February 8, 2010
Do you get it?
I watched 15 minutes of Sarah Palin's speech to the Tea Party nuts gathered in Nashville. The room exploded with foot-stomping, hand-clapping, and yelling for this spokesperson for the "angry Americans." I suspect this is really nothing more than another attempt to revive the White Citizen's Council, but I get nervous when I recall how dismissive I was toward movie actor Ronald Reagan. ("President Reagan? Get serious.") And they did. Maybe I am too dismissive of Palin. How about you?
So, listening to Palin's simplistic ideas gave me the willies. People like her. No, they love her. Not all people, of course, and not a majority, but the ones who did not get a tear in the eye as Obama, a black man, was inaugurated. They like her and they will throw millions of corporate dollars her way now that the Supreme Activists have told us that corporations are citizens and can dump any amount they want into political campaigns. So, chuckle at Palin, but think about Palin with a billion dollars to spend on her image. Whoa Nelly!
Yes, indeed. Why prop up a loser like John McCain, or an adult called "Mitt," or a former Arkansas governor, when you can get a former beauty queen on stage with a box full of goofy ideas and 20 percent of the people loving her from the get-go?
Forget about substance--it's Show Time! Put her on Fox, give her the best Madison Avenue has to offer, plug her with the purple pill, and voilà! President Palin and Vice President Lieberman.
I think I'll go back to bed
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February 7, 2010
Her day will come! Really. Be patient!
When I read the Sunday Wisconsin State Journal, I always read the musings of Scott Milfred. His columns, as editorial page editor, are, if nothing else, kind of humorous. (I'm not kidding. He claims to be the editorial page editor.)
This week he argues that Barbara Lawton should not blame gender preference for her inability to raise mega-bucks from the Old Boys. He rambles on about other women in politics and finally concedes we have never elected a woman senator or governor. But, not to worry: "Wisconsin will surely elect a female governor soon. Nearly half the states have." Very persuasive, Scott. Now the clincher: "The new girls club just needs the right candidate with strong experience and cross-party appeal to break through."
Payday nonsense: The fifteen-minute pause. One part of the proposed Democratic legislative regulation of the god-awful payday loan industry would require borrowers to wait--get this--15 minutes after learning the full cost of a loan before accepting it. Thirty lobbyists are in Madison to protect the pay-day industry. Thirty! Other provisions include a maximum loan of $600. Can you believe it?
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February 6, 2010
Let us hear from you!
When you go to Camp Randall for a Badger football game, everyone (or so it seems) wears red in support of the home team. Same at the Kohl Center when the UW hockey and basketball teams take the floor--we are one group in support of our university and our team. Doesn't matter if you are a Socialist, Democrat, Green or Republican, we cheer for the common goal.
This week I drove to Milwaukee to tape a program with one of my heroes, Vel Phillips. The MATC program was focused on our progressive past. The host pointed out that Vel is the only African-American to win statewide office in our state's history, dating back to 1848! The only one. (It must also be said that we have never elected a woman to the U.S. Senate or Governor.) Progressive?
We had to discuss the shameful "Willie Horton"-style campaign launched against Supreme Court Justice Louis Butler--an African-American who should have joined Vel in the winner's circle but was defeated. He has been nominated by the President to the federal bench in Madison. The Judiciary Committee has voted to confirm Butler twice--12-7.
It is time to hear from the Wisconsin home team. Sensenbrenner, Petri, Ryan--let's hear from you. Put on your red sweater and announce that the Senate should confirm our guy! No filibuster--please. If they remain silent and this good man loses in overtime, it will be a reminder of our past; the bad past not the good.
The call came after my blog entry was posted yesterday. Tony Evers, DPI head, praised by Governor Doyle, has threatened to block $176 million in federal money scheduled to go to Milwaukee Public Schools. In his State of the State speech, Jim Doyle threatened MPS. He "guaranteed" us that MPS would be a broken system. Yikes! MPS refused to go with the Arne Duncan, Doyle, Barrett scheme to replace the elected school board with the mayor of Milwaukee. So, punish them! Make them fail! Whoa Nelly, Governor, play fair. If you can't persuade your colleagues to go with your idea, don't punish the kids!
It is time for Tom Barrett to declare he is not running as Doyle-lite--he is his own man. MPS is his responsibility.
An old friend said "they must be kidding." Sadly, I don't think they are.
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February 5, 2010
Here they come!
Custer's last words, or so I heard, were, "We got'em where we want 'em boys! We can shoot in any direction."
How should we describe the lobbyists in D.C. and Madison? They have us surrounded! In Madison, they got together to oust the Speaker of the Assembly. In D.C., the big drug companies went to the White House to cut a secret deal to ban the import of drugs from Canada; they have spent hundreds of millions of dollars to defeat universal health care. Unlike locusts, they show up every day not every seven years.
Check out these stories: "Industry Lobbying Imperils Obama Overhaul of Student Loans." Obama called his reform a "no-brainer," and I agree. But the plan is in trouble: "With lenders using sit-downs with lawmakers, town-hall style meetings and petition drives to plead their case," the no-brainer is looking more and more like "no-guts." In 2009, Sallie Mae spent $8 million on lobbying and, catch this--the company's PACs made $2.1 million in political contributions last year. They ought to be prosecuted for attempted bribery but, no, that might interfere with their First Amendment rights!
The hoard of lobbyists argues that the bill would cost jobs--just like the arguments of two dozen payday lobbyists in Madison. "An Ill-conceived government takeover that could put thousands of people out of work at private lending centers." Note--"banks" or "banksters" are now, "lending centers." Sure!
