April 2011
FightingBob.com readers talk back
Letter on: First some good news!
“On my trip to Davenport, IA, I stopped at a gas station. The sign on the door said they were hiring at $7.75/hr. Didn't say full-time or part-time but I imagine the benefits and perks are great.
I keep having nightmares about the Walker cabal and what they are doing to state workers. I cringe whenever I hear someone maligning union workers and blaming them for sending jobs overseas. Then there are people like Paul Ryan and Ron Johnson who want to strip away the few perks Americans have.
Why are so many people so content to drag workers down instead of raising them up? We should be unified in demanding higher wages, better benefits, better work conditions. So what if this raises our standards of living and the cost of living. If we are paid better, we live better and can afford to do so.
The world and her resources do not belong to the rich nor do they exist solely for the pleasure of corporations. They belong to all of us.
Low wages do nothing except make the wealthy richer and enslave us to subsistence living.
Time for the masses to awaken and take back what is ours.”
-Franz Fripplfrappl | Madison | April 30, 2011
Letter on: First some good news!
“Obama like the Wizard of Oz made bold statements when hidden behind the screen. When ultimately exposed Obama like the wizard was a man of large words and little deeds.
Unless the people join together in opposition the Wizard will remain in hiding making bold statements, designed to maintain power over the people.
When stem cell research produces a financially profitable result then the drug companies will be on TV selling the cure. That is if they hold the patent. If the drug companies cannot patent it they won't support it.”
-Richard Kanak | Cherry Valley, Illinois | April 30, 2011
Letter on: First some good news!
“Said it before and will say it again. The sign over Democratic Headquarters should read, "Abandon HOPE All Ye Who Enter Here".
We need a third, progressive party! If the sign carrying revolutionaries of the mouth who surrounded, but never took over the state capital had any sense they would have been out there signing up folks for the Working Families Party and shoving it right up the Dems backside. The Dems are the wife beaters of politics. Honest honey, I will never hurt you again. Baloney!”
-Griebnotz Doerkpfester | I Escaped, WI. | April 30, 2011
Letter on: You must be kidding!
“There's an old Buddhist story about two traveling monks. They have reached a river and, being young and strong and the river not too deep for them, are about to wade across when a woman approaches them. She is dressed brightly and somewhat not modestly, she speaks in a bold manner and is traveling alone, yet she seems pleasant. She begs to be carried to the other side since they are strong.
The monks step aside and confer. They see clearly she is speaking the truth about needing help and that she is not strong enough to cross the river on her own. They also know they need to respond with compassion, in order to live in accordance with their vows. Yet they have also vowed to leave behind the pleasures and distractions of the flesh. To hold a wet and attractive young woman for a period of time might be seen by others as an unfit action, they might be criticized by onlookers, or worse, either of them mayb begin to "have thoughts".
One of the monks feels that to carry and touch this too-friendly woman will be a breach, even if small. The other monk strongly disagrees and says their call is to help people in need. Ultimately, they carry the woman across, and the three part ways on the other side.
After a long time of walking mindfully in silence, the strict monk has become even more troubled in hindsight. He begins to debate again the error of their decision, he thinks of new points to debate, new ways to condemn what they had chosen to do. The carefree monk laughs and walks on in silence.
The troubled monk is even more annoyed, he continues to make his points for a time striving to be understood and also to be "right" and blameless. Then he gives up and demands an explanation for the lack of concern and the laughter. He even suggests the laughing monk is less than virtuous.
The laughing monk says "I left the woman on the bank of the river. I am looking at the road ahead of me with an open heart. You my friend, are still carrying that woman".
That story was for DorkFester. Every day he seems to be so troubled by Miss Forward of Wisconsin. Yet he insists on carrying her beyond a point that is compassionate or auspicious.
;)”
-Annie K. | Eau Claire (that's a river) WI | April 30, 2011
Letter on: You must be kidding!
“Cost to the State to repair any damage done to the Capitol? ZERO. The Painters' Union volunteered to fix any and all damage to the building FOR FREE.”
-AIW | West Allis, WI | April 29, 2011
Letter on: You must be kidding!
“Recall fever. Interesting that the GOP can't seem to summon the same ire. That SHOULD be lesson for Dems but I see in Massachusets we have some Dems actually voting against public unions and their right to bargain on health care. Kind of makes you wonder how stupid the Dems can really be. Wouldn't they be better off going after the insurance companies? Of course Dems are famous for never missing an opportunity to miss an opportunity. Snatching defeat from the jaws of victory is their forte.
Meanwhile here in New Mexico there are whispers, just the beginning of a movement, to recall Rep. Pearce. This guy never saw a wilderness he didn't want to hand over to the energy, cattle, and 4-wheeler crowd. Meantime we are in a drought and the stupid Army set the Organ Mts on fire with a tank training exercise on one of the windiest and driest days and times of the year.
The lunacy continues but maybe, just maybe if the people tough it out and stick to it the cheerleaders of stupid will be turned out. Let us hope.”
-Griebnotz Doerkpfester | I Escaped, WI. | April 29, 2011
Letter on: You must be kidding!
“I just saw a recent tally on how many signatures have been collected for the six successful Republican recalls thus far. Over 155,500!!! When the last two are reported it could be over 180,000! That is in just 8 Republican Senate Districts! The network is being established for the recall of the Governor. The collected signatures in the eight senate districts is a good indicator that the 540,000 signatures needed for the recall of the Governor will be doable when all 33 senate districts are canvassed. So there is a very good chance that we will soon have a new Senate majority and a new Governor by this time next year!”
-John & Linda Binder | Plymouth, WI | April 29, 2011
Letter on: Put out your own fires!
“Here is a link to the original blog by the IFFA. I support them and wish AFT would do the same.
http://www.iaff.org/11News/042611FIREPAC.htm?sms_ss=facebook&at_xt=4db9c7af26b2c0f0%2C0”
-Laura Chern | Madison, WI | April 28, 2011
Letter on: ALEC, Tommy, and the rest
“On April 29th, ALEC will hold their spring task force meeting in downtown Cincinnati. This is when and where they will cook up the next offensive on the American public. At noon, we will hold a mass protest action in a public space (Fountain Square) one block from ALEC's meeting place. We are also organizing housing for visitors traveling to Cincinnati, and we are securing spaces for organizations to hold their own teach-ins and actions. http://seeyouincincinnati.com/”
-Melissa Tronti | Cincinnati, OH | April 28, 2011
Letter on: Put out your own fires!
“Ed:
I think you missed the most important part of the message here. The fire fighters have suspended payments to *federal* candidates of both parties, but:
"Re-focusing our work on the states will serve to bolster...." ”
-Dale Pierce | Middleton, WI | April 28, 2011
Letter on: Recount or guilt trip?
“Doesn't anyone remember why the University system was combined in the late '60s and early '70s?
One big reason is that all the goodies went to UW Madison and the outlying schools got what was left over which usually was not very much. It was an attempt at equity among all the state campuses. Where are the legislators that represent those campuses?”
-nonheroicvet | Disgusted, WI | April 28, 2011
Letter on: Put out your own fires!
“Are you following what's between the lines in the voter ID bill? It's all skewed to Republican causes. We must stop this bill now.”
-Maria Caliente | Middleton | April 27, 2011
Letter on: Put out your own fires!
“In a democracy the people have to lead their "leaders." "Leaders" won't get out in front if there is no fire at their back.
Without a push from the democracy -- AKA, the people -- leadership degenerates into retreatership.
The Republicans would never win an elections if the Democrats weren't determined to turn election boxes into coffins for movements, selling hope and delivering apathy.
Now is the time for the "leaders" to move in the direction the people are pointing.
Got to go now and congratulate the real heroes in the firehouse at my corner for standing up to the sellouts.”
-Glenn Fritz | Park Ridge, IL | April 27, 2011
Letter on: Put out your own fires!
“Ed:
You might want to check out David Sirota's article about this letter/issue at Salon:
http://www.salon.com/news/politics/war_room/index.html?story=/politics/war_room/2011/04/26/labor_movement_national_democrats&source=newsletter&utm_source=contactology&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Salon_Daily%20Newsletter%20%28Not%20Premium%29_7_30_110
Cheers.”
-Ralph Novy | Hillsboro, Wisconsin | April 27, 2011
Letter on: Put out your own fires!
“Re Fire Fighters, it is quite obvious. Other unions are angry with both parties as well. It is as though there are NOT two parties in many cases. In their article, they note that there is nothing that will pass to help their work in Congress. Congress IS the culprit in every area from prostitution to oil, to Wall Street and their gimmicks, gambling, and wars constructed as "democracy building" or human rights issues, and their major prostitution to corporation lobbyists and that election dollar. As far as Republicans go, they may be influenced by their lovely little tea party, but they have become the party of baloney or BS...whichever you prefer.Grandpa's Republican Party of small business is DEAD. If American voters accept the current Republican manipulations secretly being pushed, one might think they deserve the consequence.....but that is not so. Too many of them are just struggling too much to learn all the manipulations and undercurrents.”
-hmj | madison, wi | April 27, 2011
Letter on: NFL on track to disaster
“Maria, The Republicans are masters at skirting the open meetings laws. The Greater Milwaukee Committee is a private group that is funded with private contributions(Koch brothers & others.) They hire Foley & Lardner to draft legislation that at the last minute is handed off to a legislative committee who will pass it and try to rush it through the whole legislature before anyone realizes the damage that is done. In the past most legislation was formulated within the legislative framework and subject to open meetings laws. The end runs on open meeting laws are done by both parties. When the Dems were in control they had 16 AT&T lobbyists write the legislation for the so-called cable reform bill and they hand it off to someone in on the deal(former Senator Plale) who shoves it through the legislature without much discussion. When the Dems were in control the rewrite of legislation to reform(?) the pay day loan industry was influenced by an industry lobbyist who was sleeping with the former head of the Assembly. If the Democrats would have been representing their supposed constituencies they would have out lawed pay day loans and made usury a crime. There are some good legislators, but many are prone to being co-opted or selling out to large special interest groups and corporations. Many are there to enrich themselves or pave the way to a lucrative job in the private sector after serving. It is my understanding that former Governor Doyle is now on the payroll of non other than Foley & Lardner. The Republicans are more overt in their pursuit of riches found on the legislative path. This may sound cynical, but isn't making money the end result and measure of success for most in our materialistic culture? Serving the the greatest good for the greatest number is but a romantic and quaint notion.”
-Bob Menamin | Verona, WI | April 26, 2011
Letter on: NFL on track to disaster
“So, Foley & Lardner is working behind closed doors and off campus... Can government do this to us? What recourses to we have to expose the work, its purpose and status? Do open records laws apply? They should.
I know of no reasons why any aspect of a state government needs to be kept secret, unless something is purposely being hidden from us. Is Walker worried about those thugs again? Maybe he's afraid the Fab 14 will again escape and take all of us with them. Will he claim someone has sabotaged a milking machine and call out the national guard?
There's something very rotten with this Walker regime, and I don't think it is dead fish.
And just where are all those clever lawyers out there? They can't all be working for Foley & Lardner and on Walker's behalf. Where are OUR clever lawyers, those who will stick up for us and expose the Walker conspiracy?
One more point, for another "Wisconsin is broke" moment, how can Walker justify hiring outside help?”
-Maria Caliente | Middleton | April 26, 2011
Letter on: Sick joke
“Joelly -- You messin' wid my boy, Paulie? Watch youself. We Irishers wid the last name, Ryan, don't play games wid dose who mess wid us. That's why I quit school. They had recess and I don't play. I even threw the radio out the window one day cuz it played. Anyway, I'm telling you now that Paulie and I are really not related. Praise da Lord (if there is one). So don't blame him on me. As for his $$$ plan. Yeeccccchhhh. If we really want to fix budgets, we put him and Da Walker in dunk tanks and charge a buck a throw. We'd make billions. Keep fighting the good fight.”
-Frank Ryan | Middleton, WI | April 25, 2011
Letter on: The Michigan Model
“If walker and the kookoo brothers were surprised by the public's response to their fascist phase #1 they will no doubt crap their shorts if they implement this phase #2. The streets will be crowded. I guess they want to ram this one through before the Senatorial recall elections. Reasonable Assembly republicans should take notice.
If they bring it on the repugnican party of Wisconsin may come to an abrupt end in 252 days, 19 hours. That's the time frame my countdown to gubernatorial recall calendar suggests.”
-Jim Limbach | Stevens Point Wisconsin | April 25, 2011
Letter on: Kapanke the brave!
“There you go Peitr, right on the mark. Skip the educational forums at the libraries. Just take that message to the street. They will get it.
After all, that is what Truman did in 1948 and he beat the odds. I always liked his line on the GOP and minimum wage. They are for the minimum wage, as minimum as they can get it! You get the drift.
The GOP is all for jobs. It is just payrolls they don't like!”
-Griebnotz Doerkpfester | I Escaped, WI | April 25, 2011
Letter on: Telling the truth about taxes
“Until capital gains are taxed the same as wages and salaries, until loopholes are closed, until subsidies are cut, until the deficit is reduced, until we have a single payer health care system, until Social Security is updated by lifting the cap on Social Security taxes, until our infrastructure is safe.... then maybe we can talk about cutting corporate taxes.”
- Lynn Marquardt | Stevens Point WI | April 25, 2011
Letter on: Kapanke the brave!
“A bunch of us got together downtown over the weekend to solve all the state's and nation's problems over a few cold ones. We agreed that the Republican plan for health care and Medicare is a rather simple one: Don't get sick. This is just like their solution to unemployment: Get a job. We patiently await their remedy to fix Social Security: Don't get old.”
-Pietr Haikuu | Hurley | April 25, 2011
Letter on: Kapanke the brave!
“Lest we overlook the accomplishments of our great governor Scott the Walker, the MJS reports this morning that Walker is taking credit for 125 jobs created under the Doyle administration during December 2010. These involve Doyle and Curt Mfg near Eau Claire. The article (http://www.jsonline.com/watchdog/noquarter/120582079.html) cites that Curt Mfg is increasing building space and has committed to add up to 125 jobs by 2014. Heck, 2014 is 3 years away and it's only a commitment. By the way, what will those jobs pay and will they be long lived?
Got to hand it to Walker and his cabal and how they not only lie, they also steal and commit plagiarism.
Just wait until Walker unveils the Foley and Lardner scheme to commandeer Wisconsin local governmental units. "Oops!" Walker will undoubtedly remark. "I plum forgot about this one. No problem. I'm your governor and I only have Wisconsin on my mind. I am making Wisconsin a progressive state."
Ouch! Wake me up when the nightmares go away.”
-Franz Fripplfrappl | Madison | April 25, 2011
Letter on: Don't they have kids? Grandparents? Parents? A soul?
“I believe on this day the following quotation is pertinent.
May 15, 1891 Pope Leo XIII
"That the spirit of revolutionary change, which has long been disturbing the nations of the world, should have passed beyond the sphere of politics and made its influence felt in the cognate sphere of practical economics is not surprising. The elements of the conflict now raging are unmistakable, in the vast expansion of industrial pursuits and the marvellous discoveries of science; in the changed relations between masters and workmen; in the enormous fortunes of some few individuals, and the utter poverty of the masses; the increased self reliance and closer mutual combination of the working classes; as also, finally, in the prevailing moral degeneracy. The momentous gravity of the state of things now obtaining fills every mind with painful apprehension; wise men are discussing it; practical men are proposing schemes; popular meetings, legislatures, and rulers of nations are all busied with it - actually there is no question which has taken deeper hold on the public mind."
It is all too obvious that the current crop of politicians are without a moral compass and no amount of preaching shall change their attitudes.”
-Richard Kanak | Cherry Valley, Illinois | April 24, 2011
Letter on: They won't slow down
“Pietr is doing the old, stale, liberal thing. If we could just educate the public. We need meetings at libraries.
I have news for you. The folks you need to convince don't got to libraries, they don't want to "go to school" again, and they don't think much of what they see as over-educated liberals who are elitist and don't "get it".
You and I may not like that but that is how it is. It presents liberals with a real problem. They don't really know how to reach those folks. If they did we would not be in this mess.
Time to re-think it all folks.”
-Griebnotz Doerkpfester | I Escaped, WI. | April 24, 2011
Letter on: Don't they have kids? Grandparents? Parents? A soul?
“The possibility exists that Paul Ryan, Scott Walker, the Tea Partyers and others are all about ethnic cleansing. Didn't the Nazis try this to create a superior race? Wasn't this an issue in Bosnia? Haven't we seen this in more than a handful of African countries and in Asia?
What's with humanity? Are some of us more human than others?”
-Pietr Haikuu | Hurley | April 24, 2011
Letter on: Sick joke
“You can certainly tell a lot about people by how well they care for seniors, the elderly, the poor, the sick. Other industrialized nations do quiet well in surpassing us. They also aren't afraid to tax fairly.
The US just hasn't caught on yet how to create government which serves the needs of all people. Medicare, universal health care, good wages, etc, shouldn't even be matters for discussion. We should just act and provide so the less fortunate can be a bit more fortunate.
Until the very last person is cared for, we all have too much of the good life.”
-Franz Fripplfrapplq | Madison | April 24, 2011
Letter on: They won't slow down
“I have yet to meet any Wisconsin state employee who has "ruined" our state. Everyone I know works hard to make the wheels of government turn. Many are not paid what they are truly worth. In the last 20-30 years, state workers have become more customer service oriented, too. The Fitzgeralds are bad for Wisconsin just as much as Walker is the worst of governors imaginable. I think the Walker-Fitzgerald cabal is trying to create a Wisconsin that is bad so they look better.”
-Franz Fripplfrappl | Madison | April 23, 2011
Letter on: They won't slow down
“The Republicans are up to what they do best: blame, divide, abuse, repress, regress. The only thing scarier than these folks is the fact this state of ours is split nearly down the middle these days. Why is this so? Are half of us ignorant and intolerant?
Let's put together an educational curriculum and then gather knowledgeable speakers and teachers to give a series of lectures in every library in the state. It is our duty to inform the masses. We need to educate Wisconsin about many things: what government is and what it is not; the political system and process; taxation and how revenues and programs make this a better state; the effect of corporations and the wealthy on elected officials and how this effect is detrimental to everyone, including corporations and the wealthy; workers' rights, wages, unions; education; how a healthy environment leads to more jobs, better jobs, a healthier economy.
