Even when Doyle was in power he wouldn't talk about how unfair taxes are in Wisconsin. He didn't talk about eliminating subsidies, grants or any of the unfair giveaways. In my opinion the economy will stay the way it is or get worse until these issues are addressed.

Doye's agenda is a war of cultural genocide against smokers, founded on the Nazi pseudo-science of lifestyle questionnaire studies. More than 50 studies show that human papillomaviruses cause over ten times more lung cancers than they pretend are caused by secondhand smoke. Passive smokers are more likely to have been exposed to this virus, so the anti-smokers' studies, which are all based on nothing but lifestyle questionnaires, have been cynically DESIGNED to falsely blame passive smoking for all those extra lung cancers that are really caused by HPV.

http://www.smokershistory.com/hpvlungc.h...

They commit the same fraud of ignoring the role of infection, and concealing evidence that casts doubt on their claims, in their accusation that smoking and passive smoking cause heart disease.

http://www.smokershistory.com/etsheart.h...

NEW GOVERNOR

factcheck: I don't dispute your numbers, never said that I did. The shareholders have done quite well, actually. Most "long term" investors look at an investment over at least 5 years. exxon mobile (XOM) is up 87.5% over a 5 year span. That also does NOT include the quarterly dividends that get you as a shareholder that adds approx an additional 2% yield per year. In contrast the dow and S&P are are down 23% and 26% over the same 5 year span. So Exxon Mobile has FAR exceeded the major market indicators over 5 years, which is how most analysts review a stocks performance. Being up 87% over 5 years, even after the recent market crash, is very impressive. If shareholders are complaining about numbers like that, they are frankly insane.
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As for as the taxes, I'm ALL FOR them paying the least amount of taxes. I'm all for everyone paying a very low rate in taxes; as a company or individual can spend their own $$$ FAR better then anyone in government can. Much of the %age rate you site is also skewed because companies reinvest profits into expanding the business, which is not taxed. If you tax it (which is likely to happen soon), all you do is slow corporate growth, and the economy over all.

They could start by lowereing payroll taxes here in this State and actually put money into people pockets every pay period (those who still are working). Then they need to lower the business taxes so businesses can stay a float during the downtime and retain employees. Only if it's a temporary cut. Were loosing jobs left and right and they seem to be worried about a smoking ban. It's pathetic. Doyle should look at the 2 billion he has in increases in his bill. Keep spending that will get us out of this mess. That seems to be his theory. Expect us to make the sacrifices but, put 2 billion in new spending in the bill.

Sure, Gov, let's all make sacrifices, just like Mike Sheridan and all of his buddies in the Legislature did by accepting the pay raise. Mike, if you're going to be a leader, be a leader. Don't accept the raise just to provide cover for your cohorts. Make the tough choice. If you won't make tough choices, the next two years will be more of the same. And don't count on any help from your buddy Jeff Fitzgerald - he's clearly not buying the bi-partisan routine. To him, working with you to get things done means he'll always stay in the minority. He's not going to help you - so just get it done. But don't get power-crazy like Sen. Judy did when she was leader. And prioritize stuff that matters, like job creation. Don't waste time on stuff that can wait, like the smoking ban. Local municipalities have a decent handle on that.

The shareholders have been complaining because there has been very little "trickle down" to them with the record profits. And yes, they paid $36 billion in taxes, about 8% of income compared to a guy making $50,000 a year and paying a tax rate of about 20%, income and payroll taxes. As they say, "you can look it up!"

factcheck:
You are correct, that was yearly profit ( 4th quarter was around $8 billion). I just read the article off the financial times before the opening market bell today when I was doing some pre-market analysis.
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This is WONDERFUL news that a company is making such huge profits in these troubled times. Not only are they funding all the useless government programs by all the taxes they pay on that profit, but they also add wealth to the MILLIONS of shareholders that hold the stock in their portfolio, and share in on those profits. Not to mention the huge boost to the economy they provide by employing 80,800 workers. Workers that make very large salaries, and work for one of the most successful companies in the world. Rex Tillerson (CEO of exxon mobile) should be President of the USA. A man who knows how to run a successful, and prosperous business, and has helped create more wealth and opportunity then any buffoon in government ever will. Of course; he would never bother to run for any political office. Why take a massive pay cut from his current $16 million salary?!

I think you fail to understand my basic premise. I read post after post saying we need to work together, bi-partisan ,blah blah to "get thing dones". That in of it self is preposterous. You can get anything done you want. "You" being the Democratic majority. Sure not all democrats are going to agree on every policy, but the reality is that legislation is drawn up (by the majority), it will get party line support when it comes to vote. Just look at the recent stimulus, which had all of 11 democrats vote against. While ZERO in the GOP voted for it. Like I said; you should be ecstatic, yet I hear so many of you STILL complaining. You got all your guys in huge majority rule. True dictatorial power, yet your STILL talking bipartisan?? This is laughable. Pass whatever you want; and bask in the glory of it when it saves the economy, and creates this wonderful Utopian state!

