Was the outcome of the recall election in Wisconsin really the "...end of Democracy"?

I didn’t click the link, but I would assume the biggest issue is that of the superpacs. They very clearly directed the narrative of this election, and frighteningly the 4 biggest superpacs both in this election and nationwide thus far, are all very conservative leaning. My own fear of the end of democracy, is that through these superpacs… big business wealthy are buying elections and putting in place those who will do their bidding… further lining their pockets and further diminishing the things the rest of us have…. in essence placing us in some kind of quasi-oligarchy… in which the government is basically a sham.

Obviously that’s the doomsday reading of my fears… But this, IMO, is a big step in that direction.

The election was no doubt at least in part bought for Walker. I don’t really see what is so unusual about that though. It happens probably in most places in nearly every election cycle.

No. They guy lost an election. He wasn’t overthrown in a military coup. He’s just being dramatic.

The bigger question is “did the Koch’s pay too much or just enough for the election they bought?”

It’s the end of the world. If global warming doesn’t get us, the Republicans will. If they don’t get us the Christians will. It’s always something down the pike that will bring the end of civilization as we know it.

The funny part is according to the polls 90% of the voters had thier minds made up before all the spending started, back in march or earlier. The whole plan was for the unions to flex their muscles. Not just get thier way but to punish Walker in the process. Their muscles turned out to be a little flabby. The cheap shot of redoing an election you don’t like has been resoundingly defeated. They need to get over it. They’re trying to setup the argument for why they lose in Nov. A little practice whining.

I think it was the first big test of elections where anyone can put in unlimited amounts of money. And it proved how dangerous that practice is.

@Jaxk I wouldn’t brag about big-unions being unable to “flex their muscles” since they were outspent by big business, who raised and spent more money (all from superpacs and their unknown big-dollar-donors) on the election than was spent on the last two or three regular elections in the state. You’re just harping on the point that freedom is dead and big money is in control.

I would also caution your rush to pass this as a preview of November…. Exit polls showed around 20% of Walkers voters last night plan to vote for Barack Obama in November.. giving him a solid 7 point lead over Romney.

He was saying that we don’t have democracy because money can purchase the election now.

I don’t think this election proves that. I’m not sure what impact money has on elections yet. But it’s just one election, and an election that happens when people can focus on a small number of elections. I don’t know if money can have the same impact when it has to focus nationally instead of locally.

In any case, things will change. It may take a decade or two, but we will see a very different election environment in 2032 than we do today, I predict.

@tedd

The exit polling initially showed a 50–50 split on the voting which is why everyone was predicting a long night. It didn’t work out that way. The Dems and the unions were simply more vocal and willing to step up and thump thier chests. The silent majority was….. well…. more silent. Just as the close race mysteriously disappeared, the 7 point Obama lead will mysteriously disappear as well. No real mystery here, we all know that the Dems are more vocal.

And as I said above, most minds were decided very early on. Months before the election. It’s not clear if the money had much to do with this outcome. The Dems lost so of course they will blame thier loss on anything other than the issues. I don’t blame you, I blamed the Obama win in 2008 on the money imbalance. The only difference is that I realize the blame was ill placed. Too many other things caused that Obamanation.

Republikans are, of course, never disingenuous when they lose! Or sore winners!

Yep. IMO, 100 million bucks spent on a recall election proves that the class warfare is swinging in the direction of the billionaires that bought Scott his seat.

@SpatzieLover
How many votes are cast by a dollar. By 100 million dollars? People still go to the polls. Or do they forget their cause when people buy posters and TV ads?

@josie If money didn’t win elections then why are there so many millionares in Congress. Congress certainly doesn’t represent the typical American.

Governor seats are going the way of the House & Senate. Soon that’ll trickle down to mayoral elections. Pretty soon the 99% won’t be represented at all in politics.

@SpatzieLover
So how does money buy a vote in an ideological contest like in WI. I can see how one of two similar candidates can make themselves stand out with expensive advertising. But in a contest like WI everybody knew where the battle line was drawn. So I am simply curious how money can make a public employee decide not to vote in the recall, and thus contribute to the loss. Unless they are stupid which I guess is another matter all together.

@SpatzieLover: maybe that will be an improvement over the fascistic GOP model of governance. Look at Mayor Bloomberg. People criticize his wealth, but he’s so rich no one can buy him.

Hence the saying, “The mayor is supposed to be in the pocket of the richest man in town. He’s not supposed to be the richest man in town.”