No, not telling y'all anything you don't know. But AM wondering once again, about Democratic messaging.
So far, the republicans in Wisconsin have tried to legislate all manner of partisan beliefs into the budget of Wisconsin. It is no news to anyone paying attention, that this budget bill has become a way to simply by pass what would usually need to be voted upon, and a matter of public knowledge, BEFORE it was voted on.
They have been caught out in this last week, much to my delight. BUT, the way I see it, they have been caught out by citizen revolt, and yes, even republican citizen revolt, even, pass the smelling salts, press revolt
What I AM NOT HEARING, is any gosh darn Democrat of stature in Wisconsin saying out loud and proud, "Oh no you don't."
Now, let me qualify my statement. I know that Democrats in the state house and senate in Wisconsin, have spoken out on this.
But I'm talking about Tammy Baldwin and Russ Feingold, and the Wisconsin Democratic Party, central. ALL of whom, imo, should be on this like white on rice and fighting for any moment they can get in the state and national press to fight for Democratic ideals. I'm not seeing that.
Yeah, I already wrote a diary on this and got shot down by some, who told me that the position of state senators is NOT to comment on what the state legislators are actually up to, like that's somehow below them. Makes my head spin.
I know that Walker said he's going to drop the bit about gutting Wisconsin's transparency laws, and, he's going to drop the bit about making the board that decides about pensions totally partisan. He was also supposedly going to change BACK TO WHAT IT WAS the language regarding "the Wisconsin Idea" that anchors the UW's philosophy, after considerable citizen outrage. But according to all reports, that hasn't happened.
And yeah, well, he also said a bunch of other stuff, that he has blithely NOT done, and got away with not doing.
SO. AGAIN. Why oh why, don't I read a freaking thing from the Wisconsin Democratic party, or from Tammy Baldwin, or from Russ Feingold, who is now running once again to represent Wisconsin Democrats. It's not just a matter of where it's appropriate to comment, it's also a matter of the OPPORTUNITY to comment,
I DO NOT AGREE with some here who think we should just leave it up to the citizens to stage their own revolt, which they have. I DO NOT AGREE with some here who seem to have a neat and clean cut off point for where a senator, or one running to be one, should speak out.
WHERE IS RUSS FEINGOLD on these issues? You'd think this would be a tailor made opening for him to speak up and out. Lord, I get a couple of e-mails from him a day asking for money. Haven't heard a FREAKING word from him on what's going on with the Wisconsin budget. Haven't heard a word from Tammy Baldwin about it either.
Some here tell me that it's "punching down" for state senators, or those running to be so, to concern themselves with the shenanigans that are REALLY going on within the state they represent, or hope to. Supposedly, they're not to be bothered with such things.
But, if the citizens of Wisconsin, as well as other citizens on this blog, from other states, can take their time and energy to fight this, well then, AGAIN, where is Russ Feingold on this? Where is Tammy Baldwin on this? Where is a STRONG VOICE FROM the Wisconsin Democratic party organization on this?
Yeah, no, I don't buy this idea that it's all neatly segregated as to who should do what.
And I'm frankly gob smacked at the lack of upper tier Democratic fight in Wisconsin.
I see senators and house members from lots of states on TV all the time, speaking up for their party's POV. Can't remember the last time I saw one from Wisconisn, on either side.
What the F up with that?
iawe