July 2, 2009
Good faith, you say?
The grim news seems to come in big dollops these days. GM closes Janesville plant--1,200 out of work; Chrysler takes our money to build a plant in Mexico in order to fire hundreds of workers in Kenosha; and then good old Briggs and Stratton announces the closing of its plant in Jefferson--520 jobs lost in a small town will pack a wallop. (Last year Briggs closed a lawn mower site in Port Washington and hundreds of jobs were thrown out like so much garbage.)
Scott Walker, Milwaukee County Executive, is so busy running for governor on his platform--"If I took Milwaukee County to the brink of economic disaster, imagine what I could do for Wisconsin"--that he can't take time to resolve budget problems. Nope! "Where is my Harley? I'm out of here," he yells as he furloughs hundreds of employees who had a contract based on good faith.
Let me explain why I'm angry. GM, Chrysler, and Briggs have been subsidized by the taxpayers of Wisconsin for decades. We trusted them. We gave them the Machinery & Equipment tax exemption known as the M&E exemption (A Pat Lucy idea). In turn, the manufacturers promised to keep jobs in Wisconsin. The quid (tax breaks) for the quo (jobs) is based on good faith. But here is the rub. If the manufacturer takes the exemption and leaves Wisconsin for Mexico, Czech Republic or China,(Briggs) they just do it. No offer to return the subsidy to Wisconsin. They don't even say, "Thanks, chump." "Hey! This is capitalism. Our duty is to shareholders not the workers or the state."
Briggs ignored the good faith promise, opened plants in the Czech Republic and China--and said, in essence, "To hell with Port Washington and Jefferson and Wisconsin." Good faith? Forget it.
Here is a modest proposal. When a company gets the M&E, how about placing 20 percent of the savings in escrow every year to be given back to Wisconsin if the company takes off. What's wrong with that? Ah, says Briggs, just trust us!
As for Walker, ride on, ride on.
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July 1, 2009
The smoke begins to clear
OK, Wisconsin has a budget, no new taxes to speak of, no long-range transit plans, no public money to fund our out-of-reach-for-normal-people legislative races, and Jim Doyle will not head the Peace Corps as rumored. Oh well, like the Cubs, wait 'til next year--or term!
But lets begin with a superb decision issued by the Supreme Court of Minnesota. A 5-0 decision so solid that Norm Coleman raised the white flag. Not even Scalia or Thomas could be counted on to over-turn this decision. Franken won the election fair and square. (Imagine if the Supreme Court in Washington had been as judicious in 2000 and had done the right thing and ruled for Gore. But for that stolen election, there would not have been an invasion of Iraq, torture-the U.S. way, secret CIA prisons and renditions, a Wall Street disaster, a Bernard Madoff...too much to contemplate?)
Congratulations, Al Franken. Hope to see you at Fighting Bob Fest.
Who knew? Herb Kohl met with his newly created panel of advisers on Supreme Court nominees. (I think it is new--never read about it before. It is, according to Kohl's office jam-packed with scholars, citizens, non-partisans--whatever that means.) Surprise--no list of the advisers was included.
Speaking of non-partisans, Ron Kind, candidate for some higher office at all times, will co-chair the a think tank called "Third Way." I am not making this up. Catch this Madison-Avenue-drafted mission statement:
"Third Way is the Leading Think Tank (only think tank) of the Moderate Wing of the Progressive Movement." Whoa Nelly! Then this catchy phrase that I hope is put to music by Peter Leidy at Bob Fest: "COME LET US REASON TOGETHER: A GOVERNING AGENDA TO END THE CULTURE WARS."
Yikes! What culture wars? How about the class war, Ron?
Then we have the emerging Congressman Paul Ryan, suddenly cast as GOP presidential material. (Presumably that means no trips to Argentina.) Praise is coming from un-indicted war criminal Dick Cheney, and from Grover Norquist, the guy who would drown government in a bathtub. OK, Paul!
Finally this from the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign. Legislative races in 2008 cost $20 million. Oh, did money make a difference? Ya think, Ole? Well here is your answer: 87 percent of the races were won by the candidate who spent the most. Now that is nuts!
The welcome mat at the Senate Democratic caucus will be ready after July 4 to welcome a former comedian, Al Franken, who joins the ranks of amateurs.
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June 30, 2009
Let us hear the trumpet!
Dustin Beilke reminds us of Anthony Lewis's great book, Gideon's Trumpet in a wonderful but scary post entitled "Tuneless Trumpet," but he doesn't stop there. No, he tells the truth about the regressive, once progressive, state of Wisconsin. We are Mississippi for heaven's sake!
Public Defenders are appointed to the "non-rich-non-white" criminal defendants only because the 6th Amendment requires representation. Not effective, aggressive, and competent counsel, just someone with a law degree who will work for $40 per hour--losing money every hour she puts in. If the accused thinks the appointee is nuts, drunk, or incompetent? "Shut-up they explain."
I fear that the Legislature would can the 6th Amendment if it could! Instead our legislators strangle it.
