"Thousands Of Farmers To Descend On WI Capitol With Their Tractors"

[KathieG]

Thousands of farmers from across the dairyland are about to descend on Wisconsin’s capitol to show their solidarity with unions fighting to keep collective bargaining rights.

In fact, they’re not coming alone — they’re bring their tractors. This is in response to the new radical bill that Governor Walker is trying to enact on the unions, clearly attempting to neuter them altogether.

continued here...

http://freakoutnation.com/2011/03/05/thousands-of-farmers-to-descend-on-wi-capitol-with-their-tractors/

[tabatha]

1. That is fantastic.

Seeing Walker's face go redder and redder.

[TahitiNut]

2. Tha's all she wrote, then ... a long tradition in the midwest.

When the tractor brigades form in protest, it signals the demise of politicos in the Agri-belt midwest.

[Jackpine Radical]

3. So how the hell am I gonna get my tractor from Chippewa Falls

to Madison?

Hot Damn, Bambi (the Deere) and I are ready to go.

" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

Maw will be followin' in the Flivver



and Gus the Wonder Dog is pretty excited too.

<a href="http://s380.photobucket.com/albums/oo241/WildwoodPower/?action=view¤t=DSC00427.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

[Poboy]

9. Thats a fine looking automobile you got there!

[Jackpine Radical]

13. Actually, that beast was restored by my cousin in about 1960.

I rode in it many times. It's now owned by an antique club.

[monmouth]

15. A friend of mine in NJ restored one also and was in every parade on

the Jersey coast. They would dress in period costumes, etc. Your car is beautiful.

[appleannie1]

12. Do you have a trailer you could tow it on?

[Jackpine Radical]

14. Not for 180 miles worth of towing.

[MineralMan]

U-Haul rents car trailers.

If you're serious.

[Jackpine Radical]

23. Actually, I can't do it; I was just having fun with pics

while indicating my enthusiasm for the idea in general.

[Lifelong Protester]

29. Hope you're going to be there, though, right? I am going (no tractor though)

I cleared the decks for Saturday and intend to be there.

[MineralMan]

39. OK. I was just posting a suggestion, just in case.

[Jackpine Radical]

62. I understand.

Actually, the little beast goes about 2500 lb with loader, which would require a trailer with separate brakes. I usually get my neighbor to move it with his truck & heavy trailer if I need to take it anywhere.

[MineralMan]

72. Not a problem. The U-Haul car trailers have surge brakes, which

can handle a 2500 lb. load, no problem. I don't use my own vehicle to tow those trailers, though. I rent a U-Haul truck and let U-Haul deal with the stress of the load.

Works great. On the other hand, when I moved from California to Minnesota, I bought a 24' truck from U-Haul for $6000. I drove it to Minnesota, jammed from floor to roof with my stuff from my home and my office and business, maxing out the truck's capacity. I stored my stuff in it for about a month here in Minnesota, moved into the house I bought, then sold the truck to someone in Wisconsin, who was moving to California, for $5000. Not a bad deal, really. My move cost me $1000, plus another $1000 for gasoline. Lots cheaper than hiring movers, storing my crap for a month, then hiring movers to move it into my house. I priced that, and the total came to $7500. I also got a month to load the truck. On the other hand, I hired a 3-man crew to unload the truck and put all the crap in my new house for $350. It took them just three hours. Amazing.

U-Haul is great, if you use it correctly.

[eowyn_of_rohan]

143. Do you know if is it legal to drive a riding mower on the road or city streets? -nt

[Highway61]

148. Oh Yeah

Last winter a guy here in Maine (who had lost his license for several OUI'S) got on his riding mower and went to the nearest tavern. He got a snootful and decided to weave his way back home on his rider. Perhaps he could have maybe pulled it off, but the cops nailed him as it was snowing like an SOB. Proof positive the Maine winters are just a tad too long! :rofl:

[LiberalFighter]

174. Usually not.

[roguevalley]

22. my brother in law is currently restoring a 1923 model T roadster.

such cute cars.

[Jackpine Radical]

25. The one in the pic is a 1923.

[roguevalley]

71. wow. cute as a button. another reason I saved it on my desk top.

:)

[Gregorian]

28. I would so be there. I can drive this though.

I'd be there in a heartbeat if it were in my town.
/>>

Uploaded with http://imageshack.us>ImageShack.us

[onethatcares]

32. that's a fine lookin dog too.

she's got that curly ear hair look and a wise pair of eyes.

