On Saturday, April 16, the tea party held a rally at the Capitol in Madison Wisconsin. Conservative talk show host James T Harris was the emcee. Talk show host Vicki McKenna was also there and spoke. Andrew Breitbart also spoke to the crowd. But the most popular speaker was clearly Sarah Palin.
The rally began with the singing of the national anthem. The pro union crowd was also there,determined to shout down and otherwise disrupt the tea party rally. The pro union people were so disrespectful, that they couldn't even remain silent during the singing of the national anthem. As various people took to the podium to speak, the prounion crowd beat their drums, chanted quite loudly, and tried to drown out every speaker and even at times were giving people the finger. This is behavior that we have become used to from liberals. They are so filled with hate and spite that they are incapable of showing any respect whatsoever.
Despite their attempted interference, the rally was a great success.
After the rally, Democratic State Sen. Chris Larson tweeted the following: "Koch brothers send out-of-state agitator Palin to take Capitol they thought was bought and paid for." On Friday, April 15, Sen. Larson also said this: "You can't even make up stories that out do how crazy Republicans have actually become anymore.Whose side are they on? Not yours."
So Chris Larson is talking about how crazy Republicans are. Over the last two months, the Pro Union side has had the following people speak at rallies. Richard Trumka, head of the AFL-CIO, who has spent more time in the White House recently than president Obama. Al Sharpton has spoke, so has Jesse Jackson, and that fat piece of garbage socialist Michael Moore. Yet Chris Larson has the nerve to complain about Sarah Palin? A little bit of hypocrisy there, don't you think?
Liberals are absolutely losing their minds as of late, especially now that Supreme Court Justice Prosser won reelection. They are beginning to realize that their attempts to overturn a valid election are failing, and they hate it. The majority of voters in Wisconsin have had enough, and we're going to make sure that the union people pay their fair share, and no longer have the ability to buy elections.
This is what democracy looks like!
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
April 5th election. Turnout is crucial. Vote for Prosser.
Last November, we spoke. We went to the polls and we voted because we wanted change, and we got it. Now, that change is at risk because a group of greedy, power hungry people can't accept having to live they way the private sector has had to live, on less.
They have stated that they accept the increased pension and healthcare contributions, but in nearly every debate I have either witnessed or participated in, it still comes back to money. Money, money, money. It is little wonder Paul wrote this to Timothy:
10For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
"The root of all evil."
Take a look back at the last couple of months. People fighting and a city divided, my city. In Madison we saw people with no respect damage the state Capitol building. We see people with no respect for the law promise a "tsunami of litigation" to get their way. It doesn't matter that this is the will of the majority. The election last November means nothing to these people.
This evening I learned from a post on Facebook that John "Sly in the morning" Sylvester will be appearing at a pro union rally here in Waupun Tuesday afternoon. In January, "Sly", on his radio show, said this about Lt. Governor Kleefisch:
"How amateurish is it to have Rebecca Kleefisch, who, I don't know, she has some like little panty business in her basement or something, I don't know. She's hardly a, she's hardly an entrepreneur. You know what? You know how amateurish that is? Cold-calling?"
Then, using a high pitched voice pretending to be Kleefisch, Sly said this:
"'Would you like to move to Wisconsin? Would you like to move CouponCabin to Wisconsin? I'm Rebecca Kleefisch. I performed fellatio on all the talk show hosts in Milwaukee. And they endorsed me and that's how I became lieutenant governor. And then I got colon cancer and I ran around the state to help people. Even though I have government health care, screw everyone else."
THIS is what the union people in my city are PROUD to bring here. PROUD! "For the love of money is the root of all evil..."
Here's a link that contains the audio of Sly's remarks. You will see a play button next to underlined text that says "Madison's "Sly In The Morning" attacks Lt. Gov Kleefisch"
http://badgerblogger.com/?p=18732
The unions and other special interest groups have been pouring money into television advertising to try and get liberal democrat Joanne Kloppenburg elected to the state Supreme Court. Kloppenburg is not qualified and in any other year would not have a chance of getting elected. However, she now has a chance because people being driven by greed are behind her. "For the love of money is the root of all evil..."
It is my prayer that David Prosser will retain his seat on the Supreme Court. People must get out and vote for David Prosser. Show the other side that evil and greed will not win.
Paul went on to say this in verse 11: 11But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
Last night, in thinking about the actions of the unions and the democrats, this came to mind.
They have stated that they accept the increased pension and healthcare contributions, but in nearly every debate I have either witnessed or participated in, it still comes back to money. Money, money, money. It is little wonder Paul wrote this to Timothy:
1 Timothy 6:10 (King James Version)
10For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
"The root of all evil."
Take a look back at the last couple of months. People fighting and a city divided, my city. In Madison we saw people with no respect damage the state Capitol building. We see people with no respect for the law promise a "tsunami of litigation" to get their way. It doesn't matter that this is the will of the majority. The election last November means nothing to these people.
