Scott Walker's Spending Spree

By Jeff Simpson

End of Summer and Back To School allows way to many activities to pay attention to, so let us catch up:

We know the Assembly Democrats have decided to move on from Peter Barca as their leader.    The Governor, who perpetually puts politics over everything, find time from his incredibly busy schedule (sarcasm alert), to let everyone know how much he loves Peter Barca:

Yes Scott Walker, who once rescinded an appointment of a college kid to the Students Board of Regents because he found out that he signed the recall.    Scott Walker is the same Governor, who sent thousands of jobs to Illinois, along with $50 million of our taxpayer dollars before he even took office.

Yes this is the positive vision Scotty Walker:

Nothing more positive about the future than comparing a bunch of teachers, nurses, police, fire, etc... walking around the Capitol to the number one terrorists organization in the world.   Lombardi he isn't!

About those good paying, family supporting jobs.  Now that the legislature has agreed to give them $3 billion dollars to come here, who gets the first (and maybe the only) good paying job from this fiasco?  

Keith Gilkes of course! 

MADISON, Wis. — Any doubt campaign politics is the driving force behind Gov. Scott Walker gambling $3 billion on a subsidy for Taiwanese electronics manufacturer Foxconn has been dispelled by the creation of a single job. According to a report from Wispolitics.com, the lobbying firm hired by Foxconn has brought on Keith Gilkes, Walker’s longtime campaign manager and the head of the Unintimidated PAC that supported his presidential ambitions, to do “public affairs and communications.”

While Gilkes is knee deep in pretty much every walker scandal, including Walker Gate and the John Doe investigation, my favorite story about Gilkes involves the O'Donnell Park tragedy.  At O'Donnell park, on the opening of summerfest, the Milwaukee County infrastructure under Milwaukee County Exec Scott Walker, crumbled.  It not only crumbled, but it fell on and killed a teenager, right in front of his parents.  

While the dust was still settling on the crumbled parking structure, Keith Gilkes sprung into action:

Gilkes, in an email written the day of the accident, advised Walker's county staff to "make sure there is not a piece of paper anywhere that details any problem at all." News organizations and lawyers representing victims and others filed numerous open record requests after the O'Donnell Park accident for inspection reports and other documents on its construction.

In the wake of an incredible tragedy, Gilkes did what almost no one else would do.  His first thought was, we need to shield Scott Walker's career from this.  So glad that he found a way to capitalize on our tax dollars some more!

But Wait there is more!

Scott Walker released his budget earlier this year, and in his budget, he forgot to include millions of dollars to upgrade Wisconsin Rapid's Alexander Field Airport, so billionaires can fly their private planes into the airport and golf at the Sand Valley Golf Resort.  

So the owner of the resort, Michael Keiser, donated $25,000 to the Republican Party of WI and another $65,000 to Scott Walker and incredibly coincidentally, $4 million dollars of upgrades to Alexander Field magically appeared in the budget.  

We know that there was absolutely NO quid pro quo on this airport deal because Scott Krug told us so:

Republican state Rep. Scott Krug, who is not on the budget committee but whose legislative district includes the golf course, said the donations don’t have anything to do with the airport project getting funded.
Krug said Keiser’s donations were to support Republicans who were doing good things for the Wisconsin economy, not to win approval of the airport funding.

If you can not believe Scott Krug, who can you believe?

One last note about Foxconn.  When The Governor offered the company that showed profits of $149 Billion dollars last year, $3 Billion dollars of our money to possibly relocate in Wisconsin, he wrote the agreement on a Post It note and signed it like it was actually binding!

We at CogDis are efforting to confirm that, Scott Walker also Pinky swore and said

"Cross my heart (and hope to die), stick a needle in my eye."  



 

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

Victory Lapse

 

By Jeff Simpson 

Hillary Clinton just finished what could be one of the most epic, incompetent, political campaigns in History.  One of the more controversial things that the Hillary Campaign did was enter into "fundraising" agreements with numerous state parties called the Hillary Victory Fund.  

