The Wall Street Journal takes note of what we're seeing as the recall of Governor Scott Walker plays out - the Democrats aren't running against Act 10.
Governor Walker's union reforms sparked the protests in Madison and were the rallying cry for the recall.
You'd never know it by listening to the Democrats.
Remember the Greek-style protests in Madison, the union sit-ins, the lawmakers who fled to Illinois to avoid voting on Scott Walker's collective-bargaining law last year? Now that the recall election of Mr. Walker is in full swing, Big Labor must be wondering where the outrage went.
Since last summer, unions have been throwing millions at defeating the man who reformed collective bargaining for government workers and required union members to pay 5.8% of their paychecks toward pensions and 12.6% of their health insurance premiums, modest contributions compared to the average in private business. As the May 8 Democratic recall primary nears to determine who will run against Mr. Walker on June 5, this should be their rhetorical moment ne plus ultra.
So, let's see. Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, the front-runner, has focused his campaigns on jobs, education, the environment and "making communities safer." One of Mr. Barrett's ads singles out "Walker's War on Women," with nary a mention of collective bargaining. Former Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk is heavily supported by union groups, but even her issues list makes only passing reference to collective bargaining.
No wonder. Since Mr. Walker's reforms went into effect, the doom and gloom scenarios have failed to materialize. Property taxes in the state were down 0.4% in 2011, the first decline since 1998. According to Chief Executive magazine, Wisconsin moved up four more places this year to number 20 in an annual CEO survey of the best states to do business, after jumping 17 spots last year.
The Governor's office has estimated that altogether the reforms have saved Badger State taxpayers more than $1 billion, including $65 million in changes in health-care plans, and some $543 million in local savings documented by media reports. According to the Wisconsin-based MacIver Institute, Mayor Barrett's city of Milwaukee saved $19 million on health-care costs as a direct result of Mr. Walker's reforms. Awkward turtle.
...Mr. Walker's reforms were a modest but necessary response to the state's fiscal problems, and the proof is in the emerging results. The union reaction was so ferocious because the reforms reduced Big Labor's clout over state and local taxpayers and thus its ability to milk taxpayers year after year without challenge.
Democrats and unions will still do all they can to recall Mr. Walker to prove to would-be reformers nationwide that unions can't be crossed. But it speaks volumes that Democrats are running on everything except their real goal—which is to restore the political dominance of government unions.
Bottom line: Wisconsinites are better off because of Governor Walker's reforms. They're working. The future is brighter. Walker delivered on his promise to change course and get the state back on track.
Replacing the visionary, successful Walker with a failure like Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett would be insane.
The Democrats cannot run against Act 10 for a simple reason: It's working. We all know it.
According to a Marquette University Law School poll released Wednesday, only 12% of Wisconsin voters say "restoring collective bargaining rights" is their priority, which explains the Democratic decision to fight on other issues.
The Democrats have a problem with Barrett as their candidate: He's been a disaster for the city of Milwaukee. His record is abysmal.
Take a good look at Milwaukee, Wisconsin voters.
It's a disgrace that Barrett is still the city's mayor after years of his utter ineffectiveness.
He's been a terrible mayor. There is absolutely no reason to think he would be anything but a terrible governor.
Scott Walker, in an incredibly short time, has accomplished so much. Given how belligerent the Democrats have been, it's amazing that he's been able to stay focused and continue working for the people of Wisconsin.
You don't recall someone for a job well done.
1 comment:
I've noted many times in the past, perhaps even in the comments section of this blog, that I'm not a supporter of recall elections generally. Like term limits, I find them anti-democratic. However, I find it is perfectly justified in this case. I had all the evidence of Walker's corruption with the appointment of Brian Deschane. That's my issue.
And you have a strange idea of "working."
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