Let's Recall the Recall Legislation in Wisconsin

Written By: Jim Swanson  |  Posted: Wednesday, January 11th, 2012

            I can't be silent any longer. I am fed up with the recall frenzy going on in our state. Don't misunderstand me. I fully support the constitutional right of the petitioners to attempt a recall of the governor. What I don't like is the law itself. Before I explain why, let's discuss the background for what is taking place in Wisconsin.

            In November of 2010 the people of Wisconsin elected Scott Walker as governor by a 19-point margin. The previous administration had left the state in a serious deficit spending position. Walker ran on a platform of fiscal responsibility and this appealed to a majority of voters. He did exactly what he said he would do, tighten the belt of the state government and make the state more business friendly. (According to Senator Moulton, Wisconsin moved in the last year from 41st to 24th as the best state for business.) In the process, he inevitably stepped on many toes. When Walker introduced legislation to limit the collective bargaining power of state employees, then the sparks really began to fly. Irresponsibly, Democratic senators fled the state in hopes of preventing a vote. When the bill passed, the unions went on the offensive. Citing the state constitution Art. 13, §12; Wis. Stat. Ann. §9.10, they called first for the recall of senators Robert Cowles, Alberta Darling, Dave Hansen, Sheila Harsdorf, Jim Holperin, Luther Olsen, Robert Wirch, Randy Hopper and Dan Kapanke, all supporters of the governor's measures. All but the last two survived the recall. When this was done, they turned their guns on the governor himself and have organized a multi-fronted offensive to get him out of office. The effort smacks of being a legal coup dètat.

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