Wisconsin: Can Playing by the Rules Work in a Rigged Game?

[marmar]

Wisconsin: Can Playing by the Rules Work in a Rigged Game?
Allison Kilkenny on June 6, 2012 - 10:28 AM ET


Dedicated activists in Quebec have received much praise for their 100+ days of straight protest, and deservedly so, but there is another movement—right here in the United States—that has remained vigilant for 478 days.

In Madison, Wisconsin, pro-union protesters occupied the Capitol rotunda and the surrounding property, and committed themselves to a twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week effort to recall Governor Scott Walker.

Last night, that effort fell short, but rather than sitting around, feeling sorry for themselves, some activists say they are ready to continue fighting for their causes.

"It will be a struggle but we are not going to give up," said Craig Spaulding of Madison, who demonstrated often at the Capitol.

He says the fight to restore collective bargaining powers for state workers continues.

"Many people have said there's this recall fatigue setting in and we won't be able to keep up this intensity but we will, we will for the rest of our lives," he said.

Other observers, many of them Occupy Wall Street activists, have called for more radical change, partly because the institutions—the Democratic Party and elections—that historically housed the left have proven themselves to either be inadequate or hopelessly corrupt. .................(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.thenation.com/blog/168244/wisconsin-can-playing-rules-work-rigged-game