Can Anyone Tell Me What's Happening in Wisconsin's 71 *Other* Counties?
In Wisconsin, public school teachers are still calling in sick to skip out on school, throng the state capitol, and protest Gov. Scott Walker's plans to require them to contribute more to their own health care and pension plans. But as best I can tell from reading the news reports, school closures are concentrated in Madison itself, with schools operating normally--and, apparently, with most teachers still turning up to do their jobs--in the rest of the state.
A summary of where matters stand, followed by a question--a plea, really--for any Ricochetians in the Midwest.
Where we stand:
- Running for governor last year, Republican Scott Walker explained that the state was broke, then outlined what he would do about it, including his plans for dealing with teachers and other state employees. Although polls indicate that Democrats outnumber Republicans in Wisconsin by some 36 to 24 percent, Walker won the election, defeating his Democratic opponent, Tom Barrett, by 52 to 46 percent.
- Walker's election doesn't appear to have depended on his personality, to have represented some sort of fluke, to to have taken place in a way that can be written off or ignored. To the contrary. It represented part of a massive shift in voter sentiment. Before election day last year, Wisconsin had two Democratic senators, a five to three advantage for Democrats in the House delegation, a Democratic governor and Democratic majorities in both houses of the legislatures. After the election Wisconsin had a split Senate delegation, a five to three advantage for Republicans in the House delegation, a Republican governor--Walker--and Republican majorities in both houses--I repeat, both houses--of the state legislature. As you'll see on the Associated Press's electoral map, most of Wisconsin's 72 counties went Republican red. (Madison is located in Dane County, in the center of the state's southern tier.)
- Teachers, who are paid by the people of Wisconsin, are now calling in sick to engage in political protests. That is, they're continuing to draw their salaries--which is money taken from the people of Wisconsin--to oppose the governor and legislature the people of Wisconsin just elected.
- According to news reports this morning, the teachers are being joined by hundreds--perhaps thousands--of students, many of whom attend the University of Wisconsin, located right there in Madison. The people of Wisconsin are subsidizing the education of these students, in other words, and the students are repaying them by, again, cutting classes to oppose the officials the people just elected.
- The Democrats in the Senate have fled the state, preventing a quorum, while--see the pattern?--continuing to draw their salaries, of some $50,000 a year and their office allowances of more than $30,000 a year.
The press is concentrating all its coverage on Madison. That's where the protests are taking place. That's where the embattled Gov. Walker emerges from time to time to issue another calm, but defiant statement. But Madison, the home of state employees and the faculty and staff of the University of Wisconsin, is surely wholly unrepresentative of the state as a whole. I just have to believe that a lot of folks in Green Bay and Oshkosh and Racine and Kenosha are just furious.
Whereas the press is portraying Gov. Walker as embattled, to put it another way, my hunch is that out in the rest of the state his support is growing--and becoming more intensely committed to him by the hour.
Which brings me to my question:
Is there anyone who can tell us what's taking place in the rest of Wisconsin?
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Comments :
Jun '10
Re: Can Anyone Tell Me What's Happening in Wisconsin's 71 *Other* Counties?
Well, Peter, we may find out how much support there is for the governor and the Republican legislators tomorrow. Tea Party Patriots has just called for a rally at the state capitol building at high noon (how fitting). As I commented on my own post earlier, I just wonder whether Al Jazeera will cover it live.
Re: Can Anyone Tell Me What's Happening in Wisconsin's 71 *Other* Counties?
Are you in Madison, Brian? Do we know anyone of any Ricochetians who are? Man, would I love to have someone posting from that rally tomorrow!
Jun '10
Re: Can Anyone Tell Me What's Happening in Wisconsin's 71 *Other* Counties?
Peter Robinson
Are you in Madison, Brian? Do we know anyone of any Ricochetians who are? Man, would I love to have someone posting from that rally tomorrow! · Feb 18 at 10:50am
Afraid not, Peter. Securely ensconced in my suburban bunker in somewhat sunny Southern California. Behind the Orange Curtain actually. I'll be looking for any photos or videos from any of the Tea Party sites as they come in. If it gets interesting, I'm sure something is bound to pop up on Breitbart TV.
Oct '10
Re: Can Anyone Tell Me What's Happening in Wisconsin's 71 *Other* Counties?
Another question for those with boots on the ground; what do the people in Wisconsin think about the Obama political machine opposing the will of the people of Wisconsin as reflected in their choice of a Republican governor and a legislature with a near Republican majority?
Sep '10
Re: Can Anyone Tell Me What's Happening in Wisconsin's 71 *Other* Counties?
