I Am What Democracy Looks Like

Usually my posts are light hearted, jovial and about sports, but not today my guests.  Not today because my state, my city, where I vote is the back drop for a huge political showdown.  Maybe you've heard.  For the past week tens of thousands of Wisconsin residents and supporters from surrounding states have flocked to their capitol, with Saturday's protests estimated at almost 70,000 people, to voice their disapproval of Governor Scott Walker's controversial budget repair bill that would among other things significantly hamper the strength of several public workers unions (including teachers) by taking away their ability to collectively bargain on everything except salary (which also would be limited), not allow unions to automatically deduct union wages from members pay and force union members to vote on union certification every year.  The bill would also have a large impact on Medicaid, the state's health plan for the poor, elderly and disabled by kicking almost 50,000 residents off the plan and granting unprecedented authority of the program to the Department of Health Services, and to the Joint Finance Committee to make "emergency rules.".  All 14 Democratic senators have left the state to prevent the quarom needed to pass a financial bill.

Wisconsinites shouldn't feel special.  Big corporate interest from both in and out of state are just trying to put us in our place, just like they did with our elected governor.  Only instead of granting us power and wealth they are foolishly trying to beat us down in to shanty towns.

The state of Wisconsin is facing a 137 million dollar short budget shortfall.  Before coming after the poor and working classes of Wisconsin for this money, Walker signed off on 117 million dollars in tax breaks for businesses and health care savings accounts.  Walker claims the moves are to promote job growth in Wisconsin.  Fine, now do mind tell us why you want all the jobs to suck?  I'm not over the top pro union, but I'm also not anti and I believe unions are important in setting a standard of working conditions and wages that pressures non union competition to follow suit or at least stay with in the ballpark.  Walker says he needs to take away the unions collective bargaining rights to allow local municipalities, that are about to experience funding cuts, the flexibility to manage their workforce.  If Walker really is the golden boy with the vision and plan to get Wisconsin back on track, then in budget years going forward conditions should improve, right?  Then guess who no longer has the flexibility to renegotiate their benefits and working conditions?

Politicians and their corporate masters have long been dipping their hands where they don't belong and it's relatively alarming that it has taking so long for the public to voice their rage with such force.  There was no huge public outcry when in 2009 Mercury Marine leveraged the threat of moving jobs from Fon Du Lac to Stillwater, Oklahoma to get deep concessions from their workers union.  The real mistake the Republicans made was firing a shot that hit our kids in the head.  Pick on people's kids' education and they get pissed.  Plus the Governor doesn't have the leverage to move these jobs to Oklahoma (he'll just drive quality teachers to states that will respect them) and the teachers union has the muscle to put serious pressure on citizens by making them take care of their own damn kids.

I'm not afraid of taxes.  I like quality public services.  I happen to like it when my income, sales and capital gains tax dollars go to education, health care, health care workers, fire departments, road maintenance and my less fortunate neighbors.  I get real sick of being asked to pull my weight and seeing Walker's Kochsucking cronies reap the benefits.

I hate to be a kill joy, but it seems that this bill will pass.  The Republicans have the votes they need, they don't give a crap about the mass protests and the Democratic senators can't stay in Illinois forever.  The heartening part is corporate interests can't really stand up to the people, the people just need to be doing this at the right time.

I was at the protests on Saturday and much to my surprise my favorite sign was held by a Tea Party supporter that read "Elections are what democracy looks like".  This budget bill attack on the working class is a well organized and prepared effort by the conservatives looking to broaden their power and make the protests (while awe inspiring and an important arm of the democratic process) look like a pathetic flailing by contrast.  Don't forget what is happening.  Seize this energy and passion and sign the recall petitions and support public worker strikes.  When the 2012 elections come around take time to learn about the candidates.  Don't like the candidates?  Understandable.  Get involved in your community and find people who think like you think and share your beliefs  Identify leaders in your community you would want in public office and most importantly vote!  If you don't your corporate overlords will be happy to do it for you.

Here are links to a couple really cool videos documenting the protests in Madison.  In state guests already know, but for my out of state guests can see first hand the passion and spirit of Wisconsinites that make the state the standard bearer in the fight to save America.