Vos, WISGOP, Still Complete Jerks Towards Paralyzed Democrat

Wisconsin Republicans, led by Speaker Robin Vos, are still befouling themselves in their treatment and attitude towards State Representative Jimmy Anderson, a Democrat who was paralyzed from the chest down when a drunk driver smashed into the car that Anderson was riding in.

It started when Anderson made a simple request to appear via telephone at some Assembly committee meetings when his physical disabilities and health concerns won't allow it. Vos denied him this right guaranteed under the Americans with Disabilities Act, and accused Anderson of "grandstanding" in his request.

Bad enough, right? But as with all things Republican, there's more. There's always more.

Anderson circulated a letter to each and every fellow state representative to ask Vos to allow Anderson his request for this accommodation. All 36 of Anderson's fellow Democrats signed the letter willingly. However, not one Republican would sign the letter. This includes Republican State Representative Barbara Dittrich, who prides herself as being a long time advocate for those with disabilities.

But Vos still wasn't done. Apparently concerned that there might still be some lingering doubt, Vos wanted to make sure that the world knows that he is a complete and utter shithead.

Vos did this by trying to play the victim card. Yes, you read that correctly. Vos tried to portray himself as the victim, stating that Anderson was only making the request to make him look bad:

Vos told WISN's Jay Weber he believes the timing of Anderson's public appeal, which included speaking to a Journal Sentinel reporter, was meant to undermine the announcement of Vos taking over as president of the National Conference of State Legislatures.

But Vos didn't say it even that tactfully. What Vos actually said was way worse and about as callous and petty as I have ever seen:

"(This) does not seem like an accident to me," Vos told a conservative radio show host Thursday. "Everything they do is political and trying to make the other side look bad."

So in Vos' deranged mind, Anderson purposely went out and got hit by a drunk driver, an accident which took the lives of both his parents and his brother and leaving him paralyzed, just in order to make Vos look bad years later. And that doesn't mention all the physical and emotional suffering that Anderson apparently went through willfully, just for the chance to embarrass Vos at some future time.

Belatedly realizing that his bluster, bullying and pettiness were hurting his aspirations to be governor, later tried to backtrack, saying that "some accommodations" were likely but refusing to specify exactly what those accommodations would be.

The smart money is on that there will be only minimal, if any, changes made and that Vos only said that in a lame effort at damage control.

Vos is as sick and deranged as they come.

Vos Finds Self In Hole, Keeps Digging

Image from Jimmy Anderson for Assembly

Wise people know that if you find yourself deep in a hole, they should stop digging. Wisconsin Republican Speaker of the Assembly is not a wise person at all. In fact, he's rather fricking stupid.

On Thursday, I reported that Vos was refusing to make a small accommodation for Democratic Representative Jimmy Anderson, who is paralyzed from the chest down. Anderson wanted to be able to appear telephonically for committee meetings for when he is unable to be there due to his health concerns or not having a personal care worker available to help him for very early or very late meetings.

That same day, Vos sent a very nasty letter to Anderson, accusing him of grandstanding:

"This is an unfortunate way to communicate," Vos wrote. "It calls into question your seriousness. Instead of resorting to political grandstanding, you could have called my personal cellphone at any time to discuss the matter."

But Vos wasn't done there.

Vos then went on to say that Anderson never told anyone about his need or his request for accommodation. Vos also insinuated that Anderson was a liar because in 2017, Anderson voted against having any sort of telecommunications for meetings.

In reality, in 2017, Anderson wasn't but a month into being in office and didn't know what his needs were going to be at that time. Anderson also pointed out that he had raised the issue in the early part of 2019 when the state assembly was again addressing the rules for that legislative body but that Vos ignored him.

I would also point out that when a person has a serious disability and health related complications, their needs can change, sometimes very rapidly.

But wait! There's more! There's always more.

Image from PRWatch

Vos dug that hole even deeper by offering Anderson a non-compromise. He said that they could videotape the meeting and then let Anderson vote by a paper ballot after the fact. But as Anderson points out, this would not allow him to offer input or ask questions, thereby not allowing him to properly represent the voters of his district.

