Walker and the Royal “We”
Although Scott Walker’s quotes are usually ‘word soup” of the same sophistication as Sarah Palin, his content is more distressing because it reveals an arrogance when referring to himself in the plural. The royal “we" is often referred to as the majestic plural. (It is pluralis majestatis in Latin and literally means "the plural of majesty"). The royal “we” is the use of a plural pronoun to refer to a single person holding a high office, such as a sovereign (e.g., a monarch or sultan) or religious leader (e.g., the Pope or a bishop).
The Royal We
Notice how often Walker uses the royal “we” in the following statements. An initial assessment of the speech pattern would be that he is delusional and does, in fact, view himself as a Monarch, Sultan, or Pope. This could very well be true.
Statement 1
"In state government, we have had, before I’ve taken office, plans for contingencies no matter what the circumstances. We have updated those," Walker said. "I got a full briefing from all the major, level-one state agencies as well as the National Guard yesterday (Feb. 10, 2011). We are fully prepared and equipped to handle whatever may occur. So we have every confidence we can move forward on that.
Statement 2
"We proactively worked to make sure the National Guard was reaching out” Walker told reporters Wednesday, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "They've been having meetings with law enforcement here within the region just to make sure."
"The last thing I want is for them to get a call and then have to scurry about what they need to do," he added. "We said whenever it is, whenever it might be forthcoming, the last few weeks, we made sure they reached out to both [Milwaukee Police Chief Edward] Flynn and the sheriff and others to make sure they knew who the point person was."
Statement 3
"I think with what I've had to go through in the last four years, both politically, but also in terms of the policies, certainly I feel that there's a reason God put me in a spot to do the things that we've done and take on the kind of challenges we've done," Walker said.
Statement 4
When asked by New Hampshire press about his apparent flip flopping, Walker responded “We’ve got a strong reputation for keeping our word.”
Statement 5
When asked about his change of position about ethanol, “My position was about Wisconsin and my position was clear,” he explained. “What we said in Iowa was pretty clear, as we’re going forward, that we want the standard phased out.”
The Corrupt We
A potentially more honest reading of statement from Walker would be to replace the “Royal We” with the “Corrupt We.” The “Corrupt We” is, of course “The Koch Brothers and I” or, maybe “My Donors” or, more accurately, “My Handlers”.
Statement 1
"In state government, the Koch Brothers and I have had, before I’ve taken office, plans for contingencies no matter what the circumstances. The Koch Brothers and I have updated those," Walker said. "I got a full briefing from all the major, level-one state agencies as well as the National Guard yesterday (Feb. 10, 2011). The Koch Brothers and I are fully prepared and equipped to handle whatever may occur. So the Koch Brothers and I have every confidence the Koch Brothers and I can move forward on that.
Statement 2
"My donors proactively worked to make sure the National Guard was reaching out” Walker told reporters Wednesday, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "They've been having meetings with law enforcement here within the region just to make sure."
"The last thing I want is for them to get a call and then have to scurry about what they need to do," he added. "My donors said whenever it is, whenever it might be forthcoming, the last few weeks, my donors made sure they reached out to both [Milwaukee Police Chief Edward] Flynn and the sheriff and others to make sure they knew who the point person was."
Statement 4
When asked by New Hampshire press about his apparent flip flopping, Walker responded “The Koch brothers and I have got a strong reputation for keeping our word.”
Statement 5
When asked about his change of position about ethanol, “My position was about Wisconsin and my position was clear,” he explained. “What my handlers and I said in Iowa was pretty clear, as my handlers and I are going forward, that my handlers and I want the standard phased out.”
The Religious We
A more frightening interpretation of the royal we, would be the religious we. This is a case where Walker is doing God’s work. This can be illustrated by substituting the appropriate “God and I” for “we” in Walker’s religious statements.
Statement 3
"I think with what I've had to go through in the last four years, both politically, but also in terms of the policies, certainly I feel that there's a reason God put me in a spot to do the things that God and I’ve done and take on the kind of challenges God and I've done," Walker said.
In all of the above scenarios Walker is dangerous politician. He is either an arrogant monarch, a political puppet, or a religious fanatic. In any case, what was bad for Wisconsin is bad for the country.