Watching Wisconsin

People in many states are watching the demonstrations in Wisconsin with great interest.  Most sensible individuals understand that budgets need to be balanced.  The governor is choosing to remove the collective bargaining power first as an obstacle rather than trying to negotiate with the union representatives.  If you are in that kind of leadership position, removing obstacles make it easier to tell people what you are willing to pay them rather than asking nicely.

It's eerie how these demonstrations come on the heels of the People Power Revolution in Cairo.  However, it seems that the gatherings here for justice are going the way of the protest in Libya: nowhere.  Hopefully the deomnstrations won't turn violent.

This then becomes the question:  is the Governor the Big Bad Wolf?  Should he be ridding his state of collective bargaining or could he just play nice with others? 

From personal experience, I can tell you that if you have to slash a budget, it's easier if you have no one protesting.  Fire everyone, and then hire on a whole new staff that costs less.  Although smooth negotiations can happen in collective bargaining, there is no doubt that leadership still has to pay more for the workers. There is power behind numbers.

The problem with this slash and burn approach to management is crucial; the most talented people can be lured away by people who pay more.  Less talented people produce a lesser product, no matter what anyone says.  If you don't believe me, compare the service you get at a big box store that pays their employees more than the next big box store.  The customer service is much better, the people are usually nicer where the paychecks are bigger.  Money buys talent, more money buys more talent. (And, yes, I know there are exceptions.)

Today and tomorrow a blizzard will pound that state.  Maybe it's a good thing to help people cool down for a little while.  But the fight isn't over; it will begin again as soon as the Governor can get back to work.  This budget will not be solved by only the slashing of state employee paychecks and benefits.  He will have to confront spending on a variety of levels, including school funding, roads and special programs. 

I urge readers to follow this debate closely because most states in our nation are finding their coffers empty.  Expect more demonstrations, more tough calls by state governors.  Watch them closely, for the most successful leaders will be looking at a new residence in the future, one that resides on Pennsylvania Avenue.  This is the cultivated ground that separates the good leaders from the great ones, and if you watch how those governors work, you'll have a better idea who would make a good President in the future.