WI gives me that sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach.

[ananda]

It's that awful horrible feeling that Wisconsin represents a great rightwing corporate coup
which serves as a harbinger for the rest of the country and probably the world.

I'm just sick to my stomach.

I simply can't stand to read the news each day that Walker is leading, gaining ground, etc.
This is so astounding considering the amount of damage he's done and will do, and how
other states will fall victim as well because this was the test case.

[TBF]

1. Thanks for your concern -

Seriously, have you seen the protests in Greece and Europe? Where do you get this "great rightwing corporate coup" around the world? There is absolutely no evidence to back up that statement.

[ananda]

4. Well..

While it IS heartening to see people protesting, the coup is still a harbinger.. and it aint nuthin nice.

I did say PROBABLY the world, only because it's POSSIBLE that many people overseas are not quite
as shut down as we are here.. but it's hard to say. Corporatism and globalism go hand in hand.

[TBF]

7. Evidence? nt

[HiPointDem]

13. They're protesting the great corporate coup.

[TBF]

68. Let me explain. I don't see a super-secret coup happening -

what I see is capitalism merrily humming along ...

How about we challenge people to resist an oppressive system rather than imagining super secret conspiracies ... reality is already worse than most things we could imagine anyway. Let's acknowledge that and fight back.

[HiPointDem]

69. The coup is the slow whittling away of new deal social benefits, the move to privatize the commons,

the deliberate restructuring of the economy so as to further impoverish the population, and the increased scope of the surveillance state. It's no secret, but it *is* the result of people conspiring to effect changes that benefit *them*.

[TBF]

70. That is what is happening but it's no coup - it is capitalism working as designed. Resist. nt

[zeemike]

46. "There is absolutely no evidence to back up that statement."

[Orsino]

67. Just as there have been no more fires since we started employing firefighters. n/t

[mmonk]

2. I understand how you feel.

If Wisconsin can be made into another defacto southern state in practice, we are losing ground rapidly.

[ananda]

5. Thank you.

I know. I was thinking the same thing.

[pscot]

44. I agree with you.

Wisconsin will tell us a lot about the power of Money and whether the propaganda it buys can subvert democracy and persuade a majority to vote against its own interests. The 2012 elections are going to be an IQ test for America. The protests in Greece don't matter. Millions turned out in Egypt to overthrow Mubarak, and they just succeded in replacing one junta with another. Mubarak is gone, but the same guys are still in charge.

[I owe a]

3. :0

yes your concern is noted

[ananda]

6. Lol.

Thank you for noting my "concern" with a winky. Quite the euphemism for that complete sinking depressed feeling I have.

[pscot]

47. Twenty-three posts! Enjoy your (brief) visit.

[Dawgs]

51. What does that mean? Are we so paranoid now that anyone with low posts deserves to get banned?

WTF!

[obliviously]

58. This means DU rules are meaningless in this case.

[kentuck]

8. The most progressive state in the union...

..may turn into the most regressive state in the union. It is up to the people of Wisconsin. I hope they are not too busy to notice what is happening?

[ananda]

14. Re noticing.

I think the Wisconsin people are very aware and thoughtful.

But huge amounts of money are pouring in for Walker, and then there are all those nonstop ads... that's quite a juggernaut.
The Dems need money too. So where is it????

[kentuck]

23. Why aren't they putting money into Wisconsin?

Perhaps they are trying to not magnify the race? Perhaps they are waiting until the last week to put in money?

If it is true that Walker is up by 9 points, then I would have to say that the people are not paying attention...

[pscot]

48. They don't have it?

After all, that was the point of Citizens United; to put the people with Money in the saddle. We can't match their resources.

[littlewolf]

76. from what I have been told

DNC is putting money into WI ...
so we are fighting fire with fire ...

[bupkus]

9. I know that sinking feeling you have

I live in Chris Christie's New Jersey. He's backed by the same people who back Walker. They all are. Some people don't get it yet. They and their backers are insidious. They're like a tsunami coming. By the time you see it, it's too late.

[ananda]

12. Hmm..

I was shocked when NJ elected Christie.. but then I was shocked when Texas elected Dubya because I loved Ann Richards and thought she'd win. I'm such a hopeless optimist so when my hopes get dashed, I really feel it hard.

Anyway, still, perhaps there's still hope for NJ. Maybe Christie isn't all that popular any more???

[jerseyjack]

41. Christie won because public employee labor unions stayed home on election day.

They were pissed because Corzine implemented a couple of forced layoff days. They stayed home as a lesson to Corzine whom they expected to win anyway.

The voter turnout was low in that election.

[ewagner]

10. I understand Amanda...

every time i see the latest polls...watch the DNC "sit this one out"...I get very worried....and I live right in the middle of Wisconsin...