There was much concern and outrage amongst people who were not party insiders. From local media, to the Bernie Sanders campaign, realized something was wrong and started questioning.   This did not lead to the campaign rethinking what they were doing, but instead banded together with the DNC leadership to attack Bernie Sanders personally.  

With a massive disinformation campaign, mixed with personal attacks on the most vociferous the fervor was brought to a slow simmer.   In Wisconsin, Martha Laning DNC chair, felt the need to issue a statement: 

From Martha Laning, chair of the DPW, for an explanation. A number of incorrect stories and blogs have been posted about our participation in a fundraising Victory Fund – and it is very important to me that we correct the record.Last year, the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, along with 32 other state parties, entered into a joint finance agreement with the Democratic National Committee and the Hillary Clinton campaign to raise funds that help to support state parties and Democratic candidates in 2016. We have offered, and would gladly partner with Sen. Sanders as well if he is interested in creating a similar joint fundraising agreement. These funds have helped us to maintain a top-notch state voter file, work with the DNC to combat the effects of Photo ID, hire critical coordinated campaign staff, and begin to build the infrastructure for our turnout efforts in the fall. These funds are not being used to support any one particular presidential candidate, and in fact, by helping to update our data and address legal issues around Photo ID, they are helping all candidates in Wisconsin.
Much has also been made about us sharing portions of these funds with the DNC. The DPW regularly partners with the DNC on a wide range of projects and efforts. In fact, over the last two years the DPW has received nearly $200,000 from the DNC to help us build our state party infrastructure. We will continue to work with both campaigns, and with the DNC to do everything we can to support our great Democratic candidates up and down the ballot in 2016, and beyond.
If you have any questions about this, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
If you would like to contact either Martha or Kory, below is their contact info:
Chair Martha Laning: info@wisdems.org; (608) 255-5172
Executive Director Kory Kozloski: koryk@wisdems.org; (608) 255-5172Much has also been made about us sharing portions of these funds with the DNC. The DPW regularly partners with the DNC on a wide range of projects and efforts. In fact, over the last two years the DPW has received nearly $200,000 from the DNC to help us build our state party infrastructure. We will continue to work with both campaigns, and with the DNC to do everything we can to support our great Democratic candidates up and down the ballot in 2016, and beyond.If you have any questions about this, please don’t hesitate to contact me.If you would like to contact either Martha or Kory, below is their contact info:Chair Martha Laning: info@wisdems.org; (608) 255-5172Executive Director Kory Kozloski: koryk@wisdems.org; (608) 255-5172

Unfortunately, using hindsight, that did not turn out to be the case.  It turns out the partnership was not much of a partnership after all.  Especially in major battleground states, that used to be solidly blue and turned a dark shade of red.     

As we see from Huffington Post: 

A similar situation unfolded in Wisconsin. According to several operatives there, the campaign’s state office and local officials scrambled to raise nearly $1 million for efforts to get out the vote in the closing weeks. Brooklyn headquarters had balked at funding it themselves, arguing that the state already had a decent-sized footprintbecause of the labor-backed super PAC For Our Future and pointing out that Clinton had never trailed in a single poll in Wisconsin.The campaign’s state office argued additionally for prominent African-American surrogates to help in Milwaukee. “There are only so many times you can get folks excited about Chelsea Clinton,” explained one Wisconsin Democrat. But President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama didn’t come. Nor did Hillary Clinton after the July Democratic convention. She would go on to lose the state, hampered by lower turnout in precisely the place that had operatives worried. Clinton got 289,000 votes in Milwaukee County compared to the 328,000 that Obama won in 2012.“They had staff on the ground and lots of volunteers, but they weren’t running a massive program because they thought they were up 6-7 points,” said the aforementioned senior battleground state operative.In politics, much like anything else, victory has a thousand fathers and defeat is an orphan. A senior official from Clinton’s campaign noted that they did have a large staff presence in Michigan and Wisconsin (200 and 180 people respectively) while also stressing that one of the reasons they didn’t do more was, in part, because of psychological games they were playing with the Trump campaign. They recognized that Michigan, for example, was a vulnerable state and felt that if they could keep Trump away ― by acting overly confident about their chances ― they would win it by a small margin and with a marginal resource allocation.

