Wisconsin Democrat State Senators Flee to Illinois to Prevent Legislative Action; Confronted by Tea Party – Video 2/17/11

Here’s a pretty good summary of the issues at play in the controversy that has erupted in Wisconsin over GOP Gov. Scott Walker’s plan to strip public sector workers of their collective bargaining rights as a way of trying to deal with the state’s budget deficit. He also wants state workers to have to pay for 50% of their own pensions, and part of their healthcare.

In order to keep the state senate from acting on the measure, the Democrats in the state legislature are refusing to show up for work. At least one Democrat has to be present for the State Senate to do business.

In fact, some of the Democrats even fled the state and went to Illinois, where at least one of them was confronted by Tea Party members in Illinois (see video below via Big Government):