Reports are that the Wisconsin Capitol will be cleared of protesters starting later this afternoon. If this is in fact the case, I hope that it happens peacefully. A violent or disruptive process at this point could overshadow a protest that has been remarkably civil.
More importantly though, what does clearing the Capitol building accomplish at this point? The short answer has to be nothing.
As long as the fourteen Senate Democrats remain in hiding, all fiscal legislation remains on hold. Since we are in the midst of trying to address our current budget shortfall and have to put in place the next budget before July, 1, the flight of the fourteen amounts to shutting down the important work of Wisconsin's government.
Whatever happens this afternoon, it's important to remember that the missing Senate Democrats have silenced the voice of many voters who went to the polls last November and elected Governor Walker and GOP majorities in the legislature.
Showing posts with label legislature. Show all posts
Showing posts with label legislature. Show all posts
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
No Excessive Celebration Here
This entire election season I haven't hesitated to share my opinion about the candidates and issues, not only here on the blog, but in real life too.
The result of this is that many people knew I was a strong supporter of Reid Ribble and the other GOP candidates. This meant that today I was peppered with questions like, "you must be happy," "how late did you stay up celebrating," and, "go ahead and gloat."
But like I told somebody at work today, the election victory is the beginning, not the end.
While yesterday means we removed a bunch of people from office with whom I clearly disagreed, their replacements, at this point at least, are a set of fresh faces and promises to do the right thing, though not much else. That means all of the hard work is ahead, not behind, us.
With yesterday's vote we didn't do any of the following: Reduce the national debt, simplify the tax code, reduce unemployment, ease the regulatory burden on small business, increase certainty about the future role of government, end the war in Afghanistan, end the massive U.S. military presence in Iraq, or take action on any of the other important issues facing this country.
All of that remains to be done. Are the new batch of legislators, new and old, up to the task? I hope so, but that is very much an open question.
The result of this is that many people knew I was a strong supporter of Reid Ribble and the other GOP candidates. This meant that today I was peppered with questions like, "you must be happy," "how late did you stay up celebrating," and, "go ahead and gloat."
But like I told somebody at work today, the election victory is the beginning, not the end.
While yesterday means we removed a bunch of people from office with whom I clearly disagreed, their replacements, at this point at least, are a set of fresh faces and promises to do the right thing, though not much else. That means all of the hard work is ahead, not behind, us.
With yesterday's vote we didn't do any of the following: Reduce the national debt, simplify the tax code, reduce unemployment, ease the regulatory burden on small business, increase certainty about the future role of government, end the war in Afghanistan, end the massive U.S. military presence in Iraq, or take action on any of the other important issues facing this country.
All of that remains to be done. Are the new batch of legislators, new and old, up to the task? I hope so, but that is very much an open question.
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