[Jackpine Radical]

63. HE.

Gus the Wonder Dog. He weighs 150 lb & rules the household.

Here's a shjot of him in our field last fall.

[onethatcares]

75. my apologies to Gus and you

a long time ago I had a Irish Setter/golden retriever mix. She was wise beyond herself. Wow, I miss that dog.

[JDPriestly]

93. He looks half lion, half dog. What a majestic animal.

[Butch350]

144. What a Handsome Male!

[dixiegrrrrl]

37. Is that beautiful Goldie yours?????

[Jackpine Radical]

65. Yup.

[Kolesar]

73. Gus likes to be brushed

Our female golden would only put up with that for a few minutes. Your dog's pretty picture makes me miss her.

[Jackpine Radical]

88. Gus mostly likes to collect stick-me-tights & cockleburrs

& lie down in mud puddles. He used to come home with very interesting perfumes until the neighbor gave up his cows a couple of years ago.

[dixiegrrrrl]

106. Could be twin to mine.

Ours has a thick slightly curly coat, curly ears like yours.

They do excel at heart melting, don't they?

[NBachers]

113. Yup, Gus can barely contain hisself

[OneGrassRoot]

124. Nice!!! Love the pics. :) n/t

[KansDem]

157. Hell, for this event I'd come up there with my 1995 Saturn wagon and tow it there!

Might need a new transmission when we're done, but it'll be for a damn good cause! :woohoo:

[lonestarnot]

159. Git down James Brown!

:hi: :hug:

[thereismore]

161. We have a long-haired golden like yours! Great pics. nt

[TBF]

163. You and wonder dog better leave soon -

tractors can be kinda slow :)

I remember these old red ones ...

[Vicky]

169. Ah, tractor radicals!

And one from my own home town!!

Ever been to Oktoberfest in Dallas, WI (pop about 400)? They have a great little restored car show, with restored farm implements as well. An oom-pah band all day and most of the night. Great crafts. Terrific food. Lots of beer. Big Amish turnout. Only Oktoberfest I know of with lefse.... Last year they got in the Guiness Book of World Records for cooking the longest brat in the world - made a little trough-like cooker than ran nearly a block long.

That's what we're fighting for.

[Poboy]

4. Excellent!

[Rex]

5. And will Obama finally go and show support for the people that elected him?

No. Stick a fork in that one, he is DONE.

[tabatha]

16. Obama should NOT get involved.

Let WI win this on its own.

[Jackpine Radical]

20. I agree.

Michael Moore could pull it off without the whole thing becoming ABOUT him. That would not be possible for O.

I have slammed O for not coming, but wiser heads have convinced me I was wrong.

[Rex]

24. It could mean thousands of more votes in 2012. Maybe millions.

I couldn't disagree more.

EDIT- shit, he would be standing with FARMERS and UNIONS!

When did we make them bad things that a Dem POTUS must avoid? Because? Loss of votes!?

BULLSHIT.

Another opportunity blown...it is becoming the WHs MO.

[msongs]

35. first you need a Dem POTUS that believes in those things enough to stick his neck out 1 mm nt

[Rex]

36. But don't you agree? Even if he was not sincere and went for political points.

It would be a huge win-win for Obama and possibly the votes he will need to win in 2012

[Lorien]

94. Yep. He's blowing it again

maybe he wants to hand the reins of power to his "champion" Jeb Bush? It's unreal how politically tone deaf he's become, and how far he's distanced himself from his base.

[Enthusiast]

132. Plus one, blowing it again.

As with extending the tax cuts this can't possibly be just an accident.

[Vicky]

171. It could mean thousands more votes

in the Republican column. Walker is only a little more polarizing in Wisconsin right now than Obama. What we DO NOT need right now is to energize the anti-Obama population. We're winning. Obama enters the fray and Walker becomes the underdog.

[Scuba]

47. Agree.

[Divernan]

67. In other words, if he can't lead, he should stay out of the way.

With his track record of folding before all the cards are dealt, who in their right mind would want him at the bargaining table? THAT is why the protestors would not want him there.

[tabatha]

76. Nope.

He is leading by staying away.

Leading does not mean aggressive dominance and shouting out orders.

Leading also means, knowing when to let others do the leading.

Unfortunately this country has developed the mentality that toughness and kragdadigheid means leadership.

Sorry, that is how the Apartheid government was kept in power because they exemplified tough leadership, and the voters who kept them in power, did so because of that.

