If you thought Republicans here in Minnesota were obsessed with cutting wages for the middle class, that’s nothing compared to what’s going on in Wisconsin. In the midst of a recession that’s being prolonged by weak consumer demand, Tea Party governor Scott Walker wants to torpedo the economy by eliminating workers’ rights to negotiate for better wages. That’s an attack on workers, on personal liberties, and on the economy itself. 

Massive protests were held in Madison yesterday to protest Walker’s unprecedented attack on working people. Schools were shut down in Madison yesterday as 40 percent of teachers called in sick. On Tuesday, students walked out in protest. At right, you can see a walkout by 700 students of East High in Madison.

Here in Minnesota, we stand in solidarity with middle-class workers in Wisconsin making a stand for fair wages. Scott Walker’s proposals are openly hostile toward working families. If allowed to succeed, Walker’s plan would be the crown jewel of the anti-middle class movement.

Think about what’s going on in this country. Republicans around the nation — in Wisconsin, in Minnesota, in Washington, D.C. — are actually working to undermine compensation for the poor and middle class. At the same time, we’re being told that the “needs” of the rich are sacrosanct. They have taken all of the income growth in the last decade. They have seen their taxes slashed. And still, we’re told we must sacrifice because the rich don’t have enough.

Enough is enough already! I’m proud of workers in Wisconsin — they’re standing up for all of us and our way of life.