This is embarrassing. If only we had governors who are/were lawyers---oops!
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June 29, 2009
One person's crisis...
Bill Kraus wrote a great blog post yesterday: "A crisis and an opportunity." Lots to think about. He reminds me that Fighting Bob Fest is just two months away and I can't wait to see all of you as we plunge in seeking answers to the difficult problems we face. Again, Kraus gives us his priorities and soon it is your turn.
There will be plenty of inspirational speeches from Tom Harkin, our third Senator; our mainstay, Jim Hightower, everyone's favorite populist; Jeremy Scahill, who exposed Blackwater in Iraq and New Orleans; Tammy Baldwin and Gwen Moore; 100-year-old "Granny D" Haddock, who walked across America at age 90 and then wrote Never Too Old to Raise a Little Hell. With lots of good music, good food and beer, the Raging Grannies, Peter Leidy and more, we should focus on how we can effectively oppose more war, stop foreclosures, save our newspapers, push single-payer health care, well...there are plenty of challenges.
How about three Bob Fests next year? Baraboo, Eau Claire, Milwaukee? Your reaction.
Cost of war: As the news tells us that U.S. combat missions in Iraq will soon end, it is worth remembering the cost--Iraq: $682 billion; Afghanistan--$191 billion. What's that you say? Can't afford national health care? You jest!
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June 28, 2009
How many unemployed?
Now and then a fact jumps off the page and scares me. Bob Herbert, one of my favorite columnists wrote Saturday in the NY Times, that "seven million people were officially counted as unemployed in November 2007, a month before the recession began. Now there are about 14 million. Add part time and discouraged and the underutilization rate is truly alarming...nearly 30 million as of May 2009."
One explanation that the DLC would hate to hear is, you guessed it, NAFTA. The Clinton Democrats pushed NAFTA through Congress and now we know that the warnings from Ross Perot to the UAW were, if anything, understated. Take Kenosha. Chrysler will close the engine plant, take our money to build an identical engine plant is Mexico, and purchase more parts from China while our workers in Kenosa hit the streets. NAFTA on steroids. Time to repeal NAFTA? You betcha!
Marinette County: I spoke in Marinette Thursday and had lots of fun. Single-payer health care, public financing of campaigns, and re-districting were hot buttons. Several in the audience will be at Fighting Bob Fest, and and at least 10 volunteered to write articles for www.FightingBob.com. A good trip.
Recall that Citigroup will reward employees with big pay increases. Citi got about $45 billion from us. Japan just told Citigroup to suspend advertising in Japan because they violated banking rules. Is there no end to their nonsense?
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June 27, 2009
What is in the package?
GM screwed us again and the governor and Tim Cullen ask, "Were we used by GM?" What did we say as kids? Is the Pope Catholic and do bears....in the woods? Oh, say it ain't true! Doyle said he was "deeply disappointed" that GM hadn't chosen "a very strong package" offered by Janesville, Rock County and the state.
"I do not believe that Michigan matched us. I certainly hope that we were not used to leverage more resources from Michigan." (Question: Wouldn't GM have been irresponsible not to use Wisconsin's package to get more from Michigan?)
C'mon! For goodness sakes--Were there any rules established for the bidding process? Doyle doubts Michigan matched our package. If that is important, then find out. Let us be the judge. Get the White House to tell us the content of Michigan's package so we can compare the two. Did Michigan cheat? Before we decide if we were used, tell us what was in the package personally delivered to GM by Governor Doyle. Did he offer tax breaks? Money? Wage concessions? What was so good that he doubts Michigan could match us?
I thought our government owned GM. No? If we do, and if the president fired the CEO, and if...you get the picture. Should Doyle have taken the package to the White House instead of Detroit? Bring back Monte Hall and "Lets make a deal"! Maybe a public bid process would level the playing field. But the governor likes closed doors. I'm confused.
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June 25, 2009
International affairs
When the idea of South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford as a vice presidential candidate in 2012 was floated, who knew that he was getting an advanced degree in International Affairs? I will resist the "Don't cry for him Argentina" lines! (One hopes he is not considering poetry as a third career.)
Like me, I'm sure you laughed out loud when the media found him not buck-naked mountain climbing as his staff hinted when he went missing for five days, but returning from Argentina! Whoa Nelly! We need a National Hypocrites Day. Gotta admit, this is the wildest one since Monica Lewinsky was featured in "White House romp."
WYOU: Meanwhile it appears that WYOU (yes that means "you") got lucky. Barbara Boland is the new executive director of the Madison-based community television station. Once guaranteed success because of cable fees, you will recall that the big money folks bought the so-called Video Competition Act sadly signed into law by Jim Doyle, that all but killed the funding for community TV--just as we watch the disappearance of print journalism. We need community-based TV now more than ever.
The online Cap Times posted a New Yorker-length article on Boland's efforts. It is a must-read. We must do more for community-based radio and TV.
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June 24, 2009
About time I say!
