The liberal political machine was in full throttle. Millions of dollars in campaign ads streamed on TV. An army of union workers descended on the state in a massive grassroots voter mobilization effort. But when the dust settled, the smoke cleared, and the votes were counted, the conservative majority that swept into Wisconsin last November remained intact last night despite an unprecedented recall effort designed to bring an end to Governor Scott Walker’s reforms.
Yesterday in Wisconsin, Democrats tried to recall six GOP senators in an attempt to gain a foothold in the state’s legislature—they lost in four of the races, failing to regain a majority in the state senate. Those losses came despite a $14 million effort waged by unions and liberal groups from across the country, including the AFL-CIO, UAW, AFSCME, MoveOn.org, Teamsters, UFCW, NEA, SEIU, and People for the American Way.
The recalls marked the latest battle in the war between liberals and conservatives being waged in the birthplace of American progressivism, and once again, progressivism lost. And it’s no wonder.
In last November’s election, the Tea Party surge brought new conservative voices to Wisconsin’s state government, and under the leadership of Governor Walker, a new way of thinking took hold in the state’s capital. Wisconsin faced the fourth highest tax burden in the country, the state carried a $3 billion structural deficit, and unions had a monopoly on power. In June, Heritage’s James Sherk explained just how sweet of a deal the state’s unions had:
Government employees in Wisconsin paid just 6 percent of their health care premiums and next to nothing for generous pensions, and the average teacher in Milwaukee makes $101,000 a year. Government union contracts also require layoffs to occur on the basis of seniority. Long-time government employees can rest assured that they will never get laid off.
Enter Governor Walker’s sweeping reforms, including a new budget and a new collective bargaining law restraining the unions’ power. His proposals woke the unions from their sated slumber, spurring massive protests that shut down the state’s capitol, and14 Wisconsin senate Democrats fled to Illinois where they hid out for more than three weeks in an attempt to block the law. Ultimately, the reforms passed, they survived legal challenges, and now the state is reaping the benefits.
As America continues to struggle with unemployment, Wisconsin added a net of 9,500 new jobs in June — more than half the 18,000 created nationwide. Meanwhile, neighboring Illinois lost 7,200 jobs in June–and the state’s government is pursuing the well-worn liberal path of drastically higher taxes in order to combat crippling deficits. Heritage’s Rob Bluey reports on Wisconsin’s new-found success:
Wisconsin’s resurgence comes after three years of job losses — more than 150,000 jobs were lost in the three years before Walker became governor. Since he took office in January, the state has added 39,300 private-sector jobs. That puts Walker on pace to exceed his goal of 250,000 new jobs in four years.
In Wisconsin, the voters took notice. In a state that Barack Obama won handily in 2008, where unions have a historical stronghold, and where millions were spent to halt the tide of conservatism, the movement toward reform continues. Last night’s recall elections show that the Tea Party wave, even in the bluest of states, is no fluke.
Quick Hits:
- The Dow Jones Industrial Average went up 4 percent yesterday–its biggest daily gain since March 2009—following word that the Federal Reserve would keep interest rates near zero for at least the next two years. Initially, though, the market reacted negatively to the news.
- Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) has announced his appointments to the deficit-reduction “supercommittee”—Senate Finance Committee chairman Max Baucus (D-MT) and Sens. John Kerry (D-MA) and Patty Murray (D-WA).
- Sixteen-thousand troops have brought some calm to London following riots that began last week. However, violence and looting have spread to other British cities, and Prime Minister David Cameron says “nothing is off the table” to regain control.
- U.S. officials visited a refugee camp in Kenya where more than 400,000 Somali refugees have fled the drought and famine that is plaguing the country. Twenty-nine thousand children under the age of five have died in the last 90 days, according to aid agencies.
- America will witness more power plant closures, spikes in electricity prices, job losses, and increased power outages under the EPA’s new emissions requirements, according to new data. Read more at Foundry.org.
This is very encouraging. Maybe we can save America after all. TG
Great news but wish the two seats weren't lost–can a second recall be done on those seats!!