A strategy of winning by a small margin, shows how their first, last and middle priorities were winning the Presidency for Hillary Clinton and the down ballot and Senatorial races were never a priority.  

But wait there is more!

There was incredible incompetence from the Top.   Chuck Schumer, who was recently named Senate Majority Leader. came up with this strategy:

 Back in July Chuck Schumer summed it up: “For every blue-collar Democrat we lose in western Pennsylvania, we will pick up two moderate Republicans in the suburbs in Philadelphia, and you can repeat that in Ohio and Illinois and Wisconsin.”From this theory and strategy flowed a deeply flawed set of tactics, and a badly fumbled get-out-the-vote (GOTV) effort.

Or not!  Hard working Democrats all over the country, gave money they did not have, and valuable time to the Democratic Party to have them ignore the working class, and focus on Republicans.   Now they have less money, no protections and a more solidly Republican Government than ever before in their lifetime.   At least Chuck Schumer got a promotion.   

It was not just there, it was the political guru's and consultants who know more than the local grass roots.   In Wisconsin, former Executive Director of the WISDEMS, Jake Hadju, who helped oversee three straight losing elections, was in charge of the Hillary campaign here. His superior efforts, along with the Hillary "Victory" fund and help from the ADCC and SDCC led us to a drubbing at the hands of the WISGOP.    

However, incompetence at the top is not unique to WI(emphasis mine):

Writing in the Huffington Post last week, Becky Bond and Zack Exley, both veterans of the Sanders campaign, noted: “Volunteers for the Clinton campaign in Pennsylvania, Ohio and North Carolina,” working from computer-generated lists, “have reported that when reminding people to vote, they encountered a significant number of Trump voters. Anecdotal evidence points to anywhere from 5 to 25 percent of contacts [being] inadvertently targeted to Trump supporters.”
So much for those brainiac, glued-to-the-screen whiz kids. They lacked nouse, street smarts, soul, real-world experience, a grip on reality.

Another thing not unique to Wisconsin, is that the Democrats like to blame everyone but themselves when they lose yet another election.    

In his first remarks since WikiLeaks began releasing thousands of his hacked emails, John D. Podesta, Hillary Clinton’s campaign chairman, said Tuesday that Russian intelligence officials intent on swaying the election to Donald J. Trump had been responsible for the illegal breach into his account.
“I’ve been involved in politics for nearly five decades,” Mr. Podesta told reporters aboard the Clinton campaign plane. “This definitely is the first campaign that I’ve been involved with in which I’ve had to tangle with Russian intelligence agencies,” he added, “who seem to be doing everything that they can on behalf of our opponent.”
Without verifying the authenticity of the emails, Mr. Podesta said that he had spoken with the F.B.I. “as a victim” of hacking.

About Poor Mr. Podesta's victimhood:

But what we do know, thanks to digital forensics of the hacked emails, is that Podesta clicked twice on a not-so-sophisticated fishing email asking for his password. We also know from the same emails that John Podesta lost his cellphone in a taxi on January 19, 2015; and that his password was “p@ssword.”
With leadership like that, the rest makes sense.

While Christian Parenti, came to this conclusion about the Hillary Clinton campaign, it could easily be applied to the DNC, and the WISDEMS, the ADCC and the SDCC.   

A point for the Left in all this: the DNC’s ideas are not only bad because they don’t advocate the social-democratic redistribution we would like to see — they are also bad because they don’t work at a purely technical level.
Their arrogance and contempt for the working class produced a flawed political theory, which in turn produced a bad strategy, which in turn produced a tactically inept ground game.
Too busy congratulating themselves and concurring with each other, the Clintonites couldn’t even get the rudiments of the campaign correct.

The question now is, where do we go from here?  Did we learn anything from the Hillary Victory Fund and how they played the state parties like a fiddle?  Have we learned that there are too many careerist in politics who care more about their next paycheck than winning an election.   That just because your dad/mom have been in politics, give big money or are famous, does not mean that you have the competence to win an election.   Will the Democratic party learn from their mistakes and start standing up for the middle class and the working poor in this country?   

