Whether Scott Walker wins or loses the recall race for governor in Wisconsin, the way the battle has played out is not the way the democratic process should work. Outside money backing Walker, much of it in large contributions from people or organizations that are pro-business and anti-labor, has played a large role, which is particularly unfortunate in what should have been purely a state contest. And the partisanship has been ugly and the rhetoric mean spirited. Some restrictions on public service unions and their benefits may have been necessary because of the state’s financial situation, but not the removal of the right to collective bargaining. And the unions had been willing to agree to some givebacks.
Some may say that outside money and Super PACs merely balanced the grass-root efforts of labor to mobilize pro-Barrett voters for governor on the Democratic side. But grass-roots organizing is what democracy is all about, and big money has an undue influence on the political dialogue, able to sway voters who are not thoroughly engaged with the issues.
There have always been fights between labor and business, with pushing back and forth when various gains are made by labor. Labor’s strength has been its ability to organize in an attempt to equalize the power of employers to hire and fire, and determine working conditions unilaterally. Scott Walker and the Republicans weakened employees’ collective bargaining power, eliminating any semblance of equality in the bargaining process. With what has transpired in Wisconsin, similar battles in more states can be expected, as Republican governors and legislators attempt to take away the hard won gains labor has made over past decades.
However, the battle of Wisconsin is not just about reducing organized labor’s power in order to allow businesses to improve their bottom lines. It’s really about weakening labor politically, to remove a pillar of support for the Democrats and help Republican candidates at all levels. Anything that will reduce the number of union members or curb the ability of unions to collect money from their members benefits the Republicans, which is why the contest is being fought on a political battleground. Changes in tax laws to benefit corporations and high income individuals, regulations that counteract the E.P.A., and other similar laws and regulations can be anticipated when Republicans are victorious.
With the Citizen’s United ruling from the Supreme Court, it appears unlikely that outside money and Super PACs can be kept out of state elections. A ruling is being awaited on a Montana state law that restricts the amount of campaign contributions individuals and corporations can make. If this law is overturned, which seems likely in view of Citizen’s United, large volumes of outside money can be expected to flow into every significant state and local contest. The only way Super PACs and big money will be able to be controlled will be through a constitutional amendment, an unlikely possibility in this political climate.
A recent Pew poll showed that independents now make up the largest political block in the United States, at 38%, with 32% calling themselves Democrats and Republicans at 24%. What is happening in Wisconsin is further evidence of the need for a centrist third party to represent independents, moderate Republicans and centrist Democrats, all of whom have no voice in the current political process.
Resurrecting Democracy
em>A VietNam vet and a Columbia history major who became a medical doctor, Bob Levine has watched the evolution of American politics over the past 40 years with increasing alarm. He knows he’s not alone. Partisan grid-lock, massive cash contributions and even more massive expenditures on lobbyists have undermined real democracy, and there is more than just a whiff of corruption emanating from Washington. If the nation is to overcome lockstep partisanship, restore growth to the economy and bring its debt under control, Levine argues that it will require a strong centrist third party to bring about the necessary reforms. Levine’s previous book, Shock Therapy For the American Health Care System took a realist approach to health care from a physician’s informed point of view; Resurrecting Democracy takes a similar pragmatic approach, putting aside ideology and taking a hard look at facts on the ground. In his latest book, Levine shines a light that cuts through the miasma of party propaganda and reactionary thinking, and reveals a new path for American politics. This post is cross posted from his blog.
Political junkie, Vietnam vet, neurologist- three books on aging and dementia. Book on health care reform in 2009- Shock Therapy for the American Health Care System. Book on the need for a centrist third party- Resurrecting Democracy- A Citizen’s Call for a Centrist Third Party published in 2011. Aging Wisely, published in August 2014 by Rowman and Littlefield. Latest book- The Uninformed Voter published May 2020