It's a well Known fact that the Democrats cheat when it comes to elections no doubt the Unions stacked the deck against the other two seats to well for the GOP to win them, I predict a future challenge and investigation as to legality of those Democratic casted votes.
We The People vs Unions…WTP win, cautionary tail to Unions, your days are numbered.
All Media outlets need to be touting this. At this hotel I stay at, we only have CNN which has studiously avoided any mention of this. They are making me sick.
The Tea Party must re-energize and move forward to make the next three election cycles look like repeats of the 2010 elections or better. We will need at least three election cycles to effect systemic change in the status quo of our governments at all levels. It is time to advance, not retreat!
It only took two elections (2006, 2008) to get us into this position. How many will it take for get us OUT of the ditch?
This is great news and shows leadership from the people to their elected officials. Maybe enough folks in all States will put the message to the United States Congress.
Now if only the members of Congress would follow this example..America might be saved for our grandchildren. Amen!
Also the birthplace of the Republican Party
Also the home of the Republican Party
We The People vs Unions….WTP won….a cautionary tail to Unions, you have overstayed your welcom and overstepped your bounds the People have spoken.
There is hope for the state I live in and love! Thanks to Conservative talk radio in Wisconsin, especially our local WISN radio, we were informed and spurred on to vote to keep the values that most Americans hold dear. I so hope the Conservative victories in Wisconsin (along with our now balanced budget) influence the rest of the electorate to take our country back in 2012! It can be done as it was in this former "blue state"!
Carol
It's nice to hear that $14 million only "bought" two seats. The sad thing is: they were successful at "buying" even 2 seats. People are easily misled by big money.
I believe that, in the end, truth & good ideas win, lies & bad ideas lose. But along the way to ultimate success, truth & good ideas are often set aside by the masses, who are too easily misled. In the short run, lies & bad ideas often look like they are winning.
I can only hope that America is beginning to wake up to the notion that "big government", central banking with paper money, high taxes, socialism & re-distribution of wealth are bad, failed ideas… and that "small government", decentralized banking with sound money, low taxes, level playing field capitalism & allowing people to hold on to their hard earned wealth are good, winning ideas.
The great thing about this purchase of two seats for $7M each is they do not have it for other smear campaigns.
Well said, Frank. Hopefully, more than 51 percent of Americans are awake or slowly rising to recognize the values, worth and necessity for a small government, honest politicians (that may be an oxymoron) and constitutional rights this nation was built upon..
I watched MSNBC last night as the progressive goons in the audience and the Elite progressives with their constant talking points tried to tell us how this was the beginning of the end for the tea partiers and their extreme policies. Under Walker's plans the rich are given lots of favors and the poor can go fly a kite, they kept asserting. They were exultant as they won two races and thought they were winning a third because Darling is the rubber stamp darling of the governor. Well, she won quite well. In the meantime, the comments were that a county in Wisconsin was corrupt and it will not be an honest election. So this is not the end of it. The crowd ate this up. Such a mangy bottom feeder looking crowd it was. The gimmes I call them. No concern for American or Wisconsin, only for their insatiable needs to take from those who earn. Another talking point was that there is a liberal republican in the congress there and he could be persuade to switch and then they would make quick work of Walker.
It would be a great coup if we could take both elections next week, too.
How many times do they think they need to tell us the Tea Party is over before we believe that lie? Actually, they are really reinforcing the thought in their own people's minds (fear of losing them?) as we tea partiers are too smart to believe the media over our eyes. Where did I hear that the Tea Party is a Principle without a face and Obama is a face without a Principle? I am sorry I cannot give credit to the original speaker of that!
Does anyone else find it ironic, that in the picture attached to this article a self-professed (check the buttons out) union member is protesting on the street with a beer in her hand?
Brian – drinking beer is part of their agreement don't you know that??? Budweiser ???