If the two weeks since the election are any indication, the answer is no.   We have yet to see a single resignation from the DNC or the WISDEMS, or anyone to take even a semblance of  responsibility for the massive losses on election day.  There has been enough of passing the bucks in the last two weeks, to fill Gringots.    

As Peter Barca made clear recently, elections only have consequences for some of us!  

For the rest of us though, who will be fighting and suffering from GOP policies for the next few years, it is time for us to start taking 2018 seriously.   The work to win the next three elections starts now.

I know its a small club, and people like to not let outsiders in, and give each other jobs but things have advanced beyond the small club pettiness we have witnessed the last six years.   

We need to get people on board or out of the way.  It needs to happen now!  

Peter Barca Endorses Abele's Daddy's Checkbook

Abele gave me a stack of cash
this big for my endorsement!

I was saddened to hear that State Representative Peter Barca has endorsed Chris Abele's daddy's checkbook in the race for Milwaukee County Executive race.

I was saddened but not surprised.

Barca has a history of squashing any criticism of Abele whenever Abele would do one of his power grabs, donate money to Republican opponents or other detrimental acts.  Barca would say that such criticism might make Abele stop from making contributions to the Assembly Democrats.

It is also well known that Barca is tight friends with Abele's campaign manager and former Democrat Party boss, Mike Tate.

In other words, Barca has decided to go against the unions, the poor, the taxpayers and progressive policies in favor of a campaign donation.  Barca is willing to overlook the selling off of public assets, endangering public safety, and the decimation of representative government as long as the money keeps flowing in.

Then again, I could be wrong.  Just look at the massive Democratic majority in the state assembly and all of the races that Barca and Tate won over the last three cycles, including a presidential election year...

Oh, wait.

No, I'm not wrong.

Sorry, Barca, you sellout, but I will stand with the people and continue my support for Chris Larson.

A Long, Lonely Journey!

By Jeff Simpson

Members of the Menominee Tribe, still upset that Scott Walker vetoed their dreams of a Casino and thousands of desperately needed jobs, decided to try one more time.  They decided to brave the bitter Wisconsin winter and walker to Madison and ask Mr. Walker to change his mind.

Hundreds of tribal members and casino supporters are expected in Madison Wednesday. Tribal leaders are hoping to meet with Governor Walker. Their journey to the State Capitol is symbolic and historical.

Dozens of tribal members have walked 150 miles from the Menominee Nation in Keshena to Madison. They've endured bitter cold temperatures and blowing snow.

"It's been tough," said former Tribal Chairman Craig Corn. "It tests your will."

Corn is on the journey. He has worked on the Kenosha casino project and has one question for Governor Walker.

Understand these are Wisconsin citizens, who are passionate about an issue and have walked step by step from Keshena to Madison to plead with their elected Governor to please change his mind!

Scott Walker said no, he was not interested.

 "Why meet about something that's already been resolved?" asked Governor Walker during a stop in Kenosha Tuesday. "It's kind of like meeting on a bill that's been signed into law. Once the law is signed, another meeting isn't going to change what the law is."

Well the answer to that is simple, You meet because these are constituents who are very passionate about an issue and have requested a meeting.   You meet out of respect for the office, the citizens and your responsibilities.   You meet with them because it is absolutely the right thing to do.

Scott Walker, whose only priority at this point is running for President, never thinks of the unintended consequences.  When you completely ignore your constituents, who do everything right in trying to set up a meeting to discuss important issues, then people who want to petition their elected officials must find other ways to do so.

That is why a group of people went to Scott Walker's house personally to deliver a message.  Scott Walker's proposed cuts to our education system are devastating and will have a ripple effect throughout our economy.  Mr. Walker has proven that unless you are a far right Republican extremist from Iowa, he is not interested in what you have to say.

