Did you ever just get the sense that some political scuffles have less to do with content in the end, and more to do with the initiators ego? We're entering that realm in Wisconsin, and the results of that are frankly embarrassing for the state. Scott Walker's approval is heading towards George W. Bush territory, and fast, and yet he is acting as though he is on a popular crusade, crushing the "bad guy" unions now before they can crush the legions of supporters he believes he has. The problem for Walker is, he doesn't have that popular support, and unions just aren't bad guys.
The rallies keep going on and on at the Capitol grounds, even as he tries to shut down the peoples' capitol building, an unprecedented power move. Supporters of Walker, running for other offices, are seeing their electoral fortunes go down the tubes. Sensing Walker's weakness, even other parts of the bill, besides collective bargaining, are now in play for Democratic forces. Walker isn't just weak, it's popular to attack him now.
So why is this going on? Ego. This man simply can't admit to himself that he overreached. The facts aren't on his side, the politics aren't on his side, and the people aren't on his side, but he just can't bring himself to cut a deal and get this over with.
Here's the facts at this point: Wisconsin's budget shortfall is real. Walker contributed to it by cutting revenue levels. Now some cuts need to be made, and there's agreement to do some of them. Walker asked for the unions to "give back" more money on their benefits and pensions, and they agreed to do so. Walker is simply also trying to break them of any political influence at the same time.
It's time for Governor Walker's ego to take a big cut. Re-call, anyone?
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