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Political Hay
Hiding Out at the Clock Tower Resort
Sooner or later, Wisconsin’s anti-democratic Democrats who lit out for Rockford will have to show up.
Driving up to Madison, Wisconsin, on Interstate 90, from Chicago’s O’Hare airport on business last week, a colleague pointed out the Clock Tower Resort as we passed through Rockford, Illinois.
This establishment was recently elevated to the status of a historic landmark by the Wisconsin Democratic senators who decamped there with the aim of blocking reforms of public workers’ pension and health benefits as well as collective bargaining rights, as proposed by Badger Governor Scott Walker.
“Fleeing Wisconsin lawmakers bring circus to Illinois resort,” was the rather telling headline in the Los Angeles Times.
The main event, of course, was the three-ring circus underway back in the Wisconsin state capitol where the constitutional process has ground to halt, resulting in a vacuum that public workers are filling with non-stop demonstrations protesting the Governor’s proposed legislation.
Governor Walker and the GOP majority in the legislature show no sign of backing down. Indeed, as Charles Krauthammer has opined, they have, metaphorically speaking, crossed the Rubicon.
This is a battle to the death. Too much blood, sweat, tears and political capital have been expended. Nothing short of victory would justify the sacrifice for either side. There appears to be no avenue for retreat or a face-saving compromise at hand. Moreover, the national significance of this confrontation — along with similar ones in New Jersey, Indiana, and Ohio — is recognized by every American still maintaining a pulse.
These political battles are as consequential as anything the nation has experienced since slavery, even greater than the 1960s. It is no longer a question of losing a war on the other side of the globe but of preserving a political and economic order so crucial to the opportunity, growth and prosperity at the core of the American project.
One measure of this high-stakes controversy is the anti-democratic tactics of the Democratic senators from Wisconsin, who, presumably, are sworn to uphold the state and federal constitutions and elected to serve the people and a system more important than any passing controversy of the moment. Having been unable to win within the system, they are now hell bent on subverting it. Saul Alinsky would be proud. Rather, they are challenging the very legitimacy of the democratic republic and its constitutional foundations.
The idea that they have a constitutional duty, an obligation, to show up, enable a quorum and cast a vote, up or down, on the subject legislation, is completely lost on these senators. Elections have consequences in this country — or should. Recall campaigns will surely begin after this escapade.
The estimable Republican Wisconsin Congressman and current Budget Committee Chairman, Paul Ryan, appears on a video now on the Web in which he says he was very much opposed to the Democrats’ legislative agenda in Washington over the past two years. But he sucked it up (my words, not his) and cast his votes. He showed up, and as Woody Allen said, that is 90 percent of success. He didn’t “lit out” to the territories, not to mention Rockford, Illinois.
Meanwhile, back at Mad City, Governor Walker has raised the ante, pointing out the possibility of 12,000 layoffs, as early as next week, in the event his legislation is not passed in a timely fashion. He is also visiting several senatorial districts of AWOL senators to put pressure on them to show up and vote.
For his part, the Governor remains steadfast in his aim of closing a $3.6 billion budget gap in the next two years. “If we fail to do this [the collective bargaining and other reforms], he said, “…the alternative is the state budget is still going to have reductions in it.”
In sum, the issue comes down to whether the government will be the servant or the master of the society. Is civil society or the government the paramount institution in a free society? Like it or not, this is the time to chose sides.
About the Author
G. Tracy Mehan, III served at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in the administrations of both Presidents Bush. He is a consultant in Arlington, Virginia, and an adjunct professor at George Mason University School of Law.
Letter to the Editor View all comments (97) | Leave a comment
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Nite| 2.28.11 @ 6:44AM
These Democrats are a disgrace! They were elected to do a job and they have run away like spoiled children. I would hope they will not be paid after engaging in this nonsense. They all should be recalled.
PaulD| 2.28.11 @ 7:13AM
"Meanwhile, back at Mad City, Governor Walker has raised the ante, pointing out the possibility of 12,000 layoffs, as early as next week, in the event his legislation is not passed in a timely fashion." Next week? Last week it was by the end of that week; now it's next week. Threatening children without following through sets a bad precedent. Lay them off now.
Nancy in NC| 2.28.11 @ 9:04AM
I don't think he can legally. (They get so much notice.) And under the protection of the union, no one can be fired, even though they haven't showed up for work. What a crock.
russel| 2.28.11 @ 10:24AM
Agreed . Stop the dillying and set a date for termination of this circus . The childrens schooling should be the reasoning . No show and you go .
