'This is not democracy': Republicans try to shrink power of incoming Democrats

[mysteryowl]

This discussion thread was locked as off-topic by Omaha Steve (a host of the Latest Breaking News forum).

Source: Guardian

A month after the midterm elections on 6 November, several states continue to be convulsed by bitter partisan fighting in which Republicans are being accused of flagrantly undemocratic attempts to steal victory from the clutches of their Democratic rivals.

The most intense battle is playing out in Wisconsin, where Republican lawmakers are attempting a power grab that would strip key functions from the state’s incoming Democratic governor and attorney general. Opponents are denouncing the move, which sparked protests on Monday, as a blatantly undemocratic negation of the November election results.

Similarly contentious efforts are afoot in Michigan, where Democrats regained three important statewide positions in November – that of governor, attorney general and secretary of state. Instead of accepting the will of voters, Republican lawmakers are now seeking to reduce the control of those post-holders over campaign finance and legal proceedings involving the state before the Democratic victors take office.

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/dec/04/republicans-democrats-michigan-wisconsin-voting-midterms

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Clearly, republicans do not believe in democracy.

[mountain grammy]

1. K & R

[olegramps]

15. The major threat to our nation is not from China and Russia but from Republicans.

The Republican party is a rogue party headed by a gangster and his mafia family in the White House. They are making a mockery out of the rule of law. When the president of our nation which is based on the rule of law openly encourages people under investigation to lie to duly appointed prosecutors and their investigators if this is not challenged and defeated then our system of government is in fatal jeopardy.

[Perseus]

2. Question...How can they get away with it?

Is there anything Democrats can do to prevent it or to reverse it once in power?

I don't understand how things like this can happen and it feels like those affected are powerless to do anything...can someone please explain? Thank you

[ginnyinWI]

3. They are suing.

Lawsuits will be coming. If not more.

[ewagner]

7. ginnyinWI

I wrote emails to three Republican State Senators yesterday.

Two are lame ducks and the third is one I have had a friendship with through Wisconsin Counties Association.

I tried to appeal to the "lame ducks" on the basis of their "legacy" as Senators and their past willingness to vote against the Caucus

The third actually has integrity. I've seen him exercise his independence before but that's no guarantee he will do it again this time.

None of the three are members of the Joint Finance Committee so I don't know how much influence they have.

If this was a poker game, we would be facing down a "royal flush" with a pair of deuces....I think law suits are our only realistic option

Thanks for all you do.

[lagomorph777]

14. Anything the Reptilians can do, can be undone.

And will be.

[tavernier]

19. Reptilians!

Love it!

[Ford_Prefect]

4. When the GOP run legislature tried it previously in North Carolina it was ruled Unconstitutional

by the NC Supreme Court. This has not prevented the NC Republicans from trying it on again. That appears to have been a trial run of the concept of state GOP legislative power grab.

All such moves violate the separation of powers inherent to constitutional democracy. It will require an independent Supreme Court in each state to so rule and that may depend on how each state wrote its own constitution.

I wonder who is advising them on this pernicious strategy since the pattern of excess and the excuses made for "requiring" it are the same. Perhaps a Koch paid think tank is the source? Maybe a graduate of Liberty U?

[mysteryowl]

5. This is one very important question, 'Who is behind this?'

Where does this come from? I think it is the billionaires and radial RW. It is a cancer in our democracy that must be uprooted.

[rurallib]

8. In Wisconsin you can almost bet a Koch is not too far away

[lagomorph777]

16. I don't think a Supreme Court will be needed in all cases.

Where we've taken the legislature and the Governor's mansion, we should undo it with legislation.

[Dorn]

6. Elections have consequences... unless you're a republician then you can keep on hurting people

Even after they are out of power, just think about the damage Kegger Kavanaugh will cause.

[beachbum bob]

9. unfortunately it is democracy and a lame duck session can do whatever they want

it works both ways, just remember that

[AllyCat]

10. Nor do they believe in fiscal responsibility.

[TwistOneUp]

11. Just like...

What happened in NC after the GOP got voted out. The lame duck GOP admin changed the laws, blocking democrats' ability to govern.

[bluestarone]

12. DIRTY ROTTON SCUM BAGS!!!!

This is total bullshit!!!!!!!!!!! How in the hell could ANYBODY support ANY repuglicon???????????

[Firestorm49]

13. Unbelievable

I live in Wi. You can protest as much as you want. You can email and text them as much as you want. It simply doesn’t matter. They don’t care and will do what they are told to do by ALEC and other big money interests, as they will today.
Rage is a understatement. Republicans lost the vote total 54% to 46%. and still retained a hold due to the gerrymandering of the state.
THIS IS NOT DEMOCRACY.
As a side note, outgoing stooge Walker used another lame ass excuse to indicate he’ll sign the bill if it gets to his desk.
The masses need to be much more vocal than the few who speak up.

[pnwmom]

17. Of course they don't. That's why they are Republic-ans. nt.

[Hotler]

18. Madam Speaker,

this is a perfect example of why we should not play nice with the repugs across the isle.

[Omaha Steve]

20. After a review by forum hosts...locking.

PLEASE repost in GD.

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