Chicago smooth and creamy twist is the only flavor offered.

Yes, and we will lead by example...something this country has lacked for eight years. The grown-ups are now in charge. What flavor would you like Rep of 1?

My how the name calling keeps carrying on with out intelligent rants to carry out the quest.
Lake: "YOU" is simple as looking in the mirror.
Like it or not, the democrats control the government majority and I want my ice cream NOW!

Exxon $45 billion for the year, not quarter. And over 60% of profitable companies in this country pay no taxes.

Who is "you" and what are "your policies?"
Because I supported Obama during the election does not mean that I support ALL of his policies, or ALL Democrats. Your assumption is clearly idiotic.

The comment is hardly idiotic?
Again I ask WHY do you need anything bi-partisan?
YOU WON, you control both houses of congress and the executive branch at both the state and federal level. You can pass any legislation you want simply by getting your own party to sign on. Everything you want can be done, and will. Clearly the progressives believe the answer to the problems are through a massive Keynesian style approach through huge government stimulus at the federal level. While at the state level it's going to be huge tax increases, and expansion of government.
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The opposition has a fundamental philosophical difference of opinion. Once you get all your policies passed, and if they truly fix the economy; then myself, and all the opposition will be proven wrong and essentially lost indefinitely, politically. You should be happy at the opportunity you have. You can finally wipe out all these free market capitalists, and supply siders with the success of your big government fixes.

Hmmm. Or we could all just keep on making idiotic comments like kiowamohican and nothing will be accomplished.
Keep up the good work, you and your attitude are a real asset to the community.

Nothing bi-partisan is needed, what are you guys talking about? The Democrats have full control of government. You guys WON, remember? You have all the majorities, and do not need to work with anyone to pass your agenda that is going to save the world.
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Moo; you can come look at my W-2 if it will make you feel any better. 2008 was a spectacular year. Not as good as Exxon Mobile, who I just read today posted over $40 BILLION in profits last quarter, but good nonetheless. Good thing we have the Exxon Mobiles of the world. If not for them the government would not be collecting hardly any tax revenues; and providing you with all those great government programs that are saving the world!...No oil futures to speculate today; that had it's fun over the summer. Shorting these financials is where the real lively action lies right now!

usaret:
I agree with you completely. Our state represenatives inability to work together to get anything done is a joke at best. Remember the ridiculous budget negotiation process? I think we were the last state to actually have a budget.

Not bitter KM, contemptious. Your lectures and rants are tiresome. You would not have a pot to take a leak in if was not for the stability and infrastructure the government has put in place. You tell us you pay taxes. Really? You drone on like a fear mongering, basement dwelling tax avoider. Now go do something useless that provides value added to the economoy like speculating on petroleum futures.

Wow, you seem bitter toward me mooshop. I have added nothing to the economy, huh? HMMM, I guess my thousands paid in taxes every year adds nothing. You may be correct; as most tax money nowadays just goes to support government degenerates such as yourself.

Sacrifice?
Not much mentioned about the real work world in this address. Many of us here in Wisconsin (and the nation) have been languishing in the $7.00 per hour under-employed culture for years. I like how (all) the elite media pundits, elected officials, and those that live above us rabble have just recently discovered the "Depression of 2008/09 and beyond."
So we need to sacrifice?
Without $20 to $30 per hour jobs, and any kind of meaningful jobs for that matter, we are slipping from the First World to a Second World country with nukes. For all those that do not remember "duck and cover," the Second World was basically poor totalitarian countries with nukes we deemed our enemies. The Third World was what was left - those in abject poverty.
What set us aside from the Second and Third World was our large Middle Class and its "freedoms" to move about and prosper at our own devices. Those days are all but gone.
It would seem at this rate via the tone of the Gov's address, that the ruling class will grind the rest of us into the dirt until the bitter end. Sacrifice people!
Unfortunately, the perps in this case, do not seem to know who they are.
More rhetoric like the Gov's speech and then his minions' apologies, and Orwell will be completely vindicated. To paraphrase Ol' George O., "We need to work harder, cheaper, longer, and then die," you peoples.
Remember also, according to the Third Reich, "Work is freedom," was a sign often seen over the gates of concentration camps. Of course Hitler's "work" meant slave labor equals freedom. Another year of this economy and we will be up to our knees in a near-like society we spent the whole of the Twentieth Century fighting against.
May any of your gods help us all, we will need it.
Bob Keith
cooldadiomedia.com

I love it when KM gives us one of his blow hard know it all diatribes. One who speculates adds nothing, I repeat, nothing of value added to the economy. Kinda like teats on a boar with a bad attitude.

