Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2011
Recall Sen. Alberta Darling?
Sen. Alberta Darling (R-River Hills) was first
elected to the state Assembly in May 1990 to replace Betty Jo Nelsen, who was
appointed to a position in President George H.W. Bush’s administration. Darling
was elected as the moderate candidate in a three-way Republican primary and
faced no Democratic candidate in the general election. Two years after the 1990
redistricting, Darling won a state Senate seat.
Two trends have occurred since her first election. Her district has become more moderate and, as the Republican Party has gotten far more conservative, Sen. Darling has moved sharply to the right. For example, prior to getting elected to the Legislature, she served on a board of Planned Parenthood; now, she does not even mention that fact in her official biography in the Wisconsin Blue Book.
Her sharp move to the right was well rewarded in Madison. As she abandoned her more moderate positions, the Republican leadership rewarded her first with a position on the powerful Joint Finance Committee (JFC) and ultimately as chair of the JFC.
With her recent action as JFC chair pushing this “emergency budget bill” through her committee—promoting the destruction of the social contract that had existed for more than 50 years and produced harmonious labor relationships in Wisconsin between governments and their employees—there is some very serious blow-back in the community.
The chair of the Milwaukee County Democratic Party, Sachin Chheda, expressed very deep concern about what is happening in the Capitol. "Sen. Alberta Darling is leading the way to pass this terrible legislation,” Chheda said. “Every day we learn about something new they are proposing. They are trying to take taxpayer assets like power plants and give them away in sweetheart deals to their campaign contributors, costing the taxpayers millions. They are trying to give the governor unilateral power to decide who gets health care and who doesn't. They are using the fiction of a budget emergency—which state statute says doesn't even exist—to prevent tens of thousands of workers from having a voice in their workplace.
"Sen. Darling chaired the committee that cut off debate and is leading the fight to pass this extreme legislation,” Chheda continued. “In our view, it's long past time for Sen. Darling to urge Gov. Walker and her colleagues to come to the negotiating table and resolve the current impasse. The fact that she seems unwilling to do that is what is leading citizens from all political persuasions, throughout her district, to turn away from their support of her.
"Rather than a continued, nasty political fight that divides our community, we'd prefer that Republican legislators do their job and come to the negotiating table,” Chheda added. “If they don't, it's clear that the citizens of the 8th District will hit the streets to find a new state senator."
There are several groups talking about recalling Sen. Darling; others are on the sideline waiting to see if she is willing to negotiate with her colleagues now that Wisconsin public employees have agreed to contribute significantly to their benefit packages.
To initiate a recall, a petitioner must file with the Wisconsin Government Accountability Board. Then they have 60 days to collect the number of signatures from the incumbent’s district equal to or greater than 25% of the number of votes cast in that district in the last November election. For the 8thSenate District, that would be 20,343 valid signatures. If multiple groups are circulating petitions, a constituent can sign multiple petitions. A person does not have to live in the district to help collect signatures, but he or she must be a qualified voter.
One angry constituent, Dr. Sara Johann, said, "I was the Democratic candidate against Republican state Sen. Alberta Darling in 2000. Last week I sent her an e-mail informing her that if she supports Republican Gov. Scott Walker's budget repair bill (Senate Bill 11), I will support her recall. The provisions of this bill destroy collective bargaining rights for certain workers and are unacceptable. These union-busting measures harm all workers.
“Several groups have formed on Facebook and the Internet which are considering recalling Darling,” Johann continued. “The group named ‘Recall Alberta Darling, State Senator, Wisconsin District 8,’ led by Kristopher Rowe, is serious about forming a recall committee and petitioning to recall Darling. Unless Darling suddenly decides to listen to her district constituents and announces she will oppose the union-busting Walker budget repair bill, formal efforts to recall her will be under way soon. I would advise the 14 Wisconsin Democratic senators to remain out of Wisconsin unless three Republican state senators go on television and publicly announce that they will vote against Walker's bill."
