Luther Olsen Better Watch His Back

By Jeff Simpson

Luther Olsen is the next stop on the right wing crazy republican purge tour:

After this came out in WIspolitics:

 Olsen, the Senate Education Committee chair, tells WisPolitics.com he doesn't fear opposition from anti-Common Core activists.

"If I'm the guy who is standing between getting rid of the Common Core and keeping it, I can go to sleep fine saying, 'Yeah, I think it's the right thing, and that's not a problem,'" said Olsen, R-Ripon.

Which prompted this response from the despicable Vicki Mckenna:

sen luther olsen can't figure out why everyone doesn't like #BigGovernment oversight of schools. #wiright. @leahvukmir

 When the right wing talking hatred heads ring the bell whistle, the salivating dogs follow:

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  Tina Gorzalski Vote this socialist out..............

  about an hour ago · 1

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  Ron Remington Something smells with his actions. Check his finances!

  about an hour ago

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  Jay Brandemeuhl I never did receive a follow up reply from him as to why we should give up local control of curriculum

  about an hour ago · 2

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  Steve Meade ummm because he's a bought and paid for shill?... durrr.

  31 minutes ago

  
  
  More on Common Core State Standards here!  
  
  Does anyone doubt that Luther Olsen is next on the formerly convicted felon,  Scott Jensen's hit list?  
  
  
  
  

Indefensible

 

By Jeff Simpson

H/T Jack Craver

Dale Schultz has had enough.   A lifelong republican legislator and part of a dying breed of true statesman can not handle the extreme storm that has taken over the current Wisconsin republican party!

“I am not willing to defend them anymore,” he explained when Salvia asked why Republicans sought to limit the number of voting hours a municipality could offer. “I’m just not and I’m embarrassed by this.”
 
“It’s all predicated on some belief there is a massive fraud or irregularities, something my colleagues have been hot on the trail for three years and have failed miserably at demonstrating,” he said.

 “It’s just sad when a political party has so lost faith in its ideas that it’s pouring all of its energy into election mechanics,” Schultz said. “We should be pitching as political parties our ideas for improving things in the future rather than mucking around in the mechanics and making it more confrontational at the voting sites and trying to suppress the vote.”

 “In the spirit of the champion of the 1957 Voting Rights Act, I have been trying to send a message that we are not encouraging voting, we are not making voting easier in any way, shape or form with these bills,” he explained. “Back in 1957 with the leadership of Dwight Eisenhower, Republicans were doing that. And that makes me sad, frankly.”

Schultz has even more to say, this time about the bill that makes it harder for victims of asbestos to sue:

Later, Schultz attacked a bill aimed at helping companies escape asbestos litigation that has been criticized by groups representing veterans, who account for a disproportionate number of those suffering from mesothelioma, a cancer linked to asbestos exposure.

“This bill is certainly a slap in the face at the very least to some of the people who gave some of the most vital years of their life in the service of their country,” he said.

That sound is Christian Schneider's head exploding since his job is defending the indefensible.  How long until Media Trackers has stories smearing Dale Schultz's good name?

Meanwhile, sign me up for the Dale Schultz for Governor campaign.  

 

Move to Amend Continues

Guest Post by Brad Geyer

On March 7th, Move to Amend of Lake Mills and Rock River hosted a public discussion with Lori Compas, executive director of the Wisconsin Business Alliance, and Republican Senator Dale Schultz. We would like to thank the 50 citizens who attended this presentation and engaged in lively discussion as well as the L.D. Fargo Library for the use of theirt facilities. The tone was one of mutual admiration and respect for the sincerity and collegial efforts of attendees and speakers.

This was a truly heart-warming political event. (I never thought there could be such a thing). It was uplifting to see Democrat and Republican leaders standing side by side answering citizen questions, showing clear appreciation and admiration for each other. They demonstrated mutual respect for all the citizens with questions, citizens who sometimes had very heated responses to recent legislative discussions and activity. It was exceptional to see Sen. Schultz attentively listening and courteously responding to a very angry citizen complaining about her perception of unfairness in a legislative hearing. He reminded us that we were all present for the same reason – to get control of politics away from monied interests and back to the people – to seek consensual outcomes – thus turning around a citizen's response from one of anger at the system to one of agreement that the system is broken and needs to be fixed.

Senator Schultz began by saying "Lori is a Democrat and I'm a Republican. What is important here tonight is we've all come together because we care about the system of government that we think ought to be propped up, reformed, and improved, because it's a wonderful thing – not because it's perfect, but because it's a wonderful thing. Then we'd be able to find the things – beliefs – that we find in common, that we unite, and that we get them done. And of course tonight I think all of us here believe that it's time to Move to Amend."

