NYT: It’s Not Over in Wisconsin

[babylonsister]

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/11/opinion/11fri2.html?_r=1&ref=todayspaper

It’s Not Over in Wisconsin
Published: March 10, 2011

snip//

And, in doing so, they reluctantly exposed the real truth behind the maneuver: stripping the unions of their rights was never about the budget, especially once the unions had agreed to significant concessions on pensions and health care. It was always about politics. Governor Walker had hoped to hide behind a cooked-up budget crisis, but the fleeing Democrats at least succeeded in pulling away that facade.

Undermining public unions — and the support they give to Democrats — has been a long-sought goal of the Republican Party and many of its corporate backers. Koch Industries, one of the party’s biggest supporters, spent $1.2 million last year to help elect Mr. Walker and other Republican governors who want to eliminate or reduce bargaining rights. On Wednesday, the State Senate’s Republican leader, Scott Fitzgerald, told Fox News that if unions lose the battle for their rights, they would have less money to help President Obama win re-election.

snip//

More broadly, the overreach by Mr. Walker and Republicans elsewhere has finally revealed their true agenda to blue-collar voters who either voted for them last year or who stayed home. These voters are not going to benefit from a crippled union movement; they live next door to the teachers and nurses and D.M.V. clerks who are about to lose what little clout they had in the state capital. Many have suffered during the recession and have watched in pain as private-sector unions have been battered to the point of ineffectiveness.

They understand the power play that took place this week. The place to exercise some power of their own is at the voting booth.

[no_hypocrisy]

1. In the short-term, all things perfect, couldn't the republicans be recalled,

the democrats have the majority in both houses in Wisconsin's statehouse, they pass legislation reinstating collective bargaining, and we move on from there?

[babylonsister]

3. I only have read that Walker can't be recalled until at least 2012.

I don't know about other rethug pols. But that sounds good to me, and no doubt there will be some very long memories around the country to perhaps accomplish this or something similar.

[dragonlady]

8. Some recalls are starting now

Petitions are now being circulated against eight Republican state senators (all that can be recalled right now). In November, petitions can start for Walker and the lieutenant governor, other Republican senators, and perhaps some of the Assembly members (who are elected to two-year terms). By the way, the other side is also trying to recall eight of the brave Wisconsin 14 Democrats. That is nowhere as likely to succeed.

[babylonsister]

10. Thanks for the info. Outstanding! nt

[The Backlash Cometh]

5. I understand that the recall should take effect in 3 to 5 months.

[roguevalley]

11. they can be recalled and that should happen in a couple of months

according to people there, look for April to be fun.

[fasttense]

2. Remember

Remember remember the day Two Fifteen
Wisconsin protesters began to be seen.
They gave them a reason
that some would call treason
When a man named Scott Walker
killed middle class talkers.

[The Backlash Cometh]

4. No doubt this is the same reason that Rick Scott in Florida won't take the money for the sunrail.

He's stalling Obama's recovery attempts.

[babylonsister]

6. So Obama is moving on without him; sounds like Scott will

only be screwing the residents of FL, which will endear him to his constituents. :evilgrin:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=433x627247
LaHood puts Florida rail money up for grabs

[The Backlash Cometh]

7. Obama should move on and not wait for Scott, who is attempting a

stalling measure, claiming he won't make a decision until July.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x616243

[babylonsister]

9. Thanks for the link, hadn't seen that. So a rethug might be

flip-flopping? Quelle surprise. I hope this admin doesn't wait; LaHood has said April 4th is the deadline; hope he's serious.