Republican cynicism and hypocrisy knows no bounds. In Wisconsin, of course, the Repubs relied on tens of millions of dollars of Koch-fueled, out-of-state donations to help Scott Walker avoid recall in 2011, although they lost several state Senate recall elections. The GOPpers not only attempted their own recalls (but failed to gather enough signatures on petitions to do it), they also backed stealth GOP candidates in Democratic recall primaries, a clear attempt to fool voters and install fake Democrats. That didn't work. So now Wisconsin Repubs controlling the legislature are seeking to pass a state constitutional amendment redefining recall elections, making them only possible when an officeholder has broken the law. That possibility is, of course, already covered under impeachment mechanisms. But, ya know, this whole recall thing is just completely out of hand, right?
In Wisconsin, you can recall an officeholder for any reason, even if you just don't like his or her looks. All you have to do is gather enough signatures -- 900,000 in the case of Walker. The GOP sought to cheapen and bend THAT highly democratic process by publishing interactive databases of everyone in the state who signed recall petitions against Republican officeholders. At first because the Repubs pretended we were all fraudulent voters and/or state residents (the "Voter ID" rationale, re-purposed) but later they realized they could use the database as a kind of McCarthy-style black list. If you appear on their Internet databases, they're going to flag you and try to get employers to fire you or turn you down for a job, among other punishments. How dare you be so politically ... active?
Thus from this Badger's perspective it's quite ironic that in other states, situationally ethical Repubs still think recalls are simply wonderful, voice-of-the-people tools -- because in those states, they can gain politically by using them. Of course, even Scott Walker actually likes recalls even though he now says otherwise. After all, a decade ago he voiced support for the recall drive that led a criticized, Democratic, Milwaukee County Executive to resign under pressure, thus paving the way for Walker to run in a special election and win the post, setting him up for the governor's chair and (he now thinks) the presidency.
In short: It's OK If You're A Republican.
= new reply since forum marked as read
