The High Cost of Low Elected Expectations

By Jeff Simpson

I brought you my thoughts of what happened in the special elections yesterday and how to start fixing them in the future.   As I was going through the articles regarding the elections, something hit me that did not stand out at first.  

In the 69th, to replace dirty little Scott Suder,  republican Bob Kulp won.    Now we know that he will not be the brightest bulb on the legislative Christmas tree already but this one made me wonder.

See dirty little Scott Suder knew that when the United Sportsmen calamity came to light he had better be as far away from elected office as he could get.   DL Suder also knew that his friends Robin Vos and Scott Walker would give him cover to get out of there, because in the end he was giving hundreds of thousands of dollars of our taxpayer money to his friends, but they were also their friends.    Suderman just was willing to take the heat, as long as he got a nice promotion out of the deal.    

In recruiting his replacement, he found someone who would not upset the apple cart with any new thoughts or ideas and picked Bob Kulp to replace him.  

Contrast that with Kulp, who had created a campaign Facebook page the weekend before Suder even officially announced he was leaving the Assembly. Kulp also received the support of top Assembly Republicans, and Walker spoke in support of Kulp at a Marshfield fundraiser last week that drew hundreds of supporters.

However this from the person who ran a "jobs" campaign:

 Kulp said his first priority is figuring out what is stagnating job growth in the state.

So Mr. Jobs, in the party of jobs, who has been a candidate to replace dirty little suder for months, who knows he is the best person to represent the 69th assembly district in Madison, will soon get around to figuring out why Scott Walker has not created any jobs yet.  

Does anyone vet these people?   Is it any wonder our economy is a disaster? 




(Notice Luke Hilgemann in the background,  whispering in Kulp's ear.  As long as Kulp is an elected official, Hilgemann will be whispering in his ear.   Luke wants his $500,000 back)   

Worst. Endorsement. Ever!

By Jeff Simpson

The rightward local newspaper - Marshfield News Herald -endorsed  Republican Bob Kulp in the special election to fill Scott Suder's very dirty little shoes.  

Kulp’s flaw is that, somewhat surprisingly, much of his discussion felt a bit removed from the real-world impact of the policies. A strong supporter of broad expansion of school vouchers — which he renamed, a bit heavyhandedly, “opportunity scholarships” — he seemed to have little knowledge of the program’s actual record in Milwaukee, where it has existed for decades with middling results.

Few candidates can be experts in every policy area. But it illustrates a potential risk for Kulp: the temptation to substitute the easy answers of political ideology for real-world experience, pragmatic problem-solving and a willingness to critically re-examine his own preferences based on the evidence.

Shorter version:  Bob Kulp doesn't understand the issues and we hope he doesn't join the hyperpartisan republicans in Madison, although he probably will.  Hey we tried.  

The reality is ACT10 and voucher expansion has real world consequences in Marshfield and the 69th Assembly district.   Do you really want to continue to be a minor league system for teachers?  Is it ok with you that the grass IS greener in other districts?   Is mediocrity ok for your kids?  Do you really want to vote for someone who is "removed from the real-world impact of the policies", because our children are NOT removed.   

The true choice is Ken Slezak for the 69th!  

Caution: Falling Stars!

By Jeff Simpson

Apparently her Arena Rock days are over, as Sarah Palin will be playing the Walmart in Rib Mountain this morning.

Palin visited Walmart, 4300 Rib Mountain Drive, from 10 a.m. to noon Nov. 14 to sign copies of “Good Tidings and Great Joy: Protecting the Heart of Christmas.”
Rib Mountain was Palin’s fourth stop on her national book tour, she announced last week on her Facebook page, and her first visit to the Wausau area.

In what has been dubbed the "Hey look at me, look over here, Hey I am over here, remember me" tour.   Sarah Palin will be at other such booming Metropolis's as Bethlehem, Pa., Columbus, Ohio, and Grand Rapids, Mich., Fort Campbell, Ky., and Fort Benning, Ga. It is only fitting that Palin be playing the store that is known for the "Faded Glory" brand name.

PS:  after seeing what might have been, realize that changing this is more important than ever....If your in the Marshfield area - Help Ken Slezak get elected Tuesday November 19th!  

Ken Slezak for 69th Assembly District

This from Ken Slezak, who is the Democratic Candidate for the 69th District:

Every generation tends to believe there is no hope for the next generation. After my father made the decision to close his small rural store in Minnesota, I was lamenting the ending of two generations of family ownership. My dad, a World War II veteran, simply said, “Everything changes.”

Nostalgia is comforting. My wife, Marilynn, and I are now enjoying the fruits of a full life. As a veteran, I remember the good times with my buddies in the Army. I also remember those who never had the opportunity to enjoy a full life. Marilynn remembers the joys of teaching and raising a family, and only occasionally reminds me of the pain of giving birth.

We have an obligation to ensure the next generation has the same opportunity as our generation. God, motherhood and apple pie are nice campaign slogans, but they just aren’t good enough.

Wisconsin consistently provides high-quality workers to the workforce. We must make sure the Wisconsin education system continues to be among the top three nationally. We must ensure affordable, high-quality health care for all our citizens.

Wisconsin is known as the Dairy State, and dairy is still our No. 1 industry. Increasing state funding for rural roads is as important to Wisconsin as our interstate system.

I am not for big government. I am not for no government. I am for good government. Once again, I am ready to serve my friends and neighbors. I hope you’ll vote for me for the 69th Assembly District seat on Nov. 19.

Ken Slezak of Neillsville is the Democratic candidate for the 69th Assembly District.

Ken Slezak is married to Marilynn and has three daughters that they raised together in Wisconsin's 69th Assembly District. He's a veteran of the US Army and owned a small business for over three decades. He enjoys hunting and fishing in the woods and streams of Wisconsin and is a member of American Legion Post 73; Disabled American Veterans Chapter 57, the Neillsville Kiwanis, and St. Mary's Catholic Church in Neillsville. Ken believes that resources like rural roads and water are as vital to our businesses as the interstate and will fight in Madison to protect them. Please vote for Ken Slezak Tuesday, November 19th.

"Like" Ken Slezak facebook page here, Ken's Act Blue page is here!

The last person that the 69th sent to Madison, Republican Scott Suder, ended up trying to give hundreds of thousands of dollars to his friends on his way out of town.  

 Its time that the 69th was actually represented, with honesty and integrity, in Madison and Ken Slezak is THE person to do it!