Dane County and Milwaukee County are the two lefty population centers in the state. Everywhere else is moderate to conservative. Many of the outstate moderates are historical Democrat voters because of ties to private sector unions. Over the last decade or so the private sector unions have had to engage in major concessions in order to protect their jobs. This last election was an awakening for many of those moderate voters in realizing that they share no common bond with unionized public employees who make no such concessions. My sense is that these protests are simply driving down the opinion of public employees even further.
There is almost no support for teachers abdicating their responsibility to the kids. Even the Democrat Mayor of Milwaukee (who lost to Walker in November) has chastised the teachers.
I also want to point out that the deep red slice on that map between Madison and Milwaukee is one of the most conservative areas you'll find in America. These people are the Tea Partiers that led the Republican resurgency in November, and they'll make their voices heard tomorrow.
Nov '10
Re: Can Anyone Tell Me What's Happening in Wisconsin's 71 *Other* Counties?
I moved out of WI 5 years ago, and am only in touch with people who are apolitical or lefty. One of my friends posted a link to this article on facebook, with a comment about her children's teacher "standing up for what is right." Sigh. I need a way to meet more like-minded people.
Re: Can Anyone Tell Me What's Happening in Wisconsin's 71 *Other* Counties?
Mark Belling Fan: My sense is that these protests are simply driving down the opinion of public employees even further.
There is almost no support for teachers abdicating their responsibility to the kids. Even the Democrat Mayor of Milwaukee (who lost to Walker in November) has chastised the teachers.
I also want to point out that the deep red slice on that map between Madison and Milwaukee is one of the most conservative areas you'll find in America. These people are the Tea Partiers that led the Republican resurgency in November, and they'll make their voices heard tomorrow. · Feb 18 at 10:58am
Very, very good to hear. And you obviously have a knowledgeable feel for Wisconsin politics. Could you do us a favor? Could you keep posting? And bring to our attention any items folks at Ricochet ought to see? My feeling is that what's taking place in Madison is a very, very big deal. We're witnessing the first battle of the counterrevolution.
May '10
Re: Can Anyone Tell Me What's Happening in Wisconsin's 71 *Other* Counties?
I've been thinking the Tea Party needs to respond to this, and respond to it FORCEFULLY. As in-your-face as these union people are (while still being polite).
I'm just afraid that not enough people with normal jobs won't be able to get time away to give a good show of force.
Edited on Feb 18, 2011 at 11:36amMay '10
Re: Can Anyone Tell Me What's Happening in Wisconsin's 71 *Other* Counties?
I teach 8th grade civics and US history in Wisconsin. I'm about 90 minutes from Madison. I have no plans to attend the rally. My colleagues know I'm politically conservative but that has not harmed any personal or professional relationships to date. Some of them have asked me what I think. It's touchy because a majority have not previously followed WI's budget woes all that closely to know how things have gotten this bloated throughout the entirety of the budget. The union just had eight years of a friendly governor that it bankrolled. Where were the smart people to see the wreck coming and craft a less stark solution from the political inside? That's the only thing I've asked a few colleagues who've sought my thoughts. I'm concluding that it's best to humbly and respectfully go along teaching and not discuss it at work. Relationships could easily strain. Eventually things will go back to some semblance of normalcy and I prefer not to sully relationships during emotionally charged times where chances at understanding are slim.
Edited on Feb 26, 2011 at 3:15amRe: Can Anyone Tell Me What's Happening in Wisconsin's 71 *Other* Counties?
I'm in Minnesota, but our metro area sprawls all the way across the border to Hudson, Wisconsin, where Friday classes were cancelled because teachers called in sick en masse, and there weren't enough "qualified substitutes."
I think they mean "credentialed," which is a different matter.
Sep '10
Re: Can Anyone Tell Me What's Happening in Wisconsin's 71 *Other* Counties?
I think they mean "credentialed," which is a different matter.
I think that's code for tart. Or tartan. Or tartanesque, which is like Montesquieu minus the writing.
Aug '10
Re: Can Anyone Tell Me What's Happening in Wisconsin's 71 *Other* Counties?
I'm mostly chuckling at the "eliminationist" rhetoric coming from the Madison protestors after a whole month of being lectured about "civility" and the fact that I am still (most recently this morning) getting email bulletins from AAUP (i.e., the national professors union) referring to Tucson as the fruits of (right-wing) incivility.
Sep '10
Re: Can Anyone Tell Me What's Happening in Wisconsin's 71 *Other* Counties?