To the degree that the tea party crowd drove the fall elections, the pendulum has quickly shifted back, and now it is the moderate independent voters who are incensed by what they have seen in the last few weeks—and they have made it clear that they will bring the state back to its moderate progressive roots.
Two trends have occurred since her first election. Her district has become more moderate and, as the Republican Party has gotten far more conservative, Sen. Darling has moved sharply to the right. For example, prior to getting elected to the Legislature, she served on a board of Planned Parenthood; now, she does not even mention that fact in her official biography in the Wisconsin Blue Book.
Her sharp move to the right was well rewarded in Madison. As she abandoned her more moderate positions, the Republican leadership rewarded her first with a position on the powerful Joint Finance Committee (JFC) and ultimately as chair of the JFC.
With her recent action as JFC chair pushing this “emergency budget bill” through her committee—promoting the destruction of the social contract that had existed for more than 50 years and produced harmonious labor relationships in Wisconsin between governments and their employees—there is some very serious blow-back in the community.
The chair of the Milwaukee County Democratic Party, Sachin Chheda, expressed very deep concern about what is happening in the Capitol. "Sen. Alberta Darling is leading the way to pass this terrible legislation,” Chheda said. “Every day we learn about something new they are proposing. They are trying to take taxpayer assets like power plants and give them away in sweetheart deals to their campaign contributors, costing the taxpayers millions. They are trying to give the governor unilateral power to decide who gets health care and who doesn't. They are using the fiction of a budget emergency—which state statute says doesn't even exist—to prevent tens of thousands of workers from having a voice in their workplace.
"Sen. Darling chaired the committee that cut off debate and is leading the fight to pass this extreme legislation,” Chheda continued. “In our view, it's long past time for Sen. Darling to urge Gov. Walker and her colleagues to come to the negotiating table and resolve the current impasse. The fact that she seems unwilling to do that is what is leading citizens from all political persuasions, throughout her district, to turn away from their support of her.
"Rather than a continued, nasty political fight that divides our community, we'd prefer that Republican legislators do their job and come to the negotiating table,” Chheda added. “If they don't, it's clear that the citizens of the 8th District will hit the streets to find a new state senator."
There are several groups talking about recalling Sen. Darling; others are on the sideline waiting to see if she is willing to negotiate with her colleagues now that Wisconsin public employees have agreed to contribute significantly to their benefit packages.
To initiate a recall, a petitioner must file with the Wisconsin Government Accountability Board. Then they have 60 days to collect the number of signatures from the incumbent’s district equal to or greater than 25% of the number of votes cast in that district in the last November election. For the 8thSenate District, that would be 20,343 valid signatures. If multiple groups are circulating petitions, a constituent can sign multiple petitions. A person does not have to live in the district to help collect signatures, but he or she must be a qualified voter.
One angry constituent, Dr. Sara Johann, said, "I was the Democratic candidate against Republican state Sen. Alberta Darling in 2000. Last week I sent her an e-mail informing her that if she supports Republican Gov. Scott Walker's budget repair bill (Senate Bill 11), I will support her recall. The provisions of this bill destroy collective bargaining rights for certain workers and are unacceptable. These union-busting measures harm all workers.
“Several groups have formed on Facebook and the Internet which are considering recalling Darling,” Johann continued. “The group named ‘Recall Alberta Darling, State Senator, Wisconsin District 8,’ led by Kristopher Rowe, is serious about forming a recall committee and petitioning to recall Darling. Unless Darling suddenly decides to listen to her district constituents and announces she will oppose the union-busting Walker budget repair bill, formal efforts to recall her will be under way soon. I would advise the 14 Wisconsin Democratic senators to remain out of Wisconsin unless three Republican state senators go on television and publicly announce that they will vote against Walker's bill."
To the degree that the tea party crowd drove the fall elections, the pendulum has quickly shifted back, and now it is the moderate independent voters who are incensed by what they have seen in the last few weeks—and they have made it clear that they will bring the state back to its moderate progressive roots.
