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I decided as soon as I saw how close the recent judicial race was, that even if Walker-connected Judge Prosser pulled ahead (which he has) the race is still a great victory for the people of Wisconsin.
First of all, I’d like to think most of us on both sides of the issue can agree with Rachel Maddow that it’s kind of “creepy” that citizens of Wisconsin and some other states ELECT their Supreme Court justices. This is exactly the kind of political controversy they should be shielded from, as most states do.
But that’s how it is in Wisconsin, and for that reason this judicial election became the first opportunity for impatient, angry Wisconsinites to express their fervent opposition to Governor Walker’s worker-crushing policies electorally. A “proxy” battle, this election was called.
Well, for a virtually unknown, inexperienced, and – OK – probably weak candidate like Ms. Kloppenburger to have come THIS close to beating the well-known and respected incumbent Judge Prosser, to have jumped from 15% to 50% of the vote in such a short time, – even despite being outspent by Koch-allied forces 3 to 2 at last count – is just amazing, and an unmistakable portent of the popular wrath to come.
Wisconsin is no longer making front-page news out here, but the people’s resistance to the Koch-Walker assault on their lives has not let up one iota. Yesterday a third anti-worker Senator qualified for recall – like the others, with WAY TOO MANY signatures.* (The goofy astroturf threats to recall Democratic Senators haven’t borne any fruit yet.)* Last week the 2008 nostalgia figurine Sarah Palin, in her bid to rally the anti-worker troops regain a smidgen of relevance for Herself, managed to draw as many protesters as bussed-in fans, the latter of whom strained in vain to decipher her chirpy blather over the former’s clamor. (Chirpy blather delivered from a podium reading “I Am Koch.”) And the Day of Judgment for Walker himself – January 2012 – draws ever more nigh.
My brother Crab (who will be blogging here soon as “Crab the Impaler”) speaks to working-class, blue-collar Wisconsinites every day as part of his job; they tell him that thanks to this corporatist overreach the GOP is dead in that state for at least a decade to come. And the Coffee Party is spreading all over the region with challenges to Ohio’s SB5 coming up in September, and a recall of Financial Martial Law artist Governor Snyder in Michigan. (If we could only get a little of that spirit in Costa Mesa right now!)
But the final, most decisive sign of Victory in Wisconsin HAS to be the Zombie Walk earlier this month in Mad-Town – even the Dead of the Badger State are rising to defend the long-suffering worker. [Best chants: “What do we want? BRAINS! When do we want ’em? BRAINS!” And the zombie-mouthed version of “This is what democracy looks like!” at around the 5-minute mark – unforgettable.]
* UPDATE Wednesday afternoon: Damn, this is moving fast! FIVE Republican anti-worker Senators sig-qualified for Recall, and a SIXTH expected by May 2. Meanwhile, ONE Democratic Senator has been qualified.
I respectfully disagree that there has been a victory for the people here in Wisconsin – Yes, the recent election has brought out a record number of voters for a spring election, but this record number of voters is still only around 30 – 35% of eligible voters. Yes, Prosser was elected 10 years ago with over 99% of the votes cast and this past election yeilded him roughly only 50 -51% of votes cast which does send a statement to the corporate elite; however the picture that emerged only serves to clarify how we have all lost in our pseudo “democratic” system.
Elections are decided well in advance by the global powers that be, they are a mere facade to placate the populace into believing that we continue to have a government “for the people and by the people” – the only way we will win is to Refuse, Resist, and Retake our power, our lives, and our destinies.
It has become evident that that the corporate elite and their puppet politicians and policy-makers are willing to go to whatever lengths necessary to further their own financial agendas via political and economic control – our only means of victory will be to resist in mass numbers and effort and be willing to retake by whatever means necessary.
“.. our only means of victory will be to resist in mass numbers .. and be willing to retake by whatever means necessary.”
“.. by whatever means necessary.” ………. sounds ominous – scary & threatening.
Wow, this is victory?? The left really does try to take Orwellian double speak to new levels. Just before the election Kloppenberg was supposed to win handily – I think that the supposed “union backlash” was not as strong as thought and that we will see even stronger anti-union support in the future.
Just before the election Kloppenberg was supposed to win handily…
Really, I don’t remember anyone ever saying that, it was always gonna be real close at best.
