Just a follow-up on the commitment to democracy demonstrated by the Republican regime in Madison.
First off, if you haven’t already seen it, read our coverage of the arrest of Burlington filmmaker Sam Mayfield for covering the Wisconsin State Legislature.
Second, why would Republicans in Wisconsin work to get Republicans to run in Democratic primaries?
Pretty simple, actually. Right now six Republican state senators are facing recall elections this year, due to their undemocratic practices in this year’s budget/union-busting fiasco. The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel is reporting that, fearing a strong Democratic campaign, the Republican Party is running fake Democrats in the primary, with the idea that if they get on the ballot they will squeeze out any real Democratic candidate.
The more, the merrier.
Sources tell No Quarter that state Republican Party officials are aiming to line up spoiler Democrats – loyal Republicans who run as Democrats with no intention of winning – in all six recall elections for incumbent Republican senators.
Finally, a court in Wisconsin has granted a permanent injunction blocking enforcement of Scott Walker’s illegally passed union-busting bill.
Patrick DePula reports at Mudflats:
Thursday Morning, Dane County Judge MaryAnn Sumi issued a permanent injunction against the bill, effectively killing it until the Supreme Court is able to act. Sumi’s 33 page decision said there was “clear and convincing evidence” that Republicans who control the Legislature violated the state’s open meetings laws. This referred to GOP actions at March 9th committee meeting where the measure was passed without providing proper notice to the public. Also at that time, the Capitol building was locked down tightly keeping many members of the public away.
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That’s the good news: At least one branch of government in Wisconsin still believes in the rule of law.
Sam is an excellent journalist and filmmaker. Her work in Wisconsin is important. Thank you for sharing the legal view!
…to so confuse voters as for whom they’re voting that elections will soon become so Kafkaesque and someday some ‘independent’ candidate for President who we think is a radical Ralph Nader/Sean Penn type will be able to suck up 20% of the vote from the Democrat ‘reformer’ who we’ll think is just another Republican. Well, Americans love the mystery books and shows. Remember, it’s always the most unpresupposing character in the mystery who is actually the killer.