Unless of course you have a Fox News polo shirt, then he will find the time for you:

Scott WalkerCommunity & Government · 216,181 Likes

 · 3 hrs ·

Looking forward to joining Megyn Kelly on the ‪#‎KellyFile‬ tonight.
Share · 1,32723021

It is unfortunate that Democratic Leadership stood up for Scott Walker's despicable act and against their constituents also.

Another day, another shameful display by our Governor.

To Mike Tate, Peter Barca and Chris Larson! Please Do The Right Thing!

By Jeff Simpson

After a recent election drubbing, its time to lick the wounds and move on.   It is also time to move on with new leadership all across the board! 

That starts especially in the State Assembly where Peter Barca has overseen a complete transformation from being the majority party to being a party that hold the same amount of power as the office cactus(water rarely but usually pretend its not there).    Barca, overseeing the Assembly races, let 26 of the seats go unchallenged.   Does he even try anymore?  

Why in the world with that record he would want to continue on is beyond me.  Unfortunately for the left side of WI he does.   Fortunately though Evan Goyke is stepping up to challenge him!  if you are lucky enough to live in one of the few districts represented by a Democrat that is left, call your rep and say  - "Please for all that is Holy do NOT vote for Peter Barca to be Minority Leader.  Fine Assemblyman, horrendous Minority leader." (or something to that extent). 

Chris Larson, fresh off the Pat Bohmack debacle, is running again.  While Mr. Larson blatantly mishandled this Senate race and cost the dems a seat, he has only done it one term.   I would not be opposed to giving him another chance, BUT Jennifer Schilling is challenging him(sad Kathleen Vinehout isn't).  I highly recommend voting Schilling!  

Which bring us to Mike Tate.    Mike Tate has a long record of massive failure and this years election was no exception.  As Callen Harty pointed out, his record is not pretty!

Below are some of the highlights of Tate’s career.
He was the State Field Director for Kathleen Falk’s losing bid for the governorship in 2002. In 2004, a year before he graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a bachelor’s degree in political science, he was named the Deputy State Director of America Coming Together (ACT). The national organization disbanded in 2005.
Also in 2004 he served as the State Director of Dean for America. Howard Dean had lost several primaries by the time Wisconsin’s came up. Dean had pretty much listed Wisconsin as a must win and indicated he believed that a win in Wisconsin could turn his entire campaign around and lead him to the Presidency. Under Mike Tate’s leadership of the state campaign Dean finished third here with only 18% of the vote. It pretty much ended his campaign and any chance of becoming President.
Fair Wisconsin in its desperate bid to defeat the 2006 Constitutional amendment banning gay marriage in the state of Wisconsin hired Mike Tate to lead the campaign against it. The citizens of the state voted for the amendment with just under 60% of the voters supporting discrimination against their fellow citizens.
In 2008 he was the Executive Director of Advancing Wisconsin, a group that funneled money into the 2008 campaign to elect Barack Obama. Obama did win Wisconsin that year, one of the few things Tate has been associated with where his candidate or position fared well. According to an NPR special series called “secret money project” by Will Evans (11/3/08) Tate was quoted as saying that instead of the group fading away after the election he wanted to create “a permanent grassroots field-organizing infrastructure in Wisconsin.” Great idea if it were true. The organization’s website is no longer active and they are no longer registered with the Internal Revenue Service.
After his service with Advancing Wisconsin Tate became the chairman of Wisconsin’s Democratic Party. There has not been much to cheer about during his tenure. Wisconsin lost one of its most popular Senators when Russ Feingold fell to Ron Johnson. Also in that time Scott Walker won the governorship in 2010, became the first governor in U. S. history to survive a recall election, and proceeded to win re-election in 2014. The Democrats put forth Milwaukee mayor Tom Barrett against Walker in 2010 and tried him again in the recall. This year the party, under Tate’s leadership, got behind the virtually unknown businesswoman Mary Burke almost as soon as she announced her candidacy. It was clear they had handpicked her and while Tate denied the party was endorsing her they did everything but come out and say it. Party regulars were denied a meaningful primary and never got fired up for her candidacy. She lost by 5%. Madison and Milwaukee voters did not turn out for her.

