Wisconsin protests—now with farmers (and tractors)

Note: This is not an image from next week's farmer-labor day at the Wisconsin Capitol Building. That hasn't happened yet. This is an image meant to illustrate the concept of a tractorcade for anyone who's never seen one. Apologies for any confusion.

Tens of thousands of people were in Madison, Wisconsin, again this weekend, continuing to protest Governor Scott Walkers attempt to do away with collective bargaining for some state employees. We're at Day 18 now, if you're keeping track.

This has been a very weird event, by U.S. standards. We don't often have protest movements that sustain their momentum, at this level, over this long a period of time. Hell, one day is usually the maximum. So it's been interesting to me to see the Madison protests evolve. Up next, apparently, are theme protests. Next Saturday, March 12, starting at noon, it's farmer-labor day at the Wisconsin Capitol Building—with farmers from across the state set to bring a tractorcade of support to the protesters in Madison. Yes. A tractorcade. This just got 10x more awesome.

Next week, farmers from across the dairyland will bring tractors and solidarity to the WI capitol to fight for labor rights and a just state budget. Rural communities will be disproportionately hurt by the cuts to education and badgercare, and farmers in Wisconsin stand with state workers, and all working and middle class families in the state. The event is sponsored by Family Farm Defenders, Wisconsin Farmers Union and Land Stewardship project.

All farmers and eaters welcome and encouraged to come! If you have a tractor and would like to join in the tractorcade please contact John Peck at Family Farm Defenders - (608) 260-0900; familyfarmdefenders@yahoo.com

Couple of other notes:
• Remember how cleanup in the Capitol Building was supposed to cost $7 million. Yeah. That's been retracted. The State is now estimating $350,000.

• The City of Madison issued a press release on Saturday thanking protesters for another huge protest with no arrests and no citations. That's right. In 18 days, nobody has done anything worthy of arrest, or even ticketing. Good work, Wisconsin! In the Upper Midwest, even our "thugs" are well above average.

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Maggie Koerth-Baker is the science editor at BoingBoing.net. She writes a monthly column for The New York Times Magazine and is the author of Before the Lights Go Out, a book about electricity, infrastructure, and the future of energy. You can find Maggie on Twitter and Facebook.

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Anonymous

Please note an update
TRACTORCADE! Spread the word! We are adapting to permit restrictions. Saturday, the tractors will be on the square from 10am to 11am. Followed by a rally on the capitol steps from 11:30am to 12:30pm. Due to permit restrictions only a limited number of tractors will be allowed to stay on the square after 11am. Speakers: Jim Hightower and farmers Tony Schultz, Joel Greeno and Sarah Lloyd. Anita Nelson will lead songs!
Anonymous

Wow. Wisconsin is beautiful. Who knew?
- DoctressJulia
  
  I did! :)
  
  Come visit, OK?
Daemon

Regarding the lack of arrests, it helps that the police are actually on the side of the protesters for once, and thus not randomly inventing things to arrest them for.
InsertFingerHere

In Manitoba, we call that a Saskatchewan traffic jam.
GuyInMilwaukee

Scott Walker’s hero, Ronald Reagan, states his support for unions and collective bargaining:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsHXJr8tqP0
… and even wraps it in the American flag.
Fox heads exploding in 3..2..1..
zubaz

A while back there was an outrage post on boingboing about Fox News using a protest outside of the state in video footage implying that the footage *was* from Wisconsin.

How is the image above different?
- Avram / Moderator
  
  Zubaz, first, because the protest hasn’t happened yet, so the photo you’re seeing can’t be mistaken for a photo of the actual event. Second, because FoxNews was showing violent footage in order to leave viewers with the impression that the ongoing peaceful protests were violent.
  - RedShirt77
    
    I am sorry, but your attempts to mislead us about the climate of Wisconsin have gone too far this time! Where are the palm trees?!
    
    Are they in the future too?
- IronEdithKidd
  
  Are you under the impression that tractors are different in appearance because they exist in Iowa rather than Wisconsin?
  
  You need to get out of the city once in a while.
redheadedfemme

Sorry, that was meant to be Drummer77.
Drummer77

“Yeah. That’s been retracted. The State is now estimating $350,000.”

Hey snarky. That’s 350,000 that could have gone to keep 6 teachers employed.

