Don’t be a sore loser. It is a simple maxim that is easily taught to everyone. However, the legislature of the “great” state of Wisconsin cannot seem to understand that. In December, the Republican-held state legislature passed policies that were aimed at limiting the powers of the new governor, Tony Evers.
Regarding the restrictive policies, according to a CNN report from Dec,, “Wisconsin is now expected to reduce its number of early voting days, restrict gubernatorial influence over a powerful economic agency [Democratic Gov-elect Tony Evers] sought to disband, and require legislative backing for certain decisions traditionally made by the attorney general and governor — a move that would likely block [Democratic Attorney General-Elect John Kaul] from pulling the state out of a federal lawsuit against Obamacare. The legislature will also be able to hire its own lawyers to defend state law in court, diminishing the attorney general’s power.”
The state legislature claims that this was a necessary use of checks and balances, but in reality, it is nothing more than a blatant power grab to keep the Republican-held legislature as the most powerful branch of the Wisconsin government. In his final weeks as governor, the previous governor, Scott Walker, signed in all of the proposed policies that weakened the powers of the new Democratic governor.
The Washington Post quoted Evers, stating, “Governor Walker chose to ignore and override the will of the people of Wisconsin. This will no doubt be his legacy. … The people of Wisconsin expect more from our government than what has happened in our state over the past few weeks.” These policies are clearly an attack on the rights of voters. This completely overlooks the views and values of the voters in favor of the whims of those in power. These disgusting infringements on voting rights is a disgrace to the already pitiful state of the sham that is American politics. State Senate Republican Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, was quoted by CNN as stating, that “there’s going to be a divide between the legislative and executive branch.” Abraham Lincoln said “a house divided against itself cannot stand,” but clearly Wisconsin didn’t get that memo.