The amount of pain his incompetence has cost this state is almost unimaginable.   One good thing to come out of this though, is we finally found a way to bring the state together.  Start a petition to get Mike Tate to resign and people from all over the state will gladly sign it! 

I Signed and I recommend you do too!

It is time that Mr. Tate, Mr Barca and Mr. Larson  do the right thing. Step aside and clear the way for new leadership in our rudderless state.   Continue serving your constituents as well as you have been, work with the new leaders to advance our party, but please do not get in the way of needed and necessary change!

Dem of the Day - Joel Gratz

By Jeff Simpson

The Democrat of the day today is Joel Gratz!

Joel Gratz is head of the Assembly Democratic Campaign Committee.  Gratz was charged with recruiting candidates and turning the assembly blue!  Gratz also runs a polling & campaign services company(how convenient).  Even though I do not own a polling and campaign service company, I am pretty sure when you let 25 of 99 seats go unchallenged, that's 25 seats you can not win.  

The son of a lobbyist, who has been in this position since 2011 has a passion for

My passion throughout my career has always been most focused on the importance of democratic majorities in the legislature.

You do the math.  

Meanwhile, here is a snapshot of his work.

In the 47th Assembly district, Gratz successfully challenged and was able to get a Green party candidate kicked off the ballot to allow Robb Kahl to run unopposed!  

In the 33rd Assembly district, Steve nASS's old seat, Gratz left that seat completely unchallenged.  The candidate there sure has some great ideas:

Describe one area in which you differ from your party leadership.
Bill Lurvey:  I differ with leadership on right to work. I would be interested in passing a bill to make Wisconsin a right-to-work state.

Good job Joel, keep up the great work, Robin Vos appreciates it!

Political Incest

By Jeff Simpson

Shamefully, Wisconsin has been voted least likely to care about black children in our society:

According to a national report, Wisconsin has been ranked the worst state in the country when it comes to racial disparities for children.
The Annie E. Casey Foundation, a 66-year-old charitable organization concentrating on family issues and well-being, spearheaded the study. "Race for Results: Building a Path to Opportunity for All Children" scored states according to 12 different factors, from educational access to socioeconomic status and home life.
Wisconsin scored a 238 on its ability to prepare black children for educational and financial success, the lowest of all states (the average score was 345). Interestingly, Wisconsin was ranked 10th overall in its preparation for white children.

Since republicans have taken over our state, they have found the best way to address this is to end affirmative action and  take a vote secede from the rest of the United States.   Our own Governor, when he is not busy running for President of  the United States, has taken a survey of the state of Wisconsin and has declared the fact that minorities can vote with few obstacles to be THE biggest problem facing Wisconsinites today.    While many people in WI, if they knew were not busy worrying where their next meal was coming from, would vehemently disagree.  

Scott Walker appoints people to work on these problems, the problem is the people he appoints.    He gave republican lackey Joe Handrick the very important job of Equal Rights Division Administrator at State of Wisconsin - Dept of Workforce Development.  With Wisconsin having the biggest gap of unemployment in the nation between African Americans and Caucasians, his work is done there. 

Relax, I am not calling him a racist.   Just pointing out, that as a public worker, in a very important job serving the public, has prioritized his responsibility as helping Scott Walker win election. 

Here is Joe Handrick doing what he is actually being paid by our tax dollars to do - campaign for the republicans:

Winning one of those seats could be a tall order, according to an analysis by Republican strategist Joe Handrick, a redistricting consultant since the 1990 Census. The analysis is based on voting patterns in partisan statewide elections between 2004 and 2010. It projects which direction each seat leans and by how much, both before and after the district boundaries shifted in 2011.

Republican Strategist by day or Equal Rights Division Administrator by day?  When exactly did Matt Defour interview republican strategist for this story?  Should a republican strategist also be serving as Equal Rights Division Administrator?  Since when was that a political position?  Maybe we should just have every public worker who wants a raise, spend part of each day working on the "Friends of Scott Walker" campaign.  

But Wait there is more!  

