I promise you I had every intention of posting a detailed breakdown of last night’s election results, but then I had a change of heart.
Instead, all you’re going to get from me today is one question:
How did we get here?
I have some ideas on how we got to this point, but those are ideas best left to be shared at a later date, so tell me what you think.
Smackdown of the Knuckle Draggers.
Head Knuckle dragger Richard Trumka, fit yourself with concrete goulashes and don’t let Wisconsins door hit your ass.
We got hear because a small majority thought there precious benefits were more important than the entire states well being. We got hear because the capital singers think their voices speak for all and reality is people are tired of temper tantrums. We got here because your leaders picked the most unqualified candidate in the history of ever. We got here because Wisconsin voters AGREE with whAt Scott walker has done.
Seriously?! You had so many grammatical errors in your response, I had to stop reading! Good god….were you kicked out of school?
SARCASM
The good news is that Gov. Walker has four more years to deliver on his 250,000 jobs promise.
/sarcasm
The biggest losers were all the wingnuts who claimed ad-nauseum about voter fraud. LMAO.
Unfortunately, those inconvenient facts won’t stop the oligarch’s march towards more intense voter suppression, voter ID,….
Never thought the national Dems wanted Burke to win. IMHO, their calculus was that Wisconsin’s ten electoral votes in 2016 would more easily go Democratic, if Scott Walker was still Governor.
How much Ms. Burke understood this is debateable. Now IMHO she’s the defacto leader (chief fundraiser) for Hillary 2016 campaign in Wisconsin. Her reward will be a plumb DC job in the Democratic administration (probably Commerce) in 2016. From there she will help Trek sell more bicycles. Suspect Mike Tate gets a similar reward.
Now, I expect a lot of John Doe emails to leak. The national Dem candidate (probably Hillary) wants to run against a weak and discredited Scott Walker in Wisconsin. Even more importantly, the other GOP candidates for President don’t want Scott Walker asking the oligarchs for contributions to his Presidential campaign run.
Think Wisconsin will get much federal help in the next two years?
I doubt it. Do national Dems “want” the Wisconsin economy to “tank,” so it’s easier, less expensive to campaign here? “Want” may be a touch strong, but it’s clearly in their interests.
” More Journal Sentinel Buyouts: At least a dozen more journalists are being let go. And insiders expect some editors will be added to list. ”
http://urbanmilwaukee.com/2014/10/17/back-in-the-news-more-journal-sentinel-layoffs/
My hope is that the JS will continue to press on “income inequality.” That has traction with the 99%. Low hanging fruit in the state is legalizing pot. There’s tremendous support all along the political and age spectrum. Ending “job-killing-government-regulations,” and ending the “nanny state,” are text book conservative issues. The tax revenue is needed to plug all the holes made by Gov. Walker’s tax breaks for his campaign contributors.
Nightmare scenarios include Gov. Walker handing the state pension fund to Wall Street. With the GOP controlling Congress, look for more “NAFTA on steroids”, aka “free trade” agreements.
Both parties should aggressively demand a FEDERAL job guarantee.
“…The government could serve as the “employer of last resort” under a job guarantee program modeled on the WPA (the Works Progress Administration, in existence from 1935 to 1943 after being renamed the Work Projects Administration in 1939) and the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps, 1933-1942). The program would offer a job to any American who was ready and willing to work at the federal minimum wage, plus legislated benefits. No time limits. No means testing. No minimum education or skill requirements….”
http://ineteconomics.org/blog/institute/plan-all-detroits-out-there
Doubt that will happen without bringing back the holiday on BOTH SIDES of the FEDERAL payroll tax.
“(Federal) Taxes For Revenue Are Obsolete”
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/warren-mosler/taxes-for-revenue-are-obs_b_542134.html
State and local governments depend on state and local taxes for their revenue. The same is NOT true for the federal government. We don’t borrow from China or our grandchildren. Charlie Sykes is dead wrong. Our problem is that the federal government does not spend enough on education, infrastructure, and health care. “Demand Leakages, the 800lb Economist in the Room.” http://www.huffingtonpost.com/warren-mosler/demand-leakages-the-800lb_b_1646916.html
Is it possible that Walker won because the majority of the voters believe in his vision. Is it possible that The changes act 10 brought about didn’t devaste education like was predicted. Is it possible that people are tired of the temper tantrums and respected real leadership. I believe YES
Chris, you wrote:
“Is it possible that Walker won because the majority of the voters believe in his vision.”
