Rotundaville and Other Updates from the Cheddar Revolution
Madison, Winsonsin –
It’s a community called Rotundaville. It boasts a medical clinic/dispensary manned by capable folks who know first aid, a food preparation/pantry area, a communal charging station for electronics, its own Facebook page, and even a family respite center. It’s a village unto its own that functions 24 hours per day, under the persistently glowing lights inside the capitol dome. And it is home to an eclectic group of dedicated volunteers who care for the sick, provide food, coordinate cleaning crews, and most importantly, occupy this normally staid symbol of Wisconsin State government in protest of Governor Scott Walker’s mean-spirited and unfair “Budget Repair Bill”.
For two weeks now the State capitol has been continually occupied by a diverse group of people while tens of thousands of angry citizens parade around the square in opposition to all things Walker. Today I was able to gain access and experience first hand what’s been going on inside.
While approaching the building at 4:30pm from the King Street side, a dedicated crowd of about 300 people were waiting in line to gain access to the building. An impromptu rally had begun with the ever present megaphones. I had this passing thought that someone should call Radio Shack and see if there was a sudden uptick in megaphone sales that soon dissipated when I noticed that the assembly democrats had MOVED THEIR DESKS OUTSIDE and were conducting the people’s business in 30-degree Wisconsin winter weather.
[Photo above courtesy of Ting-li Wang. All others by Patrick DePula]
Why? Because it is becoming nearly impossible for representatives to meet with their constituents inside the building. Not so for right- to-life lobbyists that share the Governor’s agenda.
Matt Sande, of Pro-Life Wisconsin manages to gain entry in just under 8 minutes while regular citizens wait in line for hours. Furthermore, during Walker’s budget address, it appears that he may have allowed his supporters alone to access the Capitol via tunnels from the Risser Justice building located nearby. Madison City Councilman Bryon Egon snapped this photo of State Division of Criminal Investigation agents guarding what they say is a “storm shelter. ” Well, Councilman Eagon saw Mrs. Walker enter the “Storm Shelter”.
While Walker’s cronies were freely entering the capitol, a hearing was underway regarding a court order issued by Judge Moeser to open the capitol completely to the public in accordance with the Wisconsin State Constitution. Of course, the Walker administration ignored the order and continued to severely and unconstitutionally restrict access. The hearing will continue through Thursday. Today, even the Honorable Dave Obey, former 21-term congressional representative from Wisconsin’s 7th District, was denied access to the capitol for the first time in 50 years. He went on to call Walker a “political bully”.
Okay, I’m rambling a bit. Upon entering the capitol, I immediately noticed Representative Brett Hulsey talking to members of the press. We exchanged some pleasantries and he dramatically announced “Welcome to our new police state!” And he was right. The police officers manning the building easily outnumbered the protesters by at least a 2:1 margin. Law Enforcement came from communities all across the state: Walworth and Trempeleau Counties, Prescott, Ellsworth, and a host of other small towns.
Interesting that Dane County Sheriff Dave Mahoney withdrew his deputies from the building while stating “My deputies will not be palace guards”. Kudos to Sheriff Mahoney for doing the right thing. Department of Administration Secretary Huebsch states that law enforcement costs are exceeding $5 million dollars. For what? I can’t see the justification in ordering 300 police officers to guard what appears to be 80 peaceful and respectful protesters inside the building. So much for the King of Frugality that Walker would have you believe he is.
It’s clear that we’re entering some seriously troubling times; The capitol is locked down with hundreds of police officers, The poorly thought out “Budget Repair Bill” is rife with attacks on Wisconsin families while further rewarding corporate interests. The Capitol square is overrun with angry residents every single day in a sustained protest the likes of which has not been seen since the War in Vietnam. Yet, the emperor still isn’t listening. Neither is the GOP majority. Together they continue to run roughshod over the rights of the very citizens they were elected to represent.
Amazingly, the folks inside the dome remain upbeat and they realize that they are a part of history and engaged in something significant. It’s not just college kids, but parents, teachers, firefighters, cops, iron workers and others that are staying overnight and keeping vigil. They are desperately trying to keep the Wisconsin Idea alive and would most likely be making Bob LaFollette proud if he were still around.
