By State Representative, Leon D. Young
Leon D. Young
We all have been witnesses to the extreme Republican blitzkrieg that has gripped our state since Scott Walker assumed office last January. The Legislature, which purports to be a separate branch of government, for all intents and purposes has literally been a “rubber stamp” of Governor Walker.
Republicans are quick to quip that “elections have consequences,” and truer words have never been spoken. We are still reeling from the November 2010 general election, in which the GOP ran the table in capturing the governorship, both Houses of the Legislature and defeating long-time, incumbent Russ Feingold in the U.S. Senate.
With no legislative impediments in place, the GOP has unleashed its reign of political terror. First, it was Walker ’s bill to limit collective bargaining for state workers. The initial assault was quickly followed by Scott Walker’s draconian state budget that robbed from the working class and less fortunate in order to give unprecedented financial windfalls to the rich and well-connected (political cronies). The political travesty didn’t stop there, however, next came the concealed carry boondoggle, which permits residents to carry concealed weapons with virtually no training. Clearly, the “coup de grâce” in all this has to be the blatantly partisan redistricting maps, which are intended to give Republicans an electoral advanced at the tolls for the next 10 years.
Recall elections will be held in Senate Districts 2,8,10,14,18 and 32, all held by Republicans. On the other hand, Senate Democrats are still facing recall challenges in two Senate Districts: 12 and 22. Senator Dave Hanson, D-Green Bay, handily won his recall election on July 19th.
In order for Senate Democrats to win the majority in that House, two things must happen. First, Jim Holperin and Bob Wirch, must hold on to their two Democratic Senate seats. Second, and just as important, Democrats must win at least three recall races in order to wrestle control in the Senate.
August 9th and 16th are critical dates in terms of determining the final outcome in the recall challenges. If Democrats prove successful and regain control in the Senate, it may be a harbinger of political fortunes changing in Wisconsin in 2012.