Wisconsin Republicans Finally Decide to Win
They finally exercised an option that was available to them all along: amending the bill to remove appropriations provisions — making it a non-fiscal bill that requires no quorum.
About damn time.
Winning!
Exit question: Don’t you hate it when irregular procedures are used to destroy a de facto filibuster of an unpopular bill?
Stage whisper for non-clickers: He’s talking about ObamaCare.
P.S. The Dems are finally coming home. Their tantrum didn’t work.
UPDATE: Already hearing rumblings on Twitter that Democrats intend to challenge the bill in court. They claim Republicans didn’t strip out all the fiscal provisions.
Simple solution: bring it again once they have the quorum back . . . with all the fiscal provisions there.
You heard it here first. Will they be smart enough to do this? We’ll see.
God Damnit, Patrick.
Scott Jacobs (d027b8) — 3/9/2011 @ 6:07 pmSo let me get this straight.
AFTER trying to pass it thru with a full quorum, in an action promised during campaigns, as an “elections have consequences” sort of moment the same as that championed by Obambi as ‘justification’ for Obambi-care (but unable to do so because the minority abdicated in an attempt to dictate to the majority)….
AFTER 17 days (18?) of protests and bulls**t, threats of violence, trashing of state capitol grounds…
AFTER the “Pezzident” (thanks happyfeet) himself decided to weigh in and accuse them of demonizing public workers (while federal law still prevents way more than Walker was attempting to limit)….
WELL AFTER pundits said (Krauthammer I think said it nationally on Fox news as long as two weeks ago) that the option existed to do what they did tonight…
AFTER Walker and other repubs apparently attempted negotiation with Dems and union reps (or are they one and the same?), as proven by emails he’s released showing his side of the negotiations….
NOW, finally, by taking this action, “the governor” (who, as far as I know, didn’t get a vote, only the Senators did), is “violating the tenets of democracy”?
Mutherf.
rtrski (8bb1a4) — 3/9/2011 @ 6:16 pmThe Demoncraps are coming home? Don’t bother azz wipes. Stay at the Fleebag in Illinois.
kansas (1fc602) — 3/9/2011 @ 6:17 pmI predict it’s gonna get scary ugly mobby in Madison tonight. I hope nobody gets seriously hurt.
Gov. Walker and the pubbies did good.
elissa (a249ee) — 3/9/2011 @ 6:20 pmGood. Let’s watch Walker and the GOP try to get a budget passed (or any appropriations made) in the next two years.
The reconciliation procedure used for Obamacare has been used for a bunch of bills in the last thirty years, including the bill that contained the COBRA insurance provisions. The GOP was present, but only one of them (in the House) voted in favor.
When’s the last time a bill was passed in Wisconsin with no one from the other party even present?
Jim (ad29d8) — 3/9/2011 @ 6:24 pmDems and union thugs
ColonelHaiku (4e36de) — 3/9/2011 @ 6:25 pmin bed one loses power
other goes on strike
That’s mostly people who think anything having to do with money is “fiscal”.
In Wisconsin, as per the State Constitution and legal precedent, that word has a VERY limited definition. I wager the court will either toss the challenge, or it will invent the “Right to Collective Bargaining”.
Scott Jacobs (d027b8) — 3/9/2011 @ 6:36 pmI’ve been wondering if a defense attorney with a sure loser might develop selective Tourette’s syndrome and just shout out “winning !!!” during cross examination
SteveG (cc5dc9) — 3/9/2011 @ 6:38 pmLet’s see if the left can resist overplaying it’s hand. I’m betting no.
Ag80 (efea1d) — 3/9/2011 @ 6:56 pmelissa @ 4,
I just heard Sen. Glen Grothman (R) interviewed. He said that he and the other Republican senators were advised to leave the capitol because of an increasingly heated mob. The were escorted to Milwaukee 15 minutes after the vote took place.
Apparently more hissy fits to come.
Dana (9f3823) — 3/9/2011 @ 7:13 pmGreat idea, Patterico. Like when Chief Justice Roberts re-administered Obama’s oath of office privately after mangling it a bit in the public ceremony.
Beldar (d162eb) — 3/9/2011 @ 7:16 pmPut another way: Any time you can moot the other guy’s lawsuit at no cost to yourself, you’ve found a winning strategy.
Beldar (d162eb) — 3/9/2011 @ 7:17 pmThis is why:
Thanks to this bill — which doesn’t touch any of the civil service protections afforded public workers, nor any private-sector unions — public sector workers will have a choice over whether to join a union. Thanks to this bill, public workers who elect not to join a union won’t be forced to pay dues anyway. Thanks to this bill, elected officials won’t be negotiating away taxpayer dollars the people who finance their campaigns. So, naturally, the Democrats call it the the undoing of fifty years of “civil rights.”
