"They are acting not as representatives of the people but as autocrats." (Capital Times, Madison)

[highplainsdem]

http://host.madison.com/ct/news/opinion/column/john_nichols/article_d496e77f-b66e-5f15-aa25-a244df95ce60.html


Scathing column on the fake "constitutional crisis" being created by Walker and Fitzgerald (WI Senate majority leader) and blamed on the Dems:

They are acting not as representatives of the people but as autocrats. We have seen this before. Back in 1798, in the first real constitutional crisis of the new American republic, President John Adams and his allies pursued political foes. Vermont Congressman Matthew Lyon was incarcerated, under the Alien and Sedition Acts, for criticizing Adams.

The voters of Vermont were offended, as were the American people. Thomas Jefferson sought the presidency in order to remove Adams, restore First Amendment rights and, in Jefferson’s words, end “the reign of the witches.” After a contested election, he was elected by the U.S. House, with Lyon casting a deciding vote in Jefferson’s favor.

America’s constitutional crisis was over.

Wisconsin does not have a constitutional crisis, at least for now. But the assault on the document by Walker and Fitzgerald ought not be forgotten. Their insult to the Legislature and the constitution merits the same fate that was accorded Adams: swift removal from positions of public trust.

[Celtic Raven]

1. K&R

:kick:

[lunatica]

2. I believe that's what's happening now

The people of Wisconsin have already started recall procedures against 4 Republican legislators there. I'm sure Walker will be recalled next year and meantime he's hamstrung no matter what he does. If he wants to make laws off the top of his head to control the Democrats and the people they will probably be struck down by the courts or simply repealed through the next elections when the Democrats get a majority.

People are on to them now.