I've watched local county supervisors be successfully recalled becasue they voted for a county zoning ordinance and were accursed of implementing "U..N. Agenda 21"....I've watched the local tea party put flaming idiots on commissions and in aldermanic seats....it ain't pretty

[ananda]

11. I'm so sorry.

We expect this kind of thing in Texas, but Wisconsin with all those demos and protests and then the recall was such a beacon of hope for me. And then this.. my mind just thought you'd make it through and I needed that. And now this.. sigh.

[Scuba]

15. I'm also concerned that Walker may win, what with a 25 - 1 spending advantage...

... I highly doubt that the Republicans can hold all four Senate seats being contested in the recall. If we win just one of those seats, we'll have a Democratically-controlled Senate.

Walker may win, but eventually he'll be in jail. In the end, the People will overcome Walker and his masters.

[ananda]

17. That's interesting about the WI Senate.

I hope ya'll win and gain that advantage.

And yes, Walker should go to jail for sure!

[kentuck]

24. I remember when John Connolly spent a fortune running for President...

..and ended up with one electoral vote, I think it was? So money is an excuse, not the reason.

[WI_DEM]

37. It would be delegate not electoral vote.

BTW, out of six recalls against GOP senators last year, the GOP won Four. Recalls aren't always popular. And yes, being outspend in the media 25-1 does have an effect. This isn't a presidential election as you compare it in your simplistic reply. It's one state. We are doing our best and I don't expect that we will lose by nine points. I also don't make any prediction that the people will win, either.

The people of Wisconsin have brought a great deal of attention in the last year to labor rights and right wing over reach. Win or lose they deserve a lot of credit. I'm just assuming what your state is but how are things going in Kentucky?

[kentuck]

65. You are correct, WI_DEM

He spent a lot of money for one delegate.

I hope the people of Wisconsin can survive this onslaught of money and propaganda.

It may be best that the polls show the Democrats behind. It could encourage or discourage voters that are on the fence? It could encourage Democrats and discourage Republicans.

I think money is important in politics but I don't think it is the most important factor. Otherwise, why stand for anything? Let's just see who can raise the most money...

[sybylla]

43. At least when Connolly ran, we still had the fairness doctrine. Times have seriously changed.

Money makes a bigger difference now than it used to.

[pscot]

50. And the Big Money now has complete control

of the major media outlets. The only words that get through are the ones they want us to hear.

[littlewolf]

77. which is why the internet is so important nt

[savalez]

62. Meg Whitman. Same thing.

[The_Counsel]

52. Walker May Win, but Eventually He'll Be in Jail.

>> Walker may win, but eventually he'll be in jail.

See, now this is what I don't get: If Walker is so obviously a crook that his being put in jail seems a forgone conclusion, why on earth would the good people of Wisconsin even consider re-electing him governor? Do they think it would be "cool" if he could pardon himself on conviction?

Is the guy he's running against THAT bad an alternative?

Wisconsinites, throw me a bone here...

[Release The Hounds]

61. Because Walker walks on water

According to the republicans in this state. And they get out and vote. The middle, from what I've seen, is the definition of 'low-information voter', absolutley clueless to Walker's bullshit.

And it's not a foregone conclusion he'll go to jail.

[mazzarro]

16. The Hurt Dems Do To Themselves Never Ceases To Amaze

There are times when I think that Democrats do more damage to themselves. It is sad to note that being aware of the date for the recall election, the state democratic party did not see it fit to find ways to make the selection of nominee for governor happen sooner and did not find a way of raising money that will be needed to run against Walker. I don't know how much the state party has put into the efforts to raise funds for the election or how much the state party had reached out to the national party for support other than what was reported earlier this week. And this just barely two weeks to the recall election. Why the Democratic party (state and national) should wait until now to start working together is still a mystery to me. Knowing that the rePIGs are going to throw a ton of money into the race and yet taking things so lackadaisical is the height of stupidity - IMO.

[ananda]

18. Money is indeed the key.

In addition, I wish Howard Dean were still in charge of the DNC. He's a fighter, and his 50 state strategy was fantastic.

I don't think he'd have left WI in the lurch.

[AtomicKitten]

22. Dem Governors Assoc have given WI $2 million for ad buys.

There was a time when that seemed like a wad, but against the Citizens United avalanche of funds pouring in for Walker, that $2 million seems like a drop in the bucket.

[Scuba]

21. This observer suggests that the Democratic Party ....

... may have been infiltrated by the right to an extent that our Party is now ineffective.

Vetting local party officials and candidates needs to be a priority for rank-and-file party members.