Senator Schultz went on to say: "We're talking about billionaires turning this country into a Russian-style oligarchy, where there are two dozen billionaires who BUY the whole political process." Later he commented on how this is enabled: "People who run for offices ... are pretty good people. Really, they really want to change the world – at least they start out that way, until they realize that the only way they can stay there is to make the deal with the devil – the Faustian bargain. And then they're hooked."  He emphasized how important this constitutional amendment is: "The reality is, this is so important that we must place it as the number one thing."

Lori Compas started by saying, “There are a thousand hacking at the branches of evil to one who is striking at the root. We have all of these problems in our state right now, but I think the root of those problems is money in politics. We have to get at that root. Time and again, we see our elected officials passing laws that do not seem to be in the vast interest of Wisconsinites. People who are not paying attention do not understand the full impact of those laws, until, say, they live in small quiet town in western Wisconsin and suddenly they have 50 sand trucks going through per hour. That is actually happening right now.

As someone who tries to organize small business owners, I hear that all the time [that people do not want to be involved in politics.] You may not want to get involved, but there are other people involved, and they are spending a tremendous amount of money on these issues. It is important for us to stand up for what we believe in.” Compas went on to say, “Our system is really broken. I firmly believe that money in politics is the root of the brokenness.”

Lori Compass said that she researched Move To Amend despite initial skepticism. Noting how huge corporations are controlling political decisions that hurt small businesses and small corporations as well as individuals, she now fully supports MTA and its goals. It is not possible to make progress on hundreds of issues and problems because huge corporations and extremely wealthy people are controlling the political agenda.

There was a period for questions at the end. Leslie Demuth of Waterloo asked: "About bills allowing lobbyists to give money to legislators while they are making law. And another one I believe would protect the identity of the donors to do their false, smear campaigns. – Does it make a difference when I contact my senator?"

"We've got this situation now where, as Sen. Schultz has said, the elected officials have chosen their voters. They know they're safe. They can take as many campaign donations as they want. They can vote however – you know – I mean – I hate to say it – but they can vote however they're being pressured to vote by outside interests and not really have to care what we think," Lori Compas responded.

Sen Schultz: "I absolutely believe that one person can make a difference, and that's generally how the world changes. One person just stands up and says "I'm mad as hell. I'm going to change it. ...My suggestion is pretty much personified by her [Lori Compas] – she just woke up one day and pretty much said "No, this isn't going to happen, and I'm going to do something about it.

How can you make a difference? You have to realize that most of the people who run for office, whether they are Republican or Democrat, are pretty good people. Really, they really want to change the world. At least they start out that way until they realize that the only way they can stay there is to make the deal with the devil – the Faustian bargain. And then they're hooked. And then – it's a dilemma – what do you do?

I think that the answer is you have to say to people that this process is supposed to work. You have to be a good citizen. You have to know the process. I know how it's changed. And here are some specific examples. You can talk about Move to Amend. You can talk about redistricting. And you can say 'Where are you on these issues?' And no, you don't accept 'I'm OK with that." [When you talk to your representatives]

You don't accept 'What was that.' You don't accept 'Well, I'm for it.' You accept 'I'm for it," and then you quickly say 'and what can I expect from your for leadership?' And 'How will you report back?' That's what you have to do. You have to demand leadership. And then you have to tell people 'You want to know what? If there was ever a case for being a single issue voter, defending the process that serves all of us, certainly is a candidate for that. And I want you to know I'm paying attention and I'm doing everything I can to educate my neighbors.'

As a guy who stood for election 12 times, that's a message that rings very loud and very clear. And if we get enough people moving in that direction, the political class will finds its way to the front of the parade. Believe me."

Kirk Lund, leader for Lake Mills Move To Amend brought up the coming March 31 presentation featuring David Cobb of the national Move To Amend organization in the L.D. Fargo Public Library in Lake Mills.

The purpose of the event was to engage local citizens in discussion of the ways in which unregulated big money in politics negatively impacts our important issues. This is relevant preparation for the April 1 ballot referendum, which will ask City of Lake Mills and Town of Waterloo residents if they want a U.S. constitutional amendment stating "Corporations are not people and money is not speech," to reverse the effect of the 2010 U.S. Supreme Court decision in the Citizens United case.

We would like Wisconsin to join the 16 states that have called on the U.S. Congress to reverse the Citizens United decision of 2010 and add to the 28 Wisconsin communities that have officially called for an amendment through resolutions and referenda. In addition to local actions there are also bills in the Wisconsin State Assembly and Senate supporting an amendment.

