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This is NOT democracy at work. After a Democrat finishes his debate time and yields the floor, there's a "flash vote" and the Republican majority passes it.
After much buildup in the 61-hour debate -- of Republicans wanting things to be over, and Democrats railing against Republicans who they said would cut off debate -- at about 1 AM Speaker Pro Tempore Bill Kramer (R) announced that he would hear a voice vote for a roll call on final passage. Immediately, the majority Republicans shouted their ayes, and the Democrats were booing, as they tried to be recognized to demand a separate motion to cut off debate.
Then Kramer called the vote. Within seconds, the digital vote system on the wall announced 51 ayes and 17 nays, and voting was suddenly closed. With a total of 96 members, that got to a majority for the bill but left 28 members who hadn't had a chance yet to vote.
At that point, the Democrats got up, chanting "Shame! Shame! Shame!" and similar exclamations, as the Republicans filed out of the room.
Shame, indeed. After agreeing to hear debate on amendments, cutting that debate off in what certainly appears to be a coordinated and orchestrated move isn't democracy and certainly not representative democracy. It is, however, a taste of the arrogant Republican thuggery that seems to be all the rage these days.
One of the concerns over this flash vote was the possibility that the Capitol building would be closed to protesters, who have created a little city inside during the protest. According to the WSJ, all but the first floor will close to overnight protesters now that there are no legislative hearings or sessions.
I don't think that will deter anyone, especially after seeing the strongarm tactics of the Birch Republicans in Wisconsin.
Update: The National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) just released a statement in solidarity with the Wisconsin workers.
New York, February 25, 2011 -- “Last night’s vote by the Wisconsin Assembly was an attempt to undermine organized labor and the men and women across the country who depend on their unions for a voice in the workplace. The NBPA proudly supports our brothers and sisters in Wisconsin and their stand for unequivocal collective bargaining rights.” – Billy Hunter, NBPA Executive Director
“Wisconsin public-sector workers tirelessly deliver services on a daily basis to millions of Wisconsin residents. The right of these hard-working men and women to organize and bargain collectively is fundamental. Wisconsin’s workers deserve better than last night’s vote. Today, our union stands proudly with our fellow union members throughout the state as they continue their fight.” – Keyon Dooling, NBPA First Vice President, Milwaukee Bucks
UPDATE: Lawrence O'Donnell talked to Democratic Assemblyman Cory Mason and Republican Assembly Majority Leader Scott Suder on the outrageous and unprecedented behavior of the Assembly Republicans. Watch how Suder employs the Republican playbook of deflecting all of O'Donnell's questions and talking over Mason's airtime.