Add yours to the list, but let's get going on bringing these lectures to the people. We can inform without pointing fingers. Education has always proven an effective weapon. Let's use it.”
-Pietr Haikuu | Hurley | April 23, 2011
Letter on: Labor
“What follows is an obituary from the May 22, 1935 The New York Times.
World peace was forever dear to her heart, and from the time of the war she became more and more active in its behalf. But she did not ignore other causes. Lavishly she gave of herself to fight child labor, to lead political causes such as those of Colonel Roosevelt and the Progressive Party in 1912 and of Senator La Follette and his Progressives of 1924, to battle for disarmament, for insurance against unemployment, old age and poverty, for woman suffrage and for equal rights of women. But she never left Hull House, her starting place, and remained as its resident head until her death.
It is a sad commentary that the conditions she fought so valiantly to eliminate are still with us.
The President continues making flowery speeches to mask his inactions. Jane Addams and Barack Obama both received Nobel Peace Prizes, only Jane Addams earned hers.”
-Richard Kanak | Cherry Valley, Illinois | April 23, 2011
Letter on: Labor
“We are so lucky to have Ed Garvey in our corner. I guess since he helped build the corner, I should say we are so lucky to be in his corner. I can not imagine the Senate not tipping toward the democrats. I also can't sit still so I volunteer to help get the recall and recount jobs done. I'm sure the May 21st Fighting Bob Fest will be a great boost for all of us. Glad to know about it. Should be a massive turn out and a great day in Wisconsin!”
-Lynette Jandl | Madison, WI | April 22, 2011
Letter on: Telling the truth about taxes
“Mr. Mondale,
How nice to hear a rational discussion addressing the budget. I am so sick of the Republicans foaming at the mouth and screaming "socialism" every time raising taxes is mentioned. Of course we need to do this too for the reasons you pointed out in your article. Paying taxes is patriotic! as it supports our nation and people.
I voted for you in 1984, too bad you didn't win. What a different course our country might have taken. when Reagan said "read my lips, no new taxes" it was a wonderful sound bite, but anyone with a lick of sense knew it was a big fat lie. It is also an indefensible policy.
Keep up the good work!”
-Kathy VenRooy | Greenville, WI | April 22, 2011
Letter on: The chosen many
“Thank you for standing up Mr Kraus. What do we have to do to make sure this gets done? Who should we call, e-mail?”
-Kathy VenRooy | Greenville, WI | April 22, 2011
Letter on: Labor
“Thanks!
Another positive aspect of unions is the checks and balances. I have personally seen a fair number of times where the union has prevented the government from spending an excess amount of money on a project by showing the least expensive way to go. True, usually to save their jobs, but it remains a check and balance.”
-Susan Hagstrom | Madison, WI | April 22, 2011
Letter on: What is the point, David?
“"Kloppenburg is pursuing a naked political goal."
First off, the words "naked" and "Kloppenburg" should never be used in the same sentence.
Secondly, it is beyond rank hypocrisy to accuse Prosser of "bullying" after the pathetic Democrat/Union tantrum at the Capitol in February.
Thirdly, Prosser has won. And he can articulate why. The Klueless Kloppenburg is an embarrassment to rationality, which makes her a darling to the unhinged Left.”
-Leo Trismegestis | Wisconsin | April 22, 2011
Letter on: What is the point, David?
“What is it that Wisconsin can't do a recount in this election. Certainly it's not about the cost to local government to do this recount. The Republican party is already advocating voter ID, which will cost local government far more than a recount, with no way to recoup the cost from a state mandate. If the Republicans believe in fair elections, this recount will go through. If they don't, we see the handwriting on the wall. One person does not create voter fraud, voter fraud is created by partisan people that have gotten too high in public office.”
-Lloyd Granberg | Whitehall, WI | April 21, 2011
Letter on: What is the point, David?
“For more on this issue
http://eau-snap.blogspot.com/2011/04/david-prosser-film-festival-presents.html
;)”
-Annie K. | EC, WI | April 21, 2011
Letter on: What is the point, David?
“Walker's quick denial and his twisting of words reminds me of the time I got caught as a 7 yr old with cookie crumbs on my face and shirt while trying to twist on the lid to the cookie jar. My mother accused me of eating cookies and I told her that I did NOT take any bananas.
Did I lie? How about Walker? Is he lying or simply telling us only what we need to hear?”
-Pietr Haikuu | Hurley | April 21, 2011
Letter on: What is the point, David?
“I think you DO have to remind people of things - me certainly. As an ignorant noob here I didn't know about those things you listed. But! To be compared to Leni was a compliment! (Though confusing.)
She was a genius of communication. I wonder if Herr Prosser has even seen a few minutes of her work? or if he just finds it simple to toss her name around. (hey, is it supposed to be Preußer not Prosser?? I hope not, he'd give Prussia a bad name)
Back to Leni, the application of her skills was of course not so admirable. She made bad people look very good. Is this what he finds Ed-like?
If she can be faulted for allowing her skills to be used to full extent by the Nazi party, then what of Ed?
This comparison is ignorant in the extreme. I hope this is not news here (lol) but I, who am oblivious to much that goes on, have seen an alarming number of disparaging remarks at or about Ed coming from Democrat Party folks. Some of those flames came from Big Wigs whom I have seen sniffing about this place here. Odd.
Anyways, for Herr Preußer to accuse Ed of being some kind of flattering Dem Party Beautician seems ill-informed, small, mean, and overly facile. (eek! He definitely does not seem to be able to keep a lid on his temper O_O )
Therefore, based on the evidence at hand we see that Prosser = Arschloch”
-Annie K. | Eau Claire, Preußen...oops! I mean WI | April 21, 2011
Letter on: The chosen many
“Slight correction, Mr Garvey: Dems still hold the North Carolina governorship. Still, it's impressive that a SOUTHERN state has done this (Florida, which adopted district standards but not a commission, doesn't count.)
Frankly, the whole idea of legislators being able to draw their own districts is appalling and not befitting of a modern democracy.”
-Luke | McDonald, OH | April 21, 2011
Letter on: What is the point, David?
“The fact that Prosser is threatening a lawsuit to stop the recount makes me distrust the Clerk, The Prosess and Prosser. Whereas, prior to the threat, I had an open mind.
Ms. Kloppenburg must seek a recount. Given Prosser's protestations she would be negligent if she did not seek a recount.
Good luck to her on the recount.”
-Rocco | Little Chicago, WI | April 21, 2011
Letter on: What is the point, David?
“Walker has already stated he is doing his god's will. How about Prosser, or doesn't he have a god? Perhaps he thinks he is one.”
-Maria Caliente | Middleton | April 21, 2011
Letter on: What is the point, David?
“There are at least 4 Republican't senator recalls in the works with possibly more to come.
Shouldn't we be concerned about candidates formidable enough to run and unseat these Walker lackeys? Where are the candidates and why aren't we out there supporting any yet?
We need to promote and educate the electorate so we get the replacements into office on our long struggle to reclaim the statehouse and our state.”
-Franz Fripplfrappl | Madison | April 21, 2011
Letter on: Telling the truth about taxes
“Before taxes are raised on anyone but the top 3%, let's demand specific changes. First, we must not endorse Congress, Republican or Democrat, in ongoing foreign policy. It is too costly and inhumane; it wreaks havoc on human life....our people and other countries', and finances. A billion a week to destroy and "attempt" to rebuild Iraq? This means an abrupt prohibition of preemptive wars and foreign aid, without a national referendum. These wars and foreign aid billed as "helping" other countries, providing "democracy" for other countries, from Vietnam to now, actually seem really structured to pave the way, clean up after, or provide for US corporation expansion overseas; to use cheap labor, process and sell resources.
Second, Wall Street must be regulated. Unless US companies who locate their major manufacturing overseas, or using cheap imported labor; unless they actually pay taxes; (GE?) and their products brought back here, are taxed with tariffs; they should be stripped of US business licenses and deported to those countries along with owners. What has happened to middle class workers, particularly the US tech industry and manufacturing is economic treason. We must stop being a nation of "sit-in-the-armchair" investors whipping CEO's to a frenzy; and return to one where huge companies who want a license here, stay responsible to the nation and its people. Instead, we see them avoid taxes, enjoy Swiss accounts, set up casino predatory loans, drive labor into the ditch; we bail out AIG types; they enjoy a great stock market for overseas investors, ever since...while causing unemployment here. Huge corporations skipped out on unemployment, retirement, workmen's comp, and health plans..enjoying a market good-time roll....while NOT paying taxes.
Third, allowing lobbyists in the Capitol to take up taxpayer-paid time ... providing Wall Street huge corporations use of our taxpayer employees, Congress, for their benefit, is a conflict of interest, a waste of money. Politicians who have, will, or are receiving salary, pension, or investment return from energy or military-industries, should NEVER be allowed to serve in any political or government job, because their voting decisions in those vital areas may bring them a financial return.
Next, "truth in advertising" must be reestablished in the political world. Violations should be punished in court. "Spun" propaganda about use of taxpayer money needs to stop. Not including the Iraq war in the budget, or including the costs of serving the disabilities and health issues of returning military, for their lifetime, is outrageous.
Proposed discrimination of Social Security and Medicare of future generations by raising ages or depriving them of benefits deemed vital to this nation is NOT acceptable. Raise contributions of everyone gradually. Pay back social security funds that were "borrowed" for other uses.
YES, raise the contributions from taxing the top 3% and the huge companies not paying their taxes or locating overseas. Designate "only for future social security."
Finally, make election tampering "treason," and punish it accordingly.”
-hmj | madison, wi | April 21, 2011
Letter on: Telling the truth about taxes
“We need more dreamers not realists in government. The elected officials all too frequently dictate to the career dreamers in government who believing there is a better way and continue to work to improve the lives of the people.
Our environment, security and social welfare have always been improved by dreamers who have had to fight the realists called politicians to change the directions of government.
The research scientists, educators, national park rangers did not enter their fields for wealth and power. The same cannot be said of many politicians.”
-Richard Kanak | Cherry Valley, Illinois | April 21, 2011
Letter on: Telling the truth about taxes
“If people were paid better wages, do you think there'd be far less griping about paying taxes? We need livable wages, not struggling wages. If you are paying taxes, then you are making money. If all you are doing is paying taxes leaving you with nothing at month's end, then you are indeed being robbed.
Strive for and demand better working conditions, workers' rights and higher wages. Anything less is selling ourselves short and giving away our skills and time.”
-Pietr Haikuu | Hurley | April 21, 2011
Letter on: Telling the truth about taxes
“Wait a sec, Walter Mondale, as in WALTER MONDALE ?!
Yee ha!!! I shook your hand in 1984 in a back hall of the capital in Madison after the big rally!! At the time I was thrilled to have shaken the hand of who I believed would be the next President of the United States. That damn Reagan.. It's still one of my favorite memories. That crowd was HUGE! You were a very rushed and important person, yet - you were very very nice to a somewhat odd young woman :) Thanks so much
Nice article, of course. But I find it sad that any discussion of budgets and what we spend our tax money on (and what it says about us and our values) just can not ever involve any serious talk of looking at military spending. It's of course a huge concern that all talk of healthcare reform omits any limits to what can be charged - the sky's the limit. We don't want to be "communist" and do anything that might hamper profits. So much the worse when it comes to military spending.
Our national behavior in that regard can only be described as outright worship. We as a nation treat our military decision-makers as if they are infallible Gods whose every whim must be granted. You can't suggest they might not really need all those millions/billions, or openly say what you feel such as - I think it's pretty much extortion, because they are the guys with the Waterboards. So we just keep handing over our checkbooks, no questions asked.
There doesn't seem to be any real chance of fixing a leaky boat when everyone is hell-bent on patching MOST of the holes, and even slapping patching material on stuff that is clearly NOT a hole, but then the repairmen are all forbidden to even mention that really HUGE hole right in the middle of the boat. Really weird situation we got here.”
-Annie K. | Eau Claire, WI | April 21, 2011
Letter on: Tell it to Sykes? Yikes!
“Griebnotz,
I agree with you, and I don't mean to be only snarky, but you can't inspire a revolution under an anonymous name from out of state.”
-Steve Carlson | Trego WI | April 20, 2011
Letter on: No, really, trust me!
“alumniforwisconsin.com; makeityourmilwaukee.com
I may be goofy, but don't these two web sites have a very similar feel to their names?
Beware of Greeks (no connection intended) bearing gifts.”
-blurondo | wauwatosa, wi | April 20, 2011
Letter on: No, really, trust me!
“In the New Badger Partnership plan, the board will not have effective autonomy from the appointing authority (Governor). I believe it will have bonding authority (i.e., it can incur debt) but taxpayers who may be on the hook for that debt will have very little real control. The board will issue glossy annual reports much like corporations do but taxpayers won't really get transparency on how the dollars are spent. The UW-Madison will be under no obligation to serve the state (The Wisconsin Idea) and will compete with the other campuses and tech schools for tax funding. Duplication of programs and services will no longer be avoided.
Under the Wisconsin Idea Partnership, the System stays together, will cooperate to serve the state and still have the flexibilities Chancellor Martin has been asking for. While she has been talking about needing the flexibility for many months, the other Chancellors and Board of Regents felt blindsided by the private deal she made with the Gov. on the Badger Partnership.
This alum says save the Wisconsin Idea and kill Biddy and Scott's plan!”
-janeofdane | Madison, WI | April 20, 2011
Letter on: No, really, trust me!
“The Board of Regents is totally opposed to the plan, which Martin and Walker developed behind their backs, and all of the UW chancellors except Biddy also oppose it. Fortunately, enough UW campuses are represented by Republicans to make sure this sweetheart deal doesn't pass.
By the way, it would give Walker 11 of 21 appointments immediately and give him control of the board. Bye, bye stem cell research and who knows what else?”
-Xoff | Milwaukee WI | April 20, 2011
Letter on: No, really, trust me!
“Ed,
Up until today I have agreed with almost all of your views but I think you need to have more information about the New Badger Partnership and how Chancellor Martin has worked to develop it. As a UW alum, I'm proud of our university and am grateful that Chancellor Martin is forward thinking in finding ways to keep it the state treasure it is today. She has been on the road sharing her plan for over 18 months with people throughout the state, asking for input, etc. She shared this plan with all 3 gubernatorial candidates. Unfortunately anything that has the support of our current governor is suspect by most of us, for good reason in most cases. This plan was not developed behind closed doors. In my opinion, Biddy Martin is a courageous and terrific leader. It's easy to flippantly say "bye, bye Biddy" without having the facts. This isn't a partisan issue and in my opinion not a misuse of university or alumni funds. Please give her a call.”
-Nancy Schanke | Fremont WI | April 20, 2011
Letter on: No, really, trust me!
“What is everybody waiting for? She probably lives in taxpayer paid housing and everybody knows the address.
Just go down there, grab her by the neck, and give her the bums rush. If there is going to be a Tea Party let it be a real one and let it be true revolution.
These guys know people are going to write stuff about them. They don't care because you pose no real threat. By the time you get done with your petitions etc they will have consolidated power.”
-Griebnotz Doerkpfester | I Escaped, WI> | April 20, 2011
Letter on: No, really, trust me!
“The CEO of the Wisconsin Alumni Association is Paula Bonner - her email is pbonner@waastaff.com. I'm sure she'd love to hear from you!”
-Bob Nauta | Oregon, WI | April 20, 2011
Letter on: No, really, trust me!
“We are probably in trouble (again). Look at the slim margins both Walker and Prosser have, you know, the ones giving them clear mandates to destroy the state and our democracy. Consider how an unknown plastics magnate replaced Russ Feingold, a senator who has done so much for Wisconsin and the nation. The Tea Party types are spreading their rants and lies. Conservative radio programs and talking heads are stirring up the masses by telling the ignorant what they want to hear. Some hear "government" and "taxes" and think the entire country is going down the tube. We have a Republican controlled legislature that hears nothing we want and rubberstamps everything Walker wants.
Do you really think any of the above will stand up for what is right and block any legislation which consolidates more power into Walker's hands and agenda?
When ignorance prevails, the fascist wealthy and corporates will have and get their way. These are telling people what they want to hear. They are feeding into the frenzy and using it to their own advantage.
Throughout history, people have responded through rebellions, revolutions and civil wars. Human history is bathed in the blood of those who have risen to stem fascism and tyranny. It is only a matter of time before we may witness some sort of national and/or global rebellion against the wealthy and corporations, against fascism, against tyranny.
This is the 21st century and we are still settling differences with weapons, wars and threats. You'd think by now we would have figured out that differences can be resolved peacefully through diplomacy and understanding. A bloody rebellion is not out of the picture. I only hope I'm not around to watch humanity again destroy itself.”
-Maria Caliente | Middleton | April 20, 2011
Letter on: Tell it to Sykes? Yikes!
“Any local officials that would go along with a take over are just plain cowards. Who in their right mind would buy into this. What would really happen if a local mayor etc. refused to play along? What would the press be on THAT?
Sadly, there are other moves afoot that are just as nefarious. As part of the nut job birther movement something like 30 states are making it harder to register to vote. As part of all this we could well see a sitting president not being able to get on the ballot and no new voters being able to vote for anyone.
Wake up liberals, progressives, citizens. Carrying protest signs and hollering SHAME has NO EFFECT on these guys. You are just going to have to bust some heads and take the damned place over physically. Bad press be damned. If you believe you are right then fight, and that means a lot more than signing on-line petitions etc.”
-Griebnotz Doerkpfester | I Escaped, WI. | April 20, 2011
Letter on: David Prosser out of bounds again
“It has taken many years for my eyes to see that those institutions which as a child were held in high esteem such as the churches, government and courts were in fact populated by some of the most hypocritical of individuals.
The sad part is that it appears in all too many of those described above remain in power regardless of their crimes. Sadder still is that are children are being taught that many crimes committed by those in authority go unpunished, particularly when vast amounts of money are available for the defense.”