No.
National Republicans and Democrats are primarily concerned with getting contributions from the oligarchs and Wall Street.
“Bank Of America Dumps $75 Trillion In Derivatives On U.S. Taxpayers With Federal Approval”
http://seekingalpha.com/article/301260-bank-of-america-dumps-75-trillion-in-derivatives-on-u-s-taxpayers-with-federal-approval
To put $75 trillion in perspective, US GDP in 2012 was around $16.5 trillion. We blew a lot more than the $6 trillion they’re claiming in Iraq and Afghanistan. Social Security’s Trust Fund is around $2.3 trillion. Bank of America is just one Wall Street bank. They all have derivative exposure. I’ve seen estimates of $700 trillion, but I don’t think anyone knows.
You wrote: “Is it possible that The changes act 10 brought about didn’t devaste education like was predicted.”
First, I’d like to know why you capitalized “The.”
Second, I’d like to know what “devaste” means.
Are you sick or infirmed? If so, please indicate.
Mary Burke was never going to repeal Act 10. Once she was the Dem’s nominee, the oligarchs could relax. That’s why they went after Walker in federal court. They don’t care about abortion or gay rights. Like the global war on terror, those are just tools to manipulate the masses. All they care about is hollowing out what little is left of the the middle class. This election was a Republican primary. Both candidates were anti-union, although Walker was more anti-union. The real split was over the government forcing birth and telling adults who they could and could not marry. Mary Burke was for smaller government and she lost.
It will be generations before we can fully assess the damage done to Wisconsin and America by a lack of investment in education.
You wrote: “Is it possible that people are tired of the temper tantrums and respected real leadership. I believe YES.”
The real “job creators,” are consumers with money to spend. Sure unions are a pain-in-the-neck. Look at physicians, attorneys, tenured professors, engineers,… anyone who uses credentialing to restrict the supply of their labor. That’s bargaining collectively. Absent government action, such as a minimum wage, it’s the only way for anyone to put a floor underneath their wages. Without collective bargaining, all money flows to the .00001%. That’s why they’re so against it.
John, you sir are funny. Capital T on the… Iphone. Devaste???: Iphone. Your points… Stupid. Have a nice day, enjoy licking your wounds. Burke was a joke. Thanks for playing.
Possible Chris. But not likely. Go ask rural school districts in Wisconsin how they’re doing. Do not confuse voting for Walker with supporting his policies
Jake,
Curious that the dems and Burke couldn’t give one example of suffering schools anywhere in the state. Her example was so sounded refuted by the superintendent of schools in Neenah that she backtracked. Please don’t confuse this election. It was a yes vote for walker and his policies. Three yes votes in four years.
By the way, Burke couldn’t even hold down a job in daddies business. There is no way in hell she will get a job of any consequence I. The Democratic Party. I feel another snowboarding sabbatical in her near future with her girlfriend.
Chris,
Sen. Ron Johnson married the daughter of a billionaire. http://www.waxingamerica.com/2010/08/ron-johnsons-real-accomplishment-marrying-the-shrinkwrap-princess.html
Chris Abele’s the son of a billionaire. He gave Walker the election, by holding onto John Doe emails. He’s running against Johnson for Senate in 2016.
Gov. Walker married money.
Are you seeing a pattern?
There was some interesting discussions today on Morning Joe about how the Republicans have taken cues from the Democrat’s ground game that worked so well in the past two presidential elections and implemented similar strategies.
There was also a really good segment over the weekend on Steve Kornacki’s show where Chris Matthews discussed the various ineptitudes of the Obama administration. It reminded me of the days when Matthews was a sharp political analysts before his current role of spewing rhetoric. I think the video is still up on the show’s website. Worth checking out.
