Degrees and Dollars - Krugman - NYTimes.com

Krugman is right - computers eliminate both skilled and unskilled repetitive labor (like typing from dictation tapes - which required ability to spell correctly and type accurately). My capability was transformed by my first laptop. Newsletters and briefs that took days of typing now took hours of proofreading.  But the guys doing the pointing of the bricks on our apartment building don't need to speak English, or be good at math.  Theyare not going to be replaced by an iPad. What they need is a union and a health plan.
Degrees and Dollars - Paul Krugman NY Times

Ground zero for public sector unions: Madison

“Wisconsin has become ground zero for the process of pushing back against unions,” said Steve Meyer, a professor of labor history at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. “People are waiting to see what happens here. That’s why the labor movement has become so deeply involved trying to stop this process.”

As the Times reported - this is a watershed moment for public sector unions - indeed for all labor.  If leveling down succeeds we will move in the wrong direction: greater inequality in our society.  Envy is one of the seven deadly sins and Americans are at risk of falling for its charms.  Many have explained support for Walker along the lines of "I don't have a pension, why should I pay for theirs?"


To stay current on developments in Wisconsin Margo Anderson, history professor at University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee recommends three.


The Wheeler Report (news links, schedules, etc.)
Wispolitics.com - Wisconsin politics
Madison.com - news from Madison