Indiana Wants Me (Lord I Can't Go Back There)
R. Dean Taylor, the Motown recording artist, probably never realized that his 1970 hit song about a man on the run from Indiana lawmen would one day apply to the state's elected Democrats. Unfortunately, my satirical post the other day on a burgeoning new market for interstate liberal representative exchange is looking prophetic. From today's Indianapolis Star (H/T Matt Drudge):
Seats on one side of the Indiana House were nearly empty today as House Democrats departed the the state rather than vote on anti-union legislation.
A source tells the Indianapolis Star that Democrats are headed to Illinois, though it was possible some also might go to Kentucky. They need to go to a state with a Democratic governor to avoid being taken into police custody and returned to Indiana.
The House came into session twice this morning, with only three of the 40 Democrats present. Those were needed to make a motion, and a seconding motion, for any procedural steps Democrats would want to take to ensure Republicans don’t do anything official without quorum.
With only 58 legislators present, there was no quorum present to do business. The House needs 67 of its members to be present.
"Yes we can!" ignore the will of the people. Being a liberal means never being on the losing side of, well, anything, apparently.
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May '10
Re: Indiana Wants Me (Lord I Can't Go Back There)
The only thing worse than a Democrat is someone else's Democrat. I hope the residents of whatever towns these negligent representatives are hiding in make them feel unwelcome.
Re: Indiana Wants Me (Lord I Can't Go Back There)
This is further evidence for my hypothesis that Karl Rover, that evil genius, has managed to take over the Democratic Party. This sort of childishness is not apt to win the hearts and minds of Hoosiers.
Keep in mind that in 2008 Obama took Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana. He and his minions are clearly plotting to make these places permanent bastions of Republicanism. Obama is the gift that keeps on giving.
May '10
Re: Indiana Wants Me (Lord I Can't Go Back There)
Looks like we need some more "Milk Carton" ad's for the Indiana Democrats.
Dec '10
Re: Indiana Wants Me (Lord I Can't Go Back There)
I think I remember hearing that Mitch Daniels would be on the podcast soon. If so, tell him not bothering running for President. Coming out AGAINST the right-to-work bill in Indiana (?!?!) makes him DOA in the Republican primaries. Stupid, stupid decision.
Jun '10
Re: Indiana Wants Me (Lord I Can't Go Back There)
Is it within the legal purview of the governors of Wisconsin, Indiana and wherever else this may occur to hire bounty hunters? If so, perhaps it can be turned into a reality show: America's Most Wanted Democrats..."Have you seen this Indiana State Senator in your neighborhood? If so, call our toll-free hotline at..."
I really do like the idea of producing wanted posters for these fugitives from democracy and plastering their mugs on bus sides, bus stops, or at liquor stores, resort hotels, bars, and "gentlemen's clubs" where these servants of the people may be inclined to seek refuge.
Re: Indiana Wants Me (Lord I Can't Go Back There)
Uh oh. Brian, you must realize that "wanted posters" would be uncivil and threatening. You'd be certain to hear from President Obama about your violent tone, unlike all those civil Wisconsin public employees calmly exercising their free speech rights on a pleasant winter afternoon. (H/T NewsRealBlog)
Jun '10
Re: Indiana Wants Me (Lord I Can't Go Back There)
George Savage
Uh oh. Brian, you must realize that "wanted posters" would be uncivil and threatening. You'd be certain to hear from President Obama about your violent tone, unlike all those civil Wisconsin public employees calmly exercising their free speech rights on a pleasant winter afternoon. (H/T NewsRealBlog) · Feb 22 at 2:00pm
Edited on Feb 22 at 02:01 pm
We can print them in pastel colors and add a decorative floral design.
