Talk of Boycotts and Recalls Is Being Heard in Wisconsin

Mar 18, 2011
Jon Pike

wisconsin capital - wikimedia commons

Many Wisconsinites want Governor Scott Walker gone. They are using a variety of tactics, including recall efforts and boycotts.

There have been almost constant developments coming out of Wisconsin’s state capital. One of the most recent developments was the order by a court to temporarily prevent a law stripping public employees of most of their collective bargaining rights. The law was promoted by Governor Scott Walker and was resisted by thousands of people flooding the streets of Madison.

But, even though the law has been temporarily stopped, activists have been developing efforts to remove Governor Walker from office, and to focus attention on the company that they say is the power behind the throne in Wisconsin, Koch Industries.

The Effort to Recall Walker

Walker has had popularity problems in the badger state, almost from the time he first assumed office. Shortly after assuming office, Walker pulled the plug on a multi-state effort to develop high-speed rail in the Midwest. One recall site, Scott Walker Watch started in late November of 2010. The author of the site explains the site’s mission, thusly, “There must be a strong movement to make an effort to begin the process to have Walker recalled. He has made himself be seen as someone who is clearly not operating in the best interest of the people of Wisconsin.” But a recall is still a ways off.

Wisconsin law stipulates that a recall cannot be initiated until an office holder has held office for a year. The challenge is to keep people focused so that they remember why they flooded the streets of Madison for about two weeks.

Boycotts Against Koch Industries and Others

One of Walker’s major funders is Koch Industries. Leftists have been taking shots at Charles and David Koch for years. The Koch brothers holdings are vast and include paper companies and energy companies among others. While blogger Charing Ball is sympathetic to the idea, she cautions,

"... they will only work best if demands are clear, concise and most importantly, achievable. In situations where the enemy is a massive conglomerate, it is best to forgo the boycott strategy and focus your energy, as well as dollars, on supporting political or social movements that are aligned with your convictions and can swing the political pendulum in the direction you want it to go.”

One boycott effort concerning Walker’s supporters was very dramatic. Unionized firefighters in Madison walked into an M & I bank branch and withdrew almost $200,000.

Whether it is through boycotts or recall campaigns, Wisconsinites are keeping the pressure on to somehow bring about the end of Scott Walker’s tenure as governor.