talkpolitics | Recall Elections

The Republicans retained the State Senate in Wisconsin yesterday:

Democrats won two state Senate seats in Tuesday's historic recall elections, but failed to capture a third seat that would have given them control of the chamber.

By keeping a majority in the Senate, Republicans retained their monopoly on state government because they also hold the Assembly and governor's office. Tuesday's elections narrowed their majority - at least for now - from 19-14 to a razor-thin 17-16.

Consider me very surprised, as I assumed we'd see at least 3-4 switch over. Of the losses, one was from a Republican in Democratic territory, and the other was immersed in a number of scandals.

What does this say about Walker and the Republicans in Wisconsin? About the local impact of the changes in how the public sector deals with unions? Heck, about the popularity of the arguments put forth about the unions at all?

There are two recall elections for next week for Democratic incumbents, as well. I haven't seen polling for them yet.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

And you plan to do this how?

State your terms.

Have elections be publicly financed (reduce corporate influence), introduce alternative vote (reduce effect of gerrymandering), among other things.

So who gets to decide which canidates get public funding and how much?

Likewise define "alternative vote" explain how it addresses the issues you've raised.

AV: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Y3jE3B8HsE

As for public funding, do whatever it is they do in Canada and other countries.

Canada used to give money to political parties according to how many votes they got in the most recent election. Limits were imposed on personal and corporate donations. The government now intends to discontinue the per-voter subsidy.

And how exatcly is that supposed to reduce corporate influence or adress the issue of the people being "not fit to govern themselves"?

Take the money out of politics and politicians are beholden to their constituents instead of their funding sources?

And the alternate vote will do this?

Public finance will do that.

Oh, so reduce everyone's speech and disenfranchise the population. Sounds great.

"If you don't want a man unhappy politically, don't give him two sides to a question to worry him; give him one. Better yet, give him none. Let him forget there is such a thing as war."

Oddly enough it's the book I'm reading right now because the wife found out I never actually read it in high school.

They don't seem to have this problem in other countries.

They don't? Speech rights are terrible in other countries, and their freedom is worse too.

Citation?

Recall Elections

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