Morning headlines read more
like obituaries than reason for anyone to celebrate. Despite pre-election
polls suggesting either candidate could win, odds greatly favored Republican
Scott Walker.
He outspent Democrat Tom Barrett around 25 - 1. Corporate backing made
the difference. The Democrat National Committee (DNC) gave no financial
or campaign support. Neither did Obama. Effectively they conceded. Final
results didn't surprise.
On June 6, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel headlined "Walker wins recall
race over Barrett," saying:
He became "the first governor in (US) history to survive a recall election...."
In March 2011, Boise State University's Political Science Professor
Gary Moncrief said:
<blockquote>"I don't think there's a precedent for what's going
on in Wisconsin. I don't think there's ever been a case where pretty
much everyone has been subject to a recall attempt at one time on both
sides. That's really amazing."</blockquote>
He referred to legislative and gubernatorial recall campaigns ongoing
at the time.
Only four previous times in US history were multiple state lawmakers
recalled at the same time for the same issue:
90 years ago in North Dakota for governor and two other state officials;
two in Idaho in 1971 over a pay raise;
two in Michigan in 1983 over a tax vote; and
two California Republicans in 1995 for collaborating with Democrats.
Before 2012, only two governors faced recall elections.
In 2003, California Republican Arnold Schwarzenegger replaced Democrat
Gray Davis. One anti-populist leader succeeded another. Voters lost
out entirely.
In 1921, Republican/Nonpartisan League Governor Lynn Frazier was recalled.
Republican Ragnvold Nestos replaced him. In 1923, Frazier won a US Senate
seat. He served until January 1941.
"Recall is an extreme measure (under) extreme circumstances," noted
University of Iowa Professor Caroline Tolbert.
Other analysts said everyone is watching Wisconsin. Before 2011, only
two lawmakers in state history were recalled.
Last year, Democrats lost four of six recall races. Republicans kept
legislative control. While popular sentiment wants change, Democrats
and Republicans offer none. Both parties support wealth and power. Vitally
needed social justice doesn't stand a chance.
Across America, earlier era progressivism is nowhere in sight. It began
in the 19th century to end slavery, support women's rights, small farmers,
and political populism. It advocated:
social reforms benefitting ordinary Americans;
citizen empowerment;
comprehensive education as a universal right;
curbing corporate power;
eliminating corruption and waste;
labor rights;
laws prohibiting child worker exploitation;
environmental conservation, and other issues stressing social values
over financial gain.
In January 1944, Franklin Roosevelt proposed an economic bill of rights.
The earlier one "proved inadequate to assure us equality and the pursuit
of happiness," he said. He endorsed:
<blockquote>"Opportunity.
The right to a useful and remunerative job.
The right to a good education.
The right of every businessman, large and small, to trade in an atmosphere
of freedom from unfair competition and domination by monopolies.
Security.
The right to adequate protection from the economic fears of old age,
sickness, accident and unemployment.
The right to adequate medical care and the opportunity to achieve and
enjoy good health.
The right of every family to a decent home.
The right to earn enough to provide adequate food and clothing and recreation."</blockquote>
Roosevelt didn't live long enough to promote implementation. Today's
neoliberal policies oppose what he proposed. Party boss agendas exclude
social justice. Today's America reflects high unemployment, eroded labor
rights, growing poverty, an unprecedented wealth gap, and mass deprivation.
Final vote totals showed Walker won 53.2 - 46.3%. He declared victory.
Barrett conceded.
Republican Lt. Governor Rebecca Kleefisch also held office. Four senate
seats were contested. Republicans won three. Control of the evenly balanced
Senate hung in the balance.
Democrat John Lehman defeated Republican incumbent Van Wanggaard. Winning
gives Democrats Senate control.
However, the slim margin of victory may prompt recount calls, so it's
too early to know for sure. If Lehman's win holds, Democrats will have
a 17-16 majority.
Recall elections are now over. In 2011, Democrats gained two seats.
Republicans kept majority control.
In November, 16 of 33 Senate seats will be contested. Since 1990, incumbent
senators were reelected only twice.
Nation magazine contributors represent America's pseudo-left. They're
Democrat party apologists. They support the worst of Obama. They ignore
union bosses selling out rank and file interests for their own.
They believed replacing Walker meant change. After years of neoliberal
Clinton/Obama politics, they portray them and other Democrats as pro-labor.
Editor Katrina vanden Heuvel claimed "win or lose," Wisconsin's recall
campaign "gives progressives something to build on." She and Nation
magazine prioritize reelecting Obama, keeping a Democrat controlled
Senate, and gaining a House one.
Neither party distinguishes itself from the other. On issues mattering
most, not a dime's worth of difference separates them. Obama governs
to the right of George Bush. He and Romney endorse similar policies.
Only their rhetoric differs.
Wisconsin's no different. Democrats govern like Republicans. Barrett
or Walker makes no difference. Union bosses abandoned worker rights.
Their concern focuses only on their own.
No matter which party won on Tuesday, Wisconsites lost. So will all
Americans in November. Bipartisan complicity assures worse neoliberal
harshness and more imperial wars. Only sustained popular rage can change
things. It's simmering but needs to boil.
Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago and can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net.
His new book is titled "How Wall Street Fleeces America: Privatized
Banking, Government Collusion and Class War"
http://www.claritypress.com/Lendman.html
Visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com and listen to cutting-edge
discussions with distinguished guests on the Progressive Radio News
Hour on the Progressive Radio Network Thursdays at 10AM US Central time
and Saturdays and Sundays at noon. All programs are archived for easy
listening.
http://www.progressiveradionetwork.com/the-progressive-news-hour
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