Why I've been posting on FB so much!

I have obviously been checking FB and posting regularly since the budget bill was proposed.  This is because FB has been the primary way that I have learned of and been able to share news on the Governor's and our legislators' actions.  The newspapers and stations have not reported much about the bill and it's affects other than the fact that the Governor proposed a controversial bill, he has the votes to pass it, but 14 senators were in Illinois denying quorum, and there's a lot of "union" people protesting the loss of bargaining rights.  However, it is so much bigger than this single sentence and it is many differently employed WI citizens who are protesting and they are each protesting for differing reasons and many of us are not protesting just because we disagree with parts of this particular bill.

I do disagree with major parts of this bill because: the bill changes (cuts funding for) many things which I believe do require our (tax-payer) support. These are things like: public schools, natural resource conservation (and some protection), medicaid, alternative power options, recycling, bicycle routes, and buying local; while it simultaneously increases tax incentives to large corporations (not so much for small businesses though) and it transfers much money to transportation. So, I guess I can be happy about less potholes.  However, the way I understand it, the bill doesn't even reduce the budget.  That means that taxes will not be reduced, despite the loss or reduction of many services.

But, it is primarily the changes to the way we are governed that worries me the most. This bill continues a trend of making the WI Governor more powerful (more appointees means less non-partisan jobs and more uncertainty with each election), and this leaves the legislature and courts less able to protect other interests besides the current (and temporary) majority.  Checks and balances in government are necessary to avoid one party government rule and ultimately dictatorship.

My friend (who lives in republican represented Lodi) was told, by her Senator's staff, that she would not be able to contact him until after his vote.  When she asked why, she was told "the order came from higher up and that he would explain his vote after the bill passes".  This is not representation, our representatives and senators must be able to represent us, not be told how to vote from higher up.  Her Senator is Republican Senator Keith Ripp.

The Senate and Assembly are supposed to "check" the power of the Governor, not make it greater.  The Tea Party protested the Healthcare bill for over 10 months over these same issues and successfully filibustered until key provisions were removed and they still say it was "rammed" through.  Our Wisconsin Senators were gone for 3 weeks to give some time for citizens (and themselves) to understand some of the ramifications of the many (144 pages)  provisions in the bill.  Denying quorum was their only recourse as the Governor refused to listen or debate, much less negotiate.  He wanted to have it passed and signed into law in only a few days well before anyone would understand just how much the rules had changed.  Why the Republican Legislators were on board with this type of government escapes me unless they really believe that they will always be the majority party and will always have a republican Governor to tell them how to vote.  Only Sen. Dale Schultz (R) and a few assembly representatives said they would not sign this bill in this way.  And, I suspect they each actually agreed with many if not most of the provisions of this bill.

I do believe that this bill is a disaster for Wisconsin but I respect the right of others to disagree.  However, to not allow time for legislators to have any serious debate or negotiation, and to not hear dissenting views on the bill, is not democratic or good precedent at any level of our government.  Gov. Walker did not allow debate and publicly stated "I will not negotiate", despite what he claims in his fireside chats and Koch Bros. sponsored ads.  As for my Senator being in IL, he did more good for the citizens of WI there, than any of the representation (except maybe Sen. Dale Schultz) did here at the Capitol.  Gov. Walker is not CEO of Wisconsin and the state legislators are supposed to be a check of the power of the Governor's office and they must consider how the laws that they pass will affect all of Wisconsin's citizens.

I hope this helps you to understand why I've been so prolific on FB and actively protesting our current lack of real representation.