[Lorien]

92. Disagree: he needs to LEAD and show the working people of America that he'll keep

his PROMISE to put on his "comfortable shoes" and stand shoulder to shoulder with them...or are you all ASHAMED of the guy you say you support? Did you NOT agree with Candidate Obama's promises?

[tabatha]

104. Not ashamed.

There are NO picket lines.

He is leading. A smart leader knows when it is best to let others lead. The WI 14 are doing well.

[Frisbee]

107. He believes he can lead from the middle of the road.

He's wrong.

[Lorien]

175. If you're calling the far right the "middle of the road" now.

he makes Nixon look like a Leftist.

[Frisbee]

184. True...

perhaps I should have said "what he perceives as the middle of the road".

[pam4water]

111. Yes, gawd forbid he get dirt on the beautiful suit of his.

:eyes:

[Enthusiast]

130. Why not make political gains

from showing support to a populist movement? Obama won't carry right to work states anyway.

Actions by Christie, Walker and Kasich have cast them in a terrible light. The popular media already portrays Obama as anti-business. He has everything to gain. Sometimes I seriously wonder if he actually wants 'gain'.

[Ikonoklast]

44. And do what, exactly? Give the Republicans EXACTLY what they need

to hit him over the head with?

Haven't you even heard the "Obama and Union Bosses" ads run by AFP?

Going to Wisconsin is what the Republicans are trying to goad him into doing.




Mr. Obama will win in 2012.

Without you, it seems.

[Name removed]

49. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Ikonoklast]

51. What do you want Mr. Obama to do?

If he goes to Wisconsin, it is EXACTLY what the Republicans want him to do. It would give them the ammunition to make this a 'Walker vs. Obama' fight, instead of a 'Walker vs. People of Wisconsin' fight.

"Big, bad Obama picking on poor Governor Walker" would make a great anti-Democratic ad.

The people in Wisconsin KNOW THIS, and have stated as such. They seem to have a measure of political astuteness.

It's fairly obvious that you cannot see more than ten feet down the political road.

[Rex]

53. Care to back up that claim with any kind of link or proof?

It is fairly obvious you can't understand how to win votes.

And I doubt you have any way to prove your point.

Obama is going to lose votes by not going.

People WANT him there...just not you huh?

[LiberalAndProud]

83. Nor me.

Obama would become a flash point. The reason for the protests would be lost amid all the kerfuffle. That's my take on it. YMMV, but if you're looking for a reason to find fault with Obama, you'll find one here, whatever he does.

[bvar22]

167. I would take a "Flash Point"...

..over Republican Appeasement any day.
Lets draw the lines and have the fight.


In case you haven't noticed, The Democratic Party has been steadily losing since the "Centrist" Obama became the "Leader" in 2008.
Time for some "change". This lingering Death by a Thousand Cuts will only end badly for all of us.
For ALL of our sakes, Take a Fucking STAND for Working Americans & The Poor!
WE outnumber the RICH by 98% to 2%.

"There are forces within the Democratic Party who want us to sound like kinder, gentler Republicans.
I want us to compete for that great mass of voters that want a party that will stand up for working Americans."
---Paul Wellstone


"By their works you will know them."

[Vicky]

172. I AM here

And I don't want him here right now. No way.

We've got three fantastic week-ends behind us and three great week-end to come, with iconic representation. Tractorcade, girls' high school basketball championships, and boy's high school basketball championships. First the farmers with their tractors and then high school students with their teachers and families descending on Mad Town from all over the state, people who don't get to the Capitol at any other time.

Let them take the stage and enjoy their moments in history, their opportunities to be agents of progressive change. We're building a movement. This movement needs to remain grassroots for now.

[Vicky]

178. Madison is a fairly liberal city

but this is a deep purple state. Republicans are our family members, our friends, our neighbors. We're too rural to be politically segregated. Have you noted how civil, polite, and clean we've been? Decency, compassionate populism, and the rightness of our cause will prevail. We don't know how things will go in the next couple of years, but we do know how this will play out eventually. It is always the same. We know how Walker and his goons will go down in the history books. There are too many people who know too much for his ilk to prevail in the long run. But we are doing all we can to minimize the damage. We're doing all we can. This absolutely must remain the people's movement.

[sabrina 1]

68. Why do you care what Republicans 'think', as if they CAN think

at all.

