Recall Elections

[badlydrawnjeff.livejournal.com]

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.

Comments

[sandwichwarrior.livejournal.com]

Ok, now let us parse some examples.

1: Let us suppose for a moment I worked on an oil rig, and that profits for Texaco means a fat paycheck and generous pension for me.

If my votes favor "Big Oil" am I not looking out for my own interests?

Likewise why should I vote for someone who's executive order put me out of a job? (http://voices.washingtonpost.com/post-carbon/2010/12/obama_administration_will_ban.html)

2: Apply the above argument to any other major industry.

3: Let us suppose for a moment for a moment that oversized national debts lead to civil instability. (A cursory review of recent European and South American history provides plenty of evidence to back this claim)

Would not a vote to "cut costs" not be a vote in favor of stability?

4: Progressives don't give a shit about the rural poor, as long as you get your "Cap & Trade" the people who grow your food and transport your goods are expendable (http://talk-politics.livejournal.com/1119289.html?thread=89457721#t89457721).

Befor you ask "When did that happen?" consider Cap and Trade when viewed from a rural american point of view.

Caps on energy production result in fewer jobs and higher prices.$4.00+ a gallon hits the guy driving a truck or tractor a lot harder than it does an urban commuter who rides the bus. Because modern industrial farming is an energy intensive activity food prices will climb accordingly. The push for more public transportation does little to benefit those effected because it's limited to major population centers. The rich will continue to get rich and the poor will get even poorer all in the name of saving the planet.

The message many on the left have embraced seems to be "fuck about those ignorant slope-heads in the flyover states?"

Those "Ignorant slope-heads" telling the left "Go fuck your selves!" is an entirely predictable reply.

[kylinrouge.livejournal.com]

If my votes favor "Big Oil" am I not looking out for my own interests?

This example is not the type of person I'm talking about. Rich people voting to stay rich is a given. Poor people voting to stay poor is odd.

Would not a vote to "cut costs" not be a vote in favor of stability?

What the hell? Are you implying that I just want to raise costs? If I wanted to do that, I'd vote for tax cuts.

4: Progressives don't give a shit about the rural poor, as long as you get your "Cap & Trade" the people who grow your food and transport your goods are expendable.

I never said I supported cap & trade.

Your examples rely on too many naked assumptions about me.

[sandwichwarrior.livejournal.com]

This example is not the type of person I'm talking about. Rich people voting to stay rich is a given. Poor people voting to stay poor is odd.

Who said anything about being rich? I'm talking about the Roughknecks, Crane Operators, and Cooks.

What the hell? Are you implying that I just want to raise costs?

Based on a broad range of positions held by many progressives it would not be an illogical conclusion.

I never said I supported cap & trade.

But many Democrats do, which is a good reason for the rural poor to vote Republican.