Spoonman| 2.28.11 @ 7:19AM
Governor Walker should be commended for having backbone and the balls to do what is right for Wisconsin taxpayers. The missing Wisconsin Democrat Senators need to get back to carrying out the responsibilities of their positions and what the taxpayers expect - show up, debate, and vote. They should not be paid for the time they have been AWOL and that they should be recalled if they do not return by a date specified by the Governor. This is a perfect example of the contrast between the government and how it works and the private sector. If they behaved like this in the private sector, they would have been fired alreday.
Ken (Old Texican)| 2.28.11 @ 7:46AM
Who would have believed that "the taking back of our country" would have begun in Wisconsin.
Does anyone here know what happened when the real Rubicon river was crossed?
Look it up. Fascinating.
freedomliberty13| 2.28.11 @ 1:57PM
After crossing The Rubicon, Caesar began a civil war against Pompey. Cesar eventually one that war.
Doctor Right| 2.28.11 @ 2:37PM
Yeah, and you remember what happened next, right?
Et tu, RINOs...et tu???
martin j smith| 2.28.11 @ 8:11AM
The Democrat Party is Not the Democratic Party any more--maybe never were. They are the Socialist-Marxist Goon Show. They ally with thug Unions and its all about their party's political power period forget about the voters. What is needed is for Walker to do whatever it takes to hold his ground period !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If need be call in the National Guard if it is necessary. Like if cops forget who is paying them for example.
Nancy in NC| 2.28.11 @ 9:02AM
I am amazed to seeing police standing against the people to stand with the union thugs. One more example how greed has killed our Nation.
MikeD| 2.28.11 @ 8:14AM
The democratice party has become every bit as bad, in today's context, as the Nazis were in the early 1930s. (OK dems, this is where you gasp and shriek! Then start calling me terrible names!) This should be particularly galling to all Americans, and 'fighting words' to the democrats themselves. But, except for the fact that they have not yet burned down republicans' homes and business, a la' "Kristalnacht"; the dems are right on track to become the Nazi's political successors.
Just a few selected events serve to illustrate the "Party of the 'little guy's descent. Of course, their cozy disregard of law and honesty can be traced back to the corrupt chicago and Tammany Hall machines, along with their chronic election theft throughout the South from the 1920s to present day. But, they got more brazen when they discovered that the stupid republicans REALLY cared about the "honor" and "Nobody is Above the Law" things. I guess the national corruption actually began when the dems 'cozied up' eith the mob to buy JFK the White House in 1960. And they got away with it when Nixon felt that taking the election to the House of Representatives would rip the Country apart. Divide the Country! What a novel concept!. What a bunch of fools, we WANT the Country divided, said the dems.
Next, of course, was when the GOP actually impeached their own Richard Nixon for crimes that paled compared to the shenanigans pulled off by Lyndon Johnson. At least Nixon didn't start a war that killed 57,000 Americans through pure incompetence. From that point on, the dems knew they had the upper hand because the republicans were 'hamstringing' themselves with that silly thing called Honor; oh, and don't forget that crazy "No man is above the law" thing! What bozos!
So, few Americans saw what was happening. Who cares; just get their buddies on the TV to lie for them. Then, they decided to see if enough Americans were watching to know that the dems were nominating a draft dodger for prez in 1992. Nobody cared! Bubba went on to stay unimpeached because the democrats had learned their lesson with the GOP and Nixon: Lie, shriek, but, above all, STICK TOGETHER! And America learned lots of ways to tell their kids about what was NOT sex...and they learned real fast!
Next was Algore, and the 'fix' sure was in; except that the Republicans actually sprouted backbones and fought back! What a concept. But, it had a price; the deep, dark fury of unmitigated HATRED by hollywood, the media, and the democratic party that was hell bent to bring Bush II down, damn the consequences! But a funny thing happened on the way to the next election: 9/11. How could the dems destroy Bush when he brought the Country together? Just wait.
After that, we were presented with a hypocrite named kerry who made a movie about his heroism in Vietnam. the only problem was that it was faked. Oh, by the way, kerry was, in the legal sense of the word, a TRAITOR. This is not political hate or shrieks, it's history because mr. kerry was caught meeting with our enemy, in uniform, during a time of war. And the democrats were not even ashamed of that. Could they get any lower? ABSOLUTELY.