But overall, I think the political pendulum is always in motion. It swung to the right this time.
Dan- Did the pendulum swing to the right, or did it just swing against the black man in the White House that isn’t thought to have done enough to make the economy work for all people? Don’t confuse one with the other.
Go check the large number of min wage raises that were voted in last night, and the increasing concern about inequality. The question is why don’t Dems and their President stand strong for the economic values they believe in, since the people are (if anything) to the LEFT if where our parties are today- the just need a politician to forcefully and consistently stand up for them.
#1) Libertarian State & Federal Judges PLUS #2 ) Corporate Owned Mass Media chockfull of kissers of the 1%s asses = Gerrymandering, Fear mongering, Bigotry, Voter suppression, Corruption, Hateful citizens.
I firmly believe that this state legislative disaster was predictable given the re-districting which occurred following the 2010 election. There are no genuine contested districts.
Citizens United and the President nationally. In Wisconsin, redistricting, no talent pipeline, focus on a broad coalition that relies on non-habitual voters actually voting, and a perpetual inability to cast policy positions into real world benefits. In Wisconsin, this seems a failure far beyond one person but a final systemic collapse implicating past state Democratic leaders, current leaders, activists, and donors.
I don’t think replacing Mike Tate is anywhere near enough of a solution, but it has to happen. The longer Mike hangs on, the worse DPW looks.
As long as Dems wanted to run a labor-lite candidate (and I get the math) marijuana legalization was the issue. Had Walker and WIGOP opposed, it could have delivered the Governor’s mansion and the State Senate to Dems. Average voters have no clue what “Citzens United,” is.
AVERAGE voters understand pot legalization and they know it would have BROUGHT IN TAX REVENUE that was going to the drug gangs. Lots of elderly, anti-abortion, anti-union wingnuts, who would prefer to smoke pot than pay Big Pharma for stuff that doesn’t work as well.
Yes, you lose a lot of law enforcement votes, but the MPD union already endorsed Walker.
If your base is public sector workers, you have to explain to the rest of the state how you intend to pay for them. Getting tax revenue from pot makes more sense than raising property taxes. Losing TOURIST dollars to Colorado, Washington, Alaska, and D.C. also doesn’t help Wisconsin’s economy.
After Wall Street, Big Pharma’s a huge contributor to National Dems and the GOP. They will lose a lot of income when pot’s legalized. That was NOT Wisconsin’s problem, but the National Democratic party didn’t care.
Mayor Barrett’s already out front on urban agriculture. It would take federal subsidies, but if Burke were Governor, national Dems (worried about those 10 electoral votes in 2016) would have seen the wisdom of helping Wisconsin’s economy with aquaponics/hydroponics grants. With federal support and pot legalized, Wisconsin could lead the world in aquaponics/hydroponics that integrated perch and pot. Both are job-creating cash cows for ORGANIC and LOCAL food. NATIONAL security starts with LOCAL food, water, and energy security. Milwaukee’s blessed with water security. We need to move on food and energy security.
We also need to remind Wisconsin voters that Lake Michigan used to be the home to a thriving commercial fishing industry. “The Lake left me, it’s gone.” http://www.jsonline.com/news/wisconsin/127610953.html
I would never encourage anyone, who did not already have a serious illness, to use marijuana, but the prohibition against alcohol didn’t work either. Dems are punching bags for Charlie Sykes and other wingnuts who claim we’re for the “nanny state.” Pot legalization was the perfect issue to use against them.
Yep. You and I agreed a long time ago on legalizing weed and the power of campaigning on the issue. If I were sitting in Madison trying to figure out a re-building strategy and seeking to disrupt Walker’s momentum, I’d get onto this now, loudly and publicly.
Emma, thanks. I hope Dems listen to you.
They won’t.
I agree Democrats need to change, but the gun control issue is part of the problem with winning White Men.
How did we get here?
Two political parties that paradoxically have polarized things to an extreme while being all too similar at the same time.
One big chunk of the electorate that is all in for one side, another for the other side and third group that swings wildly back & forth because they hate both & alternate who they take it out on.