-Richard Kanak | Cherry Valley, Illinois | April 20, 2011
Letter on: David Prosser out of bounds again
“We should all encourage her to request a recount, as I did today with a phone call to her campaign.
We have not had a major statewide recount for decades. This would be an excellent test of our Election System for its accuracy / security. I have always felt that our System was one with integrety, but no longer feel that way.
We all should be willing to put some money where our mouth is when she makes that request Wed. I will be first in line with my check.
bt”
-Bill Thomas | Monona, WI | April 19, 2011
Letter on: David Prosser out of bounds again
“No one posting on the madison.com website seems bothered by this, but I know you folks will be.
I am disturbed that David Prosser chose Jim Troupis, an attorney well-known for his support of conservative causes, to make the case that a request by Asst. Atty. Genl. Kloppenburg for a recount would be "frivolous."
Mr. Troupis is much too politically connected in the State of Wisconsin, and with issues that could come before the Supreme Court, to be Mr. Prosser's representative.
For example: Jim Troupis told Sen. Scott Fitzgerald that he could legally detain the state senators under the "warrants" issued by the State Senate in early March. Troupis is also the attorney who represented Kevin Barthel, the Oconto County Republican Party Chairman who filed suit to compel Sen. Jim Holperin to return to the state senate. http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_8d9ad090-45bd-11e0-bf68-001cc4c03286.html
Troupis is the attorney hired by the Wisconsin Republicans to help them draw maps for redistricting. http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/112939729.html If there are problems with redistricting, the Wisconsin Supreme Court is the ultimate authority. (As an aside, a plan of apportionment created when Prosser was Speaker of the Assembly was held unconstitutional Prosser et al. v. Elections Board et al., 793 F. Supp. 859 (W.D. Wis. 1992) and replaced by a judicial plan of apportionment for all elections held after June 2, 1992.)
He seems to be the attorney of choice for conservative justices as well, serving as attorney for Annette Ziegler when she was investigated for ethics and ultimately admonished by her peers, and was in charge of Gov. Scott McCallum's selection process that gave Mike Gableman his first judgeship, after Gableman donated to the McCallum campaign and made fundraising calls from a taxpayer-funded office for McCallum.
http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/blog/2009/03/CHNt.html
Prosser may have representation, but the choice of Jim Troupis for this matter stinks to high heaven. Troupis has way too many connections to Republican politics to be a "judicious" option for this case.”
-Joanne Brown | Madison, WI | April 19, 2011
Letter on: David Prosser out of bounds again
“Pay no attention to the man, er, woman behind the curtain. The Great and Powerful Corporatocracy is counting your votes in a more or less infallible fashion and you don't need to be worrying your pretty head with it. Go shopping. Wouldn't want to look like a sore loser would you? Only conspiracy theorists question the integrity of our elections.
Seriously, how bad do things have to get before we go ahead and pull the curtain aside? Now would be a good time, I just wonder how we get a thorough, impartial investigation. If we could count on the GAB, Kathy Nikolaus would have been fired years ago.”
-Chuck Kudrna | Wautoma Wi. | April 19, 2011
Letter on: Tell it to Sykes? Yikes!
“Governor Walker would tell the truth 5 different ways before he would tell a lie.”
-Joe Gruber | Campbellsport,WI | April 19, 2011
Letter on: It gets interesting
“Nancy:
Emails don't work...
Send your note via registered mail. Registered mail must be signed for whereas emails can easily become lost.”
-Maria Caliente | Middleton | April 19, 2011
Letter on: Tell it to Sykes? Yikes!
“There's rumors going that Walker wants to "Benton Harbor-ize" Eau Claire and is planning a nasty announcement this afternoon during his visit (happening right now).
That these kinds of rumors can even happen or get any traction is absolute proof that everything is 100% FUBAR.”
-Annie K. | Eau Benton Claire Harbor, WI | April 19, 2011
Letter on: It gets interesting
“This was my daily email to the governor today:
Walker,
I heard that you refuted what Ed Garvey blogged, that you swear that you have no such plans for this state.
How can we hold you to that?
Can we insist that, if you actually pass such legislation to put financial managers in place to supersede the wishes of the public, that you be imprisoned for fraud and grand larceny? That you surrender all your pay as governor? That you leave the state of Wisconsin forever?
I would like some tangible pledge, rather than just your word, because we have seen how much that is worth. If you steal our votes and the autonomy of any of our cities from us, I want you to suffer consequences that will make you think LONG and HARD about how much you yourself will lose. I would hope that every honest lawyer in this state would come down on you like the wolf on the fold.
It is hard to imagine that ANY governor would do that to a town or city in his state. But it seems the rewards to Rick Snyder and his cronies are his only concern, not his constituents. I want you to consider that we will make your name mud in the history of Wisconsin. Once again, the branding of "Shame" will be on you.”
-Nancy Rathke | Madison, WI | April 19, 2011
Letter on: Tell it to Sykes? Yikes!
“I wonder if Walker can spot a lie when he sees one. He's an expert liar himself. Perhaps he can.”
-Pietr Haikuu | Hurley | April 19, 2011
Letter on: It gets interesting
“Ed Scissorhands:
"Of Council" merely means that Gov. Doyle is affiliated with them, not necessarily an associate or partner. It's doubtful he's privy to everything they are up to.”
-Ron Czerwien | Madison, WI | April 19, 2011
Letter on: Tell it to Sykes? Yikes!
“"Just condemn Governor Snyder for his outrageous power grab, swear you oppose a similar approach in Wisconsin, tell the Milwaukee right wingers, including the Greater Milwaukee Committee and the Bradley Foundation, to forget the bold moves to "save" Milwaukee County. (Tell us the website for "Make It Your Milwaukee County" is a phony. Take the lead!)"
I must be on the Bob Villa blog because you hit the nail on the head.”
-James | Milwaukee, WI | April 19, 2011
Letter on: David Prosser out of bounds again
“Kloppenburg cannot be bullied. A recount is neccessary for the integrity of our Wisconsin Democracy! The vote tallying and devious behavior in Waukesha is shocking to me. That our canvassors and city officials are manipulated by the cheif ballot counter. Nickolous obviously doesn't understand "the vote" is a principal to our democracy and you don't play on your personal computer with this. If it can happen in Waukesha who is to say it doesn't happern somewhere else. There is no debate. We need a recount!”
-Jill Henning | Brookfield Wi. | April 19, 2011
Letter on: David Prosser out of bounds again
“Just before the Waukesha weirdness came out, a smaller, yet similar occurrence took place in Winnebago County. There could be more out there.”
-Bob Nauta | Oregon, WI | April 19, 2011
Letter on: David Prosser out of bounds again
“She'd better.
After pomposity and overreach such as this (I mean! who asked him?! this is not Prosser's case to decide, and how ridiculous he looks. This man has so many dogs in this hunt he looks like a one-man Westminster Kennel Club. omg!)
Anyways, even if JoanneK is tired to the bone and sick of it all, out of respect for the WI Silenced Majority she has to request a recount. If she is within the state-paid limit, she'd be throwing away a kind of "resource of democracy" if she doesn't.
It's not really about her right now, it's about the citizens of WI. She has an enormous responsibility to put people's minds at ease and reassure them that their Judge is really.... their Judge. If she lost fair and square she'll have to live through that again, and it will suck, but she can either take it, or she wasn't cut out for this kind of work to begin with. She needs to step up now, and maybe take another hit, for the citizens.
Prosser's also a fool if he doesn't realize that if he's really proven the winner BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT, he can sit on that bench without any clouds hanging over his head. But only after these issues are investigated fully and properly.
Who would deliberately choose to be seen as a corrupt partisan hack and Judicial Joke for the rest of their career if it could possibly be avoided? Presumably, even if he seems really annoying to a lot of us, he has worked hard to get where he is, why risk going down in history as just another Asshat who rode in on the Failboat? XDDD”
-Annie K. | Eau Claire, WI | April 19, 2011
Letter on: Tell it to Sykes? Yikes!
“Can we do this?
Assume that Walker has indeed admitted he has no intent of passing a bill that will consolidate more power and allow Walker to dissolve local governmental units and take over...
If he does indeed slip through a bill in May or anytime thereafter, Walker will again be caught in a lie.
Can we impeach?
Walker will undoubtedly claim lying is a freedom of speech protected by his interpretation of the constitution.
Where are all the good lawyers? Surely Foley and Lardner has a few, and most certainly those with any integrity would be telling Scotty where to go, or does a lawyer's integrity disappear when the dollars start rolling in?”
-Maria Caliente | Middleton | April 19, 2011
Letter on: The chosen many
“I always thought computers would do a better job.”
-Kathleen Hart | Muskego, WI | April 19, 2011
Letter on: David Prosser out of bounds again
“I'm not so sure that Prosser wants to know the truth about anything. As a lawyer and jurist, all Prosser seems to care about is the manipulation of truth to best suit his case.
Let there be a recount! Recounts are a part of our system just as much as obscure tax breaks are for the wealthy.”
-Franz Fripplfrappl | Madison | April 19, 2011
Letter on: It gets interesting
“Foley & Lardner must have their best man on it:
JAMES E. (JIM) DOYLE
Of Counsel
Governor Jim Doyle is of counsel with Foley & Lardner LLP where he provides strategic advice and counsel to clients regarding policy and regulatory issues in the areas of health care, energy and other highly regulated industries.”
-Ed Scissorhands | Madtown | April 19, 2011
Letter on: It gets interesting
“Anger...you think this is anger? It is truth that either rich, or yuppies, or ostrichs' do not want to face it.. all classes of cement heads who either are addicted to total greed and/or the refusal to understand that the New Republican Giant Corporations Party is NOT the party for small businesses, much less employees, workers. There is a group of millionaires that we have just heard about who laughed and said the tax breaks are doing nothing to increase jobs; these tax breaks just make them more money! These, by the way, said they were willing to pay more in proportionate taxes....
There were tax breaks for all Cheney years.. and that worked well? They gambled, they cheated, they pitched ongoing unending wars, and drove the economy into the ditch when it looked like the opposite party would get in; took their marbles off the table and went home screaming "no" ever since. That was their ultimate childish tantrum.
What they all forget and will find out, is that by destroying manufacturing in the US, and supporting the rich rip-offs of the rest of the middle class, there are not going to be abilities to buy all the foreign contaminated crap that they keep bringing over here... so, if you want to see their next tantrum, keep talking, Pat. You will see the wealthy's next tantrum (more "hyped up" wars to "democratize" the world? so they can hire cheap labor or sell to them") when we either can't or won't buy their imported stuff. But, oh, we forgot. They plan to rescue society with huge hiring increases ...jobs with living wages...like they did the past ten years.???
More than anger should follow... by educated voters at the polls. But first, a wake-up call may take longer because of sleeping or richly happy people like you, Pat? Everyone needs to wake up to what is happening to this country. It's being (been?) sold. If it stays so equally polarized, maybe it will have to be split? So, let the boycotts of monopoly corporations begin. Lack of coin clinking through their pocketbook is all they obviously will ever understand. Gluttons. Must be short a yacht.”
-hmj | madison, wi | April 19, 2011
Letter on: It gets interesting
“This is a really important story to watch and I thank FightingBob.com for being all over it. Listen carefully to the Governor who claims that no one in his office or administration is working on this plan (of course, that doesn't exclude Foley & Lardner). Why do I suspect that cities, towns or counties with Democratic leadership to be the ones most likely to be taken over? Who designs the stress test and how objective will it be?”
-janeofdane | Madison, WI | April 19, 2011
Letter on: The Michigan Model
“According to Walker, the state is broke, yet he has money to fly around the country begging financial support for those 8 Republican't senators we're trying to recall. Walker also has money to hire a private law firm to Koch up another scheme to divide and conquer us.
There is indeed something amiss in our state when politicians like Walker and Prosser "win" elections by slim margins and then think they have mandates to do with us whatever they want.
Heaven help us if the Walker cabal rushes through another bill, this time one which will consolidate more power in Walker's hands by giving him the ability to dissolve local governments and take over. Walker most likely has Madison and Dane county in his sights.
We had better wake up and get into action soon before it will be too late. More protests are in order. Let's shut down the entire state and start fresh.
On a happier note, when Walker succeeds in taking Wisconsin back into the 19th century, we can tar and feather the bastards or maybe lynch 'em.”
-Franz Fripplfrappl | Madison | April 19, 2011
Letter on: It gets interesting
“So, Pat, you are happy that millionaires are getting tax breaks while the rest of us continue to fall behind? Are Rush Limbaugh & Glenn Beck sources of joy and happiness? What is it about the current political situation that you think that we should be happy about?”
-Craig Koch | Appleton, WI | April 18, 2011
Letter on: It gets interesting
“When in Washington last week, Walker promoted himself as a progressive with making progressive decisions for all of us back home...
If he's a progressive, then I have already died and now I'm in hell.
Pass me a cold one, please.”
-Franz Fripplfrappl | Madison | April 18, 2011
Letter on: It gets interesting
“I believe it appropriate to quote the recent comments of Jesse Ventura.
We Ain't Got Time To Bleed. It's Time for the Revolution.
"You control our world. You've poisoned the air we breathe, contaminated the water we drink, and copyrighted the food we eat. We fight in your wars, die for your causes, and sacrifice our freedoms to protect you. You've liquidated our savings, destroyed our middle class, and used our tax dollars to bailout your unending greed. We are slaves to your corporations, zombies to your airwaves, servants to your decadence. You've stolen our elections, assassinated our leaders, and abolished our basic rights as human beings. You own our property, shipped away our jobs, and shredded our unions. You've profited off of disaster, destabilized our currencies, and raised our cost of living. You've monopolized our freedom, stripped away our education, and have almost extinguished our flame. We are hit...we are bleeding...but we ain't got time to bleed. We will bring the giants to their knees and you will witness our revolution! "
-Former Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura, April 12, 2011
An additional note, Jesse currently resides in Mexico.”
-Richard Kanak | Cherry Valley, Illinois | April 18, 2011
Letter on: It gets interesting
“Hey blind guy, must be pretty nice not being angry. I suppose rich people have little to worry about & I assume you're rich. No one with less than a few million would support what Walker's doing right now unless they're obscenely block-headed & want to be correct so bad they are having psychotic breaks.”
-Ms Camilee | Eau Claire, WI | April 18, 2011
Letter on: It gets interesting
“If you aren't angry, then you aren't paying attention!!”
-Ry | madison wi | April 18, 2011
Letter on: It gets interesting
“I wouldn't trust Walker about anything. He has shown himself to be a power hungry mad man.”
-WisconsinLiberal | Fox Valley, WI | April 18, 2011
Letter on: It gets interesting
“This is an angry website. Please keep up the good work.”
-Brian | Madison, WI | April 18, 2011
Letter on: It gets interesting
“This is a really angry website.
It isn't even a little believable.
I feel sorry for you, is this what you think about all the time?”
-Pat Le Beau | Fond du Lac, WI 54935 | April 18, 2011
Letter on: Small 'd'
“John, You are Truly what a Wisconsinite is all about. WE Need You As Our Next Governor OF WIsconsin. You would be the perfect candidate to run against Scott Walker in The Recall effort. You know the Issues facing the State of Wisconsin and you have the zeal and energy to lead another Progressive Era in the state of WIsconsin. I shouted this at last year's Fighting Bob Fest and I am working on organizing Draft John Nichols to lead a Progressive Era and be our Next Governor of this Great State. Peter Ahrens Milwaukee WI”
-Peter Ahrens | Milwaukee WI | April 18, 2011
Letter on: Did it start with Fighting Bob Fest?
“So, Annie, lots of talk talk talk.
When you gonna go out and get those 200 signatures needed to get on the ballot for State Assembly? Or are you one of those who prefers to tell those who actually work up the guts to do it what THEY should run on to make YOU happy?
Like I say, to date it is just a revolution of the mouth.”
-Griebnotz Doerkpfester | I Escaped, WI. | April 18, 2011
Letter on: Did it start with Fighting Bob Fest?
“Do you send out press releases to local and state media for these BFs? If not, you should. Do you even have a communication director?
To be effective, you need to send out regular mailings to the media. These need to go via regular mail so recipients have a hard copy staring them in the face.
As an organization, BF also needs to go after young voters. I recall last year in Baraboo. Holy Smokes! All that white hair in the crowd made me feel like I was stuck in a snow drift.”
-Pietr Haikuu | Hurley | April 18, 2011
Letter on: Did it start with Fighting Bob Fest?
“F-Bob is an enormously wonderful force. yay! and much gratitude to all who work on it. And attend it. and think about it. LOL
And if we are going to discuss the origins of the Wisconsin Spark, beyond the spirits of the Founding Fathers (if it's still okay to mention them without approval from the Koch Brothers after their Hostile Takeover and vigorous re-branding of everyone who ever wore knee-breeches)
Anyway - let's hear it for the 48-ers too!!! Those German immigrant activists and really really stubborn people! IMO their presence in WI is key, though their contributions and presence is now either not talked about, or is funneled into silliness like an Oktoberfest, and that is all. How nice if Wisconsinites were taught in history class about the persecution of German-Americans here in WI and across the US since so many of us are of some degree of German descent.
Sadly, the card-carrying that was forced on people here in WI, the denial of rights, the persecution of neighbors by neighbors, is unknown. This is unfortunate even in a selfish and modern sense. We have no idea how quickly and drastically our world can change for the worse. We greatly overestimate the solidity of our own "unalienabale rights" which can be demolished by our fellow Americans at the drop of a hat.
Right here in Wisconsin.
A blogger has recently posted about govt employees being warned not to speak against their employer. He suggests this perhaps "can't be done". Though he is not at all a political neophyte there is a suggestion of trust in "rights", and a kind of innocence underlying his tone. The false confidence we are taught to have as Americans. If we had real and honest education in American history (minus the John Wayne-isms), this would be clear, censorship and persecution has been done by our own government, upon "regular Joes", and in stronger terms. Newspapers and even average people in private conversation were FORBIDDEN to criticize the the US government during WWI. It was seriously enforced and it created an environment of fear amongst the people - will a friend report me if I speak my mind? We think of daily conditions like that in terms of the fear of the SA/SS in Nazi Germany. Those conditions of fear have existed here in Wisconsin, even if they did not escalate to the same extent. Still, our memories are short.
