Recall: A New American Revolution
America is awash in near-instant communications technology and 24-7 media. Yet many politicians count on their constituents having short-term memories. These profligate politicians spend tax dollars recklessly and increase the size of government regardless of the public's growing concern over what this unsustainable debt will do the economy and to the next generations. Just before elections, the big-spending incumbents present themselves as budget hawks, with a compliant media fostering amnesia among the plucked taxpayers.
At the beginning of the 20th century, a progressive movement began to use recall to hold office holders more accountable. The impetus at that time was concern over the
political influence of monopolies of industrialists and banks. In our time, government and public employee unions have become major sources of corruption, creating bureaucracies insulated from the people who are paying for it all.
Recall can provide more accountability in between elections and put office holders on notice that they are being watched. Recall is now available to constituents in 18 states. Another 13 states have initiative procedures whereby petitioners could put recall measures on the ballot. RecallTheRogues.org provides each state's relevant laws, plus updated news and commentary on recall efforts around the nation.
Welcome to the new American Revolution.
Latest Recall News
Colorado's New Gun Law Drives Four Recall Efforts(05/08/13) — “Recall drives are in full swing against Colorado Senate Democrats John Morse, Evie Hudak and Angela Giron as well as Democratic Rep. Mike McLachlan.
Citizens groups angry about these lawmakers' stances on gun control are collecting signatures to try and force a special election. To make the ballot, they must collect a number of signatures equal to 25 percent of the total vote in their districts.
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Nebraska County Official's Recall Election Slated(03/25/13) — “WAYNE, Neb. (AP) -- Wayne County commissioners in northeast Nebraska have set a May date for a recall election that targets one of their own. The vote is scheduled for May 14 on District 1 Commissioner Kelvin Wurdeman.
The recall affidavit cites Mr. Wurdeman's conviction after pleading no contest to charges that he stole a truckload of publicly owned scrap metal. He was fined $1,000. This is the second recall effort against Mr. Wurdeman.” |
Judge Who Signed Walker Recall Petition Ousted(04/03/13) — “Three conservatives won in a judicial election on Tuesday, and Gov. Scott Walker's supporters had the satisfaction of seeing a judge who signed a petition to recall the governor turned out of office in a landslide. Tom Wolfgram, a 19-year incumbent, won only 40 percent of the vote in his bid for reelection in Ozaukee County, outside of Milwaukee. He was defeated by Joe Voiland, an attorney and Federalist Society member, who maintained the judge had improperly injected himself into partisan politics.” |
Colorado Protesters Call for Recall of Gov. Hickenlooper(03/25/13) — “GRAND JUNCTION -- Hundreds of protesters demanded a recall of Gov. John Hickenlooper while he was speaking at Colorado Mesa University on Saturday afternoon. The governor had signed a gun control bill that banned "assault" weapons and high-volume magazines.” |