Dana (9f3823) — 3/9/2011 @ 7:27 pmReports of thousands of protesters inside the capitol. (It is supposed to be closed now.) Maybe some broken windows and doors. Some concern about weight on the second floor bridges. Very little obvious security. Fire dept there, observing. Short youtube video from a local reporter below. This is making me sick.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svsgvqyr0rQ
elissa (a249ee) — 3/9/2011 @ 7:27 pmI heard a rumor of a general strike tomorrow. The unions are not happy, not at all..couldn’t happen to a nicer bunch of brats.
Terrye (eec529) — 3/9/2011 @ 7:28 pmLook at Althouse. Things are about to go not well.
Ag80 (efea1d) — 3/9/2011 @ 7:31 pm“Win” is a funny word to use. The Wisconsin GOP just slit their electoral wrists.
Wisco (2fe89f) — 3/9/2011 @ 7:35 pmReally Wisco?
I’m willing to bet otherwise.
the bhead (a31060) — 3/9/2011 @ 7:40 pmReally, Wisco? There is one thing certain in life and that’s angry dweebs who have no idea of how things work always react exactly as expected.
Ag80 (efea1d) — 3/9/2011 @ 7:44 pmThe Wisconsin GOP just slit their electoral wrists.
Well, you really don’t know that, do you? It seems to me the last group the media wants to give face time to is the group supporting Governor Walker – far less titillating than loud, boisterous protesters occupying the capitol.
If November’s election said anything, it’s that there is a strong and solid group of voters who said enough is enough. Clearly.
Dana (9f3823) — 3/9/2011 @ 7:44 pmAnd if any public-sector union member strikes they should be fired that minute, since it is illegal for them to strike.
Scott Jacobs (d027b8) — 3/9/2011 @ 7:47 pmDana @7:27–
elissa (a249ee) — 3/9/2011 @ 7:47 pmI have thought for several weeks that many of the protesters who belong to the unions do not understand this at all. Do not realize that they will be free from having union dues automatically deducted from their paychecks–and free from being forced to join the union if they choose not to. Too bad they were drumming and marching and screaming and only getting their slanted info and talking points from union leaders who clearly did not want them to know that this personal freedom was part of the bill they so desperately wanted to kill.
If we are really looking for a group to “slit their wrists”, watch what happens after the idiots protesting in Madison go too far tomorrow.
Any/all sympathy from the middle goes poof, kind of like a union fart in the wind…
the bhead (a31060) — 3/9/2011 @ 7:48 pmThe union thungs are already taking action. From Insty:Unions barring entrance to Capitol
wherestherum (ea3be5) — 3/9/2011 @ 7:52 pmelissa, I know that as a mandatory union member myself, many fellow members don’t think beyond their enormous pensions. It’s a selfish myopic view that takes nothing into consideration other than making sure they get their big bucks – no matter if the state is going broke to provide it.
And that’s the point: too many people would rather not have the freedom to choose whether or not to belong of the assurance that their hard-earned wages are not being sent to support political candidates they may not agree with and instead have the money stay in their pockets to donate to whomever (if anyone) they choose.
Apparently freedom to some is highly overrated.
Dana (9f3823) — 3/9/2011 @ 7:55 pmI’d suggest leaving the fleebaggers’ paychecks sitting in the Senate Chamber–on top of a copy of the bill they failed to stop with their despicable conduct. Also, there should be a video camera left running to record each member as they slink over and claim their unearned wages–it’ll look great on YouTube.
M. Scott Eiland (27aed4) — 3/9/2011 @ 7:57 pmOne thing the left and the public service unions forget is who pays them. It’s not the government. You can only fool the people for a while, no matter your contempt for them.
Ag80 (efea1d) — 3/9/2011 @ 8:04 pmDana–I hear you, and feel for you! I guess I am more of a “bird in the hand” kind of person. The way the states are all in debt and the electorate is getting clued in, I am not at all optimistic that those “enormous pensions” are going to materialize very much longer.
elissa (a249ee) — 3/9/2011 @ 8:05 pmBased upon history, the Gov would be wise to have the National Guard present and ready tomorrow. Wisconsin should not tolerate dangerous rioting.
GettingUgly (d4485e) — 3/9/2011 @ 8:08 pmThis Is What Democracy Looks Like!
We won.
Heh.
daleyrocks (ae76ce) — 3/9/2011 @ 8:08 pmunions are gay
happyfeet (ab5779) — 3/9/2011 @ 8:13 pmNo, feets, civil unions are gay; uncivil unions are anything but gay.
