Scott Walker and Olive Branch

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Editorial Board writes that the Wisconsin State Senate Democrats should return but Governor Scott Walker should offer them an olive branch.

Let's be clear. What Senate Democrats have done in fleeing the state to halt the public's business and jeopardize its precarious finances is not just some harmless parliamentary procedure. It is unethical and constitutes dereliction of duty.

But the question here is not who blinks first; it's who is big enough to make the next move, the first being the unions' concession on benefits.

Republicans have been wrong to try to ram through a deeply flawed bill. But unfortunately, this isn't unusual. Two years ago, it was the Democrats who passed a budget-repair bill on a party-line vote. The bill raised taxes by more than $1 billion.

There was no public hearing; the bill passed the day after it was introduced.

Republicans were livid. But instead of racing off to Rockford, Ill., they stayed in Madison, complained about the way they were treated and then used the tax increase as a bludgeon in last November's election. It worked for them.

Now, Gov. Scott Walker holds the cards - and can find a compromise if he wants to - to bring the Dems back. One idea: Leave in provisions to take benefits off the bargaining table, but strip out other provisions that clearly are aimed at neutering unions. We're talking here about recertification annually, for example. Debate that separately. In other words: Declare victory. We concede that after his faux chat with "David Koch" this week, trust is a problem. But he should try.

"Faux chat"? That's woefully inadequate.

If the Editorial Board really wants to be clear, it should give the details on Ian "F--- the Troops" Murphy. The Board should be clear that David Koch and Koch Industries are Murphy's victims. It should be clear that Murphy is unscrupulous, unethical, a liar, a disgrace.

I agree with the Board that the behavior of the Wisconsin Senate Dems is "unethical and constitutes dereliction of duty."

I don't agree that Walker owes them any cover whatsoever. These AWOL Dems have literally dismissed the will of the people by fleeing.

...Democrats are setting a dangerous precedent that does not bode well for future standoffs. Will the Republicans be the next to bolt if they don't get their way? The Dems have compared their act to a filibuster. It's way beyond that. It's wrong - and their actions have nothing to do with good government.

The Democrats should return.

But Walker should offer an olive branch, too.

In addition to being embarrassed for my home state because of their tantrum, I'm angry. Their obstruction of the democratic process is inexcusable.

ELECTIONS HAVE CONSEQUENCES.

They don't deserve an olive branch from Scott Walker.

They deserve to be fitted with GPS ankle bracelets when they return. Each one is a flight risk.