I get that this is a democracy and all, but what it certainly is not is a department store. You can’t commit yourself to something and then, a month or two later, decide that it’s not what you want. Government should not be run that way, plain and simple. The way I see it, most of the people who voted took the time to familiarize themselves with the candidates before voting. None of the things that Gov. Scott Walker is doing was a secret; his entire campaign focused on getting this state out of debt. The elimination of collective bargaining rights was one of those measures that would be taken in order to do so. And I don’t think that it’s any secret that following the party lines is a tried and true practice used by both the Republicans and Democrats.
That being said, it should have been presumed that all of the Republicans who were elected to office would go along with Gov. Walker on these issues. For those not privy to the way government works and who cast their votes for Republican senators and representatives, sorry about your luck. So, if there’s someone out there who decided not to do their homework and merely voted for a candidate because they were the lesser of two evils, there should be no second chances or grace periods to change your mind. The way I see it, these people were elected to represent citizens and that’s exactly what they are doing. I know many liberals and state employees are irate over this issue, but there are likely just as many people out there that support this move. I, for one, don’t want to live in a state that’s in as much debt as we are. No matter what they do, politicians are not going to be able to please all of their constituents; that would only happen in a perfect world, which, from my perspective, at least, doesn’t seem to exist.
As many of you read in my column a couple weeks ago, I am 110 percent opposed to boycotting local businesses. Does that mean that all the liberals who started the push for a boycott be recalled? Absolutely not. If one wrong move is all it takes for people to lose faith in their elected officials, perhaps, the blame should not fall on the shoulders of the politicians. Constituents need to have a lot more pride and faith in their elected officials to do their jobs. I mean, who’s to say the other person will do a better job?
And then, you have to consider that having a recall election is not cheap. Someone has to pay for the polls to be open and staffed and printing ballots isn't free either. I honestly don't know which is worse … taking the chance on paying for a second election with no guarantee the candidate in question won't win again or just dealing with it for the rest of his or her term. Personally, I think, once elected, a full term should be guaranteed unless there’s grounds for impeachment, obviously. Standing up for what they – as well as a faction of those they represent – believe in is most certainly not something that should get a candidate thrown out of office. If you’re not satisfied with the job that’s being done, there seems to always be an election right around the corner. If I’ve learned anything from watching this health care reform bill going through appeals, it’s that nothing is set in stone. Just because collective bargaining rights are being revoked doesn’t mean they can never be reinstated.
Jennie Oemig
Staff Writer
Trempealeau County Times
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