Here’s what I don’t understand: What is it about “broke” that people don’t understand? There’s no free lunch, no free breakfast, no free nothing. So what’s up with people that think it should all be free, or somebody else’s job to pay for stuff. Get a job.
Anonymous

God bless the people of Wisconsin.

America is with you!
- redheadedfemme
  
  And the 148 million dollars in corporate tax cuts could employ approximately 29,600 teachers for one year, given Wisconsin’s not quite $50,000 average teacher salary.
  
  (If my math is wrong on this, someone please correct me. My calculator recently died.)
  
  In the future, please check your facts before you snark off.
Anonymous

people can follow the ongoing protest and get on-the-ground info at http://www.DefendWisconsin.org
or by texting “follow defendwisconsin” to 40404
or #defendwisconsin on the Twitterbox
MrJM

Scott Walker wasn’t imposed on Wisconsin by a bloody coup or the machinations of reptilian aliens: he was elected with 52 percent of the people of the state.

Two things:

1) Walker was elected by 52% of those who voted, not 52% of the people of the state. His governorship is a sin of omission by the people of Wisconsin, not a sin of commission.
2) Walker did not run on a platform of smashing the state’s unions, so of those who did vote for him most did not do so to eliminate collective bargaining.

That said, elections matter and those who sat on the sidelines in November acted as silent collaborators with Walker and his retrograde masters.
LabRat001

So how do you kick a Governor out of office?
- Anonymous
  
  You get a Governor out of office by breaking the cold-spell.
  
  “In 18 days, nobody has done anything worthy of arrest, or even ticketing.”
  
  Pacifism is pathology.
  - Maggie Koerth-Baker
    
    Pacifism is pathology.
    
    I don’t generally advocate sedentary lifestyles. But, in your case, Wisconsin would be better off if you stayed home, watched TV, and ate some nachos on Saturday.
- Anonymous
  
  “So how do you kick a Governor out of office?”
  
  540,000 people have to sign a petition, and then Walker has until January 2012 before a recall election takes place.
  
  Of the numerous pledges I’ve seen floating about Facebook, it looks like nearly half that number have already pledged to sign such a petition.
- Anonymous
  
  Ask him to choose a window.
GregS

Why is it relevant, when judging the governor’s mandate, that only about 50% of the electorate voted? Isn’t this the case in virtually every election? If you take that position, then no elected politician has a mandate to do anything, ever.

In the 2008 federal election, voter turnout was 57% (according to Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voter_turnout_in_the_United_States_presidential_elections). Since Obama got 53% of the vote, it means that fewer than 30% of Americans actually voted for him. Are you willing to apply the same argument about mandates that you’re using for Walker to Obama?
- travtastic
  
  Are you willing to apply the same argument about mandates that you’re using for Walker to Obama?
  
  Well, I would certainly hope so.
  
  I have to ask, why is it that every time someone, somewhere brings up not liking something done by the right, everyone has to bring up something Obama did, or talked about, or whatever?
  
  Do people really think Obama is some kind of leftist heartthrob?
- DWittSF
  
  I will humor you Greg, in case you haven’t read anything the last few years about the ‘fair and balanced’ bias (eg. ‘both sides are doing it). Instead, I will just ask two simple questions for you to answer, based on your example:
  
  Is there a phenomenon called ‘Walkercare?’ Why not?
  
  Has Walker been accused of not being an American?
  
  Keep thinking.
- Neon Tooth
  
  Obama hasn’t tried to do anything really outside of the scope of what he campaigned on. In fact he’s been more of a disappointment considering he’s been a pretty wishy washy version of the man who won the election and has abandoned a lot of his promises. Walker on the other hand never campaigned on ending collective bargaining, yet has taken this extreme action out of nowhere. Anyway, it’s always funny to see the ‘but..but..Obama’ stuff. Obama’s a center-rightest and I didn’t vote for him. Get another bogeyman.
  - GregS
    
    I’m not using Obama as a bogeyman. What in my post lead you to that conclusion? My post was entirely neutral. (For the record, I’m not even an American so I have no personal stake in what’s going on in Wisconsin and no strong opinion on it one way or the other).
    
    I used Obama as an example because he’s a Democrat, whereas Walker is a Republican. My observation is that these days political partisans of either side trot out arguments about what is proper and legitimate based largely on what suits their own interests at the moment. Most statements of “principle” by the politically-minded tend to be partisan posturing of this sort. So asking “would your position be the same if applied to someone on your own side?” is perfectly legitimate. (I’m assuming here that most of the people defending the Wisconsin protests tend to lean Democrat).
    - catgrin
      
      Read your posts, and I agree that you kept your tone neutral, Greg. I’m going to speak for myself, and hope I’m doing a fair job of interpreting others’ reactions.
      