Re: Indiana Wants Me (Lord I Can't Go Back There)
Brian Watt
George Savage
Uh oh. Brian, you must realize that "wanted posters" would be uncivil and threatening. You'd be certain to hear from President Obama about your violent tone, unlike all those civil Wisconsin public employees calmly exercising their free speech rights on a pleasant winter afternoon. (H/T NewsRealBlog) · Feb 22 at 2:00pm
Edited on Feb 22 at 02:01 pm
We can print them in pastel colors and add a decorative floral design. · Feb 22 at 2:16pm
This is wonderful. The caption under the picture could read, "Fugitive from His Legislative Responsibilities.
Re: Indiana Wants Me (Lord I Can't Go Back There)
I have grave doubts about Daniels' candidacy -- which I will air before long -- and I support the Right to Work. But I think that Daniels may be doing the right thing here. His point is that this was not what the Republicans ran on in 2010 and that an issue like this should be settled by way of an election that turns on the question. I have no idea whether the Indiana constitution allows for initiative and referendum. If it does, this is a matter that could be put to the people. The ensuing debate would be a good thing. Let me add that, after many attempts, those in Oklahoma favoring Right to Work eventually won.
Oct '10
Re: Indiana Wants Me (Lord I Can't Go Back There)
Without going to the expense of posters and ads....
You know where they are, innundate them with loads disposable diapers where you find them. Unsoiled, that is. Should make for interesting headlines....
Edited on Feb 22, 2011 at 3:09pmDec '10
Re: Indiana Wants Me (Lord I Can't Go Back There)
Paul A. Rahe
I have grave doubts about Daniels' candidacy -- which I will air before long -- and I support the Right to Work. But I think that Daniels may be doing the right thing here. His point is that this was not what the Republicans ran on in 2010 and that an issue like this should be settled by way of an election that turns on the question. I have no idea whether the Indiana constitution allows for initiative and referendum. If it does, this is a matter that could be put to the people. The ensuing debate would be a good thing. Let me add that, after many attempts, those in Oklahoma favoring Right to Work eventually won.
Aren't legislatures allowed to take up legislation that wasn't in either party's platform before the last election? (UK commentors are criticizing Cameron for pushing non-manifesto legislation, too.)
Dec '10
Re: Indiana Wants Me (Lord I Can't Go Back There)
Doesn't this pretty much cement in the minds of voters which party is the party of government shutdowns?
Nov '10
Re: Indiana Wants Me (Lord I Can't Go Back There)
Fleeing Democrat Syndrome seems made for a little good-natured videography. I can't do this because I'm on the west coast - and I have a job I'd get fired from if I just decided not to show up - but can we get a few conservative college students out there with video cameras?
Any time one of these guys pokes his head up, there should be a camera pointed at him, held by someone asking when he plans on going back, and why isn't he doing the peoples' business, how he thinks we can keep doing business as usual with the unions, and all that. Whatever he stammers out as he ducks back under cover, it goes right on YouTube.
It wouldn't make these people act any more ethically, but it'd be fun.
Re: Indiana Wants Me (Lord I Can't Go Back There)
Stuart Creque
Paul A. Rahe
I have grave doubts about Daniels' candidacy -- which I will air before long -- and I support the Right to Work. But I think that Daniels may be doing the right thing here. His point is that this was not what the Republicans ran on in 2010 and that an issue like this should be settled by way of an election that turns on the question. I have no idea whether the Indiana constitution allows for initiative and referendum. If it does, this is a matter that could be put to the people. The ensuing debate would be a good thing. Let me add that, after many attempts, those in Oklahoma favoring Right to Work eventually won.
Aren't legislatures allowed to take up legislation that wasn't in either party's platform before the last election? (UK commentors are criticizing Cameron for pushing non-manifesto legislation, too.) · Feb 22 at 3:28pm
Major changes should be fought over at the polls.
Dec '10
Re: Indiana Wants Me (Lord I Can't Go Back There)
Paul A. Rahe
Stuart Creque
.