This evening I learned from a post on Facebook that John "Sly in the morning" Sylvester will be appearing at a pro union rally here in Waupun Tuesday afternoon. In January, "Sly", on his radio show, said this about Lt. Governor Kleefisch:
"How amateurish is it to have Rebecca Kleefisch, who, I don't know, she has some like little panty business in her basement or something, I don't know. She's hardly a, she's hardly an entrepreneur. You know what? You know how amateurish that is? Cold-calling?"
Then, using a high pitched voice pretending to be Kleefisch, Sly said this:
"'Would you like to move to Wisconsin? Would you like to move CouponCabin to Wisconsin? I'm Rebecca Kleefisch. I performed fellatio on all the talk show hosts in Milwaukee. And they endorsed me and that's how I became lieutenant governor. And then I got colon cancer and I ran around the state to help people. Even though I have government health care, screw everyone else."
THIS is what the union people in my city are PROUD to bring here. PROUD! "For the love of money is the root of all evil..."
Here's a link that contains the audio of Sly's remarks. You will see a play button next to underlined text that says "Madison's "Sly In The Morning" attacks Lt. Gov Kleefisch"
http://badgerblogger.com/?p=18732
The unions and other special interest groups have been pouring money into television advertising to try and get liberal democrat Joanne Kloppenburg elected to the state Supreme Court. Kloppenburg is not qualified and in any other year would not have a chance of getting elected. However, she now has a chance because people being driven by greed are behind her. "For the love of money is the root of all evil..."
It is my prayer that David Prosser will retain his seat on the Supreme Court. People must get out and vote for David Prosser. Show the other side that evil and greed will not win.
Paul went on to say this in verse 11: 11But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
Last night, in thinking about the actions of the unions and the democrats, this came to mind.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
A Supreme Court race that could change everything
I'm a people watcher so to speak. I like to think I am observant, and having said that, this race for the Wisconsin Supreme Court absolutely amazes me. We have a twelve year veteran of the court, David Prosser, who in the primary took an astounding 55% of the vote against I believe four other people. Yet he is now facing possible defeat. This amazes me because his opponent is not even close to being qualified to be on the Wisconsin Supreme Court. So, why does she have such a good chance now? Greed.
Here's the basic rundown on Joanne Kloppenburg. She's essentially an environmental attorney who has prosecuted mainly for the DNR. Not only has she never been a judge, she has been passed over to be appointed as a judge not only by Republican Governor Tommy Thompson, but also by ultra liberal Jim Doyle and President Obama. None of these men felt she was qualified to be a judge, but she has a strong chance of becoming a Supreme Court Justice.
The unions believe Kloppenburg will help overturn Governor Walker's budget repair bill. I can't help but wonder why they believe that so strongly. It would be less than appropriate for her to indicate how she might rule on the case before even being elected, but something has the left believing that. Money is pouring in from everywhere for TV ads. One ad in particular being run by the Greater Wisconsin Committee accuses David Prosser of failing to prosecute a priest for molestation back when Prosser was a District Attorney. The ad is not even close to being accurate and one of the victims of the priest in question has requested the Greater Wisconsin Committee pull the ad and has requested that Kloppenburg encourage the GWC to pull the ad. Both requests have went ignored. Here's the statement from the victim.
From http://wispolitics.com/1006/110324_Troy_Merryfield_Statement__1_.pdf
This is from his statement:
Signed- Troy Merryfield
Kloppenburg has refused to ask the GWC to pull the ad saying they as a 3rd party have a 1st amendment right to run any ad they choose. The ad is misleading, and offensive to the victim but this is the world of dirty politics from the left. Whatever it takes to win, that's what they will do.
A good commentary about Kloppenburg.
http://www.jsonline.com/news/opinion/118948209.html
Here are some accurate ads about Kloppenburg and David Prosser.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ooSWZIhCRYI&feature=player_embedded
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9lUkpdIPEE&feature=player_embedded
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UiyVImlCd7M&feature=player_embedded
Many people, my own mother included have been duped by the lying attack ads against David Prosser. Conservatives need to step up and share the truth about this race. We need a qualified Justice, not a prosecutor for the DNR.
Obviously many people are against Scott Walker and the budget repair bill. I know a lot of these people and many are conservative and would NEVER think of voting for someone like Kloppenburg in any other case. Yet they will vote for her because of their own pocketbook. These people need to be reminded that this is a ten year vote they are making. A ten year vote over ONE issue because it may put money back in their pocket. Shame Shame Shame!!
The election is only five days away. Be sure to get out and vote for David Prosser!
Those endorsing Prosser as of March 22.
Here's the basic rundown on Joanne Kloppenburg. She's essentially an environmental attorney who has prosecuted mainly for the DNR. Not only has she never been a judge, she has been passed over to be appointed as a judge not only by Republican Governor Tommy Thompson, but also by ultra liberal Jim Doyle and President Obama. None of these men felt she was qualified to be a judge, but she has a strong chance of becoming a Supreme Court Justice.