The coffee party didn't work, perhaps they think an early beer drinking party will do better. They are SO upset that our grassroots beats their astroturf every time.
perhaps apopros, out of work union protester doing what they do best
Unless they pave the streets in Wisconsin in carpet i'd say she is in a hotel ballroom eating & drinking on the union dime or OPM (other peoples money)
Very astute. I checked and missed it. Congratulations!
way too go voter in wisconsin our union are getting to political down with socialism
to all who vote tell our polition too tell the good of our country the president to resign now he does'nt know what he doing
The battle againts those among us who think they can live off the backs of other hard working people has been won in this instance. The battle continues! Lets win the war in 2012!!!!
Shout out to those in Wisconsin who stood their ground!
That POOR woman , beer in hand, WOW, such graceful beauty to behold.!! Is this what the UNION LADIES LOOK like ?? WOW, real Class ! The Unions are nothing more than socialist/communists, and the union workers are too stupid to see who the Unions really are and what they are trying to do to the USA. WE the other half, will sure make it damm hard for the Unions, It's American vs Unions…….VOTE. in 2012 Follow what the Tea Party is planning to get our country back to its patriots…True Americans against Union Socialists..Open your eyes Union workers, open your eyes..!
The budget reductions and added jobs speak for themselves. A comparison of Wisconsin to Illinois is a clear indicator of what a democratic cotrolled state and unions can do to a state. In Illinois we have unfunded union deficits that are around $80 billion and our Govenor's response is to raise taxes 66% along with an increase of 18% spending.
I can only hope the voters in this state will follow the course of our neighbor to the north.
Perhaps we can stop the slide to socialism. Why is it that these union types feel the need to make your choices for you? All the while they espouse "choice" and "justice" as their mantra. My freedom of self-determination needs none of their coercive collective thinking.
The Tea Party is alive and well. Lets make sure we keep the heat on and wipe the libs out of Washington once and forall!
Free food and beer. Come demonstrate, agitate and celebrate. Pretend to be a real American instead of a uniom goon.
I've been wondering from the beginning why there was no recall of the AWOL Democrats for their corrupt actions, what am I missing here?
Government workers and their unions are disgusting. I've lived in that part of the country and learned that every union manager is a thug and a crook. The only union I ever encountered that was not packed with gangsters was the musicians union, which seemed genuinely helpful. The rest we could sure do better without.
This is great news. Maybe we can put a fire under
New Jersey's governor. Our tax burden is 100% and unemployment is high. We need lots of help.
Great post! He sure talks a lot of noise – but walks softly in his penny loafers.
100%? The state takes all of your money and then what? Redistributes it?
Bad day for the communists in Wisconsin today. Sucks to be them.
This is just a small taste of what would happen if we tried to fight back as a nation, let alone one small (but very tough) state. Of course, we would need fighters like Wisconsin has – not the gutless, whipped, neutered wimps like Boehner, McConnell and their Gang of 280! The real lesson is the Wisconsin libs attempted a recall after less than one year – WE should be recalling every repub that voted for the debt debacle BOMB (Boehner, Obama, McConnell, Biden). Every single one of them. In our district, Rep. Michael Burgess was roasted for his support of the BOMB. Bye, Bye, Dr. Burgess.
Congratulations Wisconsin! This is just a prelude to what is going to happen in 2012.
old custom for visitors to your house. on the bedpost were pineapples and when the visitors overstayed their welcome the pineapples were gone, telling the guests to move on. Well, the pineapples for the Dems, union members, progs,libs,etc are now gone. Please move on.
OOO-RAH!!!!
However thin the margin I will take the results. It should be interesting to hear the spin Obama (wait a minute, isn't he going on vacation?) has as well as the "left" media on the results. Yes, it is a victory but much more work needs to be done. Look only across the pond to see what happens when socialists run out of other peoples money and the citizens revolt after being cut off from goverment support.
Great news for the state of Wisconsin and Gov Walker. Too bad 2 of the 6 were replaced by liberals yet the majority is still a logical based group of Senators. The unions have got to go – they have no place in representing people that are working and being paid from my tax dollars. I demand service and quality of processes by these workers – if not, then they should be let go. There are plenty of qualified unemployed workers who can do these jobs.
