14 Comments
User's avatar
⭠ Return to thread
Deutschmeister's avatar

Here's what will happen with this Wisconsinite if the state GOP opts to overturn the results of a legally-conducted taxpayer-funded election. The GOP forfeited forever my vote for them when they pushed through the anti-public sector Act 10 without campaigning on it, simply because they could do so. All else they have done in the realm of hyperpartisan divide-and-conquer politics, including self-serving grossly gerrymandered redistricting, simply reinforces that decision. They made this former Republican an Ex- of their own free will. But I was not an activist before. If the GOP goes nuclear, I will become one. I will vigorously fight back and do everything within my legal power to reach others, spread the word, keep it on the radar screen for years to come, and identify any and all ways that my fertile mind can think of to get them defeated at the polls and embarrassed in public.

I am ready for this battle and will do my part, and more, whatever it takes. If the GOP wants to declare a war on democracy, I will bring as many soldiers to the battle as I can muster. It will make the Act 10 protests around the state capitol look like a walk in the park if the GOP formally opts to declare null and void an election they lost fair and square. If they want that fight, they will get it.

Expand full comment
Robert Jaffee's avatar

“They made this former Republican an Ex- of their own free will.”---Deutschmeister

And what did Walker an his band of GQP hacks do after they lost the election? They held a sham, lame-duck legislative session, to revoke executive powers before Evers could be inaugurated.

It’s Poetic Justice (no pun intended with TurDVille), but as the adage goes, “live by the sword......:)

Expand full comment
Dave's avatar

I will be happy to join you. Act 10 was the beginning of the slide into GOP disaster for this state.

Expand full comment
Hortense's avatar

I feel the same way. It seems that the GOP will need to see a significant amount of physical presence to get the idea that they are heading down the wrong road. It would be nice if this will work, but I do recall that Walker, during one of the presidential debates, said that he was ready to combat ISIS because he had to deal with the Act 10 protesters.

Expand full comment
Deutschmeister's avatar

I stress anew that everything in my comment is meant to be carried out within the letter of the law in opposition to GOP efforts to overturn elections. I do not condone illegal tactics. That said, you are right that a physical presence is the sort of optic that is needed in order to plant the seed that enough people will not tolerate such shenanigans -- public rallies, legislator listening sessions, wherever there is visibility or cameras and microphones or both. We need to be loud and obvious in our defense of democracy.

Expand full comment
Hortense's avatar

Also, regarding illegal tactics, Walker was lucky he had to deal with mad teachers and their supporters, and not the armed protesters that showed up at the Michigan Capitol a few years ago.

Expand full comment
Deutschmeister's avatar

Your point was well made that Walker looked patently absurd in comparing Act 10 protesters to ISIS and other armed, violent, radical revolutionaries elsewhere. It also helps to explain why he was essentially the first GOP presidential candidate to flame out in 2016. Once people actually heard what he had to say in context and considered its meaning, he began to sound less than competent for the job. Which we in WI knew quite well already. I was at the Act 10 protests in Madison and can confirm that it was a peaceful, orderly demonstration with only minor misbehavior overall. If anything I was struck by how "Wisconsin nice" the vast majority of people behaved despite the passion of the feelings held. Walker was clueless in so many ways. Yet the media still stick microphones under his nose for soundbites. How can we miss him if he won't go away?

Expand full comment
Hortense's avatar

Good that you were there. Thank you. That's the kind of physical presence I'm thinking of. I do remember thinking how stupid and incapable he sounded when he said that.

Expand full comment
Hortense's avatar

Yep, I may have been a bit passive in my past actions. I am now looking to attend various sessions, etc. The Bulwark articles, podcasts and commenters, along with other similar groups and sites, have been great to help me formulate my thoughts and ways to engage more proactively.

Expand full comment
User's avatar
Comment removed
Sep 7, 2023
Comment removed
Expand full comment
Deutschmeister's avatar

Better late than never.

Expand full comment
Ellen Thomas's avatar

Thank you!

Expand full comment
User's avatar
Comment removed
Sep 7, 2023
Comment removed
Expand full comment
Deutschmeister's avatar

Good motivational speech. We need that here in rallying the people to the shared cause.

Expand full comment