Just when you think the level of discourse in the capitol building resembles a festering mass of sewage flushed into Lake Michigan, we're reminded that more local groups are getting involved by adding their own steaming pile of rancid waste to vital debates of the day.

News junkies everywhere first became acquainted with Citizens for Responsible Government (CRG) in 2002 as the group successfully recalled corrupt Milwaukee County Executive Tom Ament. It has since spawned 15 offspring across Wisconsin, which feed on quirky state projects and the disgrace of obscure local politicians. Currently, Madison CRG is attempting to collect 34,520 signatures to force Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz into a recall election. Why? Anger over the smoking ban and pushing for a local minimum wage. Plus, as Madison CRG leader Heather Mees so articulately suggested, he's totally a socialist.

I promised myself I wouldn't cry. Our little taxpayer rights group has grown up into a shapeless blob of self-righteousness. Even as Milwaukee County Board chairman Lee Holloway won his recall election and two Polk county supervisors defeated recall bids seven weeks before their terms expired, CRG feels victorious.

"We don't feel we ever lose a recall," CRG Executive administrator Chris Kliesmet said in an interview with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

He's right. CRG wins whenever it gets a headline, and the taxpayers win because their money is being spent on frivolous recall elections.

Nonetheless, CRG's track record can't be ignored. Even if it did result in Scott Walker, the Milwaukee County Executive recall was a legitimate reaction to Tom Ament's scheme to have property tax dollars cover his bloated pension plan. Yet, its bid to become a statewide political movement has made the group's motivations suspect. Now, CRG's mission is seemingly evolving into a statewide assault on progressive politicians. The explanations for these recalls are increasingly nothing more than sedentary political gripes debated in the elections that put these leaders in office.

Now the CRG is turning its focus to a massive effort to recall Gov. Jim Doyle. In a previous column, I congratulated CRG and proposed a daily referendum on Mayor Cieslewicz. Now it might be cheaper to take their fight one step further and allow real-time recalls on all political offices. Replace un-American socialist political figures with the touch of a button!

In more encouraging state political news, the legislature has finally cast aside pointless debates like how to improve UW funding and accessibility to tackle more pertinent issues. That's right, the constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage and civil unions has been sent to the legislature for final approval before it is put to voters in 2006.

Milwaukee County Executive and 2006 gubernatorial candidate Scott Walker added an interesting insight to the debate via press release: "Generic conservative talking point," the release proclaimed with the fiery passion of 1,000 suns!

This is no political stunt meant to increase conservative turnout during Doyle's re-election bid. After all, allowing civil unions would have a devastating impact on partner benefits in general. During open-door legislative debate on the issue, a small business owner from Abbotsford suggested recognizing civil unions would force companies to scale back all employee pensions. But if they were to marry someone of the opposite sex it would be approximately 12.5 times cheaper and 20 times more moral (Check the stats, it's all in there).

Regardless, Rep. Mark Gundrum, R-New Berlin, hopes for no hard feelings with the gay community over this amendment and offered comforting words to gay couples everywhere.

"If a private hospital wants to have a policy allowing visitation for someone, there's nothing to prohibit that," as he told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

The 'Gee, thanks' must be pouring in already.

Before embarking on a perpetual campaign to recall politicians who we feel have poor policy positions (an eventuality I have cleverly branded "total recall"), we ought to consider evaluating our politicians at the end of their terms. A recall election will quickly lose its desired effect of galvanizing the public if it becomes seen as a partisan tool used by interest groups promoting sore losers. When we suspect unlawful activities or corruption, a recall is warranted.

It is not warranted when groups who have always disagreed with an official have a gripe with his policy. I suspect CRG will regret crying wolf in the future, as voters may become irresponsive to a serious charge of corruption.

Bassey Etim ([email protected]) is a sophomore majoring in journalism and political science.