In 2008, the Country was treated to the spectacle of being told to vote for obama or be vilified as a "racist". Yup, millions and millions of racists. The fact that this latest piece of scum refused to tell us anything about him; illegally hid the sources of illegal campaign cash in the hundreds of millions of dollars; and benefitted from an economic crisis the the democrats engineered to destroy our housing market and much of the economy has been swept under the rug by the media wing of the American Nazi, er, excuse, sorry, the AMERICAN DEMOCRATIC PARTY. And they're getting away with it.
Finally, America has had enough of the midnight raids on our treasury and the rule of law. So, in 2010 they voted the bums out! Except that dems only play by the rules when they win, so, starting in Wisconsis they decided to take their gavel and skip town. "That'll teach those stupid people to vote republican! We'll just skip town and see what they'll do THEN!" Besides, as the annointed barry famously stated: "ELECTIONS HAVE CONSEQUENCES!... BUT ONLY WHEN WE WIN." Let 'em eat cake, or whatever. It is time to man the barricades!
Remember Pogo, the cartoon character who pointed at himself and said: "We have met the enemy, and he is US"! This is the time to stand firm.
Ken (Old Texican)| 2.28.11 @ 9:05AM
Mike,
well spoken!
PhilTheCapitalistPig| 2.28.11 @ 10:46AM
Well, I tend to think that Republicans since 1930 have been the progressive-light party. They have given lip service to upholding the constitution but what we have gotten is slow socialism as opposed to fast socialism.
It's time to get america back on the federalist system. Nothing makes more sense to me than having 50 separate experiments going on at the same time and adopting the best practices when they are identified. The Centralization of our government is why we are failing.
Time to start cutting PROGRAMS, not spending levels. The only spending cut that makes sense for the large majority of the programs, is a 100% cut to $0. Everything else leads right back to where we are today.
PhilTheCapitalistPig| 2.28.11 @ 11:02AM
So I say, let's build a coalition large enough to get the work done. Can we get over the social issues if it means that we can add gays to the coalition? Keep in mind, they vote democrat bc we won't concede on social issues, but do you think they are so blind that they can't see the dire financial straits our country is in? A 20% gain in the gay community as well as every other political niche could build a coalition with filibuster proof majorities that is necessary to do a large scale overhaul of government.
CalMark| 2.28.11 @ 3:02PM
Grow up!
A serious discussion is underway about federalism, when (out of the blue) some pipsqueak starts demanding traditionalists should surrender and sign on for Gay Rights. "Or else," he implies, because (I've read his stuff before) he Speaks for His Generation.
No doubt he would've lectured Lincoln just to get on with saving the Union, never mind about those social issues down there in the south.
PhilTheCapitalistPig| 2.28.11 @ 3:32PM
Ok, I'm not saying to change the definiton of marriage, I'm saying get the feds out of it altogether. If you need a marriage contract, go to a lawyer. If you need to be married, talk to the church.
But even if I were talking about changing the definition, would you rather live under a despot with a defintion of marriage that suits your fancy, or would you rather reign in debt, slash govt programs left and right, and let everyone live their life.
I would suggest that you grow up, and face the REAL problems of this day.
Occam's Tool| 2.28.11 @ 8:14PM
How 'bout this, for starters: put the Ag Dept back into Interior, as it was for a VERY long time. Eliminate Labor, Commerce, Veterans' Affairs, HHS----heck, cut back to State, Treasury, Defense, Interior. What other Departments do we really need? And, by the way, the UN Ambassador having separate Cabinet status is a crock.
Now, that would save mucho bucks.
John Navratil| 3.1.11 @ 11:12AM
And get rid of the department of Education and the near monopoly on state-funded school houses.
A state educating its own people is a fatal conflict of interest and gives us the pudding-headed fools who think "This is what Democracy looks like".
PhilTheCapitalistPig| 3.1.11 @ 11:28AM
I'm in!
Jobe| 2.28.11 @ 2:46PM
I keep asking this question on every forum to which I contribute and still cannot find an answer. I guess I should research it myself, but I am a teacher in Ohio and I am actually teaching. My question is: What constitutes non-feasance in Wisconsin? These legislators are abdicating a responsibility which they swore to uphold. Are there no rules governing the behavior of legislators in Wisconsin? Fleeing the state to avoid doing the job for which one was elected seems to me to be the epitome of non-feasance. And I believe that this would constitute grounds for impeachment. If it doesn't, then what in God's name does?
MikeD| 2.28.11 @ 3:02PM
An analogy would be two kids fighting after school. They're evenly matched until one pulls out a gun and threatens the other. Being unarmed, he wisely backs down, totally confused that his opponent would actually stoop to such a tactic.