      Please realize that because you brought up Obama (who you chose as “a Democrat” thinking you were being neutral) along with Walker (who you chose as “a Republican”) you were bound to get some sharp responses. That’s because people might have interpreted it as you comparing “Obama the man” to “Walker the man”. Simply put, you picked someone that people have already had to defend against baseless attacks, and compared him to someone who is acting in a morally questionable way. (Both Democrats and Republicans are questioning Walker’s actions.)
      
      There’s a lot of emotional history there, and as you’re not an American you shouldn’t be expected to realize it. Obama has been hit hard by people who want to demonize him, and so it’s not surprising strong defensive feelings exist. You picked “Obama” to use a nationally-recognizable Democrat, and instead you picked a Democrat that’s come under a lot of ridiculous attacks. In future, may I suggest you use Sen. John Kerry or Sen. Al Franken? I’m not being facetious. They’re both well-known names, and people will probably be less touchy.
      
      As far as your question goes: Walker was duly elected. I have no doubt of that. However, as I wrote in my last post, current polls show that people who voted for him are changing their minds. He pulled a bait & switch by not revealing his more extremist intents, and instead speaking only on moderate national party lines during his campaign. He is legitimately governor (as Obama is legitimately President), but I believe (based on recorded public opinion) that he may be recalled.
Anonymous

I’m from WI – farm – good for you all – it is going to be hard
Can’t believe the arrogance
from Oregon
johnphantom

Greg has a good point there, not that I am supporting Walker.

Avram and Antonius, what did you guys do, ban the one day accounts that only posted in Walker threads that were obviously shills? I am disappointed in you both. Their attempts at spinning lies to the public were entertaining!
- Antinous / Moderator
  
  I’m still trying to figure out how that guy got from Moscow to Tokyo so fast.
Anonymous

“…continuing to protest Governor Scott Walkers attempt to do away with collective bargaining for some state employees.”

Whatever your opinion on the bill in question, it does not “do away with collective bargaining” for anyone. The bill restricts collective bargaining to wages for a subset of public employees. There is a difference between this and complete elimination, though it has been repeatedly overlooked here and elsewhere. It doesn’t do anyone any good to misrepresent what’s going on.
retrojoe

Regardless of the turnout I’d be very hesitant to use “mandate” and “52%” in the same sentence.

Especially as the key issue most people have with Walker is also something he did not run on in his 2010 campaign. So it’s a nasty surprise for many of those who voted for him. Like my father, who was a long time union leader (but is now management) and had to sheepishly admit to me that he’d made a terrible mistake.
dweller_below

So, do they celebrate Labor Day in Wisconsin? Or has Walker replaced that with “Give a Billionaire a Buck” Day?

Miles
Anonymous

Valid point. For what it’s worth, as I recall Walker ran as a moderate Republican. (Mark Neumann ran to the right during the Republican primary).

WI has to wait a year before a recall attempt against Walker. I believe it works like this: 1) Gather sufficient signatures (25% of 2010 vote count for that election–about 500,000). 2) Recall election. 3) New election where Walker runs against a new opponent to keep his seat.

-LongBumperSticker
Lidok

WOW finally I see real democracy at work in the US. People have the power, always had and hopefully always will. As long as they can get organized to all go to one place on tractors. Wish I could be there to see this
Anonymous

Way to go Wisconsin!! You are a power of example to the rest of the country. Recall Walker–he’s no statesman. He’s just an ordinary greedy liar. You deserve better.
Big Johnny

I would like to thank all you folks for standing up for your rights. I wish I could have been there with you. Hopefully all people there will wake up and realize that whatever affects UNION people comes back to affect them as well.
Hang in there you guys and good luck.
tropic

Correction: Article its says that this is 18th day of protests.