It’s not about Union busting, fiscal responsibility, the budget, or anything else but power. And making damn sure that the ruling class remains the GOP by eviscerating unions and pitting the middle class against each other. What Walker didn’t count on was Madison. Last Friday he was politely refused service at a new local restaurant because the other patrons were booing so loudly. He was asked to leave much to the amusement of nearly everyone in town. Beyond that, Madison is a special place with a population that basically exists within one degree of separation between everyone. A simple Facebook post that calls folks to action at the capitol will result in five thousand people showing up by 5 o’clock. Give it another hour, and you’ll have 10,000. Quite remarkable in a city of 227,000. We’re a compassionate lot here, supporting many joint causes and with many overlapping social circles, hence our strength. We will continue to resist because there’s no other choice. We’re proud of our city and won’t falter. We’ll win together.
One can only imagine what tomorrow will bring, but until then, good night!
Patrick DePula
Madison Mudpuppy
for TheMudflats.net
Thanks Patrick for the report from ‘boots on the ground’. Excellent!
I’ve been donating via Ians pizza, Dem 14s and Recall for Reps (via ActBlue a few times now). What you Wisconsinites are doing there will have long term impacts on the rest of the country. Figure if I can’t be there (I don’t do the cold anyways) the rest of us need to try however we can to cover your backs.
I have to wonder a bit if some of those wobbling Republicans might be wondering about those figures in terms of money. The Dem 14s aren’t even campaigning but at ActBlue a while ago they were at $577,479 & creeping up every time I look. Meanwhile the Recall Reps just started recently and it’s creeping up fairly nicely.
That must be putting the ‘fear of working people’ scare in your Republican legislature eyes. I truly hope so!! Plus, there’s more media reporting now. Please keep us posted.
Not to mention, after that spoof “Koch” phone call, the Republicans might be a tad spooked if they suddenly are running on Koch donations to keep their offices.
Wow, more creepies crawl out as rocks get overturned:
http://rortybomb.wordpress.com/2011/03/04/two-on-wisconsin-holding-onto-benefits-and-a-war-on-wisconsin-women-decade-long-project-edition/
I can’t even begin to quote a choice paragraph from this, it needs to be read in its entirety.
“Tackled Wisconsin Representative Says His Capitol Key Card Is Disabled”
http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/03/tackled_wisconsin_representative_says_his_capitol_key_card_is_disabled.php
you can’t make this stuff up. rilly, GOP, rilly?!
Heh! Check out the pic:
http://yfrog.com/h08midoj
HaHaHaHaHa, Mo!!! On Wisconsin!!
Forbes: Business “Gov. Scott Walker Has Lost The War”
……….. “Walker would have done well to take ‘yes’ for an answer when the unions agreed to his financial proposals. Given the procedural advantages in Ohio, where the GOP legislators could push through the anti-collective bargaining bill without the need for Democratic legislators, Walker should have backed down and allowed John Kasich to take the lead in the effort.”……..
http://blogs.forbes.com/rickungar/2011/03/04/gov-scott-walker-has-lost-the-war/
“dêmos “people” and Kratos “power” = democracy ……….. What is happening in WI is unspinnable. The people are revolting against a tyrant. And the people will win” power to the people
So all these people demonstrating for their rights are democrats?
Guess that makes them Blue Cheese! 🙂
I can’t be the first one to say that, but bad puns are required to be repeated as often as possible. It’s in the Constitution. Article II Section 4.
So, do you think the Tea partiers don’t see the irony? Unions are individual citizens banding together to assert their rights. Instead of negotiation, Walker and his ilk want government to be able to impose all the answers. Maybe the Tea Party should be out marching with the unions?
My sympathies to any Ohio mudpups. They lost their battle with their gov today (including firefighters and police unions). Why don’t we see any of this on the news? They had a big protest there as well.
If Walker keeps up this cr@p, someone is eventually going to get hurt or worse. And it won’t be the fault of the protesters.
On Tuesday, the situation became potentially dangerous:
“Dave Trainor, a Madison firefighter, said he was part of a crew dispatched to the Capitol on a call that someone was trapped in an elevator. Firefighters were denied access at one of the building’s entrances that is being guarded by police.
