Paul Ryan Buries His Head In The Sand!

By Jeff Simpson

Paul Ryan (R-Wall St.), who ducked debates two years ago, and Rob Zerban finally got together to debate last night.

The highlight of the debate that is making national news, is this statement by Paul Ryan (R-Bankster Bailout):

“I don’t know the answer to that question,” Ryan said. “I don’t think science does, either.”  Ryan also said efforts to combat climate change are costly and unproven, a popular position among the Republican base he will need should he seek the GOP’s presidential nomination in 2016.

The interesting thing here is that earlier, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel gave a speech on a Pentagon report:

AREQUIPA, Peru - Rising sea levels and other effects of climate change will pose major challenges for America's military, including more and worse natural disasters and the threat that food and water shortages could fuel disputes and instability around the world, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said Monday. Addressing a conference of military leaders as the Pentagon released a new report on the issue, Hagel said, "Our militaries' readiness could be tested, and our capabilities could be stressed."

U.S. military officials have long warned that changes in climate patterns, resulting in increased severe weather events and coastal flooding, will have a broad and costly impact on the Defense Department's ability to protect the nation and respond to natural and humanitarian disasters in the United States and around the globe.

The new report - described as a Pentagon roadmap - identifies four things that it says will affect the U.S. military: rising global temperatures, changing precipitation patterns, more extreme weather and rising sea levels. It calls on the department and the military services to identify more specific concerns, including possible effects on the more than 7,000 bases and facilities, and to start putting plans in place to deal with them.

Of course a republican with Presidential dreams does not have time to listen to the military leaders.    If he would have stopped voting to end Obamacare at say just 50 times though(instead of the 54 times they actually have), then maybe he would have had time to read a report from NASA.

 A cloud of methane gas about the size of Delaware was detected over the Four Corners area of the American southwest years ago. The readings were so unusually high that NASA scientists dismissed them. A new study confirms the methane hotspot is real.
 .....
 Methane gas is the most potent of the so-called “greenhouse gases” that trap the Earth’s heat and contribute to global climate change. Carbon dioxide, another greenhouse gas, is far more plentiful in the atmosphere, but methane is about 80 percent more efficient at trapping heat than carbon dioxide, according to an article on The Atlantic’s CityLab website.
....
 The source of the methane is believed to be extensive coal-mining activity in the San Juan Basin, according to Eric Kort, a professor of Atmospheric, Oceanic and Space Sciences at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and lead author of the study. He calls the Basin “the most active coalbed methane production area in the country.”
The study shows that there were 0.59 million metric tons of methane released every year during the period 2003-2009, 3.5 times more than earlier estimates.

 We know that Mr. Ryan, can not continue to hold republican Presidential ambitions and embrace science, so maybe he could actually pay attention to the Pope for a change!  

Speaking to a massive crowd in Rome, the first Argentinian pope delivered a short address in which he argued that respect for the “beauty of nature and the grandeur of the cosmos” is a Christian value, noting that failure to care for the planet risks apocalyptic consequences.
“Safeguard Creation,” he said. “Because if we destroy Creation, Creation will destroy us! Never forget this!”

 Unfortunately for the people in the first district of Wisconsin, Paul Ryan has a long history of making up his own facts! 

 

Time to send Paul Ryan(R career politician) into the land of lobbyists and out of our Government!

ELECT ROB ZERBAN!

Quote Of The Day - Republican Strategy

By Jeff Simpson

Jack Kingston (R- Georgia) lets us in on republican strategy:

“A lot of people would like to stay on the sideline and say, ‘Just bomb the place and tell us about it later.’  It’s an election year. A lot of Democrats don’t know how it would play in their party, and Republicans don’t want to change anything. We like the path we’re on now. We can denounce it if it goes bad, and praise it if it goes well and ask what took him so long.”

Dead soldiers, beheadings, terror attacks, countries in crisis, none of that matters.  What matters most to republicans is republicans winning elections.

I wonder if their "idea guy' came up with this despicable strategy. 

