If Wisconsinites, and by greater extension the progressive movement, are playing to win there needs to be a General Strike coordinated as soon as possible. Walker and his ilk are playing absolute hardball. Their actions must be met in kind.
In their smug little minds the rethugs think they are winning. They think that eventually all of this will pass, Walker himself making a similar type statement about a week ago. Sooner or later the peasants will go back to their labor and the aristocracy can go back to focusing on the finer things in life.
A General Strike destroys this possibility. A General Strike will send shock waves of the highest order through the halls of power. A General Strike will physically prove the masses are serious about putting theirs on the line for a greater cause.
The recall petition is a great thing, and after I post this diary I will be donating $10 to the Democratic Party of Wisconsin. However, the stakes are well beyond just potentially recalling 8 rethugs. As lofty as it sounds, I truly believe that what is happening in Wisconsin can be the spark to revolutionize this country. And after all, isn't that the entire point of being a progressive, to seek and harness positive change on as large a scale as possible.
I know the word "revolutionize" might make some people roll their eyes and others to get nervous. Unfortunately however, we as a country are so far down the wrong path that re-establishing a strong and vibrant Middle Class at this point would be a revolution. The people have given and given, have turned a blind eye, willful or otherwise, so many times over the last few decades that I would argue we are now at the point were if we give any more the Middle Class evaporates.
Now, a General Strike is certainly nothing to rush into because if it fails the people will undoubtedly be worse off than before. I also recognize this may seem cavalier from someone not in Wisconsin. But at the same time it has to be recognized that the American people as a whole will be worse off if nothing is done.
The people of Wisconsin certainly did not choose or want their state to be modern Rubicon in the fight over the economic well being of the great American Middle Class. Nonetheless, Walker has indeed crossed that river and now must be made to suffer the consequences. Again, I fundamentally believe that a General Strike is the most immediate, effective and revolutionary action that can be taken to get the attention of the elites. Can you even imagine the sight of the suits in their fancy leather chairs looking at each other and saying with a dumb look on their face, "where are all the workers...now what are we suppose to do?" It would be priceless.
Recalls are well and good, but the game is on a higher level now. With a General Strike will can re-frame the entire conversation of our democracy. With a General Strike we can scare the sh*t out of our overlords. With a General Strike we can WIN. Solidarity.