Welcome to the democrats. They will do ANYTHING to hold power because they know they do not have to answer the hard questions on "20/20" or "60 Minutes" because the media will cover for them. Just think what the media would be doing over the past two, or four years if republicans did half of this crap! But, the dems have finally gone off the deep end and see absolutely nothing wrong with trying to overturn the 2010 election by thuggery and criminal activities. They have no shame, no class, no honor, and really ARE the incipient American Nazi Party. THAT'S how low they have sunk, and they do not care. The know they cannot re-install emperor barry the first in 2012 without the cash they extort from the public employees, so it's simple. "DO WHAT THEY HAVE TO AND DAMN THE VOTERS." Besides, the RINOs will lose their resolve after a few weeks of pounding by the media. Our duty is to keep on the GOP to hold firm and tell anybody we can collar that the scum democrats are trying to overturn the 2010 elections. Keep the message simple and hammer it home!
MikeD| 2.28.11 @ 8:51PM
JOBE!
I hope none of your fellow teachers discover your real identity! They will not be pleased with your good vocabulary, focused thought processes, and knowledge of history and politics. Be very careful.
Redstateboy| 2.28.11 @ 8:30AM
I believe you can point to 3 singular events when this Nation very existence hung in the balance: The American Revolution, the American Civil War and Now. WWII was a huge event but the very foundation of weather we would survive as a Nation or not was never really in question. Today's Democrat Slave Party once again is trying to sunder the Nation in two and if we don't win this contest - we will collapse.
Nancy in NC| 2.28.11 @ 9:00AM
Please see my post on the rally in Raleigh, NC. We are in trouble.
Seapuss| 2.28.11 @ 8:41AM
The 14 AWOL Democrats have been in Illinois so long that I have started calling them "FIBs" (if you know what I mean).
Dan Hirsch| 2.28.11 @ 9:05AM
The head of the committee formed to recall Senator Bob Wirch quipped that he is trying to have Wirch and the others declared Illinois citizens and thus not eligible for their offices!
Don't tread on us!
JimH| 2.28.11 @ 12:33PM
They spent more time there than Rahm did in Chicago.
irish19| 2.28.11 @ 12:44PM
I'm from the People's Republic of Ill. and I do indeed know what FIB means to a cheesehead.
We don't want the fleebaggers. Come and git 'em.
BTW, does anyone have any idea whether a citizen's arrest could be done on them? It might be fun.
MTM| 2.28.11 @ 8:53AM
Walker should begin the slow constriction of law on these rogue senators. If he wants to win the perception battle, he needs to continually increase the impression that this is exactly what it looks like: illegal, criminal activity. He should lay out every legal tool and each of its legal steps. Then do them one by one, putting out a press release for each painful step. E.g. "Gov. Walker has asked legal counsel about options for x and y;" "Wisconsin State Senate's parliamentarian was asked by Gov. Walker to explain the rules of contempt of court;" etc.
Let's not be the dumb party...
MTM| 2.28.11 @ 8:55AM
err... make that contempt of the legislator.
(dumb party member)
MTM| 2.28.11 @ 8:55AM
... legislature.
(sigh.)
dleary| 2.28.11 @ 12:31PM
Keep going MTM. You'll make your point eventually.
PhilTheCapitalistPig| 2.28.11 @ 12:44PM
You still haven't made a point. Geez, you're not even good at spreading propaganda. They need someone smarter than you. You haven't been very effective thus far.
Occam's Tool| 2.28.11 @ 8:25PM
Dennis Leary...hmmm...doesn't he play asshats for a living?
Occam's Tool| 2.28.11 @ 8:16PM
In short, subject the Democratic Legislators to a very public "Steps of Discipline," clearly outlining each step and rationale. Good idea.
Nancy in NC| 2.28.11 @ 8:59AM
I was in Raleigh, NC Saturday counter protesting the SEIU and moveon people that showed up to rally in "support" of Wisconsin. What a bunch of hateful, disrespectful people! We were outnumbered about 2 to 1, but a number crossed the street to tell us how stupid and wrong we are. (not one person from "our" side crossed the street.) These individuals got in our face, and did everything they could to stir up trouble. One gentleman politely touched a woman's arm and told her she needed to go back to the other side. She got a cop and said she had been assaulted.
People, we are up against some nasty folks. They personify the division in this country, and show the lengths they will go to keep the power of the unions. They are filled with socialists and Marxist that want to destroy capitalism, the free market, and our way of life. They are much better organized than we are, and IMHO that needs to change.
