Why Real Progressives Should Support Scott Walker

Reason ^ | June 1, 2012 | Steven Greenhut

[Clintonfatigued]

The radio show was a preview of what was to come in Wisconsin—a season of angry diatribes, militant union marches, not-so-nice attacks on a governor who, after all, has done nothing more than reform a debt-laden system and has actually saved union jobs and saved unions. Rather than engage the issues, the left has chosen to echo the approach taken by callers to that radio show—stomp their feet, yell, and scream and absolutely, positively refuse to provide an alternative path.

There’s something bizarre in all this, a reminder that the once-proud movement of working people has morphed into an upper-middle-class movement of coddled public employees who do not care about debt levels and eroded public services. They have their gold-plated pensions and no one better touch them or else.

Progressives used to pride themselves on their desire to help the poor, but in Wisconsin these days they’d rather throw the poor under the bus—a public bus, of course, with a union driver—to protect the relatively wealthy class of workers who administer government programs. So we’ve watched the antics—legislative Democrats heading to Illinois to deny the governor a quorum for his budget vote; truckloads of union activists and boatloads of union money pouring into the state capital; attempts to portray Walker as someone who is destroying the state.

But a funny thing happened on the way to the recall. Wisconsin’s economy is rebounding, its debt receding. The state is gaining jobs everywhere except in downtrodden Milwaukee, where Democratic gubernatorial candidate Tom Barrett serves as mayor, and where union control has its tightest grip. At this late stage in the race, it’s purely a numbers game as both sides bring out the ground troops to get their voters to the polls.

[Clintonfatigued]

This is an interesting editorial from an unexpected source. It would be nice if Walker got some crossover votes.

[gusopol3]

I wonder why he misses the main point which is that union dues = Democratic campaign funds = Democrat office holders beholden to their donors.

[WaterWeWaitinFor]

Cross-over votes from unions? Well, well..... some 4 adults that we are very close to are long time trade union members - now retired. They are ALL voting Walker - I trust every one of them and that they will vote Tuesday for Walker.

They are SICK to death of their union leaders using money for themselves, for only Democrats and for corruption. They all 4 have told us that they have stopped going to union meetings, will not answer the phone when they know it’s the union calling. All they want is more money from these guys and at the union meetings it’s worse than pathetic in the unions demands for money to fight this vindictive state of WI battle of a useless re-call. These fellows are fed up.

I was at a Walker rally this afternoon. The enthusiasm is awesome and we can’t WAIT till Tuesday to vote.

[MuttTheHoople]

I could see people who totally disagree with Walker's politics voting for him in this recall election- reason being, you should never have a recall election over policy differences. There are elections every 2-4 years for these things, and principled people on either side of the aisle should vote for Walker on just that.

It's going to be so much fun watching the people of Wisconsin totally repudiate B. Hussein Obama and the Democrat party for foisting this election on us- The Obama-Wasserman-Schultz Democrat Party Referendum Election in Wisconsin this Tuesday.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks Clintonfatigued.

...a governor who, after all, has done nothing more than reform a debt-laden system and has actually saved union jobs and saved unions... the once-proud movement of working people has morphed into an upper-middle-class movement of coddled public employees who do not care about debt levels and eroded public services. They have their gold-plated pensions and no one better touch them or else.

[Hawthorn]

>> This is an interesting editorial from an unexpected source <<

What's unexpected about the article? Were you thinking that Reason is some kinda leftwing rag? Not exactly, my FRiend, not exactly!

[Mygirlsmom]

What this exposes is that there really are very few real progressives if the definition is those who are concerned about the poor.

Sure, they are happy to take MY money out of my pocket and say to the poor - "here you go!" They are also just as happy to do things that "feel" like they are being magnanimous, as long as no real effort or sacrfice is involved.

But when it comes right down to it, their "radio stations" have always been tuned to WIFM --"What's In it For Me?"

[alloysteel]

In their hearts, the voters of Wisconsin need only ask themselves if they are “better off, or worse off, than two years ago”.

Even a vast majority of the union workers that precipitated this recall election, if they examine their current economic condition with an unbiased eye, will see that they, too, are actually better off, on balance, than they were in 2010.

[OregonRancher]

The author, Steven Greenhut, has written a meticulously researched and easily read book, “Plunder”, that eviscerates
the public service unions, describing in exquisite detail the
rise in power of the unions and their unholy marriage to liberal politicians.

[Hunton Peck]

Wisconsin: Reasons to support Walker ping!

[Psalm 144]

“It would be nice if Walker got some crossover votes.”

There is a lot of overlapping interest between conservatives and libertarians regarding small government, freedom of expression and association, and business. Everyone who values freedom is choking on the status quo.

[Impy]

It’s time to end civil service and return the to the spoils system.

[Impy]

I think Reason is a libertarian publication so it’s not that surprising.

[Elsiejay]

Reason magazine is pretty much, or more, Libertarian.