Not so much “Orwellian double-speak” as putting a bit of positive spin on things, with plenty of supporting material.
Good luck firing up your anti-worker troops to defend these 3 (or more) endangered Republican Senators, you’re gonna need it! Senate majority, here we come….
I’ve been a worker all of my life and the last thing I could be called is “anti-worker.” I am anti public union, since the union is far more about itself than it is its members and doesn’t have pesky profitability as a counterpressure against its greed.
Well if these unions are “far more about themselves” than they are about their worker members, then there sure are a hell of a lot of stupid manipulated workers on the streets and at the polls in Wisconsin! Nah…
“.. Not so much “Orwellian double-speak” as putting a bit of positive spin on things ..”
That comment sounds like Orwellian triple/quad speak Vern.
Or kind of like, “I would’ve won – if I didn’t get my ass kicked.”
Kloppenburg certainly did not get her ass kicked. Not like the Senators who are going to be recalled soon.
(and you conveniently left out my “with plenty of supporting material.”)
That election was a nail-biter alright! It still smells to Heaven “accidentally”failing to report 14,000 ballots, especially as the whole damned country was following every report. I see why Vern sees the silver lining in Kloppenberg’s defeat — folks are motivated to fight back. “Cept they do it legally, by voting. Those folks on the left, odious to the Willis/Junior crowd are exercising what little power ‘left’ nowadays.
Hey Anonymous — I get to feeling the same way as you described (so articulately), too. Let’s not lose heart. We’re on the right side of history (no pun intended). I’m truly grateful to the Madison protesters who kept the focus on these weasels!
Vern,
Three more Democratic Senators are likely to go on the chopping block as the signatures will be submitted today. The story has it 4-3 Republicans, but your numbers are close. And get this, they got the recall petition signatures without using forced union money – how about that!
http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/news/120293779.html
Yes, I heard last night – there will be three Dems looking at possible recall, thanks to out-of-state (Koch) money. I also heard that, unlike in the cases of the Reep-recalls, there is going to be a lot of controversy and the sigs may not qualify. Fraud. Felons collecting signatures. Stay tuned.
Can’t wait for the completely neutral and unbiased report.
From me? Expect bias. No lies though.
People being asked “Do you like [popular Dem Senator’s name}? Yes? Would you like to see him on the ballot? Then sign here!”
Bimbos in bars being bought a shot if they sign. “Sure! What are we signing again?” (This is on tape.)
LOL… Let’s see how it pans out.
You forgot to mention telephoning Republicans who signed the recall petition for Democratic senators through a fake number purporting to be from a hospital:
http://hotair.com/archives/2011/04/26/wisconsin-dems-using-dirty-tricks-against-people-who-signed-recall-petition-against-dem-senator/
Oh that’s right, that was the Democrats doing the shenanigans. No wonder you missed it.
Oh, and just for fun, guess who just passed a new law eliminating most of the heath care collective bargaining rights for public employees? That’s right – Massachusetts Democrats! So even Massachusetts Democrats admit that Scott Walker was right. You libs must feel like the world is crashing down around you:
http://hotair.com/archives/2011/04/27/latest-state-to-curtail-peu-bargaining-rights-is-massachusetts/
Oh, it’s nice that you’re more cynical than the right-wing Hot Air columnist himself, who wrote “I take [the Dems] at their word about the Bayview mix-up.”
That’s correct, I don’t believe a word of it.
Yeah, too bad the Hot Air writer is hobbled by logic, unlike you; as in: What would the Dems have to gain from calling Republicans from a hospital number?
No wonder I hadn’t heard of this story, it sounds like a whole bunch of nothing. It’s not even entertaining like the buying girls shots story.
Paula Was Here said:
“That election was a nail-biter alright! It still smells to Heaven “accidentally”failing to report 14,000 ballots ..”
So are you saying it is similar to the Franken v Coleman Minnesota Senate 2008 election?
“Since the initial counting of ballots on Election Day, caches of new Al Franken ballots have been mysteriously discovered on a regular basis.”
http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/more_franken_ballots_found/
Speaking of zombies, I love the look on her face (and the 13 second pause to go along) when she’s asked if she feels like she’s still the winner:
http://hotair.com/archives/2011/04/21/comedy-gold-the-13-second-pause/