Yes, indeed, the headline in the NYT business pages was more than good news. It tells us that greed shall be rewarded. "Citigroup Has a Plan To Fatten Salaries." While government workers, not to mention 10-15 percent of the work force in the private sector in America, are furloughed or fired, Citi will increase base salaries by as much as 50 percent this year and for a darned good reason: "To offset smaller annual bonuses." I think that's great although predictably some unemployed-uninsured-small--picture thinkers will holler Foul! Hell, Marie Antoinette had the right message for them--go ahead and eat your cake!
"Most Citigroup employees will make as much money as they did in 2008." Huzzah! Now, the really good news, the company, possibly in solidarity with wait staff in favorite New York restaurants, "plans to award millions of new stock options to employees to neutralize a precipitous drop in the value of their stock holdings." Are you kidding us? Nope! How did our 401(k)s do?
I checked and it is not April Fools Fay--"fool's year" perhaps.
Turning to fiction--or fact if you can tell the difference, NYT says the Citi plan could be "a crucial test for the Obama administration," which has vowed to (quit smoking) "rein in runaway compensation at companies that have received taxpayer-financed bailouts." Whoa Nelly!
Could we focus for a moment? This is ridiculous! I would think that taxpayers should at least get two tickets to see the Mets at Citi Field. We paid for it.
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June 23, 2009
OK, but what about single-payer?
Herb Kohl has started an e-letter to constituents. I got mine and looked for a clarion call for single-payer health care, an end to the war in Afghanistan, and support for Obama's restrained response to the Iranian-Bush-like-voting scandal, but instead I learned that June is Dairy month (if there are any dairy farmers left) and that Herb is disturbed about consolidation in the cell phone industry.
Herb: Can you hear me now? Fifty million Americans with no health insurance coverage; hospitals closing emergency rooms to keep out the uninsured; millions under-insured, and the insurance industry spreading money all over Congress to defeat the only workable plan: single-payer. Money Herb refuses to accept. So, Senator, how about it? Where is the clarion call for an end to "honest graft" and universal health care? Call on Max Baucus to have open hearings on single-payer and to return the money he got from the insurance folks.
Time to shows leadership in the Senate, Senator Kohl.
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June 22, 2009
Mock news or real McCoy?
The Daily Show often does a better job covering tough issues than the main-streamers. Colbert is funnier than Glen Beck, Bill-O, and so, as their ratings climb, no surprise that pretenders to the fakers would step up to the plate for a few laughs. Here comes Bobbie Battista as anchor for everyone's favorite, The Onion. She is an anchor on Onion News Network. I like her attitude. "You watch the news today and you don't know what is real." Exhibit number one: "lingerie football" carried on a cable news show.
The executive producer said, "We always like to make what we do as much like real news as possible. The more plausible it is, the funnier it is."
Thinking of fake news takes me to Senator Ben Nelson of Nebraska. He opposes a "public option" for health care because "at the end of the day, the public plan wins the day." As Krugman says, "Um, isn't the purpose of health care reform to protect American citizens, not insurance companies?" Is Senator Nelson really trying out for The Onion News?
Or how about Iraq where NYT claims the people are unhappy with their Parliament? Check this--"Pay and benefits ($125,000 per year) are more than 20 times that of the average Iraqi. Or contemplate this: The Iraqi leaders are thinking about a law that would force political parties to disclose big donors to the parties. Why? The concern is that Iran is involved in influence-peddling! Onion or real?
Whoa Nelly. Wait until WMC hears about disclosure rules in Iraq. Send Jim Haney to Baghdad? Or add him to the Onion staff?
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June 21, 2009
White flag time?
I read the NYT poll results and conclude that if the Democrats in Congress are correct, that "there are not enough votes for single-payer so forgedddaaaboutit," then our political system is almost beyond repair. It is as broken as health care delivery in America.
The secret is out. The people, by an overwhelming percentage, want single-payer health care and are willing to pay for it. No amount of hand-ringing by Pelosi will alter that fact. But the people don't know that Congress and a docile president know: The lobbyists don't want it, the health insurance industry hands out money by the buckets to candidates, they have Max Baucus in their pocket, so we can't have what we want. Oh, well, we can still watch the Brewers and send e-mails
After the poll results, I read Frank Rich and I was sad and then angry. Rich reminds that the "Helping Families Save Their Homes Act" was defeated by the bank lobby that Dick Durbin said "frankly own the place." Obama's team remained on the sidelines waiving a white flag on that one and they seem happy to play nice with Wall Street. And it looks like the president is keeping the white flag ready to waive on health care. (In Green Bay he dodged the single-payer question..."if we were starting from scratch...")
So, I read Steve Carlson's superb article we posted this morning and was reminded of the winning slogan, "Yes we Can" and thought why not? Finally, Moyers'Journal carried an interview with Dr. Sidney Wolfe and Dr. David Himmelstein. "You can't actually have a health care program that works, if you keep the insurance industry alive," said Himmelstein. "People are happy with their health care until they get sick."
We may be looking at the money-driven-corrupt politiicsl system in the eye. Who will win? Well, we haven't cleaned out the barn in Wisconsin yet. Will we? Will Congress? What's that? "Don't have the votes?" Get them!
