"If you don't like the pay get a new job."
How simple and easy! But in a state that has 20% unemployment, what job are they supposed to get? And keep in mind, "I don't know" is not a valid answer.
Also, consider that many of the high school students are also in the crowds supporting the teachers. Next to parents, they're one of the most critical pieces of a child's development. The argument for better education standards & funding has been around for a long time and the solution is obvious. It's not about throwing money at random at the situation, it's about improving its infrastructure. Updated textbooks, curriculum, facilities, providing a safe neighborhood and atmosphere for learning... inspiring &
rewarding teachers who work their asses off to make sure your kids know how to spell to do better. That isn't done by just giving someone a pat on the back and a blue ribbon that says "Teacher of the Year".
Education is one of the very last things
any government should be touching to look for ways to trim a budget.
BTW, if you did look up the Unemployment Rate for Wisconsin, you'd see that it's really 7%... not the 20% you just touted. More proof that we shouldn't be proposing any cuts in education anywhere in this country.