What’s happening in WI? The Democrats are shooting themselves in the foot. I hope these demonstrations go on for a month.
May '10
Re: Can Anyone Tell Me What's Happening in Wisconsin's 71 *Other* Counties?
We MUST win this fight if we want to have any meager hope at controlling the budget. Here are a couple of articles from The Economist that illustrate why:
Essentially, it's not just necessary to negotiate cuts with the unions. The problem is structural.
They have key advantages that private-sector unions do not have, which give them more bargaining power. They can, if they strike, shut down an entire city. Their employers in the government are more willing to give them benefits such as better retirement packages that will take effect long after the politicians are out of office.
To solve this problem, we must solve the structural advantage the public-sector unions have. I know that many union members will feel it is an attack on them, but no-- it is an attempt to rebalance the power between the union heads and the public who must pay for them.
After all, public servants serve the public, not the other way around!
May '10
Re: Can Anyone Tell Me What's Happening in Wisconsin's 71 *Other* Counties?
A great comment on the last article I cited "(Government) workers of the world, unite!" reads in part:
...I worked in the public sector union for 15 years, then moved to management for 6 years before leaving for the private sector. I struggled with... losing the security, pension, and other benefits, but just couldn't stand the environment... My personal, general observations. Public sector union employees:
In my opinion, public sector unions are now doing more harm than good for both the US and its members, most of whom work in quiet desperation shackled by their golden handcuffs.
Oct '10
Re: Can Anyone Tell Me What's Happening in Wisconsin's 71 *Other* Counties?
Chris Deleon: We MUST win this fight if we want to have any meager hope at controlling the budget. Here are a couple of articles from The Economist that illustrate why:
Essentially, it's not just necessary to negotiate cuts with the unions. The problem is structural.
They have key advantages that private-sector unions do not have, which give them more bargaining power. They can, if they strike, shut down an entire city. Their employers in the government are more willing to give them benefits such as better retirement packages that will take effect long after the politicians are out of office.
To solve this problem, we must solve the structural advantage the public-sector unions have. I know that many union members will feel it is an attack on them, but no-- it is an attempt to rebalance the power between the union heads and the public who must pay for them.
After all, public servants serve the public, not the other way around! · Feb 18 at 12:23pm
And this is why the Wisconsin scenario is a brushfire before a national firestorm!
Jun '10
Re: Can Anyone Tell Me What's Happening in Wisconsin's 71 *Other* Counties?
My mentor coming up in the Army, Evan Wynn, is one of your new Assemblymen. He's in the 43rd district, I believe. I've sent him an email asking for a breakdown of the situation, which I'll share once I get it. I understand that he's a little busy right now, so bear with me.
Re: Can Anyone Tell Me What's Happening in Wisconsin's 71 *Other* Counties?
It wasn't so long ago that President Obama was lecturing Republicans about the policy consequences of losing an election. Now we see liberal ideology trumping democracy in Wisconsin. If Democrats win at the polls, well and good--send your opponents to the back of the policy bus--but when they lose, refuse to acknowledge the result. And always, always, always stay on offense.
So the ostensible everyman party is going to the mat to protect the right of Wisconsin state employees to compel everyone else to contribute to a guaranteed retirement virtually unknown in the private sector.
Edited on Feb 18, 2011 at 12:50pmSep '10
Re: Can Anyone Tell Me What's Happening in Wisconsin's 71 *Other* Counties?
Not in WI, but I will make a prediciton of what will happen after these large protests die down.
The unions will take out TV ads and buy billboard space (with blurred pictures of the Governor that look like he's yelling). There will be a union strike team (about 2 busses full) who will follow the Governor around erecting makeshift protests every where he goes (BTW the busses will drive in, park in an alley with motors running, unload, be there long enough to get the media to tape it for the nightly news, and be gone).
The cumulative effect of the protests will drive down the Governor's approval rating among independents who will be hoodwinked by a complacent media into thinking these protests represent popular discontent.
Anyway, that is how it worked in CA when I lived there and the Governor tried to change things. I would guess Walker (for now) has the legislature on his side which Arnold never did, but he will have to be tough to take the big dose of character assassination coming his way.
Re: Can Anyone Tell Me What's Happening in Wisconsin's 71 *Other* Counties?
Encouraging sign: I just received an email from my local Tea Party. There is now a Stand with Wisconsin Facebook page. There is also a web page listing email addresses for Governor Walker and the Republican state senators. The hope is that supporters will flood inboxes and thereby counter the taxpayer-funded malcontents milling around Madison.