There are some people who need to be told 'either you have something worthwhile to contribute or get out of the way, there's work to be done'.

It never fails to amaze me that anyone cares one bit about what the morons in the republican party think about anything. They are the enemy of the people and as such, the less they think of us the more we know how right we are.

It is this thinking that has cost us so much.

Which Republican should we be worried about? I can't think of one I have the least bit of respect for so I don't care what they 'think'.

Issues are what matter and they are wrong on just about every issue and it is our job, our responsibility not to let them be involved in any kind of decision-making for this country until they grow up. That's why we threw them out of office. What was the point if every decision we make is based on what they think?

This really infuriates me. If this is what is stopping Obama from taking a stand with America's workers, then it is weak and childish.

I definitely hope this is not what influences his decision-making. That would be insane.

[Rex]

117. I sure don't, I want to see Obama standing tall with farmers

but people here would rather he not get involved...sad since he is the leader of the country. All the pearl clutching will get us jack crap in 2012. Do it now and make a stand.

[Enthusiast]

133. PLUS ONE! nt

[Myrina]

160. +10

n/t

[Lorien]

176. Hint: it's not the GOP's votes that Obama should be angling for

IT'S THE 81% of AMERICANS WHO SUPPORT UNIONS!

[JDPriestly]

95. Obama made a supportive comment and then rushed off to Florida to be with Jeb Bush.

Draw your own conclusions.

[mzteris]

99. what part of "he shouldn't come here" don't you get?

This is about WISCONSIN!

If Obama comes it energizes all those teabagger/republicans in other states. Then it looks like it is some "Obama" thing. some "Democratic party" thing. And not about the people of Wisconsin.

[Rex]

118. Sigh.

I see people don't want the POTUS in Wisconsin, fine I really can't believe people are that blind. It will become an Obama thing and that is bad!?

Wow, people around here already admit defeat to the Repukes and the GOP never had to do anything but exist.

Sad.

[TBF]

141. Yes, he needs to stay away. He represents the status quo,

and the protests in Madison are against the status quo. He is a polarizing figure and will add absolutely nothing by being there.

[Vicky]

177. Madison is very liberal

but this is a deep purple state. Republicans are our family members, our friends, our neighbors. We're too rural to be politically segregated. Have you noted how civil, polite, and clean we've been? Decency, compassionate populism, and the rightness of our cause will prevail. We don't know how things will go in the next couple of years, but we do know how this will play out eventually. It is always the same. We know how Walker and his goons will go down in the history books. There are too many people who know too much for his ilk to prevail in the long run. But we are doing all we can to minimize the damage. We're doing all we can. This absolutely must remain the people's movement.

[eilen]

129. This isn't just about Wisconsin

otherwise people from all over the country and internationally would not be so supportive. This is about the working man. This is about basic fairness. This is about the people's hard won rights.

This is not just about Wisconsin. Wisconsin is the stage right now. But there are other places and other struggles that are mirroring what is going on in Wisconsin that are not getting the same attention of neither the national media nor the progressive press. The majority of discussion is on Wisconsin but the subject is about all of us.

That is why people are looking to their president to make a definitive stand.

Most of us (despite all the pretty blue links around here) don't think he gives a shit. We know where his priorities lie, it has shown in his actions so far. He has taken good care of the insurance companies, the rich, the corporate elite and the bankers. He's even hired a few of them he likes them so much. The rest of us who face continual downgrades in our compensation packages, increasing increases in debt rates and basic expenses such as food and fuel are barely making it through this long cold fucking winter. And yet, there are more cuts more calles for shared sacrifice. We've been sacrificing the past 20 years, even more the past 2 years. We can't even sell our homes to pay our medical bills.

We are supposed to be satisfied with the stupidest cop out ever?

"He doesn't want to steal the spotlight"? What rash of shit. Same thing with the rest of the prominent local/national political Democratic and Republican pols out there who are notably absent. You are craven cowards that have shown you care more about your bread being buttered than making a stand and fighting for the people. When this grows legs, which it will as the temps go higher-- you might want to look for another career direction.

(edited to break up a block of text)

[Enthusiast]

135. I'm with you, eilen. nt

[mzteris]

181. and I'm WITH the protesters in Madison, WI! n/t

[mzteris]

180. excuse me?

You're saying that *I* am "craven coward"??? That I care more about my bread being buttered than "making a stand and fighting for the people" WTF DO YOU THINK HAS BEEN AT THE CAPITOL marching, eilen??