It really is time to vote these guys out of office! 

Wingnut Welfare

By Jeff Simpson



As Andy Borowitz wrote today:

Andy Borowitz

2 hours ago

Used Tool Purchased for $1.8 Million

Unfortunately for the rest of us in America, truth is stranger than fiction:

Former House Majority Leader Eric Cantor is joining the Wall Street firm Moelis & Co., the firm announced on Tuesday.
“Eric has proven himself to be a pro-business advocate and one who will enhance our boardroom discussions with CEOs and senior management as we help them navigate their most important strategic decisions,” the firm’s founder, Ken Moelis, said in a statement.

Cantor is signing on with the boutique investment bank as a vice chairman and managing director, the company said. He will also be elected to its board of directors.

Cantor is expected to receive a pay package of $3.4 million in his new role, Business Insider reported, citing a Securities and Exchange Commission filing.

$3.4 MILLION Dollars a year to have discussion with CEO's.  Despite the fact that Eric Cantor's career was more that of a circus clown than business executive.

 Lets take a quick look:

Via Politifact in October 2010:

"What you've seen (in Washington) is a crowd that has taken advantage of a crisis back in late '08, early '09 and spent more money than this country has spent in the last 200 years combined, in the two years since."

OUCH that would be pants on fire Mr. Cantor.

The issue for us is rebuilding a governing majority that is comfortable with differences that can transcend the divisiveness and unify behind the principles that we know our party has succeeded on.

Eric Cantor

 Ummmm, arent you suing the President of the United States?

 At least he had the courage to trample a little girl!  O yeah when he lost he turned tail and quit, thus taking his ball and going home with his tail between his legs. 

I am not sure exactly what kind of advice he will be giving to CEO's, just know if he talks to your CEO, I would update the resume!  

Finally, and maybe most important, lets send Paul Ryan to be with his friend Eric Cantor. 

Vote for Rob Zerban!   

The Romney/Ryan Bromance Still Lives

It's always nice to see a cute couple stay together.  It's even better when it is the bromance between Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan:

U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan said Thursday he would love to see Mitt Romney run again for president and teased the GOP's former nominee at one point that the "third time's the charm."

Appearing with Ryan at a public event for the first time since their ticket lost two years ago, Romney offered his own good-humored praise by saying that Ryan "wouldn't be a bad president" himself.

Well, isn't that just special? It brings back all the warm, fuzzy memories of them dissing the 47%.

In order to give Ryan all the time he needs to evaluate a run for president, we should give him the time off he needs to thoroughly study the matter.

To do that, please help support - and vote for - Rob Zerban!

Paul Ryan Cares

 

By Jeff Simpson

Paul Ryan has opened up a dialogue on poverty in America.   

He even gave a speech about it:

I look forward to hearing from everybody. But let’s start with a principle we can all agree on: Hardworking taxpayers deserve a break in this country. Too many families are working harder and harder to get ahead, and yet they’re falling further and further behind. The costs of food, housing, and gas keep going up, but paychecks haven’t budged. So whether you’re a Republican or a Democrat, I think we can all agree: America deserves better.

Paul Ryan is so interested in tackling the issue of poverty, and "hearing from everybody" that for the small price of $10,000 you can have that discussion with him.  

Lunch and Conversation with Congressman Ryan

12pm until 1:30pm | Check-in begins at 11:30am.

Intercontinental Hotel Milwaukee | 139 East Kilbourn Avenue | Milwaukee

Questions? Please email us at info@maciverinstitute.com or call 608-237-7290.

HURRY! Seating is limited. Please RSVP no later than Wednesday, August 13th. 

Photo ID will be required for entry.

Your donation to The MacIver Institute at the following levels is TAX DEDUCTIBLE and will reserve your seat:

❏ $10,000 Event Sponsorship includes Table for Eight, special recognition throughout the event, picture with Congressman Ryan, preferential seating, 8 autographed books and lunch admissions.

Word to the wise--- agree with him, or else!

