I'm pretty sure this isn't a new tactic. The Hatch Act was signed into law by FDR in 1939 to prevent this kind of thing after all. No, this is just the latest instance of Republicans thinking the laws don't apply to them.
On the eve of arguably the biggest election in Wisconsin history, a Republican Postal Carrier in Berlin, WI apparently decided to recommend to the citizens along his route whom they should vote for.... In this case, Luther Olsen.
Luckily for us, there was a kossack there to see it:
Believe it or not, I walked up to a center for senior citizens and plainly hear the US Postal Service delivery man SLANDERING Fred Clark and telling everyone in the lobby NOT to vote for him - to vote for olsen!
(snip)
It happened about 2 pm and the facilities appears to be a senior center (assisted living too?). There were bunches of residents in lobbying that this moron was ranting to.
They, however, seemed to be largely swallowing the mailman's propaganda lock-stock-and-barrel and I was actually denied entrance to the building even though I was not soliciting and had specific people to see.
You're not going to hear this story on the morning news shows. That's not selective reporting on their part though. No, the only people that know about this are the parties involved, the proper authorities, and anyone who read my hasty diary posted late last night... Well, and now you too. Please, follow me below this caricature and that kosligraphy thing for the rest of the story.
Fellow kossack, badgerbadger, was out canvassing for one of the many grass roots organizations that have proliferated across Wisconsin in the last six months since Fitzwalkergate. When he witnessed the mail carrier committing a felony he tried to call him out on it.
He challenged me to call his supervisor, offering to give me the number, though then he would not actually do so.
So I said I would just go to the post office and talk to the postmaster. Unbelievably, this moron told me "You don't know what post office I work out of!" (in little Berlin, WI?!?!?!?!).
Well, kindly reader, badgerbadger isn't the type of person to take bullshit like that lying down. When he got to the local Post Office to register a complaint, though, the Postmaster himself compounded the problem.
I did immediately go to post office, but postmaster there would not even allow me to give him the number of the truck. He lied to my face, stating I pointed at him (certainly did not) and then he yelled at me, turning beet red, that I was yelling at him!
He seemed to take great pride in throwing me out of the post office and directly challenging me to complain to someone else (which I did).
(snip)
It was amazing the attitude of postmaster I talked to - confrontational and bullying. Makes me wonder if this isn't par for the course.
I don't know the specifics of the law, but I think perhaps this postmaster may have at this point made himself an accessory to the original crime.
What was the original crime? I'm glad you asked!
The Hatch Act of 1939 is a United States federal law whose main provision is to prohibit federal employees (civil servants) in the executive branch of the federal government, except the President and the Vice President, from engaging in partisan political activity. Named after Senator Carl Hatch of New Mexico, the law was officially known as An Act to Prevent Pernicious Political Activities.
(snip)
The original Act forbids intimidation or bribery of voters and restricted political campaign activities by federal employees. It prohibits using any public funds designated for relief or public works for electoral purposes. It also forbids officials paid with federal funds from using promises of jobs, promotion, financial assistance, contracts, or any other benefit to coerce campaign contributions or political support.
The most restrictive measure was brought about by Republicans in the Senate. It dictates that persons below the policymaking level in the executive branch of the federal government must not only refrain from political practices that would be illegal for any citizen but must abstain from "any active part" in political campaigns.
Does the Hatch Act apply to Postal Workers? You BET!
The Hatch Act prohibits postal employees from engaging in political activity while on duty in any government office, while wearing an official uniform or while using a government vehicle. Among other restrictions, postal employees also may not wear items — such as shirts, hats or buttons — displaying the name or likeness of a candidate or political party while at work, nor may they post pictures of political candidates in their workspace.
There may soon be a couple of job openings at the Berlin, WI Post Office.