We Are Ready For A New Day in WI Politics!

By Jeff Simpson

Last week we noted that 13 Assembly democrats gave cover to Robin Vos and the rest of the republicans by voting yes on AB110.   AB 110 is a big government bill where the republicans in this state, have decided to tell the 858,000 Wisconsinites on FoodShare what they can and can not purchase at the grocery store.   While the republicans talking point is that they want all people on FoodShare to "eat healthier", the list of OUTLAWED foods include, ketchup, mustard, honey, wild rice, rye bread, salt and pepper, and the list goes on!  

In reality, it is just the republicans wanting to institute a complete takeover of our state and micromanage our lives.  Their idea of small government means when your an elected republican you do not have to answer to anyone.   However those of us that are not elected officials will have every aspect of our lives controlled from the grocery store, to the library to the doctor's office. 

While the republicans pretended they cared about the poor(at least in their talking points if not their actions), the reality was they set the hook for democrats to bite.  After talking to some who voted for this ridiculous bill, their "reasoning" was they wanted to continue the debate(which is BS we can continue the debate and NOT vote for it) and that they wanted to bring attention to the fact that Foodstamps is a pittance and doesnt come close to feeding hungry families(which IS true).  

However the real reason, which no one will admit too publicly, is they did not want to have to deal with this republican talking point when they run for re-election:

The Democrats want to spend your tax money on the poor eating potato chips and Dorito's! 

 See with the current batch of republicans, it is ONLY about the next election!   However the correct response here, is that Democrats do not believe in controlling your life to the miniscule point of deciding what you buy at the grocery store.   Democrats also like having Frito Lay jobs in Beloit and Poore Brothers jobs in Menomonie.

After minority leader Peter Barca and 12 other democrats took the cowardly way out, it is easy to see why we are in the minority.   Every Democrat knew what the republicans were doing.  It is not hard to realize that Dean Kaufert does not have the people on FoodShare's best interests at heart.   However they jumped on the bandwagon and joined in on the piling on the poor bill.  However, many did not(a few posts from facebook):

Chris Taylor It was my pleasure to vote against that horrible bill Karen!

Mandela Barnes

May 7

Have you ever had a gift card for an out of town restaurant? There's been one on my dresser for three months now. This is what the "healthy eating" food stamp bill does to so many people. The idea isn't so bad, but we need to first increase access to healthy food in many areas where people use food stamps. There has to be access in terms distance, as well as affordability, or else you're simply targeting the poor.

Eric Genrich shared a link.

May 7 near Madison

I didn't run for the state Assembly to scapegoat people who are struggling to put food on the table, so I'm not supporting AB 110, which is a bill that forces unreasonable and counterproductive dietary restrictions on the purchases of FoodShare beneficiaries.

Additionally, and in the words of the Wisconsin Council on Children and Families, "We will be more successful in addressing obesity if we develop and implement policies that improve the nutritional quality of food, improve access to healthy foods in low-income communities, encourage physical activity, and educate our society at large about the high costs of obesity and the importance of a systemic approach to obesity reduction."

Maybe it's asking too much, but I'd like to see the obesity epidemic addressed in a reasonable way, in a way that recognizes the societal nature of the problem, and in a way to applies policies equally to all Wisconsinites.

http://docs.legis.wi.gov/2013/related/amendments/ab110/asa1_ab110.pdf

The point is, we have maxed out our effectivness with the old guard at the helm.  Barca, Mason, Jorgenson, etc... have all served the people very well and will continue to serve the people of WI.  However, internally its time for a change.   The Senate made another up and comer, Chris Larson, their leader and its time for the same to happen in the Assembly.  

While the Democrats lost seats in the last election, strictly due to Gerrymandering, the people of Wisconsin overwhelmingly supported progressives.   They sent many young, progressive, intelligent, talented people to the Assembly and its time to draw upon their expertise and enthusiasm!  

Mr. Barca, it is time to step aside and let the young stars of the party take a more active leadership role.  

Let's give Mandela Barnes, Chris Taylor, Melissa Sargent, Eric Genrich, Dianne Hesselbein and Katrina Shankland(among others), a chance to guide our party into the 21st Century and back to the majority!  

No Soup For You!

By Jeff Simpson

We brought you the ridiculous story of Dean Kaufert and Robin Vos wanting to tell people on food stamps what they could and could not buy at the grocery store. 

It was such a Big Government, intruding in your life laughable ridiculous bill that we made fun of it here a few days ago.   As we know on Cog_Dis, there is more and boy is there!