Next--"Dodd Denounces Pace of Banking Overhaul." No one has mistaken Chris Dodd for a radical reformer, but even this milquetoast is angry. Why? "Frustration over an Army of Lobbyists Sent to Kill Common-sense Reform."
And you had better get used to it. With the loopy declaration of war on democracy issued by the Supreme Activists, big business owns the show and merely permits elected folks to strut up their stage.
This must stop!
One more thing: We get lots of very thoughtful Feedback. Check it out.
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February 4, 2010
Justice vs. democracy
The incredible, albeit predictable, ruling that corporations, like plaintiffs in the "one man one vote" decisions, are citizens with First amendment rights would have been a joke when I was in law school. I can hear some of my favorite profs saying, as if they were alive today, "Get serious. Corporations are created by the government for economic reasons not to run for office or to determine through their accumulated wealth who shall regulate them. They are creatures of the state not the womb."
But we are where the majority of the Supreme Court has put us. It is Us vs. Them. Plutocracy vs. democracy. The rich vs. the rest of us.
Justice Clarence Thomas defended the decision in Florida this week. His nonsense reminds me of the open letter to Justice Thomas written by Judge A. Leon Higginbotham Jr.
Thomas, the Scalia acolyte, was quoted saying, "I found it fascinating that the people who were editorializing against it (our decision) were the New York Times Company and the Washington Post Company. These are corporations." Not content with that simplistic observation, he went on: "It would be a mistake to applaud the regulation of corporate speech as some sort of beatific action." Whoa Nelly!
Higginbotham put it this way to Thomas: "I wonder whether the majority of the Supreme Court will continue to retreat from protecting the rights of the poor, women, the disadvantaged, minorities, and the powerless. If the majority does continue to retreat, I wonder whether you, an African-American, will be part of the majority." Wonder no more. He is a big part of the retreat. Sad to say.
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February 3, 2010
Words to live by?
Miles McMillan, Capital Times editor years ago, told his sportswriters they could no longer accept freebies from teams or leagues. A writer approached and argued, "Do you think they could buy me for a bottle of booze?" McMillan responded, "No, but they don't give it to you because you are thirsty."
Heywood Hale Broun told us that the commissioner of Major League Baseball sent $100 with a Christmas card to Heywood's sportswriter father, who returned the hundred bucks with this admonition: "If it is a gift it is too much; if it is a bribe, it is not enough."
Those two come to mind with the passing at age 95 of Nixon FCC-appointee James Quello, who was quoted in NYT saying, "I have always had the attitude that if you can't eat their food and drink their booze and still vote against them, then you don't belong in this job."
I'll go with Hale-Broun and Miles.
Did you know that about 20 percent of kids in MPS are Special Educational Needs students? Kids the charter and voucher schools do not have to accept? Think this might have something to do with higher performance? Just a question.
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February 2, 2010
Hard to believe
Yesterday we urged Mike Sheridan, Speaker of the Assembly, to "name names" of lobbyists for the outrageous payday loan industry who were, according to Sheridan, trying to oust him as Speaker for agreeing to permit a vote on a bill that would cap interest rates at 36 percent. Seemed like an easy one, but today's JS headline confuses us more--"Sheridan acknowledges dating payday loan lobbyist."
So what? is one response, but was she the source of the rumors? Yikes! Before jumping to conclusions, here is Sheridan's quote: "Shanna is a friend of mine and I have a lot of friends that are in the lobby corps." (Credit where credit is due. He did name one name.)
But Wisconsin's own lobby corps? Sheridan went on: "I mean, I think that part of my job is relationship building." No comment needed.
Here is another headline: "JOB LOSSES ADD TO CITY FORECLOSURES." The accompanying article says, "The second wave in the foreclosure crisis has hit Milwaukee with homeowners losing their homes because of job losses...subprime mortgages." How about payday loans as well? Note to Speaker: No one cares about you dating a lobbyist, but we do get upset if the Democrats with a majority in the Legislature ignore evictions! People are suffering--pay attention.
There is a housing crisis. How about a moratorium on evictions and foreclosures? Lower interest rates? Restructured mortgages? Any interest in those issues?
C'mon!
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February 1, 2010
Time for action
The Supreme Court did it. Despite Alito mouthing his disagreement with president Obama, corporations now have no restraints and, even worse, the decision declared that corporations do have First Amendment protection. Utter nonsense, but that is the law!
So, is the ruling so bad or are we simply forced to admit that corporations can't corrupt the system--someone beat them to it? A law professor at Drexel, Adam Benforado, wrote in a letter to the editor in the NYT that said, "Corporations already dominate the conversation. They are our employers, our suppliers, and our providers...they hire legions of attorneys to bring lawsuits to overturn statutes and regs that eat into their profits. They spend billions of dollars each year on advertising and marketing to make sure everyone gets the message."
I am, like you, upset, but we can't give up. Tonight from 5:00 to 7:00 at Madison's Great Dane on East Doty, Congressman Steve Kagen will discuss the impact of the court's unfortunate decision on incumbents. Have little people been locked out? Is it silly to give fifty bucks? Come for the discussion--it will, I predict, be lively. No charge at the door.
Meanwhile Scott Walker brags that he has raised almost $2 million for his race. Democrat Barrett? A paltry million and one-half. Tim John? Don't ask.
Sage? Not so much: We don't have enough money for a program that works--smaller classes. Outrageous! "Race to the top"? How about "Fall to the bottom"? Democrats control the legislative branch and should be held accountable. Find the money!
February 1, 1960. The sit-in movement began. A true movement that moved us toward the path of social justice. Students led the way.
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January 31, 2010
Name names--please!