It is too bad we cannot get a similar movement in the state of New Mexico – very liberal, and unionized.
There is no acceptable excuse for what you have done. You cannot engage in bringing harm to life and, like the Nazi’s defense at Nuremberg, presume that because you do so under the “authority” of an imaginary, abstract, unreal legal fiction called “government” you are freed of the consequences of your acts. Moral and natural law are not obviated by ignorance, hubris and self-righteous militancy. Your entire system – from the ground up – is deceit and fraud. It is illicit in essence and ab initio. As Broom’s Maxims 297, 729 put it: “A right of action cannot arise out of fraud.” Honor is earned by honesty and
integrity, not under false and fraudulent pretenses. The color of the cloth one wears cannot cover up the usurpations, lies, and treachery. “When black is fraudulently declared to be white, not all will live in darkness.”
More and more Americans are awakening to the truth. What do you think the American people will do as they discover that they have no more country, that they are slaves to mortal enemies, that they have been tricked and betrayed by their “leaders” who sold them out? What do you think they will do when they realize that all their alleged “public servants” are willing or stupidly compliant parties to the plunder, bankruptcy, subjugation, ruin and destruction of their lives and country? Thomas Jefferson wrote: “An honest man can feel no pleasure in the exercise of power over his fellow citizens.” Lincoln said: “Just as I would not be a slave, neither would I be a master.”
I will not participate in your corrupt, arrogant, and cruel fraud, either as perpetrator or victim. I will no longer sit here and writhe. The TYRANNY over this nation MUST END! End Emergency Rule. Repeal all laws passed under Emergency Rule. Give us back our substance and our law. Give us back our Republican form of government.
If you continue with this course, you will have natural and moral law and higher powers to answer to, not to mention all those you have wronged under color of law. You will have your own laws turned against you, as you have turned the law against us. To transform the shield of protection into a sword of exploitation, subjugation, and plunder is perfidy. I am an American. My destiny is to live as a freeman on the land my forefathers conquered and that I will fight to keep.
You have now been placed on notice. All further actions on your part will be willful! Resolutely, from an American who demands their country back.
There is no acceptable excuse for what you have done. You cannot engage in bringing harm to life and, like the Nazi’s defense at Nuremberg, presume that because you do so under the “authority” of an imaginary, abstract, unreal legal fiction called “government” you are freed of the consequences of your acts. Moral and natural law are not obviated by ignorance, hubris and self-righteous militancy. Your entire system – from the ground up – is deceit and fraud. It is illicit in essence and ab initio. As Broom’s Maxims 297, 729 put it: “A right of action cannot arise out of fraud.” Honor is earned by honesty and
$14 million? And what would that have done to help Wisconsin? The school system? New business? For shame! What a waste of money that could have been put to such good use. Gov. Walker is a rock, and a lesson for us all.
When I went to bed last night Alberta Darling was losing. I can't tell you how excited I was when I awoke this morning to the good news! Hopefully the Republicans can beat out the two denocrat senators in next weeks recall election which will give us back the 19 seats with which we began.
Great news not only for Wisconsin but for America. But the Tea Party can not rest on its laurels – they will need to gird up their loins and go to back to work. DSC
I live in MN but close to two races, one lost, one won. Around here, the $$$ the unions and Pelosi put in place is being touted as $30,000,000 or $5,000,000 per seat – for a state senate office, a part time job. The unions and left are desperate.
Re the two who lost: One is in a very Democratic district so his was really tough; the other was an R who moved out of his district….. Possibly a win in 2012 b/c the Rs will run a different candidate.
There are two more recall elections next week – two Dems are being recalled. You can help the R challengers. Simac and Steitz are challenging Dems next Tuesday (cut and paste to get to this site: http://www.wisgopsenate.com/candidates.html)
One final point – WI, under Governor Walker passed their photo id bill – voters had to prove they were who they said they were. What a novel concept:)
Thanks to all who helped and congrats to all who won!
Now if the Rpubs take one of the two Demo seats up for recall it would be sweet.