Milhouse (ea66e3) — 3/9/2011 @ 8:16 pmI would be more optimistic, elissa, if I were in any other state but California. Governor Brown presented his budget proposal without even addressing, let alone including, pension reform.
Oh, yeah, he also received 40 million dollars from big labor to get elected.
Dana (9f3823) — 3/9/2011 @ 8:17 pmI’d like to know Jack Dunphy’s opinion on how security has been run during this entire episode, including tonight. I don’t know why a government building has business hours if people can go in anytime they want. Are the police (Capitol? City of Madison? State?) facilitating the occupations? Are they trying to minimize trouble by letting basically peaceful protests go without being hindered?
Is there some legitimate law enforcment policy that says it’s ok to let the mob swarm in if it’s a “nice mob”?
MD (from UW-Madison) in Philly (3d3f72) — 3/9/2011 @ 8:26 pmIn my opinion… cops and firefighters have both exposed and embarrassed themselves.
SteveG (cc5dc9) — 3/9/2011 @ 8:40 pmUnable to put aside bias
I will never forget the teabaggers storming the halls of Congress to prevent a vote on Obamacare.
Good times.
Ag80 (efea1d) — 3/9/2011 @ 8:55 pmI understand your concerns, MD, but if it’s a peaceful “mob”, I should hope that’s covered under the 1st Amendment right to assemble.
Some chump (e84e27) — 3/9/2011 @ 8:57 pmThere is no first amendment right to assemble in the middle of a highway, blocking traffic. Nor is there a right to assemble in the Capitol with the intention of preventing legislators from getting to the chamber. This isn’t an assembly, it’s a picket line, and as far as I’m concerned picket lines should be broken with as much force as necessary, up to and including lethal force.
Milhouse (ea66e3) — 3/9/2011 @ 9:01 pm(That is to say, I believe that when picketers won’t let you drive your truck into a warehouse, and the police refuse to clear them, you should be allowed to drive through them.)
Milhouse (ea66e3) — 3/9/2011 @ 9:03 pmAlso, the First Amendment doesn’t give protesters a license to break into and occupy a building during hours when it is closed to the public. They’re trespassers and should be treated as such: i.e., removed with minimum necessary force and given citations or a trip to a jail cell.
M. Scott Eiland (27aed4) — 3/9/2011 @ 9:07 pmSJ– I wager the court will either toss the challenge, or it will invent the “Right to Collective Bargaining”.
Or more exactly, declare that a right once extended cannot be withdrawn. The Liberal Ratchet.
Kevin M (298030) — 3/9/2011 @ 9:09 pmAs for the court challenge:
That being said, there is an election for a Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice this month, and the purple-shirted goons will no doubt turn out to put a potentially decisive vote in place.
Karl (45cc92) — 3/9/2011 @ 9:31 pmWith all this thuggery going on including–possibly–State Troopers standing aside as these screaming yahoos (and, yes, I mean that in a Gulliver’s Travels kinda way) invade the Capitol, has anyone noticed the handcuffs on the INSIDE of the doors?
I pray to God a fire doesn’t break out. Honestly, are there any adults left on the Left?
Attila (3a4be2) — 3/9/2011 @ 9:41 pmIt fails on it’s face. In the state of Wisconsin the word “fiscal”, in regards to legislation, refers only to items that directly raise revenue or deal directly with taxes. This is backed by Wisconsin Supreme Court precedent.
Since in the legislation that passed the State Senate deals with none of these issues, this is a non-starter.
However, if this being passed gets even one Dem to show back up, they should take that chance to immediately pass the original bill, and then the very next second repeal the measure they voted on tonight.
Scott Jacobs (d027b8) — 3/9/2011 @ 9:46 pm36. I will never forget the teabaggers storming the halls of Congress to prevent a vote on Obamacare.
Prevent a vote? When? Try to influence their lawmakers to vote against the bill, sure. You could even say that “that is what democracy looks like”, to coin a phrase. 🙂
But the only preventing of votes the Right has ever done is via the filibuster, a within-the-rules method that’s part and parcel of how our legal system works in the U.S. Congress.
When the Right doesn’t get what they want, they work within the rules to try and change that.
When the Left doesn’t get what they want, they break the rules.
U.S. politics in a nutshell, right here.
Robin Munn (d55aaa) — 3/9/2011 @ 9:48 pm45. Prevent a vote? When?
“You roll a 2 on your Perception check and fail to detect the sarcasm. You may spend a standard action next round to attempt another roll.”