The unions believe Kloppenburg will help overturn Governor Walker's budget repair bill. I can't help but wonder why they believe that so strongly. It would be less than appropriate for her to indicate how she might rule on the case before even being elected, but something has the left believing that. Money is pouring in from everywhere for TV ads. One ad in particular being run by the Greater Wisconsin Committee accuses David Prosser of failing to prosecute a priest for molestation back when Prosser was a District Attorney. The ad is not even close to being accurate and one of the victims of the priest in question has requested the Greater Wisconsin Committee pull the ad and has requested that Kloppenburg encourage the GWC to pull the ad. Both requests have went ignored. Here's the statement from the victim.
From http://wispolitics.com/1006/110324_Troy_Merryfield_Statement__1_.pdf
This is from his statement:
Signed- Troy Merryfield
Kloppenburg has refused to ask the GWC to pull the ad saying they as a 3rd party have a 1st amendment right to run any ad they choose. The ad is misleading, and offensive to the victim but this is the world of dirty politics from the left. Whatever it takes to win, that's what they will do.
A good commentary about Kloppenburg.
http://www.jsonline.com/news/opinion/118948209.html
Here are some accurate ads about Kloppenburg and David Prosser.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ooSWZIhCRYI&feature=player_embedded
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9lUkpdIPEE&feature=player_embedded
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UiyVImlCd7M&feature=player_embedded
Many people, my own mother included have been duped by the lying attack ads against David Prosser. Conservatives need to step up and share the truth about this race. We need a qualified Justice, not a prosecutor for the DNR.
Obviously many people are against Scott Walker and the budget repair bill. I know a lot of these people and many are conservative and would NEVER think of voting for someone like Kloppenburg in any other case. Yet they will vote for her because of their own pocketbook. These people need to be reminded that this is a ten year vote they are making. A ten year vote over ONE issue because it may put money back in their pocket. Shame Shame Shame!!
The election is only five days away. Be sure to get out and vote for David Prosser!
Those endorsing Prosser as of March 22.
Gov. Scott McCallum
Lt. Governor Margaret Farrow
Retired Supreme Court Justices:
Justice William Callow
Justice Don Steinmetz
Justice Louis Ceci
Justice Jon Wilcox
Judges:
Hon. Charles Pollex, Adams
Hon. J.D. McKay, Brown
Hon. Donald Zuidmulder-Brown
Hon. Kendall M Kelley, Brown
Hon. Mark Warpinski, Brown
Hon. Don Poppy, Calumet
Hon. Alan White, Columbia
Hon. Patrick Fiedler, Dane
Hon. George Glonek, Douglas
Hon. Kelly Thimm, Douglas
Hon. Leon Stenz, Forest
Hon. Dale English, Fond du Lac
Hon. Peter Grimm, Fond du Lac
Hon. Richard Nuss, Fond du Lac
Hon. Robert Wirtz, Fond du Lac
Hon. James Beer, Green
Hon. Randy Koschnick, Jefferson
Hon. Paul Curran, Juneau
Hon. John Roemer, Juneau
Hon. Chad Kerkman, Kenosha
Hon. Bruce Schroeder, Kenosha
Hon. Wilbur Warren, Kenosha
Hon. Mary Wagner, Kenosha
Hon. Todd Bjerke, LaCrosse
Hon. Scott Horne, LaCrosse
Hon. Fred Karalski, Langlade
Hon. Jay Tlusty, Lincoln
Hon. Tim Duket, Marinette
Hon. James Habech, Shawano
Hon. Carl Ashley, Milwaukee
Hon. William Brash, Milwaukee
Hon. Jane Carroll, Milwaukee
Hon. Dennis Cimpl, Milwaukee
Hon. Jeffrey Conen, Milwaukee
Hon. Pedro Colon, Milwaukee
Hon. Joseph Donald, Milwaukee
Hon. Tim Dugan, Milwaukee
Hon. Clare Fiorenza, Milwaukee
Hon. David Hansher, Milwaukee
Hon. Daniel Konkol, Milwaukee
Hon. Mary Kuhnmuench, Milwaukee
Hon. Kevin Martens, Milwaukee