I have a poor photocopy of my own (WI) ancestors' Alien Enemy ID card, which signaled that his rights as a citizen had been negated, that he and his family had entered the "non-person zone", much like the ID cards forced on the Jews in Germany.
We have an inaccurate view of what our own WI government HAS done, and may yet do again. If we stay mindful of the past, and if needed, perhaps the Spark can quickly become an unstoppable brush fire.”
-Annie K. | Eau Claire, WI (achtung baby!) | April 18, 2011
Letter on: They have plans! Do they ever!
“Seems to me that similar behaviors have been observed in an executive:
Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it . . . when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. . . .
He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good. . .
He has obstructed the Administration of Justice . . .
HE HAS ERECTED A MULTITUDE OF NEW OFFICES, AND SENT HITHER SWARMS OF OFFICERS TO HARRASS OUR PEOPLE, AND EAT OUT THEIR SUBSTANCE. . . *
He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us. . .
In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people. . . Declaration of Independence
*The Massachusetts Government Act”
-johnny | mount horeb | April 18, 2011
Letter on: Did it start with Fighting Bob Fest?
“This might be the year that the Fighting Bob Fest will have some press coverage.
Maybe if Charlie Sheen was a guest speaker news coverage would be assured. Just kidding.
It is obvious though by prior coverage of the event that more than great speakers is required to get press coverage.”
-Richard Kanak | Cherry Valley, Illinois | April 18, 2011
Letter on: Did it start with Fighting Bob Fest?
“As far as I can tell from reading the news, or could tell before leaving Wisconsin, nothing much has really started due to these erstwhile progressive gripe fests.
Name one poltician running for state or federal legislatures who has won on that "platform", such as it is. I can't.
There is no effective third and progressive party. The Dems look good only in comparison to the most extreme elements of the GOP.
Sorry, but as near as I can tell this is still little more than a revolution of the mouth.
Too bad, because we need more. Don't break your arm patting yourself on the back. As they say, kissin' don't last, cookin' do.”
-Griebnotz Doerkpfester | I Escaped, WI. | April 18, 2011
Letter on: Biddy is tired!
“Biddy, As you said, "I'm getting tired." You're tired because you know that you've outlived your usefulness. As someone said years ago, "It is time to remove the dead mouse from the mousetrap and take it out to the dumpster." Biddy, just go and for your sake go quietly, but just go.”
-Bob Menamin | Verona, WI | April 18, 2011
Letter on: The chosen many
“The Walker group isn't about saving money. These folks are arrogant bastards primarily swept up in the notion that power is glory. They will do whatever they can to consolidate power. And, they'll do it at our expense.
Get used to it, the democracy is kaput.”
-Maria Caliente | Middleton | April 18, 2011
Letter on: The chosen many
“Have we ever had a real democracy?”
-Pietr Haikuu | Hurley | April 18, 2011
Letter on: They have plans! Do they ever!
“* EditorBlog
MARK KARLIN, EDITOR OF BUZZFLASH FOR TRUTHOUT
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker and Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder are the two Great Lakes Tea Party autocratic leaders who owe more to the ruling style of past Soviet and Chinese leaders than anything that resembles George Washington.
Yesterday, BuzzFlash at Truthout wrote that "Tea Party Michigan Governor Rick Snyder adopts Soviet-style authoritarian powers over Michigan cities," and has already implemented these powers in Benton Harbor, Michigan, removing all authority from the elected leadership of the voters in that city.
Forbes blog columnist Rick Ungar - in an article entitled "Gov. Scott Walker Reportedly Planning Financial Martial Law In Wisconsin" - reports on an alleged Walker plan:
Following the lead of Michigan GOP Governor Rick Snyder, Walker is said to be preparing a plan that would allow him to force local governments to submit to a financial stress test with an eye towards permitting the governor to take over municipalities that fail to meet with Walker's approval.
According to the reports, should a locality's financial position come up short, the Walker legislation would empower the governor to insert a financial manager of his choosing into local government with the ability to cancel union contracts, push aside duly elected local government officials and school board members and take control of Wisconsin cities and towns whenever he sees fit to do so.
Such a law would additionally give Walker unchallenged power to end municipal services of which he disapproves, including safety net assistance to those in need.
Moreover, Ungar points out that if true about the Walker planned assumption of dictatorial powers, this supports the notion that GOP Tea Party governors and Republican-dominated legislatures want to "take control of local governments by replacing elected officials with appointees, both corporate and individual, of the state's highest executive officer."
That's scary stuff, the kind of autocratic rule that inspired colonists to rise up and begin the American Revolution.”
-BuzzFlash at Truthout | Chicago, IL | April 18, 2011
Letter on: While you sleep
“Thanks for the heads up. My research shows a pretty slick, carefully crafted web site that on the surface sounds good but quickly blames public workers, talks of spinning off assets, and a fiscal stress test. Further investigation leads to Greater Milwaukee Council, Michael Grebe, Charter School Growth Fund, and Wisconsin Policy Research Institute, but also that this is not new (see http://www.jsonline.com/watchdog/noquarter/104647809.html) Since that article, events tell us much more about the overall strategy. No one I know had heard of this,yes the word needs to get out.”
-Rick | Eau Claire, Wisconsin | April 17, 2011
Letter on: Bully budgets
“I agree with DP's response above. We need a 'paradigm shift' AWAY from the idea that the economy with the highest business profits is always the BEST economy for a nation - - - it's just NOT true! It's obviously the best economy for the executive business leaders (and their lackeys in business and politics), but it will almost invariably be bad for everyone else, mainly because the whole emphasis of the society is essentially on one metric...'PROFIT', and that metric has a low correlation with a humane, compassionate, successful society.
The long and short of it to me is that we need to do things in a DIRECT manner. If we want full employment, good safety nets, healthy people, etc, we spend money as a society to do those things DIRECTLY, we don't try to have it done INDIRECTLY by giving tax breaks/freebies to for-profit entities and hope that they will incidentally provide those benefits to us as an afterthought, AFTER they have deducted their high salaries AND a 10 or 15% (or whatever their latest quarterly target is) profit. That is an ineffectual approach to accomplishing these humanitarian goals, and will continue to result in meager, declining results such as those we're seeing now.”
-Big Em | Milwaukee, WI | April 17, 2011
Letter on: The chosen many
“This is a good idea. My daughter ran as a Democrat for the State Assembly in 1982 right after the new Distrcts were set up for the 1980 census. She lost by 37 votes and ran again in 1984. Both houses of the legislature and the Governor's Office were won by the Democrats in 1982 and they decided to reapportion again and moved her right out of the District she almost won. The rest of the story is she lost by 2,500 votes in 1984.
Your idea is great. What do we have to do to get it done?”
-Joe Gruber | Campbellsport,WI | April 17, 2011
Letter on: Biddy is tired!
“Biddy Martin, Scott Walker, the Fitzgerald bozos, Sarah Palin, W., etc... obviously it doesn't take smarts or intellect to get into lofty positions.”
-Franz Fripplfrappl | Madison | April 17, 2011
Letter on: Biddy is tired!
“Where's the WSJ article?? I reported this on my blog immediately after it happened -- see Tell Her About It at eduoptimists.blogspot.com
Would love to see that article.”
-Sara Goldrick-Rab | Madison | April 17, 2011
Letter on: While you sleep
“"Make It Your Milwaukee County"
This came to mind.
"Don't get on the ship . . . It's a cookbook!"
reference:
Twilight Zone - 1962 episode - "To Serve Man"
That is all.”
-TomE | Cross Plains, Wisconsin | April 17, 2011
Letter on: Biddy is tired!
“When a supposed educator allows politics and economics to dictate education they should no longer considered an educator.
This is till part of the policy left from the Reagan administration when he too attempted to destroy public education.”
-Richard Kanak | Cherry Valley, Illinois | April 17, 2011
Letter on: Biddy is tired!
“I can't support you either and I don't know of anyone in the Northern Kettle Moriane area that supports you.”
-Joe Gruber | Campbellsport,Wi | April 17, 2011
Letter on: Biddy is tired!
“I can't get behind you either, Biddy, and I don't know anyone else in the northwoods who supports you.”
-Steve Carlson | Trego, WI | April 17, 2011
Letter on: Bully budgets
“The biggest story no one is telling is the one about why we need bigger federal deficits today. Yes - bigger. We need deficit spending to support economic growth, increase demand and restore full employment. It will not be inflationary. It will not force up interest rates. It will not "crowd out" private borrowing. And it is the only way to end the ongoing crisis short of an all-out depression.
"Government at all levels" does *not* need to "cut back". Governments at every level need to spend more to alleviate the massive suffering of the poor and the middle class, abandoned by Republicans and corporatist Democrats alike.
Progressives will never win the political argument if we continue to yield the economic argument without a fight. PLEASE make a commitment to educate yourself and learn the difference between sound economic theory and the neo-liberal clap-trap that masquerades as wisdom in Washington, D.C.
Best place to start: The Nation. Australian economist William Mitchell's indispensable article is entitled "Beyond Austerity'"
Or Google:
James Galbraith
Bill Mitchell
Randall Wray
Warren Mosler
Marshall Auerback
Michael Hudson
"Billy Blog"
"New Economic Perspectives"
"Modern Monetary Theory"”
-Dale Pierce | Middleton, WI | April 17, 2011
Letter on: They have plans! Do they ever!
“This is due to their mistaken notions as to What Is Money, where it originates, what is real value in a Free Enterprise System, what is the role of money in a True Free Enterprise System, and what is the role of government as it relates to defining and issuing and controlling the money supply. It should be apparent that when a country has the sense to use the language of something called ”
-Francis O'My | Richland Center, WI | April 16, 2011
Letter on: They have plans! Do they ever!
“All but North Dakota are flunking on the State use of the banking business to derive revenue for the State and are still too stupid to not send their payments to Wall Street. www.businessinsider.com/restoring-economic-sovereignty-the-push-for-state-owned-banks-2011-2 All the States are flunking the test as to the very definition of What Is Money and are still too stupefied as to not rely on bankers and economists in determining what their monetary system should look like. First required reading material is this simple article: http://distributistreview.com/mag/2011/02/the-errors-of-the-economists-what-is-money/ All the States are getting a failing grade in Monetary History as to not know that the Revolutionary War was not fought over taxes but over the very same kind of Debt Based Monetary System we have today that was making indentured servants of the colonists to the Monarchy and its banking system. The required first reading for this history class for every single politician and concerned citizen is this paper by Richard Kotlarz: http://economictree.org/Iraq_Am_Revolution.html#t16 Every single State and its people are getting failing grades in basic math as to not know that when using a Debt Based Monetary System every single dollar in circulation is actually a Debt instrument and that growth of the economy can only produce More Debt. The simple video series "Money As Debt" should be required material for every class of every school and for every single legislative body in the country. There is also not one State that is getting a passing grade in sociology and the study of the locus of power in political science class to not know that the handing over of the Sovereign Power to define, issue, and control the money supply to a Private International Cartel of Bankers is the height of treason and an abandonment of the very independence fought for and won in the Revolutionary War and fought for again by Presidents Jackson, Lincoln, and Kennedy. The above cited paper by Kotlarz and other materials by monetary historians Stephen Zarlenga, Ellen Brown, Paul Grignon, and others are required for the people to re-gain a sense of their Sovereignty and their true independence if they wish to also re-gain their status as Free People. No State is getting a passing grade as regards the solutions they are proposing by focusing on the spending side of government while not addressing the very Debt Basis of the Currency itself.”
-Francis O'My | Richland Center, WI | April 16, 2011
Letter on: They have plans! Do they ever!
“Annie- DC has had taxation without representation forever. Sadly, other US citizens turn our backs on their pleas. Most of the elected leaders scoff.
Just found this site and thanks, you are the people of my homeland and have given light and energy to the rest of us...I'm now in Ohio.”
-Palli Davis Holubar | Wakeman OH | April 16, 2011
Letter on: They have plans! Do they ever!
“Hey there Mr 'I left Wisconsin'...Your tax dollars paid for Human Services? Were you the only taxpayer in the state? We are all taxpayers, yes even us lefties...shocking eh? Oh and the recommendation that we shut up and take our meds? Why? so we can zone out and forget everything like you? By the way there have been protesters in the Capitol all along for the past 2 months...and those signs? They're being put on display in the Smithsonian, so unless you keep up to date on the news, bye bye”
-Jenny | Milwaukee WISCONSIN | April 16, 2011
Letter on: They have plans! Do they ever!
“"If your bad faith be as the tiny bastard seed ..."
Th quasi-legal basis for Michigan's EFM law was actually snuck into place over 2o years ago.
There's a recap of the history in this article:
http://voiceofdetroit.net/?p=5306
You may want to check under your own legislative beds ...”
-Jon Awbrey | Rochester Hills, Michigan | April 16, 2011
Letter on: While you sleep
“The website is so slickly vague it insults individual's intelligence and democratic principles equally. "Sign here for a better tomorrow. With chocolate."
People did hear you. People are telling others, sadly there is little "validation" - we can't often see our own community so we feel alone. I often do, as one who is left cold by so much of the Official Party Talk.
But that is also a pillar of the entire sick structure we find ourselves in. The feeling that "it must just be me", that each person is somehow not quite with the program.
We do need a sense of "union", belonging, and "solidarity" so badly that that is shown in the choice of labeling words kept at the forefront.
It's so frustrating to see the official voices of our communities, the newspapers etc as well as our leaders, ignoring serious issues. Such negation is painful. It's funny though how it seems to be human nature to continue to look to the same sources for solace, the ones who let us down time and again.
I think it's quite possibly time to actually give up, give up on the media who have already served us with "divorce papers" by declaring in court that they are Entertainment. By ignoring, lying and twisting until persons of all ideologies slowly go mad, and then stepping back in to further manipulate those emotions and channel those frustrations to their own purposes. I don't know where we are supposed to go, but maybe it's time we stopped going to the poisoned well.
It's also time to accept that the world has changed. Time for our local elected officials to really talk and decide what they will do in the event of "martial law". Many of us must personally know people who are on school boards, county boards, city councils etc. Commit now to support these friends and neighbors. Perhaps suggest to them and others that if the "word" comes down, they might refuse to abandon their posts. Consider also personally standing with them.
I have often been annoyed to frenzy over this or that local elected person. Yet, when the thought of their expedient removal enters my mind, I suddenly love that same idiot with all my heart. Their removal, other than by the normal processes, is unbearable. They are idiots, many of them, but they are OUR idiots. We have problems, large ones, but we will work them out. If the local levels of democratic processes are interfered with - there is nothing left.
America is over. That is not arguable.
If martial law is declared, people must not relinquish. If The Man is installed in office, perhaps the councils and boards must continue to meet, even in someone's basement, until some kind of resolution occurs.
In the shorter run, what else can we do but begin to give up on "them" and to strengthen connections with each other.
Idiots though we may be.”
-Annie K. | Eau Claire, WI | April 16, 2011
Letter on: While you sleep
“The web site makeityourmilwaukee.com makes it obvious that redistricting is a big part of their plan. What is being done by the Dems? What can be done? Is it too late? What is the Republican plan for redistricting in the Milwaukee area, and what are the motives?
I hope there is a large team of very smart lawyers on this. I know that redistricting is mega important. I have felt too ignorant and powerless to get involved. Shame on me.
I agree with a previous letter writer that demonstrating may be cathartic, but these less exciting, work-a-day governmental excercises like redistricting are the crux of the balance of power. I know that as the party way out of power we may well not be able to have much influence, but every legal avenue needs to be used to protect democracy for the future.”
-Linda | Wisconsin Rapids,WI | April 16, 2011
Letter on: While you sleep
“From the Make it Your Milwaukee website, under the FAQ section: "What are the root causes of Milwaukee's fiscal deficit?
Every year since 2003 Milwaukee County's expenditures have outpaced expected revenue growth. While costs have consistently increased, revenue streams like property tax, sales tax and state revenue have remained flat or decreased."
What are the years of Walker's tenure as Milwaukee County executive? 2002-2010.
Revenue should have INCREASED, not decreased. Tax cuts and breaks for the wealthy have put Milwaukee County in this position, not county employees!
The same thing goes for the state of Wisconsin. We need to send the administration a clear message: Wisconsin is OUR state, a "truly progressive" state where we take care of our children and our needy, and where we value the work of our public employees and the sacrifices they make to serve the state's citizens' interests and not those of corporate America.”
-Joanna Messer | Madison, WI | April 16, 2011
Letter on: While you sleep
“When the Republican'ts succeed in privatizing every possible aspect of our democracy, whatever we end up with will be a for profit scheme.
If the ignorant masses frown on taxes now, imagine their surprise when they discover what we will have to fork over to keep the privateers and investors happy.
We need to stop this foolishness now. We've had three months of being awakened from our slumber. Now is the time to save what we have left.”
-Franz Fripplfrappl | Madison | April 16, 2011
Letter on: While you sleep
“Joy Cardin keeps a tight control on who calls in. I called early to comment, was told they would put me on hold and then after a half hour of waiting was told by the screener that Joy only had time to play her little "game question show". Her show is more in the entertainment mode then getting to the bottom of serious issues. "Fair and balanced." We need a show on WPR that is devoted to investigative reporting. That is not Ms. Cardin's forte.”
-Bob Menamin | Verona, WI | April 16, 2011
Letter on: They have plans! Do they ever!
“I think I'm going to give up on all this political activism stuff. Maybe get me one of them "jobs" Walker talks about being created here in Wisconsin.
But I got only one question to get started: How much patronage is charged to become Viceroy of Shorewood?”
-Jeff Pieterick | Waterloo, WI | April 16, 2011
Letter on: While you sleep
“The Red Govs Are Coming!
The Red Govs Are Coming!”
-Jon Awbrey | Rochester Hills, Michigan | April 16, 2011
Letter on: They have plans! Do they ever!
“From the Detroit Free Press:
Robert Bobb warns -- I plan to use my new powers to modify union contracts.
Robert Bobb, the emergency financial manager for Detroit Public Schools, put teachers on notice Thursday that he plans to use his expanded powers under a new state law to modify their contracts.
