Robert M. Lafollette Case

Robert M. Lafollette

Widely recognized as a proponent of progressivism, Robert M. Lafollette was a rebellious reformer who supported what he believed in, despite his affiliated party's beliefs. He fought against corruption, broke up monopolies, protected worker's rights, and battled for other social reforms that did justice to workers and denounced big business bossiness. Even after his death, Lafollette was recognized as one of the greatest U.S. senators and is still respected as a fighter and leader of great stature by not only his people of Wisconsin, but by America as a whole.

"Fighting Bob" is an appropriate name for Lafollette because of his perseverance in fighting for what he believed in and what was right against all odds. This fight against many social conflicts, including corruption, started when he denounced Republican Party power hub of Wisconsin, Philetus Sawyer for attempting to bribe him into making a court case go his way. Time and time again, he opposed his party's beliefs and supported his own. For example, he fought against party corruption in his state, voting against World War I and the bills creating a military draft and authorizing the use of borrowed money for it, and opposing the Treaty of Versailles. In fact, his constant and consistent rebellion against his own party leadership resulted in him eventually being stripped of his Senate committee assignments and a cease to his authority. His disregard to accusations of party disloyalty and his yearn to better the country in methods he thought were right, rightfully earned him his nick name "Fighting Bob".

Of all of Lafollette's reform goals, the one that had the most effect on the U.S. government itself is his reform in ending party boss control by using direct primaries to vote politicians in at a state level. This reform truly transformed the U.S. government because it ended the tyrannical and undemocratic big boss attitude and even reduced corruption at the state level. This effective reform has made a lasting mark on the American government and is prevalent even today.

Robert M. Lafollette was a rebellious reformer. He fought for what he believed in with disregard to his party beliefs and any other beliefs for that matter. He improved his state with many reforms that helped the state economics, businesses, and reduced corruption. Fighting Bob took his ideas of reform