This is actually the 22nd day. The protests began on Valentines Day with a demonstration of about 2,000, called “Scott Walker you broke my heart”. I have been going every day since the 14th-in freezing rain, snow etc. There are many of us who go everyday, at lunch, after work to say that were not leaving until this is resolved. Madison Mayor est. that more than 500,000 have come though the capitol in the weeks of protest. Look for this Sat.(Day 26) to be the biggest yet-100,000 +
apollo18

Hey, this post was shown on the Rachel Maddow Show tonight! She’s been focused almost entirely on WI since this thing started.
Anonymous

Hm, it’s my understanding that even though the City of Madison police have reported no arrests, the Capitol Police (not the same entity) seem to have made some. I’ve also heard reports of citations. However, I haven’t been able to find official reports from the Capitol Police.

An example:
http://www.channel3000.com/news/27082236/detail.html
- tropic
  
  There have been a few arrests-one nutter (not protesting) climbed out on capitol balcony and took his clothes off! And another person, disgusted with the TSA style security checkpoint in Capitol tried to surpass it with no luck.
  
  I have been there everyday since Feb. 14 and have not seen union-supporters trying to cause trouble or looking for arrest. The closest thing to law enforcement action came when members of the clergy joined the students inside the rotunda to sleep over-and were ready to be arrested in mass.
  
  They exited peacefully and the situation remains tense but firmly on the side of civility. Wish the same could be said for the Tea Party or Gov. office. The tea party has gone into the middle of the protesters to provoke them by shouting things like, “Teachers are scum.” And another group would walk against the marchers saying, “You’re all going to hell!” People kept walking and ignored this crap.
  
  Watch now as the Gov. tries to squelch protests with requirements for permits etc. ACLU and others are busy in courts making sure people have the ability to peacefully assemble and protest. What happens in WI is only the tip of the iceberg America!
nanoquimico

The tractorcade, has been famously used in Argentina where it was known as “Tractorazo” to protest grain export taxes. Currently there are similar protests going on in Venezuela.

What was remarkable about these protests in the Argentine case is that farmers organizations there were historically of a conservative flavor and would typically engage in lobbying and would very much dismiss organized protests.

I also picture the typical wisconsin farmer leaning more to right or libertarian side due to tax or NRA issues. So having WI farmers engaged in public protests is quite remarkable.
- ChristinaWard
  
  You’re absolutely right! That Farmers have joined in is significant. They are traditionally more conservative in their views. But Walker has made the error of having something for everyone to hate in both the budget repair bill and the recently submitted biannual budget.
  
  Again, don’t poke badger! We bite!
  
  I’ll be there on Saturday. And just found out that some ex-pat Badgers are now coming home for the weekend to be a part of it. We’re all Badgers now.
catgrin

What’s important to realize is that in the election Walker ran on the same “create jobs” platform as the rest of the Republican party. He said nothing about unions. His attitude toward them was mostly unknown (because he’s still pretty young) and so people responded to the message rather than the man.

What’s really upsetting is that only a week after he’d been in office as governor, one of his actions as the Milwaulkee County Executive came back to bite him (and Milwaulkee), and it’s very similar to what he’s doing now. Here’s a link to the story for a little background:

http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/117276913.html

Yep, he fired the union workers by declaring a “budget crisis” when none existed. Oh, and yes, it’s true, the union guards earned $5 more per hour than the freshly hired private security. Of course it should be noted that many had been working there for ten or more years.

——–

Next bit, we all have our two-cents’ worth, but if you’re wondering how Wisconsinites feel, here are a few links to comment sites. Enjoy.

http://scottwalkerwatch.com/?page_id=91

http://www.recallscottwalker.info/comments.html#axzz1FxPw3n4M

——-

Finally, a PPP poll does show that if the election was held again, Walker would lose. (This is even though only 32% of voters are members of a labor union.) So, you can blame it on turn out, or on people voting to the party and ignoring the candidate, but I think in this case it’s fair to say that several people feel someone’s pulled a political bait and switch.

http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/BarrettWalkerRematchResults.pdf
Neon Tooth

This is how Walker *just* won the election: http://exiledonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/taxpayer-money-koch.jpg
Anonymous

Go WI and the Senate 14! Keep the pressure on till recall! We across the nation are counting on you, supporting you and going to protests locally in support. Keep the pressure on Walker, the republicans in WI and the GOP! You are doing a fabulous job and we are indebted to you for raising and sustaining the alarm!
Anonymous

I will be in Madison on Saturday…Everyone spread the word. If you see a Fox News Camera sing “Happy Birthday”. They won’t want to air clips with that song in it because it’s copyrighted. They would have to pay anywhere from $5,000 to $30,000 to air it on TV
Anonymous

(Whisper)
*Global* general strike. Pass it on.
Anonymous

I’m 6 hours away but going to try and make it for the tractorcade this Sat.