"I fully intend to use the authority that was granted," Bobb said, referring to a new law that gives emergency managers the authority to modify -- or terminate -- collective bargaining agreements. It was the first time Bobb had publicly indicated he intends to use the expanded authority.
His statement came as the district announced Thursday it is sending layoff notices to all 5,466 members of the Detroit Federation of Teachers and non-renewal notices to 248 administrators. DPS has issued massive layoff notices before, but not to every teacher.
http://www.freep.com/article/20110415/NEWS01/104150455/Robert-Bobb-warns-plan-use-my-new-powers-modify-union-contracts”
-Jon Awbrey | Rochester Hills, Michigan | April 16, 2011
Letter on: While you sleep
“Thanks Ed, I heard you, and have been forwarding your 4/14 story to all the regional local progressive pols. Much appreciated.”
-dadofone | northern, WI | April 16, 2011
Letter on: While you sleep
“And where is Milquetoast Tom in all this? After all, he is Mayor of Milwaukee.
If you want to know why a failure of a Milwaukee Co exec is in the Governors Mansion just look at the old tapes of the Barrett (non) campaign. Who knew better the real impact of Walker policies and who failed to make the case?
Sorry Dems, but it isn't just Walker that needs to go. Your whole party needs a high colonic. It is constipated in the extreme.”
-Griebnotz Doerkpfester | I Escaped, WI. | April 16, 2011
Letter on: While you sleep
“Dear ED
I can only hope that the newspapers/media are researching this - I am appalled that nothing about this has appeared in the papers.
Wake up Wisconsin!
Sarah Grimes”
-Sarah Grimes | Mount Horeb, WI | April 16, 2011
Letter on: While you sleep
“I heard you on Joy's show on Friday morning, Ed, and would have phoned in to tell you how much I agreed with you - except that I was on the road, driving my two exchange students up for a tour of the UW-Superior at the time.
I agree that this plot, crying about and exaggerating the state of the Wisconsin economy, as though we were the only one, and using that panic as an excuse for seizing control of the state by the hard-right, is a scary, nation-wide trend.
Please keep shouting about it!”
-John Smart | Park Falls WI | April 16, 2011
Letter on: While you sleep
“It seems to me that if a popularly elected government is replaced by an appointed government this is in fact on occupying force. International treaties signed by the US government having the force of law in the US allow the right to resist an occupying force.
As for Make Milwaukee County Happen,if everyone asks them for a list of their board of directors and who provides funding for them maybe the truth will come out.”
-Dole O'Mite | Oconomowoc, WI | April 16, 2011
Letter on: They have plans! Do they ever!
“2 points of (scary and depressing) interest -
while reading about the situation in Michigan I saw it mentioned that there are NO term limits on these periods of martial law, they can be indefinite. And the second item was that these "emergency managers" who nullify our representative government can be pretty well paid, I guess the Governor decides how much, totally up to him. One figure was $250,000. That's a lot more than the stipends the Eau Claire Common Council gets, that's for sure. I think they get about 3000 each. A $250,000 salary for a Local Despot (send your nubile virgins directly to his office and ask no questions) would pay for a few cops or EMTs, some street lights, or school lunches, maybe a snow plow.
What is keeping me awake nights though is this - how can this happen here? There are lawyers, experienced politicians, and "important people" who read this blog, who know about the Michigan situation, and the similar threat to WI. This has been in the News for a while now. How can this happen here? I honestly do not understand. Taxation without representation is not supposed to happen here. How can anyone simply dissolve elected governments because they do not approve of the way their local checkbook looks? Martial law happens if you've been hit by nukes or some REAL emergency like that. Our local governments are fully functioning, we have no crisis.
Martial law was NOT EVEN DECLARED AFTER KATRINA.
Not even in that chaos.
Why hasn't some "cavalry" descended upon Michigan? How can Obama be joking about his disappointment over not having "cool phones" or the Republicans "nickel and diming HIM" (and it's not nickels or dimes and it certainly isn't HIS, he has no perspective that is clear from his self-aggrandizing macho preening)
Hey Barack! We are in serious trouble, do something??! No one should be able to usurp elected officials at will in America for as long as they please, or for any time period at all.
How can this happen here? That is not rhetorical. How!!?!!
Founding Fathers get up outta your graves and answer the question. I feel like I'm dreaming 24 hours a day now, and I can't possibly be the only one.
2 years ago my German friend reproached me for not understanding his sense of urgency on an issue, he said "you are so protected by your oceans, so removed from so many things by simple geography, you have no idea what it is like to be immersed, to feel more vulnerable", etc. I realized he was right of course, but now such a short time later, to think the oceans are no protection from those within, and now how surreal it is to look back on the years of Bush and Cheney as a more innocent time.
We thought all we needed to do was "get rid of Bush"? omg.”
-Annie K. | Eau Claire, WI | April 16, 2011
Letter on: They have plans! Do they ever!
“I just finished the book Political Mind and loved the term he used for the radical right agenda, privateering. The selling, giving away public services and resources for profit. These private companies have no responsibility or accountability to the public. All in the name of profit. Unfortunately the right wing agenda for the distribution of wealth, taking from the poor and middle class and giving it to the rich, also means the rich don't have to pay their fair share of taxes. It needs to be stopped now and con only be stopped if citizens stand up for each other and what is right. The Declaration of Independence says they need the consent of the governed, we need to withdraw our consent, recall these radicals and bring some common sense back into politics where people and our resources mean more than profit.”
-Randy | Menomonie, WI | April 15, 2011
Letter on: They have plans! Do they ever!
“Well Annie dear, I spent 61 years in Wisconsin. Worked through college while protesters went to school on student aid, food stamps, and other bennies my taxes paid for.
Working class all the way and always voted Dem. Ran for Assembly, twice, on the Dem ticket. Was a county chair.
If there is one thing I have learned in life it is that there is always a smart assed, smart mouth liberal who is a revolutionary of the mouth but when the real fight comes they crap their pants.
Moved to New Mexico. Did it because I was sick adn tired of petty local politics and Wisconsin weather and the plans were made long before Walker got elected.
So take your smart assed attitude and put it where the sun don't shine.
Cordially yours,”
-Griebnotz Doerkpfester | I Escaped, WI. | April 15, 2011
Letter on: They have plans! Do they ever!
“Kyle,
Check out the web site listed in Garvey's blog, makeityourmilwaukee.com. It really should have music. The web site's feeling reminds me of some SciFi movies that promise a brighter tomorrow, but the whole thing is some kind of evil hoax. I think the web site is a source that shows this plan is not so "secret."
I begin to feel that we are living in one of these SciFi movies.”
-Linda | Wisconsin Rapids,WI | April 15, 2011
Letter on: They have plans! Do they ever!
“http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/04/15/967374/-And-so-it-begins-Emergency-Financial-Mgr-fires-entire-government-of-Benton-Harbor,-MI”
-Jon Awbrey | Rochester Hills, Michigan | April 15, 2011
Letter on: They have plans! Do they ever!
“Do you have any sources?”
-Kyle | Madison, WI | April 15, 2011
Letter on: They have plans! Do they ever!
“I just got an email from Ron Johnson. No return address, so I guess this is his final answer.
According to the Feingold replacement, he wishes "that President Obama and Democrats in Congress will begin working with Republicans to help prevent a very predictable financial crisis." Yep, blame those Democrats again for all our woes in the state and throughout the country. Yep, again, those Republican'ts have all the answers on how to impoverish any American who is not among the wealthiest 1%.
Moments like this and I wish senators served for only 6 months instead of for 6 years.”
-Franz Fripplfrappl | Madison | April 15, 2011
Letter on: They have plans! Do they ever!
“The first poster is more than a little amusing. Yup. A guy who solved problems by running away belittles those who are left behind.
The joke of course ultimately being on him as much as the rest of us considering - Where did this rabbit run to? If anywhere within the US, he certainly is not "safe" as state after state falls to these same initiatives, and worse. Murdering physicians will soon be quite alright in South Dakota.
Or, if he is now an ex-pat (I correspond with several politically-aware people around the globe), he certainly is still not safe. Neo-liberals (and out-right dictators) behaviors permeate the planet. There is serious strife all over. Rabbit, you are not safe.
re: your former friends, family and neighbors. If there were easy answers we silly Wisconsinites would be implementing them now, or actually, would have implemented them BEFORE now.
Nice he could write home from the hot tub though. To...tell us all how badly we're doing, while he...cowers in an undisclosed location. Wow.
Don't drop that laptop into the bubbles, dear....that would be sad.”
-Annie K. | Eau Claire, WI and proud!!! | April 15, 2011
Letter on: They have plans! Do they ever!
“Demonstrators had the Capitol in their hands for a week. No leader emerged. Representatives acted wrongly at will and not a hair on their little heads was mussed. They had the cops on their side. All that came from it was some temporary good press and lot of litter of worn out protest signs.
Liberals love to cry and also spout off about revolution. It is all a revolution of the mouth. As much as I am disgusted by Walker and his wrecking crew that is just how disappointed I am by the feckless, bumfuzzled, disorganized, and whining left.
If you aren't going to do more than holler then please shut up and take the medicine your inattention and inability to organize got you. The Walkerites did not win on their virtues but rather on the failings of the loud mouthed but bumfuzzled left.
Glad I got the hell out the State of Woebegone.”
-Griebnotz Doerkpfester | I Escaped, WI. | April 15, 2011
Letter on: That is the guy I voted for!
“Sir, Please stop expecting the President to come around to any type of progressive policy making. He mentions the 25 million Americans out of work or underemployed but gives no policy for massive employment.
Should the President say that he will tax corporations at 1943 levels (we are at war, dedicating 50% of our budget to destruction not production) and dangles the carrot of employment tax credits in front of the boardrooms we might have something to cheer about.
Reverend President Obama has once again taken us up to the shining city on the hill, quenched our thirst with "Let's do the right thing because we're Americans" juice but offers no policy to solve our staggering unemployment problem.
Cutting unemployment to 4% and below will solve our deficit problem much more quickly, efficiently and appropriately than any proposal yet offered.
I find no reason for your cheerleading when we've been given nothing of substance and the President is decidedly going down the wrong road.
We need peace, banking regulation, corporate taxation, single payer healthcare and tens of millions of jobs over the next decade. To date the best the President can do is one step above nothing.
His campaign for President was a dream of eloquence after the illiteracy of Bush but he and his party refuse to deliver and America is unnecessarily suffering because of it.”
-John Wolfe | Shoreline, WA | April 14, 2011
Letter on: That is the guy I voted for!
“Words are not deeds.”
-Richard Kanak | Cherry Valley, Illinois | April 14, 2011
Letter on: That is the guy I voted for!
“PS: They can start by telling Ryan, whining about taxes, that we want that BILLION A WEEK back from that mistaken IRAQ WAR. I didn't vote for it; I believe that the military was ABUSED, and US foreign policy needs to change. While they're at it, they can move ahead on R & D of solar energy grids by STOPPING the subsidies on oil.”
-hm | madison, wi | April 14, 2011
Letter on: Socialism for the rich and the free market for you and me
“Private Schools used to be solely the problem of the wealthy who did not want to have their children rub elbows with whatever was in public schools. That was their financial problem. They mostly paid for it...originally. Now, however, they have thought of a way for all of us to help finance the education of private schools for more people. Making money off of INVESTING in illnesses and dying, through insurance, the private prison system, and foreclosures, just wasn't enough for Wall Street...Now, they want to make it off the backs of kids trying to get fair admission to public universities...and even grade school?
Parents are spun into this merry-go-round, believing that Susie and Johnny will do better without rubbing elbows with the rest of the world...their values, their disabilities, their behavior. Meanwhile, to keep the believers happy, jerry-rigged standards, diplomas of "high standing" and (political strong-armed, discreet) hiring of the graduates from these schools through disregarding standard tests and school achievement, (perhaps skewed to these schools' advantage) could become the practice..(if not already in practice)???
Why are parents so easily duped? Why does society not understand that all kids' education will come back to bite? Because the melting pot of values, cultures, family practices, behaviors is NOT easy...not at school, in homes, at work, in religious practices. The differences often overwhelm a spinning society and its families.
If we are to remain a successful country, we need BETTER public education...not the dregs of taxpayers money. If the government weren't skewed to specific economic groups, then Wisconsin and Illinois would allot the SAME amounts of money PER CHILD in rural areas, in city areas, and in the SUBURBS. It is NOT equal.
Private schools, if not already free to construct their own systems of admission as well as education, may find ways to do so?:
1. They might make up their own cultural value system for a school...their own "admission" standards? 2. They don't have to rub elbows with disabled learners, or with economically disadvantaged learners? 3. They do not have to put up with ethnic groups that they do not like?
4. They can construct a graduation test making their grads look wonderful...avoiding tests that public school kids take? Curriculum can be changed without meeting truth standards in history books?? It seems some states have falsely rewritten US history facts already, due to manipulated, incorrect, text book volume-purchase.
5.Political dictators can make sure that political strong arm lobbyists can make sure that grads from private schools get hired first by their corporation buddies...with no reference to standards??
Americans are allowing choices, constructing a society that will "be there for them" the same way that they are there for these kids.
Republicans need to pay for private education completely, or not expect one...and quit trying to make private money off taxpayers and kids through required education provided by private schools.”
-mh | madison, wisconsin | April 14, 2011
Letter on: That is the guy I voted for!
“Regarding the Obungle speech.
Fool me once, shame on you.
Fool me twice, shame on me.
I know people are desperate to see the real Obama come out again. Hey, you HAVE seen the real Obama all along. Just depends on what you want to see that day.
The Birthers all want to see his birth certificate. Hell, I want to see his Democratic Party membership card! I don't think he can produce one. I think he was born at GOP General Hospital.
Now we sit back and watch a dysfunctional congress has it out (as with health care) and then wait to see who Obungle actually ends up tossing under the bus on this one.
Get a grip Obamapologists. You worked hard to elect a fraud.”
-Griebnotz Doerkpfester | I Escaped, WI. | April 14, 2011
Letter on: That is the guy I voted for!
“OK: NOW let's see ALL those blue dog Democrats in Congress back a progressive "change" that we voted for...or they can run right out the door with Republicans who sit around enjoying what must be palm grease from lobbyists. Let Democrats in Congress get on the mic and loudly blister Republicans like Ryan, on television and support change...like they all should have done when Obama was first elected...as opposed to everyone expecting instant change and allowing the Republicans to look like heroes standing on their "pillars of propaganda spin."”
-mh | madison, wisconsin | April 14, 2011
Letter on: That is the guy I voted for!
“Solid speech, encouraging feelings, maybe he was the right person to support in 2008 and perhaps 2012. But one robin does not a spring make. Mr. President please demonstrate this side of yourself more often.”
-JS Lauver | Clear Lake, WI | April 14, 2011
Letter on: That is the guy I voted for!
“There was a interview on NPR this morning that included a Republican't representative responding to Obama's speech. I don't recall his name but I'm sure he is typical of every Republican't. The interviewer asked for a response with regard to raising taxes on the wealthy. The Republican't said the wealthy have worked hard to get where they are and shouldn't be burdened with extra taxes. We need tax reform instead, a simpler system.
First of all, making the wealthy pay their share of taxes IS tax reform. Secondly, it is not the wealthy who have worked hard, it is all the laborers in this country who have sacrificed their lives and happiness so the wealthy can be wealthy.
Not only should the wealthy pay more in taxes, workers need to have better, safer jobs and incomes that give each an every one of us at least a chance to enjoy life and our friends. This will never happen as long as worker rights are stripped away.”
-Franz Fripplfrappl | Madison | April 14, 2011
Letter on: Socialism for the rich and the free market for you and me
“I am not a professional sociologist but I have spent the last 20 years of my life researching how societies choose their own demise under the hubris of "we are smarter than 'them' and can never make the mistakes those countries made". As a result, I think that you have nailed the situation on the head. When this whole catastrophe happened it was obvious to me that the final outcome that is envisioned for FitzWalkerStan is that everything that is now "public service" will be privatized. Schools will be the first to go.
What I think validates my forecast is the one (out of many) snide comments that Walker made that at first made no sense to me. He stated, in explanation for exempting police and fire services from his union busting bill, that it was because we all know that they "are different" from other public services. At first this perplexed me - in what way are they different? What makes them so special in his world that only cops and FFs deserve democracy in the work place? My initial answer was the cynical quid pro quo explanation that the media jumped on: that these unions were big supporters of the Walker campaign. But then it hit me! What makes these services different is that even the republican party realizes that they will have a rough time selling the idea of privatizing police and fire services! Other public service can be easily privatized because there are comparable private sector "businesses" out there able to step in. That is what he meant when he said everyone knows that police and fire are "different"!
I truly believe that his agenda is to privatize every public service agency in existence now. And once we are used to this he will then try to privatize the police and fire services: it may take time but if he is successful in creating a one party system then as one republican governor replaces the other we will finally see all public services jobs eliminated. There is precedence in this and I do not doubt that this is ultimate goal.
Public hospitals are an anachronism in Wisconsin now, public schools and universities are the next to go; then all the "administrative" public agencies (driver's licensing / testing; court functions, airports, zoos, parks departments, DNR, road repair / signage, etc will go.
And my private rant as a non sequitur:
Our current "leaders" are creating a society of "survival of the fittest" which makes it a "me against you" psychology. I never thought I would see the day that I would have to defend my profession (taking care of the sick and injured) - that I have to hide what I do so that I am not subject to the jeers and insults from people who I thought were my neighbors. What is it about working in a hospital that is not "real"? Are only those who make widgets for sale real people with real jobs?”
-BottomFeederHealthCareWorker | WaterFord Wiscosnin | April 13, 2011
Letter on: Socialism for the rich and the free market for you and me
“Thank you for this article. Yes, these people who are currently in power in our state will, if they have their way, destroy our public schools - that seems clear enough.
Anyone who is truly interested must know that private schools, of whatever nature, do not necessarily do a better job of educating our kids. And, by adding to that program, with the excuse of "parental choice," we weaken our public schools by bleeding them of funding.
I would caution however about throwing charter schools into that pot. A charter school, chartered by a legitimate school district, can be a laboratory to help find ways of dealing with students who have special needs. We have one connected to our Chequamegon School District that features project-based learning techniques that work very well for some students.
