Honest question: would you be angry if repubic legislators staged a walkout to . . . .

[Stinky The Clown]

. . . . protest Democratic "tyranny" in a state legislature?

The Wisconsin Dems are seen by us as taking a righteous stand. The Right sees them as obstructing cowards. How would you see all this if the sides were reversed?

[Brickbat]

1. I really do try to make an effort, when Republicans do something that annoys me, to ask myself how I

would feel if Democrats did it. As far as a walkout goes, I feel like it's a big enough action that people honestly feel that strongly about what they're doing, and I have to respect it, even if I don't agree with it.

I *TRY* to keep an open mind about it. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.

[blondeatlast]

2. My outrage is entirely dependent upon why they are walking out. If I see the walkouts as opposing

crap, anti-citizen legislation I support the walkouts. It's not hypocritical, it's my right to free expression, period.

Not directed at you, Stinky, but I don't get why this is such a difficult concept for many of our new friends to grasp.

[NuclearDem]

3. To be honest? Yes, I'd be angry

But still...Dems are walking out to protest the destruction of unions...Republicans would probably walk out to oppose extending welfare or granting people civil rights.

But I mean, yeah, in any case, it's their right to, so I can't be angry at them for that.

[Aerows]

5. Exactly n/t

[Aerows]

4. I would be

as upset as I was with all of the obstruction when they weren't in the majority. The fact is, however, that compromise never benefits Democrats, because Republicans never compromise. It's their way or the highway.

The shoe is on the other foot now, and they look like hypocrites for whining about it. They started it, and now the Democrats look like they are determined to finish it. I say good for them.

It's WAY past time to stop worrying about Republicans "feelings". We either stand up for ourselves or we get run over.

[Stinky The Clown]

17. My most sincere apology

I didn't realize I was expressing concern for repubican "feelings." So sorry to have been so egregiously astray.

[still_one]

After what the republicans have done to the country, I say bullshit to fair play, or what is good

for the goose is good for the gander

The republicans have been doing this for decades, its about time the Democrats stood up

[el_bryanto]

6. I don't think much of it either way

I appreciate the views involved, and I respect the passion and willingness to take a risk. That said, the people of Wisconsin voted this guy in as governor; they elected a republican legislature. I don't know how this particular action helps.

The problem with governing according to the will of the people is that sometimes the people are wrong.

Bryant

[SkyDaddy7]

7. We had to endure endless filibustering! nt.

[Motown_Johnny]

8. one man's hero is another man's villain

Of course I would be angry (assuming they were walking out on something I wanted to see passed) but desperate times calls for desperate measures and in WI this walkout seems justified.

[Malikshah]

9. Stop with the false equivalencies. They lead to herpes.

Just stop!

[Stinky The Clown]

18. Please demonstrate how the posing of a question implies the belief in a false equivalency.

Thank you.

[lefty2000]

10. We Are Engaged in a partisan dispute

We are for working people and they are for the rich. That's why they are bad, not because of the tactics they use.

[Boswell]

11. sure if they have a real reason

unlike repukes in recent history who walk out because their Dear Leader doesn't get the best seat on Air Force 1. screw that noise.

[Angry Dragon]

12. Each walkout would have to be judged on its merits

One might have to be forced to look at the facts.
Ask the republicans to bring forth their facts instead of talking points
Ask the democrats to bring forth their facts instead of talking points

Are the teachers the cause for the financial turmoil in Wisconsin??
Hard to tell when you have one person deciding what the facts are,
using any and all threats he can think of, and refusing to sit down and talk.

It would seem that one of the main points is one side has walked away
because they don't like bullies.........

[DireStrike]

20. Wish I could rec this post.

The question posed in the thread is irrelevant, except maybe for use in demonstrating how to counter that incorrect argument.

[Greybnk48]

13. Yes. But it feels good to beat them at their own game

for once! How is this different from a filibuster, which they have wielded drunkenly for two years. This feels good! AND I'm proud to be from WI where it's all starting. Labor and environmental protections are part of our heritage.

[Common Sense Party]

14. When our side does it, it's okay. That's the difference.

When their side does ANYTHING, it's wrong.

Our poop doesn't stink.

[Marr]

15. I'd be angry, but not surprised.

Republicans regularly take extreme measures to promote the interests of their corporate constituency. It's a dirty game, and I'm happy to see my team has some mud on their uniforms.

[KansDem]

16. I would have to see what this "Democratic 'tyranny'" was first.

I'm thinking hard over the last half century and haven't thought of one example yet...

[spanone]

19. it would depend on why they walked

if it was to protect workers rights, i would have to agree with them.

if it was to protect the rich and destroy unions, i would disagree with them.

[BzaDem]

21. I wouldn't mind Republicans prolonging the debate at all by using the 3/5 constitional requirement

for a quorum.

Presumably, if we were enacting good policy, a longer debate would help us, not hurt us. Longer debate is good in general.

Eventually, the Democrats are going to come back to Wisconsin. But only after everyone in Wisconsin knows exactly what they did -- which would not be the case if they could have just passed the bill last week and moved onto other things. I generally don't like 3/5 requirements for final action, but I am not necessarily opposed to 3/5 requirements for fast tracking and slamming through legislation in the dead of night without reasonable debate. It would depend on how the requirement were structured. There needs to be a way for the majority to work its will, while enforcing the right of the minority to be heard.

[Vincardog]

22. I would be opposed (Unless the Democrats were trying some illegal unconstitutional shit)

then I would be happy that SOMEONE was stopping the rot.

[alfredo]

23. If they were doing it to protect people from actual abuse

by those with power, I would not be critical. But if they walked out to expand the privileges of the ruling class, I would be critical.

I'm a class warrior.

[cleanhippie]

24. It all depends of the motivation behind it. In this case, the motivation is about helping poeple.

Usually, when repubs obstruct, its about fucking people over....