Sunday
Mar062011
Democracy's Ugly!
Sunday, March 6, 2011 at 4:25PM
"It's the worst form of government... except for all the others" said one Winston Churchill. If the past two weeks in the State Capitol in Madison are anything to go by, this is certainly the case.
I left off over a week ago, when on Friday, Republicans in the State Assembly tried a dirty trick, attempting to pass the budget repair bill and end collective bargaining without any Democrats aware what was going on. Or even present in the chamber. Apparently Republicans did not learn their lesson that evening.
After a weekend of Democrats listening to over 3000 citizens voicing their opinions on the bill, the week began in earnest on Tuesday at 11.45am, when the Assembly convened to debate and vote on this monumental piece of legislation which as made worldwide news.
That day never really ended.
Despite the sun rising and setting on five different occasions, the Assembly continued on debating the bill, without a recess. A marathon 61 hour session. Democrats put forth over one hundred amendments in an attempt to at least make this rushed, ridiculous bill into a nominally legitimate piece of legislation. They attempted to offer better ways to fix the state's budget deficit, to safeguard those who rely on Medicaid, SeniorCare and BadgerCare, and to protect those prison officers who protect Wisconsin.
Yet the Republicans were having none of it. One by one, after allowing only 10minutes of joint debate on each amendment, the improvements were tabled along party lines, 58-37. It didn't matter if the amendment was a simple tiny detail, or a way to get free federal money; GOPers were not listening. Dems talked and talked and tried to convince the other side of the aisle of the merits of their argument, but as time wore on, almost no-one was listening. The results were a forgone conclusion, in that you could tell none of the Republicans would even consider an amendment, because they left for naps, and told their seat mates to vote for them, against all amendments. Democratic huh?
I was with the legislators for at least 40 of these 60 hours. Or at least in the building at work. I came to the Sgt's office at 8 am Tuesday morning. I left 8am Wednesday. That was an intense 24 hours, helping to set up everything, and then watching things take off. After a few hours sleep at home, I was back in the Capitol at 5pm. Another night, same old routine. Doing what I hear you ask? Well, we have a number of duties on session day, which include setting up the Assembly chamber, manning the doors and the public viewing galleries (ensuring only legislators are allowed onto the floor, and making sure the public are following the rules), and attending to any errands the representatives required- such as getting energy drinks!
I spent a lot of the time last week as gallery coordinator, running between galleries checking everything was ok, counting empty seats, liaising with police officers who were screening any members of the public who wanted to watch the proceedings- no bags, empty pockets, and a metal wanding. I also had to do my tour guide duty again, escorting visitors to one of the three galleries, and explaining the rules of the gallery to them. This is well beyond what normally occurs on session day, where we just let visitors wander into the gallery themselves. All the extra security and attention to rules was to ward off any bad behaviour from the protesters, who were the ones coming to watch.
Thankfully, there were very few, if any incidents, at least during the time I was there. We only had to kick one guy out of the gallery for booing at the Republicans- understandable yes, but against the rules. A number of State Troopers accompanied us in the gallery, just in case we did have some agitators. They didn't need to mobilise though.
I don't know numbers (I've never been one for memorising stats) but there has been a huge law enforcement contingent in the Capitol these past few weeks. To ensure the public safety-yes; to safeguard the Capitol-yes; to guard doors- unfortunately yes; to escort paranoid Republican legislators- also sadly true. They've been incredible in their jobs-my hats go off to them- all working regular 12 hr shifts, mostly in thankless, boring positions. Capitol and UW police have been there continuously, as have the State Troopers- they rotate in 3 day blocks from across the state, being housed in Madison. Everyday however it seems like there are some new officers there from some town or county in Wisconsin- Milwaukee PD; Dane County Sherrifs; Fond-du-Lac, Bayside, Ashland PD; Dep. of Natural Resources Rangers; etc etc. Some of them are even working during the day, then coming back in plain clothes to protest with everyone else, despite being exempt from the collective bargaining changes.
