Will Democrats shoot themselves in the foot again, with Recall Reform?

I'm not sure I like what I'm hearing. I remember noticing a few of the Wisconsin 14 jumping on board the recall election reform idea. Like Sen. Bob Wirch's comments on Upfront with Mike Gousha (goo-shay):



Wirch's strong defense of heading out of state is admirable, but his willing acceptance of reforming the recall process is not only unsettling, but the worst kind of Democratic backpedaling.

Hey, let's play right into the Republicans hands on this.

jsonline: Assembly Speaker Jeff Fitzgerald (R-Horicon) said the upcoming recall elections had launched the state Senate into "full campaign mode" and was slowing down the legislative process … he believed some Democratic legislators would support a measure changing or weakening the current law.

Also, Gov. Scott Walker - speaking with reporters in Washington - called the recalls a "distraction" for most Wisconsin residents.

Rep. Robin Vos said his proposed constitutional amendment would require those trying to recall a state official to state a reason they are doing so when they file paperwork with the state. Such a statement is already required for recalling local officials. Vos said he wants the proposal to be the first piece of legislation passed this fall. 

Can one reason be the individual was not listening to the people? Can we also give as a reason, the officials abuse of power? Will that be enough to trigger a recall?

But a Cap Times editorial made this great point about our right to recall our representatives, and how it... 

“…respects and defends the founding ideal that our elected representatives should serve the people — as opposed to a governor who acts as the “elected despot” that Thomas Jefferson and his contemporaries most feared.

Despotism in office isn't illegal, but I can safely assume it's wrong, and is antithetical to our democracy. But Rep. Vos likes power:

Republican lawmakers derided the current efforts, saying that organizers were going after lawmakers because of a vote - not misconduct in office or more serious problems. "Imagine if Wisconsin now becomes a state where campaigns literally never end," Vos said.

As Wirch pointed out in the video clip above, there were many reasons for the recall, and not the lie it was just over one vote. The best advice I have for Vos; don't rule with iron fist. Fat chance he'll take that advice.