Written by Graham Bengen   

The current standoff in Wisconsin between Republican Governor Scott Walker and Labor may seem like just another budget battle, in just another state, in just another year. It is not! Wisconsin has become "ground zero" in the battle over what type of country the United States is becoming -- socially, culturally, and economically. Make no mistake, the outcome of the Wisconsin showdown will have long-lasting and far-reaching effects.

The stage for this current battle -- some may call it class-warfare -- was set as far back as 1981, with the inauguration of Ronald Reagan as president. In one of Reagan's first official acts as president, he fired the striking members of the Air Traffic Controllers' Union, known as PATCO. By taking this action, Ronald Reagan launched the first salvo in the GOP's war against Labor. Since then, Republicans have been salivating at the chance to reverse, once and for all, New Deal-era laws passed in favor of Labor.

Let's be clear: the GOP hates Organized Labor. They detest Labor for ideological reasons, economic reasons, and, perhaps most importantly, on political grounds. Ideologically, economic conservatives and libertarians believe in "economic individualism" at all costs. They believe that, in a perfect world, individual workers would negotiate their own contracts and working conditions with individual employers (even if the employer is a multi-billion dollar corporation). Conservatives and libertarians call this "freedom" and "liberty".

Economically speaking, conservatives and libertarians, such as the now-infamous billionaire Koch Brothers (the owners of Koch Industries), tend to be rich and powerful people and/or corporations. Since the beginning of Labor's existence, various studies have shown that unionized workers, in general, make more money and get more benefits as employees than do their non-unionized counterparts. Thus, less collective-bargaining equals lower wages and fewer benefits for employees -- and higher profits for corporations.

Perhaps the most important reason why Republicans despise Labor is political: Labor bankrolls Democrats; corporations bankroll Republicans. It's just that simple. Last year, the US Supreme Court, by a 5-4 vote along ideological lines, handed down it's ruling in the case, Citizens United v. The Federal Election Commission (also referred to as "Citizens United") In that ruling, the Court decided that corporations could donate UNLIMITED amounts of money to their favorite candidates and causes, WITHOUT having to disclose these contributions publicly. This ruling was a huge boon to the GOP and to other numerous right-wing causes.

Now, the GOP wants to seal the deal. They want Labor to be crippled financially and, thus, politically. By ending collective-bargaining rights for Labor, the GOP hopes to severely weaken unions and stop the flow of money from Labor to Democratic candidates and progressive causes. The combination of the "Citizens United" case and the crippling of Labor would be absolutely DEVASTATING to Democrats and progressives in this country. That's the point. That's what the right-wing wants. Whatever name right-wingers choose to call themselves -- the GOP, the Tea Party, libertarians, the Koch Brothers -- the goal is the same: POWER!

Wisconsin is just a microcosm for the rest of the nation. Already, Republican governors in several other states are planning to do what Scott Walker is attempting to do in Wisconsin. These governors are paying VERY close attention to what happens in the Badger State. The Republicans in Congress are paying attention as well. If a Republican defeats Barack Obama for the presidency in 2012 and the Republicans control Congress, make no mistake, they will attempt to roll back Labor laws nationwide.

In Washington, the GOP-controlled House has already tried to repeal pro-Labor laws such as the "Davis-Bacon Act". Republicans didn't really push hard for this because they know that, given the current political landscape, the effort would go nowhere. That won't be the case if the GOP captures the presidency and the Senate in 2012.

Many people think this could never happen. Well, it could. And it will, if Democrats and progressives don't get their act together! Wisconsin is one of the "Blue-ist" of the "Blue States". In 2008, Obama carried Wisconsin by a 56-42% margin. In 2010, conservatives and Republicans in Wisconsin were mobilized; progressives and Democrats were demoralized. Scott Walker was elected governor, the Republicans gained control of the state legislature, and a liberal-icon, Democrat Russ Feingold, was booted from the US Senate. As a result of this GOP sweep in Wisconsin, we are now witnessing a naked power grab by the GOP -- with enormous implications.

Wisconsin matters. That's the point. If it can happen there, it can happen anywhere. Hopefully, the events in that state will be a wake-up call to Democrats and progressives nationwide. If it isn't, they, and the people they represent, are in for a world of hurt!