By Dustin Beilke

Not to be outdone by mere Greeks, the largest public employees union in Italy has now called for a general strike in June to protest that nation's latest so-called "austerity measures." 

This austerity just so happens to be balanced mostly on the backs of public employees, but it is interesting to note that the most recent proposal also includes tax increases on capital gains and executive bonuses. There was a time when we had these sorts of commonsense measures here, too, but they are never even talked about in today's America, where right-wingers nonetheless see no choice but to organize tea parties to combat the nation's otherwise unobstructed march toward ever purer forms of socialism.

But it turns out we do not need to go to such far-flung places as Italy, Greece and Puerto Rico to find examples of successful organizing drives. Indeed, right here in Wisconsin, and in the education profession no less, previously un-organized groups of employees are voting to unionize. Faculty at UW-Superior voted 75-5 in favor of joining AFT-Wisconsin, and those at UW-Eau Claire quickly followed suit. The vote in Eau Claire was 233-87, with all but 48 of the unit's 368 members casting a vote.

Smart professors.