So I am clearly upset by the vote last night by the Wiscy repugs but I couldn't help but step back and say 'why in the world would they do this?"
Its easy to go with the simple 'Scott Walker has god complex and can't help but overreaching'. But it can't be that simple.
There is a tremendous amount of intellect and money driving the repug strategies, and though I hate to admit it Fox/Repugs tend to do a far better job at driving the narrative into the average voter's living room. So what is up? Why tip the unions over in wiscy, ohio, michigan, oregon, indiana, etc?
There must be a pony for them in there. Check out Fineman in the linked video on what the Repub strategists are up to at the highest level. Its that but even simpler...fineman on republican strategy
So quite simply this is about the 2012 presidential election (as is nearly everything right now). This pivotal point in US History will be swung hard for a decade or more towards one core philosophy or the other and as usual, the middle 10% of true swing independents will decide it all. If Obama wins and dems retake control of one or more houses, the legislative onslaught and remake of America will be dramatic. If Repubs win we'll go equally far back into the past.
More specifically, if the economy still sucks in fall 2012 and we haven't had a major improvement in jobs Obama will lose -- the Carter misery index will be a huge success story compared to the economic indicators of a double dip recession/stagflation/or depression.
So lets sharpen the point a bit more regarding Wisconsin and the other coordinated strategies against unions. Four clear benefits of where the Republicans are going:
1. Show dramatic fiscal prudence and savings through whatever means at the state/fed level to demonstrate that repugs can achieve a dramatic reduction in government spending. A clear contrast to the 'tax and spend liberals' - hold the tea party base and attract a few independents who still have jobs
2. Huge layoffs and job losses at the state/local govt level puts more pressure on unemployment and a huge drag on the private sector employment growth and almost guarantees that Obama can't get reelected. Remember the unions vote dem overwhelmingly anyway so even though the unions will still hew dem, the swing voters will see 4 years of stagnation and lose patience in obama.
3. Unions spending is dramatically reduced on campaigns. No clear offset to the Republican corporate spending... we will be outgunned dramatically.
$. AND Fineman's point. Lets assume labor/unions react either violently (highly possible even among reasonable people when livelihoods are threatened) or GENERAL STRIKE. Well if the average american (read swing voter) is now harmed by the general strike (my kids can't go to school, my garbage is piling up, i don't feel safe when the police/fire are striking, etc. etc.) and Obama steps in on the side of labor (he has to right?). Well this even though right may be wrong for dems.
Now we have Obama mired in an economic slump (due to drag on economy and social uncertainty) and tied to the unions who are "violent?" and certainly "impeding daily life for the swing voters?" and we don't have the funding or coordination to offset the corp/repug spending... and guess what Repubs win the hearts and minds of the 10% in the middle and with gerrymandering swing just enough to win White House.
Yes they have only loons and liars running, but someone will emerge.
So, what do we do? On this I don't have the answer but I sure wish we had the coordination not just at the grassroots/netroots but at the top. Starting with the White House... (spoiler alert I am full supporter of Obama and understand why he has to walk this middle line which I know upsets many of us at dKos). But we need a centralized offensive strategy so we can stop playing defense to the Kochs and Roves.
I guess my one hope is that we retain the moral high-ground. Stay peaceful and respectful and let the voices of sanity build on our side in a movement that turns the tide of America for the next generation.
Axelrod/Plouffe where are you? We need to take the narrative back.