Hon. Dennis Moroney, Milwaukee
Hon. Daniel Noonan, Milwaukee
Hon. Stephanie Rothstein, Milwaukee
Hon. William Sosnay, Milwaukee
Hon. Francis Wasielewski, Milwaukee
Hon. J.D. Watts, Milwaukee
Hon. Maxine White, Milwaukee
Hon. Jay Conley, Oconto
Hon. Michael Judge, Oconto
Hon. John Desjardins, Outagamie
Hon. Howard Froehlich, Outagamie
Hon. Michael Gage, Outagamie
Hon. Mark McGinnis, Outagamie
Hon. Mitchell Metropulos, Outagamie
Hon. Paul Malloy, Ozaukee
Hon. Sandy Williams, Ozaukee
Hon. Joseph Boles, Pierce
Hon. Dennis Barry, Racine
Hon. Faye Flancher, Racine
Hon. Gerard Ptacek, Racine
Hon. Gene Gasiorkiewicz, Racine
Hon. Edward Lieneweber, Richland
Hon. Daniel Dillon, Rock
Hon. Michael Fitzpatrick, Rock
Hon. James Welker, Rock
Hon. Scott R. Needham, St. Croix
Hon. Patrick Taggart, Sauk
Hon. Robert Kennedy, Walworth
Hon. James Carlson, Walworth
Hon. Todd Martens, Washington
Hon. Michael Bohren, Waukesha
Hon. William Domina, Waukesha
Hon. Donald Hassin, Waukesha
Hon. Lee Dreyfus, Waukesha
Hon. Mac Davis, Waukesha
Hon. Patrick Haughney, Waukesha
Hon. Ralph Ramirez, Waukesha
Hon. Mark Gundrum, Waukesha
Hon. Raymond Huber, Waupaca
Hon. Greg Dutcher, Waushara
Hon. John Jorgensen, Winnebago
Hon. James Mason, Wood
Hon. George Curry, Grant
Hon. James Eaton, Barron (retired)
Hon. Tim Vocke, Oneida (retired)
Hon. Ed Zappen, Wood
Elected Officials:
County Executive Dan Vrakas (Waukesha)
Mayor John Antaramian (Kenosha--former)
Rep. Bob Ziegelbauer (Independent-Manitowoc)
Rep. Tyler August (R-Walworth)
Rep Joan Ballweg (R-Markesan)
Rep. Jeffrey Mursau (R-Crivitz)
Rep. John Murtha (R-Baldwin)
Rep. Stephen Nass (R-Whitewater)
Rep. Lee Nerison (R-Westby)
Rep. Kathy Bernier (R-Chippewa Falls)
Rep. John Nygren (R-Marinette)
Rep. Alvin Ott (R-Forest Junction)
Rep. Garey Bies (R-Sister Bay)
Rep. Jim Ott (R-Mequon)
Rep. Ed Brooks (R-Reedsburg)
Rep. Kevin Petersen (R-Waupaca)
Rep. Jerry Petrowski, Jerry (R-Marathon)
Rep. Warren Petryk (R-Eleva)
Rep. Mike Endsley (R-Sheboygan)
Rep. Paul Farrow (R-Pewaukee)
Rep. Don Pridemore (R-Hartford)
Rep. Jeff Fitzgerald (R-Beaver Dam)
Rep. Keith Ripp (R-Lodi)
Rep. Roger Rivard (R-Rice Lake)
Rep. Mark Honadel (R-S. Milwaukee)
Rep. Erik Severson (R-Star Prairie)
Rep. Andre Jacque (R-Green Bay)
Rep. Richard Spanbauer (R-Oshkosh)
Rep. Chris Kapenga (R-Delafield)
Rep. Dean Kaufert (R-Neenah)
Rep, Samantha Kerkman (R-Powers Lake)
Rep. Jim Steineke (R-Kaukauna)
Rep. Jeff Stone (R-Greenfield)
Rep. Steve Kestell (R-Elkhart Lake)
Rep. Pat Strachota (R-West Bend)
Rep. Joel Kleefisch (R-Oconomowoc)
Rep. Scott Suder (R-Abbotsford)
Rep. John Klenke (R-Green Bay)
Rep. Gary Tauchen (R-Bonduel)
Rep. Joe Knilans (R-Janesville)
Rep. Jeremy Thiesfeldt (R-Fond du Lac)
Rep. Dan Knodl (R-Germantown)
Rep. Tom Tiffany (R-Hazelhurst)
Rep. Dean Knudson (R-Hudson)
Rep. Dale Kooyenga (R-Brookfield)
Rep. Travis Tranel (R-Cuba City)
Rep. Bill Kramer (R-Waukesha)
Rep. Scott Krug (R-Wisconsin Rapids)
Rep. Karl Van Roy (R-Green Bay)
Rep. Robin Vos (R-Caledonia)
Rep. Mike Kuglitsch (R-New Berlin)
Rep. Tom Larson (R-Colfax)
Rep. Chad Weininger (R-Green Bay)
Rep. Dan LeMahieu (R-Cascade)
Rep, Mary Williams (R-Medford)
Rep. Michelle Litjens (R-Oshkosh)
Rep. Evan Wynn (R-Whitewater)
Rep. Amy Loudenbeck (R-Clinton)
Rep. Howard Marklein (R-Spring Green)
Rep. Dan Meyer (R-Eagle River)
Sen. Alberta Darling (R-River Hills)
Sen. Scott Fitzgerald (R-Juneau)
Sen. Rob Cowles (R-Green Bay)
Sen. Michael Ellis (R-Neenah)
Sen. Michael Ellis (R-Neenah)
Sen. Pam Galloway (R-Wausau)
Sen. Glenn Grothman (R-West Bend)
Sen. Sheila Harsdorf (R-River Falls)
Sen. Randy Hopper (R-Fond du Lac)
Sen. Dan Kapanke (R-La Crosse)
Sen. Neal Kedzie (R-Elkhorn)
Sen. Frank Lasee (R-DePere)
Sen. Mary Lazich (R-New Berlin)
Sen. Terry Moulton (R-Chippewa Falls)