The bills read:

“We stand with the Move to Amend campaign and communities across the country to support passage of an amendment to the United States Constitution stating:

1. Only human beings — not corporations, limited liability companies, unions, nonprofit organizations or similar associations and corporate entities — are endowed with constitutional rights, and, 2. Money is not speech, and therefore, regulating political contributions and spending is not equivalent to limiting political speech.

Be it further resolved, that we hereby instruct our state and federal representatives to enact resolutions and legislation to advance this effort.”

If you live in the City of Lake Mills, Town of Waterloo, or the Cities of Edgerton, Elkhorn, Delavan, Waukesha, or Wauwatosa, or in the Village of Shorewood, Whitefish Bay, Waunakee, De Forest, or Belleville, or in the Town of Windsor, please vote "YES" on April 1, to help us regain control of our government that is supposed to be "of, by, and for the People."

Daniel Fary, Fort Atkinson and Brad Geyer, Jefferson

Rock River Affiliate-Move To Amend (Jefferson and Walworth Counties)

For more information...
Website:

 http://wimta.org/

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Wisconsin-Move-To-Amend/569078933112051

Liberating!

By Jeff Simpson

H/T to Malcontends! 

 In a victory for voting rights, Wisconsin State Senator Dale Schultz (R-Richland Center) announced he will vote against a bill attacking early voting in Wisconsin.

Schultz announced his opposition to AB 54 and Senate Bill 324 through an aide in a phone conversation with Mal Contends this morning, effectively killing the anti-early voting legislation.

Schultz cited conversations with local election officials and small-town Wisconsin clerks who say they "prefer the flexibility they now have and are tired of Madison (the legislature and governor's office) trying to control and tell localities how to do their business."

  


Good for Dale Schultz!  It must be so liberating to finally be outside the oppressive ALEC stooges regime that is currently running our state!   Senator Schultz can actually do what his constituents sent him to Madison to do - Govern! 


Senator when you declare your run for Governor - Sign me up! I am all in!  

Republican War on Public Schools!

By Jeff Simpson

Ruth Coniff at The Progressive has a must read! 

here is a clip, read the whole thing:

It was Schultz who pointed out that his colleagues' plans to siphon tax dollars into private schools, even as they slash funds for public education, means setting up two parallel school systems.
"How conservative is that?" Schultz said recently. "We are trying to duplicate something we already can't afford."
Schultz also objects to the generally sour tone toward teachers, and what he calls "loose talk" in the Capitol that our public schools are "failing."
"Failing schools, hell," he said at a recent public forum. "Would you like to take me and show me, in my district, where are the failing schools?"
Schultz, like most Wisconsinites, takes pride in his local schools and feels warmly toward the teachers who look after the children in his community. Contrast that with the barrage of right-wing attacks on teachers and public education generally this week during National School Choice Week.

  

Senator Dale Schultz Announces Retirement

The bully boys of the Teapublican machine have finally succeeded in pushing out the last respectable Republican - Dale Schultz.

Channel 3000 is reporting that he has told them that he is not going to seek reelection.

Looking at his statement, it's not hard to discern why he chose to step down:

His stock in the capitol has risen and fallen, winning a close race for majority leader of the Senate against Scott Fitzgerald in 2004, losing that seat when Democrats took control in 2006, then becoming a swing vote in that House in the last three years of contentious bills.  Schultz says his no vote on Act 10, the collective bargaining bill, was the hardest he made in 30 years.

"I would say that because it was a point in my life where I had to make a decision on what was most important: what the people of my district wanted as opposed to what would allow me to continue to be a member of the caucus in good standing," said Schultz.

It's not really a surprise. I've been hearing for years, since the WISGOP machine decided that Walker would be the chosen one, that the Teapublicans have been operating like a syndicate in coercing their more moderate members into compliance.

Schultz must be feeling relieved not having to walk on eggshells anymore.  And he goes out saying it like it is:

He laments the state of the Republican party and even says he still feels "uncomfortable" with his deciding vote last session on voter ID.

"While I certainly believe we need to safeguard the integrity of the ballot box I think we have crossed the line on a couple of occasions," said Schultz. "It's been a very uncomfortable situation for me having to vote along with the caucus because I've tried to be a good Republican."

Schultz already had a named primary opponent if he did run.  Republican Rep. Howard Marklein, R-Spring Green has said he will run for the 17th Senate district.  Schultz says he won't endorse Marklein in the upcoming election because Marklein said he was challenging the incumbent on the issues of votes on Act 10 and the mining bill.