Rumors that the speaker of the Wisconsin Assembly, Mike Sheridan, was about to quit or be forced to walk the plank by his fellow Democrats have been scotched. Turns out, according to Sheridan, that a group of lobbyists was behind the effort to get a more lobbyist-friendly speaker. He "accused lobbyist opponents of regulation of pay-day loans" (limiting interest to 36 percent) of starting rumors he was headed for the door. The issue is one we have hollering about all year. Rumor had it that the Mafia charged less than 36 percent when I was a kid.
As you know, Wisconsin is the only state that does not cap interest fees for pay-day loan operations. AP reports that more than two dozen lobbyists have been hired to defeat this modest measure. Sheridan has not been a crusader for the bill, having referred it to Representative Jason Fields's committee--and, believe it--Fields opposes any cap! I am not joking.
But Sheridan told bill sponsor Gordon Hintz that there will be a vote on the bill this year. Odds are it will pass once on the floor. "How dare he!" was the lobbyist challenge. "Fire him. Establish some discipline!"
Now, Mike, name names of the lobbyists so we can tell the people. This is blackmail and must be stopped. You took the flak, now it is our turn. Just wait until the governor hears about this!
Back to school, Paul: Paul Ryan stood to face the president. He was deferential as he laid out his radical, albeit idiotic, plan to help the wealthy get more while we take less. Frank Rich dismissed GOP plans as idiocies. Rich wrote, "Paul Ryan, a Wisconsin congressman hailed as the Republicans’ new intellectual hope, laid out a lengthy 'G.O.P. Road Map for America’s Future' on The Wall Street Journal op-ed page that proposed cutting taxes (disproportionately for the wealthy) and privatizing Medicare and Social Security but devoted no bullet point to creating jobs for Americans in urgent need," and on and on. I think Ryan was as serious as a self-described millionaire "intellectual" in the party of Michele Bachmann and Sarah Palin can be. But clear the decks folks, the GOP wrecking ball is poised to privatize everything from sidewalks to social security.
Please read Joel McNally this morning--right on, Joel!
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January 30, 2010
Why not?
We have suggested for years that Congress should establish an American version of the British "question time" and so should the Wisconsin Legislature. You have seen it on public TV: The Prime Minister goes into the well of Parliament to answer questions from MPs of all parties. It is fun, often riveting, full of suspense and it brings people into the debate in a meaningful way. Yesterday Barack Obama went to the Republican caucus (the well). He stood and answered questions. It was civil, instructive, and might lead to action.
At times it was humorous, at times tense, but at all times it beat hell out of a FOX News distortion of what was said. Obama did not use a TelePrompter and I think he won the day. The Republicans will look foolish if they continue to claim that they lack understanding of the health reform package. If they need dialog--invite him back to the well.
Bopped! James Bopp, Justice Gableman's counsel and Wisconsin's Right to Life's counsel, has demanded a litmus or purity test for anyone seeking office as a Republican. It seems extreme because he is, but the idea has some merit. Somewhere between demanding support for a party's platform and the Bopp test makes some sense. Every time I see Joe Lieberman grimace, I flip channels. Shouldn't Harry Reid do something about Mary Landrieu, Mo-Jo, and Ben Nelson? Why they call themselves Democrats is a mystery. To the well perhaps?
Arne Duncan: Secretary of Education Duncan said, "Katrina is the best thing that has happened to public schools in New Orleans." Whoa Arne, whoa. Even if you think it...
Did you feel inspired by the State of the Union speech? Good speech, but an hour too long, and too little passion. But compared to the Republican response--Gettysburg Address from Obama.
Telephone repairs pulled by right-wingers trying to tap Senator Landrieu's phones. Same people who set up ACORN. Prank? I don't think so.
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January 29, 2010
Go figure!
First the good news--the MPS special legislative session is done, dead, gone. Not missing a chance to inflame passions, Mayor Barrett of Milwaukee, a gubernatorial candidate, had this to say: "It is unfortunate that the School Board raced to hire a Superintendent" before the Legislature was able to act on two proposals. (Memo to the mayor: Hell would have frozen first.) If that doesn't throw kerosene on the fire, try this line from Mayor Barrett: "The School Board decided to embrace the status quo at the expense if Milwaukee's children."
Jim Doyle said about the same thing, but no one I know thought Barrett would march lock-step behind Doyle as the plan went up in flames. But, yes, Tom Barrett said that in a news release. I'm not kidding.
Recall that Doyle threatened MPS and, indeed, all school districts that Wisconsin would lose out on untold millions of dollars from Obama's "Race to the Top" program designed to replace NCLB if we refused to eliminate the elected school board in Milwaukee. (I have to say the ham-handed handling of this threat may have been the strangest move by a Democratic governor in memory.)
To cap it off--it turns out Race to the Top has not been approved, is in trouble, and may itself also be dead. Me thinks Doyle is lucky the Legislature did not act. The New York Times reported, "Experts say it would be a heavy lift to get the job done this year." Sso much discord, so little time, not enough money available, as we fight two unwinable wars. Experts on both sides of the isle doubt that there can be a bill passed this year. If health is difficult, just watch the school funding debate.
All the more reason to ask, What in hell was Doyle thinking? More to the point, What was Barrett doing?
Alito: Was he intentionally insulting the president? He didn't use one of George Carlin's seven words, but his looks conveyed one of them. Pundits say he was insulting the president, but I think it is possible he had not figured out the impact of the awful decision to permit corporations to take over our electoral system until the speech, and he was whispering to himself, "We did that? No, c'mon!" Next words that may have flowed, "Whoa Nelly!"
