By a 19-0 margin, Wisconsin's Senate Republicans passed a resolution this afternoon authorizing the use of force against their missing Democratic colleagues.

The resolution says if Democrats do not return to the chamber by 4 p.m. Thursday, they are in contempt of the Senate and [Senate Majority Leader Scott] Fitzgerald shall order Senate Sergeant at Arms Ted Blazel to "take any and all necessary steps, with or without force, and with or without the assistance of law enforcement officers, by warrant or other legal process, as he may deem necessary in order to bring that senator to the Senate chambers so that the Senate may convene with a quorum of no less than 20 senators."

That's right, the Wisconsin Senate Republicans have authorized the use of force against their Democratic colleagues, because that's what plays for bipartisanship in the Republican party these days. According to the article Fitzgerald has also warned that even if the Democrats return on their own, the will still likely be subject to sanctions, including reprimand, censure or even expulsion. I think that's what Republicans refer to as "extending an olive branch."

But don't worry, once the Republicans manage to arrest enough Democrats to reach the quorum necessary to strip public employees of their collective bargaining rights, and then expel the Dems from the Senate so they won't have to bother with them anymore, I'm sure public workers can trust the Republicans to treat them fairly.

It's funny. Righties like to tell themselves that it's the left that's filled with violent, anti-government extremists. Well, continue treating us like this, and maybe we'll finally get there.