Wow, what a turn of events. I've spent the last few days berating Hoosier politics for passing or attempting to pass a series of stunningly unsavory bills. But today the Hoosier Dems of the House made me proud.
Taking a cue from their fellow legislators in Wisconsin, Indiana House Democrats have decamped to Illinois, and possibly Kentucky. Apparently they need to go to a state with a Democratic governor to avoid being arrested and sent home... and that's some 007 shit, y'all.
When the House opened session this morning, only two of forty Dems were present, the minimum needed to procedurally ensure that the Republicans don't do anything without quorum. The reason for the mass exodus of course being the labor bills up for a vote that could take away the collective bargaining rights of unions and a host of other measures that would essentially strip them of most of their power. And that is bad, bad news for working Joes like you and me.
There's been a flurry of debate on the practicality and wisdom of such a move, with many people on both sides of the aisle believing that this is a massive cop out on the part of the Dems, that it's not fair for them to simply refuse to play ball, and my personal favorite, "I want a lawmaker who actually shows up for work! I can't just not go to my job!" To those people I say: STFU, you have no idea how important this is.
It is about damn TIME that Democrats started to stand up for themselves and for their constituents. It is about damn TIME that measures be taken to protect the middle class. And it is about damn TIME for us to tell Republicans that their power-hungry, money-grubbing, war-mongering joyride is over. "Us" not even being just Democrats, "Us" being any intelligent, right-minded person who can see our current political situation for the utter shitshow it has become.
These walkouts are so much more than the Dems just refusing to play ball, or just not showing up for work. Do you think they are taking a vacation over there in Illinois? Sipping martinis and blowing raspberries at the Republicans from across the state line? No. They are "in caucus" in Illinois because if they stayed in Indiana, Gov. Daniels could call on the National Guard to round them up and literally force them to come to the Statehouse and vote. That's some pretty serious business, folks. This is the Democrats refusing to let their constituencies (who are largely made up of the working class people who would be most affected by these bills) be hurt by a bill that they otherwise could not stop. Republicans have an absolute majority in Indiana: they have the House, the Senate, and the Governor. If the bills passed the House (which they most likely would, given the Republican majority), then they would almost definitely pass the Senate (another Republican majority), and then be signed into law by (Republican) Governor Daniels. So walking out was really the only viable option.
Earlier today I heard the Dems in both Indiana and Wisconsin accused of "taking Congress hostage" with their walkout. Again, I have to say: STFU. Republicans have been holding Congress hostage at the national level for going on two years now. Anyone remember that little thing called a super majority? There is no effing reason why a super majority should be necessary to pass any little act of Congress, yet the Republicans have made it so. What about filibusters? You know, the tactic the Republicans have employed over and over since Obama took office? The one they used in that cute little temper tantrum they threw a few months ago to prevent any bills from coming to a vote until the Bush tax cuts were renewed? Look, neither party is innocent of the use of dirty tricks and unconventional tactics of avoidance, but I, for one, applaud the Dems for finally growing a pair.
Ugh. I've worn myself out with this tirade. Thoughts, anyone?
UPDATE: I just read that Gov. Daniels has signaled for the Republicans to drop the labor bills. Here's hoping they listen.
yes, Yes, YES!
ReplyDelete