The Middle East, Solar Flares & 2012; is it all coming together?

Ok, so that might be a little bit of a stretch. However, you have to admit that things seem to be literally heating up around the world in more ways then one. The Middle East is on the verge of turning into "Mad Max" and even Union Workers in Wisconsin are storming their state Capitol in protest.

Over 1000 Teachers called in sick today in Madison, Wisconsin in protest of R. Gov. Walker's new proposal restricting Public Unions. Then to show how serious they are 25,000 public Union Workers Stormed the Capitol in Madison to protest.

The Egyptian Government and Hosni Mubarak's 30 year reign was brought down by Face book. Now, almost every country in the Middle East is protesting. It's apparent that a lot of people are stirring things up in the world. Is the turmoil in the Middle East better for radicals like Al Qaeda or better for those who love Freedom and Democracy?

So, what do you think is going on? Is 2012 coming? Has the advance in technology ultimately caused our demise?



CNN - Reports of deaths and injuries surface in spreading Libyan protests

NY Times - Pentagon Watching Unrest in Bahrain

MSNBC - Egypt, Bahrain protests differ in key ways

CNN - States, GOP go after teachers in budget crisis

Mail Online - Wisconsin Democrats flee in protest as 25,000 state workers storm the capitol opposing union-blocking legislation

AP - Tea party out to defeat 3 longtime GOP senators

The Christian Science Monitor - Solar flare wreaking havoc on Earth's radio communications

Ny State Governor Cuomo winks Goodbye to Unions with a proposed one year freeze on state workers pay.

In keeping with his word newly sworn in Ny Governor Cuomo has begun finding ways of slashing Ny states $9 billion defecit. One of the fist places is going to be the once untouchable state union workers. Gov. Cuomo has proposed a one year salary freeze on all state workers. The proposed freeze in pay is meant to show the state is in serious financial trouble, also that the Governor is willing to make hard fiscal decisions. The pay freeze would be a savings of $200 to $400 million for the year.

Governor Cuomo has two things going for him, in March the unions contracts are up for negotiations and also both Republicans and Democrats or shying away from unions right now with all the major deficits that have to be paid for. Ny State has 190 thousand workers in the union system the vast majority of them are represented by the Civil Service Employees Association. The CSEA has said that they are willing to negotiate with the state but they don't want to feel like the are being backed into a corner.

It once was dream for many getting into any type of union. The union represented security, health care , pensions and consistent raises. Now Unions represent big expensess over bloated pension funds and major health care bills. Over the past few years look at all the big blows Unions have taken. To be a Teamster these days it cost more then you get paid , Uaw got wiped out with Gm , Ford renegotiated and now State unions are starting to get a economic reality check.

Ny Times - Cuomo Plans One-Year Freeze on State Workers’ Pay