Firefighters then had to make their way through a crowd of protesters outside the building and drive their 100-foot ladder truck to the other side of the Capitol to get inside.”
Fortunately there was no medical emergency, but the firefighters did not know if anyone was hurt until they finally got into the building. If someone had been hurt or seriously ill, the time the responders wasted trying to gain access to the public building could have cost someone their life.
Not only is Walker denying access to current and former members of the legislature and their staffs, and to the general public (in violation of a court order), but he is even denying access to emergency responders. Simply heinous. Criminal perhaps?
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/03/03/952299/-Wisconsin:-Walkers-lockdown-at-Capitol-includes-denying-access-to-firefighters-on-emergency-call
I have never been to Wisconsin, but each day I become more impressed by the courage and tenacity of its citizens. They are representing the middle and working class throughout the United States and I applaud their determination.
Thank you, Patrick, for your story and for being part of this important event.
Gov. Scott Walker is acting likie a dictator!
Guess who is in Madison behind Tea Party Gov. Scott Walker…
the Koch brothers. Yes, $arah’s “PIMPS”……!
Gov. Walker is telling Wisconsin protestors, give up your rights,
or I will start laying off governement workers on Friday.
Gov Scott Walker promised the Wisconsin taxpayers that he would
create jobs if they would elect him Governor of Wisconsin. He has
not created jobs, so to balance his budget that is running in the red,
he is trying to destroy the bargaining rights of Wisconsin’s hard
working folks to justify the fiancial state of the budget. Take away
Wisconsin State employees bargaining rights to balance the budget.
Gov. Scott Walker is a TEA PARTY DICTATOR!! His statement tonight,
workers, give up your rights or I will terminate your job!!
Live video footage of union protesters at the capital in madison,wisconsin
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/afl-cio-2010-rally
A big “thumbs-up” to Patrick — nice to get the feel of actually being there at the start of the new worker’s-rights revolution!
Walker says he will lay off 1,500 tomorrow. Was ending collective bargaining rights in his campaign platform? Somehow I think not. If he lays them off, I hope they will all sue him for breach of contract. They’ll win.
Not that I ever heard just that he wouild balance the budget.He never said he would givwe millions in tax cuts which cause this whole mess in the first place http://www.usnews.com/opinion/blogs/robert-schlesinger/2011/02/28/wisconsin-gov-scott-walker-didnt-campaign-on-union-busting
How far is it from Rotundaville to Margaritaville?
Keep letting the Wisconsin 14 know that we have their backs and not to give in to Walker’s blackmail threats. They MUST stand strong or it is all for naught.
http://pol.moveon.org/wisconsin14/?id=26372-8779966-1tJEP9x&t=2
You whoooo; paging Lou Sarah, Lou cifer, or whomever you’re impersonating today: News Flash, Quittypants: Wisconsin Governor is enduring (by your standards) “vicious personal attacks.” Do you think you, queen of quit, could use your expertise and experience to teach O’Walker how to just walk away? Indubitably, O’Walker and Wisconsin will be better for it, especially if you tactically use a basketball metaphor. Quitty to the rescue; give O’Walkaway the full 140 twitter treatment; do it for your country!
One more thing Lou; how’s that PERS & USW workin’ out for you and the mister? (Public Employee Retirement System: United Steel Workers)
I do love the smell of a roasted cheddar recall petition.
Lou cifer – 🙂
Lou Cipher is a character name from the excellent movie, Angel Heart. It stars Mickey Rourke as a private detective, Lisa Bonet as a voodoo priestess/single mother, Pruitt Taylor Vince as a cop, Charlotte Rampling in one of her best roles, and Robert DeNiro (with very long fingernails and great jewelry made by Alex Streeter in SoHo, NY) as the aforementioned Lou Cipher. See it! It takes place in New Orleans and other locales.
Do you think she could teach him how to give that awesome quitting speech also too.
