Changing the rules is not the way to play the game

When playing a game, it is important to follow the rules. But in the game of politics, you can simply change the rules to make things difficult for your opponent. That is what has happened in Wisconsin, and other states, now that democrats have gained control of the Governor’s mansion. Shortly after Governor Scott Walker conceded the election to Tony Evers, Wisconsin Assembly Speaker Robin Vos hatched a plan to limit the powers of the incoming Governor. Under bills passed by the Republican controlled Assembly, Democrat Evers will not have authority over the state’s job creation agency, and won’t be able to nominate people to state boards and commissions. Of course, none of this would have happened had Walker been re-elected. It is not about policy, it is about politics, an attempt to subvert the outcome of the blue wave on election day. It is a desperate power grab pure and simple. Who even thinks of these things? Who sits around trying to work the angles, to cheat simply to bolster their own power? Power-hungry people apparently. And Wisconsin is not alone. Michigan lawmakers are taking similar steps to limit the power of an incoming democratic Governor in that state. It is almost like there is some newly-written playbook for how to succeed in politics even if voters don’t like you anymore. The rules of the game used to be clear, but apparently not anymore.