Nobody has all of the answers, that's a fact, and we must be willing to experiment. But putting taxpayer dollars into private/parochial schools should not be an option, as far as I'm concerned!”
-John Smart | Park Falls WI | April 13, 2011
Letter on: Socialism for the rich and the free market for you and me
“Yes, the right has been operating an organized attempt to replace the public education system with privatized, mainly religious, schools for many years. Betsy DeVos has founded a succession of organizations to accomplish this; the latest is the American Federation for Children, which has been making robo-calls to support the eight GOPer State Senators facing recall petitions. Disgraced former Assembly Speaker Scott Jensen is a principal lobbyist for AFC, and Brian Pleva, former staffer for current Assembly Speaker Jeff Fitzgerald also works on the lobbying staff.”
-Woody | Madison, WI | April 13, 2011
Letter on: Socialism for the rich and the free market for you and me
“Face it, this GOP wrecking crew is out to give everything to those who lack nothing and get everything from those who have nothing. And Obungle and Dems are helping them do it by buying into the GOP narrative.
Time for a progressive third party that can actually organize and win a few legislative elections.
Nobama is Goodbama. Dump the HOPE dope in 2012!”
-Griebnotz Doerkpfester | I Escaped, WI. | April 13, 2011
Letter on: How nice of you David
“One Word (with tears): Whhhhhaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!”
-Jess G | Neenah WI | April 13, 2011
Letter on: Now what?
“Well, I've done it myself: District of "Colombia" instead of District of Columbia. But . . . "read it and weap"???”
-Oliver Steinberg | St. Paul, MN | April 13, 2011
Letter on: Now what?
“Wisconsin Liberal is correct. Even with electronic voting machines there is a paper receipt and the number of votes cast has to match the number of voters. Each voter is given a number and at the end of the evening canvasers have to make sure that number of voters matches the number of votes cast. The official vote count record is similar to a cash register receipt.
Having been a poll workers and having had to sign off on the number of ballots tally, canvas, new register voters, chain of possession, etc etc. I can see no valid reason for any election clerk to have any voting counts, data, lists, etc on a private computer. This whole thing stinks to high heaven and the votes in those precincts (at least) should be ruled invalid.
I don't give a damn if he is a Republican or not, Van Hollen has a sworn duty here to step in and do the right thing.”
-Griebnotz Doerkpfester | Glad I Escaped, WI. | April 13, 2011
Letter on: Good work if you can get it
“For a $120,000 contribution someone got an $80,000 a year job. In 18 months the donation would have paid for itself. Kock companies gave a measely $40,000 contribution, I'm sure they're expecting much more in return, after all they set up an office with staff in downtown Madison, which I'm sure cost a couple of 100,000 a year to operate. Why does Walker sell us off for so cheap?”
-Dole O'Mite | Oconomowoc, WI | April 12, 2011
Letter on: Now what?
“The votes being on a personal computer would seem to me to void the chain of custody. The votes were out of government custody and should be voided.”
-WisconsinLiberal | Fox Valley, WI | April 12, 2011
Letter on: Now what?
“To Richard: We BEG DA attorneys from Dem. States to sue states, where there are not at least paper trails, for making our entire non-verifiable national elections a fraud. Any ideas to convince them to do so? Otherwise, Republican manufacturers keep supplying voting machines that came under question during the Bush-Gore elections, and Republican districts keep putting people like this woman in charge of their voting count.”
-hmj | Madison, WI | April 12, 2011
Letter on: How nice of you David
“Oh there WAS a point to not reporting the votes...most likely. It's just finding out what that scheme provided for the clients that is the difficult part. Maybe it will be found out and maybe it won't. til then,little Alice-in-Wonderlands', don't pretned this was a regular little 2-100 point difference in the votes turned in.”
-hmj | Madison, wisconsin | April 12, 2011
Letter on: Now what?
“OK Ed: Many backed down a bit when Rebecca K. did not object; although she did look completely confused. But with this statement, and the fact that Nickolaus had votes on her own computer, it is absolutely necessary to call for another complete election. Perhaps it is ok...but the only way to verify this election is to hold another one, and THAT needs to be the request of all Wisconsin citizens. What is the procedure??? Go to court?
Take upcollections to do so. It is absurd to think that these procedures are going to be allowed and considered "verified." That is totally ridiculous, Alice in Republican Wonderland,and absurd to the max. Plus, how many other districts were at least "able to" pull the same kind of stunt. Let's clean up this mess with the equipment and procedures and have another election. Give us some leadership on how to proceed.”
-hmj | madison, wi | April 12, 2011
Letter on: Now what?
“Ed, you write "What gives, Mr. President? Where are you?" Progressives have a real problem. When the Democrats came marching in after the presidential election they came in like they had just won the junior prom. When the Tea Party Republicans (essentially the neo-cons renamed with new and unimproved flavoring) came marching in after the latest elections, they came in like storm troopers. Obama blew his chance by trying to be "bi-partisan" and still seems committed to thinking that anything at all useful will be accomplished this way. It will not. The Republicans have no interest in bi-partisanship. So progressives are left with a real problem. We need people who will fight, not compromise. Washington seems totally out of touch with what is going on in the real world. So what are our alternatives? One, a third party (Progressive Party perhaps?) but that will probably throw the election to the Republicans. Two, someone else more in touch with the democratic base to upset the Democratic primaries and become the candidate. Talking heads say this is impossible or at least unlikely but I am not seeing any way Obama is going to get anything done. He waited too long to move. Now it is too late.”
-John Davey | Kendall, WI | April 12, 2011
Letter on: How nice of you David
“So I guess facts mean nothing to you Mr. Garvey. Or maybe you missed the story from the Brookfield Patch that published the exact numbers from Brookfield that match the numbers added after a failure to publish the proper numbers on election day. But I know that real facts are a minor inconvenience to crazy liberal conspiract theorists like you. For my own amusment, however, here is the link: http://brookfield-wi.patch.com/articles/brookfield-gives-prosser-nearly-11k-votes.
I am so glad you and your party are going down in flames (along with the unions you are in bed with) because you have no integrity at all.”
-Greg | Mission Viejo, CA | April 12, 2011
Letter on: Now what?
“Taxation without representation, a familiar ring? Like much of our sordid past, it seems to be doing rather well in the nation's capital. Why would anyone live in Washington, DC, knowing they have no voice or vote in either the senate or the house?”
-Maria Caliente | Middleton | April 12, 2011
Letter on: 'John, I will give you D.C.'
“People are angry. They choose the loadest voice, to voice that anger, often it's a wrong choice for them. They don't take the time to examine situations, it's all about instant gratification.
So many don't consider $100,000 a year salary enough for them, but it's too much for others. They keep the dream alive they can be rich someday. Yet, interestingly, everything they support makes that more difficult if not, impossible.
At some point they'll see why the French revolted. The privillaged getting everything for nothing and us getting nothing for everything!”
-Seb | Primrose, Wi | April 12, 2011
Letter on: Now what?
“One must ponder the results of the election that saw Russ Feingold defeated. Is there a connection between electronic voting machines and the rise in the number of Republicons elected?
Also, why is Senator Kohl always missing in discussions regarding what is occurring in his home state?”
-Richard Kanak | Cherry Valley, Illinois | April 12, 2011
Letter on: How nice of you David
“I find it funny how you, like so many others, continue to insist that the clerk is keeping the files on her "home computer." That is not what she is doing. She is keeping them on her office computer. The issue is that she isn't storing them on a server that gets backed up and audited. She is not storing things on a computer in her home. While this may be an issue for recovery purposes, it is hardly of the same caliber of offense as if she where storing this data at home. At least get your facts straight.”
-Dan | Madison WI | April 12, 2011
Letter on: 'John, I will give you D.C.'
“Just got off the phone with a dear friend's husband in Sedona AZ, guess what he tells me? He is going to run for congress in a new Congressional district formed (big right winger) He has no political background to speak of...I asked him if he thought he could raise the money, his reponse, wont have to, because all you have to do is go on the internet and say you are interested and you have all the backing you need. He said alot of the freshman congressman did that in other States. Guess what?? The tea partiers now have a 'become an instant Congressman' website. Yes there is a BIG fight going on and we have to be willing to give all to WIN this battle. The progressives came out with a proposed Federal budget today. Tammy Baldwin is listed as one of the supporters as well as Dennis Kucinich and a number of other progressive federal representatives. The time is NOW!! Enough is Enough!!!”
-Pat | Mukwonago, WI | April 11, 2011
Letter on: 'John, I will give you D.C.'
“Nobody did anything with Obungle. This is the same blank slate, fill in the blank jerk all the Dems went goo goo over in 2088.
This guy is the greatest bait and switch ever pulled on the American public.
Nobama is Goodbama. Dump the HOPE dope in 2012.”
-Griebnotz Doerkpfester | I Escaped, You Are Stuck With, WI. | April 11, 2011
Letter on: 'John, I will give you D.C.'
“In November 2005 the Republican controlled Congress cut $40 billion from the federal budget, student loans, medicaid, food stamps, etc. Today again they are doing the same and the people most affected by these cuts, everybody who works for a living, remains silent. Not because they do not care but because they presumed they voted for change during the past presidential election and it is now revealed nothing has changed.
The names have changed but not the policies.”
-Richard Kanak | Cherry Valley, Illinois | April 11, 2011
Letter on: 'John, I will give you D.C.'
“One of the reasons Republicans have been so effective is that they reward their friends and punish their enemies. I wonder if there are any Democrats left on office that remember the concept of party or has everyone sold out.”
-Nonheroicvet | Disgusted, WI | April 11, 2011
Letter on: 'John, I will give you D.C.'
“Paul Krugman perfectly captures my frustration. ”
-Paul Marren | East Troy, WI | April 11, 2011
Letter on: The voucher gap
“Thank you, Mr. McNally for the insightful article.
I believe that a necessary argument should also be made that the criteria used in the voucher study are perhaps too narrow. They do not (and perhaps could not) measure all which Thomas Jefferson listed as primary objects of public education.”
-johnny | Mount Horeb | April 11, 2011
Letter on: 'John, I will give you D.C.'
“If we are indeed broke, it is because those making very little money are left with all the bills and hype. The wealthy continue to acquire more wealth. Taxes breaks are given to the wealthy while the rest of us believe this means no taxes for us at all. Obama continues to wage wars on foreign soils, wars that have no purpose or meaning. At home, we can't get anything done correctly to make ours a better nation of people. We fight, draw lines, have hissy fits when we don't get our way. There are no jobs and there are no wages. We have money to arm terrorists abroad and have become absolutely niggardly when spending money here.
Republicans have all of duped into believing that we are a happy people because there are Republicans in high places.
Will there be any choices for president in 2012? If everyone thinks and acts the same, why bother?”
-Pietr Haikuu | Hurley | April 11, 2011
Letter on: 'John, I will give you D.C.'
“Seems that what goes on in Congress and the White House is usually 6 months to 2 years behind what is going on in the rest of the country. That is why we so often feel we are being governed by a foreign power.”
-Peter Lewis | Madison, Wisconsin | April 11, 2011
Letter on: Impartial Justice's future (if it has one)
“Dream on!
Nothing will change until we reverse Citizens United and get a constitutional amendment that clearly states that corporations and money are not the same as real people, thus they do not deserve the same protections and rights.
Corporations make it too easy for people to hide identities and intent. These are also convenient ways to protect individuals from personal and financial liability.
Corporations are also obstacles to growth, better jobs, higher wages, higher standards. It is corporations that have interfered with every single social program, and they continue to do so. Corporations are preventing us from universal, single payer health care. They also give us the crap politicians we have.
As for the negative ads, all adds whether good or bad ought to list all those individuals supporting them. If one truly believe in a candidate, there are absolutely no reasons to hide behind ambiguous names.
Bring our democracy back to the people first, then worry about public financing of campaigns.”
-Pietr Haikuu | Hurley | April 11, 2011
Letter on: How nice of you David
“Corporate Repubs: There are problems with elections in this country as long as you rely on machines only to count or receive votes. There are always problems with "human error." There may be other problems....among them may be "adding votes," or, is it "subtracting votes."
However, the biggest problem is the fact that you have insisted that corporations are people, and that they speak for all their employees.... guess that means those who want to stay employed must aqree...whether they do or not. And, that nice trick gives you the right to bring disgusting amounts of money from people like Koch's into state elections round the nation.
This is where the distrust and disgust really begins for yes,some of us also fiscal conservatives, who still have ethics on our mind.
And sorry....this election, due to the behavior of your brightest and best, does look bad, smells bad, is unworthy of all.”
-hmj | Madison, Wisconsin | April 11, 2011
Letter on: How nice of you David
“In defense of Ed and others who've assumed the worst, it's the overall heavy handed, Koch snorting, constitituon skirting, Wisconsin statute/court order defying, Capitol lockdown police sniper deploying Fitzwalkers who have created a climate where such suspicions flourish.
When a known criminal accomplice and secretive, personal computer protecting County Clerk, Nickolaus, discovers an error that gives her former boss Prosser the election in the most heated supreme court race in Wisconsin's history, and which will likely result in a court ruling favorable to Fitzwalker in respect to the most regressive piece of legislation maybe ever, things can get a little hot.
If the tables were turned the same people now spouting phony outrage over false accusations would be livid with rage and howling for blood.
Save your breath for something worthwhile and tell Waukesha County it's time to call for Kathy Nicklolaus' resignation. She's got a long history of shady activity and good old fashioned screw-ups that have cast national doubt on the integrity of Wisconsins elections.
Send your bile her way and to those in Waukesha County that keep electing her term after term after term.”
-Steve Carlson | Trego WI | April 11, 2011
Letter on: How nice of you David
“It appears the GAB meeting tomorrow is not about last week's election per the Twitter.”
-nj | Madison, WI | April 10, 2011
Letter on: How nice of you David
“Some commenters have suggested the real trouble spot in this election was Milwaukee County and its statistical undervote for Kloppenburg. Could that be the reason for this?http://www.jsonline.com/news/wisconsin/119574509.html
"The state Government Accountability Board and Milwaukee County district attorney's office has scheduled a news conference Monday afternoon to discuss the results of a "significant investigation."
No details were given about the investigation.
The news conference is scheduled at 2 p.m. Monday at the Government Accountability Board office in Madison."”
-nj | Madison, WI | April 10, 2011
Letter on: How nice of you David
“At one point on election night, AP mistakenly gave Ms. Kloppenburg an extra 10,000 votes, which was described as a typo when it was detected within an hour. Until that was retracted, I felt she was going to win. Without it, I doubted it. I was watching the incomplete returns from Waukesha County, and trying to extrapolate roughly from the vote totals and percentages to see what the final margin might turn out to be there. It looked pretty discouraging, because after nearly all the Dane precincts were in, there was still half of Waukesha not reported---and at the rate the partial Waukesha returns had been reported, Kloppenburg would surely lose statewide. She didn't have any large pockets of support still outstanding. So I turned it off and went to bed---Prosser leading by approx 2,000 at that point. Eight hours later, the AP had Kloppenburg up by 200 with all of Waukesha county in. I was pleased that my extrapolations were, as it seemed, erroneous. Then the Brookfield business was revealed. My original roughly estimated calculations were, sadly enough, right on the mark. Maybe the moral of the story is: don't believe the AP's results. They are, let's remember, unofficial. But that's the least of it. The real battle lies ahead, in the recount contests. I hope Wisconsin's liberals get really mad after this mockery. I hope you've got a hell of a big chip on your shoulder. Most of all, I hope you figure out how to get more Milwaukee county voters to the polls . . . and fix whatever is screwy with the Racine county electorate, as well. As for Mr. Obama---what a sell out. We need leaders who are willing to fight, and that won't come from this White House. Where can we find a Eugene McCarthy or Bobby Kennedy when we need them?”
-Oliver Steinberg | St. Paul, MN | April 10, 2011
Letter on: How nice of you David
“As a voter who votes for which candidate i prefer regardless of party. I have to disagree with your stance on this issue. I had a preferrence for Prosser, so I was watching his numbers with great interest. If you paid attention election night, somewhere around 10pm there was an obvious problem. Waukesha Co reported x votes for each candidate with all but 1 or 2(sorry 10 is late for me)reporting. When it finally showed all reporting, in the most red county in all of WI, Prosser's x had barely increased. Obviously there was something wrong. Give the lady a break, don't throw around accusations until proven guilty. That is irresponsible! If she did fix it, I'll eat my words and apoligize. Until then, there is one owed by many on the left to this very embarassed, apologetic lady. She will pay for her mistake with her job, deservingly. But to infer she has done something criminal without proof is just plain wrong!”
-Brad Altschul | Madison, WI | April 10, 2011
Letter on: How nice of you David
“Ed,
There are severe thunderstorm warnings throughout Wisconsin tonight.....better remove your tinfoil hat.
I voted in Brookfield along with 14,314 other people. Our totals were left out of a preliminary report provided as a courtesy to the AP.
The Brookfield clerk provided the numbers to Brookfield Patch, an online service run by AOL, which reported that Prosser had prevailed in Brookfield on the night of the election.
Kathy Nickolaus is a Republican. What would be the point of suppressing winning votes for Prosser?
Really, you people are hurting your cause by being delusional.”
-Denise | Brookfield, WI | April 10, 2011
Letter on: Holy cow!
“Ed,
Could you please substantiate your assertions about Sykes, etc. If true, they might be telling. Thanks.
Ron Hofer”
-Ron Hofer | Brookfield, WI | April 10, 2011
Letter on: How nice of you David
“You people have lost touch with reality. The votes for Brookfield were published on election night. They were never added to the county's tally until after the omission was discovered. The SAME NUMBER of votes that were published for Brookfield on Tuesday night were then added to the Waukesha totals on Thursday.
There are no 'new' votes. There are no 'found votes' There is no scandal, except for the ones in your fertile, obsessed, and idiotic minds.”
-RWGranny | Milwaukee, WI | April 10, 2011
Letter on: How nice of you David
“Considering the city of Brookfield posted their results online (independent of the County Clerk) the night of the vote, and those numbers match what the clerk reported at the canvass what exactly is the point of a recount?