“The Wisconsin recall effort is only a day old, but it’s going strong. The state Democratic Party has launched a website called Recall the Republican 8 to coordinate events. They have volunteer and contribution pages. There’s also a separate ActBlue page set up for the recall. A separate effort to air a powerful TV ad from the PCCC and DFA, filmed on the day of the 100,000-plus protests last Saturday, has already raised over $225,000.”
http://news.firedoglake.com/2011/03/03/wisconsin-recall-efforts-off-to-strong-start/
ActBlue is also collecting money to run a fantastic pro-union ad in Wisconsin. The ad was praised by Rachel Maddow and Lawrence O’Donnell last night on their shows. ActBlue is aiming for $300,000 to run the ad, and are asking supporters to chip in $3.00 (or more). They are over $280,000 now. I got this info in an email, and unfortunately, the link won’t transfer from the email to this comment. Check out ActBlue’s website and throw a few bucks for this cause, folks. I already did, and it feels great to be part of the voice 🙂
Sorry, Irish. I just repeated what you said. I don’t know what I was thinking 😉
No worries. It’s worth repeating! 🙂
Things are getting bad. Now they say ammunition found outside the capitol. Sounds like something the side loosing public support would do.
http://www.salon.com/wires/us/2011/03/03/D9LNVK5O0_us_wisconsin_budget_union_capitol/index.html
Walker is also after birth control in the budget bill.
http://thinkprogress.org/2011/03/03/walker-birth-control-women-health/
This is an excellent column from Canada:
http://politico-junkie.blogspot.com/2011/03/canada-budget-balancing-to-union.html
And now Jimmy Kimmel and Brian Williams report…watch the video here:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/03/slow-jam-the-news-jimmy-f_n_830759.html
Thank you for your excellent reporting, Patrick.
I am proud of, and grateful to each and every activist holding the line. (((Molly @12)))
On Wisconsin!
Go Wisconsin!
Okay–does anyone else have a burning desire to hit up lawmakers with elephant tranquilizer? I do!
From Federal News Radio (just a snippet):
“Republicans who control the House muscled through a bill last month that could cut spending over the next seven months by more than $60 billion from last year’s levels _ and $100 billion from Obama’s budget request. It would also block implementation of Obama’s health care law and a host of environmental regulations. The Democratic-controlled Senate is resistant, and the White House has promised a veto if it does reach Obama. It could take weeks or months to negotiate a compromise funding measure that Obama would sign.
The GOP House measure blended dramatic cuts from almost every domestic agency. It also would block taxpayer money from going to public broadcasting and Planned Parenthood family planning efforts. Money for food inspection, college aid, grants to local schools and police and fire departments, clean water projects, job training and housing subsidies would be reduced.”
They’re all heart down at Capitol Hill. In the meantime, some of those freshmen are SLEEPING IN THEIR OFFICES. WTH? Does this mean that Congress qualifies for Section 8 housing? Is this even legal (DC Fire Marshall–I’m looking at you!, not to mention the zoning)? Can’t they figure out how to find someplace to live and even have a bunch of roommates? They’re paid $174,000+/yr–this is enough money for them to live somewhere. They’re not saving the taxpayers one thin dime–they’re saving THEIR money and mooching off of all of us.
Unless you’re the boss, bunking down at work will get you fired in the real world, more often than not.
Sorry, should have included a reference for my rant. 14 Feb 2011:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/02/14/AR2011021406723.html
Couldn’t the Koch buy some houses and offer their tools a rooming house? I think these guys need to form a union and ask for some better benefits while in DC doing the Kochs business.
Have you forgotten about “C” Street and The Family? Not Koch owned, well, they’re not on the deed, far as I know, they just “own” the so-called conscience of the residents there.
Dagian,
Some federal congresscritters have always slept in their offices – or at least said they did. Former rep Hoekstra of Michigan said he did it and his replacement does also, I heard in an NPR interview. Some legislators go together as roommates.
Back in the ’60s and ’70s, once elected legislators would move their whole families to Washington. Hubert Humphrey did, for example. John McCain did not, because his trophy wife felt she wasn’t treated well by people who thought McCain treated his first wife shabbily. I know I do.
