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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsIncredible! Now Scott Walker Wants to Abolish a Statewide Elected Office
Incredible! Now Scott Walker Wants to Abolish a Statewide Elected OfficeThe antidemocratic governor wants to eliminate the Office of State Treasurer, and with it another potential check and balance on his authority.
By John Nichols YESTERDAY 3:44 PM
No governor in the United States has been so resolutely determined to structurally diminish democracy as Scott Walker.
Just last week, the hyper-partisan governor of Wisconsin was called out by a judge he had appointed for literally refusing to let Wisconsinites vote for their elected representatives. The governors rationale for failing to call special elections to fill vacant state legislative seats was so absurd that Dane County Circuit Judge Josann Reynolds dismissed it as inconsistent, incompatible and irreconcilable.
In ordering Walker to call the special elections for vacant State Assembly and State Senate seats, Judge Reynolds saw through the manufactured explanations for blocking elections that Republicans might lose and simply declared, To state the obvious, if the plaintiffs have a right to vote for their representatives, they must have an election to do so.
Logic and the law tripped Walker up and, thankfully, there was a judge to check and balance the governors antidemocratic impulses.
But sometimes the voters must take charge of checking and balancing gubernatorial power grabs.
https://www.thenation.com/article/incredible-now-scott-walker-wants-to-abolish-a-statewide-elected-office/
Angry Dragon
(36,693 posts)FakeNoose
(32,634 posts)Somebody has to fight this on behalf of Wisconsin voters. This shouldn't be a partisan issue either, it affects both parties.
workinclasszero
(28,270 posts)if they feel there's a chance they will lose.
Republicans are lawless and anti-democratic criminals, especially Walker.
FakeNoose
(32,634 posts)This is bigger than you think. Walker should not be allowed to get away with this.
If he can't uphold the state constitution, then he should resign.
workinclasszero
(28,270 posts)Jim Lane
(11,175 posts)It's apparently a proposed constitutional amendment that's on the ballot for April 3. You write that "Somebody has to fight this on behalf of Wisconsin voters." Those voters can fight it themselves, just by voting No.
If the procedure in Wisconsin is that the state Constitution can be amended by referendum (a not uncommon rule), then there would be no basis for a class action just because voters approve something we don't like.
dhill926
(16,337 posts)so his orders are coming from somewhere. Kochs? Mercers? All of the above?
workinclasszero
(28,270 posts)I think you have pointed out the powers behind King Walker's throne!
Hortensis
(58,785 posts)These stories always remind me of the comparison of Walker with the 13 characteristics of fascist governments. His behaviors matched on all 13.
workinclasszero
(28,270 posts)But...but...it can't happen here...right???
Hortensis
(58,785 posts)Not yet. The U.S. Constitution and much of the resultant body of federal laws makes sure of that. We can go "fascistic" in some respects, though, which partially answers the question of what's wrong with Wisconsin(ites)?
TheBlackAdder
(28,184 posts).
.
triron
(21,999 posts)procon
(15,805 posts)the disgusting foaming at the mouth madness that has infected Republicans. It's all about holding on to the waning political power of a party that has been in decline for years. Toward that goal, Republicans like Walker have conspired to consolidate their power in a fascist agreement between the wealthy few and the religious exploitation shills.
It isn't just Walker, it's every single Republican in the country, they want to secure their power by eliminating the competition and squelching any pretext at oversight that could check their corruption.