Get off your racist high horse and understand - this IS about Wisconsin! Yes, there is a "bigger issue" here for the whole country, but this battle is to be won or lost by the PEOPLE! of the state that it involves.

[murielm99]

6. I have been seeing this all day, in other places, too.

I hope it is true. My husband and I are going to try to be there next weekend.

Some may think twice about bringing those big, expensive tractors out on the road. The cost as much as a house, in some cases.

I would like to see some old, run-down tractors, too. Many farmers try to get by with old equipment, since the newer stuff is so costly.

[malaise]

17. Love this comment

The Second American Revolution has just begun. This is no longer just unions vs. management. This a war for democracy and for our middle class values. It is not really Republican vs Democrat. The New Republicans are not real Republicans.
What is happening now is not something that would stop even if Governor Walker resigned from office. Finally, the people of this country have decided that they will not take it anymore.
If Walker were to resign there would be another puppet for the corporations to put in his place. They miscalculated this time. They took our pension funds earned over a lifetime. They took our kids’ food and access to healthcare. But they didn’t expect that they cannot take our dignity…our soul.
We will take back our country if it takes a hundred years.

[KathieG]

7. Their FB page is now showing that over 1,700 will be attending!

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=191135844260755

[tabatha]

18. I don't belong to FB.

Do they have a wall page that anyone can view?

[ekelly]

55. Many of those are attending "in spirit only" or

attending without an actual tractor, if the thread posts are to be believed. Plus, lots of people post that they will attend when they have no intention of attending...they just post to feed their own egos.

I certainly hope lots of people attend and bring their tractors, but I don't think 1,700 tractors are showing up.

[stlsaxman]

82. 2100+ now...

and growing!

[malaise]

8. I love it

Bravo Wisconsonites! :yourock:

[Ohio Joe]

10. Sweet

I can't wait to see the pics :D

[Jokinomx]

11. Wow... is all I can say.... Great news again from the American Patriots in Wisconsin.

:toast:

[underpants]

19. WOW

that is great. Good for them.

[spanone]

21. k&r...

[Bozita]

26. How will the corporate media be able to ignore THIS? Betcha AJ-E covers it!

Walker's gotta be feeling lonely this afternoon.

[malaise]

38. They will have to cover it

They have no choice.

I can't wait for all the tractors from everywhere looking for the corporate thieves.

This is not about Obama - there is no change without the people and they have had enough!!

[quakerboy]

103. thats a lot of optomism

I doubt it will be covered unless there is injury or something negative to report. maybe a page 17 type after thought mention on the TV. They can't be having anyone thinking that "real Americans" would have anything to do with these horrible violent union riots, now can they?

[malaise]

138. This will be covered

Watch and see

[Enthusiast]

136. Yeah they'll cover it.

They might say the farmers are showing their support for Walker.

[Pharaoh]

27. Oh this shall be great fun!

I hear they are working on getting Olberman and Willie Nelson too.

[fishwax]

30. sounds outstanding! I hope they get a huge crowd of tractors,f armers, and supporters

:kick:

[NillaWafers]

31. Rec.

[drm604]

33. The number attending grows everytime I refresh that page.

:patriot:

[Lifelong Protester]

34. I will be there, and am going to get together a group.

I have no tractor, but I want to be a part of this. Besides, I have only been there twice (it is a 3 1/2 hour drive but worth it) and want to be a part of next Saturday. There is also a group called P.O.W.E.R and they are staging a walk from Milwaukee to Madison next Friday and Saturday. they have a facebook page also.

[drm604]

41. Do you have a link to that page? n/t

[Lifelong Protester]

78. here is one link... mentions both events

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=logo#!/event.php?eid=183426591700615

WI Public Employees Against Walker's Attack on Worker's Rights

The above is the group to search on FB in case the link doesn't work. Pass it on!

[felix_numinous]

40. K & R !!

This should be an interesting spring and summer, and it may continue and have great impact on the election of 2012, in a good way.

[jwirr]

42. They remember the tractor protesters in DC years ago. It was impressive.

[davsand]

50. PARITY! Not Charity!

I remember it well. I was a farm kid and it was a HUGE thing. Dad always said farmers were too independent for their own good, and I remember him just shaking his head and smiling when that protest was coming up. We had a few neighbors that put their tractors on trailers and they hauled them all the way from Illinois to DC for that protest. One of them is still farming his family farm, wearing his OshKosh Bibs every day...


