So, we lost last night and Walker gets to stay on as governor. Yes, it sucks in a big way, but honestly people it isn’t over yet. We won’t lose unless we all figuratively decide to “take our ball and go home”. I, for one, won’t be doing that. On the bright side, we did gain one senate seat. That means Democratics officially control the state senate. Don’t underestimate the power in that victory. Walker can’t sign things into law if they don’t reach his desk. We now have a much better chance to stopping bad legislation from even getting to his desk. In my humble opinion that’s a pretty big deal.
Many people look around this morning in complete frustration and despair, but we have a lot to be very proud of. We have inspired a nation. We have done things that many said were impossible. Progressives from around the country are looking to Wisconsin as an example of what can be done by every day people. I’ve never been so proud to be from Wisconsin as I am now. Growing up I’ve heard my fair share of “Sconnie” jokes and how many considered this to be a backwater, flyover kind of place whose main hobby was cow tipping. We have proven the stereotype wrong.
Now is not the time to lay blame or start fighting among ourselves. It would be easy to fall into, but does no one any good. Now is the time to recharge our collective energy. Get some rest, eat some good food, have a few laughs and commiserate with friends. The most important thing to do is get back in the game. The only way we can lose is to give up. We are badgers and badgers just don’t give up, no matter what the odds are. Our struggle is a noble and worthy one and we will prevail in the end.
Looking at history has given me some perspective on this. Look at the labor movement, the civil rights movement, the women’s rights movement or any other people driven movement in history and you will find one common trait they all share. They never gave up, no matter how bad the losses, no matter how poor the odds and no matter how daunting the task seemed to be at the time. Tenacity is what made these stories worthy of the history books. Sure, we’ve already made history by the sheer number of protests and recall elections, but the story can’t end here. We haven’t achieved our goals yet. We can and will show ourselves and the rest of the world the amazing things that can be done when every day people stand up for what they believe in.
FORWARD!!!!!!!!!!
Two quotes:
– Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large numbers. (anonymous)
– It is easier to fool people than it is to convince them they have been fooled. (Mark Twain)
There are some simple things we can do. One is to get the smallest levels of government, townships, villages, cities to put a resolution on the ballot that urges the state government to call for a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United. Another is to keep writing thoughtful letters to the editor of local newspapers. Be respectful, pick a small point and bolster it with proof.
The only way to beat the money is to expose the source… Think smarter, think deeper, and get inside the enemy’s mind.
Conspiracy theory #1: How to bankroll GOP elections
Create Bush tax cuts for the upper 1 percent and give out huge tax breaks to corporations. ( Taking point “The job creators” throws everyone off the real game plan.
Next Step: Create Citizens United.
Next Step:
Laundry tax breaks back to GOP, in the form of election contributions.
Our Job ( One of them ): Create a game plan to expose conspiracy, POUND THE TRUTH HOME! over and over and over again!
Never give up…thanks Carol!!!
“The people have spoken, the bastards.” –Dick Tuck
I wouldn’t worry so much about Walker at this point. The fact that so many people are brainwashed by conservatives in Wisconsin is truly astounding. It’s time to call in the de-programmers.
I was listening to Ed S today. He had an interesting quote (I forget the source) “people don’t drown because the water is deep they drown because they stop kicking”. Peaceful ways to change change the government? Well; there’s always Civil Disobedience, Peaceful Mass Protest; or maybe forming kinda a quasi-political party supporting good candidates of either ilk if we can or putting up our own candidates if we can’t support either party. So what if we take votes from the Dems? Talk to Obama the next time you see him. According to Ed Wisconsin’s Recall Election was not even talked about in the the Senate Dem Caucus today.
Progressives have a lot to be proud of today. Scott Walker is nothing but a bully, and the important thing with bullies is to stand up to them. Even if they kick your ass, they’ll remember you didn’t go easily and that’s what matters.
To answer Man MKE’s question, the equivalent is a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United and get the money out of politics. That would be a real game-changer.
“Truth”- anti-big tobacco type campaign aimed at the right wing extremist unlimited corporate money tactics. The one thing that stops all us progressives from falling victim to believing or being dissuaded by unlimited money misinformation is that we are informed. Most of us are informed because we investigate and take initiative to seek out the truth to get as close as we can to truth. However once you are informed and have knowledge of how the lie is formed they have little to no power over us. That is what separates us from the rest of our brothers and sisters in the remaining half of the 99%. We need instant mobile short vivid iconic truth delivered immediately upon notice of any sighting of unlimited corporate money tactic deployed. I.E. if everyone in the state of Wisconsin was informed in no less than 24 hours upon the initial introduction of the Union Busting bill that a game was being played on us by groups like ALEC, the state wouldn’t go for it. Progressives have lost on message, because we have allowed the opposition to get the jump on us every time with message.
Inspiring the national movement through our protests here in Wisconsin has been a very important achievement, but in the short run there may be a blowback effect. Already you hear pundits across the political spectrum argue that if Wisconsin couldn’t beat back this assault on our democracy, few if any states can. Of course, the monied interests poured big bucks (by our standard) into the protect Walker effort. However, they’ve got even more big bucks to pore into other states. For the elites, this is a war of attrition. We need to come up with the peaceful equivalent of a guerilla campaign or we won’t survive. The only question: What is that equivalent?