 

Paul Ryan's Shutdown Stupor

By Jeff Simpson

More revisionist history from Paul Ryan (R-I really didnt vote for everything I say I voted against).




VOTE FOR ROB ZERBAN!

My Election Thoughts

By Jeff Simpson

Election results here!

1.  Brett Hulsey had a solid showing receiving almost 52000 votes.  Brett Hulsey did not deserve to win, ran a solid campaign, brought up issues that needed to be brought up and did not deserve to be treated as poorly by the party as he was.  

Brett Hulsey9 hours ago

If Mary Burke wins tonight, I support her to beat Scott Walker in November.

2.  Mary Jo Walters was the story of the night.   116,006 votes as a relative unknown, who was completely shunned by the party she tried to represent, with no money against the political insider, long time WI Senator who refused to acknowledge her existence.   Congrats Mary Jo and thank you for what you have done.  

3.  I have not decided if the 116,006 people who voted for her were saying F U to the Democratic executive committee that endorsed her opponent and shunned her or the Democratic Executive committee and Chairman Tate who treated her like a second class citizen and shut her out of the Democratic convention were saying FU to the 116,006 Wisconsin voters who supported Mary Jo Walters.  Either way it is up to them to heal and bridge the divide NOT the other way around.

4.  When the race is so close, maybe the people did deserve a debate.

5  This cracked me up.   Apparently he forgot to put in the asterisk.  * Only applies to people I approve of running.  

   

6.  The overwhelming win by Rob Zerban surprised me, the overwhelming win by Paul Ryan did not.   I always thought Jeremy Ryan's best chance to win would be to get on the ballot then disappear.  Not a second of campaigning and hope people checked the wrong box.  

7.  Every vote matters, ask Janis Ringhand and Ernie Wittwer.

8.  The Democratic establishment lost, ask Pat Bohmack, Jon Richards and Tom Rayome.  

9.  Mike Sheridan's political career is over while Robin Vos was given a promotion and I can not figure out the difference between the two.  

10.   The extreme's on the R side of the 6th Congressional district were not distinguishable.  

11.  Triple dipping Van Wanggaard won, despite the fact he advertised that he had the old Knotsies as supporters.   I would hope that the fact that he is running on a I got mine and now want to pull the ladder up" campaign will be noticeable to the voters in his district!  

12.  How in the world can Sheriff Clarke win?  Seriously?   If it was all cross over votes and you did not see that coming, whose fault is that?

13.  Susan Happ will make a great Attorney General.  

14.  The low turnout still fails to amaze me and the fact that it is not addressed by the Democratic party also amazes me.  Why go after the imaginary Walker/Obama voters and not after the 80% of the people who did not choose to vote in the primary?   Give people a reason to vote and they will!    

15.  Congrats to Dana Duncan, no support from the Dem party, shunned by Wisconsin Progress and won handily.  Now its time to retire Scott Krug.

16.  Scott Walker is beatable, no excuses from the team trying to do so allowed!  

Government Shut Down Could Prove To Be Expensive

Remember how Representative Paul Ryan (R-Greedville) and our dumb Senator Ron Johnson (R-Dumbville) cheered on the government shut down last year as a way to save taxpayers a whole lot of
money?

It appears now that it worked as well as when then Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker furloughed thousands of county workers to save money.  That only cost taxpayers $6 million.

Ryan's and Johnson's stunt will cost a lot more now that a federal judge ruled it to be in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act, based on this story by Doug Cunningham of Workers Independent News:

Now that federal judge has ruled the government violated its own Fair Labor Standards Act by not paying workers on time during the federal government shutdown, the government has until September 2nd to respond. The law provides for damages to be paid these workers. The case – Martin et al. v. The United States Of America – could win damages for as many as 1.3 million government workers impacted by the shutdown.

So we will get to pay all those workers for the time the pay they missed and not get the services they were supposed to provide.

Is there any question as to why we need Rob Zerban to represent the state and make sure that the taxpayers are protected by the very expensive political stunts of Paul Ryan?