Good on the Wisconsin farmers! Sounds like LaFollette spirit lives on




Laura

[OneGrassRoot]

125. Great slogan: Parity, Not Charity! Nice! :) n/t

[CatWoman]

43. FANTASTIC!!!!

:rofl:

[AzDar]

45. Awesome.

:thumbsup:

[Scuba]

46. What's particularly remarkable, is that farmers and unions....

...don't typically mix, farmers needing labor to help with the crops, etc.

Way to go Wisconsin farmers! Stand up for your fellow citizens!!!!

[democrank]

48. Wonderful news

[coalition_unwilling]

52. Blessed are the Cheesemakers - n/t

[Arctic Dave]

54. "She thinks my tractors sexy"

They should blast that over the PA system.

[Little Star]

56. I hope all you DUer's who can make it take lots of picures....

for the rest of us who live too far away. Please?????

[jody]

57. Impressive but I would be more impressed if 10% of WI's 1.9 million non-union private sector workers

joined the protest.

It's those nearly 2 million non-union private sector workers who pay most of the taxes that pay the salaries for WI's 376 thousand public jobs.

[Poboy]

58. Thank you Fox news.

[jody]

60. Wouldn't you be impressed if the 1.9 million private sector non-union workers joined the protest? nt

[Nevernose]

89. In Oaxaca a few years back

When the Mexican government tried similar BS with teachers, the teachers protested. The government didn't care much -- until the mothers of every child in their schools joined the protests.

One of the things I try and impress upon my friends and coworkers when we go to rallies (several pro-union and anti-educaion budget cuts, lately), is that you shouldn't go alone. Bring your kids and teach them about the democratic process, don't leave them behind or, worse, use them as an excuse not to show. Bring your spouse or significant other, and invite all of your friends; with dinner and drinks afterwards, it can actually be a fun night out.

[Enthusiast]

137. Decades of anti-labor propaganda have

shaped the thinking of these private sector workers you speak of. "Unions have outlived their usefulness."

Yeah, just wait until there are no unions then they will find out that the unions have not outlived their usefulness.

[jody]

139. I did not say "Unions have outlived their usefulness." nt

[Enthusiast]

145. I didn't mean to direct

my comment toward you. Mine was just a general rant.

[eowyn_of_rohan]

146. I don't know how many employed in the private sector are protesting

but 10's of 1000's protesting are not union members, just those who support their cause and/or the rights of the People in general. Anti-fascism and anti-imperialism is a common cause.

[stlsaxman]

153. Why the hell would they need to impress the likes of you?

Impressing you would make a difference?

:shrug:

[Dappleganger]

182. Nope, sorry--tractors will be far more impressive.

You can't get much more like apple pie than a huge group of big-ass tractors descending upon the state capital.

[Ex Lurker]

59. I'll be disappointed if I don't see a Hoyt-Clagwell nt

[1776Forever]

61. Ed Schultz has repeatedly said that any U.S. Farmers who voted for the GOP will regret it when the

Farm Bill comes up for a vote! I think he is right on! This is really going to wake a lot of people in the Farm Belt up! I hope it isn't too late! I know our Farms are being bought right and left by Big Corps who could care less about the little guy who is trying to hang on! Good call from these Farmers! Go get 'em!

Tractor Protest from Paris France April 27, 2010:

[myrna minx]

64. K&R n/t

[hollowdweller]

66. It's amazing US FARMERS have never UNIONIZED

Really. You look at the issues a lot of farmers face with interest, buying health insurance and the prices they get for their crops it's sort of a tragic thing they have had to undergo such hardship when they could have unionized and demanded better prices and benefits.

To me like agriculture and retail 2 sectors that you can't move overseas really yet they are at the mercy of their employers/middlemen

[Kolesar]

74. Farmers formed the Grange and it grew tremendously in the late 19th century

One of their issues was public education, I must note.

[Jackpine Radical]

81. They also formed co-ops of all sorts. I still belong to one

even though I'm not a farmer.

[glinda]

69. I think they should bulldoze his house personally.

[Canuckistanian]

70. Let's hope they bring the manure spreaders

They tend to attract "attention"

[RandomKoolzip]

77. Wow - shades of "The Straight Story."

[Kolesar]

84. Not *that* kind of tractor ... eom

[RandomKoolzip]

109. WEll, Alvin rode a riding mower. So obviously, not that kind of tractor.

I didn't mean it like that.

