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By Glen Meakem

This past week, Conservatives won compelling and striking election victories in both Wisconsin and California. You can listen to my weekend radio program here.

In Wisconsin, Republican Governor Scott Walker, Lt. Governor Rebecca Kleefisch, and State Senators Scott Fitzgerald, Terry Moulton, and Jerry Petrowski all handily defeated their opponents in the union sponsored recall elections. Walker actually drew more votes overall and won by a larger margin of victory than he did against Democrat Tom Barrett the first time around back in 2010. This rejection by Wisconsin tax payers of public sector union policies and power is just more evidence that opinions are changing across the country. Americans are increasingly frustrated with the bully tactics employed by unions. They don’t like the fact that on average public sector workers receive higher salaries, and better retirement and healthcare benefits than private sector workers. And the cost of this better compensation is borne by taxpayers — mostly private sector workers.

It is also interesting that large majorities of Americans — both those who work in the private and public sectors — oppose forced unionization. I believe that strong majorities feel this way because forcing someone to join an organization and pay dues smells, looks, feels, sounds and tastes a lot more “Soviet” than American. One of the most important reforms passed into law under Governor Walker is that employees in Wisconsin can no longer be forced to join a union and pay union dues. What has been the result? Membership in Wisconsin’s government employee unions fell by more than 50%. Walker has been willing to accept political heat and death threats, but as he said in his victory speech, “voters really do want leaders who stand up and make the tough decisions.” (Note to union bosses: violent protests and death threats because you are losing or have lost an election are not acceptable in a constitutional republic — again your ideas and conduct are more “Soviet” than American.)

On my radio program this past weekend, Matthew Brouillette — President and CEO of the Commonwealth Foundation of Pennsylvania — joined me to talk about what Wisconsin means for Pennsylvania. Both Wisconsin and Pennsylvania traditionally lean towards the Democrats in Presidential elections. And the conventional wisdom in both states has been that if you oppose the union machine as a politician, you will be “crushed.” Wisconsin’s results show it is possible to stand up to the hate, bullying, and power of the unions and still win elections.

American tax payers also defeated unions in two California cities. Both San Jose and San Diego overwhelmingly approved ballot measures that will cut unaffordable pensions for city workers. Over the past decade, pension payments have increased from $43 million to $231.2 million in San Diego, and now consume 20% of the city’s budget. In San Jose, payments have increased from $73 million to $245 million over the past decade, and now consume 27% of the city’s budget. In both cases, the cities have laid off city workers, closed public facilities, and left critical road repairs uncompleted to cover these pension payments. The days when public sector union members receive MUCH better pensions than other Americans — when all the other Americans actually pay for these pensions — are clearly numbered.

I also talked about the recent leaks of confidential and sensitive intelligence information to the media by high level individuals within the current Obama administration. There is no doubt that these leaks have left the United States weaker and more vulnerable to national security threats from around the world. Yet, it appears that they were designed to make the President look “hawkish” on national defense, and “aggressive” in the fight against terrorism. But the information that was leaked – especially the detailed information related on the Stuxnet virus is so sensitive and — in the wrong hands — damaging to our national defense, there is no doubt that many CIA and Defense Department people would have died to keep this same information hidden from our enemies. And yet, the Obama White House leaked the information to the New York Times. Both Democrats and Republicans have expressed their displeasure, and made their concerns known to President Obama. Liberal Senator Diane Feinstein (D-CA) said these leaks “endanger American lives and American national security and must stop.” In addition, Republican Senators John McCain (AZ) and Saxby Chambliss (GA) have called for an independent investigation into this very serious matter.

So what is President Obama’s reaction? Late last week, he said he is “offended” by the accusations that his White House leaked the sensitive information, and indicated he WILL NOT support an independent investigation. Then, on Friday evening Obama’s Justice Department under Eric Holder announced that it will actually TAKE OVER the criminal investigations that have already been started by the FBI. Gee, do you think that Eric Holder will conduct an impartial investigation of President Obama and all his men and women? If you read my emails and blog posts on a regular basis, you know that I like to compare Barack Obama to Jimmy Carter, but the more I learn about Barack Obama, the more I am starting to compare him to Richard Nixon.

Whether it’s Fast and Furious (and the administration’s refusal to answer questions about this flawed government program that killed U.S. Border Agent Brian Terry, and hundreds of Mexican citizens), the flawed solar loan program (that lost billions of tax payer money but rewarded numerous Obama campaign fundraisers), or now these leaks of sensitive intelligence information, Barack Obama and his Administration refuse to take responsibility for their destructive actions, and refuse to cooperate with Congressional probes. With these latest revelations, Obama is showing himself to be not just a failed leader, but also an untrustworthy Commander-In-Chief.

Finally, Dr. Paul Kengor joined me on the show to talk about some of Barack Obama’s background, and one of Obama’s mentors, Frank Marshal Davis. Paul offered insights as to why President Obama may be making many of his anti American decisions. Paul is releasing a new book next month called “The Communist: Frank Marshall Davis, the Untold Story of Barack Obama’s Mentor.” I recommend that you read Paul’s latest work. Go to Amazon.com to pre-order.

The American people are increasingly aware of the danger and damage this administration is inflicting upon our country. We saw it in January 2010, when Massachusetts voters voted for Republican Scott Brown to be the “41st vote” against Obamacare in the special election to replace Senator Ted Kennedy. We saw it in November 2010, when Americans in states across the country rose up to replace Senators and Representatives in their state Capitals and in Washington D.C. with conservative Tea Party and Republican candidates. We saw it this past week in Wisconsin and California, when voters rose up to support responsible union reforms and the politicians bold enough to enact them. And we will see it again in November 2012, when Americans all across the country will vote against President Barack Obama and his failed progressive policies, removing him and other left-wing politicians from the leadership of our country. .

Please be part of the team that makes this critical change! Make sure that you, conservative friends and family members are registered. And then on Election Day in November, go and vote to make Mitt Romney our next President. .

Thanks for reading and have a great week! .

Glen

Glen Meakem is a successful technology entrepreneur, venture capitalist, and conservative talk radio show host, who offers information and insights on how individuals, our states, and our nation can be more successful. Glen’s unique perspective has been shaped by his experiences as founder, chairman and CEO of the B2B internet success Freemarkets Inc – which he founded in 1995, took public in 1999, and sold to Ariba in 2004. In 2006, Glen co-founded Meakem Becker Venture Capital, a firm that invests in early stage start up companies. Concerned about the liberal political agenda that has gripped the United States and his home state of Pennsylvania, Glen launched the radio program, “Glen Meakem on the Weekend” in 2008. Glen served as an officer in the United States Army Reserve and is a veteran of the First Gulf War. He earned his undergraduate degree from Harvard and his MBA from Harvard Business School. For more information about the Glen Meakem on the Weekend Radio Program, or to read Glen’s blog, please visit http://glenmeakem.com.

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