A quick check of Joe Handrick's background and we see not only is he the Equal Rights Division Administrator and republican strategist, but he is also a lobbyist.    Although are you a lobbyist, when the people you are lobbying for do not want you to do it? 

Which now brings us to taxpayer republican's former Badger Advocate co-worker - Scott Tyre.  Scott Tyre is the husband of Mary Burke's top political advisor Tanya Bjork and also her business partner in republican lobby firm - Capitol Navigators! 

Yes, when you give $1000 to this guy, you are a republican lobbyist! 

Now ask yourself, if you are surprised, when the person running for the Democratic nomination of Governor of Wisconsin, hires someone to be her top political adviser whose main source of incomes is partnership in a republican lobby firm and runs a listless campaign! 

It is getting so bad that even Peter Barca had to weigh in!

“One mistake I think she’s made — and I told her people — she should be advertising now,” Barca, who represents Kenosha, told the Beloit Daily News. “She’s got the resources. People need to know who you are and feel comfortable with you and know your plan. Unfortunately the only way to get it out there is to advertise.”
Barca’s view is a common one. Former Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz made a similar point months ago, urging the Democratic candidate “to spend a bunch of money to define herself right now before she gets swift-boated by the other side.”
Other Democrats (and some Republicans) have wondered what the point is of recruiting a wealthy candidate if she’s not going to pump major money into the campaign. They argue that the function of Burke’s personal fortune is not merely to provide money that the campaign would otherwise seek from donors, it's to stimulate more contributions by showing that she is serious about winning the race. Donors don’t like to give to lost causes.

With such strong ties to each other is there any idealism or wanting to do the right thing?  Is there any motivation for these people except to have their hands on easy money?  On either side?  Once you get into the nuts and bolts of politics, can you tell what side is which?   Does anyone care anymore that people like Joe Handrick pass on actually performing their taxpayer funded job to campaign?  Why is there not outrage about the sad state WIsconsin is in?    

Abandon Hope Ye Who Enter Here

By Jeff Simpson


 

This from John Hermes:

Good morning all. It's the morning after the election. While we are sorry we did not bring home a win for the 82nd District, we do know we laid everything on the table and gave it our very best effort. I am very certain and proud of that fact.
When Brandon and I looked at the vote totals last evening we both agreed that we had run the correct race, at the correct time, and applied the correct strategies. We firmly agreed that we would not have changed one thing.
As a campaign, we focused on real local issues and upon returning true and experienced representation to our district. We had the better ground game, we remained on focused message, our literature was more targeted and rich in content, we raised money through individual and traditional means, and our team knocked on as many district doors as was possible in the eight weeks we were given. We did everything you are suppose to do to win these races and communicate with the voters.

The Vote Totals:

 Skowronski received 3951 votes while Hermes received 2195 votes.

We got beat 2-1 and did "everything right".


Show up for the next local Democratic Party meeting to voice your displeasure: 


 


PS:  Is it clear to anyone yet that this is NOT a winning strategy on the Democratic ticket?

Scott Walker's Re-election!

By Jeff Simpson

It looks like all of the back door dealings by Mary Burke and her friends on the inside, have been successful!  


Winnebago County Exec Mark Harris announced this morning he will not run for guv next year.

Would he have been the best candidate?  I have no idea and now we will never know.  The party choked him out of the race before anyone had a chance to find out.  

Looks like everyone is clearing the way for Mary Burke to be the next victim of the Scott Walker political machine.  

 “If (Burke) were to run she’d be an instant frontrunner and an exceedingly difficult opponent for Scott Walker,” Tate said, adding that she has put in more work than other potential candidates by traveling the state talking with local activists, business leaders and voters.

 Can you name me one person who she has "talked too" that is not a party insider?    Interview with local press?  a voting record to be proud of?   

My suggestion to you and everyone else in WI.  If her path is to only talk to party insiders to push everyone else out of the race, then she does not need you to win.    I would highly suggest that you hold all donations, or money that you had planned on giving the democratic party in protest of your voice not being heard.   

I would suggest you save your donations to give to a local candidate of your choice, or save it because when Scott Walker gets elected again, you will need it!   