As to the budget – it’s EXACTLY what they said they would do. I was greatly encouraged by the compromise this week being made up of Dem choices, but that was low-handing fruit. Going forward I won’t be surprised if the government does shut down. The Rs may find campaign talk is cheap – but once elected they have real responsibilties.
the world according to Reagan and his worshippers:
http://strangemaps.files.wordpress.com/2006/11/800px-reagan-digitised-poster.JPG
this is the mad reality of the right wing world view and the reason they are so dangerous to the rest of us.
Here’s some pure beauty for ya, on the Republican Party’s being “remade in the image of the s——-t part of the country.”
http://www.ginandtacos.com/2011/03/03/chasing-smokestacks/
I find myself living in the Deep South. The South, in a word, blows. Yes, it has mild winters, some nice people, the occasional nice town, and so on. But on the whole this region of the country is beyond backward. The quasi-feudal social structure, the proud ignorance, the crushing rural poverty, the crumbling infrastructure, the naked political corruption, the good ol’ boy networks, the seething racism…it is not exactly the guiding light of the modern world. Yes, the South has lots of jobs these days – low paying, no benefit, at-will employment as far as your imagination can see. Most people don’t realize until after they arrive that “Low cost of living” is newspeak for “Low costs resulting from low demand, as this place blows mightily and no one with alternatives wants to live here.”
I emphasize this not to pick on the South – it is entirely possible that I will be stuck living here for the rest of my life, in fact – but to underscore the simple fact that America does not want to be taking its political and economic lead from the states that rank 47th through 50th in every metric that reasonably reflects social development and quality of life. Maybe, just maybe, it doesn’t make a lot of sense to model one’s public schools, correctional system, tax structure, and macroeconomic policies on those of Mississippi.
What Scott Walker is essentially doing is attempting to turn Wisconsin into Northern Alabama. If any message is capable of cutting through the din of disinformation and faux-populist rhetoric coming from the far right it is this: This is the way the laws are in Mississippi. Do you want our state to turn into Mississippi?
The average – which is to say angry and scared – working or middle class voter on the Teabagging bandwagon isn’t going to be persuaded by the rhetoric of fairness and retellings of the historical accomplishments of the labor movement; no, this kind of political attack is best countered simply, directly, and unambiguously: “This is the way things run in Alabama. What about living in Alabama is appealing to you? What has convinced you that we should be more like the Deep South? Perhaps the teen pregnancy rate? The high school dropout rate? The poverty? The empty libraries? The 49th ranked standardized test scores? Please, be as specific as you can.”
[But of course you should follow the link and bask in the full article]
I too, find myself in the South. Believe me, we thought long and hard about making the move, but the pull of adult children and grandchildren was strong, indeed.
One of our deepest concerns prior to the move was politics: we are, and have always been, informed and ardent Liberals. We decided that since we no longer had small children of our own to worry about, that we were now older and not as active in the community, had internet availability and were content to live a quiet life, we could weather this difference.
Imagine my delight in finding wonderful Liberal neighbors and my over-the-top joy in finding ourselves in a virtual conclave of Liberal thought! From the book club to the Women’s Club to the zoning and planning board, we are a good fit!
Old stereotypes change and we do well to recognize and encourage those changes, small though the may be.
I agree that there are places where progressive thought will never be tolerated, but they are being encroached upon. We’re like that, you know, we Liberals…we don’t wear down easily!
Make your small circle of the “Deep South” a place of refuge, civil thought and strong tolerance and you will be fine until attitudes change or are made to be less acceptable than they currently are in this climate of revitalized and public hate.
In the meanwhile, wipe your Mudpuppy paws, find a comfy spot and visit here as often as you can.
They aren’t the lowest in everything; California is 49 out of 50 in utilization of the SNAP (Food Stamp) program, among potentially eligible households. Just saying.
Born and raised in the south, the one thing I figured out early is a lot of southerners as you say are “proud” of their ignorance. I believe the main problem is their lack of education. The up and coming generation is a little more enlightened and it is only a matter of time before the ignorance dies off. Even the right wingers I work with have been surprisingly quiet these days. I think even they see the writing on the wall. Excellent site BTW.
Inspiring post, Patrick. Thanks!
