Scott Suder IS the New Wisconsin

By Jeff Simpson

One of my absolute favorite writers in WI is Ruth Conniff, who recently received a well deserved promotion to editor of The Progressive Magazine.  

I usually love her work, and make a point to read all of her columns. 

Today I vehemently disagree with what she wrote about the recent United Sportsmen controversy.  

What does United Sportsmen have to do with all that?

Since it was formed two years ago, the group has spent a lot of money lobbying for a wolf hunt, easier access to wetlands by developers, and the massive open-pit mine proposed by Gogebic Taconite in northern Wisconsin -- including a measure to keep hunters and other outdoorsmen off the land where GTAC wants to build its mine.

Doesn't sound like much of a conservation group, does it?

Oh, and it sent out a mailing, along with Americans for Prosperity, supporting Republicans in the 2011 recall elections.

Former Assembly Majority Leader Scott Suder, who is about to start making a big salary as a Walker appointee to the Public Service Commission, carefully crafted grant language to exclude real conservation groups from getting the $500,000 state grant. If you were a chapter of a larger, national organization, you were not eligible for the money.

Suder rigged the grant for United Sportsmen. But also, by writing the rules the way he did, he jeopardized $28 million a year in federal wildlife management funds.

Talk about not upholding Wisconsin values.

This is where I disagree.  

This is EXACTLY what Wi values are now.

Until we prove otherwise in an election, reward donors, punish enemies and grab for taxpayer cash are the new WI values.  

Good Government, responsibility, fiscal conservatism, bipartisanship, wanting to benefit all, hard work and earning your pay, are all Wisconsin values of years past. 

As they say that ship has sailed.  

If you don't believe me, just do an Open Records request for a typical say in Scott Suder's life. 

The lobbyist for a self-described sportsmen group offered free fishing excursions to then-Assembly Majority Leader Scott Suder just days before an affiliate of the group secured a now-canceled $500,000 grant from the state, newly released records show.

Suder, an Abbotsford Republican, went on the Lake Michigan outing with the head of the United Sportsmen of Wisconsin in August, about 21/2 months after he engineered money for the grant into the state budget. Also scheduled to be on the Aug. 22-23 trip were a lobbyist and a former lobbyist for the National Rifle Association. The former NRA lobbyist, Darren LaSorte, is also a board member of the foundation affiliated with United Sportsmen.

Don't worry Ms. Conniff, Rep. Nick Milroy agrees with you.   

"Public officials are held to a higher standard," Milroy said. "The people who elect us expect more of us than this."

No Mr. Milroy, unfortunately the people of Wisconsin no longer do.  

Republicans interfere with justice for veterans

The following comes from State Representative Nick Milroy (D-Superior):

Honoring and protecting Wisconsin’s veterans should always be a shared value among Wisconsin legislators, regardless of party. As a veteran, I’ve seen firsthand the sacrifices these brave men and women make every day to serve our country and keep us safe.

That is why I am so troubled by the actions of my Republican colleagues in the State Assembly who knowingly voted to take vital protection away from veterans. After hearing moving testimony from veterans, they decided to make it more difficult for patients, including veterans, who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma to get justice after they have been exposed to asbestos.

I’m especially disappointed by the Republican legislators who chose to ignore the strong opposition to this bill by veterans’ advocacy groups, such as the Wisconsin Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Military Order of the Purple Heart. On a party line vote, they even chose to abolish an amendment that would have granted an exemption for veterans who were exposed to asbestos while serving their country.

Veterans make up just eight percent of the population – but 30 percent of people who suffer from mesothelioma are veterans. Many Wisconsin veterans were exposed to asbestos during their military service. And many others were exposed to asbestos while working civilian jobs in factories, plants, shipyards and mills. Veterans who are suffering from this deadly disease have already been through enough – we shouldn’t be putting more obstacles in their way.

Unfortunately these kinds of anti-citizen proposals are all too common in the legislature lately. Republicans are now pushing a budget measure that would make it easier for predatory rent-to-own companies to take advantage of consumers by no longer having to disclose their interest rates. These companies, along with payday lenders, are notorious for setting up shop outside military bases.

These callous measures should not be our focus. We need to be working on important issues, such as helping to create jobs, reforming our troubled jobs agency and rebuilding Wisconsin’s middle class. This pattern of attacking workers, families and our most vulnerable citizens needs to end now.

We must stand up and fight for Wisconsin veterans. They have worked hard and given so much to protect us. It is our duty to protect them as well.

Previously, by yours truly:

• Walker's War On Veterans
• Walker's War On Veterans Wages On.

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