The state of Wisconsin has had a structural budget deficit problem, patched together with accounting tricks and borrowing. "Structural" means that it is all interconnected and you can't fix one part without having consequences in another part. In November, frustrated Wisconsin voters decided to give the Republicans one more shot at ending a decade of increased dysfunction and petty partisan bickering. (Note: No candidate who wasn't either a Republican or Democrat was invited to a candidate debate in the statewide races last fall.)

The result was the selection of the people now in the front seat of the Badger State, who have turned off on a bumpy, dead end road while the passengers are either screaming in horror or yelling for more gas. Buckle your seat belts.

Wisconsin Republicans, instead of focusing on ways to reduce state spending to match revenues, abruptly chose to do local governments an unrequested "favor" and trash the collective bargaining rights of their employees while limiting their options on financing local services. While aid to public school districts and municipalities are large expenses, reforming how municipalities and school districts are financed requires careful, thoughtful consideration with local input, especially by the party claiming to be for smaller government. Instead, the Governor issues mandates on labor contracts and limits options for local government revenues.

Meanwhile, the Democrats, rather than offer new solutions for the budget crisis, defended which budget items were too important to their sponsors to cut. Then they refused to show up in the Senate chambers to have this power grab rammed down their throats, prompting Republicans to engage in parliamentary tricks, threats, and fines. We can hardly wait to see how well legislators work together to solve Wisconsin's problems now.

Therefore, instead of partisan bickering, we now have protests around the state involving tens of thousands of outraged citizens and threats against politicians, businesses, or voters who don't support their point of view. And, the legislative session is just getting started.

Most Wisconsin citizens want their government to frugally assure that they can live their lives comfortably and safely in the beautiful state they love. Libertarians continue to offer sensible solutions that respect the rights of individuals and trusts that competition and free markets are the best way to deliver the most cost effective government services. If only the message can get through the noise.

The Libertarian Party of Wisconsin believes that government "favors" to special interest groups, businesses, or labor unions are at the root of Wisconsin's problems. Individuals who simply want the government off their back and out of their pocket are unable to help small political parties and their candidates.

However, money is already pouring into Wisconsin to support the two old parties fighting each other for control over our future through campaigns which will drown out any independent voices.