Also, why do Teabaggers wait till the comforts of summer to protest… we get better numbers in the figgern ice and snow.
Thac0

Wow I’m really impressed by the people of WI! I envy their passion and activism it almost makes me want to live there.
- DoctressJulia
  
  Almost? Well, phew, that was close… ;)
- Anonymous
  
  Loved your comment. We have lived our entire adult lives in the Western states and fell in love with Madison, Wisconsin. We have seen an uncommon kindness and concern for other human beings…and dogs:)in this city. People make a conscious effort to shop locally and think about the impact of their purchases on family owned businesses vs. big box establishments. They value creativity, diversity and individuality. I remember shortly after we first moved here, I went to the nearby park where some homeless sorts were talking at a picnic table. I came home and told my neighbor that maybe we should call the Police (keep in mind, we still had our Texas mentality)…and my neighbor said “Why, they’re not hurting anyone.” And they weren’t…they were just sitting there..talking. I love the way the bike paths are filled with serious cyclists, families with all 3 children on their bikes, people walking their dogs. This is a wonderful city with a high quality of life and respect for their neighbors and I’m so proud to see the storm of protest for those who want to change it. Come to Madison..it’s cold in the Winter but warm in your heart.
- Anonymous
  
  wait till this jack-hole gets recalled, then the state will be quite nice again.
bjacques

This is a big deal! Different groups are cooperating instead of letting themselves be set one against the other. It already looked promising when the firefighters and police unions joined the protest despite Gov. Walker’s obvious bribes (and the police failing to enforce the Gov’s decrees to bully the crowds–ingrates!).

Life is good.
Osori

Re: so-called “mandates” with a bit of disdain for the “beyond partisan” lot

Winning an election =/= free sanction to do whatever you please, even within the law, without being subject to protest, up to and including mass civil disobedience.

There seem to be two favorite arguments of Walker supporters or sangfroid neutral observers/internet contrarians: 1) he said he was going to do this, now he’s doing it, ergo, it’s ok, stop protesting now; or 2) he won the election, ergo it’s ok, stop protesting now.

Both of these arguments seem to rest on the notion that democratic process is entirely about elections, that our paticipation as citizens begins and ends at the ballot box. False.

Consider: Politician A says, I’m going to raise taxes on the incomes of the bottom 30% of the population to 90%. Politician A wins with 51% of the vote. Politician A passes legislation “doing what he said he’d do.”

Wouldn’t the immiserated public, however much a minority, be completely right to do everything within the law (and perhaps outside of it) to stop this law from being promulgated?

Obviously, the hundreds of thousands of people coming out for weeks on end now are denying any Walker mandate. They are asserting their interests precisely as our democracy provides for them to do, through the freedom of expression and public assembly. This show of opinion may or may not sway Walker or other Republican state senators to change their opinion. Some, or many, of them are now much better informed as to what the stakes will be should they choose not to do so.

Finally, the argument that “what if everybody did like the Wisconsin 14? nothing would ever get done!” is also totally wrong. It is not a universal precedent for future legislative politics. The only reason that their protest is working is because it is representative of a very popular opinion. Their position at thwarting legislation is not costing them politically. To the contrary. Would the next minority faction try to turn this manoever into common practice, they’d likely find themselves dangling in a cold wind of public approbation and in the midst of political suicide, because without a mass movement supporting them, it wouldn’t work. The Wisconsin labor struggle is offering us all a well needed remedial lesson on how democracy is supposed to healthily function. Minorities are not supposed to just sit down, shut up, and wait til next November, especially in the face of unprecedented, radical upheavals of the public order. They have every right to stand up, fight like hell, and win… right now.