[Lifelong Protester]

79. As posted in a post upstream, here is the FB page

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=logo#!/event.php?eid=183426591700615

WI Public Employees Against Walker's Attack on Worker's Rights (the group on the page)

[stlsaxman]

80. K&R! in fact- i just did an "ooops!" duplicate post...

:kick:

[AllyCat]

85. Nice!

This is fantastic news.

[femmocrat]

86. :woohoo:

Can't wait to see that! :)

[BklynThirtyThree]

87. Amazing

Mike Malloy dreamed of truckers riding into Washington, D.C. in a big ol' convoy about 6 weeks ago.

I'll take tractors for now, gotta start somewhere.

[kanda]

90. I can't wait

I can't wait to see the pictures from this. Should be epic!

[Lorien]

91. That's what I keep talking about: the Slow Drive-it worked in France

but the Wall Street foot soldiers here keep squealing "No! You'll get arrested for that! Don't do it!!" BECAUSE THEY KNOW THAT IT WORKS! You can't get arrested for exercising your freedom to drive on public roads as a licensed driver. So what if 200,000 of us choose to exercise our freedom to drive around State Capitols, mainstream media stations and corporate headquarters. Starting at 6:00 am, on a weekday.....

[defendandprotect]

96. Obviously, a hell of a lot of WI's want a lot of people removed from State gov't -- !!

[undeterred]

97. I hope they bring some fresh dairy state cowpies for the govner

[tosh]

158. Excellent idea!!!

:yourock:

[bigwillq]

98. K and R (nt)

[MadisonMike]

100. Im in Madison, and I dont want him here

Dont get me wrong, I love our president and do support him, and I at first wrote to him several times asking him to help, but a majority of people here pointed it out to me that this is our fight. And its true the Repubs are foaming at the mouth for him to step foot in Wisconsin. Obama knows we're winning, the public knows we're winning, I am convinced we are winning. Even if Walker passes the bill, he hasn't won. I guarantee you their will be lawsuits and the State Supreme Court will jump on this quickly. Walker already has had three lawsuits filed on him in less than two months in office.(and one ruled against him by TWO judges) Come on.. How is this guy going to even make it past a month when we can recall him in January. His political career is OVER. He stands no chance in redeeming himself. Not when the only thing he's accomplished is uniting people against him

[mimi85]

122. Totally agree!

Good post! Ha, even if I had a tractor in my boring SoCal suburb, it would take awhile to get there! So, I'm there in spirit and will watch with pride.

[OneGrassRoot]

126. Agree, and welcome to DU, MadisonMike!

:hi:

Wisconsinites >>>>>> :yourock:

:applause:

[malaise]

134. Excellent post

:fistbump:

[global1]

150. Here's A Way To Have Obama In Wisconsin Without Him Being There Physically.......

I agree Obama should stay away from Wisc - but he does support the cause.

What I suggest is that those that don't have a tractor make a sign using this picture:



I know you Wisconsinites are creative. You'll come up with some good slogans to include on you sign with this pic.

Go People!!!!!!!!!

[Dappleganger]

183. FWIW, I agree with you--he'd be a distraction.

It's not about him, it's about the working man not giving up his ground to big money.

[JeffersonChick]

101. What? NO WAY!!! Oh that is so awesome I could cry!

Yeah, yeah, go ahead and call me a bleeding heart, LOL :patriot:

I am utterly thrilled!

[Historic NY]

102. They should bring their manure spreaders too...since the Gov is so full of it.

[deacon]

105. The GOP is losing loads of future 2012 votes over this fiasco. n/t

[Zambero]

114. The GOP pulled another Cheney / Rumsfeld

As in Iraq they were all expecting a ticker tape parade for their "efforts". Hey, SURPRISE!!!

:spank:

[joeunderdog]

170. Not while they still have the voting machines.

All that bad PR in the last 5 years and they're still CRUSHING it.

[Tx4obama]

108. Change is coming from the bottom up - just like Obama always says :)

The grassroots democrats, unions, teachers, nurses, firefighters, police, farmers, etc. are revolting against Walker and the republicans!
Wisconsin will be 'CHANGING' their governor next January with a recall election.
And you can bet that there won't be hardly any republicans winning any seats in 2012.
Wisconsin will be a DEEP BLUE state in 2012, thanks to Gov Walker :)

[Quixote1818]

110. Walker is losing the Reagan Democrats in huge numbers. :) nt

[Zambero]

112. Looks like we got us a CONVOY!

This is absolutely wonderful. On to Madison!!