And since you mentioned Florida-2000, don't forget NY Times, AP and CNN found that in only 1 (the most improbable) of 10 scenarios could Al Gore have possibly won Florida.”
-Bob B. | Zion, IL | April 10, 2011
Letter on: Mad as hell
“@Debbie: Ok. You convinced me. I feel the love. Now what? LOL!”
-Jeff Pieterick | Waterloo, WI | April 10, 2011
Letter on: Mad as hell
“Thank God WI voters came out and defied the Mafia Unions. Shame now many of the business owners are now being threatened by these vary same sick individuals. Cops belong to the Unions, no protection there. Self before public service.
God bless each and EVERY WI voter who voted to keep the waters clean and walked above the corruption the Unions tried to lay out but FAILED!!!
Guess the Union thug Boss better make more trips to the WH and get better financing to undo America.
Americans are fed up with the me, me, me Liberals, its time to stand on your own two feet and get off middle class America's backs.
Grow up!
Leave the hate on the playground, it helps no one.”
-Debbie | CA | April 10, 2011
Letter on: How nice of you David
“I keep reading that this Kathy Nickolaus clown is pretty good with computers and software. I doubt she is smart enough to write her own software, but she probably is pretty good at programming database and spreadsheet programs like Access and Excel.
I do hope investigators take a closer look at how she uses software to collect, tally, manipulate data to say what she wants it to say. Without any doubt, I suspect she has all her work and PCs password protected, another fine way to protect and conceal.
When users create backups and more backups, it's very easy to forget and to overlook.
The fact she was given immunity from prosecution a few years back would almost suggest that she could have been implicated in some sort of wrongdoing. There were bigger fish to fry then, but it now looks like a bigger whopper got away only to be snagged later.
Give someone enough rope and he/she will eventually hang himself/herself. Waukesha county board needs to give Nickolaus the boot. How wonderful it will be when we actually do have the last laugh on this one.”
-Pietr Haikuu | Hurley | April 10, 2011
Letter on: Human error? Yah, sure Ole!
“Carl G: GREAT IDEA. Is his idea happening, Ed?
Would think so... Hope so. Time for lie detector tests....challenge the lady to a lie detector test; NOT administered by just Republicans, AND, time to check e-mails, phone records of all her phones, etc.”
-mjh | Madison, Wi | April 10, 2011
Letter on: How nice of you David
“All I am asking is that there be a thorough investigation by independent experts who can assure the public that there was not any opportunity for fraud to have occurred. That is a reasonable objective that should be achievable.
And yes, any finding to the contrary - any determination that it was at all possible to manufacture this result - taints this election quite completely, given the track record and highly suspect activities of this particular clerk. Would she have done what she could to steal the election given the opportunity? Her past actions show that she is entirely capable of committing just such behavior. And the way she has become inserted into the process here is simply too convenient to pass muster WITHOUT an independent determination that she didn't actually have opportunity to commit fraud.
Reasonable doubts, in this case, must be settled if this election is to be granted any legitimacy by those who have reasonable concerns about its integrity.”
-Jeff Pieterick | Waterloo, WI | April 10, 2011
Letter on: The voucher gap
“Message from our political rulers, the footmen of the ownership class, to the children of the underclass: "Go die. You won't make profits for our bosses anymore because you haven't been educated properly for the jobs that still do exist. Our friends' children deserve the money being wasted on your education more than you. And please stay on your side of the boundaries. We find you scary."”
-ScoloMin | Franklin, Wisconsin | April 10, 2011
Letter on: Human error? Yah, sure Ole!
“I am sure there are some very intelligent computer people out there and it seems that Kathy Nickolaus is one or at least by her own statements she is.
Now how hard would it be to, after the election and you are in control of everything, to go through the list of people casting votes and compare it to the local Republican list of eligible voters and find the ones that did not vote? Then run a program to have them vote and hack the program so it shows up as they voted.
I think they need to contact the 14,000 people in the list of late votes to be sure they actually voted. They have to sign an affidavit swearing that they actually were there to vote.
If one, just one, happens to have been out of town the whole thing is a fraud.
This whole thing smells really bad. The woman should lose her job for this. Then she will probably go back to working for Prosser or the Republican party hacking more computers.”
-CarlG | Twin Lakes, WI | April 10, 2011
Letter on: Mad as hell
“WOW! Garvey, have you been smoking something? Are you not capable of linear thought? It is one thing to be partisan, but you need to be grounded in reality too.”
-Robert Higley | Plover, WI | April 9, 2011
Letter on: Mad as hell
“Steve W:
Actually Kloppenburg did remarkably well in the election. Had Prosser won with 60-80% of the vote, then it would have been a win indeed for him. The fact JK has come so close is a sure indication that the Force is no longer favoring Prosser or the Walker cabal.”
-Pietr Haikuu | Hurley | April 9, 2011
Letter on: Human error? Yah, sure Ole!
“I'm beginning to think that soon-to-be-ex Senator Hopper has the right idea: find a mistress and be happy.”
-Maria Caliente | Middleton | April 9, 2011
Letter on: Human error? Yah, sure Ole!
“Millions of $$ spent on negative ads, much of which were funded by out-of-state groups. Megabucks spent on high priced law firms. Too much rancor. Way too many questions.
All for a 10-yr job that pays roughly $145,000 a year?
The taxpayers are certainly not getting many bargains these days. Money which could be put to better use is buying powerful offices. Instead of Walker trying to fill 250,000 jobs, maybe he ought to create 250,000 new political positions with family supporting wages. We'd be further ahead, and like many good Republican'ts, would could lie our way into them.”
-Franz Fripplfrappl | Madison | April 9, 2011
Letter on: Human error? Yah, sure Ole!
“The big question remains, when all this makes its way to the supreme court, will Prosser recuse himself?”
-Pietr Haikuu | Hurley | April 9, 2011
Letter on: Mad as hell
“Bill Maher is a well known Libertarian.
The Mayor of London thinks Bush should be arrested for war crimes. Maybe you should get in touch with him with your concerns over "Barry."
Cindy Sheehan has been out in front of the White House calling Obama a war criminal.
And, Steve W: how in the hell does Kathy Nickolaus get elected term after term in Waukesha county? Can't you people do something about that?”
-Steve Carlson | Trego WI | April 9, 2011
Letter on: Mad as hell
“@SteveW: We "threw everything we had at it," but were nevertheless outspent 2 to 1. Thanks for making the case for campaign finance reform in this post-Citizens United era. We definitely need it. You can follow up by credit card at ProgressivesUnited.org. The fight continues.”
-Jeff Pieterick | Waterloo, WI | April 9, 2011
Letter on: Mad as hell
“I appreciate this blog and hope Ed can continue to write for many years. One sane voice gives me hope in a country where we have extremely high unemployment with no clear way out. I will continue to try to make sense of the truth and Ed is one source of truth for me.”
-Pat Nelson | Three Lakes, Wisconsin | April 9, 2011
Letter on: Mad as hell
“So Steve Bush is a war criminal for lauching a war aproved by congress and the holy liberal grail the UN? What does that make our current President? I don't recall congress authorizing any action in Libyia. I highly doubt the cry of war criminal will be thrown at Barry. When will Cindy Shehan be protesting at his house in Chicago along with Rev Al? Oh that's right even though 2 wars still continue and Club Gitmo is still open you lefties have kind of let that slide for Barry since he is a Dem.
As far as the Supreme court Race goes hahahaha! You lost after throwing every thing you had at it. It was close I'll give you that but according to you it shouldn't have been WI was all about collective bargaining rights.”
-Steve W | Waukesha WI | April 9, 2011
Letter on: Mad as hell
“I understand that having victory pulled away after it felt secure is maddening and tremendously frustrating. I'm sure would in that situation let myself engage in conspiracy theories, demonizing, ranting about the evil that is the other side etc. So I can sympathize to some degree with Ed's willingness to let go of rationality and the facts. I was a bit disappointed though that he couldn't find a way to work the Koch brothers into the mire of evilness and treachery. But--there's always tomorrow.
I can also see that it would be easy to fall back into old habits---Bush war criminal, etc. etc..
Having said all of that, I do think that being Mad as Hell as communicated by Ed feels and sounds less like righteous indignation, and more like the foot stomping of a spoiled 8 year old.
(O and by the way, it was Bill Maher who called Sara Palin a cunt and a dumb twat.)”
-Craig | Madison Wis. | April 8, 2011
Letter on: Mad as hell
“vladdy
Where are you reading "Dem articles" with all of the profanity? Please reread this entire site and realize your references along with 'doerk'festers'are the only remarks containing profanities.
I am ultimately confused that anyone with even minuscule intelligence could find the current 'budget' proposed by Walker as anything but cruel? Actually, a more accurate adjective would be nafarious...or how about scandalous? Not only does it profoundly affect less fortunate children and our elderly,it enables rich,miserly corporations to avoid paying their SHARE. And where in any budget should there be an issue on collective bargaining? How, in any stretch of the imagination, is that going to balance any budget? However, in the long run I would agree ,it will help immensely line the pockets ,yet again, of the corporations who will regain power to dictate low wages, obsurd working hours, and control on what I'm sure they hope will be a world of the rich and the peasants. Believe me, the American people will not let this happen!
Not a Dem anymore vladdy? Thank goodness! You're an embarrassment.
Dohnal....Glad you think this is a game..WOW
Steve in Houston....Get a dictionary! Unless of course you were drinking? This, conclusively ,would explain your brilliant remark which made an impact on the world!
greibnotz doerkfester......MY FAVORITE! How blind! Prosser LOST because it WAS about Walker and ALL he stands for, which is ludicrous. And Prosser just couldn't keep his mouth shut.This race should have been won by Prosser but because of the 'placard, guitar thwanging, 60's idiots Kloppenberg WON. I know it, YOU know it, the NATION knows it......thank God you're out of Wisconsin, good riddance!”
-democracybeliever | Parkman | April 8, 2011
Letter on: Mad as hell
“Sure, I'll respond to vldaddy.
George W. Bush is a war criminal. After he and the Supreme Court stole the election in 2000 he promptly launched an illegal war on Iraq that has cost over 5000 US military personnel, and maybe over one million innocent Iraqis, their lives.
In a Daily Telegraph op-ed Boris Johnson, Mayor of London, warned Bush to stay out of London or risk arrest.
And I've never heard any Dem refer to Sarah Palin as a c***.”
-Steve Carlson | Trego, WI | April 8, 2011
Letter on: Mad as hell
“Has it occured to any of the left that making a Supreme Court race all about Walker and public unions wasn't the smartest move?
Prosser is/was a seriously flawed candidate but Walker won handily and still has strong support. I guess that never dawned on the placard carrying, guitar thwanging, 60's nostalgic idiot left in the State of Wisconsin.
Go to school lefties, and the f--k out of Madison once in a while. It may show you what the state is like and how to frame an election for once in your life.”
-Griebnotz Doerkpfester | I Escaped, WI. | April 8, 2011
Letter on: Mad as hell
“First Scott Jensen plea bargain a felony to littering, now the county clerk finds 7,500 or so votes for Prosser in her nether area.
The Waukesha mafia is alive and well”
-nonheroicvet | not surprised, WI | April 8, 2011
Letter on: Mad as hell
“Any dem care to respond to vldaddy. He's made some valid points”
-yorktown | Monticello wi | April 8, 2011
Letter on: Mad as hell
“Call for federal investigation of entire election including Winnebago County as well. Late votes are inexcuseable.”
-hmj | Madison, Wi | April 8, 2011
Letter on: Mad as hell
“There is a rally at the Capitol at 4:00 PM. We must support an investigation of all LATE LATE voting reports. How can people who have only 24 votes to report wait until the next day to turn in their votes? Baloney. Are they sending it by cow express? Even that would be faster.
There MUST be A LIE DETECTOR TEST demanded of this woman and any other with those late late votes; records of phone calls and e-mails from the "war-room" must be examined. WHY was
anyone using "war rooms" anyway, after the polls closed??? And, WHY did the GABoard say that the "loser must be comfortable with the results and believe it...blah blah" when no one had even asked for a recount? That statement sent up red flags as did a definite feeling that something not right was happening the night of the election. Why was this woman, with such a HUGE CONFLICT OF INTEREST, even employed in such a job? Where was the GABoard regarding this??? Look online at JS August report of her ignoring request to upgrade equipment. SMELLS SMELLS SMELLS. Rise up, Wisconsin! NOW.”
-hmj | Madison, Wisconsin | April 8, 2011
Letter on: Mad as hell
“Wine, wine, wine...libs...go tell someone who cares.”
-Steve | Houston, TX | April 8, 2011
Letter on: Mad as hell
“Let's hope the Kloppenberg group or other responsible adults will use the open records law to go after any and all emails, correspondence, phone logs, etc, relating to Walker's role or roles of any in his office with regard to this election and the days following Tuesday. Could we be surprised by the activity or should we be content to think those in his office sat on their hands.”
-Pietr Haikuu | Hurley | April 8, 2011
Letter on: Mad as hell
“I used to be a Democrat. After Clinton, the whole party lurched so far to the left that hard as I tried, I couldn't stay with them. The final blow was the utter meanness. I had been a Dem during the days of Atwater, DeLay, Armey -- and had thought "How could people belong to a party that acts like that?"
Now I can't read a Dem article without running into profanity, hyperbole, ad hominem, and outright evil -- Death threats to legislators because of votes? I don't get it.
What happened to you guys? Krugman writing that a budget he disagrees with (by a well-respected congressional member) is "cruel," as if we live in Dickinsonian times and children are being denied their gruel?
Nothing's ever just "different views" or even just "wrong" according to the Dems anymore. It's "they're here to kill women," "thousands of childrens will die," "the right wants to destroy the environment," and my favorite (in view of Obama's crony capitalism,) "The Repubs only help the rich."
What's with you guys? Ever since 2000, it's been "W is a killer" and "Palin is a c***." How can you stay with a party that acts like that?”
-vladdy | Joplin, MO | April 8, 2011
Letter on: Not credible!!!!
“Kathy Nickolaus said she forgot to "save" her work on her computer which makes it sound like human error. The problem with her explanation is that she said she was using Microsoft Access. Microsoft Access automatically saves all changes made in the database even if the user does a forced quit. Kathy either 1) didn't enter those votes into the database at all or 2) she entered the numbers then went back into the database & deleted them.
We will never know which option Kathy took because Access does not keep a log of who made what changes to the database. It is a perfect application for an elected official to use when they don't want their work checked or have respond to FOIA requests.”
-Margarete Worthington | Wisconsin | April 8, 2011
Letter on: Mad as hell
“I love when repubs rush across the Rubicon. They will never learn to build durable power.”
-haye | Wauwatosa, wi | April 8, 2011
Letter on: Mad as hell
“Dohnal:
This is not a game. This is our democracy, our future and our lives. If you are satisified with a government that takes more than it gives back, what Walker is doing will bring you great delight. At some point in your life, Walker's actions will come back to bite you and you'll wonder why.”
-Maria Caliente | Middleton | April 8, 2011
Letter on: Mad as hell
“love to hear Liberals whine when they are beaten at their own game.”
-Dohnal | Wauwatosa, wi. | April 8, 2011
Letter on: Mad as hell
“And, you do recall the reports that Walker had not lost his resolve following Kloppenberg's win? Did he know, and to what extent? I wonder how much of Wednesday Walker spent making calls and twisting arms.
When there are questions about the integrity of any election, there should be a mechanism to vote again. Have we become a banana republic where we now need marshals and observers at every polling station?”
-Franz Fripplfrappl | Madison | April 8, 2011
Letter on: Holy cow!
“RKanak:
I'm not so sure Republican'ts really care what form government takes as long as they can consolidate power, eliminate social programs and collect the wealth they think is due them. The era of good Republicans disappeared decades ago. Now we are left with the dregs of that party and they have pitted us against one another. Remember when Cheney/Bush used 9/11 and lies to invade sovereign Iraq? The war there distracted us from the turmoil here. We were so wrapped up in getting even that we failed to sense the rape Wall Street was committing on us all in addition to the loss of our homes, jobs and livable wages. The Walker cabal has nearly succeeded in pitting Wisconsinites against each other. We are distracted one more time as they rape and pillage our state. They are plundering our home and our lives, dividing friends and neighbors, lowering our standards to survival mode as they skim off the cream and tell the rest of us to go find jobs, be happy and good luck.
Inaction and ignorance at the polls gives us the government the power grabbers want. At some point, we need to take up our pitchforks and 2x4's and remove them all.”
-Franz Fripplfrappl | Madison | April 8, 2011
Letter on: Holy cow!
“I might suggest that for future elections international observers should be present to verify an honest election process. It is quite obvious there is reason to void this past election and have a redo.
The Repulicons, to use a word from Norman Goldman are generally very quick to point out how broken government is and this latest election fraud would be an example they would be ranting about if the results were reversed.”
-Richard Kanak | Cherry Valley, Illinois | April 8, 2011
Letter on: Holy cow!
“Well, if we had an AG that was either honest or impartial (would only need one of these qualities), this would be getting a lot of investigation. Unfortunately, we have an AG that has neither of these qualities.”
-Bob Nauta | Oregon, WI | April 8, 2011
Letter on: Holy cow!
“From the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel on Waukesha County's vote tally that resulted in the actual counting of votes from the City of Brookfield:
Ramona Kitzinger, the Democrat on the Waukesha County Board of Canvassers, said: "We went over everything and made sure all the numbers jibed up and they did. Those numbers jibed up, and we're satisfied they're correct."
As a Democrat, she said, "I'm not going to stand here and tell you something that's not true."”
-Jeff Leys | Luck WI | April 8, 2011
Letter on: Holy cow!
“Can someone confirm that Waukesha County does not use paper ballots?”
-Wisco | Stevens Point, WI | April 8, 2011
Letter on: Holy cow!
“We need to make sure that the local media reports what is the truth about this situation; letters to the editor, press releases, etc. Perhaps local people posting information in local community newspapers. Is there a way we can get something out to all our grass root folks or identify individuals in each community to send out letters to the Editor on a weekly basis with valid high integrity websites that backup comments for the readers and where they can get educated (like FB of course)? Basically information that is nonconfrontational, but provokes thinking about what is really happening?”