The Crazy Campaign of Amardeep Kaleka

Last fall, while endorsing Rob Zerban for Congress, I pointed out to some of the bizarre doings from his primary opponent, Amardeep Kaleka.  Among the oddities were the fact that Kaleka was running his campaign from California and some personal beliefs that one might not expect from a serious candidate.

Since then, Zerban has been running a solid campaign - attending events, fundraising and calling out Paul Ryan's nonsense and maleficence at every turn.

Meanwhile, Kaleka appears to be running more some sort of stunt than a serious political campaign.

Over the past month or so, he has sent out not just one, but two, fundraising emails with the same curious sales pitch on why people should donate:

For $10, he'll get one vote? What, is he planning on paying people to vote for him? That might work in California, but it's definitely against the law in Wisconsin (with Republicans thinking that they are exempt, of course).  And he needs $2 to have someone knock on doors? Don't most politicians have volunteers to do that?

Kaleka doesn't end the crazy there either.

On his Facebook page, he's been touting this:

Look past the curious choice of using a picture of a debate between John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon for a minute to look at the wording.  He's saying that the first 100 people can watch this debate for free, but then what? He's going to charge everyone after that to see him lose his butt to Zerban?

Oh, and Kaleka has another problem with this. Zerban has not agreed to anything with Kaleka.  Kaleka is selling a false bill of goods...sort of like his campaign.

It would seem that Kaleka is pretty obsessed with raising cash.  While money, unfortunately, still place way too large of a role in politics, this trickery is way beyond the usual fundraising gimmicks.  Maybe he's still trying to raise money for his UFO documentary.  Maybe it's something else.  

All I know is that he is an unfortunate distraction from the important work that Rob Zerban is doing there in getting a real, progressive message out, supporting working people and small business owners and putting the power back in the hands of the people.

If you can, please help support Rob Zerban as he finally gets rid of that twice-damned fool, Paul Ryan.  

You can learn more about Rob Zerban at his website and you can help support his campaign by donating here.

Thiesfeldt V Ryan

 

By Jeff Simpson

Jeremy Thiesfeldt (R-ALEC) has taken time away from reading Alec emails that are sent to his personal email to write a blistering criticism of the George Bush written and Paul Ryan(R-Ayn Rand) supported No Child Left Behind republican education policy!

The near-unanimous adoption of CCS came from recession cash-strapped states eager for bothfederal stimulus funds, and a waiver from the heavy hand of No Child Left Behind.

Of Course Paul Ryan (R-Standardized tests) was a big supporter of No Child Left Behind and the heavy hand of the Federal Government!    Apparently the "tea party" that keeps having Paul Ryan speak at their events are not that opposed to the heavy hand of the government if its done by republicans! 

In the interest of limited government and freedom, Jeremy Thiesfeldt supports Rob Zerban and you should too!  








   

Paul Ryan on Education
Rep. Ryan went along with the Bush Administration in supporting more federal involvement in education. This is contrary to the traditional Republican position, which included support for abolition of the Department of Education and decreasing federal involvement in education.
-Voted YES on No Child Left Behind Act (2001)
- See more at: http://www.thomhartmann.com/forum/2012/08/paul-ryan-not-opponent-big-government-left-and-right-make-him-out-be#sthash.ycclu7wo.dpuf

Paul Ryan on Education
Rep. Ryan went along with the Bush Administration in supporting more federal involvement in education. This is contrary to the traditional Republican position, which included support for abolition of the Department of Education and decreasing federal involvement in education.
-Voted YES on No Child Left Behind Act (2001)
- See more at: http://www.thomhartmann.com/forum/2012/08/paul-ryan-not-opponent-big-government-left-and-right-make-him-out-be#sthash.ycclu7wo.dpuf

Paul Ryan on Education
Rep. Ryan went along with the Bush Administration in supporting more federal involvement in education. This is contrary to the traditional Republican position, which included support for abolition of the Department of Education and decreasing federal involvement in education.
-Voted YES on No Child Left Behind Act (2001)
- See more at: http://www.thomhartmann.com/forum/2012/08/paul-ryan-not-opponent-big-government-left-and-right-make-him-out-be#sthash.ycclu7wo.dpuf