"I have always felt it was best to be candid and a straight-shooter with people and not having a prompter going in the back of your mind about what might be said," said Schultz.

While I can't say that I've agreed with Schultz all that often, I thank him for his years of service and for trying to keep his integrity intact as his party sunk into the mire of its own creation.

Racism Rules The Day

 

By Jeff Simpson

"Hey old man, how can you stand to think that way, and did you really think about it before you made the rules"  Bruce Hornsby

Yesterday, the Wisconsin State Senate passed the Steve nASS racist mascot preservation bill, which allows white people to continue making fun of American Indian heritage no matter how stupid, racist and imbecilic it is.  

Rep. Stephen nASS, R-Whitewater, who represents a portion of Mukwonago, introduced a bill in August that requires a complainant to collect signatures equal to 10 percent of the school district's population to trigger a state review. Complainants would have to prove discrimination at hearing. The Department of Administration, which is controlled by the governor, would make the final call on whether the name must go, rather than DPI, which is run by an elected superintendent. The bill also would invalidate all previous DPI orders forcing schools to drop their nicknames.

 Senator Bob Jauch said it best:

A sad day in the Senate as the majority party adpted the race-baced mascots bill and created unachieveble barriers to the general public to end the use of Native American mascots and logos in wisconsin. The bill was adopted on a 17-16 vote with Senator Schultz offering a sensible compromise that encouraged collaborative discussions between school districts and the Great Lakes Indian Tribal Council as well as Tribes to address the prejudicial affect that these outdated logos and mascots have to demean Native Americans and their culture. It is a bill adopted by a racially insenstive majority who seem clueless to the need for society to act like the 21 century instead of the early 20th century when Native Americans were punished for speaking their language and assmilation was the code for annihilation of a culture. The legislation dishonors our 11 Native American Tribes. Even more embarrassing is the fact that the bill was scheduled during Native American Heritage Month. What a pathetic way to celebrate the incredible contribution of native American culture and traditions that enrich our lives.

 As for what the Wisconsin Indian population feels:

Barbara Munson, an Oneida Indian who chairs the Wisconsin Indian Education Association's Indian Mascot and Logo Task Force, said she hoped the governor has more sense than legislators and will reject the bill.

"This clearly is about race. You can tell some people know that and some people don't," Munson said. "There's a lot of white privilege going on."

let's hope that in election season, Scott Walker has enough sense to veto it.  I am guessing that he will sign it discretely, some Friday afternoon around 4:58 PM.  

PS:  For those scoring at home, Kathleen Vinehout voted against this bill and Mary Burke refuses to speak up about it!  

In other answers, Burke said she opposed a law passed by Republicans requiring voters to show a photo ID at their polling place and said she was skeptical of an effort to change the state's American Indian mascot law for schools.

 

Waukesha-based Campaigns!

 

By Jeff Simpson

A Democrat threw his hat in the ring to take on Republican Moderate Senator Dale Schultz. 

Madison -- Former state transportation budget director Ernie Wittwer announced Tuesday he is running as a Democrat for the seat held by state Sen. Dale Schultz (R-Richland Center).
His announcement alters the dynamic of the closely watched race. Schultz has not decided whether he will seek re-election and has not ruled out running as an independent if he does run.
Rep. Howard Marklein (R-Spring Green) is seeking the seat, so Schultz will face a primary challenge if he runs as a Republican.
Schultz has frustrated his fellow Republicans by voting against them on legislation to limit collective bargaining for public workers and to streamline mining regulation.
In a news conference in the state Capitol, Wittwer praised Schultz for taking some courageous votes but said he votes with Republicans the vast majority of the time. Wittwer said he was in the race no matter what Schultz does.
"Dale hasn't made up his mind," Wittwer said. "I'll be running in either case."

 What is interesting about this story is how Schultzs chief of staff, Todd Allbaugh, had to say when asked about this:

He said Wittwer appeared to be "a Dale Schultz Republican," but reserved most of his criticism for Marklein.
"This is a Waukesha-based campaign," he said of Marklein's campaign for a seat on the other side of the state. "Howard Marklein is the tea party candidate, who absolutely is being bought and paid for by the far right wing of the party."

Now we have party bosses in Waukesha trying to decide every race in the state and punishing those who disagree.

Its up to you if that is ok!