I live in MN but close to two races, one lost, one won. Around here, the $$$ the unions and Pelosi put in place is being touted as $30,000,000 or $5,000,000 per seat – for a state senate office, a part time job. The unions and left are desperate.
Great news!!
What a triumph for conservatism and the natural law. Brilliant.
Yours sincerely,
John B. Reid,
Dublin, Ireland.
GO WISCONSIN!!!! So excited for them! Meanwhile in Florida the election of Governor Scott has so far resulted in reduced property taxes, 85,000 new jobs (bringing our unemployment rate to about 10%), and welfare recipients will now be required to pass drug tests before being awarded state bennies!!!! We Love Governor Scott. Congratulations Governor Walker on your successes and keep moving forward!
Glynnda
I recall an article that one school district went from a deficit to a surplus because they could take bids on their health insurance rather than having to use the union backed insurance company. Because of that they saved numerous jobs. Obama quotes fuzzy numbers about jobs saved. But these are actual numbers of jobs saved. Therefore when the article states that 9,500 new jobs were created in Wisconsin last month, if you used Obama's way of looking at things that number should be much higher because it should include the saved jobs that are occurring because of the new structure in Wisconsin. Way to go Wisconsin! Hope this dovetails into other states, including my home state of Michigan!
I was just amazed, yesterday, as i was flipping through the channels about 10 P.M. and the folks on MSNBC were estatic that they were winning and they were all clamoring that they would win 4 seats and maybe more, I mean who cares about the state and what happens just so the unions make out. Anyway itt crystalized for me the reason I don't ever or very seldom watch MSNBC and I was just dumfounded at the people standing and clapping about the fall of the Republicans; and then I thought if these are parents, how in the heck are they bringing up their kids. The cycle just never stops.
WE need a "Walker" in Michigan really badly.
CALIFORNIA MUST BE NEXT TO STRAIGHTEN OUT THE MESS THE LIBS HAVE MADE OF THIS STATE
My hope is that other governors who are in the same situation can learn by the example set by Scott Walker and the leaders in Wisconsin. Way to go!
The Democrats and their union allies pulled out all the stops___and lost.
The GOP spent 3 times as much as the Dems . . to end up losing two of their legislators . . Hmmmm . . I wonder what that says . . And about pulling out all the stops . . How about the Repubs running fake candidates . . waisting tax payer money for a meaningless primary . . How about the misinformation put out about which day absentee ballots could be received .. or how about for the future the new voter ID laws . . followed by the initial closings of DMVs in traditionally Dem. areas. But lets not forget Walker himself who was recorded answering a question from who he believed was one of the Koch brothers about the suggestion to put thugs in the Union supporting crowds to attempt to discredit their stance . .
The war is not over this is just a skirmish. We must not back down. We must put more pressure on the progressives and on their destructive ideas and policies. Let them keep spending more and more money and let them spend themselves into oblivion. We must hold the line in the sand. We must be like the Cheyenne Dog Soldiers and tie our selves to a stake into the ground, which is our Constitution. This is the WTP revolution. We must take back our country or the freedoms we hold so dear will be lost and the Country that our Brave Soldiers have bled and died for will be lost. We must stop the government handouts oops I mean bailouts to the Unions which launder this money and put it into the democrats re-election coffers.
Hello America,
The Wisconsin recall election, in spite of Satan's disciples bag of dirty tricks and Soros money failed miserably to bring back the dark old days of economy busting progressivism. It is now time to add all the Kleptocrats left in the senate to another recall election. It appears that God still shines his face down on us, though we don't deserve it. There is hope and happiness in conservatism. Accolades to the Spirit of 76 Tea Party movement in Wisconsin for getting out the facts to the voters. No more union monopolies that break the bank. They are on the ropes due to abysmal membership . . . let's, as red white and blue Americans come together and finish them off in each state. They lost their way a long time ago when they pushed their Communist roots on us.
The Turban Torpedo
The battle is just beginning. The TEA Party and Heritage must revitalize the populace to ensure the momentum is maintained. The only reasonable, logical & factual information provided is by Heritage…don't slow down because Obama and the 'spendocrats' won't.
