WALKER OK'S POLITICAL CORRUPTION

Today, the New York Times gave top billing to a story about Gov. Walker and the State of Wisconsin in a section of the paper reserved for important “National” stories. I was surprised to see the picture of our illustrious Governor and shocked by the headline which read; “Wisconsin Governor Signs Bill Limiting Political Corruption Inquiries”.

The Wisconsin, Republican controlled, House of Representatives, voted down parties lines to undermine “The John Doe Law” which allows prosecutors to search warrants and the power to compel testimony in cases of misconduct and bribery. Tools frequently used to uncover crimes of political expediency.

I thought to myself, this only happens in authoritarian autocracies were the will of the people is negated. The Wisconsin Assembly voted to prohibit prosecutors from using a tool commonly employed in political corruption cases.

Is it possible that the Wisconsin State (Republican) Legislators ignored the Fourteenth Amendment of the Constitution, the clause that guarantees “equal protection under the law”? Did they do this to protect Governor Walker? Did they do this to subverts, overturn, even overthrows equal rights under the constitution? Is this another attack on class between the have and the have-nots, between the empowered and the vulnerable?

Here is the Fourteenth Amendment that provides equal protection:

No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.

If this change to the John Doe Law is allowed to stand, any crime committed in Wisconsin were secrecy is employed to hide criminal behavior such as drug trafficking, human trafficking and even underground criminal organizations were the John Doe Law is employed in the investigation defendants will invoke the “equal protection” clause. If the John Doe Law is not applicable in cases were politicians knowingly participate in secret criminal behavior and would be subject to investigations that employs Joe Doe; then prosecutors cannot employ the Joe Doe Law to secure evidence in this prosecution.

Robin Vos, Speaker of the Wisconsin Assembly, Majority Leader, Jim Steineke, Republican Majority leader are apparently unfamiliar with the Constitution of the United States since they allowed this change rise to the floor of the Assembly for a vote.

Needless to say, it's a good thing that Governor Walker's Presidential Campaign failed, apparently he too, is unfamiliar with our Constitution since he signed this legislation into law, a law, that breaks the law. Of course, he may not have attended his civics class in High School covering the US Constitution and that might be his excuse. What is Speaker Vos's excuse and Professor, Majority Leader, Steineke's excuse? One would think that a legislator, never mind the Speaker and the Majority Leader, would be familiar with the Constitution they swear to uphold and defend.

It just so happens that six of Mr. Walker's aides and or allies were convicted because of John Doe investigations according to the NYT. Oftentimes these crimes are so egregious that the convictions are felony convictionsm which terminate US citizens right to vote.

The Republican spokesman explained that the law addresses unnecessary and intrusive investigations

that amount to political which hunts.

On the other hand, the Democratic minority leader Peter Barca is reported as saying “The era of clean, open and transparent government in Wisconsin is over.” “I fear for the future of democracy in Wisconsin and I am not overstating the problem, in my judgment.”

The Governor is being accused of trying to cover up his own political scandals since he is currently being investigated for wrong doing. Common Cause spokesman said; “this new law ….exempts from the John Doe process, crimes that are committed involving elections, campaign finance and ethics. In other words, crimes that politicians would be most likely to commit. They (the Republicans) have carved out a special exemption for themselves.

Wisconsin was a very BLUE state that was proud of its record on education and programs of social justice. In the one term that Walker has served together with his cronies in the Assembly they have managed to undermine the benefits that serve the welfare of Wisconsin residents.

It should be obvious to all who live here that the Tea Party shenanigans undermine the health and wefare of our State. It is time to go to the polls and end this nightmare. Beginning with Ron Johnson and Scott Walker. If not for you, then for your children, if not for your children, then for your grandchildren.