On Wisconsin
Today was a big day for Wisconsin. I wonder, however, whether it's not also a big day for American politics. Plainly the left believes that Wisconsin is the GOP/Conservative version of ObamaCare, something that overreached, and has now rallied a demoralized (Democratic) base, and will be repudiated. The picture in the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinal suggests as much (we shall overcome):
It's possible. But I wonder. I'm not so sure the traditional imagery of left-wing agitation helps the cause here. It also seems to ignore a central question: Will Wisconsin -- and the other newly all-GOP midwestern states (that is, GOP governor plus both houses) -- improve? And will Illinois, the state that opted to stay completely Democratic, get worse? Methinks yes on both counts. That's a difference with health care: the more we know, the more unpopular it seems to get. If these states improve, the GOP governors are going to be heroes.
I also think it has in a stroke changed the political landscape. Just as the tea parties and 2010 made everyone from the last go-around (Romney, Huckabee, et al) look like re-treads, I wonder if the next two elections won't in some ways be pre- and post-Walker. Which is to say that if things get better there, people in other states will raise demands on their own governors -- as well as raising the bar for a GOP presidential nominee.
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Jun '10
Re: On Wisconsin
I'll bet not a single one of these teachers will allow their students to play dodge ball. Wouldn't want to hurt anyone's self-esteem.
On the other hand, it looks like they're really good at performance art. After a few years teaching your kids to make human peace signs, you should be able to retire with full benefits.
Edited on Mar 10, 2011 at 3:15pmRe: On Wisconsin
I'd agree with every word of this, Bill. Even out here in California, where the Republicans in the state legislature represent a tiny and embattled minority, Scott Walker has had an effect. According to Jerry Brown's original plan, the legislature was supposed to approve his budget today--this very day. Instead? Katy Grimes of the indispensable Cal Watchdog:
For one reason or another--but again, it's my guess that Scott Walker has given the good guys in Sacramento some hope, and some courage--Gov. Brown has decided he can't just roll the Republicans as planned.
May '10
Re: On Wisconsin
If this is an overreach that can successfully be countered by the Left, we are toast. If it is a victory for our side, we might have just a bare fraction of a fighting chance. Barely.
Feb '11
Re: On Wisconsin
The left failed, and now they get to experience the same sort of unhappiness conservatives felt every time the GOP failed to stop the democrats on any given issue.
I'm sure the activists think this is the beginning of a great struggle to reclaim all that matters but activists always think that way. That's why they're called activists.
What the Wisconsin GOP did to the unions will make life worse for almost no one, whereas Obamacare will negatively impact nearly everyone. That's why Obamacare is still a live issue, and not because conservative activists went nuts about it. Regular people were moved to object, and still are.
So if the left really thinks people are going to react the way they reacted to Obamacare they're nuts. There just aren't enough people directly impacted
May '10
Re: On Wisconsin
Double post.
Edited on Mar 10, 2011 at 3:38pmMay '10
Re: On Wisconsin
Triple post.
Edited on Mar 10, 2011 at 3:35pmJun '10
Re: On Wisconsin
This is why they have signs in National Forests that say "Don't Feed the Wildlife." If you make a habit of feeding wild animals, then after awhile, the animals get aggressive and just knock you over, looking for the food. "Where's the food?" In Nature, and in the public sector, it's much easier to steal someone else's lunch than find your own.
May '10
Re: On Wisconsin
Quadruple post. Editors feel free to delete.
Edited on Mar 10, 2011 at 3:42pmDec '10
Re: On Wisconsin
From my vantage in Wisconsin, it appears that the GOP has weathered this storm very well. Although the polls suggest some backlash, the sense on the ground and from the representatives themselves (when they have visited their districts over the last three weeks) is that there is a lot of support. As Xennady suggests the daily impact of this bill will not be that great for most citizens and the media will move on to other issues very soon. The left will try to keep the issue alive with recall efforts but from my reading of the districts, the republicans being recalled are much less vulnerable than the democrats who are going to be recalled for leaving the state. We may end up with MORE republicans in the state senate.
Dec '10
Re: On Wisconsin
The next interesting issue will be how the local school districts and municipalities handle the huge cuts coming soon. Right now, several (?many) are pushing through contract extensions for their union friends which will make the budget battles ahead very entertaining. Our local school board is beginning to digest the substantial increase in power they will have. In the past, they've expected parents to do fundraisers, they've put fees on everything from sports to field trips, they've let retirements and attrition deplete orchestra and band programs, and they've raised our property taxes while maintaining the teachers' benefits. I for one won't stand for that anymore.
May '10
Re: On Wisconsin
The contrast between the GOP and the Democrats in Wisconsin's Senate couldn't be more striking. The GOP stood their ground and, after weeks of waiting for the Democrats to play ball, used an available legal avenue to pass a serious bill. The Democrats ran away and seem to pride themselves on the fact that they haven't come back.
If the left thinks this plays well outside of the union demographic, they're in for a rude awakening! The average fair-minded citizen's sympathy for the "unappreciated" public worker cannot possibly increase with time, details, derelict senators, and union mob footage.
Jan '11
Re: On Wisconsin
Ode to a Badger, by Freesmith
Wisconsin in springtime
Is it just me,
or isn't this a perfect time
for Voter ID?
May '10
Re: On Wisconsin