The Future of Democracy is at Stake in America in the Name of Addressing Budget Deficits

The newly appointed Republican Governor of Wisconsin has been facing strong protests and demonstrations since introducing a bill that is ostensibly for tackling the budget deficit but actually it is whittling away the collective power of public unions. Why are the unions being attacked? It has nothing to do with addressing the problem of budget deficit. The reality is that the government employees of Wisconsin are already paid less than those in the private sector having the same qualifications. Thus there is hardly any room left for more pay contractions.

The real aim is not about solving the budget blues but about power. Theoretically each citizen of America is equal in the political process - as per the law. But in the practical field the billionaires control armies of their supporters, fund intellectuals to put the necessary veneer of paint on their policies and funnel dollars into the pockets of politicians who kowtow to them like the Koch brothers gave their dollar support to Walker. On paper it is one individual counting to one vote but actually the country has become an oligarchy where a couple of rich are dominating the scene; the others are puppets in their hands that hold the strings.

Under the circumstances it is imperative to have entities that can be counterweights to the big money; here comes into play the pivotal role of unions. One need not be lovers of unions to realize that they are among the last of the players left in the field in the present condition of the political system, representing the welfare of the poor and the middle class and not the obese rich. The truth is that over the last three decades America has become less democratic and more oligarchic largely because of the decline of unions in the private sector. Today Walker and his cohorts are trying to rid the country of public sector unions also.

Ironically the monetary crisis in the states, including Wisconsin was because of the growing power of the oligarchy. It was the super rich players and not the ordinary public who went ahead with the deregulation in the financial system setting the stage for the great crisis. The mega budget crisis is a follow on of that. Today the rightists are trying to make use this very crisis to remove the last thorn on their path to total oligarchic rule.

Will this attack on the unions meet with success? All who believe in retaining the government 'of the people, by the people and for the people' will pray that it fails.

Julie Thompson, has been working on ForeclosureDataOnline.com studying the foreclosures market, helping buyers on the finer points of Hayward foreclosed homes for sale. Try to visit ForeclosureDataOnline.com and find all related information about foreclosed homes.