Scott Walker Leads the Way

Scott Walker, the governor of Wisconsin, led the state to pass some modest reforms of public sector unions. Democrats and unions attacked hard. Walker (and the legislature) didn't back down. Democrats tried recall elections, but the Republicans survived.

This should be a lesson to all weak kneed Republicans who think by placating the left, it will make them more popular. John McCain found out in 2008 how quickly one could go from media darling for his opposition to Bush, to "Bush's Third Term."

WSJ - The larger lesson here is that you can attempt major, meaningful government reform and live to tell about it. Amid the winter brawling, some conservative fainthearts had joined the media in declaring that Mr. Walker had "exceeded his mandate" by taking on the monopoly bargaining power of public unions.


But unions would hardly loathe him any less had he and the GOP aimed lower, or blinked when the opposition got tough. With state government no longer automatically collecting dues for unions, many rank-and-file members will choose not to provide dues for political purposes. Union monopoly power will diminish. Taxpayers will benefit

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