M. Scott Eiland (27aed4) — 3/9/2011 @ 9:53 pmCIVILITY NOW!
daleyrocks (ae76ce) — 3/9/2011 @ 10:03 pmI hope we appreciate the sacrifice these part time legislators are doing, this is hugely unpopular decision making and exposing our massive govt spending actually employs massive amounts of people
Before anyone jumps in – I am exactly for what they are doing, what I take some slight umbrage with – is the headline word “Finally”, and the months of team R rhectoric and rino accusations from some here
The unions will retaliate, against them personally, thats the way they handle things
So, just keeping that in mind, its not easy to be on the front lines, soo much more comfortable behind keyboards
EricPWJohnson (6a2bb1) — 3/9/2011 @ 10:10 pmAnd now Glenn “Instapundit” Reynolds is reporting that all heck has broken out in Wisconsin with protesters breaking into the capital building and vowing not to let the assembly vote tomorrow. There has obviously been a huge break out of civility, Democratic party and union style.
{^_^}
jdow (98e9d7) — 3/9/2011 @ 10:16 pmGood. Let’s watch Walker and the GOP try to get a budget passed (or any appropriations made) in the next two years.
Yes, let’s watch. It should be interesting as thousands of state employees get laid off. Anyone for 2012 ?
Mike K (8f3f19) — 3/9/2011 @ 10:23 pm48. what I take some slight umbrage with – is the headline word “Finally”
If they were going to take this step, it would have been better to do it immediately–the time in between gave the MSM the chance to propagandize for the unions and sway public opinion. Fleebagging needs to be dealt with ruthlessly, and if Republicans don’t immediately crush any future incidents of it with whatever tools are at their disposal, they will have invited whatever injury they suffer as a result. Walker and the WI Senate Republicans did the right thing, but the wait caused unnecessary self-inflicted injuries.
M. Scott Eiland (27aed4) — 3/9/2011 @ 10:27 pmI sure hope the city of Madison isn’t expecting a lot of state funds for the next couple of years.
Kevin M (298030) — 3/9/2011 @ 11:14 pm“Walker and the WI Senate Republicans did the right thing, but the wait caused unnecessary self-inflicted injuries.”
M. Scott Eiland – I disagree. The footage obtained from the protests in Madison and elsewhere around the country and demagoguing by Democrats on the issues will be priceless in 2012 and beyond.
daleyrocks (ae76ce) — 3/9/2011 @ 11:22 pmWooooo! I’m invisible!!
Scott Jacobs (d027b8) — 3/9/2011 @ 11:30 pmROTFLMAOWEST !
OK – anyone else want to flaunt geek-with-[+3]-sense-of-humour credentials ?
(grin)
Alasdair (205079) — 3/10/2011 @ 12:00 am54. Comment by Scott Jacobs — 3/9/2011 @ 11:30 pm
“It’s too late. You’ve awakened the Gazebo; it catches you and eats you.”
M. Scott Eiland (27aed4) — 3/10/2011 @ 12:31 amI WASTE IT WITH MY CROSSBOW!!
Scott Jacobs (d027b8) — 3/10/2011 @ 12:36 amI cast Magic Missile… At the darkness…
Scott Jacobs (d027b8) — 3/10/2011 @ 12:38 am“I ATTACK THE DARKNESS!!!”
M. Scott Eiland (27aed4) — 3/10/2011 @ 12:46 amRats!! I think that counts as a fail. 🙁
M. Scott Eiland (27aed4) — 3/10/2011 @ 12:47 amAnd since this is the rollmaster system, you have to roll for the effect of that open-ended down fumble…
Scott Jacobs (d027b8) — 3/10/2011 @ 12:54 amDon’t try to match me for geekness, bubba.
You. Will. Lose. 8)
Scott Jacobs (d027b8) — 3/10/2011 @ 12:54 amPerhaps in role-playing games–but I still have a geek trump card:
http://www.fanfiction.net/u/5444/M_Scott_Eiland
M. Scott Eiland (27aed4) — 3/10/2011 @ 1:07 amWriting fanfic isn’t geeky…
It’s just plain sad. 🙂
Scott Jacobs (d027b8) — 3/10/2011 @ 1:17 amHey, don’t knock it ’til you’ve read it.
(glances back up thread)
Well, if the trolls aren’t going to show up I’m going to put away the flaming oil for the night.
M. Scott Eiland (27aed4) — 3/10/2011 @ 1:21 amQ: What’s the difference between the public employees in Wisconsin and Patterico?
A: The public employees in Wisconsin work harder, are smarter and are more respected.
[This is why I moderate you, big boy. Don’t bother commenting today. You get a one day timeout and anything you post will be deleted summarily. But I’ll put this up, just so people can see what an utter asshole you are. — P]
Jim (ad29d8) — 3/10/2011 @ 5:27 amGREAT POST!