It is funny how much money deceitful people will spend to attempt fraud over a state of people! Efficient ways to use money that the ignorant with the money, won't see. There's no reason for this disgusting display of corruption attempting to get ahead of the good people of Wisconsin. It's too bad, to! Almost suspect that the president sided with the actions of the union in the beginning and now we hear nothing from him, aware of what the turn out would be after sending out the military flash neighborhood mobs to violate good people into not voting. Thank goodness the people of Wisconsin has the strength the president, democrats and unions deny!
Congratulations state of Wisconsin! It must be comforting to have leadership of dignity, integrity and inner strength with responsibility and accountability no union or democrat favors, both show disliking to and both expressing these attributes to be extreme!!!! What simple, weak, low lifes destroying America!! Unfortunately America is heavily populated with these types!
Congratulations Wisconsin and your governor!
I'm a Californian born and raised in Wiscosin….i've always been proud of my birth state. Now the buttons on my vest are bursting. Hooray for the non-Progressives be they Republican Democrat or whatever.
By the way, you out of staters that have never visited Wisconsin Dells should put it on your vacation list for next year…your kids will love you for it.
steamboat
I'm kind of sad really I was hopping to get a couple of those guys to come to Kentucky if they lost
We need help clearing up our mess
THE FOURTEEN SENATOR'S WHO RAN AWAY…THEY SHOULD BE FIRED….THEY DID NOT UPHOLD THEIR CONSTITUTIONAL DUTIES….
DON’T BLAME ME – I VOTE GOP!! That should be our motto. Polls show center to right Americans far outnumber liberals/leftists. But sadly it doesn’t often show in elections; especially in 2006 and 2008, when voters made huge mistakes. Of course we get frustrated with RINOs and GOP wimps who cower to liberal Dummy-crats. But does anyone really believe Dummy-crats will be more conservative?? GET REAL!! A majority of Americans want Obamacare repealed. But if the majority had voted wisely in 2008, there’d be no need to repeal Obama-care because it never would’ve passed in the 1st place!! A majority want a better debt deal than the one just passed. But if the majority had voted wisely in 2006 and 2008, we wouldn’t have such large deficits and debt in the 1st place!! A large % of voters don’t realize elections have consequences, and electing Dummy-crats only makes bad situations worse!! USE COMMON SENSE AMERICA!!!! VOTE WISELY IN THE FUTURE!!
All this is well and good however. The Democrat Steam Roller has never had any intention of playing fair or nice and it never will.
Two points of note:
1. Look at the Democrat connection with ACORN and their blatant corruption (Nevada). These types of organizations will flourish because there is no meaningful punishment to breaking the law or the corruption.
2. The HISPANIC vote. The Democrats are sewing up the hispanic vote legally and illegally. This will assure the Democrats a voting bloc power that will far surpass the black vote.
Combine this with the power and corruption of the Unions and conservatives have a difficult uphill battle.
Taking into account that Wisconsin was historically a Socialist state(due to their founders from Germany) this was an important victory.
1. Let'S continue the march to the values that made this country the greatest nation in the world and still is.
In the 2012 election let the American voters decide to pass the law that "ALL FEDERAL EMPLOYEES WILL BE COVERED BY SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE ONLY.(THIS INCLUDES CONGRESS-STAFF, SUPREME COURT-STAFF, WHITEHOUSE-STAFF)
If any employee wants more insurance, they will buy their own, NO EXCEPTIONS.
2.CONGRESS SERVING UP TO 4 TERMS WILL RECEIVE .50% OF THEIR PAY FOR RETIREMENT.
THEY ALSO WILL NO LONGER BE ON THE DOLE WITH OFFICE-STAFF AFTER BEING VOTED/RETIRED FROM OFFICE.
This is not an issue that the Supreme Court can legally rule on.(Currently legal rights have no standing in the Federal courts, Supreme and Appeal)
Prime example: If a state votes on term limits, the Supreme Court has no jurisdiction in the matter, it is a States rights only.