These events that occured all over the country will more than likely be happening on a more regular basis. I hope that the conservatives and patriots of this Nation start to stand up and be heard...louder and clearer than ever before. We are in a war, folks.
RacerJim| 2.28.11 @ 9:57AM
Sunday afternoon, during a live report outside the WI Capitol building in Madison, a FOX News reporter was actually hit by a union supporter. If I had been that reported I would have demanded the police arrest the union supporter for assault and battery. Enough is Enough!
J.C.Eaton| 2.28.11 @ 11:00AM
This is precisely what I was referring to when I opined that these were BAD people. They are operating in ugly fashion on all fronts. You have to give the thug-party credit though, they've known we've been at war for many years[war as in fight to the death of a Nation], our side has just tumbled to the fact.But the optimistic of us believe that justice grinds slow....but it grinds exceeding fine.
freedomliberty13| 2.28.11 @ 1:59PM
The union thugs are analagous to Hitlers Brownshirts and Mussolini's Blackshirts. Their binding principle is: If democracy doesn't work for you spill some opponent blood in the streets and then they will feel the need to then compromise with you.
Impeach Don't Wait| 2.28.11 @ 3:21PM
Sometimes it looks hopeless when you're dealing with unscrupulous, hateful people who have the upper hand. But here's our best hope: The Constitution is on our side. Economic failure is on theirs. (Time will be the arbiger.)
Keep the faith.
The children have had their fun, the adults are taking over.
Impeach Don't Wait| 2.28.11 @ 3:24PM
arbiter...
beebop| 2.28.11 @ 9:07AM
Mitch Daniels accomplished his program via executive order. Does someone know whether this is not possible in WINconsin?
Dan Hirsch| 2.28.11 @ 9:12AM
Might be a little late for that...politically. It would sure personalize this battle. Then Scott Walker and Sarah could run in 2012.
Dan Hirsch| 2.28.11 @ 9:09AM
For some fun, ask a young teacher if they agree with their union on the LIFO rule. It's Last In, First Out. It guarantees that the high paid dinosaurs stay and the young, low cost dynamic (one hopes...) teachers go, after being paid less yet paying the same dues to support the union officers and the senior teachers...
Ken (Old Texican)| 2.28.11 @ 9:11AM
Yes ma'am, Nancy!
We are.
Please, at least get to the store and buy bleach, (for purefying water), dried beans in bulk, and whole wheat flour in bulk.
.22 cartridges for small game will also be useful, in barter.
irish19| 2.28.11 @ 12:48PM
Make sure you also get tight-lidded containers. Having mealy bugs in the flour, rice, and beans really sucks. Take it from one who knows. Tupperware may not be adequate.
Gregg| 2.28.11 @ 9:22AM
Krauthammer had a good idea which Walker ought to take; not sure why he is not. And that is:
You need a quorum for votes on money but not anything else. Why not have the legislature that is there start passing one deeply conservative, non-spending law after another - no quorum needed. That would get the Dems back there in a jiffy, I would think.
Seapuss| 2.28.11 @ 10:04AM
The quorum needed for budget bills is 3/5th (20 of the 33 senators) but non-budget bills require only a bare majority for a quorum (17 out of 33).
Walker knows that putting the collective bargaining provisions in a separate, non-budget bill is an option. He was asked about this point-blank in a recent interview, and acknowledged that it is an option. Why he doesn't exercise it and immediately end the standoff boggles my mind.
All that needs to happen is one or two of the Republican senators to go wobbly, and Walker and the GOP will go down in flames. The longer Walker waits the more likely some RINO will go wobbly on him. It drives me nuts wondering why he won't put a separate, non-budget bill up for a vote.
John Navratil| 3.1.11 @ 11:15AM
Seapuss,
I suspect it was that he was confident in winning without changing the bill and changing the bill would open up the political process and an argument for compromise.
Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 2.28.11 @ 10:15AM
Senator Joe McCarthy, your country needs you!
Senator Joe McCarthy quote:
"You are seeing today an all out attempt
to marshal the forces of the opposition,
using not merely the communists, or their
fellow travelers-the deluded liberals, the
eggheads, and some of my good friends
in both the Democratic and Republican Parties
who can become heros over night in the eyes
of the left-wing press if they
will just join with the jackal pack"
Peppermint Tea| 2.28.11 @ 10:25AM
Really?
Cool. Then they should outlaw collective bargaining, make WI a right-to-work state, outlaw abortion, make public employee strikes illegal and punishable, make legislative truancy for over 1 week an impeachable offense, outlaw Obamacare in WI, pass AZ style immigration laws, etc.
