Walker Wins, Wisconsinites Lose By Stephen Lendman

Morning headlines read more like obituaries than reason for anyone to
celebrate. Despite pre-election polls suggesting either candidate
could win, odds greatly favored Republican Scott Walker. He outspent
Democrat Tom Barrett around 25 - 1. Corporate backing made the
difference. The Democrat National Committee (DNC) gave no financial or
campaign support. Neither did Obama. Effectively they conceded. Final
results didn't surprise.

On June 6, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel headlined "Walker wins
recall race over Barrett," saying: He became "the first governor in
(US) history to survive a recall election...."

In March 2011, Boise State University's Political Science Professor
Gary Moncrief said: I don't think there's a precedent for what's going
on in Wisconsin. I don't think there's ever been a case where pretty
much everyone has been subject to a recall attempt at one time on both
sides. That's really amazing."

He referred to legislative and gubernatorial recall campaigns ongoing
at the time. Only four previous times in US history were multiple
state lawmakers recalled at the same time for the same issue: 90 years
ago in North Dakota for governor and two other state officials; two in
Idaho in 1971 over a pay raise; two in Michigan in 1983 over a tax
vote; and two California Republicans in 1995 for collaborating with
Democrats.

Before 2012, only two governors faced recall elections. In 2003,
California Republican Arnold Schwarzenegger replaced Democrat Gray
Davis. One anti-populist leader succeeded another. Voters lost out
entirely. In 1921, Republican/Nonpartisan League Governor Lynn Frazier
was recalled. Republican Ragnvold Nestos replaced him. In 1923,
Frazier won a US Senate seat. He served until January 1941.

"Recall is an extreme measure (under) extreme circumstances," noted
University of Iowa Professor Caroline Tolbert. Other analysts said
everyone is watching Wisconsin. Before 2011, only two lawmakers in
state history were recalled. Last year, Democrats lost four of six
recall races. Republicans kept legislative control. While popular
sentiment wants change, Democrats and Republicans offer none. Both
parties support wealth and power. Vitally needed social justice
doesn't stand a chance.

Across America, earlier era progressivism is nowhere in sight. It
began in the 19th century to end slavery, support women's rights,
small farmers, and political populism. It advocated: social reforms
benefitting ordinary Americans; citizen empowerment; comprehensive
education as a universal right; curbing corporate power; eliminating
corruption and waste; labor rights; laws prohibiting child worker
exploitation; environmental conservation, and other issues stressing
social values over financial gain.

In January 1944, Franklin Roosevelt proposed an economic bill of
rights. The earlier one "proved inadequate to assure us equality and
the pursuit of happiness," he said. He endorsed:  "Opportunity. The
right to a useful and remunerative job. The right to a good education.
The right of every businessman, large and small, to trade in an
atmosphere of freedom from unfair competition and domination by
monopolies. Security. The right to adequate protection from the
economic fears of old age, sickness, accident and unemployment. The
right to adequate medical care and the opportunity to achieve and
enjoy good health. The right of every family to a decent home. The
right to earn enough to provide adequate food and clothing and
recreation."

Roosevelt didn't live long enough to promote implementation. Today's
neoliberal policies oppose what he proposed. Party boss agendas
exclude social justice. Today's America reflects high unemployment,
eroded labor rights, growing poverty, an unprecedented wealth gap, and
mass deprivation.

Final vote totals showed Walker won 53.2 - 46.3%. He declared victory.
Barrett conceded. Republican Lt. Governor Rebecca Kleefisch also held
office. Four senate seats were contested. Republicans won three.
Control of the evenly balanced Senate hung in the balance. Democrat
John Lehman defeated Republican incumbent Van Wanggaard. Winning gives
Democrats Senate control. However, the slim margin of victory may
prompt recount calls, so it's too early to know for sure. If Lehman's
win holds, Democrats will have a 17-16 majority.

Recall elections are now over. In 2011, Democrats gained two seats.
Republicans kept majority control. In November, 16 of 33 Senate seats
will be contested. Since 1990, incumbent senators were reelected only
twice.

Nation magazine contributors represent America's pseudo-left. They're
Democrat party apologists. They support the worst of Obama. They
ignore union bosses selling out rank and file interests for their own.
They believed replacing Walker meant change. After years of neoliberal
Clinton/Obama politics, they portray them and other Democrats as pro-
labor.

Editor Katrina vanden Heuvel claimed "win or lose," Wisconsin's recall
campaign "gives progressives something to build on." She and Nation
magazine prioritize reelecting Obama, keeping a Democrat controlled
Senate, and gaining a House one. Neither party distinguishes itself
from the other. On issues mattering most, not a dime's worth of
difference separates them. Obama governs to the right of George Bush.
He and Romney endorse similar policies. Only their rhetoric differs.

Wisconsin's no different. Democrats govern like Republicans. Barrett
or Walker makes no difference. Union bosses abandoned worker rights.
Their concern focuses only on their own. No matter which party won on
Tuesday, Wisconsites lost. So will all Americans in November.
Bipartisan complicity assures worse neoliberal harshness and more
imperial wars. Only sustained popular rage can change things. It's
simmering but needs to boil.
http://www.rense.com/general95/wisconn.html