[nadinbrzezinski]

32. To ryan this is the rabble