What fun!
Eric Cartman| 2.28.11 @ 10:49AM
*Sigh* Are you an angel, Peppermint Tea?
Doctor Right| 2.28.11 @ 2:42PM
You had me at "outlaw collective bargaining"...
Occam's Tool| 2.28.11 @ 8:23PM
Exactly. Use the option and ram through the bills. Right to work will fly, outlawing collective bargaining will fly, AZ immigration laws will fly, Legislative truancy for over 1 week for reasons other than illness or severe family issues would fly---they should do all these within 24 hrs---boilerplate it.
Steve A| 2.28.11 @ 10:49AM
I say let those teachers & the Dem legislators from Wisconsin rot where they are for as long as it takes. Do not blink, negotiate, sympathize or otherwise. Showdown time. Enough is enough with these people.
Oldefarte| 2.28.11 @ 11:26AM
The Democrat Party is nothing but CORRUPT THUGS, period. This current Madison sit-in is reflective of the union knee-capping that occurred in most major cities during the height of the industrial revolution; and more recently in the Kennedy and Daley eras. The Republican Party is bad enough, but beyond the Watergate issue, I don't recall any comparable unionisk SLEAZE occurring within same. This garbage is ingrained in the COMMUNITY ORGANIZING EXCREMENT that successfully brought us our current commander-in-chief etc, and it's way past time that it stopped. Parents/relatives of Wisconsin school children should DEMAND that their teachers RETURN TO THE CLASSROOM AND DO THEIR JOB! Furthermore, Wisconsin citizens should immediately institute a protest letter writing/phone call agenda to their local/state representatives to demand same under threat of voter recall petitions. This excrement is way beyond civility, and SOME HEADS NEED TO ROLL, governmental paycheck speaking. Citizen-taxpayers are funding this barnyard behavior, and their demands for reciprical service for payroll dollar paid should be put forth. November of 2012 should be a day of recogning concerning all of these guttter-political activities, or this country will end up in the trash bin of the world as a result!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
dleary| 2.28.11 @ 12:33PM
Commander in chief etc? Did you caps lock key fail you at a crucial moment. Call your doctor if that erection lasts more than four hours.
PhilTheCapitalistPig| 2.28.11 @ 12:42PM
You drones are so easy to spot. We know this is your latest assignment, because the unions aren't smart enough to hire people that can debate the issues when they hire people like you to spread propaganda.
I mean seriously, you guys never have anything of substance to add, you just come here and run your big ignorant mouths. Nothing of relevance comes from you guys. Its all personal attacks, like, seriously, you talk about the guys given name for Christ's sake.
Smarten up, dummy.
Lu| 2.28.11 @ 11:56AM
I have been to Madison twice in the last weeks. Most of the people are not even from Wi. the rest are idiot kids that don't know their a-s"s from a hole in the ground. Most of them don't even know what they are marching for. They are nothing but a bunch of Maxists and Socialists.
PhilTheCapitalistPig| 2.28.11 @ 12:24PM
I believe Lenin's term was, "Useful Idiots"
martin j smith| 2.28.11 @ 12:01PM
I think it is a question of political calculations and the question of they day is this: How to come out looking like a hero and a victim ( the victim of Union thugury in this case ). By hero I mean being seen as saving the state in this case Wisconsin. I imagine that Walker is consulting with his fellow Republicans and calculating what steps and what timing to follow. What he needs to do is to give the democrat Party and their Union enough rope to hang themselves on thru their own stupidity. That would be the goal.
PhilTheCapitalistPig| 2.28.11 @ 12:38PM
Give a democrat and unions enough rope and they hang the citizenry, not themselves. Get real. We must defeat them now.
uncle curmudgeon| 2.28.11 @ 12:25PM
This sort of thing has been going on, in a less blatant form, for a long time. Obama's record-breaking number of "present" votes is one example. Another would be the common practice of floor managers not bringing a bill to a vote because their polling of the membership suggests it may not pass. Huh?! The job is not to play well with others. It is to differentiate your side from the other; then hold an election. We'll tell you what we think.
dleary| 2.28.11 @ 12:29PM
There isn't really a person named "G. Tracy Mehan, III." No father, much less grandfather, would do that to his son. Gus Mehan, maybe, G.Tracy III, no way. Oh, and does Trey even acknowledge the bill ends collective bargaining? Or does being a Trey mean you can ignore workers rights?
