We haven't won ... yet. There isn't anything in the actions of our Republican controlled State Legislature or our newly minted Republican Governor, but we are winning. Or, perhaps, starting to win.

How do I know we're winning? No crystal ball needed. All you have to do is look at the coverage of what's happening. This is national news now and Wisconsin has come under a spotlight for the draconian proposal of Governor Walker to virtually strip every public employee in Wisconsin (whether they work for the state or any village, town, city, or county) of their rights to collectively bargain. Tens of thousands are showing up to politely and peacefully protest this. The protestors are looking good. Our Governor, not so much.

State conservative newspapers that endorsed Walkers bid to become governor are starting to call him out for his actions:

State residents hardly can be surprised Walker wants to take drastic actions. He said as much in the campaign, but Walker didn't make clear his plan included limiting the rights of most public employees to collectively bargain. And he should have.



...frankly, it's difficult to imagine every public employee union in the state would have agreed to the changes Walker seeks. Still, bypassing labor without even trying only muddies the waters.



...his approach casts the debate as an anti-union campaign, and not a tough-but-fair shared sacrifice.



All of the above from the Green Bay Press Gazette - a self acknowledged conservative newspaper.

Then there's this out of The Northwestern in Oshkosh:

Politics that push issues to the far edges of ideology, that allow no room for negotiation or compromise on legislation that is swept into law by brute majorities that are quickly swept out of power in the next election cycle are bad for government and more importantly, the people government serves.

The above from The Northwestern in Oshkosh.

Also these from The Lacrosse Tribune :

It’s simply not sound public policy to dramatically change 50 years of collective bargaining and to assess all of the long-term implications in a 144-page bill in less than a week.

And it’s not good government to try to cram a public hearing on the bill before the Joint Finance Committee into one day that ends up being a 17-hour marathon that adjourns at 3 a.m. Wednesday. We give La Crosse Rep. Jennifer Shilling credit for staying on even longer so Democrats could continue to listen, but please don’t suggest that testimony presented long after butts and minds were numb represents appropriate public debate.



Walker could have started by discussing the need to cut compensation costs for union, non-union, administration and everyone else. No one would have disagreed. If he would have continued to discuss the need for employees to contribute more to the cost of health care and retirement —instead of targeting specific groups — the discussion would have been far more productive.



When this started, Governor Walker decided his first move should be to call out the National Guard and put them on alert "in case there was trouble". No discusiion. No negotiation. He was ready to do battle. He had repeatedly demonized public employees during his time as Milwaukee County Executive (and during his campaign) and was now ready to instill fear of violence and riots in the mind of the public. He probably thought that this move would also show him as a "strong leader", something Republicans love to do (it's all about the image they project via Faux Made Up Newz and the RW radio echo chamber). I'm sure he was sitting and waiting for the first "incident" so he could command his troops out onto the streets.

Didn't happen. In fact, it backfired.

It didn't happen because these are the nurses, teachers, librarians, public works staff, highway maintainence folks, firefighters, police, office workers, etc. who serve the public. They come to work every day and work hard like everyone else. Their idea of public activism is canvassing and phone banking for elections, not marching in the streets.

Wisconsinites and people across this country were horrified at this pre-emptive, draconian move from Walker. His plan of keeping a military force on alert so he could call them out immediately was viewed as unnecessary and provocative. It called attention to why people were protesting.

Most of the media got it wrong. That's why I diaried about what the bill was about (see link in the intro) to correct the rampant misinformation (thanks Kossacks for all the T+Rs and putting it on the Rec List for more than a day). You shared, emailed, and discussed and the media is starting to get it right. You did good!

Thanks once again for all the support and Kossack love that you have consistently provided during the protests. It helps when we're cold and hungry. It helps when my back, knees and hips are sore and griping at me (yeah, I'm that old and the wear and tear of over 30 years of nursing don't help). Personally, I'm taking a break for the weekend to spend some quality time with my heating pad ( ;D) and to rest up for the week ahead when others return to work. Most public employees have the weekend off and haven't been able to participate until the weekend, which is why I anticipated very large crowds. Students, retirees, and people with days off during the week (joined by stressed out teachers and others) have carried the ball this past week and will do so again on Monday.

It's started to snow (a major storm is starting), but we'll be there anyway. Yes, it's snowing, but we have public employees who come and plow our streets so we and our cars, busses, and trucks can get around better. We love them for the hard work that they and all the rest of our fellow public workers do for us.

Thanks again, Kossacks.

Update: OMG Edition: Thanks to all of you. I'm trying to get through all of the fine comments and additional wonderful information that's being added to our discussion here, but it's taking me some time. Please excuse the delay in personally reading and responding to everything. And thanks again.

Update: Holy Cow You Guys are Good Edition: h/t Itskevin for posting a 4 minute video on the sneaky attempt by the Republican-controlled Assembly to pass the bill. Note that the Democrats are all wearing orange tee shirts to show their support of the protests. If you have time to view the longer video which was linked by Jorogo (h/t to you), it is available here.. Select to view Part 4 which is about half an hour.

Thanks for all the wonderful and insightful comments and support.

Update: Plans for Monday have Changed (for me) Edition: I'm just a nobody. Somebody my union and other organizations call if they need someone to do phone banks, etc. Yes, I served as union steward, etc. but really just nobody important. I had an old professor at the University of Wisconsin who always said "Shit work is good for your soul" and he was right.

I just got a call from my union asking me to come to the office tomorrow to be part of their long-term planning for our participation in the protests, including plans for busses every day starting Tuesday. So, I won't be going to Madison tomorrow, but will actually be part what sounds like a more coordinated and lengthy effort.

Up to now stuff has just happened with really no plans and little coordination. It looks like we're in for the long slog and that's a good thing. Letting our elected representatives know that this isn't just a few days or a fly by night operation may help to convince them that delaying tactics and the Tea Bagger Cavalry won't save them from the Voice of The People. They're going to hear it every day until they do the right thing.

Again, thanks for the support and excellent commentary.

Update #4: Time Flies Edition: I've been here thinking I've been at the computer for a couple of hours. It turns out that I've been here for about 8 hours now. No wonder I'm hungry and tired. I'm usually a Night Owl (hi to Meteor Blades with his kewl Night Owls - not a fly by night operation logo), but the protests have me running on a different clock. I really need to find my bed and get to sleep before my early morning meeting and the tasks which I imagine will result. Thanks once again for the excellent comments and all of your support. Good night and good luck for now.