The demonstrations in Wisconsin late this week offer inmicrocosm a preview of what could come as more state governmentsand the federal lawmakers wrestle with how to get the costs oftheir operations under control.

Angered over a Republican plan to end collective bargaining,thousands of public employees filled the Wisconsin Capitol hallwaysin protest.

Democratic lawmakers fleed the state in an attempt to slow thelegislative process. President Obama chimed in that the GOP planwas an “assault on unions.”

It is understandable, and even in some ways commendable, forcitizens like those in the Capitol hallways to take an activepolitical role to try and save what they have been promised. Manymay have fiscal policy reservations about what the protesters arefighting for, but at least their position can be appreciated.

What is troubling, however, is the lack of leadership being shownby the fleeing Democratic state lawmakers and even Obama.

On the state levels, the Democrats essentially took their ball andwent not home, but somewhere far away. That represents a pooralternative to staying and debating the merits of the pendinglegislation, regardless of whether they fail or prevail.

The president’s actions, though, represent a clear taking of oneside in increasingly hot debate that at this point is still a statematter.

From a larger perspective, a lack of sincerity is seen in thebudget he presented this past week. At $3.73 trillion, theblueprint continues a federal government spending spree and failsto take on entitlements, which most all agree is the budgetary”elephant in the room.”

Continuing a pattern of spending, with budgetary cut actions thatamount to little more than window dressing, raises the frustrationlevel for all who are asked to pay the bill. That level climbs evenhigher when those people consider that multiple future generationswill still be on the hook for the spending trends of today.

When frustration boils over, common sense goes out the door.

The boiling point may have been reached in Wisconsin. But strongleadership that is earnestly willing to consider the “toughchoices,” as Obama calls them, can keep temperatures from risingany further nationally.