Ryan equates Wisconsin protests to Egypt
Washington (CNN) - Republican Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan compared the protests in his state's capital to those in Egypt that led to the resignation of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.
"He's (Gov. Scott Walker) getting riots, it's like Cairo's moved to Madison these days," Ryan said Thursday on MSNBC's "Morning Joe."
Thousands protested in the capital city Tuesday and Wednesday over a bill that would strip Wisconsin public employees of most of their collective bargaining rights and have them pay dramatically more for benefits.
Walker said he is dealing with a budget crisis, which includes a $137 million shortfall, and Ryan supported the newly elected Republican governor, saying he's "not asking a lot."
"He's basically saying I want you public workers to pay half of what our private sector counter parts are, and he's getting riots," Ryan said. "People should be able to express their way, but we've got to get this deficit and debt under control in Madison if we want to have a good business climate and job creation in Wisconsin."
According to Walker's press secretary, Cullen Werwie, the controversial legislation is expected to reach the state Senate on Thursday and, possibly, the Assembly (lower chamber) on Friday.
- CNN's Phil Gast contributed to this report
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If you think WI is bad.....just wait until it hits DC and all the Welfare/Entitlement recipients realize that their "check" may get cut.....talk about it hitting the fan! Teachers and all other Gov (state and Fed) should not be guarnteed full retirements for life unless they pay at least a matching amount!
But really the best thing to do is get a Real JOB!
The people in Wisconsin are not rioting. They are peacefully protesting the assault against them by the Republican job killing machine in which Ryan is a major player. Quit lying Congressman.
OMG, republicans are such drama queens! This is nothing like the Egypt situation, picketing because of wages and job loss is a far crime from fighting for democracy and fighting for your freedom and some being killed in the process.
Idiot
Egyptians start to see the world (thanks to internet) 71% literacy rate and standard living is poor so they start to protest
Wisconsin protest saying “You( government) made the mess then why are you punishing us”
The Republicans do have a point when it comes to the difference in private sector and public sector and the retirement compensations. Publicly funded pensions need to end. They need to revert to 401Ks, the same as private sector workers.
I think it's a disgrace to compare American citizens to the citizens of Egypt or any other country. Ryan is using Glenn Beck's lunatic points, Egypt is a country, Wisconsin is a state and the people are protesting against a bill and not to overthrow the government. Republicans couldn't start a war in Egypt so I guess they plan on starting one right here at home, disgraceful.
Ryan has got this one backwards. Those protesters are the government hacks protesting more for themselves at the expense of the citizens. Where are the water guns in Madison?
There is also a controversy on whether or not the Wisconsin 'leaders' are cooking the books to their advantage. Sure hope someone investigates. None of these actions seem to be aimed at working to create more jobs. JOBS, not a hard word to spell Misters Ryan and Walker.
This is odd. Ryan is a Republican and so is the governor. Is he suggesting that, like Mubarak, Walker should resign?
where is the video? i read its 15,000 people, thats a lot of people. Video front page come on lets see it! Go USA.
BULL!
This "budget repair bill" is not about money. This is an all out assault on the human rights of state employees!
Seems pretty easy to cut SOMEONE ELSE'S benefits, why not give up YOUR Congressional perks and match what you are asking state employees to pay?
Crisis or no crisis, it's not right to balance the books on the backs of hardworking people. I don't see one thing in news coverage of the Wisconsin issues that indicates the state or business is going to sacrifice anything. It's all about busting the unions, based on what I can see.
Egypt has nothing on us. You think the protest in Wisconsin are bad now, you ain;t seen nothing yet!!! You ConservaFascists are waging war on the middle class. Well, the middle class is going to start a second American Revolution if you ConservaFascists keep pouncing on us and trying to destroy our unions. Stop robbing Peter to pay Paul.
Maybe its bad leadership, oh no, cannot be, this clown is one of the leaders.