I would like to dedicate your post, Patrick, to all the Democratic voters who didn’t vote throughout the country last November because they couldn’t comprehend in their delayed-gratification-challenged little minds that today’s crop of Republicans really, REALLY are different than Democrats, and that sometimes it’s better to accept a slower pace of Democratic change rather than go backwards (which is what we are now seeing with these newly elected GOP nutjobs). Maybe they’ll get their Democratic whiny arses to the polls in 2012 so we can pull this country back from the brink of madness. Maybe.
You got that right Lee 323.. I came across this while reading some post on a story
http://www.opednews.com/articles/State-of-Wisconsin-under-W-by-DEBRA-HOOD-110227-303.html
State of Wisconsin under Walker fails to disclose 67 Billion in usable assets
I can only feel proud of all those good folks in Wisconsin who stand up and don’t back down. Not to forget the Mudflats ROCK. Thanks for this great post.
Rather lost in the shuffle of news re: unions and bargaining, is the NFLs current bargaining back-and-forth: team owners v. player’s union.
_____________________________________________
[snip]
The biggest sticking point all along has been how to divide the league’s revenues, including what cut team owners should get up front to help cover certain costs, such as stadium construction. Under the old deal, owners received about $1 billion off the top. They entered these negotiations seeking to add another $1 billion to that.
Among the other significant topics: a rookie wage scale; the owners’ push to expand the regular season from 16 games to 18 while reducing the preseason by two games; and benefits for retired players. [/snip]
Full article, here: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110303/ap_on_sp_fo_ne/fbn_nfl_labor
_____________________________________________
Now, granted, the player’s aren’t in a “public” union, but the fans ‘depend’ on them much as they do teachers, firefighters, snowplow operators, etc. — the NFL *players* are, also, an integral part of their lives. Talk around the office cooler on Monday morning, office pools, Sunday afternoon with their friends in front of the TV…all help make up the fabric of their lives. For many, activities during ‘the season’ even revolve around what (and how) their team is doing — where they are playing, who they are playing, what the team’s standing is, etc. Fans, literally, go bonkers for their team, for the players! That said:
I do have to wonder: How many fans of professional football are rooting for the owners in these on-going negotiations? I’d imagine, damned few. Hmmm…and rooting for their players is different from who they are ‘rooting for’ in WI –and other places where the TeaPublicans are doing everything they can to bust unions– exactly, how? beth.
When I start getting discouraged I look towards these wonderful examples of our American Democracy and I get re-energized.
You guys make me so proud.
Thanks, Patrick for a first hand report on Madison.
Could you keep them coming?
Correction former congressman Obey with business at the capitol denied access
Video of Congressman Obey being denied access to Capitol.
First Fox tried to say there was violent protesters when there was no proof of it. Now the courts have decided that the governor cannot restrict access yet he has 300 police blocking entrance to the capitol in violation of court order.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwwtvrH0Vn8
And these are the folks that a disgusting state rep (republican) called “slobs” on Lawrence O’Donnell last night.
I’m hopeful that Mr. Grothman will be the first to be recalled.
In fact they ARE reticent. Polling now says that if the election were re-done after the collective bargaining issue was made public, his opponent would win by 8 points.
Walkers approval rating is dropping daily..among regular, moderate, republicans even.
I hope that people remember Wisconsin when voting in the next election. We all need to “take notes”. I am sure that people in Wisconsin who voted for this lying bastard, wish they had done more research ,before casting their vote.
Thanks all, for the too-kind words and encouragement. I hope to have more focused material available soon!
One struggle,
Patrick
Patrick, We are so proud of all of you. I too went to the U of W for my “Junior year abroad” 1980. When this started I thought “Of course it starts in Madison”. What can we do to help?
Great reporting, Patrick Mudpuppy! Thank you so much for keeping us informed.
I love that some of the most up close and personal reporting from Wisconsin’s Capitol is breaking on The Mudflats. Kudos, Jeanne, and great job, Patrick!
Thank you for all of you ‘standing in the gap’ for those of us who can’t be there in person. Many of us are searching out information about what is happening in Wisconsin every day. We care and we are with you.
Thanks for your report. There were rallys in just about every state in support of Wisconsin and unions in general. Walker wants this to fall off the news, we can’t let that happen. Maybe the recall of republicans will force some movement in the right direction.