Yesterday some said Alito lied during confirmation. Really?
Howard Zinn, we already miss you.
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January 28, 2010
I admit it! Proudly.
Yes, it is true, I voted for a Republican. And, I now confess, more than once. Charles "Mac" Mathias, a neighbor in Chevy Chase, Maryland, and a good man, was our senator. He was a Republican the likes of which we may never see again as the pathetic Palin wing-nuts solidify control of a once-proud political party. Mathias believed in public financing of campaigns; he limited contributions to $100 (he would not like James Bopp); he fought against the Vietnam war; was in the trenches on civil rights--indeed he helped coax a reluctant JFK into the battle.
He tried his best to protect the environment. Today he would be well to the left of Harold Ford and the DLC crowd. "Too liberal" would be the cry of the Democratic Party leaders. Yes, too liberal. I prefer to think of him as a principled progressive in the tradition of LaFollette. Can you imagine his outrage at a Supreme Court granting First Amendment rights to corporations? I cannot.
Thank you, Charles Mac Mathias. Thank you for lifting the bar. Thanks for your civility. Thanks.
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January 27, 2010
State of the prompter?
Well, the governor read his speech to a joint session last night. This was his last "State of the State" speech--as governor--or so he says. (God, it would have been fun to break the TelePrompTer with a hammer just before Doyle was introduced or, to do so tonight before Obama begins reading. How would they handle it?)
I have given lots of speeches, read a few, and have been with some great speakers who inspired crowds. I can't think of one inspirational speech that was read from a TelePrompTer. Ask--would we have been inspired by LaFollette or Gaylord or Jesse Jackson had they read from a TelePrompTer? I don't think so.
A speaker either engages the audience in front of him/her with words from the heart, or he usually becomes fascinated with the written words on the screen flying by. Even if they are his words, the speech appears to be the work of a committee. It lacks authenticity at a time when a cynical electorate tires of phony props.
I don't remember the first speech I watched aided by a TelePrompTer (LBJ?), but staffers don't work on substance and delivery any more--they have the speaker practice reading while they make last-minute corrections.
Wisconsin Public Televison reported that Doyle was "passionate" only about MPS and his plan for a mayoral takeover. What did we learn? Well, he did seem to talk about MPS with passion--seemed to stop reading. Can't say I liked his message, but that is hardly a news flash. It seemed real.
Presumably, his speech was available to supporters of the Doyle/Barrett takeover. "Coordinated" might be too strong. But this morning MJS editorialized that Milwaukee county should dissolve. The Greater Milwaukee Committee, same day, and the so-called Public Policy Forum, cried for MPS reform--bankruptcy, death or dissolution seem to be the only other options. (Wisconsin Public Television got ahead of the story by reporting Doyle would dissolve MPS.)
Keep your fingers crossed that Biden will hide the TelePrompTer tonight. A little talk from the heart, please!
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January 26, 2010
Oh no! State of the Union, State of the State, State of the County...
I'll bet there are even mayors, members of Congress, corporate leaders and a hundred trade union leaders getting ready for grandiose pronouncements on the "condition" of their entity. Most will begin with a simple declarative--"The state of your___________(fill in the name) is" sound or excellent or great! Huzzah!
The gallery in the House of Representatives in Washington and Assembly chambers in Madison will be full of people who have been told to be there, and there will be the now-obligatory "surprise guests" to be introduced in mid-speech to make forgettable moments. Ronald Reagan on the national level and Tommy Thompson in Wisconsin perfected the usually sappy introductions.
All in all, we will hear much but learn little. Tonight our governor; tomorrow night our president. Major problems will be dismissed in a few words--there will be few memorable lines, but listen we must!
Jon Stewart of The Daily Show should move into the West Wing instead of David Plouffe. He gets the aloof Obama mystery. As presidential aids were setting up a TelePrompTer in a grade school class so Arne Dunken and the president could read a speech to the kids, Stewart yelled, "For god's sake, a TelePrompTer for a talk to 6th graders?"
More prescriptions for dealing with President Aloof's aloofness have poured in to FightingBob.
Colin Powell says, "He thinks like a lawyer, makes decisions like a lawyer." Maybe he should try making decisions like a football coach instead of a lawyer for this speech.
To learn more, read this from David Axelrod (I did not make this up): "This is someone (Obama) who in law school worked with professor Larry Tribe on a paper on the legal implications of Einstein's theory of relativity." Wow! David! Did he really? Was it published? Where can we get a copy? Did Tribe give him a grade? Did Obama fill out the teacher eval? Is it available?
Axelrod didn't pause. He went on as if building a resume for the guy. (Hey! David. He is the president. He doesn't have to pad his CV.)
"He does have an incisive mind; that mind is always put to use in pursuit of tangible things that are going to improve people's lives."
He reads more than Palin, surfs the net, studies memos, reads SI, gulps down The New Yorker (I wonder if he races through to read the cartoons or if he dives into poetry). He watches lots of TV, but, remember, his mind is always, always, put to use for us.
Spending freeze? The insiders tell us that the president will lurch to the right and declare a spending freeze! Yikes. Say it ain't true. Spending on the oh-so-popular wars will not be frozen; veteran benefits won't be frozen, but Race To The Top? Or helping states pay debts. Tough it out like AIG, GM, Goldman.
MPS: Sit before reading. The MPS School Board has hired a new superintendent of Milwauee public schools. What about the Doyle/Duncan/Barrett takeover? Don't ask, don't tell. Will the governor have his own pick in the gallery tonight? Dueling superintendents brought to you by WPTV? There is reason to watch. could be the start of a new series,
How about the Onion, Mr. President? Give it a try.
