Friday, December 02, 2011

People's Republic of Wisconsin

Gov. Scott Walker, facing recall, is determined to quell protests in his state. Hence his new decree:
Groups of four or more people must obtain permits for all activity and displays in state buildings and apply for those permits at least 72 hours in advance. (source)
So now, your average family of four requires a permit before touring the state capitol. If you and a buddy bump into a couple friends in the Rotunda you now face having your friendly chat broken up by Capitol Police for lacking the proper permits.

"Four or more" is the standard phrase used to ban public meetings in a dictatorship.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Opposition to protests is as American as apple pie. America hated civil rights protest, even though the protesters' position was correct. America hated Vietnam War protests, even though the protesters' position was correct. Some Americans, like Scott Walker, hate the first amendment and will do everything they can to undermine it.

One big problem is with the idiots who vote these people in. Wisconsin elected this guy. Now, they find out that he hates free speech and public opinion, hates working people, and so on, and they are surprised. Sure, he would fit in well in a totalitarian government, because that is what he is trying to turn Wisconsin into. Wisconsin could solve this problem, but they did not do a very good job in the legislative recalls.

Scott Walker maintains his power based on the stupidity of Wisconsin voters who vote against their interests. And, he is dumb enough to believe that this latest action will consolidate his power, rather than reveal what he really stands for. Ironically, his actions are counterproductive to his own objectives to consolidate power. In the end, he is pretty much dumb enough to defeat himself. The only question is how long it will take before Wisconsites see what they have done to themselves.