Is a blog -- and a blog on blogspot, no less -- pretty lame for me to getting involved with? Yes. Of course. But its one of those 80/20 things. This site lets me accomplish 80% of what I want with 20% of the effort. The other 20% would require 80% more work. Thus, this blog is too pragmatic for its own good.
The FIRST thing that I want to do is get two of my favorite roommates to agree to discuss political affairs, seismic shifts, and our own political rediscoveries as we traverse our mid twenties, with me via blog.
Of course, at this exact moment in time our conversations are meant to be the private ramblings of three people who know one another well enough to insult, intrigue, and in the case of MC and Liz, make out.
The most natural thing for us to discuss, I think, is whats happening in Wisconsin. There are only a few places I'd rather be than Madison (I can't resist a good protest, but I really cant resist a "good" revolution).
Liz is lucky enough to be living in Madison and I'm sure has much more insight than me on whats happening.
So if she would be so kind as to explain the atmosphere and the fight in Madison, I'd be much obliged.
Here is my quick, outsider, perspective. Like many states, Wisconsin is facing serious budget issues. Governor Walker feels that his election has handed him a mandate (think Obama and Healthcare) to usher in an era of "responsible" government. The Public Unions in Wisconsin were slow to negotiate. And by slow I mean unwilling, originally. So the Governor used the fiscal crisis and the Unions original tough posture as an opportunity to take down Unions by going after their collective bargaining powers. An attempt to destory of the Democrat's strongest pillars. Senate Dems flee to prevent the Governor's proposed legislation from moving forward.
Lizzie? MC?
Wonderful idea Pete! I wanted to extend kudos your way for the name of the blog as well, reminds me of the "John Adams" HBO series, which I just recently finished. The series had cameos of several of our founding fathers, one my favorite reoccurring cameo came from Mr. Benjamin Franklin, at which one point Mr. Franklin quips "I am a radical moderate" and I have always thought that to be an ideal approach towards all things in life, no just politics.
ReplyDeleteI've never really been a contributor to a blog discussing any issues of serious consequence, my only endeavors have been into Seattle Seahawks football, so I need to be care as to formulate my ideas a little more clearly instead of shooting from the hip and thinking out loud as I do in my Seahawks-rants.
Now as for the Wisconin issue... ugh, where to begin. So as to my understanding as of now, the issue has passed the house (in a shady manner) and moved onto the Senate where the Dem Sens are no to be found. Since then it seems Gov. Walkers ultimate vision for Wisconsin seems to be an entire axing of the social services and Dem support pillars in the state. But there is hope, the hundreds of protesters have defiantly stoop up at the capital for 13? days now, and public opinion continues to shift more and more and more in their direction.
So who's right in this situation? To some extent both sides, but that's a cop out. I yesterday read an analysis of labor-gov't relations from the point of view of Mr. Bloomberg (who I am sure is to become a favorite pragmatist of this blog http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/28/opinion/28mayor.html?ref=opinion), in his account he suggests that the pay of the public employees has to be cut, but certainly not the collective bargaining rights, and I believe that to be spot on. We are in a tough economy right now and people have to sacrifice, period dot. Sacrifice their right to bargain as a union though? Thats a step in the wrong direction, and I hope individuals stand there until that provision is removed entirely from Gov. Walker's proposal.
How will this turnout? Honestly, from my perspective, I can't imagine Walker losing this one, he seems hell bent on getting his way, but moving forward, what does this do to his political life? Walker is being hailed as a conservative icon for standing on his principles, but in the state of Wisconsin, despite voting out Sen. Feingold, is still one of the more liberal states in the midwest and will hand Mr. Walker his own pink slip come re-election. Let's hope I'm wrong though, and the Dems hold strong with the people they support.
can you make it so we can leave posts and not have to do comments?
ReplyDeleteI tried for "radically moderate," but the blog is already in use (well not so much in use, but someone seems to hold the name but to have done little... there should be some adverse possession for domain names).
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