I am planning a protest outside of Alberta Darling's home this sunday. If you are interested please see this link.
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=105484609530525
you sound just like a gov worker.....who knew
Recall Alberta Darling now!!!
Me thinks the article found at the URL below may be of interest as to the so-called apolitical ruling just issued in Wisconsin.
Today’s “Rodney Dangerfield” Award Winner is Wisconsin State Sen. Alberta Darling
http://tinyurl.com/3cua9hd
I know that in the state of wisconsin, alots of people don't even know the free of speech. At this time the repair bill is directly violated every one free of speech. Even the bill may be past but the law suit by the union emplyoee will cost tax payers more than the Governor bargain for its bill.
Has anyone noticed that Scott Walker and Richard Nixon have the same nose?
Uhhhhhh What? that statement made by Bob is so incohearant that I have no idea what the heck he is saying. He must have gone to MPS.
Why not just wait and see if she runs for re-election. If she does, don't vote for her. Keep in mind while the Republicans are giving sweetheart deals to contributors, democrats did the same. Thats how the teachers were able to get huge salaries and Cadillac benefit plans in the first place. If you don't like it, elect democrats and have the legislate hugh tax increases to pay for all the wealth redistribution. Then see who marches on the capital.
how is $50,000 a year a huge salary. show me a rich public empoyee and I will show you my unicorn. oh wait neither exist
So teachers get paid alot? Consider them baby sitters? Okay lets just pay them $3 per hour per kid, 30 kids, 8 hour day. 5 day week. Short math pays them $90/hr., $3600 per week, that over just 9 moths is 129,600. They get paid less than half that and benifits are half again. The public is getting quite a deal.
Quality matters, otherwise there would be no demand for cadillacs and lexus, mercedes, rolls royce, etc. Do you want quality teachers for your kids or a ford Pinto? They are just your children, right? If teachers were really paid what they are woth no one could afford them, that is why there is bargaining and taxpayers have gotten a great bargain. Same for firerfighters and cops. Now however there are some Polititians who should enter collective bargaining on their pay and benefits. That would be very interesting
You won't see many here in Wisconsin, most of those rich union workers have left this state for a more fair tax state to maximize their massive pension and free healthcare.
Think of teachers as baby sitters. Pay them $3 per hour per child. 30 kids, 8 hours per day, 5 days a week for 9 months. The math comes to $129,600. Even if the exagerated posts of $92k a year were true, the taxpayers are getting a deal.
This taxpayer isn't getting a deal. I don't even have kids and still pay for teachers salaries? Why does the government even need to be in the education business? Why am I paying for your children's education? That said, I don't have an issue paying taxes to support education and teachers. I do have an issue when my taxes continue to rise and when my taxes that pay teacher's salaries, which is in turn used to pay union dues, which in turn is used to support the Democratic party.
Seth - Too bad you don't have any kids- but that really doesn't make any difference. Here is how it works in Wisconsin and the US - we receive service from the government, like police protection, fire protection, and education - and we all share the cost of these services. Now, if you don't want to pay to educate other peoples kids, here is my suggestion - move to a third-world state like Oklahoma, which has very low taxes, and consequently very poor services (paved roads are a rarity), or even better, move to a real third-world country, like Mexico, where you won't have to pay for anything except private protection from the drug cartels. But in any case, please move as soon as possible - and don't let the door hit you on the way out.
You people knocking teachers are simply morons. You think all the corporate money pouring into your state is going to help you if the Republicans succeed in defending themselves.
Wake up and smell the coffee. They are investing that money so that they can fleece all the ignorant people that think they give a damn about you.
They will cut you back to the twenties and pick you pockets until you have notheing left.
You can recall Alberta Darling but you can't stop everyone that voted.