Aren't legislatures allowed to take up legislation that wasn't in either party's platform before the last election? (UK commentors are criticizing Cameron for pushing non-manifesto legislation, too.) · Feb 22 at 3:28pm
Major changes should be fought over at the polls. · Feb 22 at 4:39pm
The people of Indiana elected this crop of legislators to represent them. Unless the Republican legislators conspired to hide their preference for right-to-work laws during the campaign, shouldn't their judgment as the representatives of their constituents be sufficient when considering new legislation?
Apparently Indiana allows referenda -- but only as legislatively-referred constitutional amendments. So the Legislature still has to act in order to put the question to a direct vote of the people.
Oct '10
Re: Indiana Wants Me (Lord I Can't Go Back There)
I don't think the issue is right to work. To me, the issue is whether public sector unions should exist and continue to operate as they do today. Unlike private sector unions, there is no check and balance: union dues fund successful campaigns for the people they negotiate with, who then agree to fiscally unsound benefits and retirement amounts with no taxpayer accountability. I'm not familiar with the 2010 election campaigns in Indiana, so I'll defer to Governor Daniels on this, and his state is not in the desperate financial shape that Wisconsin is. This topic will surely be discussed during the 2012 campaign in many states.
Jun '10
Re: Indiana Wants Me (Lord I Can't Go Back There)
From The Daily Caller:
Daniels also seemed to say that Democrats fleeing the state was a “perfectly legitimate part of the process,” which is how he described the “activities of today.”
Ack! Perhaps Peter can do the calculus on this but I'm not sure how this doesn't effectively cripple Mitch Daniels' ability to get the Republican nomination. Frankly, I'm a bit flummoxed that he would say such a thing. It's the last thing that conservatives in general or the Tea Party movement in particular want to hear. Not a time to go all wobbly. I much prefer Scott Walker's toughness to Daniels' taffy-ness. Perhaps the good governor can do some 'splainin' on the next Podcast.
Edited on Feb 22, 2011 at 6:58pmRe: Indiana Wants Me (Lord I Can't Go Back There)
Al, that's my main beef as well. Public sector unions are often the largest single financial force in a statewide campaign. Compulsory dues are recycled into the campaigns of the very "taxpayers' representatives" with whom the union bosses then negotiate the next contract. Seems like a straightforward conflict-of-interest to me.
The more immediate problem is that contracts negotiated a decade or so ago when the economy was doing fine are now "unsustainable"--not in the murky out-years, but right now, today.
Oct '10
Re: Indiana Wants Me (Lord I Can't Go Back There)
George Savage
Al, that's my main beef as well. Public sector unions are often the largest single financial force in a statewide campaign. Compulsory dues are recycled into the campaigns of the very "taxpayers' representatives" with whom the union bosses then negotiate the next contract. Seems like a straightforward conflict-of-interest to me.
The more immediate problem is that contracts negotiated a decade or so ago when the economy was doing fine are now "unsustainable"--not in the murky out-years, but right now, today. · Feb 22 at 7:08pm
George Savage
The more immediate problem is that contracts negotiated a decade or so ago when the economy was doing fine are now "unsustainable"--not in the murky out-years, but right now, today. · Feb 22 at 7:08pm
George, unfortunately you are correct. The situation is different in each municipality and state, but many are facing very difficult times. There is an excellent article in National Affairs summarizing these problems if you haven't seen it. http://www.nationalaffairs.com/publications/detail/the-states-in-crisis
Nov '10
Re: Indiana Wants Me (Lord I Can't Go Back There)
Brian Watt: From The Daily Caller:
Ack! Perhaps Peter can do the calculus on this but I'm not sure how this doesn't effectively cripple Mitch Daniels' ability to get the Republican nomination.
This is the point I've been making for days now. The issue is not backing off on Right to Work, which I understand is not a priority, the issue is legitimizing the walk-out.
While I always thought the social issue truce was overblown (it always struck me as the sort of "I won't bring it up if you don't" deal I have with my transgender friend rather than the surrender it's been made out to be) the combination of the two issues certainly paints "squish" in huge red letters over Daniels's face.