tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5888314760091661875.post4189752635477839068..comments2023-11-03T03:52:37.873-05:00Comments on Cognitive Dissidence: 'No one gives a blank about low-wage workers.'Somebody DO Something!http://www.blogger.com/profile/08717747685928127724noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5888314760091661875.post-66598899256346431982014-10-06T23:16:35.604-05:002014-10-06T23:16:35.604-05:00Wow, you got so much wrong in that comment it'...Wow, you got so much wrong in that comment it's hard to tell where to even start.<br /><br />First off, did Hammes make that statement?<br /><br />Well, Eyon has no reason to lie. He has nothing to gain by lying. Heck, he doesn't even live here anymore. <br /><br />Hammes, on the other hand, has tens of millions of dollars to lose if the deal goes through. I would say that is ample enough incentive for him to lie.<br /><br />Yes, it is wonderful that the construction workers will have good paying jobs for as long as the project lasts. But it is unacceptable that the long term jobs will be underpaid and without benefits. It is pure exploitation.<br /><br />For all the money Hammes has, there is no reason for him to exploit these workers except for pure greed. This also reinforces that he probably made that statement.<br /><br />What you are doing is using a divide and conquer mentality so loved by the likes of Walker and Abele and it as abhorrent as the plantation economics behind it.<br /><br />Yes, Biddle and Lipscomb have done more for the people of the county. They are making sure that the workers - all the workers - get a fair shake. Hammes is only looking to exploit these people for his own gain.<br /><br />The fact that Hammes would participate in pay for play politics with Walker is enough in itself to show that he is not really concerned about the best interest of low income workers. He is only concerned for the best interest of his bottom line.<br /><br />Hammes could easily pay the permanent workers much more and treat them with respect and he will still be as rich as all get out.<br /><br />The land can still be developed. The construction workers can still be well paid. But so can the permanent workers. If Hammes feels he cannot do that, then we can find someone who is willing to make a real commitment to the community to do so.<br /><br />To say that Hammes is the only option and that it's his way or no way is a false choice.<br /><br />But, my anonymous friend, let's look at the most egregious part of your comment.<br /><br />To say that "no one give a blank about poor people" is irrelevant and innocuous is to insult the very people that are being exploited. It is a sign of elitism and arrogance. It is the argument of plantation economics, which is based on slavery and racism.<br /><br />If you feel that it is more important for one man to increase his already vast wealth than it is is to treat all workers with respect and to pay them a living wage, well, friend, it is you with the poor priorities and the worse set of values.capperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16490172369913699310noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5888314760091661875.post-86771033430372892512014-10-06T22:36:43.192-05:002014-10-06T22:36:43.192-05:00This arena will probably be built close to this ar...This arena will probably be built close to this area, meaning that the land's value will skyrocket, Hammes wants in while it's still cheap.capperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16490172369913699310noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5888314760091661875.post-75789545950070329582014-10-06T20:48:32.181-05:002014-10-06T20:48:32.181-05:00Let's for the sake of argument say that Hammes...Let's for the sake of argument say that Hammes really made this comment to Biddle (even though I do not believe he did).<br /><br />Who cares?<br /><br />Hammes is putting together a project that would employ hundreds of the people that you supposedly stand up for in good, high-paying construction jobs. Not only that, this plan could lead to further, and much needed, development in the northwest end of downtown; potentially leading to even more jobs for the high number of unemployed citizens of Milwaukee.<br /><br />People like Biddle and Lipscomb claim that they have the best interests of Milwaukee in mind here, but isn't it obvious that the person who is helping the city the most in this situation is clearly the man that is putting forth a project (without public financing) that will employ hundreds and provide development to a portion of the city that desperately needs it?<br /><br />Also, let's take a look at the comment. Again, for the sake of argument, I will take Biddle at his word that the story is true. Hammes' comment was a one-off remark that was made in the heat of a contentious situation eight years ago. I say "one-off" because there is nothing in Hammes' history that would lead anyone to believe that he has a vendetta against low-income workers. So something as irrelevant and innocuous as this little statement, made nearly a decade ago, should shut down a major development project? And if your answer is still "yes" let me ask you, who really suffers here? Whether this project happens or not, Hammes will still be wealthy, however, a few hundred of your fellow Milwaukee citizens that are in dire need of work will continue to sit out of the job market.<br /><br />It's high time that people like Lipscomb, Biddle and you get your priorities straight.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5888314760091661875.post-68172117227687563102014-10-06T12:35:24.666-05:002014-10-06T12:35:24.666-05:00Perhaps slightly off topic, but does this proposed...Perhaps slightly off topic, but does this proposed deal have anything to do with the site-selection for a new Bucks arena? I know Park East is in the running. And I believe Hammes was part of a group of investors who was trying to buy the Bucks from Kohl... and from how these things get intertwined, I imagine Hammes will be the company that actually gets the contract to build the new arena.<br />Anyway, props for actually reaching out to Biddle on this! Pity that Bice/MJS aren't even making an effort to appear like real journalists.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5888314760091661875.post-59957164904061716232014-10-06T06:50:13.978-05:002014-10-06T06:50:13.978-05:00Also check out the workings Hammes did with the Ed...Also check out the workings Hammes did with the Edgewater hotel project in Madison. He got a multi-million dollar TIF district under one Mayor, then when Soglin came in and said it was unaffordable and reduced the TIF, it turned out the TIF wasn't so necessary to the project, and the hotel is now open.<br /><br /> Funny how those things work, and how Bice ran with his story without getting the other side of it from Biddle. It's almost like Bice is a rightie who's favoring the plutocrats over the County Board, isn't it? Jake formerly of the LPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15660401299391001751noreply@blogger.com