The final race has been called – Alberta Darling keeps her Senate seat. The emotional roller coaster of this struggle, and the controversy surrounding Kathy Nickolaus make this particular race a difficult one to lose. Alberta Darling is by far one of the most polarizing state political figures – and ethically challenged. It is obvious to any objective observer that Nickolaus is incompetent. There is also reason to suspect more irregularities in Waukesha County when votes are held back for so long, and have a history of being just the right amount at just the right time. There is already an investigation after the Supreme Court election fiasco, and there may be another, although at this hour it appears the Dems are backing off their claims of election fraud – we shall see. If I lived in Waukesha County, I would be ashamed at this level of incompetence. Unfortunately these days, Waukesha County politics resemble Chicago more than a city in Wisconsin. The latest AP numbers show Sandy Pasch trailing by about 5,000 votes. The ultra-conservative collar counties of Waukesha, Ozaukee, and Washington could not be offset by Milwaukee County, or gains in GOP areas. Nonetheless, one has to be encouraged by what occurred today, and what it bodes for the future.
Anyone in denial that today’s events change the balance of power in Wisconsin are in for a rude awakening. Voters in historically Conservative districts, which remained Republican through the Obama “wave”, sent two very progressive women to the State Senate. Voters in Luther Olsen’s district nearly sent him packing, after he ran unopposed in his prior election. Fred Clark has made progressive advances in a generally conservative rural area. The election today by its turnout alone, places every GOP legislator on notice that the People are ENGAGED. Record, to near-record turnout shows that people are paying attention – and there are traditional Republicans that voted for Democrats today. They will continue to do so, as long as the truth of the Walker/GOP/Corporatic agenda and policies are disclosed and experienced by working Wisconsinites. Our struggle is still in its infancy. We have much to accomplish and today was the first of many steps.
We must be certain the media spin does not dilute the energy or impact of increasing a Progressive presence in the State Senate by two great women. Tonight Wisconsin made history, and will again. Next week, we have two seats to preserve, and we will. We must also engage GOP Representatives (such as Dale Schultz) for their cooperation and participation in returning to a Government by the people, and for the people. The first chapter, from January through today has been written. Chapter two awaits – the continued awakening of the Progressive movement, leading to the certain recall of Scott Walker.
The movement continues, one day longer, one day stronger – and two Senate seats stronger. Congratulations Senators-elect Shilling and King, and thanks to Fred Clark, Nancy Nusbaum, Shelly Moore, and Sandy Pasch for standing up for Wisconsin. We will need all of you and each other in the coming weeks and months. Solidarity, and Forward to support Senators Holperin and Wirch in their election next week. Scott Walker and his Corporate handlers will not cooperate or capitulate; the only course is his inevitable recall and their defeat at the hands of Progressive Wisconsin.
Badger Democracy 
One of the things I remind myself and my friends is that it took a long time for this cancer to grow in us, and it will take awhile to free ourselves of it. Cancer eradication takes a long time, it’s painful, and while you’re in the middle of it, it can make you feel weak. All eyes are on Wisconsin, and I can hardly wait to recall its governor!
“Now, there’s one thing you might have noticed I don’t complain about: politicians. Everybody complains about politicians. Everybody says they suck. Well, where do people think these politicians come from? They don’t fall out of the sky. They don’t pass through a membrane from another reality. They come from American parents and American families, American homes, American schools, American churches, American businesses and American universities, and they are elected by American citizens. This is the best we can do folks. This is what we have to offer. It’s what our system produces: Garbage in, garbage out. If you have selfish, ignorant citizens, you’re going to get selfish, ignorant leaders. Term limits ain’t going to do any good; you’re just going to end up with a brand new bunch of selfish, ignorant Americans. So, maybe, maybe, maybe, it’s not the politicians who suck. Maybe something else sucks around here… like, the public. Yeah, the public sucks. There’s a nice campaign slogan for somebody: ‘The Public Sucks.”
George Carlin quote
Love George Carlin…I would disagree with his premise based on this one fact – a majority of the people that voted for Alberta Darling (for example) remain insulated and uninformed as to the draconian effects of the Walker Corporatic policies. The far right-wing base in Waukesha, Washington, and Ozaukee County turn out the vote based on marching orders from Sykes, Belling, et al. Propaganda and misinformation have a great deal to do with the retained GOP seats. The public-at-large is not necessarily to blame for this situation – it is our obligation to continue attempts at communicating the truth to the people. THAT will expand the movement.
You know slander and deformation of character is reasons for a lawsuit, keep it up and you might just be paying abit..
In order to be liable for slander or defamation, there has to be a deliberate lie being told to “defame” the person in question. Everthing written about Ms. Nickolaus AND Darling is well documented. The only crime is your complete disregard for what is really going on in Wisconsin and the world.
I can give you one lie that is absolutely ludicrous, but, of course, then it mustn’t be a lie, according to your deinition, because it came from an ignorant source–AFSCME. “Roberta Darling wants to cut Medicare.” Really? State legislators don’t have any control over Medicare–it’s a federal issue.
I don’t think any of the union-brainwashed understand how sick of this whining and protesting the rest of the “working class” is. The constant repetition of “the rich” and “the super rich,” whoever they are, is disgusting. Most of us ordinary folks think it’s wonderful that someone can actually become wealthy and don’t want their money–we’d rather earn our own. Adn, for your information public union employees are not the only “middle class working families” in existence. Don’t think you can hijack that term.