The Vashti Democrats of Wisconsin

It is probably necessary to explain the name "Vashti" in these benighted times, when as recently as when I was a kid, every child knew who Vashti was from Sunday School. She was queen of the empire of Media - Persia under King Ahasuerus. That story is told in the book of Esther in the Bible.

The king gave a huge feast for the glory of his kingdom, and during that feast, he summoned Queen Vashti that he might show off her beauty to the assembled multitudes. Putting aside for a moment the disastrous implications of that act if a similar event were to occur in modern America, note that she flatly refused to come when called.

That event would not have much to say to our present day Wisconsin Democrat Senators except for what happened to Vashti, and arguably, what should happen to them also.

When Vashti refused to come at the king's command, furorm ensued. The king called his chief counsellors, who advised him that not only had she given much embarrassment to the king himself, but every husband in the kingdom would be held in contempt by their wives for Vashti's actions if she were allowed to get away with it. In other words, the effects of her refusal were much more wide-ranging than a mere spat between a husband and a wife.

The counsellors recommended removing Vashti from her position - and replacing her with another queen, presumably one which would know not to pull such a stunt herself. That is what happened.

And that brings me to my point. The Wisconsin Dem Senators, by refusing to come when lawfully summoned - not held up by intractable forces so they could not comply or not having some plausible excuse - but simply refusing to do their duty, have brought themselves under the same judgment as Vashti.

I totally dismiss the notion that failing to show up for a quorum call is a legitimate tactic to be used by any group of disaffected legislators whenever the mood strikes them. That deliberate refusal to particpate in debate and voting is an attack on our entire legislative government system and must be met with appropriate action. Slapping down Vashti was the right course of action for the king; so would be slapping down the missing Democrat senators.

The governor of Wisconsin ought to declare that the senators have vacated their seats voluntarily, and therefore are no longer to be regarded as senators. Thus, their absence resets the quorum rules and the remaining legislators who showed up when called can go on with business. It can hardly be argued that the senators have not had ample opportunity - or dutiful incentive to come to quorum. They can only plead that they oppose the legislation that thier plesence will ensure if they return. That is not a legitimate reason to miss a quorum call. They were not hired by the voters to stay away from votes, but precisely to vote - yea or nay - as their representative. To fail to show up is to disenfranchise the voters from their districts. IT is the exact opposite of an elected representatives' job to refuse to represent the voters of his district.

The Dems who have vacated their seats should not be allowed back in. The governor can call a special election to re-fill their seats. They, like the Unionized Boston Police in 1919, who struck and abandoned their positions and their responsibility to protect and defend the public, were fired by Massachusetts Governor Calvin Coolidge and the strike broken. They were never re-hired. His logic was morally impeccable: their sole function was to protect the public, but by refusing to do that prime duty, they had voided their right to hold those jobs. Ronald Reagan dismissed the striking air traffic controllers of PATCO in a similar bold move.
These senators ought to suffer the same fate. If they refuse to do the very thing that they were elected to do - to serve their constituents in the legislature - not hiding out from their responsibilities - then they have abdicated their positions and should be treated as such. They have also attacked the very wellspring of representative government.

How much latitude would any normal employee receive if they refused to come to work because they did not like what they were required to do while at work? What is the normal and expected result of refusing to show up to perform  their duties? Yes, they lose their jobs. Same with the Senators.

One can almost anticipate the howling and ranting if he does this. But I'll bet it would get the errant senators scooting back into town, trying to claim their seats. They should be refused, of course. They will sue, and raise a huge ruckus, but their actions, which hitherto have been countenanced, will be a point of national debate. They will have been put firmly on the defensive, attempting to recapture something that they had publicly given up. It would be a great spectacle to watch.

There are plenty of articulate souls who can make this case: quorum busting is not a fair tactic when you know you are on the losing side of an issue because you lack the votes. That is the essence of un-democracy and it ought to proclaimed as such and not allowed to fester in our political system. It might have un-suspected and baneful effects that would crash the system if allowed to go on unchallenged and uncorrected.

I just wonder if Governor Walker has the cahonies to take the initiative. If he continues to dither, he and the new Republican Senate might completely lose the momentum. It is not being right that wins, it is he who takes action. Delay has given the well-financed Dems and Unions, along with Obama, the time to re-shape the debate on public sector unions and collective bargaining. Time is not on the side of reformers who are going after big game. Waiting too long lets the beast escape.