Damn the Post Office! Yup, another ex-Clinton aid appointed by Obama--Capricia Penavic Marshall--was Hillary's PAC director and the social secretary for the Clintons. Now Obama appointed her as the chief of protocol.
She and her husband forgot to file taxes for two years. Whoa Nelly! Are we the only suckers who pay taxes?
But there is a simple explanation, and I'm not making it up--she is! "An IRS agent advised us that there were a large number of tax returns misplaced by the D.C. post office for the 2006 tax year." She added that a UFO landed in her yard in 2006--who knows? Could have been the form thiefs looking for her returns.
Advice from earth--resign.
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June 20, 2009
Ah, closed doors again
I remember when professional athletes were admitted to the AFL-CIO. Brig Owens and I took the train to New York, credentials in hand, to attend our first meeting of the Federation as members. Brig also had another meeting to attend so we agreed to meet later at the AFL-CIO executive council meeting. I went directly to the council meeting alone. I was, to put it mildly, eager to see how policy in the labor federation was made.
As I approached the door a guard asked what I wanted, and I told him I was there to attend the executive council meeting. "No you aren't," was the response. "Yes, I am a delegate. Check my credentials," was my rejoinder. "So what? You are not going in there." I was not allowed to enter the room, so I wrote a letter to Lane Kirkland, president of the Federation. I suggested that if members are expected to support the Fed's policies, they should, at minimum, be permitted to listen to the debate. Kirkland responded, "Brother Garvey. I brought your idea to the council and it was rejected."
So much for participatory democracy! My attitude was permanently altered.
Fast forward to the $62.5 billion budget debate in Wisconsin. Democrat Doyle kept his proposed budget a secret until forced to send it to the Democratic controlled Assembly. The Democratic controlled Joint Finance Committee debated behind closed doors; the Assembly Dems kept the public out; the Senate Dems closed the doors and now the reconciliation effort will be hidden from the public, leading Peter Leidy to dedicate his rendition of the song "Behind Closed Doors" to the Democratic leaders on Here & Now.
Too bad. People eager to support their leaders are asked for money, time and support, but are not trusted to listen? Whoa Nelly!
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June 19, 2009
Crossing Our Lines?
Some lobbyist will get a fat bonus for this idea. Instead of single-payer, you know, the system that works, three former deal-makers, a/k/a Senators, said listen to us, Democrats, you may be able to pass single-payer but don't even think about it! To pass this historic legislation without Mitch McConnell, John McCain, and other Neanderthals would mean there would be less collegiality in the cloak room. I'm not making this up.
The disgraced Tom Daschle, lobbyist for the health care industry, Bob Dole, and Howard Baker have stepped forward with a Madison Avenue group under the banner "Crossing Our Lines" designed to stop progress toward universal and affordable health care. How? By claiming that bi-partisanship is required. Yah, sure, Ole. They think they can pull a Jackson Hole, ala Clinton in 1993, and kill a plan the American people need and want with a side show. Thanks boys, but no thanks.
Bernie Sanders, as usual, has it right. This is the time and we are not turning back.
Open the doors: As the tate Legislature works to deliver a final budget to the governor, its members will, once again, operate behind closed doors. That is wrong. Open the doors and let us in.
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June 18, 2009
More tepid--more tepid!
John McCain has denounced the President's "tepid response" to the electoral crisis in Iran. John Kerry quotes McCain, "If we are steadfast eventually the Iranian people will prevail." (Didn't happen when Bush/Cheney stole the presidency. We got Bush v. Gore not justice.) But that was long ago in the United States of Amnesia, as Vidal calls us.
But did the demonstrators or Moussavi ask Obama, McCain or the CIA for an opinion? Would it be helpful to those brave people in the streets if Obama threatens to invade Iran to install Moussavi just as we installed the Shah in 1953? C'mon, John. Get serious. Are we for or against Moussavi? If you want him to succeed, shut-up!
Does McCain know that the Shah was our answer to nationalism in Iran? How did we do, John? Has McCain discussed his position with Governor Palin? Oh, never mind. Damn the consequences--interfere, and do it now--show how tough we are!
Obama disappoints us on health care: Maybe we expected too much. He supported single-payer as a candidate, but not now? He ducked the question in Green Bay--too bad? This is the moment. This is our time! Really.
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June 17, 2009
Maybe we are not Illinois!
Fighting Bob suggested that we all attend the June 15 Assembly-Democratic fund raiser armed with cameras and a plan to let the air out of the golf cart wheels. Let the lobbyists walk! The Democrats got the message and they postponed the expensive golf outing at the Wilderness in The Dells. Good news. Bad news? The decision to postpone was made at a fundraiser on June 3 in Milwaukee! The Speaker, Assembly Majority Leader, and Milwaukee legislators--two of whom sit on the Joint Finance Committee--attended despite the ban on fund raising during budget deliberations. Oh well. Illinois #2.