It turns out this bill of Kauferts, who pretends to represent Wisconsinites, actually classified brown eggs, sharp cheddar and organic milk as "junk food".

Wisconsin's AB 110 would mandate that two-thirds of a person's FoodShare benefits could be spent only on foods on the WIC-approved list. Exemptions have been added so recipients can also purchase fish, beef, pork, chicken, and potatoes. Strangely, exemptions were not added so that the "healthy" two-thirds could also be spent on a full range of healthy Wisconsin farm products and fresh food.

The result is that the bulk of your FoodShare dollars can be spent on milk, but not organic milk; on eggs, but only on white eggs by the dozen, not on brown, free-range, or organic eggs; on 100 percent whole wheat bread, but not on gluten-free bread for those with Celiac disease; on slices of American cheese, but not sharp cheddar. FoodShare dollars can be spent on dry beans, but not if they come from a money-saving bulk bin at your local food coop. You can get juice boxes for your children, but only Juicy Juice brand juice boxes.

 But WAIT there's more, its NOT just those foods there are so many more, as an anonymous source told me:

THe WIC list is terribly restrictive. I know a lot of people have been talking about the fact you can’t buy brown eggs, but the list does not include many basic foods.

The WIC list had no oils, margarine or butter. It has no spices, herbs, sauces, mustard, catsup or salad dressing.It has no flour, baking soda, sugar or honey.  It has no pasta, noodles, canned soups, canned beans, or canned meat like chili etc...  crackers, bagels. It only allows 100% wheat bread. It does not take into effect anyone with a gluten free diet. 

 So we have decided that the poor people in our community do not deserve to eat soup, frozen foods, crackers or  frozen dinners.   Who eats frozen dinners in 2013 you say, well my source answered that:

  The last 4 are especially important to the elderly, disabled and ill people who get FoodShare. These individuals may not be able to cook a meal "from scratch" or even have access to a full kitchen.

These people depend on "ready to heat" meals, but they may not be able to purchase as many "ready to heat” meals as they need because AB 110 restricts ALL of Non-WIC foods to a mere 33% of their monthly FoodShare amount.

More info on WIC here! 

Well Sorry Grandma, its Darwin's theory in WI.  Only the big dogs eat here!

Headache yet?  Sorry....as you guessed, there is more:

What have the studies had to say about this?


On the healthy foods bill, no studies have looked at the spending on different kinds of groceries within Wisconsin's FoodShare program, according to the state Department of Health Services. That means it's unclear whether the bill would actually increase the amount of money spent on healthy food in FoodShare.

Kaufert said that the bill should be passed because a substantial amount of FoodShare benefits is clearly being spent on junk food. But Rep. Evan Goyke (D-Milwaukee) said that's due in part to the fact that needy families in areas such as Milwaukee's inner city don't have ready access to stores stocking fresh fruits and vegetables.

Well there are no studies but everyone Kaufert knows poorer than him, is fat and no where near the physical fitness specimen that he is so they must be eating junk food!




Sorry my friends, but we are NOT even done yet!  What is the cost of implement this program?  Surely the deficit hawk, fiscal conservatives would have done a cost benefit analysis before ever bringing this bill to a vote right?  right?   ummmmm....

 The costs of implementing the program have also been a concern for grocery store owners, who would need to make significant computer system changes to do that. Kaufert's bill has drawn outright opposition from other groups, including Kraft Food Group - the food giant whose holdings include Oscar Mayer Co. in Madison - PepsiCo Inc. and state associations representing food processors, convenience stores and retailers.

So when we desperately need jobs we are forcing an unfunded expensive mandate on some of our biggest employers.....brilliant strategy!

And yes there is more!How does this compare or conflict with federal mandates?

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, which oversees the FoodShare program, isn't commenting on the Wisconsin bill. In the past, it has rejected proposals in other states restricting the sales of soda or candy using public benefits, including Minnesota in 2004, New York in 2010, and Mississippi in 2012.

It will probably be rejected.  So we are spending all of this time and wasting money implementing a new restrictive big government intrusion law that  will in the end be rejected. At least we let the poor know that they have been living the good life by eating honey, Ketchup and Mustard far too long.

You lazy bastards have had dressing on your salads for long enough!  We are gunning for you!!

The worst part is when the 858,000 Wisconsinites who received some form of FoodShare benefits needed someone to stand up for them.  The democratic party went AWOL.

When 858,000 Wisconsinites needed someone to explain that the problem is the healthy food costs too much and many people do not have access to real grocery stores anyway, these 13 democrats said too bad for you!  