There was a time when the results of this election would have made me happy. That’s long gone. It was followed by a time where I enjoyed the “game” of it all – the strategy & X’s & O’s. Also history. Last night, instead of watching election results, I spent my time reading a fascinating 5 part piece on Vermeer, forgeries & authenticity in art. I thought it was just blind luck to stumble across it, but gotta wonder…
After the shellacking that Democratic candidates took up and down the ballot last night in Wisconsin, I think that Progressives in Wisconsin have to face reality: The MAJORITY of Wisconsin voters Stand With Walker 100%.
For the third time in 4 years, A MAJORITY of Wisconsin voters voted to embrace HATRED, not healing, voted to continue dividing Wisconsin, not bringing Wisconsin together, voted to continue the demonization of public employees, especially public schoolteachers. Wisconsin is now a state where parents raise their children to HATE their neighbor, rather than love their neighbor. Wisconsin is now a state where a MAJORITY of voters cheer when their neighbors suffer economic hardships, especially when their neighbors are public employees.
Wisconsin is no longer a state where people live by the Golden Rule. Under Scott Walker, a MAJORITY of Wisconsin voters are incredibly happy that Wisconsin is now a state where “He who has the gold, RULES”. My message to all the young Progressives out there is to “ABANDON Wisconsin NOW”.
The HATRED towards public employees, especially schoolteachers, that has enveloped Wisconsin over the past 4 years will take a lifetime to end. Life gets better when you leave Wisconsin. Wisconsin isn’t worth the time to try to change the HATRED that has enveloped every corner of this state. Thousands of young teachers have already fled Wisconsin. The election results should increase the exodus of young teachers and young families looking for a decent place to raise a family.
Gee I can’t figure out why we lose these elections. We will never solve this mystery. Let’s return to our regularly scheduled activity of condescending to everyone who disagrees with us. While we’re at it, let’s broadly assign a set of values to them and assume they are all exactly alike.
Well I listened to a bit of right wing radio today and they took no time at all to take on the role of sore winners.
Then I watched a little Rachel Maddow and it appears that the election losses haven’t curbed her enthusiasm to be smug and condescending.
I am reminded of the words Abraham Lincoln said at his first inaugural address:
” We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained it must not break our bonds of affection”
I really don’t think anything is going to get much better unless people on both sides learn to work together, or at least be civil in their disagreements. I’m afraid I see it going quite the opposite however.
This is going to be including my rant from earlier.
I think a big factor here that some people are missing is that this election was not a vote for Republicans, it was a vote of no-confidence in the Democrats from Wisconsin (and by extension the American People with the media connecting them to the national Democratic Party’s incompetence.) It’s no different from 2006, we had a Republican controlling Congress and the White House. Things were shitty, I was on the FBI watchlist in college, the housing bubble was exploding, we were stuck in huge endless wars. What happened? The people voted (in mid-term, no less) and we got a Democratic Majority in both houses of Congress. Two years later, they voted a Democratic President under the idea of Hope and Change. We had two years of Democrats controlling congress and the White House, and what did it give us? A crappy healthcare reform because some Blue Dog Democrats didn’t want to go all the way that only profitted insurance companies, which democrats have been trying to convince us it was the best thing ever. (when it needed a public option) Now, Obama’s ratings are poor because people (the younger people who voted for him) are disillusioned after seeing his track record (ACA, NSA spying, pursuing whistleblowers, least transparent adiminstration in history despite campaign promises, drone bombing, and not closing Guantanamo Bay.) The issue isn’t that Obama isn’t too liberal – it’s the fact Obama and his party had the chance and royally blew it. I was betrayed when Rahm Emanuel came into the picture.
Being ‘not as horrible as Republicans’ is not going to cut it. The Republican Party is toxic and that will be clear in 2016 when they have a good chance of winning the election and have a monopoly on the country again to have us replay what happened with George W. Bush’s years. The Democrats as far up to Obama haven’t given people anything to vote for, and Democratic supporters have nothing better to offer than “the other guys will be even worse”.
We need true progressives and liberals in power, who will fight for us and are willing to go the extra mile.