Wisconsin’s Walker Is Trying to Silence His Political Foes

Wisconsin’s Walker Is Trying to Silence His Political Foes

Wisconsin’s Walker Is Trying to Silence His Political Foes

On Democracy Now!, Nichols says that rolling back Wisconsin’s collective bargaining protections has little to do with economics and everything to do with politics.

Copy Link
Facebook
X (Twitter)
Bluesky
Pocket
Email

On a day when tens of thousands are taking to the streets in Wisconsin, The Nation‘s Madison-based reporter John Nichols joined Wisconsin Democratic State Senator Chris Larson and Madison teacher Susan Stern on Democracy Now! to talk about the protests. Republican Gov. Scott Walker’s move to take away collective bargaining rights and slash the pay and benefits of workers in Wisconsin has created a massive backlash in the state because so much is at stake for workers around the country. Nichols says the governor and his Republican allies are trying to “disempower” unions like the American Federation of State and County Muncipal Employees (AFSCME) that have been key political players in Wisconsin for a long time.

According to Nichols, rolling back collective bargaining protections has little to do with economics and everything to do with politics. The widespread outrage can be measured in the diversity of the crowds, with high school students protesting alongside older workers. “There’s simply no doubt that these Democratic state senators who really were expected to go along with the process, make some objections, be very angry about it but ultimately go along, they looked out the windows of the capital and saw these incredible, very peaceful and positive protests.” 

For more on Wisconsin’s protests as they unfold, read Nichols’s latest on-the-ground updates.

—Kevin Gosztola

Support independent journalism that exposes oligarchs and profiteers


Donald Trump’s cruel and chaotic second term is just getting started. In his first month back in office, Trump and his lackey Elon Musk (or is it the other way around?) have proven that nothing is safe from sacrifice at the altar of unchecked power and riches.

Only robust independent journalism can cut through the noise and offer clear-eyed reporting and analysis based on principle and conscience. That’s what The Nation has done for 160 years and that’s what we’re doing now.

Our independent journalism doesn’t allow injustice to go unnoticed or unchallenged—nor will we abandon hope for a better world. Our writers, editors, and fact-checkers are working relentlessly to keep you informed and empowered when so much of the media fails to do so out of credulity, fear, or fealty.

The Nation has seen unprecedented times before. We draw strength and guidance from our history of principled progressive journalism in times of crisis, and we are committed to continuing this legacy today.

We’re aiming to raise $25,000 during our Spring Fundraising Campaign to ensure that we have the resources to expose the oligarchs and profiteers attempting to loot our republic. Stand for bold independent journalism and donate to support The Nation today.

Onward,

Katrina vanden Heuvel

Editorial Director and Publisher, The Nation

Ad Policy
x