May 1, 2012
Holy cow!
Now and then I come to grips with the sad fact that Milwaukee has only one daily newspaper. (And, of course I miss the Cap Times every day.) Thank goodness and Lou Fortis for the weekly Shepherd Express. In reading the Journal Sentinel's report on the extraordinary--actually unbelievable--sum of money given to our governor the Journal-Sentinel is down right casual.
To quote someone, "Holy Crap!" (The comment was anonymous because the speaker was not authorized to comment on the record.) Don't you wonder how MJS would have treated the Brink's robbery? "Some money was missing from a Brink's Truck. Actually, more than the usual amount." Or the Hindenburg: "Blimp's landing delayed by bumpy weather"?
OK--here it comes--$25 million has been given to Walker (not "raised" as JS would have it). It is what can only be described as the largest bribe in history, with the possible exception of the NFL's "gift" of a team to New Orleans in return for an exemption from the antitrust laws so the NFL and AFL could merge.
We thought the right-wing democracy-destroyers might make 12-15 million available to Walker, but even that amount is so far outside my comfort zone. I thought they just might keep it down. Nope!
Here are some names you might want to add to a country club or Tea Party event: Diane Hendricks gave Walker a $500,000 gift that one must label honest graft. Bob Perry has given Walker $500,000 as well. Perry was the jerk who produced the video called Swift boat.
Sheldon Adelson, Sands Hotel, gave Newt Gingrich $10 million. And Walker? A full $250,000. (That means he would support bombing Iran!) Ah, the DeVos family (Amway), has dabbled in Wisconsin politics for years. This time they more than dabbled, giving Walker $250,000.
Other big givers of $100,000: John Childs, of Mass.; Warren Stevens of Arkansas; Robert Kern founder of Waukesha's Generac.
Now what? Do Democrats throw in the towel, try to raise money, or join in the Tin Cup Movement?
TAKE UP THE CHALLENGE:
Walker has given the Democrats a wonderful opportunity to change the system.
The People's Legislature adopted a resolution urging candidates to "put down the Tin Cup," and announce they will take no money from any entity other than individual contributors. That means no union money, no corporate money, no PAC money!
The moment has arrived. The four Democrats should meet to discuss a joint approach to money. Join the Tin Cup movement and challenge Walker to do the same. Democrats would be saying to voters, We are not for sale! Period.
Think about it. The Democratic nominee will have a golden opportunity to win by sticking with the pledge. And if it works the right-wing is 'f'ed (a word the NY Times reports cannot be said in front of the Supreme Court). Use your imagination. The right-wing is in deep poop.
Beat the money in June and the Koch brothers et al will fade quicker than a summer tan.
Memo to Falk, La Follette, Barrett, Vinehout: Place all the money you have into the campaign of the winner. Campaign as if our political lives are counting on you. Beat the money!
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