Sen. Luther Olsen (R-Ripon)
Sen. Dale Schultz (R-Richland Center)
Sen. Leah Vukmir (R-Wauwatosa)
Sen. Van Wanggaard (R-Racine)
Past-Rep. John Dobyns
Law Enforcement Community
Milwaukee Police Association
Sheriff David Clarke, Milwaukee
Sheriff Dan Trawicki, Waukesha
Sheriff John Gossage, Brown
Sheriff Steve Helgeson, La Crosse
Sheriff Bradley Gehring, Outagamie
Sheriff Christopher Schmaling, Racine
Sheriff Todd Nehls, Dodge
Sheriff Paul Susienkea, Bayfield
Sheriff Jerry Moran, Crawford
Sheriff Mylan Fink, Fond du Lac
Sheriff Dennis Smith, Dunn
Sheriff Jerry Sauve, Marinette
Sheriff John Andrews, Pepin
Sheriff Dean Roland, Burnett
Sheriff Dennis Richards, Columbia
Sheriff Thomas Dalbec, Douglas
Sheriff Mark Podoll, Green Lake
Sheriff James Kowalczyk, Chippewa
Sheriff Ron Cramer, Eau Claire
Sheriff Jeff Rickaby, Florence
Sheriff Keith Glover, Grant
Sheriff Steve Michek, Iowa
Sheriff Brent Oleson, Juneau
Sheriff David Beth, Kenosha
Sheriff Scott Pedley, Lafayette
Sheriff William Greening, Langlade
Sheriff Kim Gaffney, Marquette
Sheriff Phil Malsack, Marquette (former)
Sheriff David Kaminski, Rusk County
Sheriff Michael Jansen, Oconto
Sheriff Maury Straub, Ozaukee
Sheriff Chris Schmaling, Racine
Sheriff Randy Wright, Shawano
Sheriff Dennis Hillstead, St. Croix
Sheriff Gene Carey, Vernon
Sheriff David Graves, Walworth
Sheriff Terry Dryen, Washburn
Sheriff Dale Schmidt, Washington
Sheriff David Peterson, Waushara
Sheriff Michael Brooks, Winnebago
Sheriff Randy Roderick, Green (former)
Sheriff Lewis Rosandisch, Clark (former)
Sheriff James Kanikula, Marinette (former)
Sheriff Randy Stammen, Sauk (former)
Sheriff James Meier, Sawyer (former)
Chief Randy Martin, RIO
DA John Zakowski, Brown
DA Mike Nieskes, Racine
DA Richard Dufor, Marquette
DA Brad Schimel, Waukesha
DA Carrie Schneider, Outagamie
DA Kurt Klomberg, Dodge
DA Daniel Bank, Douglas
DA Gary Luhman, Green
DA Gerald Fox, Jackson
DA Scott Southworth, Juneau
DA Adam Gerol, Ozaukee
DA Gregory Parker, Shawano
DA Eric Johnson, St Croix
DA John Snider, Waupaca
DA Scott Blader, Waushara
Past State Bar Presidents
Gary Bakke, New Richmond
Pamela E. Barker, Appleton
Lawrence J. Bugge, Madison
R. George Burnett, Green Bay
Gregory R. Conway, Green Bay
John R. Decker, Evansville
James D. Ghiardi, Shorewood
Franklyn M. Gimbel, Milwaukee
D. Michael Guerin, Milwaukee
Donald L. Heaney, Madison
Myron E. La Rowe, Reedsburg
Gerald W. Mowris, Madison
Gerald M. O’Brien, Stevens Point
John Skilton, Madison
Thomas S. Sleik, La Crosse
Steven R. Sorenson, Ripon
John Walsh, Madison
G. Lane Ware, Wausau
Associations/Groups
Physicians for Responsible Government
Wisconsin Restaurant Association
Wisconin Realtors Association
Wisconsin Builders Association
Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce
Newspapers
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Prosser Endorsement
Wausau Daily Herald: Prosser Endorsement
Sun Prairie Star
Past/Current or Future Law Clerks
Beth Ermatinger Hanan
Allan M. Foeckler
Irene B. Katele
Tyson A. Ciepluch
Michael C. Sanders
Thomas M. Hruz
Robert H. Clarke
David A Strifling
Bryan J. Cahill
Cynthia M. Davis
Clayton P. Kawski
Joshua K. Byers
Kyle S. Conway
Rachel M. Peterson
Philip C. Babler
Attny. Gregory Cook
Attny. Scott Beightol
Attny. William Gleisner
Tyler Kristopeit
Kevin M. Kelly
Mark Dahlberg
Maude Dahlberg
Michael Kawczynski
Kim Travis
Frederic Seefeldt
Robert Kirst
Amy Winters
Carol Diehl
Mary Jo Baas
James Ribnek
David Falstad
David Strifling
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Waupun union resolution update. It just get's more and more insane
Due to prior obligations, I was unable to attend the city council meeting last night. However, my councilman represented my point of view and stated “I’m against any resolution, It’s not necessary.”