Paul Ryan on Education
Rep. Ryan went along with the Bush Administration in supporting more federal involvement in education. This is contrary to the traditional Republican position, which included support for abolition of the Department of Education and decreasing federal involvement in education.
-Voted YES on No Child Left Behind Act (2001)
- See more at: http://www.thomhartmann.com/forum/2012/08/paul-ryan-not-opponent-big-government-left-and-right-make-him-out-be#sthash.ycclu7wo.dpuf

HEY Waukesha - Give Us A Break!

 

By Jeff Simpson

Wisconsin has been a mess these last two years, pitting family against family, friends against friends and neighbors against neighbors.   It all really started with the election of Scott Walker when he ran on this platform.

While this statewide civil war has made headlines for three plus years now, there has been an underlying pain in our collective behinds that heretofore has been undiagnosed.   I finally found out what that constant pain is -  Waukesha.

* I am not just talking about the Waukesha man that the only date he can get is with a couch, well they let him out of the city limits to wreak havoc on Delafield.

  A man who was caught last year having sex with a couch discarded on a Wisconsin street pleaded guilty this afternoon to a public lewdness charge.
During a hearing in Waukesha County Circuit Court, Gerard Streator, 47, copped to a misdemeanor charge stemming from September’s illicit curbside encounter.

* Then of course, there is formerly convicted felon Scott Jensen who was heading to a nice long well deserved stay in prison where he belonged until he was able to find a willing DA(Brad Schimel from Waukesha) who would give him a Get Out of Jail Free Card. 

Ask Scott Jensen. The former state Assembly speaker is arguably the most discredited Wisconsin political figure who has not served a jail sentence.

* It is the very same DA - Brad Schimel, who is now running for the job of Attorney General of Wisconsin and away from his DUI conviction.  

 * Thanks to Waukesha and gerrymandered districts, Paul Ryan (R- Wall St.) was allowed to keep his seat over the incredibly more intelligent and qualified Rob Zerban! 

* No one who was around in the 2012 election will ever forget that the incredibly incompetence of Kathy Nickolaus cost the State of Wisconsin millions of dollars if not a Supreme Court Election.  

*  For those who do not know, instead of taking responsibility for their own actions, they have also been trying to steal Milwaukee's water for ages.  

*  The Waukesha Police arrest and detain people for filming them and then the police chief sued the taxpayers!

*   There is of course Bill Kramer - Nuff Said. 

*  The ever ridiculous Jimmy Wigderson!

*  In case you missed it, they also just picked up a domestic terrorist in Waukesha - Michael Rinderle.   

* Not to mention various gun incidents,  hate crimes and of course Mark Chumura.  

And various other problems....

Waukesha, we get it.  You dont like us, and we really do not like you.   Can we somehow learn to get along or must you keep tormenting us with pure ridiculousness?  We can not keep covering for your mistakes and problems forever!

So please, Waukesha, I beg of you.  give us a break!!

Kaleka Is Getting Warmer, Zerban Is Still Hot

A couple of months ago, we learned that there would be a primary in the First Congressional District to see who would get to take on Paul Ryan.

One of the candidates is Amardeep Kaleka.  At the time that Kaleka was announcing his candidacy, I noted that several concerns about his campaign, one of which was that his exploratory committee was based in California:

Just like almost every other political candidate and every group, Kaleka sent out an email begging for that end of the year contribution before Tuesday night's reporting deadline.

The email in itself isn't anything unusual as far as these sorts of emails go.  However, I did notice that there was a new address for Kaleka's campaign:

Now, instead of being based in California, the campaign is now headquartered in a post office mailbox in Franklin.  That seems legit, doesn't it?

Fortunately, the voters in CD 1 has a better choice in Rob Zerban, who has not only resided in the district all this time, but has been there standing with the people through the hard times.  His positions has been clearly laid out and he has a serious agenda on how to turn things around for not only the district but for the entire state and the country, bringing back good paying jobs and restoring our rights.