C'mon.
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January 25, 2010
Bopp on top!
Years ago, Bob Newhart suggested that if you had an "infinite number of monkeys in front of an infinite number of typewriters, eventually, they will type all the great works of literature." Good for laughs, and it comes to mind as we try to cope with the Supreme Court's awful decision that corporations, unions, and ideological groups have a right to spend as much as they want supporting or opposing the election of candidates. WMC Gone Wild!
If not challenged vigorously, I see it as the end of democracy. The only hopeful note I have seen appeared on our site yesterday, where the always hopeful idealist and regular GuestBlogger Bill Kraus found a silver lining. "Granny D" was not so hopeful. She says, "The court now opens the flood gates to usher in a new tsunami of corporate money into politics." She is right--unfortunately. Kraus is not.
We have written about James Bopp of Terre Haute, Indiana, who has given his professional life to the notion that we are better off if unregulated corporations rule America. (Bopp represents Judge Gableman.) Bopp also represented Wisconsin Right to Life, and a front-page story in today's New York Times gives him the credit for this awful FEC decision. (You must read the article.)
Now, the NYT says the "next step is to roll back the disclosure rules." Bopp says, "Groups have to be relieved of reporting their donors if lifting the prohibition on their political speech is going to have any meaning." Huh? (So much for Bill Kraus's silver lining.) His approach would have defeated Julie Lassa in her action against Todd Rongstad. Then he and his infinite number of attorney-patrons will go to court and try to eliminate the application of libel laws to political campaigns. They have an infinite amount of money and computers--not typewriters.
(I suggest that Bopp probably thinks you should be able to shout "fire" in a crowded theater just for fun. The First Amendment be damned!)
Bopp got started in William F. Buckley's Young Americans for Freedom, supported by newspaper owner M. Stanton Evans. He was a soul-mate of Fulton Lewis III, and supported HUAC (Joe McCarthy types)! He hasn't changed, but now he has big money to pay all those lawyers.
Whoa Nelly! We are in for a ride.
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January 24, 2010
Rules change!
As kids we played softball in the street almost every day. The rules were clearly understood. Most of us were out after three strikes; it was four balls for a walk; "99 fouls" and you were out! But one kid brought the bats, balls and gloves. He got more than three strikes. He remained at bat until he got a hit. He walked on three balls, and when he went home the game ended.
If there was a close call at home involving the bat owner the game ended early unless we accepted his version of the situation. He was the classic bully, and eventually we brought our own equipment and everyone obeyed the three-strike-four-ball rules.
Would that we could look at the Supreme Court's FEC decision with the simplicity of kids playing pick-up baseball. Bring our equipment--better candidates, grassroots campaigns, better ideas. But we can't win even if we do, because in the game of politics the big kids own the TV and radio studios; they have unlimited resources; they have the big law firms parading behind the flag of the First Amendment when the black flag of piracy would be more appropriate; and, well, let's face it, we now enter into the cesspool of corporate control. Ultimately, the big corporations will completely dominate our Legislature, Congress, the lower courts, the White House. They will re-district, decide who pays taxes and who doesn't. It is only a question of when not whether.
The Washington Post interviewed the $800-per-hour law firms--Foley & Lardner, Covington & Burling, Skadden Arps--who, surprise, surprise, urge us to be calm. One argued that these are tough economic times so big corporations won't jump in immediately. Some consolation! The bully will, for now, settle for a three-ball walk and only five strikes! Gosh! Are we lucky or what?
This decision, that corporations have the same First Amendment rights as a living, breathing, citizen, is contrived, loopy and wrong. But it will alter our politics completely. It has not been a fair fight for decades in our money-dominated-corrupt political system, but we could win. Grassroots mattered, the quality of the candidate was considered. Not any more.
Don't feel relaxed when the Washington crowd tells you the change is minor--it ain't. It is a game changer. It is rule-by-bully!
Well, we have no choice but to fight. See you at Fighting Bob Fest on September 11 in Baraboo.
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January 23, 2010
Party over?
Not since Plessy v. Ferguson, where the Supreme Court, in 1896, held that segregation was just dandy so long as there were "separate but equal" facilities available, and its forerunner, Dred Scott, where the "Supremes" held that slaves could never become citizens because they were not protected by the Constitution, has the court been so blatant, so arrogant, and so wrong.
How would you like to be an American soldier teaching a course in democracy in Afghanistan or Iraq? "Come to corporate-America! Everything is for sale!" Would you risk your life to save Goldman Sachs?
Some people, and all progressives, understand what the five wrecking balls have done. Some seem to think that there is a legislative fix out there in the weeds. The President used the "bi-partisan" call again. Yah, sure. The GOP will suddenly put country above self-interest.
Others I talked with said, in essence, "Hey! It's over! Drop out--fascism has come to America and we are helpless."
Bad time to counsel dropping out if you have kids and grandchildren. What would you say to them? How about, "Oops! Sorry we let them steal the presidential elections in 2000 and 2004. Oops! We let them appoint Alito and his cunning side-kick Roberts when we should have known what their game plan was." Is that the explanation you and I should feel comfortable with?
I don't think so. I advance a few ideas. First, this decision is so far-reaching it cannot stand. We do believe in democracy in this country not fascism. They (Roberts-Alito types) will win some elections--maybe all of the big ones in 2010--but they cannot alter the touchstone of our republic. They can't change our culture. People die to protect our democracy--we won't let these guys steal it. No siree!
Change the laws governing corporations; eliminate tax-breaks; legislate a short life-span for corporations; practice civil disobedience. We cannot throw in the towel. Nope!