-Pat | Mukwonago, WI | April 8, 2011
Letter on: Holy cow!
“I am satisfied that Prosser won the election and I would have voted for him myself if it wasn't for Walker eliminating workers rights. Even with this win, the tide continues to turn against Walker and the Republican anti-workers rights party.
Consider that Prosser won with the votes of 21.5% of registered voters which is 17% of the population which is of voting age. There are opportunities to influence people to support your cause in the voting booth.”
-Gary Glonek | Montreal, Wi | April 8, 2011
Letter on: Holy cow!
“"Waukesha County Clerk Kathy Nickolaus, a former staffer for the Assembly Republican Caucus, has been sharply criticized in recent months for her handling of recent elections. Even the archly-conservative Waukesha County Board has sharply condemned Nickolaus after past elections, demanding an immediate audit of her practices following ominous red-flags that emerged regarding her lack of oversight, failure to create backup files and her stubborn
insistence to..."”
-me | madison wisconsin | April 8, 2011
Letter on: Holy cow!
“Let's see....so a computer analyst who used to work for one of the candidates discovers an error...a computing error...after it looks like said candidate lost...and the error works in that same candidate's favor. Move along folks, nothing to see here!!”
-Brian | Glenwood City | April 8, 2011
Letter on: Holy cow!
“I don't know what to think. It is, of course, highly circumspect and confusing. Not just hundreds of votes, but more than 10,000? That seems negligent at best, fraudulent at worst. It makes this recount even more dramatic, even more divisive, and how counterproductive is that? I wish for the people of Wisconsin to unite and work toward better government for the people, whatever that may be. Personally, as someone who has lived in both Dane and Waukesha counties, I think the Governor's desire to divide the state as hippies against everyone else is both misguided and unfortunate. Businesses leave our state because we are now regressive instead of progressive- how is that helping Wisconsin? We should want the betterment of the people. It's in all of our best interests.”
-Lee | Madison, WI | April 7, 2011
Letter on: Holy cow!
“So, Ed, why aren't we putting these people in jail where they belong?”
-Franz Fripplfrappl | Madison | April 7, 2011
Letter on: Not credible!!!!
“Incompetence never ceases to amaze me. Good people are out of work and all we get are the incompetent in positions with family wages.
Outrage!”
-Franz Fripplfrappl | Madison | April 7, 2011
Letter on: Long way to go
“"True believers" will do "whatever it takes". The ends justify the means. If these mistakes are represented by a short list of partisans ...a cabal of custody, vs a chain of custody...I see the seeds of a massive REVOTE Rebellion!”
-Tom Larsen | Ojiwa, wi | April 7, 2011
Letter on: Long way to go
“Huh?
Worse than just a handful of Winnebago votes, now Waukesha has found 7500 for Prosser...
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110407/ap_on_re_us/us_wisconsin_supreme_court_election
How do counties all of a sudden find extra votes?”
-Pietr Haikuu | Hurley | April 7, 2011
Letter on: Long way to go
“Gee, Ed I'm guessing this was written before the County Clerk of Waukesha delivered her bombshell. Ironic that Proesser's home county and the most conservative county in Wisconsin (if not the nation)found the votes for justice Prosser. I figured the fix was going in after Kloppenburg won. They've done it before, Franz is right, marching does nothing if they won't give us back our country we must take it back!
As a side note as a homeowner who lived in the town of Summit, when I was annexed to the city of Oconomowoc the inept Waukesha County clerk forgot to include our lottery tax credit on our property tax bill.”
-Dole O'Mite | Oconomowoc, WI | April 7, 2011
Letter on: Too close to call!
“Did Pedro Colon help Justice Prosser's bid for the Supreme Court seat? Colon's elite liberal white and Hispanic base will say no. Kloppenburg declared victory, but nothing official has been ordered. The vote is 204 votes. The Hispanic vote, albeit not a very vital vote in statewide races, surly in this race mattered. How many Hispanic voters voted for Prosser because they saw Colon endorsing Prosser?”
-Robert Miranda | Milwaukee | April 7, 2011
Letter on: Congress get paid?
“There was a single sheet handout last night at the Barrymore describing how the Port of Oakland was shut down Monday in solidarity with Wisconsin. I can't find this in any major newspaper.
Did this happen or are we being duped?”
-Maria Caliente | Middleton | April 7, 2011
Letter on: Congress get paid?
“Thank you, Ed and John, for renting the hall and "buying" the beer last night. It was indeed an electrifying moment. There was a good crowd but still many seats were empty. I bet those not present were resting up for the recount and recalls.
Moments like this make it clear that a single Bob Fest is just not enough to keep us going. We need frequent meetings and speeches and smart talk. Let us know when the next event takes place.
Imagine how we celebrated last night over 204 votes. Now, imagine the celebration and dancing and singing around, in and through the capitol the moment Walker gets recalled and finally booted out of our building!”
-Franz Fripplfrappl | Madison | April 7, 2011
Letter on: Get ready!
“In Florida the skeptics counted chads. Now that Wisconsin is mostly electronic balloting, I supposed the nitpickers will count bytes.
Some wonder the country had Al Gore been president. Others may wonder what the country would have become had King George III had his way. Well, Walker is showing us. This alone ought to be enough to bring most reasonable people back to reality.
The issue remains what to do with the tens of thousands who are ignorant. As much as we need to regain control our democracy and state, we also have a duty to teach those of lesser intelligence and to invite them along. If we don't, we will continue to have ignorant people casting their precious votes for people like Walker.”
-Pietr Haikuu | Hurley | April 7, 2011
Letter on: Exceptions to the ruler
“janeofdane:
You make an interesting point but I would suspect that Dear Leader has more than one email account. govgeneral would seem to be one for general email. I bet he has one for various donors like govkoch, govcabal, govdonors, govtrash, govetc.
Sorting incoming mail would help Walker follow the money better and take some of the pressures off his lofty position. It helps him to stay focused on what's really important.”
-Maria Caliente | Middleton | April 7, 2011
Letter on: Exceptions to the ruler
“If the State Treasurer had a strong role and followed his fiduciary responsibility he/she would recommend that Wisconsin should have its own state public owned bank similiar to North Dakota. See:
www.webofdebt.com”
-Bob Menamin | Verona, WI | April 7, 2011
Letter on: Exceptions to the ruler
“Am I the only one who has noticed that Walker's email address is "govgeneral@wisconsin.gov" while Doyle's email address was "wiscgov@wisconsin.gov?"
"Governor General" recalls an administrator appointed by the Queen to rule a distant colony in her name. And why would a state email address change when a new candidate filled the position? It's a small thing but it doesn't seem like business as usual; more like another exception.
I hope a lot more emails are subpoenaed by journalists. And that a lot of other recently-hired state workers with ties to the GOP political machine have their hiring process scrutinized. Do they even apply for these jobs? Do other applicants really have an "equal opportunity" to get these jobs as required by law, or are they reserved for the chosen few?”
-janeofdane | Madison, WI | April 7, 2011
Letter on: Too close to call!
“Remember please, Al Gore was declared the winner in Florida by the exit polls only to have the election stolen.”
-Richard Kanak | Cherry Valley, Illinois | April 6, 2011
Letter on: Today is the day!
“I agree with that idea of somehow broadcasting the party. Living up here in the beautiful Northwoods is wonderful, but it's a long way from the Barrymore!”
-John Smart | Park Falls WI | April 6, 2011
Letter on: A little review
“As a former govm't worker I was not allowed to accept gratuities from outside businesses, especially from those I could ever oversee. How in the hell did the FCC accept these cupcakes!”
-Dole O'Mite | Oconomowoc, WI | April 5, 2011
Letter on: Today is the day!
“Last weekend the local ham radio store held an event called Superfest. All day, presentations were given by experts on various topics of interest to the amateur radio crowd. Set up in a corner was a video camera and a crew of one, to web-cast this all day event to all who could not be there. The setup to do this was really quite modest. I wish this could be done for events like the party and future gatherings so all could attend.”
-Bob Pirkel WA9RUX | West Allis, Wi. | April 5, 2011
Letter on: A little review
“What's this I hear that Walker wants to change our motto from "Forward" to "The bucks stop here"? Always fascinating how imaginative the uneducated, the arrogant and the ignorant can be at times when their survival is at stake.”
-Franz Fripplfrappl | Madison | April 5, 2011
Letter on: A little review
“Beam me down Scotty, "We're coming for you." This is just another chapter of life. All of this should remind us that there is no final solution. As Franklin(or somebody) said, "we have given you a republic if you can keep it." To maintain a JUST and compassionate society is a daily challenge. Keep up the good fight, we're just warming up. Have a great ELECTION day!!”
-Bob Menamin | Verona, WI | April 5, 2011
Letter on: A little review
“Hey! Give Scotty credit for creating at his first family supporting job, that 27 yr old, inexperienced, inept, uneducated son of a lobbyist who has landed his very first real job in the newly privatized commerce department with an $81,000+ salary. The remaining 249,999 anxiously await for the same.”
-Pietr Haikuu | Hurley | April 5, 2011
Letter on: Making the list
“Bill, excellent post and very timely. I too had the same curious notion so on 3/25/11 I asked Professor of Communications, U of IL, Robert McChesney, if McLuhan's quote " the medium is the message" was still relevant. He gave me the short answer, "Yes". The complete quote is:
"The medium is the message. That is merely to say that the personal and social consequences of any medium / that is, of any extension of ourselves / result from the new scale that is introduced into our affairs by each extension of ourselves, or by any new technology."
On this point and yours Bill, making the list, I think we are transcending beyond most former listings and becoming "more messaging engaged", "more the medium" with each other and the issues of our day by using our new WiFi devices. Also, we have even more mediums opening to us, can post easily on the fastest growing forums: Blogs, UTube, Twitter and FaceBook. So I disagree with Peter except for those around age 60 and older w/o computers or comm devices...people, especially youth, are more expressive, engaged and alerted by each other, friends, relatives, bloggers, FB friends, various lists. These social media have turned out more writers and also adversely affected, nearly eliminated, subliminal and other nefarious influences like those from high dollar sponsors, advertizers, and celebrity newscasters, from Network TV and radio from these new mediums. Those that do come our way on UTube and FB and the WWW are less imposing and easier to ignore. Also note how fast the news spread of UW Prof. Wm. Cronan's NYT piece made it out to the satellites and back as news on our e-messages. Then how quickly a response revealed the proclivities of perverse politicians. Then how far and fast that news spread.
Newsprint, sadly, is going the way of the dinosaur as costs rise and staff & revenue shrink. I worked in community cable TV for Viking Media out of Monona, WI many years ago. Many thought that would be the new best medium. The big fish took care of all those little ones.
New technology infrastructure may be hard to harness. We each, according to ones aptitude and intellect, have the ability to filter, verify and post what E-transmissions we deem to be truthful and relevant. The big Q's may be beyond my computer IQ, but how do we verify a source, protect our lists from corruption and protect much of our identity from being monitored are a few Q's I have. We must maintain Net Neutrality, keep strong firewalls, and not allow data and lists to be compromised. I think we have entered a new and exciting era. Marshall McLuhan also said "I wouldn't have seen it if I hadn't believed it." And wouldn't you know this would happen, Barack Obama just posted his announcement to run in 2012 on UTube. Check it out and get a free cookie.”
-Gorde Ranum | Madison, WI | April 5, 2011
Letter on: Please donate to FightingBob.com today
“The people of America do not know about the bigest union of America, that is the union of the corporation that is trying to, and is successful in taking the American people down. Just today, McDonalds has announced that they will generate 50,000 minimun wage jobs in America. Am I pissed about this? Your damned right I am. Governor Walker went to LaCrosse to tout the American Dream about the job that City Brewery was doing about jobs for Wisconsin based on a grant that was created by City Brewery. Did he know that the jobs created were in Memphis, Tennesse? I think not, but it was a nice trip in the State Jet. His ignorance about what is happening in Wisconsin is unprecidented. How could anyone go to an industry in this state and proclaim he has created jobs. No wonder the owner went out and joined the picket line against this Corporate monster.”
-Lloyd Granberg | Whitehall, Wisconsin | April 5, 2011
Letter on: Let's break the record
“Yeah, John, it's a sad state of affairs in the US with the chronically low voter turnout, even the big presidential elections. There are PLENTY of good solutions out there*, but one of the problems is that too many people are just NOT that interested as long as things SEEM to be going OK for themselves, or even 'recognizably bad' --- I think they're more comfortable with that status sometimes than voting. For some, it's undoubtedly a bad habit/family tradition that's now ingrained. And then there's also the individuals that are so disenfranchised, so alienated that they use their non-vote as a form of protest (which always seemed VERY 'in-direct' to my mind, because it doesn't really indicate what they DO want. I favor voting for a 3rd or 4th party candidate instead of not voting.)
However, it's also not just a case of appealing to peoples' sense of citizenship that will solve this, since there is one party (whose name begins with an "R") that has (at least since the 1920s) favored a small OVERALL turnout, because they know their policies are ultimately advantageous only to a small, upper-echelon of society. They have been harassing low-income voters with vague, misleading veiled threats about criminal action and concocting voter fraud scenarios, not having adequate voting facilities in poor neighborhoods, etc, so a marginally interested voter may well be discouraged because of the perceived hassle of voting. The "R"s are not going to discontinue this strategy, because it works for them.
* Voting on weekends, over multiple days, or even giving a tax-refund to people who vote.”
-Big Em | Milwaukee, WI | April 3, 2011
Letter on: Farm progress
“As a Country Supervisor in Jefferson County in the '90s, I was closely involved in a revisit of our Farmland Preservation Plan. It was one heck of a process that occurred over a couple years (and is in fact still in development as a dynamic and vibrant community project). It involved an incredible commitment of time and resources by people from every sector of our county. These people came together over many meetings - not "public hearings," but rather hands-on working sessions - wherein everyone worked out compromises and shared perspectives that allowed the county to develop a comprehensive and very creative Farmland Preservation Plan that addressed virtually all the complex issues involved.
I like to think that the work we committed to this plan then inspired the State Dept. Of Ag to develop their Working Lands Initiative over many years of study and a huge commitment of time and resources by the larger Wisconsin community.
Of all projects I have personally engaged in my lifetime, I'd have to say the work on this Jefferson County Plan feels like the most purely democratic. How amazing it was to have farmers and environmentalists and Realtors and Town Chairs and virtually ALL constituencies represented in an effort that hammered out a plan that accomplished its goals magnificently with buy-in from all groups affected.
Then, along comes Walker. With the stroke of a pen he would simply torpedo the effort altogether. And the reason? Because, according to him, such regulation stands in the way of economic development.
So says Scott and his Fat Bastard corporate interests. The hubris in such an action is simply stunning and leaves a bitter taste of bile in my throat. These guys gotta be arrested before they can do any more damage. THAT'S why I'm now working hard at the recall effort to change the face of the Senate so we can take away the power that Walker and the Fitzgeralds choose to abuse in such un-democratic fashion.
Government works when we will let it. But never again can we be fooled into electing someone who promises to treat government with such contempt as these guys. As we've seen, it's not unlike hiring a gang of torch-carrying arsonists to perform a little maintenance around the house.”
-Jeff Pieterick | Waterloo, WI | April 3, 2011
Letter on: More than a metaphor
“Thanks, Bob - that's better. At least I think it's better. What if it means we will exchange Walker for Barbour?”
-John Smart | Park Falls WI | April 2, 2011
Letter on: Who needs police protection?
“Ginny the Ginned Up Thomas is going to do interviews for Bow-Bow Carlson. How convenient. The term 'conflict of interest' is conveniently lacking from her and her good old man's vocabulary. Just like when Ol' Clarence said it was too hard to figure out the old Disclosure Form that asked for "income, including spousal income." People say the Bushes gave us a lot of crap Pere et Fils; nothing will ever approach the cruel cynical joke of Thomas taking over the Thurgood Marshall seat and denying justice to his own people for the next 40 years. (Case in point this week; his pivotal vote to overturn the $14 million award to the wrongfully convicted man.)”
-John Mulroy | Pittsburgh, Pa. | April 1, 2011
Letter on: More than a metaphor
“John, I stand corrected. This was my second mistake in 3 days. I acknowledge that there are nice people in the places you mentioned and we as a country probably don't come up to their standards. In the future I will refer to we Badgers as Wisconsippi.”
-Bob Menamin | Verona, WI | April 1, 2011
Letter on: More than a metaphor
“I don't think the intention is to make fun of other countries, but hasn't Wisconsin "become the land of" Walker, the Fitzgeralds and the Kochs. I think the name is more than appropriate.”
-Craig Koch | Appleton, WI | April 1, 2011
Letter on: More than a metaphor
“I wish to file a complaint regarding the people in Wisconsin who have taken to calling our state "Fitzwalkerstan" or "Walkerfitzgeraldstan" or something similar. They should know that the suffix "stan" means essentially "in the land of" - and it doesn't imply idiocy! I spent three years as a Peace Corps volunteer in Uzbekistan and visited Kazakhstan, Turmenistan, Kyrghizstan and Tajikistan. These nations, while not genuine democracies like we used to be, have bright, lively citizens and I resent those folks making fun of them now!”
-John Smart | Park Falls WI | April 1, 2011
Letter on: More than a metaphor
“Don't forget Walker's new third grade reading program. After cutting aid to school districts and not allowing them to increase taxes. He now wants to follow Florida's reading program which has smaller classroom sizes and more reading specialists on staff. How does he propose to do this? By giving money to the DOA to come up with a way to measure improvments, no mention of increased aid to schools. What a TOOL!”
-Dole O'Mite | Oconomowoc, WI | April 1, 2011
Letter on: Getting real about taxes
“To Luke from Shorewood, Your comment is correct. I errored in saying Structural Debt instead of Structural Deficit. Now that we have cleared that up, let's have some comments from you about the substance of the issue.
Mr. Luke, step out of the shadows and give us some of your kernals of wisdom on the subject. We need a clear discussion. We don't need sniping at a messenger as a tactic to dismiss the message. I welcome substantive debate.”
-Bob Menamin | Verona, WI | April 1, 2011
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