We are Winning...maybe

We are winning.  At least this is the sentiment that many people hold.  The Budget Fix bill has been delayed indefinitely, record setting protests were held, we have gain national attention, the public opinion is on our side, and other republican governors are moderating their stance on similar bills in their states.  In addition, the governor has shut down the capitol in an apparent attempt to silence our voice.  We are winning.

Or are we?  The Governor is turning a deaf ear to us and has ignored our pleas.  We are seeing conservative organizations filling the airwaves with pro-Walker and anti-union ads.  With one exception, the republicans appear to be unified in support of the bill.  The assembly republicans have shown that they are willing to use dirty tactics to pass bills.  And the senate is increasing the penalty on senate democrats to return, by now fining them $100 a day, making them pick up their paycheck, and harassing their staff.

This budget repair bill may very well pass.  However, that doesn't mean we aren't winning, it just means we may lose this battle.  We have seen the democratic party and progressives in general, unite behind this issue.  It isn't just union members, but the entire democratic party and some republicans who are in the fray fighting the bill.  We are gaining momentum which has the potential of taking back the state, and possible spreading beyond.  There will likely be recalls of republican senators, and efforts to sway republicans to defect on key votes.  Grassroots campaigns are already being formed in many districts.  The republicans may be able to dominate the airwaves, but democrats and unions dominate grassroots efforts.  Our strength is in the ground game, going door to door, talking to voters and neighbors.

We will suffer defeats, the state will regress.  Education, welfare, local governments will all suffer.  People will likely lose Medicaid support, it will be more difficult for middle class and poor students to attend college, and many needy people will not have access to necessary resources.  This will be a difficult and unbearable time for many.  However, we will engage the republicans and attempt to stop the most damaging legislation and show enough support in individual districts to force legislatures to consider the constituents before they cast their vote.

We have a potential to come back, in strength.  We are learning a lesson from 2010, to not stay home, that who we vote for matters.  Elections have consequences, which we are witnessing now.