Quite understandably, Anderson is even more upset and angry than he was before:

In an interview, Anderson said Vos' proposal fell short and he thought he would have to sue the state to get the accommodations he says he needs.

"This doesn't allow me to participate in the legislative process," Anderson said of Vos' proposal.

"It seems like Speaker Vos is going to take every opportunity to denigrate me and act as if I'm acting inappropriately when I'm simply asking for accommodations related to my disability. And so at this point I can't trust him to do the right thing and that's really frustrating. It really feels like we're moving toward having to file a lawsuit."

Just in case Vos hasn't quite proved himself to be the scum of the earth and a miserable excuse for a human being, there is one more thing that needs to be pointed out.

While Vos won't make one simple, common sense accommodation for a fellow lawmaker who has a disability, he had not problem whatsoever delaying actions and votes for Republican fundraisers and special interest funded junkets around country and the world:

Legislative Republicans are delaying the start of their state budget deliberations until at least May 9, according to the office of Republican Joint Committee on Finance co-chair Alberta Darling, as reported by the state news service WisPolitics. One Wisconsin Now Executive Director Analiese Eicher noted the delay gives top Republicans, including Senate and Assembly leaders Scott Fitzgerald and Robin Vos and the co-chairs of the powerful Joint Committee on Finance, the chance to shake down special interests at a fundraiser hosted for them at the offices of a Washington D.C. lobbying firm on May 1.

“It’s a pretty clear sign of the Republicans’ budget priorities when they’re delaying the start of their budget deliberation until after they’ve had a chance to shake down special interests for campaign cash,” said Eicher.

Wisconsin Republicans’ hosts at the Washington D.C. firm the BGR Group were reported to have made over $27 million in income in 2018 from lobbying on behalf of special interest clients including big pharmaceutical, tobacco, oil, energy and insurance companies.

Individual event attendees will need to donate at least $1,000 per person for the general reception. A special “host” reception is available for donors willing to pony up a minimum of $5,000, payable to the Republican Party of Wisconsin.

Ironically, the May 1 fundraising event is being held on the same day the Republican-controlled legislature began voting on the state budget in the Joint Committee on Finance in 2017.

It's obvious to anyone who is not a corrupt Republican or Republican apologist that Vos needs to profusely apologize to Anderson and the people of Wisconsin. Then he needs to step down from the speakership, since it is equally obvious he is not fit for the job.

The Pettiness of Robin Vos Reaches New Lows

Jimmy Anderson is a Democratic Wisconsin State Representative from Fitchburg. Jimmy was paralyzed from the chest down when a drunk driver slammed into the car that Anderson was riding in. This tragedy also killed his parents and his brother.

Along with being paralyzed, Anderson also has a number of serious health problems. Appearing in committee meetings is not always easy for Anderson due to these health concerns and the difficulty in finding an available personal care worker, especially if the meetings start early or run late.

Due to these concerns, Anderson has respectfully requested to sometimes appear at these meetings via phone, pointing out that he otherwise would not be able to do his job to his best ability.

The Republican Speaker of the Assembly, Robin Vos, in a display of breathtaking pettiness and callousness has denied this simple request, despite strong federal laws mandating that accommodations are made for people with disabilities. Vos' reasoning for this cruelty is that he felt Anderson would be "disrespectful" if he did so:

Vos, of Rochester, noted lawmakers have accommodated his needs in other ways, such as by providing him with a computer that has voice recognition software. But Vos said he was unwilling to change the rule that requires representatives to show up at committee meetings in person.

"It just comes down to the fact that I think it’s disrespectful for someone to be asking questions over a microphone or a speakerphone when individuals are actually taking the time out of their day to come and testify in person," Vos said.

This is beyond absurd and outrageous. Even Wisconsin courts will allow people to appear telephonically for mitigating circumstances less serious than this.

Anderson is pissed, and rightfully so:

"I think it is absolutely ridiculous to say that an accommodation needed for a disability would somehow be disrespectful to people," Anderson said. "I think it's disrespectful to exclude a duly elected member of the Legislature to be able to fully participate when the need for an accommodation arises."

[...]

Anderson said he prefers to participate in meetings in person but can’t always do so. It’s difficult to find personal-care workers who can assist him if meetings start early or go late and it’s not healthy for him to be in his chair for extended periods, he said.

