As Wisconsin Goes
Sunday, May 27, 2012 at 6:17PM This nation is at a crossroads. Will Americans choose conservatism and fiscal responsibility or are we going to follow the poor example of Portugal, Italy, Greece and Spain, the so called PIGS of Europe. The PIGS model is one of ever larger government benefits to state unions coupled with growing government debt and higher taxes to pay for it. But even though this path leads to financial destruction, it is a broad and easy path for politicians to follow.
Elections are important, but this year in addition to the presidential election we have another truly significant election. Embattled Wisconsin governor Scott Walker is pro-life, supports traditional marriage and freedom of conscience principles that would allow pharmacists to refuse to sell abortion inducing drugs. But that is not why he is in trouble with liberals in Wisconsin. He has also reduced the growth of state spending, but even that is not why liberals detest him.
On June 5th Governor Walker faces a recall election because he supports limiting (not eliminating, just limiting) the collective bargaining rights of the Wisconsin Education Association (the teachers union) and state employee unions. The Walker recall election will send a message to politicians throughout the country. The unions know that removing Walker from office will intimidate governors and state legislators. Elected officials will not curb growing state budgets or limit the bargaining rights and benefits of state employees or teachers if Walker is removed. However, the consequence will be that in a few years the United States will be the western hemisphere version of the PIGS of Europe.
Even if Governor Walker remains in office the fight he will have endured will intimidate many, but winning in Wisconsin opens a narrow path to fiscal sanity and national salvation.
As Wisconsin goes so might this entire nation. On the night of June 5th I’ll be watching the election results.
Scott Walker in
Economics,
Taxes 