[marble falls]

32. And then after the vetting starts we can start right into the witch-burning ....

sounds kinda teabaggy/bachmannish/GOP-ey to me.

[Scuba]

35. Huh? Why would Democrats not want to ensure their leaders hold Democratic values?

[sybylla]

45. You mean DNC, not local party officials, right?

I get to party conventions. I pay attention to who gets elected as local party officials. I see some of the most progressive people running things locally. It's the people at the top like Armadillo Debbie who squat in the middle of the road.

[lunatica]

19. Well, lets work and hope for the best and prepare for the worst

At least try to think our way through and past the sinking pit in the stomach. Be prepared to face the unthinkable. After all the world won't end and eventually the tide will turn against them.

I think it already has. I believe Walker will lose one way or the other. Either he gets ousted or he ends up with a Democratic majority in the legislature and gets hogtied. If not then that's another set of circumstances we'll have to deal with. It also doesn't hurt to accept the fact that our country can change into something we won't recognize and don't want, so we have to change too in our fight for what's right.

[AtomicKitten]

20. I don't get why 39% of union households in WI still support Walker.

[mmonk]

26. The power of propaganda cannot be underestimated.

I know people in my state that are public employees that are voting with the new rightwing legislature and are going to vote for a Republican governor even though they are for cutting state jobs and benefits. I know people on Medicare and Social Security that are for Romney and the Ryan budget. Now that is power over mind. They are determined voters to screw themselves and it is mind boggling.

[Ship of Fools]

29. And along that line,

sometimes I think that it is truly just.about.winning. Libruls are
so reviled that even the most thoughtful of the right-wingers turn
a blind eye to the FACTS. Very sad times, indeed.

Ananda, I feel the same depression.

[Blue_Tires]

42. Yeah, the local RW tool on AM radio goes a long way toward shaping public opinion...

[TBF]

33. "Family values" -

I have lots of family there. In the 70s when I was growing up the unions were stronger. They've been pushed out by the evangelicals imo. In the small towns especially the Koch propaganda is working.

[Scuba]

36. They don't.

[undeterred]

25. WI is going to kick Walker's ass.

I collected signatures for recalling Walker in November. In my neighborhood everyone I asked to sign signed the petition or had already signed except for three people. And I do not live in one of the political hotspots in Madison... in fact in the past there has been low turnout. So nobody here is undecided... everybody is going to turn out on June 5.

You can rest assured that even if we don't have the money to buy fancy advertising, the working class people of my neighborhood and every other neigborhood in Wisconsin are collectively going to kick Walker's sorry ass.

[NorthCarolina]

27. Apparently the DNC isn't all that concerned about it

as they are not pumping any money into the race. Perhaps the Dems are ready to write off Wisconsin?

[doc03]

40. +1

[RBInMaine]

74. BULLSHIT ! $1.4MILLION SO FAR AND MORE COMING. CUT THE SHIT, WILL YOU.

[NorthCarolina]

78. Ummm, you might want to re-check your figures as only 250k out of the 1.4 mil

was given towards the defeat of Walker. I can back this statement up with facts and here's the link: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/post/dnc-pushes-back-on-wisconsin-recall-criticism/2012/05/17/gIQABcstWU_blog.html


Now, please provide us with YOUR source to back up your claim that $1.4 mil was given by the DNC to the defeat Walker effort. You can post that link in your eagerly awaited response to this response. If for some unknown reason you are unable to provide provide such evidence (such as because it's simply NOT TRUE), then please "cut the shit, will you".

[doc03]

28. If we get beat in Wisconsin, I think Obama will

also get beat in November. It is a gloomy picture for the country.

[ProfessionalLeftist]

31. Exactly. n/t

[ProfessionalLeftist]

30. This is why IMO it is imperative that the DNC get involved

Anyone who minimizes what a victory for Herr Walker in Wisconsin will mean for the rest of this country is blind. This, and the "Manager" "government" in Michigan are test cases. They get off with this shit and they'll be shoving in every state in the nation and in the White House.

NOBODY is in the street now, are they? And since they're not, going there AFTER it's too late will do little good and make the battle even that much harder to win.

[doc03]

34. I think the biggest factor in Obama's re-election is the economy in Europe.

Europe is now in a double dip recession. Europe went for austerity but Obama did the opposite and increased government spending. It is ironic but if the economy continues to stagnate here because of Europe what I think will happen is Obama will get the blame for the economy and Romney will most likely win. If Romney does what he says he is going to do and goes for the Ryan budget and austerity it will drive the world economy into another depression. I have never felt as pessimistic for the future as I do today. If we loose in Wisconsin in June and the economy is in recession this fall it will be a total disaster for Democrats.

[ProfessionalLeftist]

38. . . .