“There are some very personal and private things that are related to my health and disability that no other representative is expected to talk about with Vos,” he said. “It’s crazy that I would have to have discussions with Vos about those issues just to get simple accommodations.”

Anderson is currently looking into whether he can sue under the Americans with Disability Act (ADA). He has also has the Dane County District Attorney to whether or not Vos' denial violates the state's open meetings laws. The DA has passed it on to Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul.

Vos, blinded by his pettiness, spite, and hunger for power, is willing to gamble even more of taxpayers money that he is somehow above the law.

And to think, Vos has aspirations to gain even more power by being governor some day. Good luck with that.

Peter Barca Must Resign!

By Jeff Simpson 

The Wisconsin Assembly today voted to give Foxconn, the Taiwanese Company that made a $148 Billion in profits last year, $3 billion dollars in Wisconsin taxpayer dollars to maybe come here and build a factory.   

Lawmakers passed the legislation authored by Gov. Scott Walker 59-30, after the chamber’s Republicans cheered it as a smart bet for taxpayers with massive upside for the state’s economy and over Democrats’ criticism that the deal is a gigantic gamble with state funds.
The legislation drew “no” votes from two Republicans and “yes” votes from Democrats who represent southeastern Wisconsin where Foxconn wants to build — including Rep. Cory Mason, who is running for mayor of Racine.(edit note:  Peter Barca and Tod Ohnstead also voted  yes). 

 Yes Tod Ohnstead voted for it because its in his backyard so while we all lose he will recoup some of the dollars maybe.   Cory Mason voted for it because he is too scared to go into the race for Mayor, allowing them to use it against him.  Cory Mason is in this fight for Cory Mason, the rest of us are collateral damage for Mason's career ambitions.    

Neither of these votes are remotely surprising.    However the one we need to address is Peter Barca's. 

Peter Barca is the minority "leader" of the Assembly.   Here at CogDis we have called for Mr. Barca to step down from this position and just continue on in his safely gerrymandered seat.

Tonight, Peter Barca showed that he had zero interest in leading the Democrats and with maybe the biggest and most important election in our lifetime in 2018, it is imperative to the future of Wisconsin that Peter Barca give up his leadership role within the party!

Lets take a look a Barca's night.   

Peter Barca‏ @PeterWBarca  Aug 15MoreDems offered several changes to Foxconn bill to make it better 4 taxpayers, workers & the environment. None passed. http://mailchi.mp/legis/statement-from-rep-barca-on-new-fiscal-analysis-of-proposed-foxconn-deal-2703229?e=7dcb97094f …

Ok Mr. Barca recognizes its a bad bill, and tries to make it acceptable to no avail.   

Barca isn't done:

Scott Bauer‏Verified account @sbauerAP  3h3 hours ago3 hours agoMore

But wait there is more: 

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, told reporters that Assembly Republicans did everything possible to win Democrats’ support for the measure, but Assembly Minority Leader Peter Barca, D-Kenosha, disputed that — saying he “never got that call” to work with Republicans on the package.
Barca proposed moving the bill to a committee tasked with approving financial measures and writing the state’s budget, but Republicans rejected the motion.
Barca, who represents the area in which Foxconn is eyeing to build, argued that “we can come back on a better, stronger deal for the taxpayers, the workers, the small businesses and will protect the environment.”

 Now that is leadership.  Representative Barca was at the forefront of pointing out exactly what was wrong with the bill, working to make it at least semi acceptable and one where the taxpayers do not lose in the end.

Unfortunately,  Barca was not successful in improving or slowing down the bill, so what does he do?                        

Even so, Barca ended up supporting the bill.

Barca, called it absurd, was lied to(and used as a prop) by Speaker Vos and knows that the environment is in danger with Foxconn and proudly voted YES!     

How do you, as leader of the Democratic party in the Assembly, vote against almost every other member of your caucus?   How do you give cover to Scott Walker and the Assembly Republicans by going along with a taxpayer funded welfare bill to a multi billionaire just to have something to run on in the next election?