PhilTheCapitalistPig| 2.28.11 @ 12:35PM
You just don't get it. You can't collectively bargain with yourself. You always give yourself the best deal. Its a conflict of interest. And this is well understood throughout the majority of our history.
Now, get back to protesting for your slavemaster.
PhilTheCapitalistPig| 2.28.11 @ 12:36PM
It's not a right, by the way.
I bet you think healthcare is a "right" as well.
Fools such as yourself will be the downfall of this country, this is why we are going to defeat you.
dleary| 2.28.11 @ 1:22PM
In fact, I do think healthcare is a right, along with the eight-hour day, a woman's right to vote, legal abortions, inter-racial marriage, same-sex marriage, no property tests in order to vote, no Jim Crow laws, Public Accommodations (take that Rand Paul), and lots of other changes brought about in part by unions. It ain't 1899 anymore. And yes, he does have a funny name. It's a joke, you tight-assed clown.
Steve A| 2.28.11 @ 1:36PM
Hey dleary, Is it your "right" to have another pay for your healthcare??
PhilTheCapitalistPig| 2.28.11 @ 3:34PM
How about is it a "right" to take my tax dollars and give them to planned parenthood when I don't believe in abortion?
Don't think too hard, buddy. These ethical issues might give you that feeling you get when you drink your slurpee too fast.
MikeD| 2.28.11 @ 3:16PM
For the really ignorant among us: Unionization by public employees working for the federal government was never a 'right', or even a law. It was declared by JFK the day he was inaugurated via an EXECUTIVE ORDER. No legislature passed it, nobody voted for it. JFK was paying back the Chicago mob for stealing the 1960 election in Cook County, Illinois; thus giving the White House to Kennedy and the Dems. Typical; the way dems usually win is through theft and corruption. The whole party is one huge cesspool that needs to be drained by any means necessary. They are evil and criminal, and so is anybody who votes for them; particularly after all this mess. Nobody can plead ignorance any more.
After Kennedy snuck through his public employees unionization, his democratic counterparts in the usual democratically controlled states did the same thing to keep the gravy train coming. This is rapidly turning into the Second American Revolution; and if the GOP caves, it is all over; and school kids all over the Country will absolutely know that crime pays, cheating is permissible, and it is OK to disregard elections when Republicans win. Screw the people, it's more important that the dems get what they want; while we're supposed to just shut up and pay for it.
Mike D.| 2.28.11 @ 6:32PM
The second American Revolution has already started. You have a political party on the left that has no desire to play by any rules. the only rule is to win. They have already proved that with the so called health care reform and this stunt in Wisconsin. The farther you push these bolshevicks into a corner the more dangerous and violent they will become. If they lose this battle, then look for national strikes, violence, and riots. It is and will come, we are just in the early stages. And take this to the bank, the comrade Chairman in the whitehouse WANTS this!!!
MikeD| 2.28.11 @ 8:55PM
Mike... Are you sure we're not the same person? Since I agree with everything you're saying, maybe I don't really exist. Hmmm... Or is it you?
Occam's Tool| 2.28.11 @ 8:27PM
I dunno, I think they might. What's wrong with the name? I mean, he's an attorney, right?
Steve A| 2.28.11 @ 1:03PM
Hey: What's the difference between Lassie & a Wis. Dem. Senator? Lassie knows the way home.
What's the difference between a long dead Chicagoan & a Wis. Dem. Senator? The dead Chicagoan votes more. I'm on a roll. Not really...
MikeD| 2.28.11 @ 3:18PM
What's the difference between a democrat politician and a catfish?
Answer: One is a 'bottom feeding scum sucker... and the other is a fish.
PhilTheCapitalistPig| 2.28.11 @ 3:35PM
LOL!!
Occam's Tool| 2.28.11 @ 8:28PM
Remeber to tip your waitress. I'm here all week....;)
Occam's Tool| 2.28.11 @ 8:28PM
Sorry, remember...I guess dleary is voodooing me....
MikeD| 2.28.11 @ 8:57PM
Why does New Jersey have 100,000 democratic politicians and Texas has 100,000 toxic waste dumps?
Answer: Texas got first choice!
Pat| 2.28.11 @ 1:16PM
The Los Angeles Times has an unfavorable opinion of Wisconsin lawmakers who left their posts? Isn’t that something like a Times Square working girl, priced on the lower end of the fee for service schedule, criticizing a Carmelite nun for dressing too provocatively? Is the LA Times secretly worried this lawmakers fleeing the state publicity stunt could become a national trend, a trend which travels in reverse from the Midwest to California?