The whole country is in this mess and to blame one or the other is not going to solve a dam thing!!!!!!! I agree it is time for all political parties to sit as ONE and work on restoring what little is left and quit bailing out the ones that only worry about themselves and not the economy!!!!!!!!!! The wall street bail out at our expense and then they give themselves more raises and bonuses and the little man struggles to keep what little they have well we little people have had enough. Pull together as a country and find solutions to the recession not find fault in each other.......... Let us feel proud ro be Americans again. Democrats and Republicans you represent the people not yourselves now do what you were elected to do Serve the people.

I love how the politician calls for the PUBLIC to "make sacrifices" in tough times, but does GOVERNMENT ever cut down on spending as part of this sacrifice? This economy is in so much trouble with all these big government clowns running it, that it's not even funny anymore. When 2010 comes around, and things are in full scale melt down mode (as they really have only just begun), one really wonders if people will finally have had enough and vote everyone of these big government types out.

Time to quit smoking and slow down on everything else right beefer

Perhaps Doyle is going to spring a big pleasant surprise on us - such as announcing he is not running for office again and tossing all the campaign money he's collected so far into the Transporation Department fund to make up for what he's boosted out of there over the years.
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Here's a suggestion, Doyle, raise the fees for obtaining or renewing a concealed carry handgun permit... oops, you vetoed the bill for that source of revenue twice.
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How about calling your buddy Rod Blagojevich in Illinois and working out a deal to slap up some iPass meters north of the state line on I-90, to get some revenue from the FIBs, in exchange for an unrelated donation to his legal defense fund?

Leave it to Sheridan for that brilliant statement.
Thank you Captain Obvious.

I think Mike Sheridan might be in over his head. He is starting to sound like former President G.W. Bush. Some pretty stupid things come out of his mouth. Lets see, pay increase for the assembly. Tax increase for citizens. When you look into his past he is really unethical. His true character will come out in the next election. He will be exposed for his past practices that may make you ill.

usaret...best damn post I've read in a long time!

I don't care what party managed to get this state in such a fiscal mess but both parties better set down and start working to get us out of it. We don't need each side blaming the other, we need them to be working together. And, as I have often stated before, if you can't do the job then get out of the way so that we can get elected officials who can.
Don't give us words--GIVE US ACTION! Show us that you can actually do something besides draw a paycheck.

Here was a great opportunity to ask people to shoulder the burden, to sacrifice for the greater good, to create a sense that we're all in this together, that unity is needed at a time like this. Doyle is sure no FDR, no Kennedy, no Obama.

Sherdian's line, "create a sense of reality about what's going on in this state and country" What a joke.......Are you freaking kidding me? As if the average Wisconsinite needs any help regarding a reality check as to what's going on out there!!!! What planet do these politicians live on?

Keep taxing the middle class, that will definately help us get out of the recession. Stop taxing and start a plan to bring jobs to the state.

Hey Doyle, why don't you sacrifice for our state? You make a ton of money as governor, give up a little for your fellow wisconsinites!!! I love it when Politicians say they want to spread the wealth around. So long as it's not their wealth!! Back to subject: Doyle has done nothing for this state except spend what we don't have and get us deeper in the rat hole! Vote next elction and let's get rid of the shysters!

I expect that the Governor will devise a plan that will allocate sacrificing according to what he determines will be "fair" with government union members and particularly teacher's union members bearing little of the sacrifices due to the considerable sacrifices (campaign contributions) they have already born.

A politician not saying anything during a speech - shocking, absolutely shocking!

"It is a shame that while the governor is trying to work in a bipartisan manner to stimulate the economy, the Republican Party continues to fervently protect the status quo and obstruct efforts to create new jobs for Wisconsin families."—Joe Wineke, chairman of the Wisconsin Democratic Party

Translation: It's a shame that while the Governor is continually trying to stick it to the taxpayer for his miserable failures that a few people actually want to hold him accountable and feel the need to ask reasonable and tough questions. Worse yet, they actually expect the Governor to answer these questions. The Governor wants to be able to keep throwing money down the rat hole, then create hidden taxes through increased fees and gimmick taxes on oil companies which will undoubtedly be passed on to the taxpayer. The Governor is hoping that President Obama will come through with his taxpayer funded government givaway money, or "economic stimulus" so that he can cover up the deficit yet again and continue to stick it to the Wisconsin taxpayer without anyone in the media calling him on it. Translation finished.