After all, if you don't speak up when they come for someone else, there may be no-one left to speak up when they come for you.
One good thing about working the long hours- I now know a lot of policemen and women in the state of Wisconsin. If I ever get caught speeding on a highway, maybe I'll be lucky and end up reminiscing with someone I met in the Capitol. And I think I know almost everyone on the UW Police Force, so if I'm in trouble on Campus, I'll know who to turn to.
After the 5pm- 9am shift Wednesday-Thursday, I was back once again at 5.30pm Thursday evening ready for another all-nighter. This night however, was a little more eventful than the previous two- for which I was grateful, as this was the hardest night to stay awake.
As the hour grew late and the debate continued, many of those in the gallery simply got bored, and left. But then suddenly we hear cries of anger and shouts of frustration. The public rushes back and we are swamped trying to get everyone in quickly. Turns out that the Republicans cut off debate and pushed the bill to the next stage- Engrossment- which basically means no more amendments. A lot of people watching actually thought the bill had passed, the passions of the Democrats were so strong.
But this was nothing. A few hours later the same thing happened, a quick sneaky vote to put the bill past it's third reading and to a final vote on passage. Dems were outraged, and even called for the removal of the Speaker Pro Tempore (the guy who does the Speaker's job). That gave them some extra time on the discussion of the bill.
Finally at 1.07am, the unthinkable happened again. Despite the Dems asking how many people were in the queue waiting to speak (15), Republicans had all their legislators file slowly into the chamber, and then suddenly cut off debate, the Speaker rushing a reading of the motion, and then finally voting on the Budget Repair Bill. Democrats didn't know what hit them, and were screaming in outrage, along with most of the crowd in the gallery. With the roll call open only 17 seconds, the final vote was 51-17 in favour, with over 30 legislators not having the chance to vote.
On this video, (Part 7- skip head to 9.58.00), you can actually see the chief clerk jump for the desk, so unaware that the vote would occur. For an alternate view of the proceedings, you can also check out this video here. (I love how Fox has to say its coverage is "balanced").
After 61 hours of debate, Republicans stifled free speech. Everyone was tired, tensions had risen, and with this somewhat illegal manoeuvre, the Democrats erupted. Shouts and jeers. Pointing frantically in anger. Pumping fists in shame. Paper was flung into the air; water thrown across the chamber. Things were said, on both sides of the aisle, that perhaps shouldn't have been said.
At the end of the day, one could argue that even had the Democrats been allowed to continue speaking, sooner or later the vote would have come, and Republicans, given their majority, would have beaten the Dems and passed the bill. However, I think there is certainly an argument to be made that there were a number of Republicans unhappy with this bill, and the more they heard from Dems, the more likely they were to vote against it. 4 indepedent Republicans, who didn't follow their leadership like sheep voted against the bill. 2 others chose not to vote, as did the one Independent (who used to be Democrat). Had those seven, along with all Democrats, voted against the bill, the result would have been 51-46. Only three more Republicans needed to be convinced of the evils of this bill.
Unfortunately though, the bill passed the assembly. The task of stopping this bill now falls to the power of the protesters, who continue to flock to the Capitol on a daily basis, and to the Senate Democrats, who remain in hiding in Illinois. It was a brave move they took to leave Wisconsin in order to delay a vote on the bill and allow people time to analyse the ramifications of the policy within it. They are starting to come under a large amount of criticism from the media and some citizens in Wisconsin "for not doing their jobs". I contend that they are doing a far better job out of state than their Republican counterparts in the Senate, and are well within their right to do what they are doing according to Senate rules.
As I said, Democracy is ugly. When a controversial bill such as this forces the events that have occurred- Dems fleeing the state, Republicans walking out of the Assembly with their tails between their legs after a vote they know they shouldn't have done- then you know something is wrong with the bill itself.
