Finding God in a Dog

Video below, or try here.

THE GOOD: It looks like labor and Democrats came away with a modest win out of Wisconsin. With 60 out of 60 precincts reporting in SD-21:

LEHMAN (D) - 36,225 (51%)
WANGGAARD (R, inc) - 35,476 (49%)
Source: AP

Assuming this result holds, the recall election netted one seat in the State Senate for the Democrats and for their union allies. As it turns out, one is all it takes for the Democrats to assume control of the Senate. This is an undeniable win for labor and for Democrats, even if it wasn't the big prize, and it severely inhibits Scott Walker's ability to do further harm to the State of Wisconsin.

Which brings us to:

THE BAD: With 99% of precincts reporting:

WALKER 53%
BARRETT 46%
TRIVEDI 1%

Meaning, Scott Walker is still Governor. In fact, even after a massive increase in turnout, his margin of victory, percentage wise, is close to where it was after 2010.

THE UGLY: The forces defending Scott Walker outspent unions and their allies by ten to one. Make no mistake about this, kids. This was a gross and blatant demonstration of power by the hyper-wealthy, a signal of what they are willing to do in a post-Citizens United world to have their way.

The DC establishment of the Democratic party has a tin ear when it comes to listening to their progressive constituents, but they understand power. They are going to heed this lesson and act on it, and that will put the Democrats further in the pockets of Wall Street and other huge corporate interests. They will, in other words, find a few more wealthy buyers and act to assure the ones they currently have that they still stay bought. They will do this because the alternative right now is for the hyper-wealthy to back the Republicans exclusively. With the kind of money they have, the hyper-wealthy can assemble and buy a more effective get-out-the-vote machine than any political party anywhere on Earth has, and they can turn the United States into a one-party state in less than a decade. It's worse than the situation of the 1990s: not only are the Democrats going to be in the pockets of big business, but a non-corporate, non-oligarch-run alternative by way of a third party is even less viable now than it used to be. Nor do I see this situation changing without the Supreme Court somehow overturning Citizens United.

This is not a good situation, and I'm anxious for this nation's future because of it.

Wisconsinites!

Know where your polling place is! Go to http://goo.gl/DtdEk to find it.

DO NOT LET ANYONE TELL YOU THAT YOU CANNOT VOTE. If you have trouble, call 1-866-687-8683.

You can register to vote THE SAME DAY that you cast your ballot. Details below are taken from here:

3. AT THE POLLING PLACE ON ELECTION DAY: If you wish to register to vote at your polling place, you must bring proof that you reside at your present location. For purposes of voter registration, acceptable forms of proof of residence must include:

A current and complete name, including both the given and family name; and
A current and complete residential address, including a numbered street address, if any, and the name of a municipality.
NOTE: Proof of residency is required for voter registration and must be current and valid. The purpose of the proof of residency document is to establish the voter’s current address, not to prove that the voter complies with the 28 consecutive day residency requirement. The voter’s sworn statement on the registration form that they meet the 28-day requirement shall be presumed to be true unless the inspector or a challenger has first-hand knowledge sufficient to question the certification.

...

Proof of Residence

The following constitute acceptable Proof-of-Residence if the document contains your current name and address and is valid on Election Day (unless otherwise indicated):

A current and valid Wisconsin driver license.
A current and valid Wisconsin identification card.
Any other official identification card or license issued by a Wisconsin governmental body or unit.
Any identification card issued by an employer in the normal course of business and bearing a photo of the card holder, but not including a business card.
A real estate tax bill or receipt for the current year or the year preceding the date of the election.
A residential lease which is effective for a period that includes election day (NOT for first-time voters registering by mail).
A university, college or technical institute identification card (must include photo), ONLY if the bearer provides a fee receipt dated within the last nine months or the institution provides a certified housing list to the municipal clerk.
A gas, electric or telephone service statement (utility bill) for the period commencing not earlier than 90 days before election day.
Bank statement.
Paycheck.
A check or other document issued by a unit of government.

Good luck!

Dear considerate folks at the Democratic National Committee,

I was interested to read your fundraising letter this morning:

maxomai --

Picture this:

It's the morning of June 4th. You head to the airport to catch your free flight to New York City. Enjoy the in-flight snack or movie. That evening, a car picks you up and takes you to the main event.

And that's where you meet Presidents Obama and Clinton.

I don't really know what else to say.

Stop imagining -- make it happen.

Donate today to be automatically entered for a chance to meet Presidents Obama and Clinton in New York City -- airfare and accommodations are on us:

I've got a better image for you.

Picture this:

It's the morning of June 5th. As in, two in the morning. The polls closed in Wisconsin's recall election hours ago, and Tom Barrett managed a narrow win after a massive get out the vote effort. Scott Walker and the Republicans are licking their wounds after a close but stinging defeat in the recall election. Unions and progressives everywhere are energized, Rick Scott and other look-pretty-and-hold-the-pen types are breaking out the Rolaids, and the Koch Brothers and other corporate powers are on notice that they can't spend enough to save their lackies if they go too far.

That's the future that you can make happen. But you can't do it just by sending out fundraising letters. You need to pour serious money - tens of millions of dollars - into a get out the vote effort to save Wisconsin.

I really don't know what else to say.

Actually, that's not true. Let me add this: if you guys won't do it, then I will. The money that I would donate to the DNC will go instead to Tom Barrett. And for crissakes get some spine.