Most Californians with actual jobs, those who generally avoid reading the Times, would welcome hearing our Sacramento legislative chamber is completely deserted of elected Democrats; silent and empty except for crumpled Starbucks’ cups and discarded copies of Hustler magazine. We always relax the tight grips on our wallets and purses whenever our lawmakers flee to Reno, Vegas or Honolulu – hey, they do flee to those cities quite often but usually refer to their trip as a “ working vacation” or a “fact finding” mission. When one of our lawmakers is happily installed at MGM’s crap table, one hand shaking dice cubes and the other hand cupping the “attributes” of a young lady not his wife, we Californians know our personal wealth is safe, if only for a short time.
In their absence that recently introduced bill levying an annual surtax on sunshine, the one employing a progressive tax rate geared to personal income, won’t become law for a few months more. That proposed change to California’s sales and use tax code – the one granting Hollywood movie studios their 412th special tax exemption - will be delayed a few more weeks. So, good Nevada folks, please take special care of any stray California lawmakers who flee to your beautiful state, they don’t have a nightly curfew and can extend their sleepover for just as long as they wish.
freedomliberty13| 2.28.11 @ 1:55PM
Leaders of the socialist revolution only obey one rule: "The ends justify the means." They are the proverbial coin tosser: "Heads I win, tails you lose."
martin j smith| 2.28.11 @ 2:23PM
The ends justify the means except when poll numbers don't look too good then they play nice. For about a second.
Impeach Don't Wait| 2.28.11 @ 3:01PM
The children have had their fun, the adults are taking over.
PhilTheCapitalistPig| 2.28.11 @ 3:36PM
Exactly
CalMark| 2.28.11 @ 3:09PM
Regardless who wins the battle, the American people are angry. That is bad news for their enemies, because if Americans are pushed too far--look out! And as Rush Limbaugh says, Americans DON'T like to lose.
This is not Russia or even Europe, where people meekly acquiesce when the tyrants "win." Meaning we are likely (hopefully) watching the increasingly death throes of a vile, underhanded, it might even be said evil, movement.
Anita| 2.28.11 @ 3:19PM
Why didn't he use an Executive Order as the Governor of Indiana did. Save a lot of liberal bs and money
Melvin| 2.28.11 @ 3:38PM
There is another idea that we in this Country need to look at. Privatizing educators and administrators. They schools would still be public schools with state oversight, but the educators and administrators would be the ones doing the actual teaching.
This would be a plus because privatised teachers would be held to a higher educational standard, and that higher standard would reflect in students scores.
If a privatized teacher is an under performer he or she could be immediately replaced by the private contractor.
Privatizing the teachers and administrators would take all the union, social engineering, and sub standard teaching completely out of the mix.
MikeD| 2.28.11 @ 9:01PM
There is absolutely no provision for public education in the Constitution. Eliminate them all and give it to private industry.
I remember, back before the Civil War when I taught science for a few years. I committed the unpardonable sin of advocating for vouchers. One of the teachers had the gall to tell me:
"Yeah!, You can call for vouchers. You know your subject and the kids and parents like you. You'll always have students. but what about me? I wouldn't have anybody in my class. The kids hate me and I hate them. Is that fair?"
This is NOT a fabrication.
sestamibi| 2.28.11 @ 4:26PM
Somehow, when I think of "resort", "Rockford" is not the term that immediately comes to mind.
Dave| 2.28.11 @ 5:07PM
But who is paying the bills? I assume "resort" does not equal "Motel-6" and therefore there is some expense involved. Following the money could be very interesting.
MikeD| 2.28.11 @ 9:03PM
Cancel their credit cards and cell phones. Stop their pay. Take any state automobiles and declare any Wisconsin state car taken out of the state stolen and put out an alert through the FBI since the car would have been taken across state lines. Make them suffer!
Tea Party| 3.1.11 @ 2:28AM
The A G Van Hollan has already said he will not implement Obamacare after the Federal Judge declared it to be unconstitutional. He said the Supremes have to determine the issue.
The Senators have to come back to Wisconsin and pick up their checks in the Senate Chamber
before the Senators who stayed and did their
jobs. They are usually paid by direct deposit, but
that will end the beginning of this next month for the Fleebaggers.
John Navratil| 3.1.11 @ 11:25AM
Tea Party,
That should be a sight. The Senate version of a perp walk.
Creative Recreation | 8.11.11 @ 2:38AM
is good
Creative Recreation | 8.11.11 @ 2:40AM
is good