We all agree that Paul Ryan needs to go for the good of the state and the country and Zerban is the person to make it happen.

Good News and Bad News

By Jeff Simpson

H/T Jud Lounsbury:

The bad news first:


 

Mary Burke will have to answer for the outsourcing of jobs @ Trek, and As John Nichols points out, this issue is not dead and be prepared to get hit often by it.  

At least Christian Schneider thinks its great!   


The Good News:

Rob Zerban can use the same attacks on his opponent! 

White Wisconsin Fails Again

 

By Jeff Simpson

This year, after being exposed on a national basis to be the fraud that he is, the right's Golden Boy, paul ryan(R-Wall St.) has two challengers.  

Besides Rob Zerban, Amar Kaleka also announced his intentions to challenge Pink Slip Paulie. 

Democrat Amar Kaleka, whose father was killed in last year’s suburban Milwaukee Sikh temple massacre, announced on Monday that he will try to unseat GOP Rep. Paul Ryan in 2014.

Kaleka, a documentary film maker, told the Associated Press that he would formally launch his campaign against Ryan, House Budget Committee chairman and 2012 GOP vice presidential nominee, in November.

“There’s a fever in the nation, and specifically in this district, for our leaders to stop playing politics and do their jobs,” he said. “All I want to do is bring democracy — a government of, for and by the people — back to America.”

Kaleka’s father, Satwant Singh Kaleka, was one of five people killed when a white supremacist opened fire at the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin in August 2012.

Kaleka, is everything that Charlie Sykes and his loyal followers fear(minority, non-Christian, Democrat, who works in Hollywood), so the attacks started immediately.   

This from Collin Roth:  

Amardeep Kaleka, the much-heralded Democratic challenger to Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI-01), is an alien conspiracy theorist and 9/11 truther

This from Jimmy Wigderson(@jwigderson): 

Paul Ryan Democratic Challenger an Alien Conspiracy Theorist, 9/11 Truther http://t.co/fKHNJ1qRSR Now let's go ask @Wisdems what they think.
— james wigderson (@jwigderson) October 31, 2013

When one of the RWNJ jumps on the protect paul bandwagon they all do.    As Kevin Binvesie weighs in, with wet dreams of how to smear Kaleka already:

(Wow, the “he’s a wack-job” direct mail nearly writes itself.  How does a pic­ture of this guy look next to the Hale Bop Comet Cult leader?)

Kaleka's actual views on Alien life?

 Kaleka founded Neverending Light, the studio that produced Sirius. He couldn't be reached for comment in time for publication, but he told the Capital Times, "I don't think that any knowledgeable human would say that extraterrestrials don't exist.

Let's "politifact" that statement, by asking the coolest man on the planet:

Yes.....White Wisconsin fails again.  

I  look forward to their next breaking investigation, tieing Robert Iger to the strange happenings on Witch Mountain!  

PS:  If my friends at White Wisconsin want to look into a politician with a crazy theory - check out this archaic roadmap!  

Zerban for Congress!

During his tenure as a US Congressman for the First District in Wisconsin, Paul Ryan has done much.

He drank $350 bottles of wine.  He's introduced a Medicare plan that is more expensive than anything else out there.  He's tried to get Grandma to learn to appreciate cat food as a nutritional, tasty meal.  He's washed empty pans.  He had run - and lost - in a campaign to be Vice President of the United States.  He's made it easier for people to bring in trophy polar bear carcasses to our country.  He's ran in marathons at super human speeds.

About the only thing Paul Ryan hasn't done is represent the people of Wisconsin.

If he is again reelected, we can only expect more of the same from him, with the exception of the a possible run to be the President of the United States.

But there is hope.  There is a man that is willing to not only represent the people of Wisconsin, but to fight for them.

Rob Zerban

That man is a Rob Zerban and even as I write this, he is currently in Southeastern Wisconsin announcing that he is going to take on Paul Ryan in 2014.