[The Wizard]

115. All anti fascist protests

need drums, bugles and a cadence calling drill sergeant. The elites get twitchy when the protests have a militant tone to them. It's called scare the shit out of wealthy elites and their political toadies.
The wealthy elites have to be put on notice that stealing from the working class disguised as bonuses and bailouts will lead to their demise sooner rather than later.

[kaffy4x4]

116. I wish I could be there

To see this! :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

[opihimoimoi]

119. This Opihi driving his John Deere from Kaneohe Bay to Madison

I only wish....damn....

I hope they post ukamillion pictures...

[indimuse]

120. This is truly Fantastic!

knr!

[DesertDiamond]

121. The working class is uniting!!!

[reggie the dog]

123. great news

[mmonk]

127. Good on them. Let them keep it going.

[Enthusiast]

128. K&R! This is fucking awesome!

Maybe some farmers recognize this for the fascist power grab that it is.

I fear the Ohio working population is more complacent(or less educated). But maybe we have already been beat down. Look what the fascist outsourcers did to Cleveland. Columbus and Cincinnati workers didn't worry because that was 'Cleveland'. Input?

[madrchsod]

131. forecast--high temp for sat and sunday 42-37 with slight chance of rain/snow

i guess the teabag brigade won`t be showing up.......:rofl:

[Buddha2B]

140. K&R

Nice!

[xchrom]

142. recommend

[efhmc]

147. Two old massey fergusons in texas will be there in spirit.

Can I send someone pictures?

[Lefta Dissenter]

149. Hmmm, I'd have to negotiate with my ex

I still own 1/2 the tractor, so I should be able to take it for the day, right? :shrug:

Of course, I haven't driven it in 5 years, and then it was only to move a little snow or dirt around or something - I'm afraid I'd give the farmers a bad name as I run over small children and knock over parking meters.

I guess I'll just do up a poster with pictures or something. I'd hate to be the perpetrator of the first violence of our revolution.

[eowyn_of_rohan]

151. Neil Young and Willie Nelson - Farm Aid supporters-asked to come!!

Ohhhhh Boy! Wouldn't that be a trip? Let it be So!!

from the site: ".. I just asked Neil Young and Willie Nelson via their FB pages to consider coming next week-end for the Farmer Labor Tractorcade and I encourage you all to the same. They have both been involved with Farm-Aid since 1985 and might consider this if enough people asked. We could use their voices!"


2010 Farm Aid Concert Performers/Supporters:
Willie Nelson
Neil Young
John Mellencamp
Dave Matthews with Tim Reynolds
Kenny Chesney
Norah Jones
Jason Mraz
Jeff Tweedy
Jamey Johnson
Band of Horses
The BoDeans
Amos Lee
Robert Francis
Lukas Nelson and The Promise of the Real
The Blackwood Quartet
Randy Rogers Band

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

152. A perfect time to use the pto(power-take-off).

More specifically, the power-grab-take-off.

[Lastactiongyro]

154. You cannot Defeat ME!

General Zod is my friend~! and the Koch's will protect me!

[Boudica the Lyoness]

155. Farmers in Eastern Washington wouldn't do that

Maybe a few like us would. But around here they are Republicans.

[slackmaster]

156. I love a tractor parade!

:kick:

[thereismore]

162. Fantastic! Proletaries unite! Take that, Walker! nt

[demodonkey]

164. If PA does this, I would go but my family's John Deere 2010 is currently broken.

Right now our much-needed tractor is a giant brick. Will cost about $3000 to make repairs to the brakes-steering-hydraulic system in order to get it running -- and thanks to the medical predators after my mother (and me) for bills she shouldn't even owe we just don't have this kind of money to get it fixed. Our 99-year family farm has 35 acres and I can't even mow them. :-(

[SweepPicker]

165. Republicans Have Teabags, We've Got Tractors!

You've got teabags, we've got tractors!

[flamingdem]

166. rec

[Major Hogwash]

168. Hahaha. Nice facebook page.

"It's not my job to blow sunshine up your ass!"

Touché!

[Blue Owl]

173. K&R

:kick:

[Kurovski]

179. But Billo says Walker will win!!

Maybe he meant "bi-win."

[JPZenger]

185. Remember Lafollete

[StarsInHerHair]

186. I see they heard the call to "raise less corn & more hell"

nt