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FNC’s Geraldo Rivera on the outlook for public sector unions and Obama and Romney’s fundraising push.
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Taxpayers are saying no and unions are saying -- as they are seeing their once powerful influence slipping across the country.
For more I'm joined by Geraldo Rivera host of fox news' Geraldo at Large it's great to have you what did you know thanks for coming delighted to be here wanna ask you about these elections you know it will wasn't just Wisconsin also in California seems like we've got a real reaction from taxpayers out there they they're saying they don't want anymore of this how do you read it.
Well I think actually in in my view because of the unique circumstances in Wisconsin I think the California are elections are actually more profoundly important to the nation as a whole.
And I think -- harbinger of things to come -- had San Diego and San Jose.
Both voting to to curtail.
Union pension benefits going forward in other.
You know not their collective bargaining rights for same but really carving.
The public service unions down to size in a way that was overwhelming in San Diego for example.
We are registered Democrats far outweigh registered Republicans.
You had 66%.
Of the voters saying that the unions were getting.
Too sweet a deal that the taxpayers couldn't afford it so I think that that really is a harbinger of things to come I I think that.
Public service employees' unions across this country.
Are going to face enormous taxpayer backlash I think Chris Christie started here in New Jersey but this wave is spreading across the country.
It really has horrible ideas and I really miserable and we got almost a trillion -- unfunded pension liabilities out there.
It's a bill we really can't afford it's no wonder people are standing up -- morning to be counted.
Do you feel like unions -- which are now slipping in membership do you feel like they're losing power is the today of the big union.
Past.
Yes.
I definitely believe that I mean I grew up by you know long haired fiery radical who believed you know that.
If I could have I would've worn walk with the coal miners back in the day and you know take in the blows -- the -- who's trying to organize the auto industry.
But those days are gone now now you have unions the unions that are that most egregious offenders are unions that don't.
Met I negotiate with management for say.
They negotiate with public officials whose money is not in the game.
So a public official who is it really.
Most concerned about his or her own legacy.
What are they want to avoid is an MTA strike they wanna they wanna quit -- tell you give me a better contract I'll give you might not -- that that also and I think it's really -- -- and people see through it now but the worst thing is if the deal.
The deal as you shut it out was a fear deal where you had a fear pension as a result of -- -- career.
That would be one thing but to work two or three years and then get a life time.
Health care benefit it's just not fair nobody gets that in private enterprise and if they do they've negotiated -- because they're so.
Ultra valuable to whatever -- Anthony is that working for them they deserve it but I think that as a result of greed and it really is greed and disproportionate power in this in this on equal balance between labor and management in the public sector I think -- getting this revulsion from the public and I think -- spread.
Really -- if your foot the bill and you're getting paid laughs it's it's really as staying.
Let's switch -- the topic a little bit and talk about President Obama and his 153 fund raisers he's been conducting.
Is he -- campaign -- sheet.
He really is you know.
Unfortunately.
A you know -- that presidential politics is a money game in the both up parties are playing the money game.
Today -- strength so what does that mean.
President Obama has going hanging out -- George Clooney and Sarah Jessica Parker and you know by the cast of glee you know -- -- the Democrats don't show -- in Hollywood and Mitt Romney -- hang our our big Coke Brothers and you know the high rollers and you know this fit the stereotypes are unfortunately true the Republicans -- for the big money.
As evidenced in the Wisconsin situation with tens of millions flowed into that into that state.
And -- -- Democrats going with the big splashy splashy.
153.
And counting.
-- fund raisers fronted by big names Jon Bon -- my dear friend and others.
You know -- very.
Time you turn around looked at the end of the day -- and look.
Romney can do what every want -- -- is not on our dime not yet but the president is supposed to be working for us right now does it bother you that he spending so much time fundraising.
Well I'm let me put it this way I'm glad -- in Air Force One they have the same communications coms and that Defense Department guys they would in the White House because otherwise I would be very very worried.
I always had looked with disdain.
And politicians when they get to the retail level may have to make that money it's -- greedy grimy business and -- am so -- I'm not in it for that reason.
And when the president of the United States is engaged 34.
You know aside from the horrible traffic jams whenever -- in town I had to walk.
The other day from 56 freed up to my house on 89 street because that park area was so crowded with cops and barricades.
Herat and they -- -- -- time and money spent and in terms of servicing the president as he travels.
You know I understand he's got to fight the fight day against you know a guy who gets you know donors -- -- bigger -- than his through but.
It really is unseemly and I don't I hope by -- you know so as monuments.
Well you know George Clooney can stroke a pretty big -- at -- -- -- -- -- in -- -- -- it was a record.
Unbelievable.
-- -- thank you for me again that are always a pleasure to see you thank you so much and good luck with your new radio show I hear it's doing very well thank you.
