Stand up against its secrecy tactics

In 2011, Republicans fought to prevent disclosure of the names of those who signed Referendum 71 petitions opposing Senate Bill 5688, which extended rights and obligations of domestic partnership. In their suit, Republicans Larry Stickney, Elizabeth Scott and state Sen. Val Stevens claimed to have encountered hostility as a result of their support for R-71. No mention was made of random groups of citizens being targeted, however. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of disclosure under state public information laws.

Now, in Wisconsin, anonymous groups are disclosing names and salaries of local teachers, and providing a website for recipients to visit to find out if their child’s teacher signed the recall petition against Gov. Scott Walker. If so, they are urged to contact their school superintendent and board members to request that their child be assigned to a classroom taught by a “non-radical teacher.”

Whether defending supporters or attacking opponents, Republicans clearly prefer secrecy over disclosure. And, when it comes to divisiveness, nobody can top this despicable, anonymous Republican effort to take it right into elementary classrooms.

Whether independent, Democrat or principled Republican, we must all stand up and fight back against the nationwide Republican attack on the American Dream of a living wage job, home ownership and a strong middle class.

Jackie Minchew

Everett