Shame! Shame! Shame!
One thing that has been amazing to me about the whole Wisconsin budget/union busting debacle is how little the GOP cares about the will of the people. There’s been at least 2 polls that show the state is against removing collective bargaining rights by a 2:1 margin. 70,000 protesters have shown up to express their displeasure and it still didn’t seem to matter. Last night the Wisconsin Assembly voted to approve the budget measure. Watch what happened.
The debate in the Assembly appeared to be a few hours away from ending when Speaker Pro Tem Bill Kramer interrupted their speeches and called the vote. It was gaveled in with lightning speed, less than the standard 15 seconds — it was so fast that 28 members did not even vote on it, some out of protest but some failing to reach their buzzers. There were 51 ayes and 17 nays, and the nays included Republicans Dean Kaufert, Lee Nerison, Richard Spanbauer, and Travis Tranel.
Democrats exploded as soon as the vote was called, yelling “Cowards!” and “Shame!” at the Republicans filing out of the room.
The budget still needs to pass the Wisconsin Senate, which can’t meet because the Senate Democrats are out of the state, denying quorum. There’s been several reports that the budget needs to pass by today to do the debt restructuring. I guess we’ll have to watch to see what happens next.
Tags: Cheddar Revolution, Scott Walker, Unions, Wisconsion
Reminds me of radical abortion clinic protesters.
None of this drama would be happening if there was some form of public health care, taking health care off the collective bargaining table. Thanks, PragmaDems, for handing Republicans another issue to bust unions with. Unintended consequences are a bitch.
I think it is a fair generalization to say that of the 2 major parties, the Republicans are the ones more ambivalent (for some, hostile) about democratic processes. That’s why it’s not altogether surprising to see them pull stunts like this one.
Republicans also know how to make the most of whatever their parliamentary status is. When they lose Congress, they control the agenda with 41 Senators. When they win, they immediately set to work enacting their agenda without compromise or dithering. This energy and forthrightness is attractive to independents, and I might add is very effective both politically and legislatively. There are lessons for Democrats here. Imagine if some of these Republican techniques were harnessed for good instead of evil.
“This energy and forthrightness is attractive to independents”
So you say. In my experience independents side with whoever reflects what they want done, and I don’t think you have squat that says otherwise. You’re projecting your own love of power, nothing more.
I don’t think you have squat that says otherwise.
Republicans won the US House and many state and local races despite polls showing disapproval for their policies. There’s your evidence.
independents side with whoever reflects what they want done,
No they do not. What the heck is the independent agenda?
Independents are generally low-information voters who don’t pay much attention to politics and vote on name recognition or some illogical reason. 25% of independents think HCR has already been repealed. .
There are a small number of principled independents who have well thought out reasons for being independent. I’m sure a few will post here as if to prove my point.
There is no independent agenda; each has his own. I agree, many are low-information. But the story of the election was that people who agreed with the Republican agenda were energized and those who disagreed were not. In your version, people simply admire raw power and whichever party exercises it. Not a shred of evidence for it. Your contention says more about you than about politics, and it’s the reason I wouldn’t follow you to the corner store let alone to the polls.
people simply admire raw power and whichever party exercises it.
It is a fact. Voters love the blood sport aspect of it. The preferred spectacle is stern and principled Republicans passing tax cuts, or austerity budgets, or breaking unions over the wimpy mewling of hapless and broken Democrats who can’t get out of their own way to mount an opposition.
But that scenario could work the other way too – stern and principled Democrats passing tax increases and public health care over the objections of impotent Republicans.
But we failed to seize the day.
Geezer, Don’t think in terms of “raw power” but bandwagon jumping.
The irony of chasing the “middle” is that most of the low information voters simply want to vote for the person or group that seems like the “winner” and have their choice validated by groupthink.
There is no explanation for middle class voters voting for Republicans other than racism and the GOP’s better brand management.
“It is a fact.”
It is your opinion. Your inability to see that is mind-boggling.