 

 

 

Steve nASS Denounces Local Control

By Jeff Simpson

In case you did not know, Steve nASS(R-I don't like paying child support), has authored and had passed the Racist Mascot Preservation Bill.   Our friend Heather at Monologues of Dissent has been documenting this bill brilliantly:

When they aren't too busy focusing on creating jobs legalizing rubber duck races, Wisconsin Republicans are actual drafting legislation that would turn back the hard-fought advances toward equity in public schools by "rewriting" the law requiring schools to abandon racist mascot names, and shift authority on the matter from the Department of Public Instruction to (guess who?) Scott Walker's Department of Administration.  Because one belligerent district refuses to comply with the name-change requirement, our children will be subjected to continued humiliations and the unconscionably bad example of normalizing racism in the classroom.  Even in their own press release, Sen. Mary Lazich accidentally betrays the true purpose of the backward-looking bill: to ensure total control so that no schools will have to change their mascots, to "avoid imposing costly re-branding on school districts."  Using words like "treasured mascots" and referring to the "principled positions" of school districts who refuse to abandon their beloved traditions [of racism], the Republican legislators' complete disrespect for how deeply offensive these racist mascot names are to many Wisconsinites is now on display for all to see. The repulsive irony is best seen in the words of Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, who told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that the blatant disregard for civility and equity is "the best path forward." 

  


As he has been known to do, Republican Senator Dale Schultz(R-last bit of sanity), has seen how controversial this bill that overturns current law is and has offered up a compromise.

“As a member of the State Tribal Relations Committee for the past couple years, he has found a new appreciation and understanding for the Native American community,” said Schultz’s chief of staff, Todd Allbaugh. “He just thinks it’s the right thing to do.”

Schultz, of Richland Center, will offer a compromise when the Senate meets Nov. 5. His proposal would require the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction to review all school nicknames and mascots, rather than waiting for a complaint to be filed. There are roughly 35 schools in the state that use Indian nicknames and logos.

Under the Schultz compromise, if DPI feels a name could be race-based, it would turn its findings over to the local school board. The local school board could then work with the Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council to negotiate an agreement, arguably avoiding any lawsuit.

Allbaugh said Schultz had discussions with Ho-Chunk President Jon Greendeer, who testified against the bill at an Oct. 9 Senate public hearing. Greendeer worked with the Wisconsin Dells School District to reach a compromise on its use of the nickname Chiefs.

Greendeer's discussions with the district led to the tribe presenting a traditional headdress to Wisconsin Dells High School, where it is displayed along with a description of the school’s tribal connection to the community.

So Dale Schultz (R-only "R" listens to his constituents) has seen controversy and the need for compromise, has studied the issue, talked to all sides, watched how it has played out successfully in history and pulled all of this together into a palatable solution for all involved.  

As Schult'z Chief of Staff correctly puts it:

 
“His bill forces a true discussion at the local level,” Allbaugh said. “As Republicans, we are always preaching about local control. So let the issue be worked out on the local level like it was in the Dells.”

 Well palatable to all except for the furthest end of the right wing spectrum.  Unfortunately, thanks to district gerrymandering, that is who is making our laws.   Let's here from Steve nAss, I mean Mike Mikalsen speaking for Steve nASS or himself or well whoever does the thinking in their domestic partnership.

Mike Mikalsen, Nass’ chief of staff, said Nass does not support the compromise.

“At this point, he has already compromised as much as he’s going to,” Mikalsen said. “Remember, his bill was initially a complete repeal (of current law).”

The bill proposed by Lazich and Nass would largely undo a 3-year-old law passed under former Gov. Jim Doyle that required schools discontinue using their nicknames, logos or mascots if they were found to be offensive. Once one individual filed a complaint, a review process would be triggered by the DPI to determine whether the school's use of native imagery was offensive.

Through compromise, Nass has agreed to allow for a complaint process. However, it shifts the responsibility for proving something is offensive to the complainant by requiring an individual to collect signatures totaling 10 percent of the school district’s student population. Those who sign the petition must by 18 or older.

Nass’ bill also would cut DPI out of the process by allowing the state Department of Administration to assign a hearing examiner to the complainant’s case.

There we go, Mike nASS is in favor of Big Government dictating exactly what you have to do and to what level you can be offended.  Mike nASS is against the decision being made by the local democratically elected school board.   The local school board of course is elected by the voters of the actual school district that would be making the decision about the fate of the Mascot. 

 

 Apparently, Mike nASS thinks that he is much more qualified to decide the issues of  your school district than you or the people you vote for are.   

 

 

Why is Mike nASS against local control?  Let's let Jason Priest, Republican Montana Senate candidate, explain.

 

Here is Mike nASS in his own words and immensely outclassed by Representative Jon Richards: