The dramatic, fast-changing and unpredictable events in Madison, Wisconsin have inspired and encouraged union advocates across the country.
Sparked by a brazen move by republicans to weaken state government employee unions, outraged workers are converging on the capital in a rare show of solidarity and power.
Labor activists are often frustrated by what’s perceived as a very passive American working class, unwilling to confront - or even react to - growing economic inequality.
Now there may be some hope that anti-union forces have crossed the line, triggering an “enough is enough” dynamic among wage-earners and the unemployed.
National republicans thought they had a winning formula to take on the last union stronghold, arguing that public-sector benefit and pension costs are busting state budgets and burdening ordinary taxpayers.
After a generation of gutting unionized manufacturing, anti-union forces were sharpening their knives, particularly with recent takeovers of state legislatures and governor seats in many states.
The internal logic for republicans is clear. Taking out annoying public employee unions deprives their democratic opponents of an essential political constituency with resources and other electoral capabilities.
We’ll find out soon if newly-elected Wisconsin republican governor Scott Walker has overplayed his hand and how long those “democrats-in-hiding” can block the anti-union forces.
A few other questions for the near - and not so near - future:
What will national democrats and this president say or do to on behalf of public sector unions?
Can these events do anything to refocus attention on the need to organize non-government workers?
And could this courageous stand by union workers in Wisconsin touch the American working class in a way which gets people thinking - and acting - in their collective interest?