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Former Office Depot CEO Steve Odland on the Wisconsin recall election and efforts to rein in spending across the country.
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As a former Office Depot CEO joining us out of Florida right now.
So there is a disconnect seats up dots between some of the protesters we see behind me in Madison.
And then that the general with -- end up voting public.
It might or might not be evidence tonight in the final results but what do you make of that.
Well I think -- look I I think there's a lot of.
Political theater going on in Wisconsin but the bigger issue here is.
Do the people of Wisconsin win by dialing back government spending and living within their means.
Or do they endorse this spirit of just spend spend spend and grow government continually.
And I think you know if you look at what Scott Walker's done these dial back the spending.
He has ask public employee unions did contribute a little bit done away with -- -- bargaining but he also gave them a choice.
Of mandatory union dues.
Or a choice in what you've seen with the -- numbers is 54%.
-- union members have opted to drop out of the union.
That says that more than half of them didn't want to be in -- union but we're forced to do that.
I think people of all I'll -- both Democrats and Republicans see this as an opportunity to adjust.
Take -- -- back and get spending in line with the economic reality that we have both in Wisconsin and the bit larger picture is what happens in the United States.
I was Steve you know it's a lighten things up -- a little -- there is goodness got to step -- music is in the Bakken.
And I don't know about where you stand on this controversial union are anti union thing.
Who doesn't like the good the -- bagpipe music problem and I know that I'm on the hot in that camp so -- The -- bagpipers could unite us.
All is right with the world bond.
Steve aren't -- -- so what happens if another way it's let's say Scott -- survives this.
I'm wondering whether it would it -- and other Republican governors and Leary legislatures.
To continue pushing it even democratic governors -- Cuomo comes to mind.
In New York who's been looking at trying to rein in public cost side even -- -- -- California it was.
You know sixty -- is -- -- these waters without result that favorite Scott Walker.
Secretly be kinda -- what they want October aboard the Democrats and the Republicans but what they all Qaeda.
Wanna do to rated these costs that are the biggest ballooning part of their -- It's yeah I think it does I I think all of these governors face.
A deficit in and it's a big issue you know in the private sector when CEOs have to adjust to an economy to have to adjust their cost base.
To you know declining sales income you -- the public sector has not done that it's always been up up and away more more more.
And I think that -- right now this is a microcosm.
I don't know what's gonna happen tonight but if Scott Walker does prevail I think.
Probably Democrats and Republicans -- -- the country will breathe a sigh relief because it gives them the ability to adjust the size of government look.
What Scott -- doing is he's taking it back -- -- a -- even after his reforms.
The public sector employees in Wisconsin.
Are making 22%.
More.
Than their private sector counterparts so it's not like this is a huge roll back this is an adjustment to economic reality and I think whether you're Democrat or Republican.
That's what you're looking for across the country.
All right well put Steve oil supplies there that you know will especially when you set to bagpipe music.
Your words carry even more homes but in all seriousness he died I always love -- you want.