There is a reason Sara Johann didn't get elected. She's a left-wing nutjob. Her comment about advising the 14 Democrats to remain out of Wisconsin is excactly why Scott Walker is in charge today. And Sachin Chheda wants the Republicans to come to the table and negotiate. Hmmm....but yet the Democrats can run and hide like cowards?
The private sector is sick and tired of supporting the state workers. If you don't like the new bill, then start applying at jobs in the private sector. You'll realize how good you've had it.
The gravy train for you leeches has come to a screeching halt.
Go Scott!!!!!!
We aren't planning to vote for Sara Johann. We are going to be voting for a candidate with a proven record that lost to Alberta "deer in the headlights" Darling by only 1007 votes. We are planning to vote for Former State Rep. Sheldon Wasserman, MD. Alberta Darling has done nothing for the eighth district of Wisconsin and won't even reply to any of her constituents. On occasion, I asked for some information or requested it from both people, and guess who replied? Sheldon Wasserman was the ONLY person who replied everytime I had a question. Alberta Darling just ignored me and apparently most of her constituents too. She doesn't have the interests of the eighth district of Wisconsin in mind. She and you are tools for the Koch-Walker-Teabagger complex. She is only interested in advancing her own career in the Teabagger Party.
I am sure that the people in the eighth district have finally come to realize why she doesn't reply to her constituents. She doesn't even want to know what her constituents are saying, because it might hurt her feelings. Boo hoo...
If Walker wants to save money, lay off her staff first. They don't seem to be doing anything either.
Recall Alberta Darling!
Sheldon Wasserman for State Senator of the Eighth District of Wisconsin!
Those leeches you refer to are hardworking taxpayers. They devote their lives to teaching our children and they risk their lives to protect us. Do you do that? They're the janitors who spend their days cleaning floors and scrubbing toilets for minimum wage. They're the guys who stayed up all night plowing snow to make the streets safe for you. They're nurses who give vaccinations to poor and disabled children...yeah, they're real leeches. You're so gullible that you believe all the crap the Republican party is dishing out. The Democrates left to give the public a chance to learn the truth.They're staying away because the Republicans have no intension of discussing anything.
I've worked in both public and private sectors. Public is no picnic. In my unit, we hardly ever have enough money to hire needed people, to train, to buy training books. We live in fear of being laid off. We work hard and get dumped on with increasing workloads -- gee, just like the private sector. Frankly, I've had more stress and stress-related illness due to working my public sector job than I ever had in the private sector. Don't generalize about state workers. Some of us have much heavier work demands made on us, and some of us don't make much money at all.
"Scott Walker is in charge today" because the Republicans lied to the voters. All the voters wanted was jobs and stability.
As I mentioned in my posting. You need to take a look at Scott Walkers background to see who he really is and then you would understand "why" he is who he is today.
According to Wikipedia, Scott went to Marquette, where he got "c"'s for grades, then dropped out. When he was a Sophomore he ran for Student body president promising to fix the schools budget. He lost the election because of campaign violations.
Given that history you have to wonder how much of his current actions towards teachers goes back to his days at Marquette. Then you have to seriously look at his method of campaigning which he seems to have brought with him into the Governorship.
He talked about the possibility of the Democrats expenses being paid for by the unions while in Illinois. Who is paying for Scott Walkers 24/7 commercials being aired on every channel?
I don't care if Scott Walker only graduated the 6th grade with Jethro, the fact is, more people voted for him knowing he doesn't have a lot of book learn'n but he has more street smarts and the smart money is behind him.
You are right!!!! Why recall someone who is doing her job!! Everyone who is working should pay towards their own retirememt and health. Why are they better than anyone else?" Get our state working again. Their are a lot of people that agree with what the Republicans are doing!!!
The Repooplicans, in theier sinister moves as usual, know they are going to sacrifice a few of their own. 'Berti is one of them. Recall or not, they don't give a shit, she's gone! Berti will live well in River Hills, albeit looking over her shoulder, for the rest of her miserable life, thinkinking she did, as the repubs call it now the "right" thing. I hope she has the "tools" to deal with it!