Bob Fest: Some of you suggest that we devote Fighting Bob Fest this year to "Where do we go from here?" I like that idea. We need your input of positive ideas.
The fight begins!
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January 22, 2010
Can it get worse?
You betcha! The staid NY Times editorialized, "The Court's Blow to Democracy," and it captured my feelings. With a single, disastrous ruling, the Supreme Court has thrust politics back to the robber-baron era of the 19th Century. Disingenuously waiving the flag of the First Amendment, the court's conservative majority has paved the way for corporations to use their vast treasuries to overwhelm elections and (read carefully) intimidate elected officials into doing their bidding. This was a sneak attack, led by Roberts and Alito--names that will go down in history as the wrecking crew of democracy. They misled or lied in confirmation hearings--they said they would respect precedent. Bull roar!
I'll be back--hopefully with a partial game plan. This fight must involve all of us who believe in social and economic justice, fair play, honest elections. Sleep well Alito and Roberts--you served your ideological brethren well. You will be a hit at the next tea party.
More later. You appreciate the enormous wrecking ball that blasted through our world yesterday. This is, quite frankly, the worst day in American history. Pearl Harbor was awful but we were a democracy willing to lay our lives on the line to preserve that democracy. Not so after this catastrophe. The court has destroyed democracy in our land. This group of five have handed the once proud system to AIG, Goldman Sachs, U.S. Bank, and the other robber barons. Election 2010 may be the last real election.
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January 21, 2010
David Prosser, meet Teddy Roosevelt
John Nichols reminds us that Teddy Roosevelt called for full public financing of federal campaigns way back in 1905 (I think that was during Tommy's first term). Teddy told Congress, "All contributions by corporations to any political committee or for any political purpose should be forbidden by law."
Teddy and Bob LaFollette understood the motivation of corporate officers; understood that their only fiduciary duty is to serve the owners of the corporations not the people of the land; understood that corporations could purchase any election. They understood that a corporation is formed to make a profit--not to seek public office or advance the public good. (See AIG, Goldman Sachs, U.S. Bank.)
I never tire of reading the quote from Wisconsin's Chief Justice Edward Ryan, in 1873: "The question shall arise, and arise in your day, which shall rule, wealth or man, which shall lead, money or intellect? Who shall fill public stations--educated and patriotic free men or the feudal serfs of corporate capital?"
Justice Ryan understood that corporations were boldly marching, not "for economic power only but for political power." Justice David Prosser has a different view. He argues in his proposed rule on recusal that "campaign contributions to judicial candidates are a fundamental component of judicial elections." He argues that automatic recusal "would create the impression that receipt of a contribution automatically impairs the judge's integrity." (Yes indeed.) The effect would be to "discourage the broadest possible participation in financing campaigns." (Actually, public financing achieves that goal quite nicely.)
Automatic recusal would, in essence, deny the citizen/litigant/corporation "access to the judges they help elect." Wow! Stay tuned; read the Nichols posting, read Justice Prosser's proposal. Decide for yourself.
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January 20, 2010
Dear Democrats: Before you panic, remember that you have a huge majority--enjoy!
No more horror stories about Mary Landrieu holding up the Senate so Harry Reid can count to 60 to break a filibuster; no more threats from "fickle Joe" Leiberman, and the importance of his 60th vote; bye-bye, Senator Nelson. He will go back to Nebraska sans pork!
There is a silver lining beyond the Massachusetts cloud--the Democrats will have a huge majority, and if they put a little hot sauce in their morning java they can do just about everything with 59 seats they could do with 60 seats. Probably more, if they hustle. Maybe this is just what the Senate Dems needed. Does it occur to anyone in Washington that people are angry at the faux filibuster? We elected these senators to do more than wring their hands--get on it! If you have a huge majority no need crying over one less.
And the White House staff might feel Obama's boot as well. No more David Axelrod blaming someone else. Paahhleeeeze! So now Senator Kohl can take the lead on the Butler nomination and secure his confirmation. Perhaps Obama can drop the gloves.
Sure, Republicans can filibuster--but make them do it the old-fashioned, Strom Thurmond way. Cots in the Senate.
Elsewhere, Justice Gableman speaks and reminds us that sometimes one is better off not explaining. He responded to defense lawyers who accused him of bias against criminal defendants. Turns out he didn't like much about the state's Supreme Court. Gableman said, "In a whole host of areas of law...the court began distorting the law to fit its own policy preferences." (Pretty dangerous territory.)
He went on swinging at the court, saying, "It invented new theories of liability and new protections for criminal defendants that were unwise and unjustified by the law." (More evidence of bias?) Whoa Nelly! If you think this reads poorly, listen and watch Justice Gableman in action on Wisconsin Eye. Memo to Gableman: 10 years is a long time to sit with legal scholars after accusing them of twisting the law.
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January 19, 2010
Milwaukee and Haiti
I really enjoy articles by John Smart. See his posting this morning, urging us to give the proposed Duncan/Doyle/Evers/Barrett MPS takeover a chance. Understandable that Smart, a champion of public education, would urge us to try.
The issue has thoroughly divided the Barrett base in Milwaukee. One reason is the vehemence of the governor, who comes off as bully not as a teacher-leader. Wisconsin Eye captured Doyle's attitude problem at his news conference. The camera captured the moment.
For months Doyle has warned us that unless we permit the state to take over MPS, the Obama folks will punish us. No specifics, no explanation of why Mayor Barrett would do a better job than board president Bonds, but Doyle says, in essence, if the Wisconsin proposal fails, blame those who "cling to the status quo." In Doyle's world there is "his way" or the "status quo." If you support the "antiquated notion" of democratic elections of your school board, you are in favor of achievement gaps, poor reading skills, and you are not part of the solution--you are the problem.