Something has to break. Wisconsin is at an impasse, as two sides face off against each other. Compromise is on the table, but Walker and the Repubs don't want to negotiate. Sooner or later, something has to give.
I left off over a week ago, when on Friday, Republicans in the State Assembly tried a dirty trick, attempting to pass the budget repair bill and end collective bargaining without any Democrats aware what was going on. Or even present in the chamber. Apparently Republicans did not learn their lesson that evening.
After a weekend of Democrats listening to over 3000 citizens voicing their opinions on the bill, the week began in earnest on Tuesday at 11.45am, when the Assembly convened to debate and vote on this monumental piece of legislation which as made worldwide news.
That day never really ended.
Despite the sun rising and setting on five different occasions, the Assembly continued on debating the bill, without a recess. A marathon 61 hour session. Democrats put forth over one hundred amendments in an attempt to at least make this rushed, ridiculous bill into a nominally legitimate piece of legislation. They attempted to offer better ways to fix the state's budget deficit, to safeguard those who rely on Medicaid, SeniorCare and BadgerCare, and to protect those prison officers who protect Wisconsin.
Yet the Republicans were having none of it. One by one, after allowing only 10minutes of joint debate on each amendment, the improvements were tabled along party lines, 58-37. It didn't matter if the amendment was a simple tiny detail, or a way to get free federal money; GOPers were not listening. Dems talked and talked and tried to convince the other side of the aisle of the merits of their argument, but as time wore on, almost no-one was listening. The results were a forgone conclusion, in that you could tell none of the Republicans would even consider an amendment, because they left for naps, and told their seat mates to vote for them, against all amendments. Democratic huh?
I was with the legislators for at least 40 of these 60 hours. Or at least in the building at work. I came to the Sgt's office at 8 am Tuesday morning. I left 8am Wednesday. That was an intense 24 hours, helping to set up everything, and then watching things take off. After a few hours sleep at home, I was back in the Capitol at 5pm. Another night, same old routine. Doing what I hear you ask? Well, we have a number of duties on session day, which include setting up the Assembly chamber, manning the doors and the public viewing galleries (ensuring only legislators are allowed onto the floor, and making sure the public are following the rules), and attending to any errands the representatives required- such as getting energy drinks!
I spent a lot of the time last week as gallery coordinator, running between galleries checking everything was ok, counting empty seats, liaising with police officers who were screening any members of the public who wanted to watch the proceedings- no bags, empty pockets, and a metal wanding. I also had to do my tour guide duty again, escorting visitors to one of the three galleries, and explaining the rules of the gallery to them. This is well beyond what normally occurs on session day, where we just let visitors wander into the gallery themselves. All the extra security and attention to rules was to ward off any bad behaviour from the protesters, who were the ones coming to watch.
Thankfully, there were very few, if any incidents, at least during the time I was there. We only had to kick one guy out of the gallery for booing at the Republicans- understandable yes, but against the rules. A number of State Troopers accompanied us in the gallery, just in case we did have some agitators. They didn't need to mobilise though.
I don't know numbers (I've never been one for memorising stats) but there has been a huge law enforcement contingent in the Capitol these past few weeks. To ensure the public safety-yes; to safeguard the Capitol-yes; to guard doors- unfortunately yes; to escort paranoid Republican legislators- also sadly true. They've been incredible in their jobs-my hats go off to them- all working regular 12 hr shifts, mostly in thankless, boring positions. Capitol and UW police have been there continuously, as have the State Troopers- they rotate in 3 day blocks from across the state, being housed in Madison. Everyday however it seems like there are some new officers there from some town or county in Wisconsin- Milwaukee PD; Dane County Sherrifs; Fond-du-Lac, Bayside, Ashland PD; Dep. of Natural Resources Rangers; etc etc. Some of them are even working during the day, then coming back in plain clothes to protest with everyone else, despite being exempt from the collective bargaining changes.
After all, if you don't speak up when they come for someone else, there may be no-one left to speak up when they come for you.
