Government
Fixing Deficits With Better Priorities
“Politics: A strife of interests masquerading as a contest of principles. The conduct of public affairs for private advantage.” Ambrose BierceConservatives supposedly are for fiscal responsibility. We should live within our means. The government should not, according to them, spend more than it takes in taxes. As a corollary, taxes hurt the economy and must always be cut. These pious platitudes superficially sound good but are misleading and destructive in many ways.Actions speak louder than words. The historical record shows that since 1980 federal deficits and ...
ORIGINAL INTENT, SUPREME COURT ELECTIONS, AND THE 2ND AMENDMENT
Wisconsin has a Supreme Court election on April 2nd. If you have been following this race, or paying attention to any of the U.S Supreme Court nomination hearings, you have heard a lot of noise about judicial philosophy and “original intent.” What does this mean? Is it important?Original intent is the idea that the Constitution and other laws must be interpreted based on the original intent or meaning of the authors. This view sees the Constitution as a static document frozen in time. It can only be changed by the formal amendment process. This is in contrast to a ...
FIRST GLANCE AT GOVERNOR EVERS’ BUDGET
Governor Tony Evers presented his first budget to the Legislature on Thursday evening last week. It was a uniquely crafted budget. It contained encouraging policy for Wisconsin’s future. And many of the Governor’s budget provisions were long overdue.The Governor’s comments highlighted his goal to present the people’s budget to the Legislature: “It’s about creating a Wisconsin that works for everyone — a Wisconsin for us. This isn’t the Tony Evers’ budget, the Democratic budget, the speaker’s budget, or the Republican budget — this is the people’s ...
WISCONSIN SUPREME COURT
“Get involved. The world is run by those who show up” - Bumper stickerWisconsin has another important Supreme Court election on April 2nd. This is an election that people need to take seriously. Who gets elected can make a difference to people's lives. People need to show up!This year's election is similar to the Supreme Court race in 2018. The choice is between two sitting judges and the qualifications of the two candidates varies significantly. Judge Lisa Neubauer is an experienced, qualified, non-partisan, candidate. Judge Brian Hagedorn has limited experience, ...
SPEED AND SECRECY…THE LAST ACT
If you were a legislative leader in Wisconsin, and had an opportunity to pass new laws before your party’s governor left office, what would you do? What would you fix as your last act in power?As I face my last Senate votes, I am working hard to understand what laws my Republican colleagues choose to pass before the new Democratic Governor takes office.Late last Friday night, after Senate staff went home for the weekend, Republican leaders released their last act. Five bills detailing changes to over 400 sections of state law. I learned late Friday, there would be ...
Prominent Toxicologist Interviewed on 1230 WXCO Regarding Riverside Park & Thomas Street (Audio)
http://cleanwausau.com/full-interview-of-stephen-lester-toxicologist-on-wxco-audio/
WHAT DOES FOXCONN MEAN TO ME?
“Hard to wrap my head around,” the woman shared as she considered Foxconn. Just what do big budget decisions mean to us?Work has begun on crafting the next state budget. Over the next few months, this work will continue in earnest. One hefty unbudgeted expense added to upcoming budget math is a large taxpayer funded payment to a foreign corporation.Foxconn is the Taiwanese company building a manufacturing plant in southeast Wisconsin. To lure the company to our state, majority lawmakers and the governor created the largest state corporate give-away in American ...
Santa Claus and the Grinch
The annual Federal Government “deficit,” is the difference between the money Congress orders the US Treasury to create out of nowhere to spend into the economy and the money the US Internal Revenue Service removes from the economy through taxes. The Federal Government must operate in a “deficit” or there will be no money circulating in the economy to conduct private business. The “deficit” is a number on the Treasury’s computer screen. Nothing more.Since 2016 the Republican Party has been in full control of our federal government. They own the Presidency ...
Prisons for Profit???
Hey, young Americans, here’s what you should do.Have mom and dad invest for you.Put money into “privatized prisons.”That should doIt will keep you in good income,For your whole life through.You can thank those old white suits in WashingtonAnd those misinformed who cast their votes,With conservative federal judges across the land,Who needs the Ku Klux Klan?If you invest in these “human warehouses,” you will seeGenerations of wealth built on the backs of those put into slavery.No matter their color or any shade,...
I LOVE PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND GOOD ROADS AND I VOTE
We need to elect officials who will take responsibility for maintaining our public schools and roads. It is unbelievable that local school districts need to hold referendums for money to maintain schools.Seventy-five percent of Wisconsin people support public schools. They realize that public schools are the core of our community and our democracy. We ordinary people are responsible for our property. We take care of broken windows and leaky roofs. In the same vein, public officials need to understand that maintaining our public schools is the order of the day. School ...