I understand that “fighting” and the like includes icky stuff like deciding which side you’re on and then fighting for that side, even in an, ewwwww, “partisan” manner. Teach me another method to keep the corporations from bleeding the bottom 90% dry and I’ll gladly follow your way. Perhaps you have a newsletter I can subscribe to?
Anonymous

What the article doesn’t tell you is how much cuts in badgercare is hurting urban folks as well. Make your voices heard!
- Anonymous
  
  Since the farmers are taking the time to stand with the protesters, it would be awesome if everyone who does not have a tractor to participate with would line the road they are coming in on, starting at the capitol and working their way outward to welcome them. Not only would we have miles of tractors but miles of people showing support for them. I love it.
GuyInMilwaukee

There is no WAY I’m missing this one.
Tell your friends! Tell your neighbors! Tell Randy Gonzalez…
Bodhipaksa

I’m sure I’m going to reveal myself as tragically out of the loop, but what exactly is “badgercare” and why is it being cut?
- Anonymous
  
  You can get a brief description if you go here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BadgerCare
  
  It’s basically a WI based health care program that serves those in need. Walker wants to cut the program because he thinks that will help make up for the giant tax breaks he gave out in January to big business
- kcmpls
  
  Badgercare is Wisconsin’s Medicaid program.
sterling

I’m thinking about borrowing my Dad’s tractor. :-) Its kind of on the small side, but I’ll throw the trailer on and load it up with friends and beer or something.
- Anonymous
  
  sterling, please don’t load up your tractor with friends and beer. The article is all about how well-behaved protesters have been. Keep your beer at home.
Architexas

The first thing I thought of when I read that is:

“Oh, crap. Now they’re going to have to pay fuel taxes.”

I sincerely hope they’re not punished for driving their tractors on U.S. funded roads. If they do drive their tractors on U.S. highways, or state highways that receive Federal tax dollars for maintenance, then the price of their fuel jumps, as they’re required to pay the fuel tax.

There might end up being more protests if that happens…
Prufrock451

As a corrective to the “I heart Cheeseheads” narrative, please remember that Scott Walker wasn’t imposed on Wisconsin by a bloody coup or the machinations of reptilian aliens: he was elected with 52 percent of the people of the state.

As Mencken put it: “People deserve the government they get, and they deserve to get it good and hard.”
- Anonymous
  
  But I didn’t vote for the person so therefore – I DO NOT deserve what he is handing out. Either do the other 48% so STOP putting us all in one lump sum.
- Anonymous
  
  Yes, 52% is quite the mandate. Remember that is 52% of the people that actually voted, of which only around 50% of registered voters actually voted, making Walker’s mandate a wopping 26% of registered voters. (say that 3 time fast). As in most apathetic American elections, the people that don’t vote, actually decide the vote. Sad, but true and this is what happens.
- Thac0
  
  wait a second because 52% of people voted for a moron the other 48% deserve what they get? I dont belive in sittibg idly by and having rights taken away because i lost a game by a few % points not do i think that i would deserve it.
  
  Anyway… thank god i don’t live in WI your right. I said I’d ALMOST want to live there.
  - Anonymous
    
    You might have not read the Anon reply to Prufrock451 before commenting — and MrJM has already corrected this — BUT it bears repeating for other readers, too.
    
    Only ~50% of WI registered voters went to the polls in the 2010 election … Meaning ~26% of people voted for a tool, and 24% voted for the other guy.
    
    Even now, some of that 26% wish they could take it back.
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/bluerobot/5491328318/
    
    But at least that 26% voted, even if they made a regretable choice. I’m less impressed with the registered voters who didn’t show up.
    
    But mostly I blame Walker for being a corporate tool in the first place.
    - Padraig
      
      Exactly!
      
      http://gab.wi.gov/node/1391
      
      They were estimating UP TO 50% eligible voter turnout.
      
      WTF is it with people?
      
      In Australia there is mandatory voting. My view is that voters should have cards. They tag it if you vote – not who you voted for, but the fact you voted.
      
      Anyone who didn’t vote would have their letters of complaint, approaches to their local member etc sent back with a letter saying “You didn’t vote, so we don’t care”. They should be prevented from picketing, demonstrating and not be interviewed for their opinions about anything to do with politics and political events.
      
      I know I’m being extreme here (and not realistic) it’s just that I firmly believe that if you don’t participate in the democratic election of your representatives, don’t WHINGE about what they do. You’re part of the problem as much as they are.
      
      Sheesh.
      
      Go Wisconsonites!!!!!
      
      ;)
therationalpi

When you think about it, they are trying to push a bill against groups that are already organized and founded for the purpose of mobilizing in protest. No surprise that they are communicating their message with force.
jimmie proof

So who let Fox News on this blog with the “farm aid” picture from aroung July?
- Suds
  
  Did you bother to read the article? “Next Saturday, March 12, starting at noon…”
  
  How can you complain about them not having a picture from THE FUTURE? It hasn’t happened yet. When it does, it might look something like that one (ya know, tractors and all).