The elections last November were the voice of the voter. And, in most races, the voters voted for conservative candidates who espoused fiscal responsibility, especially a severe reduction in government spending.

Once the elected officials were sworn into their office, those new governors, senators and assemblymen — both state and national — began carrying out what has always been referred to as “the people’s business”. Unfortunately, somewhere, somehow, someone decided that they were unhappy with the new legislation. Wisconsin is the most public example of a mob run amuck because, even though the MAJORITY OF VOTERS VOTED FOR THESE CHANGES, a minority decided to shout, scream and clog the corridors of Wisconsin’s capitol so that the legislative agenda could not go forward. This was not Freedom of speech, but abuse of that right. Just as you can’t scream “fire” in a theatre, you shouldn’t be able to intimidate the families of elected officials nor to threaten the same officials. And, these riots were definitely intimidating! As I watched the anti-Wisconsin budget protesters on tv, their hostility and animosity toward an alternate viewpoint was apparent….in some cases, their violence would have made me afraid to be near them.

I don’t know if these people realize how unruly and unDemocratic their actions are. Do they understand that they are agitating for benefits that the rest of us don’t have and that the rest of us have to pay for? Why should they get a special deal on anything? Aren’t we all equal under the Constitution.

Well, unfortunately, once a government begins doling out tax dollars to select groups, there is NO DEMOCRACY. There is only “them and us”.

And, that’s not the way the Constitution formed the country. Each of us was to have the same protections and freedoms. Nowhere in the Constitution does an administration have the right to pick and choose exemptions from a “universal” health bill nor was a corporate CEO (GE) to be appointed to a position of responsibility while that same company pays NO corporate taxes.

There is a tv ad which shows children getting different benefits from a company and the tag line is “Even a kid knows this isn’t fair.” That’s how this ridiculous debate over Wisconsin’s budget would appear, even to a child. While Life is never completely fair, we should at least strive to make our government operate fairly and without bias for anyone.

After all, while we are a multiplicity of diverse individuals, we should still be united in adhering to the guarantees in our Constitution. Following those principles is what makes us Americans. We should be acting for the public good, not the good of unions or any other interest group.

So, let’s stop the intimidating yelling by special interest groups. The voters have voted and want their voice heard. If everyone truly is equal, then, we will be able to speak even louder, but with one Voice.