[doc03]

39. You don't think so? The Republicans haven't even made it a secret that they want

Obama and the USA to fail. The economy has slowly improved in spite of every roadblock the Republicans have put up, if the problems in Europe stall the economy here it will be the Republicans ultimate wet dream.

[ProfessionalLeftist]

53. No I DO think so...

...I am totally in agreement w/ you. Just banging my head. Argh. It's extremely worrisome.

[madashelltoo]

49. KEEP YOUR CHIN UP . . . THEY'RE LYING BIG TIME!

The people of Wisconsin will come out and vote. They will drown that malignant rat once and for all. The polls are not telling the truth. I believe that with all that I am.

[cutroot]

54. Apathy = The fear of fear itself

I suspect that there may even be some trolls here trying to foster this sentiment. The right now has so little else. Apathy is what elected reagan. DU'ers, don't be swayed by false polling and subliminal messages. You know what's right. Stand your ground. Dig for the truth. VOTE!

[ScreamingMeemie]

55. Well said!

And welcome to DU!

I transplanted from St. Clair Shores, MI a few years ago.

[cutroot]

56. Thank you Good to be here

I have long been a fan of DU. Now that I see the republicans trying to use this worn out old "create voter apathy" tool, it kind of makes my blood boil. They will stop at nothing. The rich were given a loan as tax cuts in order to create prosperity for all, not just themselves. They don't want to pay it back. They are the deadbeats. We must continue to remind them of that.

[ananda]

57. Yes WI Dems..

.. Please vote!

[Manufactured Consent]

59. 'walking is leading' is the reality being manufactured by the corporate media so when they steal it

no one will question them

This is how they work, we have all seen it over and over.

I have a horrible sinking feeling because after everything we have witnessed, even people on DU still buy into the lies of the corporate media.

We all know who they work for.

We all know they have been stealing elections and absolutely nothing has been done about it.

The system is completely broken and all Democrats can think to do is raise money to give to the corporate media for ads while they spend the rest of their broadcast lying about Walker's popularity. What the hell is the point of that?! Why do democrats keep giving money to the lying corporate media?

We need to instead surround the TV stations like they did in Egypt and demand they tell the truth....

We need to occupy voting systems, do independent exit polls and demand the media cover it.

When they do a recount with bags that are numbered wrong, overstuffed and torn....Democrats need to go to the TV stations and demand they cover it.

They have gotten away with everything, and judging from the discussions here, even most Democrats have no idea that the previous 'elections' were stolen.

[cutroot]

64. What ever happened to my (as in mine, all of ours) FCC?

Radio and TV stations are "granted" licenses to broadcast by the citizens. And not just the wealthy ones. All should be justly represented. If you own a station you can do whatever you want with it. But if you want to use the public airwaves there should be a few stipulations. Like fines for littering. And there is quite a bit of that.

It should be just as much of a violation to spread untrue facts and allegations as it is to censure the truth. Lying is lying. Even if it's in the form of an opinion, which is later quoted as fact, which is later apologized for on page 28.

Instead, they worry about stupid swear/slang words.

[WillyT]

60. Polling...

Link: http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2012/governor/wi/wisconsin_governor_recall_election_walker_vs_barrett-3056.html#polls

[JNelson6563]

63. That's why in politics, you need guts of steel.

Can you imagine the stress of those who are running the ground game?

Julie--who has run the ground game before and aged rapidly because of it

[Evasporque]

66. he isn't...the recent polls added more conservatives to the sample....nt

[SammyWinstonJack]

71. Divide and Conquer and that is the tatic smarmy Walker admits using, to one of his

wealthiest campaign donors.


Nice, eh?

[HiPointDem]

72. And the fact that they *named* the tactic tells me that the ruling class quite consciously

conspires against the ruled.

Contra those who laugh about "conspiracy theorists."

[RBInMaine]

73. Why listen to right wing corporate propaganda? Adult up, donate, and make calls. Quit wimpering.

There's a good chance to not only win the Governorship, but also the State Senate. Toughen up, will you. Don't listen to that corporate crap. The polls don't mean shit. Who shows up to vote does.

[RBInMaine]

75. You are taking the bait. The R's and corporate media WANT you to feel that way with their SPIN.

Don't listen to that shit. It is their game. Those polls don't mean shit. It is all about turnout. The polls overpoll right wingers and miss many people because of cell phones. More Democratic demographics get underpolled. Happened in Maine last November over our repeal referendum on the right wingers taking away same-day voter registration. Made it look close. We won by 20 points !

The Dems have 35,000 volunteers. Money is coming in. They are on TV and radio. Working hard. Many Dem groups are helping.

You should make a donation and make calls from home. Stop the wimpering, please. Adults don't do that. They FIGHT !