Here's a link to the story.
Alderman Mike Johnson moved to change some of the wording and vote on it during the April 12th meeting. But he also said this: "If we pass a resolution, will it be a feel good thing, or will it have an impact?"
I am doing my best to not be a smart mouth here, I really am. But if a Capitol building full of people with signs (some comparing Walker to Adolph Hitler), people chanting, banging on drums, democratic lawmakers yelling "shame shame shame!", MSNBC and all of its 5 viewers, Michael Moore speaking with his socialist agenda and so on and so forth was not enough to get Governor Walker to change his mind, OF COURSE A RESOLUTION FROM WAUPUN IS NOT GOING TO HAVE AN IMPACT!
I don't mean to shout but I can't help but wonder with Mike Johnson is thinking.
As I stated in my last blog post, the city council can not possibly pass any resolution on this issue and fairly represent both sides, and only representing one side is not fair. The city needs to drop the matter and just be neutral.
To the three that voted to move this along, those being Matt Hickmann, Mike Johnson and Nancy Vanderkin, get out of the hip pockets of the unions and realize you can't do this without making the residents angry, regardless of what side they come down on. Drop it.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Waupun council can't fairly represent both sides with resolution
On Friday I wrote about issues going on here in Waupun, including a proposed resolution requested by a handful of people essentially stating the people of the city of Waupun support collective bargaining and local decision making with unions. Here is the proposed resolution...
RESOLUTION #3-29-11-01
WHEREAS, The Waupun Common Council acknowledges the fiscal budget deficit of the State of Wisconsin and the shared participation in balancing the budget.
WHEREAS, The Common Council acknowledges that the entire community of City of Waupun including employees, businesses, and residents will be impacted as the result of the fiscal budget deficit of the State of Wisconsin.
WHEREAS, the Common Council acknowledges that the City of Waupun will participate in balancing the State of Wisconsin budget though the reduction in State Aid payments.
WHEREAS, The Common Council acknowledges that the City of Waupun employees will participate in balancing the State of Wisconsin budget through contributions to pensions and health insurance premiums.
WHEREAS, The Common Council acknowledges that the City of Waupun business community will be impacted with the loss of disposable income estimated at $33,378,342 throughout Dodge and Fond du Lac Counties.
WHEREAS, The Common Council acknowledges that the City of Waupun residents may be impacted in a loss of services due to the reductions in State Aid payments.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Waupun supports local city employees and the approximately 190,623 public workers in Dodge and Fond du Lac Counties and the City of Waupun supports the principals of collective bargaining and requests that the City of Waupun retain local decision making with its employee unions regarding good faith collective bargaining and decisions associated with local tax dollars,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City Clerk is hereby directed to send a copy of this Resolution to Governor Scott Walker, State Senator Randy Hopper, State Senator Scott Fitzgerald, State Representative Jeff Fitzgerald, and State Representative Richard Spanbauer.
Adopted this 29th day of March, 2011.
_____________________________________
Mayor Jodi A. Steger
_____________________________________
Angela Hull, City Clerk
===============================================================
Yesterday afternoon, I spoke with Waupun City Administrator Kyle Clark regarding budget issues and this resolution. It was a very good conversation, and although we didn't agree on a couple of things, Kyle had no problem answering questions and clarifying some things for me.
In discussing this resolution, Kyle feels it's worded in such a way that both supporters and opponents of Governor Walker are fairly represented. I have to respectfully disagree. Kyle asked how I would change the wording to make it seem more balanced. I feel there is no way to do that, so if it were up to me, the council would just leave the issue alone and not pass a resolution for anyone on this matter.
As a city we can't say we support collective bargaining but we don't support collective bargaining in the same resolution. The council can't pass this resolution and then get a request from another group saying something different in another resolution. It then becomes a matter of which side to support, and if the council chooses to pass one resolution but chooses to vote down an opposing resolution, one side is not going to be treated fairly.
I have no complaints with the people that requested the current resolution. They feel very strongly about this issue and would like their viewpoint expressed. The council can vote no on the current resolution without being disrespectful to those that requested it.
Everyone that lives in Waupun knows that, as a city, we are divided on this issue. Since both sides can't be equally represented in this matter, no action should be taken.
