I have been reading much of the goings on in Wisconsin since last year.
I put this badge on my blog last year, and it will stay there until after the election.
A couple other blogs are using it as well.
Whatever happens in Wisconsin does have national relevancy, which in turn has relevancy even here in Canada. If you don't believe me look at this example. Union busting is a big thing these last 30 years, and they want to drive the final nail into that movement that gave us so many of the social/economic justice gains of the 20th century.
Many are aware that Wisconsin is a social experiment by the Koch Bros. That template will be studied and followed by many other states.
After so much hard grassroots work to reach a historical goal in the recalls, it appears that there will be less support from the National party than they are capable of.
Sad to see that. This could have been a watershed moment of solidarity and support.
Especially considering how many out of state corporate dollars are at work.
And also considering the bills against women that Walker signed in April. In the dead of night. This was covered here around the time of the event, but I am thinking it needs to be brought out again. There have been so many egregious things that Walker has done that it is difficult to track them all.
Although these bills affect all, Women who plan on sitting this election out or voting for Walker, are putting their own health and future and the future of their children at great risk.
A Friday news dump from April:
Gov. Scott Walker (R-WI) quietly signed three controversial bills on the eve of a holiday weekend to significantly limit access to abortion services and sex education. Walker “signed the bills Thursday but didn’t announce the move until midday Friday, when his office released a list of more than 50 bills he signed Thursday and Friday,” the Associated Press reports. The measures include:
Abstinence only. Women's healthcare. Again. Because in wingnut land that is a replacement for jobs and the economy.
A distraction.
a bill banning abortion coverage in policies obtained through a health insurance exchange, which will be created in 2014.
a bill requiring doctors to consult and examine a woman seeking abortion privately, away from her friends and family, and to make sure she isn’t being pressured into having an abortion.
a bill requiring sex-ed teachers to stress abstinence as the only way to prevent STDs and pregnancy. The bill also says teachers don’t have to address contraception at all. (How nice of the bill!)
Just a sidenote:
A press release that came to me through twitter the other day:
Now, Affiliated Medical Services (AMS) has announced via its website that its physicians will also no longer provide medication abortion. AMS is Wisconsin's only independent abortion provider. The suspension of this service by AMS, on the heels of last month's announcement by Planned Parenthood, leaves Wisconsin women seeking abortion services early in their pregnancies with one less health care option.
“Elections matter. As long as Scott Walker occupies the Governor's office, women will continue to lose ground on health care options,” said NARAL Pro-Choice Wisconsin Executive Director Lisa Subeck. “The environment created by Walker and anti-choice Republicans in the State Legislature is so hostile that abortion providers are no longer able to provide care to women.”
BTW, just need to point this out, once again. One result of The War on Women and sex education, is increases in teen pregnancy and the actual abortion rates. You betcha that these idiots signing these bills know this. But facts do not feed the base well enough.
Better access to contraception, higher quality sex education and shifting social norms have contributed to a 36.9 per cent decline in Canada’s teen birth and abortion rate between 1996 and 2006, according to a report released today by the Sex Information and Education Council of Canada.
Are women going to support this buffoon, even knowing what he is going to do to them and their daughters?
Gender: Walker's approval rating in the Marquette polling is 54% among men and 45% among women. In 2004 in Wisconsin, Republican George W. Bush won 52% of men and 46% of women.
Marriage: Walker's approval rating is 56% among married voters and 40% among unmarried voters. In 2004 in Wisconsin, Bush won 55% of married voters and 40% of unmarried voters.
Religious attendance: Walker's approval rating is 58% among people who go to religious services weekly or more, 47% among people who go occasionally, and 38% among people who don't attend church. In 2004 in Wisconsin, Bush won 60% of the first group, 47% of the second and 31% of the third.
Age: Walker's approval rating is 43% among those under age 30 and 49% among those 60-years-old or more. In 2004 in Wisconsin, Bush won 41% of voters under 30 and 49% of voters 60 or older.
Union households: Walker's approval rating is 39% among union households and 53% among nonunion households. In 2004 in Wisconsin, Bush won 39% of union households and 53% of nonunion households.
Education. Walker's approval rating is 51% among people without a college degree and 47% among people who have one. In 2004 in Wisconsin, Bush won 50% of voters without a college degree and 47% of college graduates.
I am always blown away by all those that will vote against their own best interests.
And we have got those types here too.
I hope that Wisconsin kicks Walker to the curb, the consequences of his re-election have far reaching repercussions to the rest of the US. I think many are painfully aware of that, it is too bad the DNC doesn't seem to be.