More good news: Two bills advanced out of committee. The first would provide public financing of State Supreme Court races! (A good start--but why not all judicial races?) But for now, get out the party hats. The other bill supports the GAB rules requiring the phony issue folks to disclose where they get their money. OK!
The gift that never stops giving--yes "Scooter" Jensen is back in the news to remind us why campaign reform is essential. Remember Scott? He was convicted of three felonies for misconduct in office. He was sentenced to three years in prison and immediately asked for a new trial in his home county--Waukesha. Thanks for the reminder, Scott.
No other way to say it, the message is getting through. People of Wisconsin want clean elections. Period.
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June 16, 2009
Have we become Illinois?
Growing up near the Wisconsin-Illinois border shaped my views as a youngster. Chicago politics were corrupt and Wisconsin's were as clean as the first snow. My family got the Tribune in the morning for the bad news and the Milwaukee Journal in the evening for the reassuring words that all's well in the dairy state. I bragged about our clean and open government wherever we traveled--you remember, the La Follette, Gaylord Nelson and Bill Proxmire money-less campaigns. Ah, yes, those were the days.
Today we look a lot like Illinois. (We even loaned Nick Hurtgen to Blagojevich.)
The NYT reports today that the talk of reform in Illinois is just that--talk. "Redrawing political districts to make them more competetive" delayed; "system for recall of incumbents"--further study needed; "the notion of financing campaigns with public money" put off for study, and on and on. The control of the system through money from party leaders and individual corrupters increased. (eg. in-kind contributions from parties--unlimited...)
And here in the land of milk and honey? Well the Democratic Convention just ended in Green Bay. How do we know when it all happened behind closed doors, penetrated only by e-mail and cell phones? Well, we were told by legislators how hard everyone worked--an all-night session, and we were told what WMC already knew--the budget was approved.
Public financing of campaigns? Nope!
Less political way to make elections competetive as the census draws near? Nope!
Term limits? Nope! Did I mention that not even judicial races will be funded by the public?
Dear Governor Doyle. Change the signs on I-90 and I-94 to "Welcome to Ill-Wis where you get the best government money can buy." (Line stolen from our friend, Phil Stern, now gone, who wrote the book, The Best Congress Money Can Buy. Phil would not mind my theft.)
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June 15, 2009
Linda Farley & Gene
If Linda Farley agreed to speak to your group on the need for health care, you got Gene in the bargain. The Farley team, comprised of two family doctors, was awesome. "Have slide show and compassion--will travel," might have been their advertisement. And they traveled all over Wisconsin and beyond. To Linda, a moral society cannot deny health care to anyone.
Linda passed away last Tuesday, but the crowd at Friends House made clear that her light will continue shining. The invitation said, "We shall sit quietly together, each of us seeking the Light within us while we celebrate Linda's life."
It was a remarkable tribute to a wonderful woman. They don't come along every day, but more will join the fight for single-payer health care because of Linda (and Gene). They set the standard for all of us.
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June 14, 2009
Riot at Democratic Party Convention!
Organic tomatoes were thrown at Governor Doyle by the small "d" democrats attending the large "D" Party convention, after Doyle refused to endorse public funding of judicial races. Doyle, when pressed, asked, "If judicial races are controlled and funded by the public instead of the special interests, where will it stop?" Indeed Doyle, on the verge of seeking a third term added "What about me?"
Police in riot gear popped out from behind stage but order was restored before anyone was arrested.
Believe that? No? Oh well. No, it did not happen--Doyle did not endorse public funding; small "d" democrats did not throw tomatoes--they didn't attend, apparently. WisPolitics again had a meaningless poll on this question..."If Doyle doesn't run..." Only 214 people voted. It is snot as if WisPolitics restricted the voting to delegates--any registered guest, alternate, or delegate was encouraged to vote. The Party said 797 attended as guests, delegates, staff, alternates, wait staff. If true, and if my math is correct, 27 percent voted, rendering the results a non-starter. (AP estimated 600 in the hall.)
The attendees heard lots of speeches, but nothing reached the media on the issue of campaign corruption, and nothing on raising taxes to better serve those in need. (Read Arvonne Fraser's post today.) A $62 billion budget passed at 5:30 in the morning. What's in it? Why were closed doors necessary? C'mon! Let us in on the action.
It was revealed that Congressman Steve Kagen has assets of $7 million to $19.4 million; Herb Kohl is worth $25-50 million. Huzzah! Get thee to a fundraiser! Are you kidding?
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June 13, 2009
Democracy in Iran? Not so much!
Like you, I thought democracy was about to once again burst onto the stage in Iran. Not so fast. The last time the people of Iran were free to speak, the United States sent in the CIA to join the Brits in overthrowing the elected government of Mohammad Mossadegh. We were successful! The CIA restored the Shah of Iran, and the Shah and his brutal secret police paved the way for continued British control of Iranian oil. Control threatened by Mossadegh's plan to nationalize oil. Perish the thought!
Iran has suffered ever since--and so has this country. "What tangled webs we weave," comes to mind....