Thanks for the post Patrick Mudpuppy.
I love that I can get news of my state from themudflats.net!!!!
Thanks AKM.
Yep, I’m from WIsconsin, and I did NOT vote for either Walker or that other creep, Ron Johnson.
I think a fair solution to the current situation would be for ALL the dupes who voted for Walker to receive a bill to make them pay for the tax cuts for the corporations that Walker wants us all to pay for. Since I didn’t vote for him, I don’t think I should have to pay. And I think THEY should pay.
RECALL SCOTT WALKER!!!
Bravo to Madison Mudpuppy! thank you. i loved your post.
A huge thankyou to the Wisconsin people. I especially like the restaurant story. Stay strong and know all of America is with you.
I am totally in awe of the people in Wisconsin that are putting their lives on hold to fight for their civil rights and civil liberties. The country is with them. Keep fighting for your collective bargaining rights!
And BTW… much has been made of the fact that the public unions are receiving taxpayer’s dollars.
The pensions are not taxpayer’s money. They belong to these workers for services rendered. Those funds are deferred funds, just like someone who puts money away into their 401K plan in the private sector. When corporations in the private sector don’t fund people’s 401K’s like they should, that is called fraud and theft and is prosecuted as such.
Governor Walker and the Republicans in the Wisconsin legislature is trying to steal that money away from the people that earned it.
The fact that the public unions have agreed to cuts in their pension during this difficult economic times is magnanimous on their part. Keep up the fight! We are proud of you.
I am so proud of my Wisconsin neighbors. I have family and friends in that wonderful state. Thank you Patrick for being there for those of us who cannot. Be strong.
(crying) – keep it up Wisconsin! keep it up Madison. this is important, i cannot thank you enough.
Looks like the A-Hi-A Gov. stepped up the pace. Wonder what the citizens will think when teachers, road workers, police, the EMT and firefighters all go on striek at one time?
Thank you, Patrick.
It makes me proud to be an American! These Wisconsinites are awesome!.
Could someone provide me with a chart of the state with the districts/senate configurations. Because it seems to me that this battle needs to be happening in the neighborhoods. This is when community organizing takes place. Neighbor with neighbors. Family and family. Whose out there registering voters, whose keeping in touch with those new registrants?
I attended the University of Wisconsin during some of its’ most tumuluaste times. (1966-70) I also spent every summer from when I was 3 yrs (1951) to my 18th year, (1966) in Door County. Sometimes now I look back on that as training to live in Alaska.
Nice to see this news on Mudflats, Patrick. Thank you. For those of you watching from afar, I can confirm that the spirit in Madison and throughout Wisconsin is indeed electrifying. I don’t know how to post a link, but google Les Miserables Flash Mob to see a couple of thousand protesters in Rotundaville singing “Do You Hear the People Sing” (Lawrence O’Donnell has it posted on The Last Word as well.) Watch several of the versions that have been posted as they give different views of three stories solidly packed with people of all ages and station working cooperatively and peacefully together without centralized leadership. This is what Governor Walker is working so hard to shut down because he’s losing. Rachel Maddow, Lawrence O’Donnell, Ed Schultze and Amy GoodmanDemocracy Now all have had excellent coverage of this historic uprising.
Because the police and fire fighter unions, though excempted from the Governor’s cuts, openly fully support the protests the atmosphere has been wonderfully cooperative and friendly with protesters and law enforcement thanking each other for what they are each doing. Babies wear signs identifying themselves as “union thugs”; grey heads and students and union members of all kinds stand together. My favorite sign lately was on an old lady in a wheel chair, covering her like a blanket from neck to toe and reading: “I’m 91 years old. I’m old enough to vote and young enough to kick your butt. Bend over, Governor.” Recall efforts are under way. Me, I’m just one of those “sixties liberals” the Governor believes he can discount.
I may be an independent and a moderate but I support you all the way and Walker thinks he can jsu tell us to shut up and sit down.The police and fire departments know they are next,Walker just did not want to dirty his hands and look bad by including them right now. but they see thru him and that’s why the support.
I wish I was more optimistic. This has the potential of spreading like a cancer.
I mean Walker’s plan of course. Bad news for the middle class.