Doyle finally tells us that he is asking Arne for $254 million, $68 million of which would go to Milwaukee. The balance to the rest of the state. No indication if other districts will be forced to allow the mayor to make all decisions--but Doyle, who is not winning the battle in Milwaukee, suddenly warns Kenosha, Beloit, Superior that they will also lose if the "status quo" forces convince Arne that Wisconsin is not in favor of better schools!
Before Wisconsin Eye covered the Doyle "news" conference, the testimony from more than 100 Milwaukee teachers, parents, community activists, on Eye was riveting. (A few of the passionate comments in opposition to the Doyle/Barrett takeover note that it is odd that the takeover comes just as the first African-American is elected president of the board, that teachers are doing well, and that the state should give the new leadership in Milwaukee a chance.)
Doyle continues to make "Race to the Top" a new game. He explains that while Wisconsin consistently ranks one or two in the country, we must do better if we want to win the Arne race! I am not making this up. The message is clear: We have the money and the power, if you doubt us, lookout! A disappointing performance at best.
Haitian/American Dissonance: Millions of dollars are flowing into Haiti from the U.S. Our armed forces are working night and day, volunteers are risking their lives to save Haitian lives--this is America at its best. Read all about it on page one.
The dissonance is on page A17 of the New York Times: "Homeless Haitians Told Not to Try to Flee to U.S." Every day, a U.S. cargo plane broadcasts for five hours a message from the Haitian ambassador to Washington warning people that if they try to escape to America they "will be intercepted and returned to Haiti." The U.S. has started a campaign to persuade Haitians to stay put! I am not kidding.
Who is responsible for the pre-quake economic disaster in Haiti? You decide. Which America is on display?
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January 18, 2010
MLK, JFK, RFK
Today we honor Martin Luther King Jr., but I cannot do so without also thanking JFK, RFK, Bob Moses, Diane Nash, Taylor Branch, Rosa Parks, Connie Curry, Roy Wilkins, Walter Williams, the Field Foundation, Thurgood Marshall, SNCC, CORE, James Meredith, Bill Kunstler, Pete Seeger, John Lewis, LBJ, Fannie Lou Hammer ("I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired"), Malcolm X, Emanuel Celler, Ben Zelenko, Joe Rauh, Hubert H. Humphrey, lots of southern judges, and thousands of students who risked their lives in pursuing social justice. They marched, sang, sat-in, waded-in, and voted.
Some broke unjust laws and willingly went to jail, while others wrote new laws and enforced them. They practiced non-violence, they paved the way, they fought the good fight. Sure would have been nice had they all been in Grant Park the night Obama won the nomination. As King said in his last speech in Memphis, "I may not get there with you--I have seen the promised land."
In short, they made this day possible.
It is sad to think of our losses, but they motivate us to finish the job. We cannot stop now.
Tomorrow: The Death and Life of American Journalism, the latest book from FightingBob.com contributing editors John Nichols and Bob McChesney, is released. (Hint: Watch the latest edition of Now on PBS today to find out more.)
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January 17, 2010
What's going on?
First the governor tells us we will get lots of money from Arne Duncan at U.S. Department of Education--all we need to gain a seat at the table is a plan to eliminate the elected school board in Milwaukee and give all power to the mayor who, wouldn't ya know, is running for governor. But, Doyle warned, finger wagging at the Legislature, if you don't do what I tell you Arne will skip Wisconsin and give its share of the loot to....? We don't know. Maybe he will give it to Ben Nelson in Nebraska! Or to Joe Leiberman!
The grass roots in Milwaukee rose up in anger to defend their system from a Madison takeover. They stopped the train and today Doyle's quote seems like whining. He asked the people, the people said no, and he says as a result, we stand little chance of winning funding. We would be "bitterly disappointed if we lose," but he makes it clear we will lose. So prepare yourself for the bitter disappointment we will all feel. Then demand answers from the governor--not more finger-wagging.
As yet unanswered is, What would winning mean? And, Why is mayoral control of schools so good? And, "Had we done what you asked, was the money guaranteed? At first Doyle limited his threats to Milwaukee, but today he says virtually every school district in the state will lose Race to The Top funds. How much? Don't ask, and don't expect a response. Only Doyle knows!
Take it from Doyle--Superior, Platteville, Madison, Beloit, Green Bay, Kenosha--all will lose lots of money because Milwaukee thinks the takeover is loopy.
I think a "profile in courage" award goes to Spencer Coggs and Tamara Grigsby. It would have been easy for them to go along, but they didn't. As a result we might develop a sensible plan based on policy choices not threats. Kudos!
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January 15, 2010
MPS_ _ _ _
The proponents of a mayoral takeover of the Milwaukee public schools are still fighting, still refusing to fill in the blanks on their rescue plan, still calling opponents names.
The governor who started the fight has gone back into his comfort zone in Madison, and the teachers, administrators, parents, and students are wondering who will be the new superintendent in Milwaukee. Will Milwaukee get a leader who blames all problems on teachers while ignoring the impact of poverty on education? Or a leader who will take on the entrenched powers?
The school board is trying to hire a first-rate superintendent of schools. The final three candidates will make public presentations Thursday. (No mention if they will wear camouflage.) Will the three hang in? Let's hope so.
Good for Obama: We don't know if Haiti can be saved. The destruction is unbelievable, but one thing is certain. President Obama has taken the lead. His performance has been remarkable. He makes us all proud.
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January 14, 2010
Good for the light-skinned-but-spa-tanned bankers!