We’ve been all over this issue on Common Cents…
http://www.commoncts.blogspot.com
Steve (88e6e2) — 3/10/2011 @ 5:32 amHad I been in charge of capitol security I probably would have told the protesters over a bullhorn that they have exactly 15 minutes to empty the building before live ammunition and tear gas would be used to clear the building once and for all… but I’m an arsehole like that…
Rorschach (7a2fd6) — 3/10/2011 @ 5:42 amFrom various reports, if true, are the union mob is taking over the capital building and using handcuffs to lock the doors from the inside. This is a redux of the “sit-ins” of the 1960s. The intent is, again, to block the democratic process of the WI Legislature. It will continue the story and will provide great MSM footage of the confrontation. The left will hope for blood and gore if the police move in. Thus, the issue is what you do if you were Walker or the folks running the Legislature?
cedarhill (7d510e) — 3/10/2011 @ 5:49 amWriting fan fiction can be fun. Several of us let magic raspberries attack Janeane Garafalo years ago.
This is a bad day for the left, but too early to celebrate.
James (026ea1) — 3/10/2011 @ 5:51 ammagic red raspberries or magic black raspberries?
Seriously, lethal force isn’t necessary. Just play Mozart at them. Mozart has been shown to raise IQ of those exposed to it, so they’ll emerge chastened and conservative. Or give them the “louie, louie” treatment, if you have no mercy.
Len (143e4c) — 3/10/2011 @ 6:04 amI am eager to hear explanations for the behavior of law non-enforcement officials.
One suggestion would be finding out who was responsible for decisions that allowed the protesters to take over and give them 4 hours to have the place cleared out or be arrested- such as any officials who purposefully let people in through an unauthorized opening or high ranking officials who gave the state police orders to stand there and watch it happen.
But I’m happy to hear from those more knowledgable than I. (Jack!! Where are you Jack?!?! No, not Bauer, Dunphy!)
MD (from UW-Madison) in Philly (3d3f72) — 3/10/2011 @ 6:13 amI suggest the Wisconsin legislators should require loud non stop children’s songs to be played for the ‘kids’, such as Barney tunes like ‘I love you, you love me!’ They should get a nice echo effect in the rotunda… Also could possibly raise their IQ! JK, I think it will drive them out without a need for tear gas!
Texas Mom 2012 (cee89f) — 3/10/2011 @ 6:36 amAlso think that any so-called law enforcement officials who failed to attempt to do their job should be fired. Effective immediately.
Texas Mom 2012 (cee89f) — 3/10/2011 @ 6:39 amHow about playing Rush, Hannity, Fox News, Mark Belling. That would be a great education for them.
Paul (38c35b) — 3/10/2011 @ 8:06 amThe US Justice Department is reportedly investigating.
That ought to be good news for the violent emailer.
CIVILITY!!!!!
JD (855f87) — 3/10/2011 @ 8:22 amOops. Here is the link.
http://gatewaypundit.rightnetwork.com/2011/03/wisconsin-republicans-receive-death-threats-justice-investigating/
JD (855f87) — 3/10/2011 @ 8:26 amNext up, apparently: bitterly fought recall elections in the district of every state Senator, Democrat or Republican, who was elected in 2008.
aphrael (e0cdc9) — 3/10/2011 @ 8:49 amAccording to Gateway pundit Repub Assembly members will be escorted into the building (if possible) and into the chamber (if possible) by other than Madison police (who are not cooperating)
Big crowds chanting is not a problem, letting them into places they should not be, disrupting government, and not being controlled by proper authorities does.
MD (from UW-Madison) in Philly (3d3f72) — 3/10/2011 @ 9:01 amWould that be Eric “my people” Holder’s Justice Department that is investigating? I wouldn’t hold my breath.
Rochf (f3fbb0) — 3/10/2011 @ 10:29 amThis is what democracy looks like, beeyotches!!!!!!!! You Koch-head fascists will be dealt with in due time.
JD (7e4dc3) — 3/10/2011 @ 10:52 amFrom an old “friend” of this blog:
Every ******** creep with a modem and a text editor likes to swoon over “democracy”. What they don’t get through their block-heads is how it necessarily sets people against one-another in a declining political spiral of grasping and grabbing, all while the spine and spirit are leeched out of them to the point where they extend their arms to the skies in helpless supplication of helicopters while their American forebears tumble in their graves at being the ancestors of such outright punks.
(NSFW word omitted to comply with Patterico’s filters.)
kishnevi (fb9343) — 3/10/2011 @ 2:08 pm