Breaking News: Government Dissolved by No-Confidence Vote

"'(The government leader) will visit the Governor General on Saturday to dissolve (the legislature), setting the stage for (an) election in early May.

The Liberal motion passed by a vote of 156 to 145, as the opposition parties teamed up to topple the Conservatives." (1)

Felipe Calderon, George Bush and Stephen Harper standing at the grave of Conservatism. (OK, not really. It's a placard for Earth Day, but it is a cool image by Chris Greenberg.) BTW, the stone is misspelled.

OK, so its not Wisconsin. It's someplace where the people are even nicer. Canada!

For the first time in its history, the government of Canada has been dissolved forcing Prime Minister Stephen Harper to dissolve the Parliament and forcing a vote.

This is the result of the rift between the Conservatives and the Liberals in the Canadian government. The budget submitted by the Conservative government led to a coalition in the Parliament to reject both the budget and the ruling party.

What does this say about Wisconsin? (For the record, most Americans think  Wisconsin is actually part of Canada already.)

This might be seen as a sign of things to come. The next election, if history proves true, will sweep out the majority party and cause the undoing of many of the initiatives that are being passed now, including today's end-run around a court restraining order and the publication of the law that was being stayed.

How did we in Wisconsin get here? In truth, it is Barack Obama's fault. His election created a fervor that buoyed the Democratic party and the more liberal portions of the people. Then, after getting into office, he took a bit too long getting oriented and became quiet and withdrawn. The mid-term election saw his opponents out in force, driven by massive monies from rich conservatives and a vocal right-wing Tea Party movement.

Brew City Brawler's Blog Post: GOP insider admits budget repair is about hobbling Dems

The Brawler has been somewhat surprised that the remarks in Sunday's Milwaukee Journal Sentinel from Steve King, a member of the national GOP's executive committee from Wisconsin, have not received more attention than they have.
Because, rather than regurgitating platitudes about balancing the budget or giving people the right not to join a union (and instead be free riders -- "moochers," in Charlie Sykes' parlance), King gets to what the union busting provisions are all about.
Beating up on labor and beating up on the Democratic Party.

Get the rest of the story here!

The Brawler is commenting on what we knew all along. This isn't about budgets, but about hamstringing the Democratic party be defunding on of its stringest contributors. It won't work and here's why...

If the union does not collect the money directly, it won't matter. The individuals who just got smacked by Governor Walker's "Budget Defraud Bill" and by the Stalin-esque tactics of the Republicans in the Senate and the Assembly are not going to forget. Barack Obama's campaign made grassroots, individual funding viable and successful. Expect that those same machines will show up here in Wisconsin and Scott Walker will be completing his employment application at Koch Industries. At least there there will be a little bit of honesty... Walker's paycheck will be signed by David Koch directly instead being hidden as a campaign contribution!

Recess! Bullying on the Playground? - The Truth about Recess Appointments

It seems every time Congress goes on recess, the President makes a recess appointment or several. And every time, his opponents cry foul. "Unconstitutional," "illegal," "impeach him," "cheating." The truth about recess appointments is very different from what the TV and radio pundits would like you to believe. A simple search of recess appointments and President Obama makes it clear that this is a constant source of controversy. Search further back and it is easy to find kick back for every President who has ever made a recess appointment.

So here is a bit of truth:

- Recess appointments are constitutional.

Article II, Section 2: "The President shall have Power to fill up all Vacancies that may happen during the Recess of the Senate, by granting Commissions which shall expire at the End of their next Session."

The Constitution allows the President to appoint people while Senate is in recess. It does not require that he ask their permission and does not call for any special circumstances.

- Every President has made recess appointments.


George Washington made recess appointments (His didn't turn out so well. The man tried to commit suicide and ended up resigning.)

Conservatives may be surprised to know that Ronald Reagan made more recess appointments than any other President in history (243 according to USAToday, 4/5/2007).

- Some recess appointments remain famous.



John Rutledge, whose appoint

didn't turn out well



George Washington, used his
recess appointment power
 to appoint John Rutledge





George Washington appointed John Rutledge as Supreme Court Chief Justice (He's the one that went nuts!) Dwight Eisenhower appointed William J. Brennan to the Supreme Court. George W. Bush appointed William Pryor and Charles Pickering to the US courts of appeals.



Recess appointments are legal and have been used by nearly every President to avoid having to sit through the Senate's arduous interview processes. Also, because of the Senate's parliamentary rules which allow the minority to filibuster, to hold up anything on the floor, it can be very difficult for the President to be able move nominees through.