This diary is the combined work of DailyKos users Giles Goat Boy and ruleoflaw who both have this fantasy about Democrats sweeping ALL the Wisconsin recall elections this summer. We haven't decided which of us is John Lennon and which is Yoko Ono, but you can see and read the other half of our effort with a nifty companion slide-show video in ruleoflaw's diary here, then decide for yourself.
Giles Goat Boy and ruleoflaw were just two of the seven Wisconsin Kossacks who met up at the May 14th rally in Madison. They joined about 20,000 of their fellow Badgers to remind Scott Walker and the Republican legislature that we know what they're up to with the new budget. It's clear they are going to pass their union-busting language. If it isn't resolved in the courts by the end of June, they'll slip the language into the budget.
The other message we sent, expressed well by Senator Jon Erpenbach, was that our work is now outside of Madison. This is the summer of recalls. We need to fan out across the state and campaign for the Democratic candidates. At times he sounded more like the head of the tourism bureau than he did a state senator. "La Crosse is lovely this time of year," he said. (La Crosse is also the home of Republican Senator Dan Kapanke, perhaps the most vulnerable of all the recalled Senators.)
There are lots of action links near the bottom of this diary if you want to be a part of the history-making recall action and make our fantasy a reality!
We have a long row to hoe. "We" being Organized Labor, the Democratic Party and every progressive who realizes that the Koch brothers and their toadies are willing and able to destroy all the things that working people have achieved in the last hundred years. We are angry, motivated and ready, but where do we begin?
We are working class guys. Our brothers and sisters on the left want revolution and so do we. We would love to jump on the IWW bandwagon and go whole hog with a general strike.
ruleoflaw would also like to be able to juggle a bowling ball, a Ming vase and burning propane torch. He has never learned to juggle. He knows some people who can. One of them is probably willing to teach him, starting with three silk handkerchiefs in the privacy of his own home. Years of training, practice and public performance lie before ruleoflaw. We're not saying it's impossible. Deeds like this have been done before. Astonishing feats aren't really so astonishing if we realize that years of preparation go into them. He can do it!
But we're not going to put out a publicity blitz about his awesome juggling exhibition this Thursday. If he attempts this in public, people (very likely to include ruleoflaw himself) will probably get hurt, and a precious heirloom will be destroyed. ruleoflaw will be exposed to the world as a grandstanding old fool who can't deliver on his promises. On Thursday, ruleoflaw will attempt to juggle three silk hankerchiefs in the breakfast nook. His faithful woozle, Lucky Angus MacPup, will no doubt be highly entertained and want to get in on the act. Lamps may break. Explanations to mrs. ruleoflaw may be necessary. Giles has wisely decided to have other plans.
Organized labor is no more ready for a general strike than ruleoflaw is ready to juggle samurai swords.
Giles and ruleoflaw want to live in a world where there is democracy in the workplace and wealth isn't stolen from those who literally sweat to create it. That isn't pie-in-the-sky. It is already happening in developed, industrialized countries that aren't so different from ours. We can get there from here.
The future of democracy in Wisconsin is riding on these recalls. They are step one. Six recall elections on July 12. Canvassing and phone banking for the challengers is like juggling those handkerchiefs. Repetitive, exhausting, sometimes fun and sometimes aggravating. All the while yappy little dogs will distract you with agendas of their own.
Below are some links that will show you how to get involved.
So, ya live far away from Wisconsin and wutten know Johnny Erpenbach if he letcha skip ahead in da bubbler line. Ya just wanna to sen some dough?
Contribute through Orange to Blue.
If you're a native cheesehead, 'sconnie expatriot or related to a badger by marriage, you probably have a favorite in this race.
To contribute or volunteer for a particular candidate, just click on his or her name below:
Democratic Challenger Sandy Pasch to face Alberta Darling
noise of rain and The Playground Legends have struggled mightily to register poorly-represented Milwaukee voters in Darling's district. Help them out!
Democratic Challenger Jessica King to oppose Randy Hopper
When he isn't juggling, ruleoflaw has been canvassing and phone banking for Jess King. Show him and Lucky Angus MacPup some love!
Democratic Challenger Fred Clark to oppose Luther Olsen
Democratic Challenger Jennifer Shilling against Dan Kapanke
Democratic Challenger Shelly Moore to oppose Sheila Harsdorf
Democratic Challenger Nancy Nusbaum against Robert Cowles
To volunteer for or contribute to members of the “Wisconsin 14” Democrats who are facing recalls:
Democratic Incumbent Senator Jim Holperin
Democratic Incumbent Senator Bob Wirch
Democratic Incumbent Senator Dave Hansen
Need some motivation? Read ruleoflaw's righteous rant from a recent comment thread that got Giles Goat Boy fired up and ready to recall:
We have some very vulnerable Republicans here and some strong Democratic challengers. With hard work, a good ground game and some cash we can win.
But I'm not settling for a win here.
I want to beat them in a rout, a slaughter, a landslide. We need more than just a win. We need to send a message to the Kochs and their toadies that we are coming for their asses with a hickory switch and a clear conscience.
I want the Republican shitheels to whimper and soil themselves everytime somebody says "Wisconsin"!
From now until Walker is out on his ear, no rest, no peace, no mercy.
Please pardon the flecks of spittle and twitching. The Republicans piss me off a bit and it's late. I'm going to shut this computer off, take Lucky for a walk and then go to bed.
A hickory switch and a clear conscience. Perfect.
If you haven't seen ruleoflaw's awesome video yet, go here.
Wisconsin is going to make another name for itself in the next few years. Along with cheese, beer, and the Green Bay Packers, will we become known as the graveyard of the labor movement or the place where the labor movement was reborn? Will we be known as the place where the working class found fourteen politicians who earned their trust? Will we be known as the place where the American people picked up the tattered banner of democracy and started fighting back?
We're guessing that it's going to take 5 years to undo the damage already done to our state. It's an intimidating thought, but we can do it. The whole nation, as well as a considerable portion of the rest of the planet, is watching us.
The other half of the Double Fantasy is here.