The government of Iran stole this election. How do I know? I can't prove it, but the incredible rallies and the excitement led me to the conclusion that there would, at a minimum, be a runoff. Nope. The dictator has declared that he got 60 percent of the vote. Yah, sure. Did the CIA help? How about the Brits?
No License? Scott Hassett is set to run for Attorney General--the people's lawyer. One problem, according to a GOP news release--Scott is not admitted to practice law. If true...
Say it ain't so, Steve: Delegates to Democratic Party conventions are not from the top echelon of our class-dominated society. They work for a living. If you were running for Congress and were told you need three or four million bucks, would you raise it at the Dem Convention? Not likely. Instead, take this instruction from Congressman Kagan. He handed out invitations at the Democratic Convention to a $1,000 fundraiser, not at the Convention, but rather at a lawyer's office in Appleton. Whoa Nelly! How rude. (Perhaps this was a subtle hint to pass publicly financed campaigns. I doubt it.)
"Isn't it rich?...where are the clowns?...send in the clowns..."
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June 11, 2009
Guns and more guns
The nuns often said "an idle mind is the devil's workshop." If you need proof, take a gander at your Legislature. (I am not making this up.) They voted to lower the minimum age for a hunting license from 12 to 10-years-of-age! Think about it. A 10-year-old with a gun that could kill an elephant, tromping around the woods. Are they kidding, or just admitting they have never supervised 10-year-old kids? You know the ones who need constant reminding "don't throw the ball in the living room!" (Check the Brady Center website from our Links page.)
Here is the best part. The law says that an adult must be within arm's length of the little 10-year-old shooter. Who will enforce this requirement? Maybe we could develop a school for six-year olds to monitor the scene during deer season.
This mind-boggliing nonsense is brought to us by the NRA. No legislator dares confront the NRA, so even the hunting age is a 2nd Amendment litmus test. Our Wild West culture is, in a word, scary. The Tiller killing, the Holocaust Museum shooting, the threats to doctors who perform abortions, not to mention assault weapons in national parks, should tell us to focus on the real problem. The NRA is in charge of the garrison. Ah, 10-year-old kids with high powered rifles or AK-47s using cop-killer bullets. Sleep well--and remember kids, play outside!
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June 10, 2009
Good morning Wisconsin!
No, not Robin Williams. The early morning greeting comes from would-be governor, Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker. He is hollering, "Follow me, nominate me for governor, elect me and I can do for Wausau, Racine, Kenosha, Madison and Sheboygan what I am doing to the good people of Milwaukee." Whoa Nelly!
Today's JS: Walker announced budget cuts will mean "longer grass, uncollected trash, closure of two indoor pools, a new $1 fee at wading pools,(C'mon! A tax on the poor?) delayed response to senior citizens' calls and less public access to county buildings." Like the song New York New York. If Scott can do it there, he can do it anywhere it's up to you Manitowoc, Superior and the rest.
What is next for the ideologues? Can't reduce jail population, won't raise taxes, can't effectively lobby for Milwaukee, has the union (and the County Board) in Milwaukee County furious. This guy has a talent to divide people.
Sad News: Our single-payer champion, Dr. Linda Farley, died yesterday. She said, "I'd like to be remembered as a good family doctor who really cared for people." She will be remembered as she wished, but there is so much more to be said by those who love Linda and Gene Farley. They dedicated their lives to social and economic justice and we're all better for knowing them.
No matter how small the gathering, Linda and Gene gave the group all their energy in explaining the solution to our broken for-profit health care system. They believed so passionately in health care for all--and who knows better than family doctors?--that just seeing them at the Social Justice reception forced us to ask ourselves--why are we not doing more?
Linda, you made our lives bettter, you set the standard and, yes, you really cared for people. We miss you.
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June 9, 2009
Hip, hip, hooray!
Yes, indeed, the majority of Supreme Court Justices, see the world as it is not as the minority on the Court pretend it is. Money matters might be the head note. Or "The Three million dollar gamble." And, yes, Chief Justice Roberts, fairness and the appearance of fairness is hard work. And important work.
Not in this case where a fourth-grade class would have no trouble finding that a three million dollar contribution was an attempt to escape a $50 million jury verdict. One might call it "graft" from a scofflaw like Blankenship, or one could go along with the nonsense that a corporation was exercising free speech. With a pending $50 million jury verdict against his company hanging in the balance in the Supreme Court race, the system was tainted.
We have urged you to read John Grisham's The Appeal if you have doubts abut the plot to take control of our courts. First they fight all efforts to force disclosure of those seeking to purchase the courts; then they fight public financing of court races; then they pour millions of dollars into campaigns through front groups (in order to fool the voters) of those they are confident will vote for their agenda; then they act like Chicken Little warning that if a Justice appears to have been bought, recusal is in order.
The sky will not fall, Justice Roberts. Lawyers and citizens with guts took on this issue in the Wilcox case in Wisconsin, and they deserve our thanks. (They deserve more than a mention in this blog.)
Now it is time for the governor and the majority party in the Legislature to answer the questions raised by Roberts in dissent. Require public financing of campaigns. The time has come--5 Justices gave you the ball--don't drop it!
Damn! I was looking froward to the Wilderness golf outing! On June 6 I suggested we all go to the Dells with cameras to let the air out of the golf cart tires that would carry thousand-dollar fat cats at the Democratic Assembly Caucus fundraising outing. Pictures would have been placed in a nice album, but no, the outing has been canceled or postponed. According to Assembly representatives Nelson and Sheridan, "Because of our deep commitment to campaign finance reform, we have decided not to attend the June 15th event."
Okay, fair enough. Why don't they meet on the 15th and pass public financing of judicial races?
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June 8, 2009
The right to counsel?
The 6th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution guarantees the right of citizens accused of a crime to have counsel. (Remember Gideon?) If the citizen can't afford a lawyer, the Court appoints an attorney. It has been assumed that the counsel appointed to represent indigents would charge a low fee, but a fee high enough to make a small profit. Otherwise, if the defense lawyers lose money, why do it?
Wisconsin effectively denies indigents the right to be represented--in violation of the Constitution. How? By not paying a reasonable fee. Wisconsin, with the highest rate of incarceration in the nation (Huzzah!), pays the lowest fee in the nation to appointed lawyers--$40 per hour--no matter how complex the case. Lawyers must lose money to take a case at that pay level, so they are increasingly forced to refuse Court appointments. Question to Governor-lawyer Doyle: "Should criminal defense lawyers be forced to subsidize the state?" You know, governor, that no lawyer can afford to take on cases at forty bucks an hour. C'mon!"
Ask yourself. If it costs a lawyer 70 or 80 dollars per hour just to pay overhead, and you get an appointed attorney who is losing money on your case, can you expect high quality defense?
Representative Fred Kessler has introduced a bill to increase pay to $70 per hour. It deserves the attention of the legislators (who get $88 per day just to show up to work) and lawyer-Doyle. (The better system would be for the judge to order payment, thus allowing the Court to pass on the quality of the representation.)
Until some action is taken, Wisconsin, the state noted for fair play, violates the Constitution every day. That ain't right!
Cost of the Afghanistan war--the "good war"--thus far? Answer: $189,600,000,000.
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June 7, 2009
On to Baraboo!
We are delighted to report that Fighting Bob was, once again, the recipient of a grant from the Evjue Foundation, the charitable arm of the Capital Times. Indeed, we now have $10,000 to make Bob Fest VIII a sure thing. (It was not really in doubt, but in these troubled economic times the grant makes it a certainty and provides the ability to make it even better than before. We will rather swiftly finish the program and get ready for the march to Baraboo, September 12--less than three months from now. (More great news: Tom Harkin, Jim Hightower and 100 year-old Granny D Haddock have confirmed with Granny's usual caveat).
We need your input. How do we focus attention on the corrupt election system now in place? And, share your ideas for breakout sessions.
Contributions have slowed to a snail's pace, so please send ten or twenty bucks if you can.
I recommend Bill Barry's post this morning. Good stuff.
Is anyone going to the Democratic Party Convention? We need a report. Lots of speeches from incumbents promises Joe the Chair: Doyle, Lawton, Kohl, Obey, Feingold, Baldwin, Moore, Sheridan,Kagan, Pocan, Decker, Miller, Joe himself. Topics will not include plans to reform our electoral system through public financing, ending the war in Afghanistan, the proposed takeover of Milwaukee schools, new taxes, repeal of tax-exemptions or, well, you get the drift.
The media reports will focus on the hospitality suites. I can hardly wait to learn which candidate served rootbeer floats.
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June 6, 2009
Let's all go to the Wilderness!
It is difficult to explain to a young crowd (or an old crowd), but let me try some of their lines on you to explain why we don't have publicly funded campaigns. Yes, the governor said eight years ago that campaign finance would be his top priority, but he had no idea how expensive campaigns would be and how easy fundraising is when you are governor. Doyle was overheard at his golf outing for fat cats saying, "Hey! This is fun."
Don't give up--just wait for his 4th term! Buy it?
Yes, legislative Dems ran on the platform of "Give us the majority in both houses and we will give you clean campaigns," but hey, fundraising is so much easier now that we are in the majority, why quit when we are ahead? "We will take their money and use it against them!" You betcha!
Today's JS headline says a lot: "Assembly Dems to hold fund-raiser during budget deliberations." Imagine this. The party of working families (with 9.4 percent unemployment announced Friday) is asking you to pony up $1,000 to play golf with legislators and lobbyists at the Wilderness resort in Wisconsin Dells. (Well, they know you won't come, but they can't restrict the event to lobbyists.)
Money goes to consultants and to the Assembly Dem Caucus. (Didn't we kill that canard? Guess not.) It really doesn't matter that the timing is awful, that the rule banning fund-raising during the budget that they called "reform" is a joke. No, what matters is that protecting incumbency trumps all else. The Dems in the Legislature don't really give a damn about real reform. The game is the thing. Winning elections is all that counts.
Given that Dems have less money, why would they refuse to enact public financing of campaigns? Promise not to tell? OK. Here it is. If candidates get public financing, good people will run for office who won't now because of the obscene fundraising that is required. With a new system, many incumbents could lose. It is that simple. As many as 50 seats will go uncontested next cycle--but that would not happen with public financing.
So, let's meet at the Wilderness on June 15 with cameras and note pads. Let the air out of the golf carts? Why not? Shame on the Democrats. Why aren't they raising money to save jobs in Kenosha instead of pretending to represent the workers by hitting a golf ball with people who can afford to pay a thousand bucks to sit in a golf cart with these leaders?
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June 5, 2009
What's wrong with this picture?
We have been urging you to keep an eye on the governor, an eye on the mayor of Milwaukee, and a third eye on DPI--past and future--regarding plans to take over Milwaukee Public Schools. I received my share of complaints based on my concerns..."you don't know what you are talking about"..."don't understand the issues"... "haven't read the private-sector analysis of problems facing MPS..." "MPS wasted a hundred million dollars"...and on and on.
Yesterday, U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan, dangling money, was in Milwaukee to address a hand-picked audience "to talk about improving education in Milwaukee." Yup. Doyle, Barrett, Burmaster and Tony Evers...among others.
Why not an open meeting? Why do they fear public input? It is Milwaukee Public Schools. Here is your hint. The JS reported, "While not calling for a mayoral takeover of MPS," he said leadership needs to start at the top and that means the mayor."
That is what he reportedly said, although we are forced to guess because the public was not invited. Mayor Barrett joked afterward, "The room got quiet at that point" regarding the mayoral takeover. Perhaps the room got quiet because nothing in Mayor Barrett's resume suggests he is prepared to takeover the public schools. So, the target seems to be the elected school board. Get rid of it and all will be well. Whoa Nelly!
(As one would expect, JS reporter Alan Borsuk was anything but critical of the meeting even though the press was barred from it.)
So, what's wrong with this picture? Closed doors head the list. The time for transparency is now not the day Arne drops the money on the mayor's doorstep, strings attached. The subject is education not building widgets.
Obama hit the target: I place this with JFK's American University speech; King's I had a dream speech; Mario Cumo's speech in San Francisco.
A great moment in American history. Well done!
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June 4, 2009
Great news for Great Lakes
The Obama administration appointed an advocate for the Great Lakes--and he seems like a good choice. Cameron Davis from the Alliance for the Great Lakes is passionate about protecting this grand national resource. And the administration will put lots of money into the effort. Huzzah! (Not long ago we gathered in Stevens Point to honor Chuck Stoddard, who helped protect Lake Superior from Reserve Mining's efforts to dump tailings into the lake. Davis has a tough job ahead, but success is possible--Chuck Stoddard proved that.)
COWS--The Center on Wisconsin Strategy, (not the spotted ones) adds a new feature called Job Watch that is a report on the Wisconsin job picture. First report on jobs--not so good. In April, Wisconsin had 137,500 fewer jobs than we did in December of 2007. Importantly, 54,000 fewer in manufacturing.
COWS is a wonderful source of information. Check out the article their staffer Patty Gelenberg wrote for FightingBob.com a few weeks ago.
Keep your eyes open, the federal education czar Arne Duncan is in Milwaukee for closed door meetings with Doyle, Mayor Barrett and out-going DPI Secretary Libby Burmaster. Reading the tea leaves, Duncan will offer lots of money to Milwaukee schools but the cost will be high. Duncan likes strong mayors running schools. We predict that the elected school board will be thrown under the bus--the mayor will be asked to run the shools. Whoa Nelly. Not so fast, and why is this vital discussion happening behind closed doors? Why is democracy so bad?
Kudos to Obama for his speech in Cairo. This is an incredible step for the new president. AIPAC will not be pleased. And that is good.
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June 3, 2009
Infallibility--religious and military
I could never grasp the concept that any man, despite man-made titles, should be considered infallible. Cognitive dissonance. (The closing of Madison's multi-cultural center is all the proof I need that if someone is infallible it ain't Bishop Robert Morlino. By the way...some in Madison may try to re-open the center. Stay tuned.)
And if infallibility is the test, the military, including, Obama's nominee to head American forces in Afghanistan, offer more doubt as we now admit that the U.S. did, by mistake on May 4, kill 140 Afghan citizens.
The general possibly most at fault, McChrystal, also seems comfortable with torture so long as it is not labeled torture. He approved extended stress positions and use of attack dogs for intimidation. Yikes! "Torture? Yes We Can!"
Oh. The government listed all civilian nuclear sites on a web page. "These screw-ups happen," said the Deputy Secretary of Defense. I suspect he said the same thing about 140 civillian deaths.
So, let's forget infallibility. As my late law partner said to me when asked if I had made a mistake, "My boy, mistakes are for this world, perfection for the next." But attack dogs? That is unacceptable.
When racists charge racism, look out! Jeff Sessions, Mitch McConnell, and Rush, the new face of the old South. If they are afraid of her, she must be OK.
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