Some Lawmakers Want to End Massive Recall Efforts

[cascadiance]

Source: WUWM - Milwaukee

The Wisconsin Constitution allows constituents to recall their lawmakers, according to a provision written nearly a century ago. Yet, Republican state Rep. Robin Vos believes recalls of the magnitude this year are not what the authors had in mind. Nine senators were targeted primarily over one issue: for their position on Gov. Scott Walker’s limits to collective bargaining rights for public employees. Republicans supported the measure while Democrats opposed it and fled the state in protest. Vos says the constitution does not require those wishing to recall a state lawmaker to give a reason and he wants to make a change.

“We are sick and tired of negative ads and constant political campaigning. And that is only because Wisconsin is the only state in the country that we can find which allows a recall to happen for no reason whatsoever. Even at the local level if you want to recall a mayor or an alderman you have to have specific reasons to do so,” Vos says.

Vos says he wants to amend the constitution to require an appropriate reason to be given in order to initiate a recall of a state lawmaker.

“Perhaps if you are charged with a felony, if you have been convicted of a misdemeanor, or even if you have ethics violations, any of those would be appropriate reasons to recall an elected official, but I do not believe that a single vote should be used as the process and the vehicle to recall an elected official,” Vos says.
...

Read more: http://www.wuwm.com/programs/news/view_news.php?articleid=9006

---

Well, it looks like another effort by Scott Walker's minions to try to find ways to stave off recalls of themselves (perhaps Walker too?).

If this succeeds, then will Republicans not fight that same sort of amendment to be made in places like California where it would have perhaps made it harder for Mr. Issa to have done his personal "outing" recall of Gray Davis earlier?

Somehow, I think that given the agenda of Republicans nationwide though, they figure that they are probably going to be more the target of recalls by rightfully PO'd and LIED TO voters!

[LiberalFighter]

1. So he is against the will of the people.

[Yon_Yonson]

5. Who voted him into office

What a fucking NEOCON slug

[harun]

9. I don't know any GOP position that the majority of voters approve of.

They are against democracy by definition.

[socialindependocrat]

2. The reason was obvious - Screw Vos

The fact that a petition is required should be enough "reason". Even if you have a reason stated on a petition there may be many personal reasons that the voters sign the petition. The Republicans are scared that they can't run on one platform and then turn around and screw the voters on whatever they want - i.e., Scott Walker and the demise of the Union (in order to gain political advantage by reducing political contributions). He lied to the people as to why he was trying to crush the Union's right to negotiate. then the other states tried to do the same thing. after the recall in Wisconsin, let's see how far the other states get.

WITHOUT A DOUBT! - VOTE THEM OUT!!

AND I hope Walker has a good case of the shits from now until he is recalled.

WE NEED TO REMIND OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS THAT THEIR JOB IS TO MAKE LIFE BETTER FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE!!!!

[TygrBright]

3. Call the Waaaaaaahmbulance... GOPpies are getting what they asked for. n/t

[sybylla]

4. Amendment process takes a lot of time in WI

Must pass two consecutive legislatures (which means if they pass it now, they have to pass it again in the 2013-2014 session.

And then it must go to the voters on the next general election ballot.

Earliest it could be in effect is 2015, but I doubt it will ever get that far.

[sybylla]

6. I also love how the constitution is a sacred document

until it's used against them. Then they can fuck with it proudly and shamelessly.

[Raster]

7. Rules and laws are only applicable to "the other guy."

Gotta love those rethug values.

[cstanleytech]

8. Someone should tell Vos the problem isnt the recalls its

the behavior of the politicians that caused it and as for the negative ads its a two way street there to as the republicans run just as dirty campaigns if not more so imo.

[otohara]

10. So They're Sick of Citizens United

ALREADY...sick of being bombarded with outrageous lies, fear and doom.

Suck it up GOP, you asked for it.

[bemildred]

11. This is a lie:

"And that is only because Wisconsin is the only state in the country that we can find which allows a recall to happen for no reason whatsoever."

I live in California, that is a lie.

http://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php/Laws_governing_recall_in_California

"The language in the recall provision is strictly procedural. Substantive grounds for recalls are not specified. Recalls can be launched to remove corrupt officials, and to remove officials whose policies and performance are found wanting. The recall is but one of several mechanisms for removing public officers. Others include the normal criminal process, impeachment, term limits, and, of course, the next election.<1>"

[cascadiance]

19. Yep, precisely why I mentioned Issa's "reasonless" recall of Gray Davis there!...

These bastids want to change rules only when they feel hurt by them...

[toddwv]

12. It's part of the right-wing's push against democracy.

This is a multi-front effort that includes disenfranchising SOME classes of voters as well as redefining the political system of the US.

[divine_truine]

13. what a gashole! typical disingenuous republican douchebag!

hey vos, being elected by your constituents is a privilege and not an entitlement! You're an asshole!

[SoapBox]

14. More attempts at getting, "Do as we say...and no one gets hurt" pushed through.

...criminal.

[CatholicEdHead]

15. It should stay as it is

Even though the recall media went into the Twin Cities and SE MN TV Stations, as messy as they are it should stay as it is. It took extraordinary measures by Walker and the Fitzgerald Brothers to get to this point. They pushed and the recalls is a way to push back. Democracy can be messy sometimes.

[Historic NY]

16. Really, Republicans don't want democracy.

[louis-t]

17. "Recalls of this magnatude" is EXACTLY what the authors

had in mind. Dumbass.

[Sportsguy]

18. Walker Also Wants To Eliminate The Office Of Secretary Of State

There will be a hearing this Thursday. Our Secretary of State is Douglas LaFollette. Walker has to be stopped, period.

[Dawson Leery]

20. Of course. When Republicans do it, it's acceptable.

When Democrats do it, it's bad.
Republicans do not believe in Democracy.