One good thing about working the long hours- I now know a lot of policemen and women in the state of Wisconsin. If I ever get caught speeding on a highway, maybe I'll be lucky and end up reminiscing with someone I met in the Capitol. And I think I know almost everyone on the UW Police Force, so if I'm in trouble on Campus, I'll know who to turn to.
After the 5pm- 9am shift Wednesday-Thursday, I was back once again at 5.30pm Thursday evening ready for another all-nighter. This night however, was a little more eventful than the previous two- for which I was grateful, as this was the hardest night to stay awake.
As the hour grew late and the debate continued, many of those in the gallery simply got bored, and left. But then suddenly we hear cries of anger and shouts of frustration. The public rushes back and we are swamped trying to get everyone in quickly. Turns out that the Republicans cut off debate and pushed the bill to the next stage- Engrossment- which basically means no more amendments. A lot of people watching actually thought the bill had passed, the passions of the Democrats were so strong.
But this was nothing. A few hours later the same thing happened, a quick sneaky vote to put the bill past it's third reading and to a final vote on passage. Dems were outraged, and even called for the removal of the Speaker Pro Tempore (the guy who does the Speaker's job). That gave them some extra time on the discussion of the bill.
Finally at 1.07am, the unthinkable happened again. Despite the Dems asking how many people were in the queue waiting to speak (15), Republicans had all their legislators file slowly into the chamber, and then suddenly cut off debate, the Speaker rushing a reading of the motion, and then finally voting on the Budget Repair Bill. Democrats didn't know what hit them, and were screaming in outrage, along with most of the crowd in the gallery. With the roll call open only 17 seconds, the final vote was 51-17 in favour, with over 30 legislators not having the chance to vote.
On this video, (Part 7- skip head to 9.58.00), you can actually see the chief clerk jump for the desk, so unaware that the vote would occur. For an alternate view of the proceedings, you can also check out this video here. (I love how Fox has to say its coverage is "balanced").
After 61 hours of debate, Republicans stifled free speech. Everyone was tired, tensions had risen, and with this somewhat illegal manoeuvre, the Democrats erupted. Shouts and jeers. Pointing frantically in anger. Pumping fists in shame. Paper was flung into the air; water thrown across the chamber. Things were said, on both sides of the aisle, that perhaps shouldn't have been said.
At the end of the day, one could argue that even had the Democrats been allowed to continue speaking, sooner or later the vote would have come, and Republicans, given their majority, would have beaten the Dems and passed the bill. However, I think there is certainly an argument to be made that there were a number of Republicans unhappy with this bill, and the more they heard from Dems, the more likely they were to vote against it. 4 indepedent Republicans, who didn't follow their leadership like sheep voted against the bill. 2 others chose not to vote, as did the one Independent (who used to be Democrat). Had those seven, along with all Democrats, voted against the bill, the result would have been 51-46. Only three more Republicans needed to be convinced of the evils of this bill.
Unfortunately though, the bill passed the assembly. The task of stopping this bill now falls to the power of the protesters, who continue to flock to the Capitol on a daily basis, and to the Senate Democrats, who remain in hiding in Illinois. It was a brave move they took to leave Wisconsin in order to delay a vote on the bill and allow people time to analyse the ramifications of the policy within it. They are starting to come under a large amount of criticism from the media and some citizens in Wisconsin "for not doing their jobs". I contend that they are doing a far better job out of state than their Republican counterparts in the Senate, and are well within their right to do what they are doing according to Senate rules.
As I said, Democracy is ugly. When a controversial bill such as this forces the events that have occurred- Dems fleeing the state, Republicans walking out of the Assembly with their tails between their legs after a vote they know they shouldn't have done- then you know something is wrong with the bill itself.
Something has to break. Wisconsin is at an impasse, as two sides face off against each other. Compromise is on the table, but Walker and the Repubs don't want to negotiate. Sooner or later, something has to give.
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