The standoff between the Democrats and Republicans of the Wisconsin State Senate has not come to any resolution in these three long weeks. The bill proposed by the GOP had intentions of restricting public-employee unions by cutting the pensions of union workers. This plan was an effort by the Republicans and Governor Scott Walker to cut spending at a time when the nation’s debt is off the charts. According to the Wall Street Journal, “The Wisconsin standoff, which drew thousands of demonstrators to occupy the capitol in Madison for days at a time, has come to highlight efforts in other states to address budget problems in part by limiting the powers and benefits accorded public-sector unions.” However, the Democratic senators opposed to this bill have caused a gridlock in the voting process by leaving the state for the last three weeks. This has caused much confusion and frustration within the Wisconsin Senate. "If you think this is a bad bill for Republicans, why didn't you stand up in the chamber and debate us about it three weeks ago?" said Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald. "People think it's absolutely ridiculous that these 14 senators have not been in Wisconsin for three weeks." According to a poll taken by the Wall Street Journal, 82% of those questioned believe that it was not ethical for the Wisconsin Democrats to flee the state in an attempt to boycott the Republican bill from being passed. Many voice the same opinion as Fitzgerald, saying that Democrats of the Wisconsin Senate need to face up to their duty and come to a peaceable and reasonable solution. What is necessary now is compromise from both parties, and that cannot be fully achieved until Democrats decide to return to their posts in the Senate.
By: Anne Lehan
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