After all the hou-ha over Harry Reid's comment about "light-skinned Negroes" without dialect, I turned a critical eye toward the New York Times. Would the NYT blame "white men" in suits, with mild dialects and a winter tan for the financial melt-down? Well I think that the Times is as guilty as Harry Reid.
Check the almost half-page picture in the NYT's business section for yourself. Lloyd Blankfein, CEO Gold-Digger-Sachs; James Dimon of JP Morgan; John Mack, Morgan Stanley, Bryan Moynihan, of my favorite, Bank of America--hands slightly raised, swearing to tell the truth to what appeared to be quite a few white members of Congress. Here's the rub. They are all white guys in a picture that had, by my count, 18 other white guys and three white women. All these white folks raising the question, "Where are the Negroes"? C'mon! You don't expect us to believe these white guys acted alone, do you? Something is out of whack. I can hardly wait to hear the explanation from Rush and the Tea Partiers.
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January 13, 2010
Haiti = Katrina
The Obama administration needs to rush into action with food, water, supplies, earth-moving equipment, portable hospitals, and lots of personnel to help with the rescue of thousands in Haiti.
This is Obama's Katrina. Why?, Haiti has been our "colony" for more than a century. It may be the poorest nation in the world, the government has been awful, the U.S. anything but helpful. Here is a chance to erase some of the hurt we have inflicted.
This tragedy should stop all talk in Washington of "light-skinned Obama" immediately. More important items on the agenda.
Brown could win the Kennedy seat--but he won't if the coalition holds. If it doesn't and Brown wins, the Obama agenda is in ruins as the 2010 elections approach. Hold your breath.
Packers: Too bad--a missed field goal and a coin toss gave the odds to the Packers. The officials missed a call, but that is how the game is played. Reverse it; would the Packers throw in the towel?
Great game, fantastic young quarterback--the Pack is back.
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January 11, 2010
No Lasee?
Egad! Alan Lasee, representing DePere, will retire from the Legislature after 36 years of filling an otherwise empty chair. Who will call for capitol punishment now? His prize accomplishment--expansion of Highway 57 and a bridge in Sturgeon Bay. What would Wisconsin have done without him?
How much good news can we tolerate? In addition to Lasee's decision to retire, the DNR reported that deer hunters shot at fewer buildings this year. I'm not kidding. "Deer hunters shot dramatically fewer buildings" this year. Ten buildings were shot--that is down from 25 in 2008! Hey! Progress. Four shootings involved a rifle and four a shotgun. No report on the other building shootings. No indication of dead cows, dogs or other animals. Proud of you guys!
On Sunday I jumped on Harry Reid. He deserved it, but no one deserves the flow of hypocritical bloviating from Fox News and Michael Steele that followed. "Stop this train. I want to get off!" The GOP leader recently used the phrase "honest Injun" in a city where that slur on Native Americans was too much. (The NFL still calls its franchise the "Redskins.")
It is banker bonus time! I can hardly wait.
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Are you a fan?
I remember Packer coaches Gene Ronzani, Lisle Blackbourne, "Scooter" Mclean and Phil Bengston. All had lousy records. The Packers were the "Cubs" of the NFL. They were bad, but they were our team. So it was easy for me to feel great pride in the Packers yesterday--front office, coaches and players. What a game! If you are a fan you had to love it. If you recall the pre-Lombardi Packers you really loved it.
Neither team "lost"--it may have been the greatest offensive show in NFL history that should have ended with a Cardinal field goal but didn't. Would the critics have been happier had the Cardinal kicker made a "chip shot"?
Phoenix got more points and moves on to New Orleans.
The Packers have a great future. Coach McCarthy--well done!
Light-skinned. The Republicans in Congress have started hollering about Harry Reid's comment, but there is a hollowness to their noise. I wrote yesterday that Reid should step aside, but he won't and so it goes. Some Dems lecture us that it was merely "an unfortunate choice of words," and the President says "the book is closed." OK. What's a dumb Mic like me supposed to say? I will call a couple of Italians and Jews and seek guidance. (Oops!)
One lesson for sure: There is no such thing as "off the record" if you are a public figure.
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January 10, 2010
You can't make it up!
The Democratic Senate Leader Harry Reid said that? Yup. He said that Obama might win the presidency because he is "a light-skinned African-American with no Negro dialect unless he wanted to have one." Reid told this to two people writing a book. He apologized to the president, Al Sharpton, NAACP, and everyone else. But he said it. Really. He said that.
The same book quotes Bill Clinton, the guy who once manufactured a dispute with Sister Souljah at Jesse Jackson's Rainbow Coalition dinner in 1992, in order to distance himself from Jesse Jackson. If you can believe it, the authors contend Clinton, in a discussion with Ted Kennedy trying to get Kennedy to endorse Hillary, said, "A few years ago Obama would have been serving them coffee." Apparently Teddy didn't like it.
Now I had to quickly check my calendar. Which century are we in? Remember when one of the PGA tour golfers, Fuzzy Zoeller, mocked Tiger's win at Augusta: "He might be serving chicken at the dinner."
We don't expect much from an adult calling himself "fuzzy" but we sure as hell expect leaders of the Democratic Party to be involved in Civil Rights not advancing derogatory comments that set back the progress made. Don't get all misty-eyed over Martin Luther King and then say what Clinton and Reid said.
I met with a group of African-American men from Milwaukee last week. Their concern was unemployment among adult black men in Milwaukee. It is 55 percent in Milwaukee. What would Harry Reid or Bill Clinton say to them?
Whoa Nelly! Harry, I think you must resign. Step aside. You said it.
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