When 858,000 Wisconsinites, were saying, in a very LOUD chorus, we NEED JOBS, these 13 democrats stood shoulder to shoulder with Robin Vos and said - we have other priorities!

When 858,000 Wisconsinites are working their butt's off to get by and raise their families, these 13 democrats said - "shame on you - get a job!"

When 858,000 Wisconsinites had no where else to turn, these 13 democrats looked them in the eyes and said "you are not deserving of butter,  soup, ketchup or Spices."!

Do not fear though, in a year those same democrats will be asking you to give them donations, volunteer for them doing doors, and answering phones.   858,000 people in a state of 5.7 million is a significant amount of votes(to put this in context, Pat "I see nothing" Roggensack's total vote was 482,696) and the dems will be asking you for their help.

They will need it!

Remember this day, I will!  



If one of these democrats is YOUR rep, call them.  If not call Peter Barca and express your outrage that he would support such big government, intrusive legislation in WI!

Madison Office

Room 201 West

State Capitol

P.O. Box 8952

Madison, WI 53708

Telephone

(608) 266-5504

(888) 534-0064

Fax

(608) 282-3664

Email

Rep.Barca@legis.wisconsin.gov

Twitter - @peterwbarca

Voting Address

1339 38th Ave.

Kenosha, WI 53144

Wait Til Dean Kaufert Gets Home!

By Jeff Simpson

BIG and I mean BIG, government Wisconsin republican Dean Kaufert, with the approval of the Speaker of the ASSembly Robin Vos, have authored a bill telling you what you must eat daily!  Seriously!

The party that threw a fit when NYC Mayor Bloomberg wanted to ban big gulp soda's, is now planning your daily meals.  You can not make this stuff up! 

if Pillsbury or a competitor had any business sense, they would make a big donation to Robin Vos and they could pass a law telling us we can only use their products and recipes.  

Unbelievable!

FoodShare Reform legislation, authored by Rep. Dean Kaufert [R – Neenah], passed the Assembly State Affairs committee Tuesday, April 30 on a 7-2 vote. An amendment to the bill which was also passed by the committee added specificity to the reform proposal and would require FoodShare recipients to use at least 2/3 (67%) of their monthly benefits on staple food products. Eligible staple food products would include the items on the WIC list, meat, pork, chicken, fish, and vegetables.

 

“The FoodShare Reform legislation will make sure we continue to help those truly in need in our communities with basic food necessities, while at the same time reduce the abuse and misuse of this program,” Kaufert said. “The original intent of the food stamp program was to provide the basic necessities, not luxury items and this bill will move us back in that direction.”

Those takers in society dont need ketchup or mustard or salt or pepper or what bread.  They will eat what the Wisconsin republicans tell them to eat and they will expect a "thank you"card n return!

You can tell by the way Robin Vos runs his own life that he more capable of running your life than you are!

 

Have any recipe or nutrition question?

Madison Office

Room 15 North

State Capitol

P.O. Box 8952

Madison, WI 53708

Telephone

(608) 266-5719

(888) 534-0055

Fax

(608) 282-3655

Email

Rep.Kaufert@legis.wisconsin.gov

Voting Address

1360 Alpine Lane

Neenah, WI 54956

 Or 

@speakervos

State Reprentative Kaufert Stands Up For Justice

After justice was thwarted, at least temporarily, in Waupaca County, Republican State Representative Dean Kaufert calls for a change. From his press release:

Rep. Dean Kaufert [R – Neenah] announced today that he will be working with colleagues in the Legislature on an initiative to clarify Wisconsin law relating to animal cruelty regulations. A potential problem with current law was brought to light recently as a result of a Waupaca County judge’s dismissal of felony animal cruelty charges against two defendants accused of running down and killing deer with their snowmobiles.

“To equate a pack of snowmobiles running down and killing deer with legal hunting is a slap in the face to all legitimate hunters in our state,” Kaufert said. “This interpretation of state law does not make a lot of sense and is certainly not the intent of the statute. The decision will likely be appealed, but I think we also may need to look at clarifying current law. I have requested that the Legislative Reference Bureau develop draft language to clarify the intent of this statute to prevent this from happening again in the future.”

There is a provision under current state law that animal cruelty charges cannot be brought against people who are hunting. Kaufert noted that he wants to keep this provision in place to protect legitimate hunters, but narrow the language to make clear it applies only to people engaging in legitimate and recognized methods of hunting. “I don’t know anyone who would say that a snowmobile is a legitimate way to go deer hunting,” Kaufert added.

I, for one, applaud Rep. Kaufert for his insight and encourage him to follow through with these changes with the necessary timeliness the situation calls for.