Both sides can borrow a line from former President Ronald Reagan and say "Those voices don't speak for the rest of us."
Posted by Mike Schwandt. March 27, 2011.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Political games in Waupun. It seems we have our own Nancy Pelosi among other things.
This past Monday evening the city council here in Waupun agreed to new union contracts with city employees. There were no contract details provided publicly beforehand. In fact, my alderman was not told they were going to be voting on this until he received his pre-council meeting packet last Saturday. He told me he was caught off guard by this. He stated the last he knew several months ago the union had rejected the offer from the city and everyone was waiting for the budget repair bill to be passed. This apparently was not true, but the committee handling these negotiations were keeping a lid on it. Here's a link to the story.
http://www.wiscnews.com/bdc/news/local/article_22529180-5443-11e0-8494-001cc4c03286.html
From the article..."Last week, Clark finally got information about the potential reductions in state aides, including state shared revenues, transportation aids, payments for municipal services, and recycling grant funds."
Please note the word "potential" there. I will be checking on Monday to confirm, but if I am reading that correctly, these numbers are not set in stone, but rather are based on the state budget proposed by Governor Scott Walker. I tried to get a definitive answer from Mayor Jodi Steger this afternoon, but she didn't know. All she would say was Kyle Clark had the information on what the shared revenue would be for this year.
So, it appears we have some unknowns here, yet it was decided to ink new contracts despite these unknowns. I'll go into that a bit more later on.
We also don't know what the details of the union contracts are. According to the article, "In fairness to the union, I'd like them to have an opportunity to vote on it before discussing what's in the offer," said Clark.
So, we apparently have our own version of Nancy Pelosi here in Waupun. Last year Pelosi said "We have to pass the bill so you can find out what is in it."
So, the people who actually pay these public employees don't have the right to know the details. Some elected members in our city did some number crunching, decided it looked okay, inked new contracts with little to no public notice and we still don't know the details. So much for representative government.
The next issue we have is an article written by Mayor Steger that appeared in the Action Shopper on March 23. Among other things, she addresses "rumors" that have been running rampant in our city. One of the rumors is that unions are boycotting area businesses that do not support their cause. The Mayor wrote "This is a false rumor according to all of the representatives."
I spoke with the Mayor this afternoon. As far as she is concerned, that's the end of the story. I asked how this meeting with these union reps came about. She stated the meeting was requested by City Administrator Kyle Clark and he asked her to join them. So, the union reps deny, case closed. I asked the Mayor if she bothered to check with the businesses to get their take, and she said she did not. When I asked why, she said she wasn't contacted by any of them. So, this is how our Mayor and City Administrator address rumors in our city. They ask the people accused of potential wrong doing, those people deny it and that's good enough.
Another rumor the Mayor addressed in the Action Shopper article was in regards to a resolution. Apparently former mayoral candidate Jay Graff and a handful of correctional officers requested the council draft a resolution that would "support all local union bargaining rights." She said the resolution was not considered because it wasn't on the agenda, and if it's not on the agenda, it can't be voted on...and that was, at least according to the Mayor's article, the end of it. But that's simply not the case.
The Mayor wrote that article on March 16, and it appeared on March 23. On the same day her article was published, an email was sent out with a rough draft of the proposed resolution. It will be voted on during the next council meeting on March 29. According to my alderman, it's first on the agenda and here it is in its' entirety.
http://www.wiscnews.com/bdc/news/local/article_22529180-5443-11e0-8494-001cc4c03286.html
From the article..."Last week, Clark finally got information about the potential reductions in state aides, including state shared revenues, transportation aids, payments for municipal services, and recycling grant funds."
Please note the word "potential" there. I will be checking on Monday to confirm, but if I am reading that correctly, these numbers are not set in stone, but rather are based on the state budget proposed by Governor Scott Walker. I tried to get a definitive answer from Mayor Jodi Steger this afternoon, but she didn't know. All she would say was Kyle Clark had the information on what the shared revenue would be for this year.
So, it appears we have some unknowns here, yet it was decided to ink new contracts despite these unknowns. I'll go into that a bit more later on.
We also don't know what the details of the union contracts are. According to the article, "In fairness to the union, I'd like them to have an opportunity to vote on it before discussing what's in the offer," said Clark.
So, we apparently have our own version of Nancy Pelosi here in Waupun. Last year Pelosi said "We have to pass the bill so you can find out what is in it."
So, the people who actually pay these public employees don't have the right to know the details. Some elected members in our city did some number crunching, decided it looked okay, inked new contracts with little to no public notice and we still don't know the details. So much for representative government.
The next issue we have is an article written by Mayor Steger that appeared in the Action Shopper on March 23. Among other things, she addresses "rumors" that have been running rampant in our city. One of the rumors is that unions are boycotting area businesses that do not support their cause. The Mayor wrote "This is a false rumor according to all of the representatives."
I spoke with the Mayor this afternoon. As far as she is concerned, that's the end of the story. I asked how this meeting with these union reps came about. She stated the meeting was requested by City Administrator Kyle Clark and he asked her to join them. So, the union reps deny, case closed. I asked the Mayor if she bothered to check with the businesses to get their take, and she said she did not. When I asked why, she said she wasn't contacted by any of them. So, this is how our Mayor and City Administrator address rumors in our city. They ask the people accused of potential wrong doing, those people deny it and that's good enough.
Another rumor the Mayor addressed in the Action Shopper article was in regards to a resolution. Apparently former mayoral candidate Jay Graff and a handful of correctional officers requested the council draft a resolution that would "support all local union bargaining rights." She said the resolution was not considered because it wasn't on the agenda, and if it's not on the agenda, it can't be voted on...and that was, at least according to the Mayor's article, the end of it. But that's simply not the case.
The Mayor wrote that article on March 16, and it appeared on March 23. On the same day her article was published, an email was sent out with a rough draft of the proposed resolution. It will be voted on during the next council meeting on March 29. According to my alderman, it's first on the agenda and here it is in its' entirety.
RESOLUTION #3-29-11-01
WHEREAS, The Waupun Common Council acknowledges the fiscal budget deficit of the State of Wisconsin and the shared participation in balancing the budget.
WHEREAS, The Common Council acknowledges that the entire community of City of Waupun including employees, businesses, and residents will be impacted as the result of the fiscal budget deficit of the State of Wisconsin.
WHEREAS, the Common Council acknowledges that the City of Waupun will participate in balancing the State of Wisconsin budget though the reduction in State Aid payments.
WHEREAS, The Common Council acknowledges that the City of Waupun employees will participate in balancing the State of Wisconsin budget through contributions to pensions and health insurance premiums.
WHEREAS, The Common Council acknowledges that the City of Waupun business community will be impacted with the loss of disposable income estimated at $33,378,342 throughout Dodge and Fond du Lac Counties.
WHEREAS, The Common Council acknowledges that the City of Waupun residents may be impacted in a loss of services due to the reductions in State Aid payments.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Waupun supports local city employees and the approximately 190,623 public workers in Dodge and Fond du Lac Counties and the City of Waupun supports the principals of collective bargaining and requests that the City of Waupun retain local decision making with its employee unions regarding good faith collective bargaining and decisions associated with local tax dollars,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City Clerk is hereby directed to send a copy of this Resolution to Governor Scott Walker, State Senator Randy Hopper, State Senator Scott Fitzgerald, State Representative Jeff Fitzgerald, and State Representative Richard Spanbauer.
Adopted this 29th day of March, 2011.
_____________________________________
Mayor Jodi A. Steger
_____________________________________
Angela Hull, City Clerk
Wow. In discussing this with the Mayor, I learned she is a true politician. On the one hand, she told me this wasn't her idea and she won't be voting on it. (She would only vote in the event of a tie and we currently have an uneven number of aldermen, so a tie vote is not possible.) But on the other hand, when I read the paragraph to her that contained the actual resolution, she said she agreed with it because the city has been balancing it's own budget for years, the people at the state can not say the same, and we don't need Walkers help.
Fascinating. While they apparently don't NEED the Governor's help, they did TAKE the Governor's help from the budget repair bill to get the union to agree to concessions. According to the Mayor, they got everything the Governor asked for "and more." That's not true. According to my alderman, the unions do not have to re-certify under this new contract and, despite what's in the budget repair bill, union dues will still be withheld from paychecks. So, union membership will still be mandatory and so will union dues.
Now, this get's back to an earlier point I drifted away from. As I said, it appears the numbers they used to make these decisions are "potential" savings. The state budget is not yet law, in fact it's not even been debated yet. If the "potential" numbers become reality, Waupun will get a significant break compared to other communities because we have an unusual problem here. We have a lot of state owned property in this city that is not subject to property tax, so our shared revenue from the state it higher. These "potential" numbers show the state is being quite fair and our cuts are minimal.
Now, if this resolution is passed, we will, as a city, be telling Governor Walker, Senator's Fitzgerald and Hopper, and Assemblymen Fitzgerald and Spanbauer hey thanks for your help in not cutting our shared revenue to the bone, thanks for giving us the repair bill so we could get concessions from our employees, but stay the h*** out of our business and let us do our own negotiating in the future.
Besides the fact that it's ungrateful, it's slightly less than bright since the budget has not yet been passed.
My biggest issue with this is the complete lack of transparency in our city government. Had I not called my alderman and questioned what happened with these sudden contract agreements, I would have not known about this insane resolution. And while the Mayor went out of her way to address the "rampant rumors", the "what" has not changed, only the "when."
My alderman knows how I feel about this, and he also knows I can't be at the council meeting on Tuesday because of prior commitments. He and I are on the same page on this, so I know my feelings will be represented.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
This week in unions and other goodies.
I have to begin with a bit of humor courtesy of comedian Dennis Miller.
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