Apparently their new 72 county strategy, means the democrats will now follow the republicans lead and pick all candidates for us.   I don't remember the choosing of the candidates being on the platform of the Democratic Party Platform.  

 ¹⁰ For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. - Timothy 6:10

 

 

I Can't Hear You?

By Jeff Simpson

Potential Gubernatorial Candidate and Madison School Board Member Mary Burke, when she found out that the Madison school's hit with the maximum cut under Scott Walker's Draconian, ALEC inspired far right budget, thought it might be best to scale back the district's proposed 1.5% pay increase to their staff!  

This, as you can imagine, made the righties giddy.  They love it when working people make less money.  Like here, where Dave Blaska, whines about a 1.5% pay raise for teachers and somehow ties it to General Augusto Pinochet's biggest fan Margaret Thatcher(yes it makes no sense to me either).  

Ok I get it they are "fiscal conservatives", as Blaska wrongly puts it(when speaking of the potential Madison School Board tax hike):

Any company that hiked prices by 7.4% would meet massive customer resistance unless it faced a shortage caused by some natural disaster.

(Edit note: 1. Schools are not companies(nor do they want schools to act like companies they just use it as a stupid talking point), 2.  Companies raise prices all the time and shrink services(do you pay attention to the Canadian twinkies you just bought and handed out to your 8 friends?) 3.  When you need to use the service/product you have no choice when it goes up(have you seen gas prices lately?) 4.  Public workers, while performing services for the PUBLIC, already make less than private workers! 5. HOWEVER for the sake of this argument we will take Blaska at his word).

So Mary Burke, David Blaska and a host of others think that we should scale back public service pay because we are "broke".

Now let's take a look at how "broke" we are:

1.  Capitol Police Chief Erwin and his top Deputy Dan Blackdeer, were each transferred to a "dummy job" with the DOA and then back to their position at a HEFTY pay raise of over 11%!

Any word on this from Blaska or Burke?   

2.  Cynthia Archer, who had her front door ram rodded in by the FBI in the John DOe Investigation, was recently awarded with a sweet state job for the state making $101,510/yr with Cadillac benefits and luckily beat out 29 other people for this position.   While, yes Cynthia Archer was never charged, subsequent e-mail releases showed us that at the very least she is highly unethical, if not fully a criminal.  

Yoo hoo....David?

3.   The Governors (ALEC) inspired idea to get rid of the publicly accountable Department of Commerce and replace it with the Wisconsin Economic Development Committee(WEDC), of which he named himself as chair, has LOST over $57,000,000 dollars of taxpayer money.  The Governor recently and secretly gave WEDC secretary Reed Hall a 50% pay raise.  

Anyone, anyone .... Bueller?

4.  Joe Knilans and Nancy Mistele, both failed republican candidates, were awarded for their failure by Scott Walker with jobs making $82,000 a year running the Office of Business Development in the Department of Administration.  This used to be a one person job, now its two cronies making big money to do the job of one.

5.  The Department of Administration, under the horrible guidance of Mike Huebsch, spends thousands of dollars a month washing washable sidewalk chalk off sidewalks.   Honestly! 

And the list goes on and on and on in Scott Walker's Wisconsin.  All to deafening silence from the "fiscal conservatives".  

Now I understand why Blaska parrots and covers for the righties.  He got his pension and state pay and wants to make sure no one else does.   While I do not understand the hypocrisy, ignorance and selfishness, I do get it.

I also do not expect Mary Burke to be the leader on standing up to all of this abuse, UNLESS, she wants to be run for Governor.   If so then the only story I can find on her doing a google search should NOT be that she wants to cut teacher pay again!   She needs to take an active and vocal leadership role ....YESTERDAY!

I also do not hold Burke solely accountable for this.....where is Chris Larson, Peter Barca, Cory Mason, Kathleen Vinehout, et al...  If you want to be our next Governor(and I would prefer that you become Governor in 2014), then it is time to stop the backroom discussion and step up front and center!

Wisconsin needs you!   

These people are waiting to hear from you!