The Wisconsin recall election

[blindpig]

The Wisconsin recall election

The outcome of the recall elections in US Midwestern state of Wisconsin is an indictment of the trade unions and their liberal and “left” allies that subordinate the working class to the Democratic Party.

Five months ago, the unions shut down mass protests by workers against Republican governor Scott Walker’s anti-worker measures, claiming that the struggle would continue through a campaign to recall Republican legislators and replace them with supposedly “pro-labor” Democrats. On Tuesday, state Democrats were defeated in four out of six races, leaving Republicans in control of the State Senate by one seat.

From the beginning, the recall campaign was a reactionary diversion, aimed at demobilizing and suppressing working-class opposition. The Democratic candidates made no secret of their support for cuts in social spending and attacks on public employees. Had the Democrats won control of the Senate, there would be no significant change in government policy in relation to the basic rights and interests of the working class.

The central lesson that emerges from the experience of the Wisconsin protests is the need for a revolutionary party and perspective to lead the struggles of the working class.

more.....

http://www.wsws.org/articles/2011/aug2011/pers-a12.shtml

[pnwmom]

1. What a pile of horseshit. n/t

[MineralMan]

2. Wow. WSWS attacking unions...who'd have thunk it?

This is possibly the strangest thing I've seen posted on DU today.

When did WSWS become anti-union? Uff da!

[blindpig]

3. You fail to note their differentiation of the leadership...

and the rank & file.

Much of the union leadership in this country looks out for the Democratic Party more than they do the membership. It is up to the membership to rectify this.

[MineralMan]

4. Who selects the union leadership? I rest my case.

[blindpig]

5. They have selected poorly...

it is easy to go along to get along, until the shit hits the fan. These times are the kind in which change comes fast and hard, this 'austerity' will certainly be the catalyst for that sort of thing.

[MineralMan]

6. Oh, dear. I guess the workers aren't smart enough to elect

their own leaders. What's next, then? I know...let's have Anarchy! Every man his own union. That sort of thing, right?

The rank and file choose those who will lead their union. I don't choose them. You don't choose them. The workers choose them. How else could it be?

Again, I rest my case.