The birthplace of progressivism, Madison, Wisconsin, is the crucial battleground in a fight that has ramifications from coast to coast. Some 60,000 to 70,000 people descended upon Wisconsin's capitol Saturday in the fifth day of protest, both for and against a plan to break up the state's public workers unions, all while the war over budget cuts simmers across the United States.
Gov. Scott Walker (R) is touting a proposal that would require government workers to contribute more to their health care and pension costs and essentially do away with public worker collective bargaining powers. Walker is promoting a plan to parity a $3.6 billion budget deficit in part by demanding labor concessions and stripping certain labor privileges.
The Capitol grounds became the hot spot for feuding rallies, as buses brought in Tea Party followers to express support for these proposed union pay cuts. At the same time, throngs of …