We have a Governor who has a long record of economic disasters, who negotiated a deal with a company, that is best known for having suicide nets to keep their workers from killing themselves.   Now after cutting almost $3 billion dollars from our K-Grad public education system, we are handing the same amount over to a company that has a history of taking money and broken promises.    Yet the Democratic troops voted no and their "leader" voted yes.

How can anyone who is an elected Democrat, Democratic party member, donor or volunteer, how can you look at Peter Barca with respect as a leader?  When the Democrats all over the state campaign on the fact that Foxconn has not lived up to any promises yet, the Party of Walker can point out that the Leader of the Democrats voted yes also!    

The only possible way that the Democrats can head into 2018 with a chance to win is to actually head into 2018 with a leader.

Peter Barca must resign his leadership role immediately!

My Recommendations for new Assembly Minority Leader:

1.  Representative Jonathan Brostoff 
2.  Representative Chris Taylor 
3.  Representative Katrina Shankland 
4.  Representative Jimmy Anderson!

Make one of these four the new leader of the Democrats in the Assembly and we will win many seats in 2018!    

Continue on the same course and we will continue getting the same results!

Let Mr. Barca know its time to pass on the leadership of the party!

       Room 201 West                            Capitol Office: (608) 266-5504                      
         State Capitol                                   Toll Free: (888) 534-0064
         P.O. Box 8952
      Madison, WI 53708

   

                 Fax                                                        Email

        (608) 282-3664                          Rep.Barca@legis.wisconsin.gov

Twitter  - @peterwbarca

Gordon Hintz Strikes Out

By Jeff Simpson

Last week the story came out that someone named Jimmy Anderson had decided in our Democratic Republic that he would like to give back to society by running for office.  That is the definition of citizen legislator really is any citizen can run.  

Democracy did not sit very well with Gordon Hintz, who threw a fit worthy of a 9 year old, and blamed a good majority of the Democratic base along the way for daring to challenge an incumbent.

He of course new nothing about Jimmy Anderson but what he read in the paper and still classified him as "far left" and vowed to spend all of his time not trying to win back the Assembly, but knocking doors for Robb Kahl in Monona.  

Hintz, who has a history of going off half cocked and saying something stupid, even volunteered his fellow Democratic Reps in the assembly to do the same.   Of course some of Hintz's colleagues would love to, but they are getting primaried also.   A fact Hintz did not seem to care too much about(as a matter of fact, Hintz's rant was the pushing point that allowed Jacob Wishmeier the incentive to run himself and primary Lisa Subeck).  

While loyalty is a good trait, sometimes it is best to actually get the facts before spouting off in the media.   See the person he was so willing to sacrifice the state to keep in office, is not running for re-election.  



Unfortunately it was funny when Emily Litella has to say it, but not so much when someone who claims to be an elected leader does the same .  Count this up as just another stumble in a myriad of Democratic stumbles over the last 6 years.  

I am still waiting for Hintz's public apology for his unprofessional behavior and blaming half the base for one person wanting to serve his community.  

Maybe next time Gordon Hintz can make headlines maybe trying to protect jobs, or public education instead.

---------

One last note to this story, while Hintz and the Democrats were as usual bumbling the story, our friend Kevin Binversie and Right Wisconsin were typically getting it completely wrong.  

Binversie writes that the "Wisconsin Left" is punishing the "moderate".  It amazes me that someone who spends their whole life in politics would need this explained to them but NO ONE PURGED Robb Kahl.   NO ONE PUNISHED Robb Kahl at all.  Robb Kahl had every right to run for re-election if he so chose.  Jimmy Anderson has every right to run for his seat if he so chooses.   The Primary is not until August.   No one but Robb Kahl and Jimmy Anderson have had a chance to weigh in at all.

People who follow politics, know that an incumbent has a strong chance of being elected and the person who spends the most wins in the 90% of the time.   Kahl had both of those major advantages going for him along with name recognition as being the former Governor of Monona, WI.  I do not think many pundits around the state gave Mr. Anderson much of a chance of being successful at all in "purging" Mr. Kahl.

If the good folks at Right Wisconsin would like to hire me to consult with them about how our Government works, I gladly will.  Even for a discount since I feel its important they understand that if they want to write daily about politics.