For those that read Cog Dis regularly, Zerban should be a familiar name.  He ran against Ryan in the last cycle and damned near beat him then.  In fact, Zerban trounced Ryan in Ryan's hometown of Janesville.  The only thing that saved Ryan's butt that day was the gerrymandered voting districts that gave Ryan the deep red area of Walkersha County.

But unlike some candidates who also lost that year, Zerban did not sit back and just shrug his shoulders.  He did not give up or lose interest.

If anything, he did the opposite.  He got more invested in the district and in state.  Whether it was a labor event, a call for immigration reform or standing up for women's rights, Zerban was there, with his sleeves rolled up and working hard.

I would say that it's a fair statement to say that in the last two yearrs, Rob Zerban has done more for the district than Paul Ryan has done in his entire career as their so-called representative.

It is Zerban's passion for his community, his common sense and very doable solutions to the issues crippling his district and the state and his eagerness to do the right thing that makes me proud to support his candidacy.

You can find Zerban's website here.  He also has a Facebook page.

To be fair, there is another person considering a run against Ryan as well.  That person is Amardeep Kaleka.  Kaleka became known when his father was tragically murdered in the mass shooting at the Sikh temple in Oak Creek.

Kaleka has made some passionate calls for peace and his very motivational.  He seems like a genuinely nice person.

But I'm not sure he would be a good choice as a congressional representative or what his level of investment would be.

When one goes to his website, there is immediately a problem as that there is not the legal disclaimer on who is paying for the website.  But it gets worse.

If one were to sign up for emails at the website, one would get a confirmation email to make sure that it was not spam.  That's where another red flag pops up.  This is what I received both to sign up and to confirm:

Yes, you read that correctly.  The headquarters for Kaleka's headquarters is in California.  I know the Republicans have really fouled things up with their gerrymandering, but the last I checked, there was not one part of the First Congressional District that is in California.

I also have to express some skepticism on Kaleka's motivation for running for office in the first place.  Is he running to make things better for the people in Wisconsin or is he running to raise his own name recognition?  You see, he has this film about UFOs that he is trying to raise money for.  (BTW, skeptics are not impressed with Kaleka's claims.)

Clearly, Rob Zerban stands head and shoulders above the rest in his bid to be the Congressman for the First District.  He is strongly invested in his community, has clear and viable solutions to the problems plaguing his district and the rest of the state and is committed to serving the people he would represent, not the big money special interests that want to maintain the status quo which plainly isn't working.

I am proud to offer my support and endorsement to Rob Zerban.  He is one of the few candidates that I can actually be excited about supporting instead of just because he's not the other guy.

37 Is Too Many

Rob Zerban, who is taking on the epic failure Paul Ryan, sent out a campaign fundraising email with this image which was just too go to pass up:

Now, I don't normally do this, but because I found that picture to be so funny and because Zerban is one heck of a nice guy, I will also reproduce his whole email in the hopes that it helps raise a few bucks of him:

Congressional Republicans are on a witch hunt to vilify President Obama for anything and everything they can get their hands on. But while some of the more recent disclosures are troubling, Congressional Republicans seem more interested in the political theater than in getting answers. And that's the problem. 

Give $7 if you think political theater is a problem.

Hearings that last for months and go nowhere. Presidential appointments that go unconfirmed because of obstruction. A budget process that is stalled because Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan refuses to name a conference committee. And today, Congressional Republicans will vote to repeal the Affordable Care Act for the 37th time! Enough is enough. 

Get 3 people to give $7 if you think 37 times is too many.

As I travel across Southeast Wisconsin listening to the voters here, the issue that keeps coming up over and over isn't Benghazi or Obamacare, it's jobs. But just two weeks ago, when a hearing on unemployment was scheduled, only 4 lawmakers showed up. That is not representative democracy. That's political theater, and it needs to stop. We can end it, but we need your help getting the message out.

Sincerely, 
Rob Zerban 

PS - If you stand with Rob, get 3 of your friends to give $7 because 37 votes to repeal Obamacare is too many.