Randi Rhodes: The Bad Ol' Days Are Back

At least Republicans are only in charge of half of the legislative branch in Washington. But what a sorry state our states our in! In Wisconsin, the bill to strip Wisconsin public employees of their collective bargaining rights passed out of committee yesterday despite massive protests. If this bill passes, massive protests will be the only voice workers have. Governor Scott Walker has threatened to the National Guard against the unions. Wow. If he’s going to call the National Guard to attack workers, I think he’s going to have to call 1925. The people of Wisconsin want a governor who attacks problems, not one who attacks the people of Wisconsin. A group of former and current players for the Green Bay Packers issued a statement supporting the rights of the workers. And why not? The Packers are a team that’s actually named after workers in a heavily unionized industry. In fact, the two teams that made it to the Super Bowl, the Packers and the Steelers, are the only teams in the NFL named after workers… unless there are actually any professional Vikings or Giants out there. Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour is refusing to denounce his state’s plans to honor the KKK’s first Grand Wizard Nathan Bedford Forrest with a commemorative license plate. Haley Barbour wants to be president! But it’s not clear if he wants to be President Thomas Jefferson, or President Jefferson Davis. Does he honestly think he can win a general election in America after taking stances like this? Let’s pray that Haley Barbour is every bit as wrong about America as he is wrong for America. In Florida Governor Rick Scott has rejected $2.4 billion in federal dollars to build a high-speed rail line in his state. If Rick Scott has his way, the only modern rail line in the state of Florida is going to be the monorail at Disney World. Is Rick Scott determined to keep Florida’s rail transportation system mired in the 19th century? Word to Rick Scott—the Orange Blossom Special is no longer the cutting edge of rail technology… even if it’s still a hell of a song. Today’s Homework | Discuss